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Sprache: Standardeinstellung (Deutsch) Deutsch English Slovensko
Empowering Young People's Profilansicht: Introduction
Motto: Re-Shaping Life in our Region
This project supported innovative school-based projects that help young people
in understanding and accepting other cultures through cross-cultural interaction in the Danube Region.
in promoting active citizenship through intercultural awareness.
in supporting participation in civil society in their home countries, in the Danube region and in Europe.
in committing themselves to sustainable development.
Project Duration: 2012 – Mid 2014
The project prefers methods that are based on discovery, because life is an experiment. Learning happens through personal interest and personal experiences, out of inquisitiveness. Our philosophy is to support innovative projects that are founded in trust and mistakes are considered a source of learning.
We believe that the individual projects and partnerships started in the course of this project will live on after the project has ended.
Envisaged outcomes by the end of 2013 are:
Four regional school clusters have been established.
32 teachers have gained experience in regional project development.
80 teachers have gained experience in regional project implementation.
400 students have actively participated in four projects in fields relevant for the Danube Region.
Project results were presented to 1.600 stakeholders in ten countries.
The "Danube Region Project Portfolio" – an innovative teachers guide is available to teachers/schools in the Danube Region.
May – October 2012: Participants identified four thematic areas for co-operation. In each of the thematic fields four schools form a "cluster" working on one joint project. In four cluster events the joint project ideas were developed.
Cluster A - Active Citizenship
"Supporting Vulnerable Groups in Society – Promoting Voluntarism among Students":
Developing knowledge, skills and attitudes of students to participate as volunteers in their local communities and raising their awareness for the situation of vulnerable groups.
Participating Schools:
High School Liceul Teoretic "Mihail Sadoveanu" Călărași, Moldova
Mixed vocational school "17th september" Zabljak, Montenegro
"George Cǎlinescu" High School Constanţa, Romania
High School Centre Pale, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cluster B - Cultural Dialogue
"Stories of Everyday Life of Students in Four Countries – an Intercultural Comparison": Erasing frontiers by knowing our similarities and differences.
Economy and Trade School Bor, Serbia
"Ferdinand-von-Steinbeis" School Tuttlingen, Germany
Schools of BFI Vienna, Austria
Secondary school #8 of I-III grades Odessa, Ukraine
Cluster C - Sustainable Development
"Kids Recycle - Awareness Raising Campaigns in Kindergartens for Recycling": Students raise awareness of children for sustainable development.
Biotechnical School Centre Naklo, Slovenia
"Georgi Rakovski" High School of Commerce Varna, Bulgaria
High School of Commerce Geislingen, Germany
Secondary School of Economics Čačak, Serbia
Cluster D - Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship
"Together for a Job - Youth Campaign against Youth Unemployment in the Danube Region": A project to change the mind-sets of young people and to raise public awareness for youth unemployment.
Financial – Banking College Chisinau, Moldova
Secondary School of Economics Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Secondary Mixed School "Beco Basic" Plav, Montenegro
Superior School of Commerce "N. Kretzulescu" Bucuresti, Romania
2013 June:
Get together: Presentation of project results
2013 September – December:
Development of a "Danube Region Project Portfolio" - an innovative teacher's guide
Mid 2014:
Dissemination of ProjectResults:
Dissemination conference in BiH, presentation of project results to interested stakeholders.
Background / Danube Strategy
Covering a fifth of the EU (100 million inhabitants), the Danube Region is a key to the well-being of the EU as a whole. Many of the region's challenges know no borders: flooding, transport and energy links, environmental protection and security, education policy and labour market issues all require a united approach.
The EU Strategy for the Danube Region concerns mainly 14 countries, eight of which are Member States (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania) and six of which are non-EU countries (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova). Organisations representing civil society as well as private companies are also involved in the implementation of initiatives and projects and the achievement of precise targets.
In line with the strategic framework ET 2020 and the Strategy EU 2020, education and training are among the cornerstones of the Danube Region Strategy. Priority Area 9 "To Invest in People and Skills" i.a. explores how to improve the quality of education and to foster skills and competences through better lifelong learning opportunities at every level of education and training. Improving the attractiveness and relevance of vocational educational training, increasing the participation in adult learning and providing innovative training opportunities for disadvantaged groups are particular importance in this regard. At the same time, there is a need to enhance creativity and entrepreneurship and to foster empowerment, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship.
http://www.peopleandskills-danuberegion.eu/
Beschwerde *
Nutzungsbedingung | Datenschutzerklärung | Über | Kontaktaufnahme


Sushant Dalvi is detail oriented, well organized and has an eye for sophisticated design. He plays a crucial role in visualization, conceptualization and implementation of design right from concept to completion. Excellent leadership skills and a perfect team player, make Sushant a superb Team lead for the graphic design team.
With a sound experience in the field of Graphics, Sushant is an expert in Vector Designs and Logo creation, Image creation, Image editing and enhancement. Incredibly creative, Sushant is always on the lookout for innovative ways of increasing design speed. Leave alone 2D graphics, Sushant is thorough in 3D Modeling, Lightning and Animation using Autodesk MAYA.
Till date, Sushant has contributed immensely to the design industry and worked with various renowned clients. At Integrative Systems, he supervises and leads a team of 18 associates. Here he is responsible for creating sports uniform for multiple sports.
Sushant loves designing different forms of visual communication. He analyzes and plans the framework of design depending on the concept, and establishes project specifications. Like an ideal team leader, he delegates job responsibilities among junior team members and oversees that quality work is delivered within the deadline. He ensures that all the designs adhere to the client specifications and meet the company standards.
The best part about Sushant is that he is highly passionate about designs, and hence keeps himself updated about the latest developments in the design fraternity. His approach towards every project is result-oriented. He leverages creative and marketing knowledge to develop new creative campaigns for specific targets. Patience and design expertise drive all his decisions.
Look at Sushant working with his team, and you will know how he assists them in choosing the right style, attractive graphics, images, and other visual elements in line with the project objectives. His team is his strength, and he leaves no-stone-unturned to create a cohesive team environment.
While Sushant is not designing, he is collaborating with colleagues across different departments, making great design presentations or researching new ways of improving the quality of designs and other project issues.
Copyright © 2019 Integrative Systems,Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Door and window awnings are typically designed to be stationary, since rain protection is often a primary concern. These awning styles feature a rigid aluminum tube framework. You can choose fabric that is water resistent or fully waterproof.
Standard Shed style awnings are affordable and practical.
Dome style awnings enhance the main entrance.
Multiple awnings can enhance the beauty of your home.
Barrel style awning with scalloped valence.
Wrap-around screen porch awning with cut-outs around downspouts.
Shed style awning over the front door, with scalloped valence.
Typical shed style awning application.
Side view of shed style awning, shown with rigid valence.
Concave style awning with open sides.
Typical shed style awning with rigid valence.


Kuzeeko Tjitemisa Windhoek-A month after being fired from their ministerial portfolios both Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Jerry Ekandjo were this week appointed to two parliamentary portfolio committees. Making the announcement in parliament on Tuesday, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, said Iivula-Ithana, the former minister of home affairs, will serve on the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The former youth and sports minister Ekandjo will serve on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Katjavivi said other appointments include that of Member of Parliament (MP) Leevi Katoma and MP Emilia Nuyoma-Amupewa, who will both serve on the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He said MP Heather Sibungo and MP Rebekka Iipinge Nakale will serve as the chairperson and the deputy chairperson, respectively, of the Committee on Economics and Public Administration. Additionally, he said MP Liina Ndilipo Namupala and MP Margaret Mahoto will serve as chairperson and deputy chairperson, respectively, for the Committee on Human Resources and Community Development. Also, MP Elifas Dingara has been designated to serve on the Committee on Human Resources and Community Development, Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Committee on Economic and Public Administration, and Parliamentarians for Global Action. Swapo Party Women's Council secretary and MP Eunice Iipinge has been designated to serve on the Committee on Human Resources and Community Development, Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs, Committee on Economics and Public Administration and the Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF). Meanwhile, President Hage Geingob earlier this month advised MPs to travel for a good reason, saying trips taken should show results in tangible benefits for the people of Namibia. Geingob said this while addressing legislators at the official opening of the 7th Session of the 6th Parliament. Geingob said he had noticed, with concern, that members of parliament had added "international constituencies" to their list of responsibilities. He said parliament "as we know it", is described to be "sitting" or "in session" and not as a "travelling" parliament.


If the adverts we have to put up with here on this forum don't actually pay for the running of it, as per a commercial radio/TV station - can they not be removed?
don't have a problem with Wonga.com ads. don't have a problem with payday loan companies at all, they have very clear terms and conditions. Better than borrowing the money from some crack-addled chav with a pit bull that lives in its own faeces in a twelfth floor kitchen, and who thinks he's the local gangsta.
These pay day loan companies have put a lot of illegal loan sharks out of business, people like to ignore that.
And they cap at 2 months interest then its frozen.
The people who do borrow and get in trouble would borrow elsewhere and get in trouble anyway, with Wonga they don't get their heads kicked in for it.
That's the real world. If Wonga started sending people round at 11pm with baseball bats to collect money then that would be a different story.
anyway, you tend to get the sort of ads Google think are relevant to you based on your recent search and browser history :-/ And you don't have to click on them.
Personally I'd be happy to pay for forum use, it wouldn't be the only one I have to pay for. But I wouldn't object to ads anyway. But I wouldn't miss them if they weren't there either.
Go onto amazon & Google garden sheds. Then 'hello" all your adverts will be garden shed related.
My other half works in marketing. You wouldn't believe what data gets stored, shared & sold on.
Smart phones and apps are the biggest contributors to your online activities.
Interests: I'm a philosophical tea drinking film geek gamer with OCD. My family is established in Norfolk, England prior to 1686 and I butter with a spoon.
Great Deals on Photo Canvases!
I haven't been goooogling them. I did frame one this morning. Where is my tinfoil hat?
I have found the best way to avoid the cookies and trackers is to load and run the program "ghostery". It is simple and recommended by a number of web security pros I know. Works well for me, keep an eye on the little spook on your task bar and take note of the number he blocks.
I got security lights now.
And I just switched mine on.
I'm going to switch them off and see if that makes the ad go away.


