The YBBS > The New News > Leniency For Big Corporations In The U.S.
View Full Version : Leniency For Big Corporations In The U.S.
WASHINGTON: In 2005, the U.S. authorities concluded that a Monsanto consultant had visited the home of an Indonesian official and, with the approval of a senior company executive, handed over an envelope stuffed with hundred-dollar bills. The money was meant as a bribe to win looser environmental regulations for Monsanto's cotton crops, according to a court document. Monsanto was also caught concealing the bribe with fake invoices.
A few years earlier, in the age of Enron, these kinds of charges would probably have resulted in a criminal indictment. Instead, Monsanto was allowed to pay $1 million and avoid criminal prosecution by entering into a monitoring agreement with the Justice Department.
Companies have readily agreed to the deferred prosecutions, said Vikramaditya Khanna, a law professor at the University of Michigan who has studied their use, because "clearly it avoids a bigger headache for them."
Some lawyers suggest that companies may be willing to take more risks because they know that, if they are caught, the chances of getting a deferred prosecution are good. "Some companies may bear the risk" of legally questionable business practices if they believe they can cut a deal to defer their prosecution indefinitely, Khanna said.
Legal experts say the tactic may have sent the wrong signal to corporations - the promise, in effect, of a get-out-of-jail-free card.
The growing use of deferred prosecutions also suggests one road map the Justice Department might follow in the subprime mortgage investigations.
Deferred prosecution agreements, or DPAs, have become controversial because of a medical supply company's agreement to pay up to $52 million to the consulting firm of John Ashcroft, the former attorney general, as an outside monitor to avoid criminal prosecution. That agreement has prompted congressional inquiries and calls for stricter guidelines.
Defenders of deferred prosecutions say that they have been too harshly criticized lately and that they play a crucial role in allowing the government to secure the cooperation of a company while avoiding the time, expense and uncertainty of a trial.
The agreements, government officials say, also avoid the type of company-wide havoc seen most acutely in the case of Arthur Andersen, the accounting firm that was shuttered in 2002 after being indicted in the Enron scandal. The firm's collapse threw 28,000 employees out of work.
At a congressional hearing in March, Ashcroft defended the agreements, saying that they avoided "destroying entire corporations" through criminal indictments. "Prosecutors understand that a corporate indictment can be a corporate death sentence," he said. "A deferred prosecution can avoid the catastrophic collateral consequences and costs that are associated with corporate conviction."
Paul McNulty, a former deputy attorney general who put new guidelines in place in 2006 for corporate investigations at the Justice Department, said in an interview, "There's a fundamental misapprehension with DPAs to think that they're a break for the company."
With the imposition of fines and an outside monitor, "the reality is that for the government, it gets pretty much everything without the difficulty of going forward with an indictment," said McNulty, who is now in private practice. "I think companies are beginning to wonder whether they ought to fight more, because they are pretty burdensome."
But critics of the agreements question that assertion. Charles Intriago, a former federal prosecutor in Miami who specializes in money-laundering issues, said that huge penalties, like the $65 million fine for American Express Bank International in 2007, were "peanuts" compared with the damage posed by a criminal conviction.
The company was accused of failing to enact internal controls to guard against laundering of drug money and other reporting problems.
The agreements were once rare, but their use has skyrocketed in the current administration, with 35 deals last year alone by the Justice Department, lawyers who follow the trend said. Banks, financial service companies and auditors have frequently entered into such agreements, including recent ones involving Merrill Lynch, the Bank of New York, AmSouth Bank, KPMG and others.
Beyond financial crimes, deferred agreements have been used in lieu of prosecuting companies - though not individuals - for export control violations, obscenity violations, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, kickbacks and environmental violations.
In general, such agreements result in companies acknowledging wrongdoing by not contesting criminal charges, but without formally admitting guilt. Most agreements end after two or three years with the charges permanently dismissed.
Monsanto, for example, while not admitting guilt, agreed to abstain from further violations of bribery laws. In an e-mail message, Lori Fisher, a spokeswoman, said that Monsanto had cooperated with the Justice Department and fully complied with the agreement, leading to deferred charges being permanently dismissed in early March.
The trend has led to increased speculation about how the Justice Department might use the agreements in investigations against financial companies in the mortgage lending scandal, which has become a top law enforcement priority for the department.
The FBI has 17 open inquiries into accusations of corporate fraud in connection with the subprime scandal, and Neil Power, who leads the bureau's economics crime unit, said in an interview that the number was certain to grow.
The FBI has publicly identified only one target - Doral Financial, a mortgage company based in Puerto Rico whose former treasurer has already been indicted - but major companies like Countrywide Financial, once the biggest U.S. mortgage lender, have also been reported to be under criminal investigation.
Power said the investigations were a reflection of the "environment of greed" that allowed companies to package mortgages into securities they sold to investors without sufficient documentation of the borrower's ability to repay. One line of criminal inquiry focuses on whether bond companies gave accurate information to investors. "What we're looking at," he said, "is the fact that they may be performing accounting fraud."
Justice Department officials would not discuss the role that deferred prosecution agreements might play in their ultimate handling of the mortgage investigations. One official said it was "way too early" to begin speculating about such possibilities.
But the prospect already has some experts in the field worried.
Michael McDonald, a former IRS investigator in Miami who is a private consultant and has given seminars on deferred prosecutions, said such deals "should not be on the board" in the subprime mortgage investigations.
"In light of what this did to our economy, people shouldn't just be able to write a check and walk away," McDonald said. "People should be prosecuted for it and go to jail."
Timothy Dickinson, a lawyer in Washington who was the outside monitor for Monsanto, agreed. Corporate lenders caught up in the mortgage scandals should not assume they will be given the chance for a deferred prosecution, Dickinson said, and the Justice Department should "insist on a guilty plea" rather than offering a deal.
"It's a tool that will remain to be used by prosecutors in appropriate circumstances, but not every circumstance," he said. "It depends how egregious the conduct is."


