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The eco-friendly baby SUV from Lexus - review - Spear's Magazine
Feature: How Esmond Bradley Martin took on the illegal wildlife trade
Review: University Arms Hotel, Cambridge
The eco-friendly baby SUV from Lexus...
The eco-friendly baby SUV from Lexus – review
The small luxury Lexus UX hybrid makes a big impression, writes Gareth Herincx
Looking to downsize your big SUV for a more compact, greener alternative better suited to the city, but don't want to sacrifice luxury? If so, the Lexus UX could be right up your street.
The all-new baby of the Japanese premium brand's 4×4 family slots in below the RX and NX in the range.
Lexus expects the UX (Urban Crossover) to take over as its most popular car within the year and lower the average age of its customer base thanks to the car's cutting-edge design, technical advances, comfort, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
If so, the UX could be a game-changer, helping Lexus reach a target 20,000 cars in the UK by 2021 (in 2018 the brand sold 12,405), making up a fifth of an intended 100,000 sales in Europe.
Lexus is bullish because diesel sales plummeted by 30% in the UK in 2018 and the UX is only available as a petrol-electric hybrid or conventional petrol.
The UX is marketed as a "self-charging hybrid", which means that it can't be charged overnight like a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – instead, you simply drive it like a conventional car and the system does all the clever stuff smoothly and out of sight.
In real-world driving, Lexus claims in can use electric power for some 55% of the journey.
When cruising or gently accelerating the electric motor at the front (there's an additional unit at the rear on 4×4 models) can propel the car silently with electricity supplied for the battery
At higher speeds, under heavy acceleration or on uphill stretches of road, the 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine imperceptibly kicks in, while still receiving a boost from the electric motor/s when needed.
Under braking or when you take your foot off the accelerator, regenerative braking charges up the battery.
The result is fuel economy of up to 53.3mpg (front-wheel drive) or 48.7mpg for the al-wheel drive version.
It's no slouch either with a 0-62mph time as quick as 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 110mph.
Starting at £29,900 for the entry-level UX, the F-Sport costs £33,9000, while the flagship Takumi we're concentrating on will set you back £39,100.
Named after Lexus's skilled takumi craftsmen, this top-of-the-range version offers everything you'd expect from a compact luxury car including a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system and leather upholstery with stitching inspired by the Japanese sashiko technique used for making judo and kendo outfits.
Before we get too deep into the detail (and there's plenty if you're up for it), let's go back to basics and get some perspective on where the UX sits in the marketplace.
In terms of size and price, its most obvious rivals are the Audi A3, BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
However, it looks like no other SUV in its class with bold, sculpted lines, a full-width rear lightbar, roof spoiler and that unmistakable Lexus mesh front grille. It looks particularly stunning in Celestial Blue and Terrane Khaki.
Slightly lower than most competitors and sporting a coupe-like profile, it's full of innovative features including wheel arch mouldings which not only protect the bodywork, but also have a secondary aerodynamic function, just like the rear lights and the special five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the UX oozes class. There's plenty of room up front and though it's not as spacious in the rear as some rivals, four adults (five at a squeeze) adults can sit quite comfortably.
Luggage capacity is a reasonable 438 litres (401 litres in the 4×4 because it has an additional rear electric motor), or 1,231 litres (1,194) with the back seat folded down.
The cabin itself is stylish, beautifully finished and very Lexus with incredible attention to detail. Up front it's very driver-centric with the instrument panel, switchgear and big 10.3-inch touchscreen subtly angled away from the passenger.
The front seats are eight-way power adjustable and very comfortable, while the headlining is claimed to eliminate distracting shadows from the top of the windscreen.
The instrument panel is black with inlays sporting a grain finish inspired by washi – the grained paper used to make the traditional sliding screens found in Japanese homes. Not only does it look unique, but it's tactile too.