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Job Listings for senior medical writer
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Senior Medical Writer (12) Senior Product Manager (8) Senior Software Engineer (6) Senior Security Software Engineer (5) Senior Copywriter (5) Project Manager (5) Executive Assistant (5) Senior Product Marketing Manager (4) Senior Product Designer (4) Senior Data Analyst (4) Senior Communications Manager (3) Senior Biostatistician (3) Senior Accountant (3) Senior Account Executive (3) Insights Manager (3)
No (152) yes, a lot (1) Yes, a lot (5) Yes, a bit (140)
1 to 50 of 844 for "senior medical writer"
Senior Medical Writer
Write study documents such as protocols, informed consent documents (ICF, investigator brochures (IB), clinical study reports (CSRs), and other documents in accordance with regulatory requirements and WCT SOPs. Carry out medical writing activities.
Write and edit clinical development documents. Critically evaluate, analyze, and interpret the medical literature to select primary resource materials for adequate study design. At least 3 years of previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
Guides medical writing activities (including document preparation and/or production) for assigned regulatory submissions or projects. Formulates writing strategy for key documents, including organization, content, timelines, and resource requirements.
Act as a lead medical writer on several projects from simple to complex level. Produce clinical documents as required. Provide scientific and medical writing consultancy to clients and internal colleagues at a moderate level. Lead project teams...
Responsible for providing support to one or more Therapeutic Areas (TA) as designated by RSW leadership. The Senior Writer provides support for the preparation and submission of critical regulatory documents (e.g., briefing books) and responses to...
Serves as medical writing lead on clinical regulatory documents. Works closely with the Regulatory team(s) on document strategies. Implements all activities related to the preparation and compilation of data and information into a single comprehensive...
Senior Medical Writer - Medical Communications
You will be responsible for developing and delivering original, accurate, high-quality content within the project specifications, timeline, and budget. Bachelor's degree and 1+ years of medical writing experience. Proficiency in MS Office. Hybrid Remote.
Independently or with minimal supervision write, edit, perform data verification, submit for review, and obtain approval for clinical and nonclinical regulatory documents including, but not limited to, clinical protocols, clinical study reports (CSRs)...
Senior Regulatory Medical Writer
United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania, Spain, Poland
The Medical Writer collaborates with internal and sponsor team members to interpret, distill, and summarize complex data concepts. Other tasks include presentation of clinical messages in clinical study reports, summarization of preclinical and...
Preparation of Initial Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and amendments, clinical study protocols and protocol amendments, investigator brochures and updates, interim and final clinical study reports, and IND annual reports.
Senior Manager Medical Writer
MI, IN, KY, TN, GA, FL, OH, NC, SC, WV, VA, PA, DC, CT, NJ, NY, RI, NH, ME, MD, DE, VT, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, IA, MO, AR, LA, WI, IL, MS, AL
Responsible for driving, developing and writing clinical documents to support operational, medical and regulatory activities across projects. For ensuring implementation of scientifically robust messages and arguments are developed and conveyed...
Conduct overall planning of the clinical sections of global submissions. Work with a manager to develop timelines and resource plans for the clinical sections of a submission or for implementation of communication strategy. Review statistical analysis...
Senior, Principal Medical Writer - Regulatory
The Senior Medical Writer will act as Lead Medical Writer on most types of regulatory writing projects; Will prepare assigned documents in accordance with company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and customer requirements, per agreed timelines;...
The Medical Writer will act as Lead Medical Writer on most types of regulatory writing projects; Will prepare assigned documents in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and customer requirements, per agreed timelines; Will perform...
Senior Medical Writer- Regulatory Strategy Writing
Provides support for the preparation and submission of critical regulatory documents and responses to health authority information requests using available reference materials. 2 years of relevant industry experience in medical/regulatory writing.
Senior Director, Medical Writing
Prepare, edit, and finalize protocols, investigator brochures, synopses, clinical study reports, and regulatory documents (INDs/NDAs, annual reports, Orphan Drug Designation applications, Agency Response to Questions, briefing books, etc.).
Associate Director, Medical Writing
As a strategic partner to senior clinical leadership, the incumbent is accountable for the efficient preparation of high quality, strategically aligned medical writing deliverables that support the clinical development, clinical safety and regulatory...
Senior Medical Writer, Late Phase
Write and coordinate the development of protocols, CSRs or other clinical documents including those of a more complex nature. Provide support in development of submission-level documents under the guidance of senior staff. Oversees management and...
Senior Medical Writer, Learning and Development
Developing high-quality written materials that are scientifically accurate, fully referenced, appropriate to the target audience, and meet communication objectives and client specifications. Structuring, writing, editing, and proofreading items...
Take a leading role in preparing assigned documents, including, but not limited to, confirming the scope of the task, confirming templates and specifications, negotiating and adhering to timelines, organizing document reviews, communicating directly...
Senior Manager Medical Writing Operations - QC Reviewer
Responsible for leadership and day to-day technical operations of the Medical Writing Associates group. The Senior Manager focuses on standardizing and improving the QC review process to ensure consistency and reliability in the QC of Medical Writing...
Manager, Medical Writing Operations and Procedures
Works with senior management on process improvement/optimization projects from inception to implementation within the Global Medical Writing department and across the organization. Manages staffing and performance, including hiring, training, coaching...
Associate Director, Regulatory Medical Writing
The successful candidate should expect to provide medical writing of clinical regulatory documents supporting components across various types of regulatory filings, including but not limited to: Protocol & Protocol Amendments for inline trials, CSR...
Managing the law department's process for engaging, paying, and monitoring the costs of outside legal counsel. Coordinating the selection, purchase, training, and use of technology tools used primarily by law departments. Supporting a variety of...
Senior Regulatory Writer
Under minimal supervision, the Medical Writer will critically evaluate, analyze, and interpret the medical literature to select primary resource materials for adequate study design, statistical significance, scientific rigor and absence of bias.
Writer, Senior Technical
Mississauga, ON, Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
Assist with documentation associated with the manufacture of medical devices. Write various technical reports, SOPs, etc. Work cross-functionally with all business units/SMEs for technical review of documentation. Provide technical and/or project level...
In partnership with teams across the office, gather content, manage, and write proposals at the $1 million+ level. They will also edit and provide guidance and support for proposals at lower levels.Collaborate on the development of proposal templates.
Senior Clinical Pharmacy Writer
We are seeking a Senior Clinical Pharmacy Writer to improve the medication content offering in DynaMedex. The ideal candidate will have exemplary knowledge of drug therapy and the medication use process, strong analytical skills, and demonstrated...
Senior Grant Writer
The Senior Grant Writer provides comprehensive application editing and content reviews to help strengthen and improve grant and award proposals. This position is responsible for working collaboratively with faculty members to edit and review various...
Senior Market Access Writer
United Kingdom, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, or US National
Acting as the lead writer on project teams. Daily communication and teamwork with colleagues in the Payer Communications team and with subject matter experts in other groups. Advanced degree in life sciences, health economics, or a clinical discipline...
Work directly with the Executive Director, Marketing & Communications to elevate our executive-level writing products. Collaborate with company subject matter experts by developing compelling materials that communicate clearly and powerfully about...
Senior Writer and Editor
Palmetto, FL
As our senior writer and editor, you'll have the opportunity to unleash the power of your creativity and craft articles, fundraising campaigns, emails, blogs, social media posts, video scripts, and speeches that inspire and motivate. You'll be part of...
Senior Writer-Editor
The Senior Writer/Editor will be responsible for print/electronic elements of marketing communications including assembling, editing, and writing descriptive copy for reports, summary reports, newsletters, abstracts, research publications, monographs...
We work on a broad range of marketing initiatives and programs. Your responsibilities will include: Delivering high-quality content within fast-paced production cycles. Learning and contributing to the content style guide. Peer editing and...
Senior Copy Writer
Write content that serves the programs from snappy headlines to long-form articles. Edit existing articles to new specifications, maintaining high quality throughout. Brainstorm new content as needed, from article themes to general content areas.
Senior Technical Writer
Create documents detailing the technical implementation of security and privacy requirements for internal and external development teams. Experience creating complex diagrams and flowcharts in Visio or similar software. Solid proficiency in MS Word...
Create and maintain the external-facing voice of the company. Develop a deep understanding of our markets, customer needs, product functionality, industry trends, and our competitive landscape, then deploy that knowledge as a key creator, contributor...
Senior UX Writer
Work with UX to define, test, and iterate UI copy across a variety of touch points and areas of the customer experience. Use business requirements and customer research to assist in developing copy strings, content flow prototypes, high-fidelity...
Work in partnership with our design and product teams, contributing to active work tracks, from strategy to concepting to production. Balance brand voice and user experience, thinking strategically about how we're communicating through digital...
Senior Writer, NFL
Ability to create daily content while also multitasking to balance creation of features and long-term assignments for digital and print platforms. Craft interesting analysis, comparisons, rankings and lists, such as rookie, QB and coaching rankings, in...
Senior Technical Writer II
Counsel on, plan, draft, and maintain various documentation targeted towards technical and non-technical Operations teams. Documents will include SOPs, policies, work instructions, handbooks, manuals, in-application procedures, standards, etc. Partner...
Technical Writer - Senior Level
Document and develop operation, maintenance and/or troubleshooting procedures, checklists, technical specifications, alert bulletins, etc. Must have a bachelor's or 9+ years of aviation/aerospace and/or Defense work experience. WFH.
Senior Architectural Specifications Writer
Produce project-specific Project Manuals utilizing the company standards. Be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines phases, milestone deliveries and various project delivery types. Coordinating the Project Manual efforts of all...
User Experience Writer
Clearly define and document the decisions and writing standards utilized while creating the content components (errors messages, instructional guides, promo texts, and notification messages), including accessibility guidelines, and interactions. Actively
Technical Writer II
Independently work with subject matter experts to gathering to develop, organize, and write procedure manuals, configuration guides, product release notes, and process documentation. Produce high-quality documentation that meets applicable standards...
Flight Manual Senior Technical Writer
In this role you will also need to be flexible and work closely, yet remotely in virtual environment, with the DTB team of technical writers, illustrators, production, and managers. You will be tasked to ensure the team is following DTB processes and...
Senior Federal Proposal Writer
Working closely with Federal Business Development Lead to identify and evaluate new business opportunities, making a collaborative go/no go decision informed by a deep understanding of customer requirements and company capabilities. Responding to ...
Senior SEO Staff Writer, Personal Finance
As a senior writer, you will conduct SEO analysis, track article performance, create outlines, review financial products, write new articles and refresh existing content on a wide range of personal finance and debt topics, such as consolidating debt,...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Turmeric Persimmon Porridge, three words that individually make my taste buds giddy and when put together is truly a new favorite morning recipe in our home. Bennett loves oatmeal in most ways, but classic ways like with apple, cinnamon, butter or plain, so when I first had him taste test this porridge and received a thumbs up I knew it had passed the test. It's one thing for me to love this recipe, but more important for it to appeal to you all because let's face it, you're the reason I create recipes! This porridge contains the obvious, turmeric, along with sweet and creamy persimmons, oats, and seeds that take this porridge to the the next level. I promise it's far from boring oatmeal.
I've talked about the health benefits at length on turmeric, which you can check out here in my whole pantry page and with my famous Turmeric Milk recipe. For those of you who are new to the Nutrition Stripped lifestyle (hi + welcome), I adore using turmeric whenever I can whether it be in sweet or savory dishes and using it for classic American dishes with a twist.
Pretty persimmons. Persimmons are definitely one of my new favorite fruits in the past two years. If you've never tried one before, they remind me of a tomato, watermelon, date, and carrot that were thrown into one crazy hybrid seed and developed a fruit/vegetable child- that's a persimmon. The texture is closer to a tomato and date, with a sweet yet earthy flavor. They're fantastic to use raw, which I enjoy sliced in fall and winter salads, blended into smoothies or pureed into soups to add a bit of thickness and natural sweetness. Most of all, I love incorporating them into porridge like this one. Besides persimmons tasting great, they also contain the following nutrients which peak my interest in using them so often: vitamin A, C, E, K, potassium, copper, manganese, fiber, and carbohydrates/natural sugars. Especially now that persimmons are in season, I find myself buying so many of them and enjoying them as a pre-workout.
There's something about a warming bowl of porridge in the cooler months of the year that just makes everything feel right- it's cozy and feels like a healing hug in your stomach. Not only is the actual heat and warmth from porridge feel great in your stomach with the winter chill, but the turmeric is a warming spice and dare I say "healing" in the sense of it packing a punch of nutrition and health benefits that have been studied- to back it up. I adore turmeric year round but find myself especially incorporating it when fall and winter hit to help keep the immune system strong and again, it just tastes good!
I most often enjoy this Turmeric Persimmon Porridge as a breakfast, or breakfast #2 as I call it. Most mornings if not all, I start with my Stripped Green Smoothie or lately have been LOVING my Green Tart Smoothie as a lower sugar option; followed by a porridge, pancakes, or something a bit more grounding and not as cold like the meal in a bowl- smoothie bowl. This porridge, amongst many of my others, are very balanced both macronutrient speaking and flavor and texture speaking. I'm a huge fan of mixing complementary flavors and textures like soft and crunchy or sweet and savory- this one has it all. The persimmons are incredibly sweet and smooth when pureed, mixed with the chewiness of the oats, bitterness with pops of citrus from the sliced kumquats, a zing from fresh ginger, and earthy turmeric. I highly recommend not skipping out on adding kumquats! Kumquats are the very small yellow sliced citrus you see pictured here, they have edible skins and are incredible tart and bitter, yet when used in a small amount taste amazing with sweet and savory. If you're not a fan of them or don't have access to them, use the juice of a fresh lemon or orange and squeeze on the porridge right before serving- this will give it that nice flavor balance.
You'll find a balance of complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates (mainly from the persimmon), fiber, protein, and healthy fats from the coconut. I enjoy this most by adding a heaping tablespoon of nut butter like almond butter or extra shredded coconut to add in a little more healthy fats to hold you over. You can also add a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder approved by me or some hemp seeds for a boost.
To enjoy SOAKED/RAW: Using a high speed blender, blend coconut or almond milk, persimmon, ginger root, cinnamon, turmeric, and sea salt.
In 2 small bowls, pour 1/2 cup oats and 2 tablespoons flax seed in each bowl. Pour equal amounts of the blended persimmon into the bowls and stir until combined. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
To enjoy WARM: Pour the persimmon mixture into a small sauce pan on medium to heat, add the rolled oats and flax seed and continually stir to make sure the flax seed and oats are absorbing all the liquid.
Cook on medium-low for 10-20 minutes (depending on your desired texture of oats, cook longer for softer oats, cook less for more chewy oats).
To SERVE: top with fresh sliced persimmon, sliced kumquats, pinch of sea salt, drizzle of olive oil, pinch of ground cinnamon.
I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I have lately. What are your favorite porridge recipes from the blog? Any new morning recipes you'd like to see me makeover in a healthy way?