Options hundreds of thousands of products from thousands of stores. Consumers Against Poisonous Apparel is connecting the Pure Attire and Sustainable Vogue Neighborhood collectively nationwide serving to aware clients save on organic clothing and eco-pleasant products. For a trend blog that gives a peek into the eternally stylish life of a 30-one factor Brooklynite, look no extra than Keiko Lynn This blog offers you a fun glimpse into Keiko's life collectively with her lovable dog and her boyfriend, who is also a vogue blogger.
The fusion of commerce and exhibition ought to come as no surprise, given the history of the art museum and the division retailer as websites of public show. Within the mid-18th century, the non-public collections of artwork patrons populated public exhibitions of classical artwork and antiquities in newly minted civic buildings. Early department shops emerged soon after, and retail and exhibition displays blended together. Each teams saw buyers and museumgoers as our bodies to be regulated by protocols of decorum when occupying these spaces. The division store and the museum gallery flattened social hierarchies, as these current in each respective house participated in one singular activity: consumption. Despite the contemporary distaste for it, a sure democracy transpired in the act of commerce that obscured the social pecking order in favor of shared cultural and aesthetic values.
Years later, I discovered myself working as a retailer designer for Abercrombie and Fitch. I once helped facilitate the municipal approval of upgrades to the cameras on the Huntington Beach pier for Hollister's reside-feed system, which now streamed California to suburbs all across the nation. I knew then what I hadn't as an adolescent in Ohio: Retail shops have turn out to be a host for experiences first, and buying issues second—if in any respect.
Shopping Online For Dwelling Decor?
Journey Excursions is India's leading journey firm, providing greatest affords on flights, vacation packages, cruises, ski holidays, last minute lodge provides, journey insurance coverage and somewhat more. Account suspension: if a web site is violating any phrases of service, it may very well be suspended by Blogger without any notice. Repeated violations may end in Google account suspension. Small businesses throughout the U.S. are transferring extra of their funds to digital , together with cell, social, video and search. Based on the January 2017 research by Thrive Analytics, 40d113e29adaaae6eefefc2f3d4943c2d01051ab74ff0eb5abc002113f3dc59a25 of U.S. SMBs said they plan to enhance spending on digital media. Many bloggers start with small expectations in terms of their blog, however after they realize the potential inside their weblog, they rapidly notice that they want one thing that gives them further administration than what Blogger does.
One by-product of this aggressive, digital tactic is a surge of specialised apps for buying retail wares. At the moment, there are a plethora of subscription-primarily based services that provide to acquire the freshest launch of a given shoe or design (discuss with the hashtag #cookszn ). Whether it's a subscription-based mostly web site or the impartial operation of 15-12 months-old, retailers try to compete by streamlining their own mobile methods with similar features. Twitter or Instagram are most frequently used for product-launch announcements and requests, then Venmo for point of sale, forging a complete motion of social retailers" out of the infinite scroll of immaterial content. It's nearly like a virtual pushcart rolled as much as the social-media services where consumers' eyeballs spend most of their time anyway.
Options millions of products from thousands of shops. Highsnobiety has steadily constructed a robust model within the on-line vogue and lifestyle world. In the present day the blog and print magazine sit among the many most visited world sources for inspiration within the areas of vogue, sneakers, music, artwork and life-style tradition. Innovation, progression and at all times being a number of steps ahead of the curve are just a few of the core values of Highsnobiety.
Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using fashionable utilized sciences and services enabling individuals to work smarter. With over 20 genuine designs ranging from 14 to 22 squares, the Good Residing Assortment presents a variety of trendy, terribly purposeful flooring plans. With none design information in any means, you possibly can create an superior-trying web site in a short while-body. We've got now created a collection of residence designs to swimsuit every household. In the event you would use an present theme to start out out, which one would you use. 17 Tutorials on Recommendations on how one can Create a WordPress Theme 2017 Colorlib 23 feb.
Two classes of shops have emerged from this shift. The primary consists of existing corporations which have overhauled their retail stores to incorporate physical and technological experiences. Nordstrom is one such example, with their Pop-In series by Olivia Kim, the company's vp of artistic projects. The second includes net-based mostly start-ups which might be nimble with apps and social-media platforms, similar to Glossier , a individuals-powered beauty ecosystem" based by Emily Weiss. Each kinds of retailers give attention to constructing sturdy advertising and marketing narratives and immersive online experiences. Among those are pop-up" stores, shows, or occasions—nomadic retail spaces that arrive and depart once more within weeks or days.
Journey Tours is India's leading travel company, offering best offers on flights, vacation packages, cruises, ski holidays, closing minute lodge provides, travel insurance coverage and somewhat extra. Comfort stores are common in North America, and are often referred to as "bodegas" in Spanish-speaking communities or " dépanneurs " in French-talking ones. Sometimes peddlers and ice cream trucks cross through neighborhoods providing goods and companies. Additionally, garage gross sales are a standard type of second hand resale. From malls like The Retailers at Liberty Place and King of Prussia to malls like Macy's and Boyds to small boutiques like Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction and Verde, customers haven't any shortage of appealing options.
Two categories of shops have emerged from this shift. The first consists of current companies that have overhauled their retail shops to include physical and technological experiences. Nordstrom is one such instance, with their Pop-In sequence by Olivia Kim, the company's vice chairman of artistic tasks. The second includes internet-based begin-ups that are nimble with apps and social-media platforms, resembling Glossier , a individuals-powered beauty ecosystem" founded by Emily Weiss. Each kinds of retailers concentrate on constructing robust advertising narratives and immersive online experiences. Among these are pop-up" shops, displays, or events—nomadic retail spaces that arrive and depart once more within weeks or days.
Temukan harga terbaik untuk setiap produk Traveloka yang Anda butuhkan. Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces utilizing modern utilized sciences and companies enabling individuals to work smarter. With over 20 genuine designs ranging from 14 to 22 squares, the Good Residing Assortment presents a wide range of modern, terribly purposeful flooring plans. With none design data in any means, you possibly can create an superior-attempting website in a short while-body. We now have now created a group of residence designs to swimsuit every household. In the event you would use an present theme to start out out, which one would you use. 17 Tutorials on Recommendations on how one can Create a WordPress Theme 2017 Colorlib 23 feb.
Trend-ahead boutiques make Charlotte a hotbed for haute couture, and unique brands make it a vacation spot for high-end finds. From quirky thrift outlets touting vintage gems to shops offering steep discounts and malls anchored by high retailers, Charlotte's shopping circuit is a style lover's secret weapon—and a standout in the Southeast.
eBay also gives seasonal gift guides, how-to movies, and a Deal of the Day. You can use a wide range of filters comparable to model, price, size, shade, features, and shopper scores and critiques to sift by way of your search results. In case you're on the lookout for something collectible, this is the first spot to verify. You will also find new gadgets, too. All in all, eBay's popularity as an important discount-shopping vacation spot ensures its constantly high rating amongst shopping sites.


Problems on sectors and circles with detailed solutions.
In the figure below, the length of arc AB is equal to twice the length of radius r of the circle. Find the area of sector OAB in terms of the radius r.
The angle of a sector in a given circle is 40 degrees and the area of the sector is equal to 20 cm 2. Calculate the arc length of the sector.
The area and the angle are given. The angle is given in degrees and has to be converted into radians.
b) The area of figure ABCD.


text:
Matthew "Matt" Celotti (ur. 9 lipca 1979) – australijski judoka. Olimpijczyk z Pekinu 2008, gdzie zajął 21. miejsce w wadze półciężkiej.

Startował w Pucharze Świata w 2003. Zdobył cztery medale mistrzostw Oceanii w latach 2002 - 2008. Mistrz Australii w 2000, 2001, 2003 i 2007 roku.

Letnie Igrzyska Olimpijskie 2008

Przypisy

Australijscy judocy
Urodzeni w 1979
Australijscy olimpijczycy
Uczestnicy Letnich Igrzysk Olimpijskich 2008
Ludzie urodzeni w Melbourne

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Giftpac Packaging Supplies and gift bags are your mail order specialists, packaging Australia in quantities you need when you need - at wholesale prices direct to the public, and bulk discount business to business.
Purchase all your packaging and gift carry bag needs from the one convenient place, in small quantities or bulk. Save time and money while shopping online with Giftpac.
Whether you want one or one hundred thousand bags, you can buy any quantity from Giftpac packaging supplies.
Please note Australia Post does not have a next day express service from this location, they specify fastest possible delivery.


text:
Titan's flooded canyons
by European Space Agency
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI
The aptly named Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is remarkably Earth-like. Its diameter is only about 40% that of our planet, but Titan's nitrogen-rich, dense atmosphere and the geological activity at the moon's surface make comparisons between the two bodies inevitable.
This image, taken with the radar on the Cassini spacecraft, shows just how similar the features in Titan's surface are to Earth's landforms.
Aside from Earth, Titan is the only other body where we have found evidence of active erosion on a large scale. There are seas, lakes and rivers filled with liquid hydrocarbons – mainly methane and some ethane – that etch the moon's surface, in much the same way water erodes Earth's.
A striking example is Vid Flumina, the Nile-like, branching river system visible on the upper-left quadrant of the image. The river, in the moon's north polar region, flows into Ligeia Mare, a methane-rich sea that appears as a dark patch on the right side of the image.
Researchers in Italy and the US analysed Cassini radar observations from May 2013 and recently revealed that the narrow channels that branch off Vid Flumina are deep, steep-sided canyons filled with flowing hydrocarbons.
The channels are a little less than a kilometre wide, up to 570 m deep and with slopes steeper than 40º. This suggests they have been sculpted by liquid methane, flowing into the main Vid Flumina river, that has persistently eroded the canyon walls – a geological process reminiscent of the carving of river gorges on our planet.
The study is the first direct evidence of deeply entrenched, methane-flooded channels on Titan. Finding out how they formed provides insights into the moon's origin and evolution and could help understand similar geological processes on Earth.
The Cassini–Huygens radar team is hoping to observe the Ligeia Mare and Vid Flumina region again in April 2017, during Cassini's final approach to Titan. The mission is a cooperation between NASA, ESA and Italy's ASI space agency.
Cassini finds flooded canyons on Titan
Provided by European Space Agency
Citation: Titan's flooded canyons (2016, September 20) retrieved 27 January 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2016-09-titan-canyons.html
Dark Matter -- Is it possible that Dark Matter has Planck mass and Spin two?
Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos
Can distance in space be measured by human systems?
Trying to understand the differences between distant & local galaxies
Solar System Diameter
Is the Universe spinning?
More from Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cassini sheds light on Titan's second largest lake, Ligeia Mare
Titan's dunes and other features emerge in new images
Surfing onTitan would be best in summer
Cassini spots mini Nile River on Saturn moon Titan
Cassini explores a methane sea on Titan