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Home News Dominican fight card presser – Cayo vs. Campbell, & Roy Jones Jr....
Dominican fight card presser – Cayo vs. Campbell, & Roy Jones Jr. in attendance
Credit: Sampson Boxing
Promoters Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing and Cesar Mercedes of Manguita Promotions made good on their promise to hold one of the most notable press conferences in the history of professional boxing in the Dominican Republic today, as hundreds of fans and a large contingent of media showed up to meet all-time-great Roy Jones Junior and discuss the upcoming boxing extravaganza scheduled for Saturday, March 24, at the Palacio de Los Deportes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
On that night, Dominican Republic native Victor "Mermelada" Cayo (27-2, 19 KOs) will face former unified lightweight world champion Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell (34-9-1, 25 KOs) in the main event, while Dominican IBF Female Featherweight Champion Dahiana Santana (28-6, 12 KOs) will make a 10-round title defense against Miami, Florida's Stacey Reile (10-4, 4 KOs), and IBF Female Junior Featherweight Champion Ada Velez (20-3-3, 6 KOs) will face Santo Domingo's own once-beaten challenger Katy Wilson Castillo (14-1, 9 KOs).
"This island has always loved boxing, but there are not many world-class events held here, so it was an honor to bring all these fighters and the great Roy Jones to Santo Domingo," said Lewkowicz. "You could feel the excitement in the crowd to meet a superstar like Roy Jones and hear him talk about how he supports what we're doing. Plus, with so many Dominican boxers on the show – boxers are national heroes here. They are stars themselves here in their homeland. It was really something to see today."
No one "pulled a Chisora" today, as all the fighters were respectful to each other and the audience. Each fighter, some through interpreters, restated their intention to win and their pleasure to be bringing their craft to tropical paradise.
Lewkowicz says he's encourage by today's turnout and has hopes for creating a regular series of shows in the Dominican.
dahiana santana
nate campbell
victor cayo
women's boxing
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White Rabbits' guitarist Alex Even talks with Philly2Philly.com
By Brian Lynch at 1:08 am on Tuesday November 2, 2010
Indie rockers White Rabbits will be rocking out at Upper Darby's Tower Theater on Thursday, November 4th. The band is opening for Interpol, and Philly2Philly's own Brian Lynch recently talked with 'Rabbits' guitarist Alex
What is the Promoter Bill and What Should You Do About It
By Joseph Hallman at 9:27 am on Friday May 28, 2010
Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, among other local arts & culture groups, recently released a statement/call for feedback on presenting ideas to City Councilman Greenlee's proposed amendments to Bill #100267, a.k.a.
Handsome Furs at Johnny Brenda's – 7/9/09
By Randy LoBasso at 9:39 pm on Friday July 10, 2009
Alexi Perry and Dan Boeckner are in love. How do I know? Besides the obvious, my girlfriend tells me. "She loves him so much," she says to me in Johnny Brenda's crowded upstairs concert hall. How does she know? The Montreal-based husband-wife duo (Boeckner on guitar and lyrics, Perry on synthesizer and drum machine) will pose with each other throughout their show, kiss and point to corresponding lyrics in songs like "Radio Kaliningrad": "My home is you/My home on the other side."


text:
\section{Introduction}
The multiparticle production in relativistic heavy ion collision
provides important information about the hadronizing process in the
aftermath of any high energy collision phenomenon. Various
phenomenological/mathematical models have, so far, been utilised to
analyse the available experimental data to understand the different
characteristics and dynamical aspects of this process. Amongst the
various existing models, applicability of Tsallis non-extensive
thermodynamical approach\cite{Tsallis1,Tsallis2,Tsallis3,Prato1,Tsallis4,Tsallis5,Tsallis6}, which has already left it's
marked impression in other branches of physics, has recently gained
pace in understanding mainly the statistical as well as the
thermodynamical characteristics of the production of various
secondaries in high energy nuclear interactions at
 different energies\cite{Beck1,Beck2,Beck3,Wilk1,Wilk2,Wilk3,Wilk4,Wilk5,Osada1,Wilk6,Biro1,Biro2,Biro3,Biyajima1,Biyajima2,Wilk7,Wilk8,Alberico1,Lavagno1,Kaniadakis,Kodama}.
We have taken up, here in this paper, the task of analysing the
transverse momentum spectra of one of the heavier secondaries,
$\eta$-mesons, produced in different nuclear reactions at RHIC-BNL
in the light of Tsallis non-extensive thermodynamics.  This is  in
continuation of our previous work\cite{De1}, wherein transverse
momentum spectra for the secondaries like $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, $P$ and
$\bar{P}$ were treated with the same approach. As in our previous
work\cite{De1}, here also we have confined ourselves only to a
particular interaction
energy($\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV), so that a
comparative study can be made among various nucleus-nucleus systems.
Our mention of the $P+P$-interactions in the same breath and bracket
with the host of nuclear reactions is to be viewed somewhat loosely;
this was done with our eyes cast on the same interaction energy
alone. This is specially so when the `centrality'-aspects are
touched upon and dealt with. In our actual work-procedure we have
been attentive to the particularities of each interaction on a
case-to-case basis. In the recent past, Biro et al\cite{Biro2,Biro3}
analyzed successfully transverse momentum spectra of different
identified hadrons, including $\eta$-mesons, produced at RHIC
energies, on the basis of both the non-extensive statistical
approach and the very essence of quark-coalescence model. However,
the study was, probably by choice, confined to the minimum bias
$Au+Au$ collisions in central rapidity region. Our present study,
however, takes into account (i) the effect of entire longitudinal
momentum($p_L$) range, (ii) the role of the same in different
nuclear collisions($Au+Au$, $D+Au$ and $P+P$) and (iii) the impact
of centrality dependent windows.
\par
The $\eta$ mesons are the heavier species among the various mesonic secondaries produced in high energy nuclear reactions.  The formation of such heavy partonic bound states and their interactions in nuclear matter under different conditions throws light on the nature of the possible hadronic phase transition to a partonic state, with a greater degrees of freedom, formed immediate after the nuclear collisions at relativistic energies.  The transverse momentum spectra of such secondaries at different centralities provides
significant clues on the mechanism of the formation of such bound states, on their partonic constituents as well as on the thermal and dynamical characteristics of the
regions in the partonic matter where they emerged from.
\par
The work is organized as follows: Section 2 presents an outline of
the hadronization process. In Section 3 we give some very brief
sketch of the nonextensive statistics and the main working formula
to be used in our work here.  The results are reported in next
section(Section 4) with some specific observations made. And the
last section is preserved for our conclusions.
\section{Non-extensivity and Hadronization Process: An Outline}
The evolution of the partonic system created in RHIC-BNL experiments
is generally believed by a large section of the theoretical
physicists to be best described by hydrodynamics of an ``almost
ideal fluid". This approach really gives a fair description of data
on the particle transverse momentum spectra and asymmetry of the
transverse flow. However, the prospect of this theory and
methodology is, at the same time, riddled with and marred by two
very serious problems: (i) the `HBT puzzle' and (ii) the `puzzle of
early thermalization'\cite{Bialas,Ryblewski} which we are not going
to elaborate here in detail. Besides this, the proposed microscopic
mechanisms lack in the detailed knowledge of fragmentation and
recombination etc. These deficiencies have prompted the physicists
to turn to many different models, often from various different
angles, of which the non-extensive thermodynamic approach is an
effective one which is, thus, essentially a thermal model. This
model assumes the formation of a system which is thermally and
chemically in a near-equilibrium state in the hadronic phase and is
characterised, in the main, by two thermodynamic
variables(observables), for the hadronic phase. These two are
`temperature' and `non-extensive entropy' of the system attained
finally. The deconfined period of the time evolution dominated by
the constituent partons(quarks and gluons) remains hidden: full
equilibration generally washes out and destroys large amount of
information about the early deconfined phase. Successes of thermal
statistical models are shaped and conditioned by the blackening out
of information on some intermediate states. And this is an accepted
reality.
\par
In the case of full thermal and chemical equilibrium relativistic
statistical distributions are generally based on exponential nature
of the spectra for the $p_T$- distribution of the produced hadronic
secondaries. But, observationally experimental data at SPS and RHIC
energies reveal strongly the traits of non-exponential and power-law
nature at high-$p_T$ which is also supported by the dictates of the
perturbative QCD\cite{Fermi,Heisenberg,Hagedorn1}. So, for the
overlap or the transitional regions of the
$p_T$-values(low-to-high), a stationary distribution of strongly
interacting hadron gas or quark-matter in a finite volume could be
considered to have such a distribution with dual nature. In fact,
Tsallis distributions\footnote{However, the coinage `Tsallis distribution' is not fully justified, because Vilfredo Pareto\cite{Pareto} used much earlier and long ago a power-law probability distribution found in a large number of real-world situations, especially in the field of Economics. And beyond the borders of economics, it is generally referred to as the Bradford distribution, though the high energy physicists, since 1970s, prefer to term this as a ``cut-power-law distributions". In the context of non-extensive thermodynamics alone, this is normally familiar as Tsallis distribution.}, which we have resorted to, satisfy such a
criterion\cite{Cleymans} .

\section{Nonextensive Statistics and Transverse Momentum Spectra}

The nonextensive entropy by Tsallis generalized statistics is
given by\cite{Tsallis1},

\begin{equation}
S_q ~ = ~ \frac{1}{q-1} ~ ( ~ 1 ~ - ~ \sum_i ~ p_i^q ~)
\end{equation}

where $p_i$ are probabilities associated with the microstates of a
physical system with normalization $ \sum_i ~ p_i=1$ and $q$ is the nonextensivity parameter. For $q ~
\rightarrow ~ 1$, eqn.(1) gives the ordinary Boltzmann-Gibbs
entropy

\begin{equation}
S ~ = ~ - ~ \sum_i ~ p_i ~ \ln{p_i}
\end{equation}

The generalized statistics of Tsallis is not only applicable to an
equilibrium system, but also to nonequilibrium systems with
stationary states\cite{Beck2}. As the name `nonextensive' implies,
these entropies are not additive for independent systems. For a
system of $N$ independent particles, where particle 1 is in energy state
$\epsilon_{i_1}$, particle 2 in energy state $\epsilon_{i_2}$, and so on,
the Hamiltonian of the system in nonextensive approach is given by\cite{Beck2},

\begin{equation}
H(i_1,i_2,...,i_N) ~ = ~ \sum_j ~ \epsilon_{i_j} ~ + ~ (q-1)\beta ~ \sum_{j,k} ~
\epsilon_{i_j} \epsilon_{i_k} ~ + ~ (q-1)^2\beta^2 ~ \sum_{j,k,l}
~ \epsilon_{i_j} \epsilon_{i_k} \epsilon_{i_l} ~ + ~ \ldots
\end{equation}

where  $\beta=1/T$ is the inverse temperature variable.
The above equation clearly indicates that for a non extensive
system the total energy is not the sum of the single-particle
energies.
\par
The energy associated with a particle, which is a hadron in the present context,  denoted by $j$ in a momentum
state $i$ in a fireball produced in a high energy nuclear
collision is given by,

\begin{equation}
\epsilon_{ij} ~ = ~ \sqrt{\textbf{p}_i^2 ~ + ~ m_j^2}
\end{equation}

The nonextensive Boltzmann factor is defined as\cite{Beck2}

\begin{equation}
x_{ij} ~ = ~ (1 ~ + ~ (q-1)\beta \epsilon_{ij})^{-q/(q-1)}
\end{equation}

with $q\rightarrow1$, the above equation approaches the ordinary
Boltzmann factor $e^{-\beta\epsilon_{ij}}$. If $\nu_{ij}$ denotes
the number of particles of type $j$ in momentum state $i$, the
generalized grand canonical partition function is given by,

\begin{equation}
Z ~ = ~ \sum_{(\nu)} \prod_{ij} x_{ij}^{\nu_{ij}}
\end{equation}

The average occupation number of a particle of species $j$ in the
momentum state $i$ can be written as\cite{Beck2}

\begin{equation}
{\bar{\nu}_{ij}}= x_{ij}\frac{\partial}{\partial x_{ij}} \log{Z} ~
= ~ \frac{1}{(1+(q-1)\beta\epsilon_{ij})^{q/(q-1)}\pm 1}
\end{equation}

where $-$ sign is for bosons and the $+$ sign is for fermions.\\
The probability of observation of a particle of mass $m_0$ in a certain
momentum state can be obtained by multiplying the average occupation number with
the available volume in momentum space\cite{Beck2}. The infinitesimal volume in momentum space
is given by

\begin{equation}
dp_x ~ dp_y ~ dp_z ~ = ~ dp_L ~ p_T ~ sin\theta ~ dp_T ~ d\theta
\end{equation}

where $p_T=\sqrt{p_x^2+p_y^2}$ is the transverse momentum and $p_z=p_L$ is the longitudinal one.
Hence, the probability density $w(p_T)$ of transverse momenta is obtained by integrating over
all $\theta$ and $p_L$:

\begin{equation}
w(p_T) ~ = ~ const. ~ p_T ~ \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} ~ dp_L
\frac{1}{(1+(q-1)\beta\sqrt{p_T^2+p_L^2+m_0^2})^{q/(q-1)} \pm 1}
\end{equation}
Since, the integrand in the right hand side of the above equation
is an even function of $p_L$, one can easily write,
\begin{equation}
w(p_T) ~ = ~ const. ~ p_T ~ \int_0^{+\infty} ~ dp_L
\frac{1}{(1+(q-1)\beta\sqrt{p_T^2+p_L^2+m_0^2})^{q/(q-1)} \pm 1}
\end{equation}

Since the temperature $T$, which will be called here as Hagedorn
temperature and will be denoted as $T_{eff}$, is quite small, i.e.,
$\beta\sqrt{p_T^2+p_L^2+m_0^2}\gg 1$, one can neglect $\pm 1$ in
the denominator of the previous equation. Hence, the differential
cross section, which is proportional to $w(p_T)$, can be expressed
as,

\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma}\frac{1}{p_T} \frac{d\sigma}{dp_T}~ \propto ~
\int_0^\infty dp_L
(1+\frac{(q-1)}{T_{eff}}\sqrt{m_0^2+p_T^2+p_L^2})^{-q/(q-1)}
\end{equation}

or, in terms of the transverse mass($m_T^2= m_0^2+p_T^2$) of the detected secondary,

\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma}\frac{1}{m_T} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T}~ \propto ~
\int_0^\infty dp_L
(1+\frac{(q-1)}{T_{eff}}\sqrt{m_T^2+p_L^2})^{-q/(q-1)}
\end{equation}

If we put $x=\frac{p_L}{T_{eff}}$ and $u=\frac{m_T}{T_{eff}}$, the above equation can be written as,

\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T}~ \propto ~
u\int_0^\infty dx
( ~ 1+(q-1)u\sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{u^2}} ~ )^{-q/(q-1)}
\end{equation}

For large $x$ the integrand is small and it's contribution to the
integration can be ignored\cite{Beck1}. Hence, for large $u$ and
small $x$ we can assume, $\sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{u^2}} \approx 1+
\frac{x^2}{2u^2}$. The inclusion of this assumption in the above
equation yields

\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T}~ \propto ~
u(1+(q-1)u)^{-q/(q-1)} \int_0^\infty dx
( ~ 1+\frac{(q-1)x^2}{2u(1+(q-1)u)} ~ )^{-q/(q-1)}
\end{equation}
This form of equation is in accordance with the right hand side of
eqn(28) given in \cite{Beck1}. So, one can write, following the
eqn(32) of the same reference,
\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T}~ \propto ~
u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}}
\end{equation}
or,
\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T} ~ = ~ c_1 ~
u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}}
\end{equation}

where $c_1$ is a normalization constant.
\par
The average multiplicity of the detected secondary in the given rapidity region can be obtained by the relationship
\begin{equation}
<N> = \frac{1}{\sigma} \int_{m_0}^\infty \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T} ~ dm_T ~ = ~ c_1 ~
\int_{m_0}^\infty u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}} dm_T
\end{equation}