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The era is witnessing a sharp shift from a product based economy to a knowledge based economy where-in much emphasis is being given on to IP assets and related intangible assets. The importance of an IP can be perceived from the simple fact is, that, these days they are being used as collaterals for various financing activities.
Thus, it is important for companies to evaluate the real worth of a patent portfolio or do an effective IP valuation for various intellectual properties. This holds true both for patent buyers and/or patent sellers.
Sagacious IP's IP valuation service or technology valuation service is meant to do just that wherein we employ various proven methods to evaluate the current, actual and real worth of an IP.


Do You Want Your Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen) To Look Different Than The Rest?
You're in the right place because we've got exactly what you're looking for! This Cool Corgi skin is the perfect way to show off your style! Or with hundreds of other MightySkins designs, you can be sure to find one that you'll love, and that will show off your unique style!
Do You Want To Protect Your Echo Dot (2nd Gen)?
With MightySkins your Echo Dot (2nd Gen) is protected from scratches, dings, dust, fingertips, and the wear-and-tear of everyday use!
Cover your Echo Dot (2nd Gen) with a beautiful, stylish decal skin and keep it protected at the same time!
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen) is not included.
SET THE TREND: Show off your unique style with MightySkins for your Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen)! Don't like the Cool Corgi skin? We have hundreds of designs to choose from, so your Echo Dot (2nd Gen) will be as unique as you are!
GOES ON AND COMES OFF EASY: Putting your MightySkin on your Echo Dot (2nd Gen) is super easy thanks to its patented low grip air release adhesive that's built to last but removes easily and leaves no sticky residue when you're ready to switch to a different design!
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA: We Use Only 3M automotive-grade vinyl, the industry's most trusted brand, MightySkins are produced in our state-of-the-art facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.


How determine the value on which needs to be charged by a works contractor? Whether value of asset or property should be included in total value of supply to charge tax?
For example, if a works contractor has constructed a building on land provided by land owner. Whether value of land should be included in value of works contract?


text:
Laser rot woes + lack of LDDB laser rot reports
Page 2 of 2 [ 40 posts ] Go to page Previous 1, 2
Post subject: Re: Laser rot woes + lack of LDDB laser rot reports
Posted: 14 Feb 2018, 08:43
Agreed that quantifying laser rot on LD and explaining what damaged soundtracks sound like isn't an easy task.
If some of you could send me a few pictures or sound recording (a short YouTube video would work too), we could setup as quick FAQ pages to make this subject more palpable.
LDDb on Facebook!
takeshi666
Thanks to Techmoan's video on CD Video, I at least know what a damaged digital soundtrack sounds like.
A good start... A single YouTube search
LaserDisc Rot Examples....
Laserdisc "laser rot." What to look for.
1984 Laserdisc does Max Headroom
Laserdisc PAL Buck Rogers laser-rot
Flight of Dragons Intro (PAL Laserdisc rip, heavy laser rot)
The Magic of Laser Rot
megarat
Shows curiousity
Location: Squirt Island, WA, USA
signofzeta wrote:
My personal experience with rot is that it's super rare, far less than %1 of every disc I've ever owned. I usually buy Japanese releases though and that's a huge part of it. I also, for whatever reason, wasn't into many Sony films in the late 90s and that's the majority of late rotters right there.
I need to go to bat on this: I got into LD in the mid-90s and rode it out all the way to the end of the tunnel, and it was absolutely maddening to deal with rot in those days. During the late '90s, the market was enriched with Sony-pressed LDs, so they were everywhere. These were huge releases, and they were sold in (relatively) huge volumes. It was an agonizing experience, repeated more times than I care to remember: spending $29 to $59 in 1999 U.S. dollars for a new release, only to discover later on that the product had spoiled, and that you had no financial recourse. If you were an LD collector in the late '90s who enjoyed mainstream movies, laser rot cast a gloomy shadow over the whole scene, and I know some people who stopped buying LDs altogether because of it.
From the start of my experience with LD collecting until about 2005, considerably more than 1% of my LDs had laser rot. Some of them had rot right out of the package, and some didn't reveal themselves until years later. Back then, for newly purchased LDs, it felt like my rot rate was about 50%, but looking back, I suspect it was closer to 15%, 20% at the most.
This also meant that the second-hand market was flooded with rotted LDs, for the obvious reason: what was an LD owner to do after discovering that some of your collection has rot? Why, sell it off to the local used-media shop, who would mark it up and turn it around sight-unseen to an unsuspecting customer. Collect a little bit of cath, and let it be someone else's problem. As such, during this time, my second-hand purchases were probably 30%+ rotted.
Part of the problem was that it took a while for the trends to come to light, and that the average consumers weren't able to reliably determine rot risk in advance. This left a lot of us living in anxiety that our entire collections would eventually rot away. My local LD shop (Videophile in Seattle) would take returns if the rot was caught early enough. I'm not sure if they had to eat that cost, or if they were able to return it to the manufacturer for a refund. And once it became obvious, the clerks gave me the advice to avoid Sony pressings altogether (and they also taught me how to identify the LDs themselves by the barcode and other information on the hub), and this gave me faith in the hobby again. Thus informed, it was revelatory to go to a second-hand shop, browse the used LDs, and see that the majority of them were from Sony.
My collecting has slowed down over time, and thankfully I haven't seen a rotted LD in a decade or more. I like to think that most of the rotters have been chucked into the bin over the ensuing years, but I'm also extremely careful about assessing an LD title for rot before purchasing it. LDDB's "rot status" information is extremely handy when considering a purchase, and I avoid anything that has a status above "low". And of course, I unconditionally avoid all late Sony pressings. It's just not worth it, especially if a good copy of that movie is available on DVD or BD.
yazorin
Location: connecticut United States
I wonder how many rotters have been chucked. When I sold on the bay, I chucked every rotter I got into the trash. For my own collecting, I open everything. Keeping shrink wrap on warps the jacket and prevents you from knowing if you have a rotter. In the worst cases, shrink wrap can even ruin the cover, believe it or not. I have a record and it's glossy layer was ripped off with the shrink wrap when i took it off. https://www.discogs.com/Tank-Filth-Hounds-Of-Hades/master/92000
you don't really own a movie until you have it on laserdisc
yazorin wrote:
I wonder how many rotters have been chucked. When I sold on the bay, I chucked every rotter I got into the trash.
If you're gonna let them become somebody else's problem, make that somebody else the garbage truck driver.
But yeah, this is definitely why I'd rather stick with used. At least then someone has - recently, I hope - watched it and confirmed that it does indeed still play. And if not, I can at least ask them to check before purchase.
When I sold on the bay, I chucked every rotter I got into the trash.
I do that too when finding a rotter: trash the disc but eventually retain the cover and/or insert if it can help someone on day to replace a missing one.
Recently bought some LD´s and there's this white-speckled patterns on the surface of the discs.
If I rub on the most center with a dry cloth (closest to the label on the very shiny silvery surface where there's no data stored) it would come off to some extent, like some sort of dust.
But on the disc itself it won't come off.
I've tried with a damp cloth but to no avail.
I cannot describe it better than it looks like if you would spray your hair with hairspray and having the disc lying in the open close by and falling residues from the hairspray land on the disc.
That's what it looks like.
Is this laser-rot?
je280
denson wrote:
Have you tried playing the discs?... might play fine?
If it's on the surface it is NOT rot.
laserdisc_fan
Jedi Candidate
I've about 10,000 LDs and to my knowledge about 200 are rotters so about 2% rot rate.
In those figures I'm not counting early pressings which pretty much all had a few speckles here and there.
I'm just focusing on real rot that rendered the disc not worthy of watching due to distraction.
Sony was the worst by far and I agree if you'd been buying Sony USA pressings I suspect the rot rate would have been as high if not higher than you quote. My first ever bulk purchase of laserdiscs was a bundle of discs included with a Sony player. The player was wonky from the start and skipped but what annoyed me most was most of the discs were actually rotted. The seller had clearly offloaded the whole lot in an attempt to claw back as much money as they could. I agree 10 years on there is less of this going on, but certainly anyone buying sealed Sony titles is playing with fire.
In addition to what others have said I would just add some early Sonopress UK titles (which were produced several years before PDO existed) were problematic as well. Some 80's Japanese Toshiba EMI discs and Pack In Video titles had rot as did many early USA Technidisc titles like Tuff Turf although again perfect copies of even that movie do exist on LD and are actually worth tracking down as the picture quality is superior to the DVD.
Haven't had the chance to test the discs yet.
But will do tomorrow.
It seems to be some kind of chemical reaction with the plastic coating of the disc.
It must have come in contact with some sort of material that caused the plastic coating of the disc to react like this.
We'll see how it plays tomorrow
Laserdiscs are tricky to photograph as they are so reflective but if its only on the surface Novus 1 Polish should be able to clean that mist off and it will be as good as new. I've found a layer of mist forms on LDs if they have been left in polylined bags for many years without being taken out. You often seen this on sealed stock that is decades old. Most likely some form of gas given off by the plastic which results in a buildup of particles on the surface of the disc. Also happened with some EMI Swindon CDs from the 90's and they could be polished as well and were fine.
Thanks alot laserdisc_fan.
Novus polish 1 has now been ordered.
Yes I remember I have seen exactly the same phenomenon on other discs in my collection.
I have always thought it was disc-rot.
But this explains the white mist on the surface.
I have now test-played the disc in question and it plays normally.
That just confirms what laserdisc_fan enlightened me of.
A great relief to say the least.
dunerider
Honest fan
I only have around 130+ discs and only have two titles that have any rot. One plays mostly fine and the other is basically unwatchable. So from my limited knowledge, that 1-2% sounds accurate.
If it's the same kind of bag-to-disc speckles I've had it's easily cleaned off but doesn't affect video at all so leave it for the next guy if you want. It only happens when the disc sits untouched for years, I think, because I've never seen it on anything I've owned. Other people's unwatched stuff that I buy has it quite often.
I use Windex and a paper towel. Go ahead and tell me how bad it is, I don't care, I've been into optical discs for almost 30 years and Windex has never killed anything of mine.
takeshi666 wrote:
The same episode also did a pretty good job of showing you what rotted video looks like.
Technology Connections's video shows it pretty well too. The disc sounds fine but the video is peppered with rot noise.
Over the years I've received a few LDs where whoever was cleaning them was a little too enthusiastic with the liquid cleaner. They must have poured loads onto the surface of the disc and it actually seeped between the two sides of the disc leaving some odd marks along the edge.
If you moisten a tissue with a small amount and use it to apply the cleaner only on the surface you can't go wrong.
Users browsing this forum: lons_vex and 1 guest


text:
White River is een plaats (city) in de Amerikaanse staat South Dakota, en valt bestuurlijk gezien onder Mellette County.

Demografie
Bij de volkstelling in 2000 werd het aantal inwoners vastgesteld op 598.
In 2006 is het aantal inwoners door het United States Census Bureau geschat op 588, een daling van 10 (-1,7%).

Geografie
Volgens het United States Census Bureau beslaat de plaats een oppervlakte van
1,3 km², geheel bestaande uit land.

Plaatsen in de nabije omgeving
De onderstaande figuur toont nabijgelegen plaatsen in een straal van 36 km rond White River.

Externe link

Plaats in South Dakota


text:
Home Health Library I Want More Dialysis…Please!
I Want More Dialysis…Please!
by Brenda R. C. Kurnik, MD
Many of my current dialysis patients as well as others around the United States are asking for more dialysis. They want to feel better and "get their lives back." Allowing them to perform their own dialysis in the home setting and receive more total hours of dialysis is empowering. Patients have shared with me and I have witnessed how much better their lives can be when they receive the optimal dialysis.
So are you receiving optimal dialysis, or just adequate dialysis?
So are you receiving optimal dialysis, or just adequate dialysis? This is a hot topic right now in the corporate kidney world, and should be among dialysis patients as well. Dialysis patients in the United States who make a request for more dialysis receive any number of responses, spanning from lack of scientific evidence to inability to cover costs, all of which are inadequate responses. When requests are made to Congress for reimbursement for home modalities, the response is always: "What is the evidence that more dialysis is better?" How did we get into this situation? Given the current debates and pending legislation regarding therapies for chronic dialysis, it seems appropriate to take a moment to re-visit the history of dialysis to determine how we arrived at our current prescriptions.
In 1964 twice weekly dialysis for 10-16 hours was considered the norm.
Where Did it All Begin?
It was not until 1960 when Dr. Belding H. Scribner developed the "Scribner shunt," which allowed repeated access to the blood stream, that hemodialysis for chronic renal failure became a reality. The original dialysis schedule was hemodialysis, performed once every 5 to 7 days and lasting 20-24 hours. However, within several months, dialysis frequency was increased to 10-16 hours twice a week in order to reduce the development of uremic symptoms (tiredness, pruritis (itchiness), nausea, vomiting), nerve damage and symptoms, and to treat very high blood pressure. In 1964 twice weekly dialysis for 10-16 hours was considered the norm. The change to three times weekly dialysis evolved during 1964 and 1965. This was more convenient for the in-center schedule.
The 12-16 hour schedule, twice a week, was difficult for the families and some of the patients still developed the same medical problems of nerve damage and inadequate blood pressure control.
In addition, the University of Washington developed a home hemodialysis (HHD) program in 1964. The 12-16 hour schedule, twice a week, was difficult for the families and some of the patients still developed the same medical problems of nerve damage and inadequate blood pressure control. The dialysis schedules were changed to three times a week and moved to overnight, for 8-10 hours, which was easier for the families and the remaining symptoms resolved. This prescription was suggested by Dr. Stanley Shaldon (London, England) at a dialysis conference in Seattle in 1964. This overnight schedule resulted in an overall increase in patient stamina, better blood pressure control, decrease in nerve damage and liberalization of dietary restrictions as well as significant ability for patient rehabilitation. HHD had another advantage, it was more cost effective. Funding for dialysis was limited and not all patients received dialysis.
In 1972 there were 11,000 patients on hemodialysis and 40% were doing Home Hemodialysis (HHD) rather than in-center.
Who Shall Live?
Decisions for this life sustaining therapy were made by committees. In 1967, the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Artificial Kidney Center (SAKC, which had been established by Drs. Scribner and Haviland in 1962) required that all patients accepted for maintenance hemodialysis must agree to HHD at the discretion of the medical staff. By 1972 SAKC had 90% of their 130 patients at home with the help of family, and most were nocturnal. In 1972 there were 11,000 patients on hemodialysis and 40% were doing HHD rather than in-center.
The transition from the long thrice weekly schedule to the current schedule was probably a product of several factors. With the advent of the 1973 Medicare coverage of dialysis there was a proliferation of free standing dialysis units and for-profit dialysis companies. The population changed to include older patients and those with diabetes mellitus as well as other medical conditions. Dialysis times were reduced in order to accommodate three and sometimes four shifts of patients per day with a thrice weekly schedule. High flux/more efficient dialyzers became available and the result was to reduce dialysis time in order to treat more patients in shorter treatments. The patients preferred this also, since it optimized convenience though not necessarily health. In 1992 only 1.3% of the hemodialysis population was on HHD and by 2005 the USRDS (United States Renal Data System) reported 0.6% on HHD.
How Long, How Often?
Although the dialysis time in the US decreased significantly this was not the case in Tassin, France which had the most impressive program of "long dialysis" in the world. The program was started by Dr. Guy Laurent and continued by Dr. Bernard Charra, one of Dr. Scribner's students, and has continued for over three decades. They prescribed 8 hours of dialysis three times per week, performed either at home or in-center. Their average mortality rates are less than 50% of the expected value in comparable patients in either the United States or elsewhere in France. The excellent survival rates are attributed to a lower cardiovascular mortality. They also report better control of phosphate, few patients on phosphate binders, an average dose of erythropoietin one-third that of the average in the United States, better nutrition and fewer blood pressure medications.
The most common prescriptions have been either short daily hemodialysis or slow nocturnal hemodialysis.
Given the clinical improvement in the patients when the frequency of dialysis was increased from 1 to 2 then 3 times per week, as well as the logic that more dialysis would more closely emulate the function of the human kidneys, a number of investigators in the United States and across the world have studied forms of daily dialysis. The most common prescriptions have been either short daily hemodialysis or slow nocturnal hemodialysis. Although daily regimens can be delivered in the setting of an outpatient dialysis facility they are much more conveniently delivered in the home setting.