Hence, the constant $c_1$ can be expressed in terms of $<N>$ by the relationship

\begin{equation}
c_1 = \frac{<N>}{T_{eff}
\int_{u_0}^\infty u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}} du}
\end{equation}
where $u_0=\frac{m_0}{T_{eff}}$.
\par
Combining eqn(14) and eqn(16) one can write
\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T} ~ = ~ \frac{<N>}{T_{eff}
\int_{u_0}^\infty u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}} du} ~
u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}}
\end{equation}
Since,
\begin{equation}
\frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{1}{m_T} \frac{d\sigma}{dm_T} ~ = ~ \frac{1}{\sigma} \frac{1}{p_T} \frac{d\sigma}{dp_T}
~ = ~ \frac{dN}{p_T ~ dp_t},
\end{equation}
 we can write
\begin{equation}
\frac{dN}{p_T ~ dp_t} ~ = ~ \frac{<N>}{T^2_{eff}
\int_{u_0}^\infty u^{3/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}} du} ~
u^{1/2} (1+(q-1)u)^{-\frac{q}{q-1}+\frac{1}{2}}
\end{equation}
Equation(21) provides the working formula for the present analysis.

\section{Results}
The working formula was applied, in it's present form, to obtain a fit to the
data on $\eta$ production in $P+P$ collision[Fig.1(a)] at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV and
the corresponding parameter-values are given in Table-1, where $n_o$ denotes the average
multiplicity of $\eta$ produced in $P+P$ interaction.
\par
However, when the same formula was employed to analyse data from nucleus-nucleus collisions
like $D+Au$ and $Au+Au$ collisions, the parameters, which had been set free for $P+P$ collisions,
were constrained by the following relationships\cite{Wilk8}:

\begin{equation}
T_{eff}=T_0(1-c(q-1))
\end{equation}

\begin{equation}
\frac{<N>-n_0N_{part}}{<N>}=c(q-1)
\end{equation}

with $c= - \frac{\phi}{D c_p\rho T_0}$ where $D$, $c_p$, $\rho$,
$T_0$ are respectively the strength of the temperature fluctuations,
the specific heat under constant pressure, density, the temperature
of the hadronizing system when it is in thermal equilibrium($q=1$)
and $N_{part}$ is the number of participant nucleons. Eqn.(22)
describes the fluctuation in temperature where it is assumed that
the effective temperature $T_{eff}$ is the outcome of two
simultaneous processes: (i) the fluctuation of the temperature
around $T_0$ due to a stochastic process in any selected region of
the system and (ii) some energy transfer between the selected region
and the rest of the system, denoted by $\phi$\cite{Wilk8}. It is
absolutely uncertain whether such energy-transfers could/should be
invariably linked up with flow-velocity(normally denoted in the
hydrodynamical model-texts as `$u$'). So, for the sake of
calculational simplicity and correctness we assume the factor
$\phi$, for the present, to be independent of any flow-velocity. The
fluctuation in multiplicity is described by eqn.(23). The assumption
behind this relationship is that if N-particles are distributed in
energy according to Tsallis non-extensive distribution, then their
multiplicity will obey Negative-Binomial distribution\cite{Wilk8}.
\par
The fits for $D+Au$ and $Au+Au$ collisions obtained on the basis of
equation(21) alongwith the constraints given in eqn(22)-(23) are
depicted in Fig.1(b)-Fig.1(d). The values of various parameters
obtained from the fits are given in Table-2. The values of $T_{eff}$
and $q$ calculated from the fitted parameters are given in tabular
form in Table-3 and in graphical format in Fig.2 as a function of
participant nucleons. Fig.3 depicts graphically the behaviour of
average  multiplicity of $\eta$-mesons produced per pair of
participant nucleons as a function of $N_{part}$. The normalized
values of $<N>$ for different nucleus-nucleus collisions at
$\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV remain almost constant with respect to
$N_{part}$ which indicates the linear dependence of $<N>$ on
$N_{part}$, and hence on the system size.
\par
The obtained values of $q$ and $T_{eff}$, on the average, show
centrality-dependences for almost all the collisions. The values of
$T_0$ and $c$ obtained from different fits show almost constant
behaviour according to expectation and the average values of them
are found to be 155 MeV and 1.88 respectively. The performance of
the present non-extensive approach vis-a-vis the studied
experimental data could be rated to be moderately satisfactory, as
is seen from the $\chi^2/ndf$-values given in the last column of
Table-1.

\section{Discussion and Conclusions}
The centrality dependences of the parameters $q$ and $T_{eff}$ are
quite clear from the Fig.2. The systematic trend of the
non-extensive parameter $q$, in general, is that it decreases with
increase in the number of participant nucleons, i.e. with the
increase in centrality. On the other hand, the Hagedorn temperature
$T_{eff}$ exhibits completely a different trend, i.e., it increases
with the increase in centrality. The obtained values of $q$ and
$T_{eff}$ for $D+Au$, and $Au+Au$ collisions are in agreement with
these tendencies.
\par
The contrasting behaviour of $q$ and $T_{eff}$ with respect to
$N_{part}$ is in accord with the spirit and content of the
non-extensive statistics. $q$ is related with the fluctuations in
temperature\cite{Wilk1,Biyajima1}. The high value of $q$ means a
high fluctuation in temperature and the system is not in the
neighbourhood of its thermal equilibrium. The number of binary
collisions in a system with lesser number of participant nucleons is
quite low. Hence, the probability of mutual exchange of transverse
momenta among the interacting partons in a system involving small
$N_{part}$ is also quite low, which, in turn, keeps the system far
away from its thermal equilibrium. On the other hand, an appreciable
increment in the number of binary collisions is observed in a system
possessing a large number of  participant nucleons; and consequently
the system can reach quickly to its thermal equilibrium or in the
close vicinity of it. So it is quite natural that the fits, obtained
with the non-extensive approach, will exhibit a gradual decrement in
the values of $q$ and increment in $T_{eff}$, as one goes from
central to peripheral region or from a system with larger $N_{part}$
to that with smaller ones.
\par
$q$ and $T_{eff}$ change rapidly when $N_{part}$ lies in the range
$2\leq N_{part}\leq 20$. The change is rather slow for high
$N_{part}$. The dependence of $q$ and $T_{eff}$ on $N_{part}$ was
observed quite strong over the entire $N_{part}$-region while
studying charged pions and proton-antiprotons\cite{De1} produced in
nuclear collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV. This fact is also
reflected from the values of $T_0$ and $c$. The values of $T_0$ for
charged pions and proton-antiprotons, obtained by Wilk et
al\cite{Wilk7} on the basis of our previous venture\cite{De1}, are
220 MeV and 360 MeV respectively while that of $c$ are 5.7 and 9.4
respectively. But, the values of $T_0$ and $c$, found from the
present analysis($T_0=155$ MeV  and $c=1.88$), are much closer to
the values found from the analysis of pion production in $e^+e^-$
collisions\cite{Wilk7}($T_0=131 MeV$ and $c=1.83$); and $T_0 \sim
m_{\pi}$ can be recognized as the critical temperature of phase
transition of the hadronizing system in thermal
equilibrium\cite{Hagedorn2}. The reason of this discrepancy in the
outcome of the two studies could be attributed to the non-inclusion
of the constraints, given by eqn(22)-(23), in our previous analysis
involving charged pions and proton-antiprotons. Thus, it is
necessary to re-analyse the data on pion, proton and antiprotons
produced in RHIC energies in the light of the present model
including the constraints applied here, so that a conclusion could
be reached. Lastly, but more importantly, there is yet another very
interesting and important observation. The Fig.(2a) demonstrates
quite convincingly that the parameter $q$ does not seem to tend to
unity for even higher participant numbers, so non-extensivity may be
present even in the thermodynamical sense and not just as a
simulated microcanonical effect.
\par
We are quite aware that so many other topical issues of interest
around which we choose not to deal with in the present work as they
demand a separate treatment. The properties of energy dependence of
the multiplicity-density, inclusive cross-section and of the average
transverse momentum behaviour are just a few among the many. They
are both important and interesting as there are many reported
anomalies and puzzles\cite{Lykasov1,Lykasov2,Blok} which would be the subject of
matter of our future studies. In fact, we commented in just the
preceding paragraph that we would rework in the near future on the
pion, kaon and proton-antiproton spectra with the specific concerns
of constraining the parameters used by the method of calculation in
the non-extensive approach and try to throw light on the problems
and puzzles associated with the production characteristics of the
secondaries in the high energy collisions under studies.
\ \\
\ \\
{\bf{Acknowledgement:}} The authors are grateful to the learned
Referees for their valuable suggestions for betterment of an earlier
version of the present manuscript.\\
One of the authors, Bhaskar De(BD), acknowledges the financial
assistance received from Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India under the scheme SERC FAST TRACK PROPOSALS FOR
YOUNG SCIENTISTS 2006-2007(No. SR/FTP/PS-58/2005) .