Results of patient studies on short daily regimens have demonstrated: an improvement in well being, appetite and energy, improved blood pressure control, reduction in blood pressure medications, an increase in albumin levels and in some cases better hematocrits with less erythropoietin required.
results showed an improvement in patient well being, the patients often returning to full time employment
Several groups have studied longer daily regimens (7-8 hours overnight) using slower blood flows or "slow nocturnal hemodialysis." Again, the results showed an improvement in patient well being, the patients often returning to full time employment as well as improved cognitive testing, improvement in serum phosphate levels, reduction in the need for phosphate binders, general liberalization of the diet, better blood pressure control, few blood pressure medications, improvement in cardiac function, correction of sleep apnea, decrease in erythropoietin requirements with better hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, a reduction in hospitalizations and reduction in global health care related costs. Although, the numbers have not been adequate to show a statistically significant improvement in survival, the patient survival was reported at 81% at five years, far superior to the current USRDS statistics of an annual mortality of over 20%.
The Current Situation
Many of my current dialysis patients and others around the United States are asking for more dialysis. They want to feel better and "get their lives back." Allowing them to deliver these prescriptions to themselves with the help of family members and/or possibly other aides, in the home setting, is empowering. However, when requests for reimbursement for these more frequent home modalities are made the response is always, "what is the evidence that more dialysis is better." Given the history, I would like to turn this question around and instead ask, "What is the evidence that three times per week dialysis for three to four hours is enough?" We can see that this prescription was arrived at largely because of practical issues rather than chosen as the optimal therapy.
The challenge for the future will be to reform the reimbursement system for chronic dialysis. A dialysis schedule of long, overnight, thrice weekly or alternate night dialysis may be a reasonable compromise. In addition, patients may have different needs and our challenge is to be creative and flexible, being able to offer dialysis both in the home setting (short daily or at night) as well as in assisted living, retirement communities, rehabilitation centers and conventional in-center dialysis centers (both during the day and overnight). The improvements in technology have been remarkable, allowing flexibility in terms of the prescription and the site of service. We should strive to be the world leader with the best outcomes which will require us to re-engineer our reimbursement policies to benefit from the global cost savings.
I would like to close with a quote from Peter F. Drucker, an Austrian born American economist: "The best way to predict the future is to create it." So let's proceed and help our people who require dialysis to live.
Brenda Kurnik, MD is a private nephrologist, in Marlton, NJ, who recently opened a "state of the art" dialysis center. She serves as a Senior Vice President for Business Development and Government Relations for DSI. Formerly, she served as Associate Chief of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center/Cooper University Hospital, Vice Chair of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine and Chief of Nephrology at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. She was listed as a Philadelphia magazine "Top Doc" in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002.
1. Blagg, CR: personal communication. Very much appreciated.
2. Lockridge, R.S. and J. Moran, Short Daily Hemodialysis and Nocturnal Hemodialysis at Home: Practical Considerations. Seminars in Dialysis Vol. 21, Jan-Feb 2008, 49-53
3. Scribner, BH, Cole JJ, Ahmad S, Blagg CR, Why Thrice Weekly Dialysis? Hemodialysis Int 8, 188-192, 2004
4. DePalma, J, Daily Hemodialysis: A Very Old Concept, Seminars in Dialysis, 12 #6, Nov-Dec 1999, 406-407
5. Kjellstrand, CM, Daily Hemodialysis is Best: Why did We Stop at Three, Seminars in Dialysis 12 #6, Nov-Dec 1999, 403-405
6. Blagg, CR, Home Hemodialysis: "Home, Home, Sweet, Sweet Home" Nephrology 2005, 10, 206-214.
7. Hull, Alan, Home Hemodialysis in this Millennium: the Return of the King? Nephrology News and Issues, Feb 2008, P 41-43.
8. Saran, R et al. Longer Treatment time and Slower Ultrafiltration in Hemodialysis: Associations with Reduced Mortality in the DOPPS. Kidney Int.; 69, 1222-8, 2006
Read the latest issue of KidneyTalk® Magazine
Watch RSN's Hope Week Presentations
More Health Library Articles
Active Living | Health Library
Are You At Risk – Just Diagnosed | Health Library
Dialysis | Health Library
Emotion/Communication | Health Library
Food and Recipes | Health Library
For Healthcare Professionals | Health Library
For Kids and Parents | Health Library
Just For Fun | Health Library
Know Your Body | Health Library
Managing Healthcare Costs | Health Library
Patient Experience/Success Stories | Health Library
Safety | Health Library
Transplantation | Health Library
The Great Meerkat Incident that Led to Love
Bill and Ginger have a beautiful love story, with a twist. They met at RSN's support group meeting for people who have kidney disease...
The Importance of Oxygen During Hemodialysis
Note to Self – 1st Place Winner, 14th Annual Essay Contest
Low Salt Macaroni and Cheese
Understanding Blood Pressure & Dialysis
For parents: What to Know Before Your Child's Kidney Transplant
Q: Who is a candidate for kidney transplantation, and what is the process for the determination? A: We believe that all children who are facing...
BOOK REVIEW: The Patient's Checklist: 10 Simple Hospital Checklists to Keep...
Stop Thief! Protect Yourself Against Medical Identity Theft
Partners in Care
So You're Thinking About a Kidney Transplant
100-Plus Years of Kidney Patient Experience: Long-Term Survivors Share Tips and...
Tim Atkins' Inspiring Story 45+ Years on Dilaysis
Celebration: Lori's 4th Kidney Turns One


The mark you will receive for this module is based entirely on coursework (100%).
There is no formal end of year year examination or time-constrained assignment.
2 essays which are each worth 40%. One essay must be on a single author (2,500-3,000 words) and one essay on a comparative question (2,500-3,000 words) from different sections of the module. You are required to one essay in Semester 1 and one essay in Semester 2.
1 oral presentation on a topic approved by Tony McNeill or Alka Kurian (20% of total mark) from any of the sections.
All assignments should be well presented and should be either word-processed (the preferred option), typed or neatly hand written. Marks will be deducted from assignments which do not include a full bibliography. For guidelines on how to write essays and commentaries refer to your Guide to Written Assignments found in your handbook.