\newpage

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


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The Battle of the Heligoland Bight was the first ""named"" air battle of the Second World War, which began the longest air campaign of the war, the Defence of the Reich. On 3 September 1939, the United Kingdom declared war on Nazi Germany after the German invasion of Poland, which started the European War. The British did not assist Poland by land or sea, but over the ensuing weeks, RAF Bomber Command flew several missions against German targets. A number of these air raids were directed at Kriegsmarine (German Navy) warships in German ports to prevent their use in the Battle of the Atlantic. With the front lines static between September 1939 and May 1940, a period known as the ""Phoney War"" set in, with little fighting on land or in the air. However, at sea, German U-boat (submarine) forces were taking a considerable toll on Allied shipping. The Air Ministry decided to launch an attack on German surface ships to prevent them supporting the U-boats in the North Atlantic. On 18 December 1939, a force of three RAF bomber squadrons were sent to engage German ships in the Heligoland Bight and sink or damage as many as possible. Originally 24 Vickers Wellingtons took off. Two turned back owing to engine trouble before reaching German airspace. The German reaction was slow. Eventually they scrambled strong fighter aircraft forces to intercept. Just over 120 aircraft, 80–100 German and 22 British, were involved but only 44 German fighters made contact with the British bombers.The Germans inflicted more damage on the RAF than the Luftwaffe received, but its influence on both sides' future strategy was profound. The battle forced the RAF to abandon daylight missions in favour of night bombing as casualties were too high. In the build-up to the war, the RAF had adopted the mantra that ""the bomber will always get through""; but in daylight the Heligoland battle had shown this was not the case and it forced a reappraisal of future bombing operations. The failure of the raid led the Luftwaffe to believe its base in Germany proper was invulnerable to enemy attack. This belief was reinforced with the Wehrmacht's success in 1939–41, which meant that opposing air forces were then too far away for effective bombing attacks on the German homeland. Neglecting their day fighter force had serious strategic consequences in later years. By the time the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL; Luftwaffe High Command) had begun organising an air defence to combat the United States Army Air Forces' (USAAF) strategic bombing campaign, they were already engaged in a war of attrition for which they were not prepared. This oversight was one of the contributing factors in the defeat of the Luftwaffe in the Defence of the Reich campaign. The German official history called the battle ""amongst the most important actions of the entire war"".


In the aftermath of 9/11, NATO must adapt and face the realities of the modern security environment -- where current and potential threats to peace will seek to confront NATO through asymmetric means, particularly aggressive local and international perception manipulation, rather than through the use of conventional military forces. This paper examines current NATO PSYOPS policy, reasons why NATO should make changes, how NATO fared in its PSYOPS efforts during ALLIED FORCE, and recommends specific changes to the status quo.
In the aftermath of 9/11, among many other changes to its defense establishment, the United States has undertaken a significant re-vamping of its strategic psychological operations (PSYOPS) structure and capabilities (Dao and Schmidt 2002). Similarly, NATO must now determine if it can adapt and face the realities of the modern security environment -- where current and potential threats to peace will confront NATO through asymmetric means rather than through the use of conventional military forces. Of particular interest in this study, are unconventional attempts to confront NATO via aggressive regional and international perception manipulation (Murray 1999 and Thomas 1999).
Presently, NATO PSYOPS efforts are limited by a restrictive policy that prohibits the organization from conducting any perception management activities above the level of the local military commander. Operating in this hamstrung manner exposes a tremendous weakness in NATO's political and military capabilities, as amply demonstrated during Operation ALLIED FORCE. This paper examines the current NATO PSYOPS policy, reasons why NATO should make changes, how NATO fared in Operation ALLIED EFFORT in its PSYOPS campaign, and recommendations as to what changes should be made.
PSYOPS and its practitioners are often misunderstood, and the discipline is alleged by even senior NATO military commanders to be a 'black art' practiced by dealers of lies and deceit. This is very far from the truth and does a great deal of harm to those trying to conduct effective PSYOPS in NATO operations.
Still, it is important to recognize that people from an egalitarian cultural heritage have an innate distaste for the concepts of perception manipulation and deception. Notions of fair play, due process, and an open society are seemingly placed in jeopardy by the prospect of psychological operations – even if directed towards an adversary. Many in positions of authority often tend to dismiss the psychological dimension and feel uncomfortable with the implications.
Efforts to make the PSYOPS functions more publicly palatable and politically acceptable have led to a plethora of PSYOPS synonyms such as: perception management, persuasion operations, information support, information campaign, influence operations, etc. NATO PSYOPS practitioners are sensitive to this issue and often try to make a differentiation between their "truth-based PSYOPS" and what they term as the "lie-based propaganda" of the adversary (Taylor 1995). Because of this confusion, it is always helpful to start out with some definitions.
And unlike NATO military doctrine, NATO policy is not a guideline or recommendation that can either be followed or ignored as the local commander sees fit. Policy documents are hard constraints placed upon NATO by its constituent nations to ensure adherence to certain procedures and conduct.
Why change the manner in which PSYOPS currently operates in NATO? In the past, clear distinctions existed between the three levels of PSYOPS -- strategic, operational, and tactical. In the post-Cold War world, these distinctions have blurred to the extent that they may not longer exist. The world's almost instantaneous access to news and information make it nearly impossible to localize any PSYOPS effort. A leaflet handed out by a PSYOPS soldier in Bosnia is just as likely to be shown to a reporter on the nightly news in all the NATO capitals as read in Sarajevo. Strategic PSYOPS, as MC 402 correctly points out, is planned and conducted at the highest levels and have long-term, political goals and implications. Military PSYOPS, while it must never conduct unilateral strategic perception activities, it can support these actions by providing planning and subject matter expertise, and if tasked, with dissemination assets.
Today, however, there is no systemic arrangement for NATO military PSYOPS to gain insight into the higher-level political perception management effort that might be planned and implemented at NATO HQ. Military PSYOPS needs knowledge of these activities in order to ensure the supported commander's theater information effort is synchronized with them.
Even the most creative PSYOPS products, and the most modern media and technologies for delivering PSYOPS messages, will lead to very little unless there is co-ordination with respect to the perception management message intent and content from NATO HQ all the way down to the tactical PSYOPS solider in the field. PSYOPS now has to react within 12-hour news cycle that drives all information efforts during crisis and war. As PSYOPS structures adapt to this frenetic pace of message/counter-message, co-ordination of the type described above becomes even more important (SECDEF 2000). Indeed, NATO's former Supreme Allied Commander, GEN (ret.) Wesley Clark gives a first hand account (Clark 2001) of the how the news cycle drove his staff's work (the so-called 'battle rhythm' of daily meetings and intelligence updates) during Operation ALLIED FORCE -- the bombing of Serbia and Kosovo during Spring 1999.
As seen in the conflict with Serbia, NATO adversaries are far more likely to attack NATO asymmetrically through information operations (INFO OPS), particularly strategic PSYOPS, as opposed to traditional military means. Indeed, often more flexible and synchronized, and less restricted by bureaucratic barriers, NATO's adversaries will attempt to manipulate NATO's strategic actions through selected, discriminate propaganda.
Putting aside more traditional military conflict, trans-national and trans-regional threats to NATO members, such as terrorism and development and transport of weapons of mass destruction, further accentuate the need for a more proactive PSYOPS policy by NATO. These latter threats do not lend themselves to easy compartmentalization within a specified theater of operations. Consequently, PSYOPS efforts that can overcome these boundaries, the seam between strategic and operational areas of responsibility, are needed today and require integration and planning at the highest levels.
NATO HQ has made some attempts to grasp the PSYOPS issue and provide some direction. However, nations within the NATO Alliance constantly wrestle over definitions and the roles of perception forces within the various layers of the NATO Command structure. Currently, during a crisis, at the NATO HQ level, an ad hoc Media Operations Centre (MOC) is created, and theoretically, an Information Operations Working Group (IOWG) is stood-up as well. The purpose of the MOC is to bring together press officers from all the NATO nations to ensure the information that is put out to the news media throughout the Alliance nations is synchronized and consistent. The theoretical purpose of the IOWG is to provide the direction to the various elements conducting perception operations at lower levels in the NATO structure. While the MOC was active during ALLIED FORCE and has been manned during exercises, the IOWG is a group that exists on paper only and has never been activated. One of the reasons for the IOWG's theoretical nature is that there is a lack of perception management experience and expertise at the NATO HQ level, and no actual PSYOPS experience whatsoever.
While some might want to limit NATO's role in this area and may feel comfortable with this void at the top (purposely cultivating an organizational deficiency), for those below it can prove very challenging. It is clear that there must be congruence between policy as expressed at NATO HQ and actions on the ground. When there is no guidance from above, or when policy objectives remain nebulous or kept from those below, pressure is placed on the PSYOPS operators at the lower rungs in the chain-of-command to either do nothing, or even more dangerously, make policy decisions and run an uncoordinated campaign that runs the risk of being contradicted by the decisions and actions of those above (Pollock 1976).
As the Clark quotation at the beginning of this study suggests, ALLIED FORCE was as much, if not more, a perceptions battle than a traditional kinetic conflict (Collins 2000). In fact, in hindsight, judging by the small amount of damage done to the Serbian military force during ALLIED FORCE (Barry and Thomas 2000, Clark Interview 2000), the kinetic portion of ALLIED FORCE shrinks in comparison to the daily battles on CNN and other news venues. The Serbs were content to avoid confrontation with NATO by way of a direct military approach, and to fight in an asymmetric manner through the weapons of the Internet and statements to the international press corps in Belgrade. As Clark notes in his book, he spent a great deal of his time reacting to the media operations initiated by the Serbs rather than focusing on the purely military tasks.
Nevertheless, despite a tremendous amount of money and energy, the NATO PSYOPS effort was not very effective during ALLIED FORCE. The Serbs proved very resistant to the NATO PSYOPS effort. NATO's outside efforts of perception management focused on the Serbs failed miserably. Later efforts to over-throw Milosevic within Serbia by the student organization OTPOR were, by contrast, incredibly successful. The use of OTPOR to change the perceptions of the people of Serbia is a story yet to be fully told, but an excellent example of successful strategic PSYOPS.
Additionally, NATO's continued activities in the Balkans demonstrate that today there is a seam between traditional operational and traditional strategic activities that needs to be filled and a policy modification must therefore take place. NATO clearly has interests in the region and has some kind of diplomatic game-plan. But implementation of any NATO policy within the Balkans will be most effective if all instruments of power: military, diplomatic, economic, and informational are in play by NATO. PSYOPS can be an important player in the exercising of informational power -- but only if it included in the original calculus.
This paper is not an argument for more PSYOPS organizations or more bureaucracy to add to an already heavily bureaucratic structure. The changes that need to take place are more subtle but still could have great impact. There is no need or call for NATO to become a 'supranational' organization that attempts to take over the duties and responsibilities of the member nations.
PSYOPS within NATO need no longer be just 'leaflets and loudspeakers.' Modern communications methods have dramatically changed the way in which PSYOPS dissemination can occur. PSYOPS targeting in today's age can be precise – mass PSYOPS need no longer be the primary means to conduct information dissemination. The Internet, email, personal computers, paging systems, cellular telephones, CD-ROMs, allows the modern PSYOPS practitioner to target specific segments of the population – even individuals. Today's marketing firms still use mass mailings, but with the message modified to correspond to the changing incomes, ethnicity, family situations, etc., of specific population segments. Many today seek information through hundreds of television channels, radio stations, the Internet, or printed media. Specific PSYOPS targeting, exploiting the diffusion of information dissemination can be more effective than older methods and lessen potential 'information collateral damage.' PSYOPS products need no longer be of the 'lowest common denominator' in order to appeal to a mass audience of hundreds of thousands.
This brings us to the various items recommended for action. While these are relatively small steps, this should begin the process of allowing NATO to use the PSYOPS tool more assertively and effectively.
Explore and change policy to allow NATO PSYOPS to operate in the seam between strategic and operational spheres -- as in the Balkans. Some have suggested that this could be called Conflict Prevention Psychological Activities (CPPA) (Westenkirchner 2002).
'Conflict Prevention Psychological Activities (CPPA): Planned psychological activities in peace and crisis directed at target audiences in non-NATO countries in order to contribute to crisis management, deter conflict, and prevent outbreak of hostilities. CPPA are conducted in support of NATO diplomatic actions and in consonance with Alliance strategic objectives'.
Convene the NATO HQ Information Operations Working Group and make it a permanent fixture in NATO HQ. Have it begin to work on issues that cross political and military boundaries. Ensure PSYOPS participation and expertise is included in the IOWG.
Discuss with nations the viability of a standing PSYOPS capability to provide planning expertise on a continuous basis to NATO HQ.
NATO found in its last military effort against Serbia that the battle to shape the international and regional perception of the conflict was more important than the casualties sustained or the land controlled. Certainly this trend will only be accentuated in the future. Consequently, the "battle for the mind" must be a central feature of future NATO actions -- at all levels of diplomatic and military activity. By adding PSYOPS within the "seam" between operational and strategic matters, NATO can begin to feel more comfortable that they can contest the informational 'high ground' in any future crises and conflicts.
Centner, C (Spring 1997) "Precision-Guided Propaganda: Exploiting the U.S. Information Advantage in Peacetime" Strategic Review, pp35-41.
Clark, W (2001) Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Future of Combat, Public Affairs, New York, pp441-443.
Collins S (2000) "Perception Conflict in the 'Modern' Balkan Wars" in Cyberwar 3.0: Human Factors in Information Operations and Future Conflict, Alan D. Campen and Douglas H. Dearth (Eds) AFCEA International Press, Fairfax, Virginia, pp191-201.
Dao, J and Schmitt, E (February 19, 2002) "Pentagon Readies Efforts to Sway Sentiment Abroad" in The New York Times, p1. Some untoward remarks regarding the new Office of Strategic Influence (OSI) in the Pentagon have setback these efforts by the US. The head of this organization, Brig. Gen. Simon Worden, reportedly said OSI would attempt to mislead the US public in order to create an environment favorable to US government actions to counter terrorism. Worden's remarks about attempts to manipulate US domestic opinion led US President George W. Bush to order the shutdown of OSI in its current form.
Erlanger S (June 13, 1999) "Beneath the Falling Bombs" in The New York Times Magazine, p86.
Lord, C (1989) "The Psychological Dimension in National Strategy" in Political Warfare and Psychological Operations: Rethinking the US Approach, Frank R. Barnett and Carnes Lord (Eds), NDU Press, Washington, D.C, p28.
Metz, S (May 6, 1999) "War in the 21st Century," presentation at the U.S. Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Murray, L (Sep/Oct 1999) "China's Psychological Warfare," at web address http://cgsc.leavenworth.army.mil/MILREV/English/SepOct99/murray.htm .
Pollock, D (1976) The Art and Science of Psychological Operations: Case Studies of Military Application Vol 1. Department of the Army, Washington, D.C., p 363.
Raddatz, M (May 12, 2000) "Interview with Wesley Clark" on ABC World News Tonight (US television). When asked by a Raddatz to explain the discrepancy between the official estimates of damage to the Serbian military and actual destruction verified by the US Air Force, former NATO Commander Wesley Clark responded that NATO had been under pressure by the press to provide figures and had given the best information they had available at the time.
Taylor, P (1995) Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Day, Manchester University Press, Manchester, pp1-16.
The Creation and Dissemination of all Forms of Information in Support of Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in Time of Military Conflict (2000), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Washington, D.C., pp14-17.
Thomas, T (1999) "Russian Information-Psychological Actions: Implications for U.S. PSYOP," at web address http://call.army.mil/fmso/fmsopubs/issues/psyop/psyop.htm .
Westenkirchner P (March 19, 2002) Presentation in Mayen, Germany.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect the policies or positions of NATO HQ, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or the US Department of Defense.