October 1, 2018 October 1, 2018 joyfullyfrustratedmomLeave a Comment on Pure Joy!
This past weekend was filled with many frustrations, yet many joys. My husband and I had the privilege of taking our special needs, medically complex daughter to a carnival in N.C. This carnival was hosted by Northview Church of Christ and was completely geared towards people with special needs and their families.
The JOY that filled the building was remarkable! Joy abounded! The special needs…their caretakers…those who helped with all the activities….those who sponsored booths….the children. Not one sad face or spirit!
Some of society looks at those with special needs as a burden. Whereas, in reality, it's quite the opposite! Anyone who spends just a few moments with one of these special gifts from God, walks away blessed. God knew exactly what He was doing when He blessed us with "special" people!
We need to learn from them. Learn what? Patience, goodness, faithfulness, love, joy, gentleness and self control. They are the least selfish, and the most joyful.
Thank you GOD for your special blessings!!


1. Clean off your chrome grille with rubbing alcohol.
2. Place the provided adhesive strips in this configuration. To make things easier on yourself, leave the easy to peel adhesive backing on the outside.
3. Peel the adhesive backing off.
4. Place black grille on chrome grille.
5. Apply pressure to black grille to ensure contact on all adhesive strips.
6. Enjoy your new distinctive grille!


I'm running a marathon on Sunday! Surprisingly, I'm quite calm. Despite what you may think based on my post yesterday about fear of pain in racing, I've come a long way since that tough long run and those doubts. I feel confident in my ability to pull out a strong marathon on Sunday. My training has been incredible, my legs are stronger than ever thanks to my 21 Day Fix workouts, and I've had my mental battles but I've conquered them. Though I don't expect the marathon to be easy, I feel ready to race hard.
In honor of my big race, I decided to share with you the recipe for my pre-race fuel of choice. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to my pre-race and pre-long run fuel of choice: pasta. What exactly I mix in with my pasta has changed over the years, but there's a pretty simple formula. This isn't fancy – I don't make my own sauce. It's just simple, easy and good. Since I will be out of town for the marathon this weekend, I will eat pasta at a restaurant, but if I'm in town, I will eat this the night before the race. I usually eat this before my longest long runs as well.
If you really need detailed recipes when cooking, I apologize in advance for the vagueness of this recipe as it's totally customizable for you!
I searched through all my photos and found this ONE photo of my pasta creation and I'm well aware that it is a terrible photo!!! I promise it tastes better than it looks.
1 jar of pasta sauce of choice. My favorite: Trader Joe's organic tomato basil marinara.
Cook pasta according to directions on the box/bag.
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium/high heat. Add the garlic, onion and the veggies and sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes.
Add the protein of choice and cook through (if you're using the Nut Balls, I liked to heat them in a sauce pan with the sauce separately as they tend to fall apart).
Add the pasta sauce (you may not need the entire jar, depends on how saucy you like it and whether or not you're using the entire box of pasta) reduce heat to low and let it come to a gentle boil.
Combine the pasta and the sauce and serve. Top with a little bit of your cheese of choice (recent obsession is goat cheese).
What do you eat the night before a race? Marathoners, do you carbo-load? If so, when do you start?
I also like pasta but last year before a half marathon I did sweet potato nachos with ground turkey and that worked very well too!
I have a tradition of eating a Chipotle burrito bowl the night before a race. Plus chips and guacamole and a coke. Hits.the.spot and I don't think I could race without that 🙂 Good luck this weekend!


In the financial world Germany has a reputation of having a complex tax system, and even amongst the normal tax payers there is a belief – not unfounded – that Germans pay a lot of tax.
After all, there is a tax on being a member of a Church, a tax to support German re-unification, even a tax on coffee!
But in the end, it is the income tax, or Einkommensteuer, that is most feared. After all, it is not easy to calculate. Here we do not have a simple tax band system with a tax-free base income – we have pages worth of tables instead.
What really does not help, is the "cat and mouse" game of trying not have to pay so much tax. Whereas other country collect less tax in the first place, Germany collects more and then gives you ways to deduct particular expenses occurred from it – at least in part. There are whole books full of details of what can be deducted to help the taxpayer claim as much back as possible.
These are things like claiming back the cost of getting to work, the cost of learning a foreign language to further your career, or even – if you have the right type of job – how you can recover the cost of playing tennis!
But of course, these books only contain the legal tips on how to save paying so much tax. These obviously do not go far enough for some high-earners, which is why they opt to take their money abroad.
Which leads me to the current debate about whether Germany should purchase data about the Swiss bank accounts of alleged tax-evaders, evoking memories of a similar case two years ago with data from Lichtenstein.
How much Germany stands to gain from obtaining the data depends on which source you read, most agree that it will be at least €100 million. But the real debate is about how this data made it out of the banks concerned and which law should therefore prevail.
Obviously if someone has transferred their money out of the country and not declared this on their income tax form, then the state has a valid interest in claiming the unpaid tax.
But on the other hand, Germany has also seen its fair share of Data Protection issues involving major companies, and would itself be none too pleased if data from German banks ended up with a foreign power.
So people are starting to ask whether by buying the data, Germany is supporting data theft in Switzerland, whilst some politicians claim that it would an "obstruction of justice" not to pursue the information that has been offered.
Either way, there are reports of people correcting their tax returns and suddenly paying up to avoid prosecution, so just by announcing the fact that the data is out there may have helped increase Germany's tax revenue this year!


Patrick is Head of Materials at the University of Oxford, an expert in materials manufacture and was Deputy Head of the Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division from 2012 to 2014.
He was one of the founding academics of the Begbroke Science Park at Oxford University, now a major regional and international hub for innovation and industrial-university collaboration.
Patrick joined our Board in the autumn 2018.


text:
Q: Xpath query, making a certain query more generic I'm trying to extract information from Wikipedia tables.
More specifically, I'm trying to make a list of all teams and all players in the premier league.
Until now I'm able to traverse over the whole teams in the premier league 2019-2020 table of teams, for every team there I get in it Wikipedia page and traverse over its player's getting their information.
I thought there is a fixed template that all premier league teams in Wikipedia have their table of players at position 3 but after traversing 6 teams it faced a team that it's table is in 2nd place.
So I was using the following XPath query on every team wiki page
"//table[3]/tbody//tr[position() > 1]//td[4]//span/a/@href"

but for example, the following team players table is at position 2, how can I make this query more generic and not fix it a certain position? I have noticed that all of my relevant tables have an  element before it with the text "First-team squad"
The HTML of the table is too long, so I post here the wiki link of a certain team
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_F.C.
Hope to get help! thanks.