New Years Lunch and Table Quiz Sunday 6th Jan in Taylors Three Rock Hotel, Rathfarnham.
No unread posts MTM Entry list.
Western Region Discover Mayo Run Sunday 14th Arpil .
Loop Head Mini Run 7th.April 2019.
No unread posts Maynooth St Patricks day parade.
Eastern region St Patricks day parade.
Western Region attending the St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday 17th. in Ballymote.
Well done on the award.
As above, looking for a set of four.
I am looking for a driver's door for my '77 mini, preferably in good useable condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi guys I'm new to this site an I can't find where you post up your questions all help appreciated thanks in advance??
This months meet and greet will be held in Monread Lodge, Naas.
Next thursday night 21/2/19 from 8pm.
This year's Annual General Meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Sunday 10th February in The Maldron Hotel ,Portlaoise.
New Years Lunch and table quiz will be held on Sunday 6th January in Taylors Three Rock Hotel,Rathfarnham. Hope to see you all there.
Great afternoon yesterday. Well done to all involved. Good start to the New Year.
Has anyone details of the NY lunch in a few week's time? It's always a great afternoon and an excuse to meet up after the hols.
No harm to give it a bump.
This section is for Mini projects and restorations and also the place to show off your pride and joy.
For Sale posts not conforming to these rules will be deleted.
All items listed must be the personal property of the seller, and hold the title to said item(s).
The Irish Mini Owners Club, and its officers provide this service as a service to its members and Mini enthusiasts in good faith and do not endorse or confirm any detail or claim pertaining to items posted by individuals using this forum.
Mini and related items only. Registration required.


text:
5 Best/Worst of 2020
By LSB Chris on December 29, 2020 • ( 2 Comments )
What a unique year it has been! As I reflect back on 2020, there have been many ups and downs. A global pandemic has reshaped our daily lives. For many, the world has gotten smaller around them. But it has been both an isolating and unifying human experience. We're all in this together. And now, at the close of the calendar year, cutting edge human innovations in science are fighting back with therapeutics and vaccines. This, too, shall pass and the world can return to some new normal. We here at Limited Slip Blog are privileged to have continued reviewing cars through the year, but we haven't put together a 5 Best/Worst list since last year's New York International Auto Show. Allow me to quote one of my favorite TV shows. It was Doctor Who that said, "… the good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant."
What better way to look back on the year than through that lens, recognizing the bad things for what they were and celebrating the good things. So here, then, are my top 5 Best and 5 Worst reflections on 2020 at Limited Slip Blog.
5 Worst
1. Things We Lost
There will always be a specter cast over the memories of 2020. We all collectively suffered loss in one way or another. But reflecting back on the year, one thing for me stood out quite clearly. The Silverado Trail Boss represents something we as automotive enthusiasts are losing…the affordable pickup truck. In my review, I posited that the $47,665 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss delivers everything you could possibly want in a pickup truck. And in an year where the average new truck price is almost $52,000, that represents quite value proposition. What happened to the affordable truck? But the Silverado took me on a camping trip to Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks where I lost something very close to me. That will be my biggest regret of 2020. So personally, there's a specter over the Trail Boss, even though it was a damn good truck in its own right. But the things we lost is collectively the #1 worst thing about 2020.
2. Cancelled Auto Shows
With large social gatherings becoming high risk events, travel restrictions in place, and convention centers being converted to field hospitals, 2020 was not a year for auto shows. That meant we couldn't get our hands on many of the new models until they arrived at local dealerships or into the press fleet. And for us as car enthusiasts, that was a disappointment. For the first time ever we didn't trek to Detroit or New York City. But it did give automakers more freedom to launch products in their own way. The shift to livestream events broadcast directly to the public might change the was auto shows work forever. And change can sometimes be a good thing. Especially if it brings an interest in cars to more people. But not being able to do a 5 Best/Worst for each show is the #2 worst thing about 2020.
3. Manufacturing Delays
Have you heard of the all-new Ford Bronco? I can't tell you how many car people and non-car people in my life asked me that question after Ford's debut. But we won't get to see it this year. Not only did the coronavirus pandemic limit the movement of people, it disrupted global supply chains. Ask me how I know. Factories shut down, ports closed, and shipping lanes narrowed. Building automobiles is a global endeavor and there isn't a single factory that can build a car from scratch or a single automaker that is vertically integrated from the smallest component casting to the dealership door. So we'll have to wait patiently for the Bronco and other new models to join us in 2021.
4. Phoning It In
2020 brought plenty of surprises, like how much time we'd all spend on conference calls, but nothing quite like the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. The car arrived on June 19th, but I didn't publish my review until July 20th. It took me a full month to gather my thoughts…and that's sort of this entire thing! But even though I tried to find some merit in the Passat's value, I'm here to tell you VW totally phoned this one in. This effort is akin to jumping on an 8am Zoom with your pajama pants on. Bland styling, poor ergonomics, and a lousy driving experience left me nearly speechless. On my personal list of worst vehicles of 2020, the Passat sits at the top. VW can do much better.
5. Blue Days
Its not hard to have a blue day attributed to 2020 in some way. But one of the brightest blue days of 2020, metaphorically speaking, was my time with the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition in Voodoo Blue. Despite the team's initial excitement for this famed color, it was better in theory than in practice. The Tundra is such a massive vehicle and Voodoo Blue is so shockingly blue, it stuck out like a Smurf thumb. I've never been self conscious about a vehicle's color until that week. Voodoo Blue might be fine on a 4Runner, but the Tundra is just too much. So in a lighthearted way, it was the best Worst thing about 2020.
5 Best
5. Last Travel
In mid-February, before travel restrictions were imposed across the US, I was invited to San Antontio, Texas to check out a new compact SUV from Kia. I was lucky to travel with fellow journalist and friend of the blog, Steve Hammes, to help him film his video segment. The Seltos made a splash with its styling and technology, and I praised it for its roominess and all-weather capabilities. But it was the chance to briefly be a tourist in a new city that I remember fondly. We hopped into a canal boat and headed downtown to tour the Alamo. That far-from-home experience is something I won't replicate for some time, even if the return flights home were a frustrating adventure in their own way. But in a year where we couldn't travel, the last opportunity to do so made the list as the #5 Best of 2020.
4. The Little Things
When working from home became the norm, I began to go out and explore my local community. The 2020 Lincoln Corsair arrived to us on the cusp of winter, a time when I was dreading the cold, short days when walking and hiking locally would become impossible. The luxury and serenity it offers provided me a safe escape from my own home. Historically, the car has been a symbol of American freedom. It meant you could leave your town and travel the vast open landscapes. Over the years, that mindset has shifted with improvements in public transport, car sharing opportunities like Zipcar and Turo, and the privatization of ride sharing with Uber and Lyft. 2020 could put automotive freedom back in the spotlight. I, for one, welcome it because those daily escapes from home were one of the Best parts of the year.
3. Fresh Air
Getting out and driving in 2020 was, at one point,a privilege. But dropping the top and going on a long drive was one of 2020's best experiences. Some of the Limited Slip crew have their own drop-tops. But we also spent weeks with the Mazda Miata, Lexus LC500, and Mercedes-AMG C63 S convertibles. That provided ample opportunities for long drives or weekend roadtrips. From the safety and isolation of the cars, I could go exploring to find new roads and scenic vistas. I got the sense of being out and about in the fresh air without worrying about washing my hands, wearing a mask, or being to close to anyone else.
2. Social Distance
The car in 2020 is both freedom and isolation. Freedom to move from where you are, but isolation from wherever you might go; a safe space to be without being stuck in one place. We often use local parks and state lands as photography sites for the blog but many of them filled up daily with people safely socially distancing. It forced us to find even more remote and desolate locations to shoot. And that challenge has brought a sense of adventure to our weekly outings. It has also given me a change to be more creative in capturing the cars we test each week. To celebrate the #2 best part of 2020, here's two of my favorites; bringing the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition deep off-road and driving to the top of Mt. Equinox in Vermont in the 2020 Subaru STI Series.White.
1. Friends Along the Way
Automotive enthusiasts might disagree on a lot of things, but its all superficial. At the core, we all derive enjoyment from some aspect of the automobile. So while 2020 tried to isolate us, we responded by coming together in cars. Socially distant car shows, car parades for any occasion, and the weekend cruise with no destination allowed us to connect with friends and make a few new ones throughout the year. Most memorable for me was our return to Mt. Greylock, where we tested the all-new 2020 Toyota Supra and Mercedes-AMG C63 S Convertible. Behind the scenes, a few friends of the blog decided to join us for the drive. We spent the better part of the day on roads somewhere between Upstate, NY and the summit of Mt. Greylock. It was one of the best days of the year, and what solidified the friends along the way as the #1 Best thing about 2020.
Categories: Christopher Little, Editorials, Limited Slip
Tagged as: 2020, 5 best, 5 worst, best, in, limited slip blog, review, worst, year
Justifiable Hype: 2020 VW GTI
Vanilla: 2020 Cadillac CT5-V Series
PavementandGravel says:
Great summary. The loss of the affordable pickup truck coupled with the pickup truck's target demographic historically could be the subject of a paper alone. The Trail Boss listed above would be 75% of the median American household income. Also, the Ram was named 2020 Luxury Vehicle of the Year by one publication. There are a lot of layers which could be unpacked there.
Pingback: Workhorse: 2021 Ford F-150 – Limited Slip Blog


text:
Locat's Board of Directors approves the draft financial statements as of 31 December 2004
03 March 2005 - h 00:03 Price sensitive
Locat S.p.A.'s Board of Directors, chaired by Francesco Mezzadri Majani, today approved the draft financial statements as of 31 December 2004.
During 2004, Locat once again confirmed itself as leader of the Italian leasing market with a share of 13.1% (last year 12.9%), stipulating new transactions for Euro 4,970.5 million, up 19.7% on the previous year, a result which compares with the rise of 18.1% reported by the market.
With regards to earnings, the interest margin amounted to Euro 214.5 million (+ 11.9% compared with the previous year). The increase of Euro 22.9 million reflects the growth in average lending.
Overheads amounted to Euro 57.9 million (- 1.6% with respect to 2003). In particular, the rise in payroll and related costs (+ 1.8%) was accompanied by a drop in other administrative expenses (- 1.5%) and in the amortization and depreciation charges on intangible and tangible fixed assets (- 12.9%). The cost/income ratio improved once again, dropping at the end of 2004 under the threshold of 25% (24.8% compared with 28.5% in 2003).
Provisions, adjustments and value writebacks on loans came in total to Euro 42.6 million, down by Euro 4.4 million on December 2003 (- 9.4%). The positive performance of value writebacks in particular reflects the collection of an important amount (Euro 1.6 million) against items struck off in previous accounting periods.
Positive and negative extraordinary items presented a positive balance of Euro 10.6 million which is made up of income of Euro 10.2 million, reflecting the booking of deferred tax assets.
Pre-tax income amounted to Euro 143.7 million, up by 43.5% on 2003, while income taxes increased by Euro 12.6 million (+ 32.6%).
The rise in net income from Euro 61.6 million to Euro 92.5 million (+ 50.3%) is attributable to both the afore-mentioned extraordinary items and the significant rise in the contribution margin (+13.3%), due to the increase in average lending, compared to the decrease in overheads (- 1.6%).
Taking into account the need to align the equity endowment of the Company to the level necessary for financing the rise in lending, the Board of Directors will propose to the Ordinary Meeting of the Shareholders, called for the 15th of April 2005 in first calling and the day after in second calling, that the economic results for the 2004 accounting period be allocated to reserves for euros 71,499,790 and to dividends for euros 21,041,604 corresponding to a euro 0.038 (unchanged) per share.
The Board of Directors has co-opted Elisabetta Magistretti and Ranieri De Marchis, heads - respectively - of UniCredito Italiano S.p.A.'s Administration Governance Division and Planning and Finance Division. The new Directors have taken the place of the resigning Pietro Modiano and Giorgio Guazzaloca. The Board also appointed Luigi Marino as Deputy Chairman of the Company, an office which had remained vacant following the resignation of Giorgio Guazzaloca.
Locat has also been authorized by the Parent Bank, subject to the approval of the Bank of Italy, to establish a NewCo in Bosnia Herzegovina, under joint-venture with UniCredit Zagrebacka Banka, for the performance of leasing activities in said country. This initiative joins Locat Leasing Croatia d.o.o., (already operative in Croatia) and that being set up in Russia (ZAO Locat Leasing Russia ) for which registration with the Moscow Court has already been obtained.
For greater disclosure on the operating results achieved during the accounting period, the income statement and balance sheet schedules have been attached. The documentation has been delivered to the Board of Statutory Auditors.
LOCAT S.p.A.
DOC | Download (36.50kb)


SAN'A, Yemen – Yemeni kidnappers released a former German diplomat and his four family members Saturday, the diplomat's wife told The Associated Press.
"We are safe, thank God," Magda Chrobog told the AP reporter as she flew to the southern port of Aden from eastern Yemen with her husband, Juergen, and their three children.
The Chrobogs were on a helicopter with a top government negotiator, tribal chief Awadh bin al-Wazir. Magda Chrobog spoke to the AP on the negotiator's cell phone.
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said the Chrobogs had been freed and were on their way to Aden.
"Juergen Chrobog and his family are in safety," Steinmeier said.
The family and three Yemeni assistants were kidnapped Wednesday when armed tribesmen stopped their two-car convoy on a remote mountain road in Shabwa province, east Yemen, where they were vacationing.
Juergen Chrobog, 65, served as deputy German foreign minister in the government of Gerhard Schroeder, which left office in November.
There was no immediate word on the terms of the deal that led the kidnappers to release the Germans.


Upcycle: Inspiration in Your Mail - Jill Ruth & Co.
Shortly before my daughter's birthday, an advertising packet of cards came in the mail from Piperlime. I was pretty taken with their images and just couldn't throw the cards in the recycle bin. The card stock they were printed on was really nice too.
I decided that cut up and "altered", they would make a fun birthday card for my second daughter.
She is certainly fond of clothes and accessories so it seemed a fit for her.
The card is like a flip book.
I thought you might enjoy seeing a few of the pages.
The cards I began with were two sided, but I didn't worry too much about what showed up on the back of the pages.
I used free form cutting to cut out all of the letters for my message pages. Nothing Fancy, I'll call my hand cut font.
The little girls thought this card really looked perfect for their big sister along with the "be happy" card.
I used rivets to finish off the holes and tied it all up with a black cord. You could just punch a hole though if you didn't have rivets.
First, I made myself a frame the size I wanted using a ruler and exacto knife. The finished size of the page is the inside measurement of the frame.
Now, I could use the frame for seeing what part of the card I wanted to crop out. This really works well for you to visualize the proposed page.
Also, with this method you can easily see how the image may look set at an angle.
Once you like your placement, trace the inside of the frame with a pencil.
I used a ruler and my rotary cutter to cut along the pencil lines. You could of course just use a scissors.
If you are a maker of sorts, I would highly recommend a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and a clear ruler. They sell them for quilters, but I use mine equally as much for cutting paper as I do fabric. And, those tools make projects much easier!
I made this out of a catalog this morning. Only folding, a scissors, and a glue stick needed.
With all the Christmas catalogs and advertising that will be coming out now, you may want to keep your mail!
So very innovative. Bet your daughter loved it!
I couldn't get the link to today's project to work.
I love what you did here - and really appreciate you sharing your process - the frame idea is terrific for seeing what you want before you cut...and your cutting font is perfect! Also snowflake is awesome...and I was intrigued by INK361...signed up as well...just a fountain of great ideas here today!
Brilliant Jill...bet it was a real hit and so personal and thoughtful and artsy not to mention recycling too!
Great step by step process, and what a great card idea.