A: You have to use another "anchor" which works for each page. The table you need is always the first after the span element "Players".
So with this :
//span[@id='Players']/following::table[1]//span[@class="fn"]//text()

You'll get the names of all players of the current squad team.
With this :
//span[@id='Players']/following::table[1]//span[@class="fn"]//@href

You'll get the associated URLs. /!\ Some players don't have a wikipedia webpage.
So you can have 26 player names but 25 urls. Like here :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_F.C.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


To provide as-built documentation services is to record the as-constructed configuration of something. That something could be a structure, mechanical system, plumbing system, or etc.
As a Drafter, the way I document items is via drawings. I create such drawings from field measurements of whatever it is that I'm documenting.
Recently I provided such services in a building that was under construction. I documented the as-built location of a sprinkler system. Below is a brief video discussing this project.


text:
Norwich star at centre of fresh transfer twist thats great for Aston Villa – Birmingham Live
Arsenal have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Norwich City star Emi Buendia because of the Canaries' asking price.
Buendia has had a terrific season for the Canaries and has been tentatively linked with a move to Villa Park by the national media.
But the Gunners are now claimed to have taken the decision not to pursue the Argentinian because Norwich are demanding £40m, cash that Arsenal don't currently have.
That would seemingly leave Villa with an easier run at the winger should they decide to make a move and a Canaries fan believes the talented wide man would have more chance of success at Villa than the Gunners.
Captain Canary wrote on Twitter: "To be perfectly honest if Villa hang onto Grealish and build on their squad, Buendia might be better off there.
"As crazy as it sounds they probably have a better chance of winning a trophy than Arsenal."
Buendia has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League, although Norwich boss Daniel Farke ruled out any departure in the January window.
Buendia said: "It is the best league in the world, it is the one that makes the difference at all levels. Any team makes life difficult for anyone, it is very complicated.
In our daily Aston Villa bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans.
How do you sign up?
It's easy and only takes seconds.
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up.
And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here.
If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters – but we don't think you'll want to.
And what's more, it's absolutely free!
You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter.
We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
"Their organisational level is perfect, the stadiums have a lot of history, the conditions for playing football are ideal. There are no excuses. And the players and the teams are the best.
"I aspire to the best and work every day to get back to it, either in my team or through a transfer. Returning to the Premier in the short term is a dream.
"It is true that there was a lot of talk in the summer, after relegation, about the possibility that both I and other teammates could leave the team to continue in the Premier League."
Croydon De Bruyne Emile Smith Rowe has rescued Arsenals midfield and could save Arteta MILLIONS – Daily Mail
Rio Ferdinand makes Amad Diallo prediction after discussions with Man Utd staff – Mirror Online


Father's day is a special occasion to tell your feelings to your dad. This year send father's day gifts to Chennai using same day father's day gifts delivery option from anywhere in India. To save time and money, you can order father's day gifts online and also order flowers in Chennai and get them delivered on time by choosing the best delivery option available on the website.
Send father's day gifts in Chennai for father's day to surprise your dad. Make the day special with amazing gifts, cake and flowers through father's day gift delivery online option. If you are planning to order a cake for father's day, there are many cake shops available, but go for best cake shop Chennai. You can choose different types of cakes, simple as well as customized, so, do not think twice and send father's day gifts online in Chennai on Best price.


Spring is here! March was filled with good events and informative sessions for our current and future members. Our March dinner meeting was a great success! The food and service at Carolina Kitchen in Hyattsville provided the perfect setting for Mr. Lenny Moore, Controller, Department of Finance for Montgomery County Government, to update our members and guests on the challenges associated with preparing timely financial statements. I thank Mr. Moore for his informative presentation. On March 26, our Young Professional and Membership chairs and I, had visited a Government Accounting class at the University of Maryland. During the visit, we provided a presentation on the benefits of membership in AGA and even shared with the students our experiences in the government financial management field. Professor Gary Bulmash was very appreciative of our presentation and noted that several of his students were impressed by how much we showed a passion for our work. We are hopeful that our visit resonated with the students and will translate into some new AGA members.
This month is jammed pack with even more exciting events. Please join us for our dinner meeting on Wednesday, April 10 from 6-8 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza Spring Room (1 Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD 20910). Justin Marsico, US Department of the Treasury, will give a presentation. You will earn 1 CPE for attending. To register, visit our website at www.marylandaga.com.
Seeking the perfect opportunity to network with colleagues and friends? Look no further. On Thursday, April 11, the Membership Committee will host a Happy Hour from 4- 7pm at The Society Restaurant & Lounge (8229 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910; accessible via the red line's Sliver Spring Metro station). There is no charge for this event and there will be light fare and drinks available. We encourage you to invite your colleagues and friends who are not current members for an opportunity to learn more about our chapter and meet other professionals. RSVP on our website.
In collaboration with the City of Greenbelt Department of Public Works, our chapter will participate as volunteers for the annual clean-up in recognition of Earth Day. This event is scheduled for April 13, 2019 from 10 am - 1 pm. This event is family-friendly, and students are welcome to bring community service forms. Learn more and register by visiting our website.
On April 17, I hope to see you at our Annual Spring Workshop. The workshop will be held at the KPMG LLP, in Washington, DC. We have a fantastic program lined up that includes the following topics: GAO Update; OMB Update; From Idea to GAAP: How FASAB Established Guidance; Program Integrity: Beyond Fraud, Waste and Abuse to Mission Performance; Leadership and Communication Styles for Diverse Personality Types; Update on Data Transparency Initiative; and several other hot topics in the field. Many thanks to Carol Boothe, Nicholas Garrard, and Maggie Huang, our Education Directors, who have been working very hard to put on a wonderful workshop. I'm looking forward to attending. Please register to attend on our website.
We're closing out the month of April with one of our most anticipated events of the year…. Our Annual Crab Feast! Please join us as we recognize our Corporate Sponsors on Tuesday, April 30 at The Bethesda Crab House. Register on our website today as space is limited. Registration ends Thursday, April 25.
It's important to me that this chapter meets all your needs. If you have comments to share or would like to learn more about how to get involved, please don't hesitate to contact me at president@marylandaga.com. Also, Freda Jackson, our president-elect is starting to put together the board roster for the 2019-2020 program year. Please let me know if you are interested in participating.


for those that look directly into the sun scare me.
smooth and electric and difficult to touch.
a prick may cause deflation.
a lurid slip of the tongue.
that settles on old shoulders like dandruff.
into sentimental sandwiches and undercooked cakes.
but practice bending every chance they get.
if it were not for their sinews.
that eat other minds for breakfast.
the people you meet, you keep.
nothing more than the staccato of death.
they pause, I begin. I begin, they pause.
do we still call it breathing?


text:
September 7, 2016 September 6, 2016 cosmicyoruba4 Comments	8300 views
Everyday objects from the Benin empire
I was scrolling through my laptop yesterday when I came across these images. Once upon a time, I was trying to write steampunk set in the Benin empire. These images show that I took my research very seriously. I couldn't remember where I found the images so did a reverse image search on Google. For…
June 29, 2016 April 11, 2017 cosmicyoruba	7623 views
Who were the women slaves of the Hausa city states?
'Who was…?' a series that explores the African women who pop up in history yet remain mysterious. I think it was from the ladies of Old Oyo post that I started remarking on the powerful women in West African history. It should come as no surprise that in the Hausa city-states, women also occupied positions…
June 15, 2016 cosmicyoruba	6944 views
On concubinage…continued
If you thought concubines are a legacy of the past, guess what? When the British came with their colonialism, they imposed prohibitions on slavery in Northern Nigeria. This was only halfhearted though, as the British policy implicitly accepted the patriarchal nature of concubinage. Colonial courts had to deal with cases involving slave women, some of…
June 1, 2016 June 2, 2016 cosmicyoruba5 Comments	14647 views
Concubinage in Nigerian history
In the days past, in parts of "Western Sudan", a female slave was worth two male slaves. In the slave markets of Kano, the worth of a female slave was measured by her breasts. Girls with developing breasts could be sold for 100,000 cowries. Women with firm, fully developed breasts cost 80,000 cowries. If their…
May 25, 2016 April 11, 2017 cosmicyoruba	6933 views
Who were….all these women?
If there's one thing that came out from reading about Nana Asma'u, it's more women who we will probably never know more about outside a few sentences in diverse literature. Let's share this frustration together. Nana Asma'u wrote in 1837 of "Joda Kawuuri, Quranic scholar who benefited people in many towns…Yar Hindu the Quaranic scholar…
A Month in Western Sudan Beginnings: Degel and the Hijra Nana Asma'u was just one among other women who wrote in her time. Five of her sisters, and her cousin were writers and their works remain today but there may be countless others whose works have been lost in time. Nana Asma'u's name is remembered…
Beginnings: Degel and the Hijra
"Muslim women! Do not listen to the speech of those who are misguided and who sow the seed of error in the heart of another; they deceive you when they stress obedience to your husbands without telling you of obedience to God and His Messenger (May God show him bounty and grant him salvation), and…
May 4, 2016 May 16, 2016 cosmicyoruba	6576 views
A month in "Western Sudan"
Did you know that "Sudan" was the term used by Arabs historically to refer to lands south of the Sahara? Ah, it seems this north/south divide is older than I thought. "Western Sudan" refers to north of the river Niger. In this context "Western Sudan" will be the area in what is now Northern Nigeria….
April 20, 2016 April 20, 2016 cosmicyoruba	11982 views
Who are Mehr Lekha Begum Sahiba and Yasmin Mahal?
'Who was…?' a new series that explores the African women who pop up in history yet remain mysterious. History. When I look into it, what I see is men, men, men, oh here's a woman, men and more men. This pattern repeats itself when one investigates that part of history that is even less popular…
Previous Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 … Page 15 Next


text:
Q: I can't compile code that use PSTRICKS I'm having issues trying to compile code that use the package "pstricks". When I compile the next code (which can be found here) with Xelatex:
\documentclass[pstricks,crop]{standalone}
\usepackage{pst-optic}
\usepackage{pstricks-add,pst-text}

\begin{document}

\begin{pspicture}(-8.5,-3)(8.5,3)
\rput(0,0){\lens[focus=3.333,OA=-10,AB=2,XO=2,xLeft=-8.5,xRight=8.5,rayColor=red]}
\end{pspicture}

\end{document}

I should have got the next output:

but instead, I always get the next one:

Then, when I try to compile other codes that also need the use of the package "pstricks" using Dvi -> PS and after that PS-> PDF I got warnings from Texmaker saying that:

MikTex GPL Ghostscript
9.19: ****Could not open the file output.pdf

That's why I downloaded ghostscript 9.23 and changed the Texmaker configuration:

but it doesn't work either. What should I do? Do I have to download a new DVI viewer?
In case it's needed, I use Texmaker 4.5 on Windows 7. Thank you very much!


Padres shortstop Luis Sardinas, 23, is competing for a starting job with veteran Erick Aybar.
Heeding a team directive, Padres shortstop Luis Sardinas broke from personal tradition this offseason by passing on playing winter ball in his native Venezuela. Yet he still managed to have an eventful run-up to spring training.
Sardinas got married, packed on some muscle and honed his agility. With the weekend's rain giving way to sunshine Monday in Arizona, the Padres finally were able to go through a complete, full-squad workout. Soon, they should be able to determine if Sardinas has matured both off and on the field.
The 23-year-old showed promise after being traded from Seattle in August. Now, he's in camp trying to prove he can be a longer-term solution at a perennially troublesome position for the Padres.
After arriving in San Diego last summer, Sardinas hit .287 with a .353 on-base percentage in 120 plate appearances. His performance in the field was more mixed.
"I thought he had very good at-bats for us last year," Padres manager Andy Green said. "The things that we wanted him to work on defensively, we kind of gave him a charge in the offseason and sent him on a mission to go work on them.
Sardinas realizes that his desired role also requires more vocalness. More than once, Green has pointed to an Oct. 1 loss at Chase Field, where a lack of communication in the Padres' infield was partly to blame for six steals by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Padres' other primary candidate to start at shortstop is Erick Aybar, an 11-year veteran who signed a minor league deal this month.
Green said Monday that the youngest player in camp also will see time at short during the spring. Luis Urias, a 19-year-old who has spent most of his brief career at second base, is expected to begin the upcoming season with Double-A San Antonio.
Widely regarded as a top-10 prospect in the organization, Urias was one of the low minors' most advanced hitters last season. He won the California League MVP award after batting .330 for High Single-A Lake Elsinore. He started 77 games at second, 19 at short and 14 at third.
Urias was originally signed out of Mexico as a shortstop.
"I know we all feel really good about how he defends second base," Green said. "Now it's really about how much versatility does he bring to the table. If we're able to slot him in at short, it's very valuable to us, long-term.
The Padres have hired former reliever Akinori Otsuka as Triple-A El Paso's new bullpen coach and Seiichiro Nakagaki as director of applied sports science. Both positions are newly created.
Otsuka, who pitched for the Padres from 2004-05, showed up in uniform for Monday's workout and helped out with various drills. At one point, he busied himself shagging fly balls during batting practice. He was not immediately available for comment.
Otsuka will assist El Paso pitching coach Bronswell Patrick; the Padres expect to have several talented relief prospects at the affiliate in 2017.
General Manager A.J. Preller and Nakagaki both worked for the Texas Rangers in 2012, when Nakagaki served as the personal trainer for Japanese ace Yu Darvish.
Preller said Nakagaki, who had been a trainer for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, will help oversee strength and conditioning for the Padres. Nakagaki studied at the University of Tsukuba in Japan and, later, at the University of Utah.
In recent years, sports-science positions have become more prevalent throughout professional sports.
Right-hander Paul Clemens will start the Padres' Cactus League opener Saturday against Seattle, Green said. Clemens, who posted a 3.67 ERA in 16 appearances (12 starts) for the Padres last season, is one of about eight pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation.
Left fielder Alex Dickerson did not participate in Monday's workout because of a stiff back. "We don't think it's long-term," Green said.
The Padres on Monday began a 32-player ping pong tournament in which one match will be played each day. In the opener, veteran newcomer Jered Weaver defeated All-Star first baseman Wil Myers.


Like I mentioned in my last post, Prince is a playing a benefit show at the Ross School in East Hampton, NY on July 14th. Here's the complete schedule for the Ross School Summer Benefit Concerts.
No word on how to get tickets, or how much they cost individually. But according to this article, you can see all five shows for only $15,000.
only 15,000….are you f***ed up?


Thick warm and comfy describe this well made fleece headband. It's decorated with a crystal rhinestone pawprint. Perfect for that outdoor time with your furry friends or match with school colors for those mascots that have paws!


text:
Il Tracciolino (o Trecciolino) è un sentiero pedonale e ciclabile che si snoda per circa 12 km, ad una quota costante di circa 912 metri s.l.m., dalla Val Codera alla Val dei Ratti, nei comuni di Novate Mezzola e Verceia.

Storia
Già negli anni venti del XX secolo, su iniziativa del parroco don Milani, fu costruita una centralina per fornire di energia elettrica il borgo di Codera, convogliando le  acque del torrente omonimo in un piccolo sbarramento, e distribuendo l'energia ai soci della Società Elettrica Codera.

Il Tracciolino venne costruito tra il 1934 e il 1936 dalla ditta Sondel per realizzare i collegamenti e gli impianti di due piccole dighe: la presa idroelettrica di Saline in val Codera e la diga di Moledana in valle dei Ratti, che alimentano la centrale di Campo di Mezzola dove sono installate due turbine Pelton da 37 MW.

Lungo una parte del tracciato si trovano ancora in sito i binari della ferrovia a scartamento ridotto per il trasporto dei materiali, dall'arrivo del piano inclinato in località Motta, dove si trovava il villaggio costruito per ospitare gli operai, alla diga di Moledana. .

Descrizione
Il percorso è adatto a tutti avendo un'altitudine costante, offre magnifici panorami sui monti e il fondovalle con il lago di Mezzola. Realizzato lungo versanti veramente scoscesi è in parte scavato nella roccia, con una decina di gallerie di cui una lunga 250 m., ponti e passaggi spettacolari. Messo completamente in sicurezza ha un buon fondo, ed è largo almeno 170 cm. Nei pressi di Codera il tracciato è bloccato da parecchi anni a causa di una frana; si può dunque arrivare a Codera solo deviando su sentiero per Cii.

Note

Bibliografia

Novate Mezzola
Verceia
Sentieri e alte vie