The doors are worth a mention too. Apparently, engineers worked with neural scientists to create the most satisfying and reassuring door-closing sound. It gets better – every vehicle is then checked in a dedicated quiet room by the takumi (and adjusted if necessary) before leaving the plant.
The 7.0-inch digital driver's display, centre infotainment screen and head-up display certainly look slick and state-of-the-art. The only slight issue is that the navigation for the screen is controlled via an initially fiddly touchpad down beside the gear selector.
Unless you floor the accelerator, you're more likely to set off in the silence of pure electric EV mode. If you take it easy and stay within 28mph, this can last for up to 1.2 miles, otherwise the engine will kick in smoothly.
The engine refinement and overall cabin environment is extremely refined, and it's only when you accelerate hard that the 2.0-litre petrol unit makes itself known. For those familiar with CVT gearboxes, this is no surprise. If you want to avoid these short doses of high engine revs, then your best bet it to drive smoothly, which is arguably what you should be doing to make the most of a hybrid in the first place.
On the road, the UX handles well, offering a good balance between comfort and enough body control to give you confidence in its abilities.
The steering is light and responsive, while the turning circle is tight, making it perfect for city driving. There's plenty of grip, but opt for the all-wheel drive version if you want that extra bit of traction or you venture out in more extreme conditions.
It comes with three drive modes (Normal, Eco and Sport) controlled via a knob on top of the dashboard. If you prefer things sportier, go for the F-Sport (Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom) and upgrade to the top-of-the-range Takumi equipment package.
Needless to say, the UX is also packed with the latest safety and driver assistance technology including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert.
Finally, for that little extra peace of mind, Lexus already scores highly for reliability and customer support, while the car itself comes with a three-year warranty and the hybrid tech gets an extra two years of cover.
The Lexus UX may be late to the party, but it's more than welcome. While its competitors are restricted to conventional engines, the UX arrives as a fully-formed hybrid. Compact, classy, comfortable and economical, it's engaging to drive, distinctive and oozes badge appeal.
War on canvas – how a new art movement is saving the world
From William Cash: Down with the Olympics
The simple smoothie has the power to make a big breakfast


Planning a group trip in Florida? Trust South Beach Charter Bus Company to pair you with the right charter bus and minibus rentals for every occasion. Call us now at 305-330-1674 to get your free quote and to learn more about our services!
Whether you're planning a wedding, coming in for a business trip, going to a sporting event, or planning an unforgettable field trip, South Beach Charter Bus Company is prepared to find the perfect bus for you. Our reservation specialists work 24/7 to find your perfect bus, ensuring that it's outfitted with comfortable amenities and operated by a certified driver. Call us today at number to get started on your rental!
1. You'll save on airfare & car rental fees.
Expensive airfare and hidden rental car fees can make group travel a nightmare. Pay less per person and receive a straightforward rate when you charter a motorcoach with South Beach Charter Bus Company.
With public transportation options like Metrobus, you can only travel along set routes at specific times of the day. Rent a motorcoach to move anywhere around South Beach on your own time.
Feel like taking a day trip to Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach? Your driver will gladly take you as far as you want to travel.
Escape the Miami heat with air conditioned motorcoaches. Each luxury bus comes standard with amenities like reclining seats, TV monitors, a DVD player, and a restroom. We can also accommodate passengers who need wifi and power outlets.
Want to party Miami-style? Charter a party bus to take you to popular nightclubs like Rockwell or Twist.
Keep your entire group together by renting a bus. Carpooling and ride-sharing apps like Uber divide groups into multiple vehicles. This leads to people arriving late, getting lost, or not showing up at all.
To arrive on time and bond as a group, call us at 1-305-330-1674 today to receive a quote and make a reservation.
Locals and tourists flock to South Beach for parties, entertainment, and socializing. Its lively streets quickly become crowded, causing visitors who are unfamiliar with the area to become overwhelmed and anxious.
When you arrive at your destination, let your driver find a parking spot while you explore Miami. Focus on having fun, not logistics, with your own charter bus.
Ride around South Beach without worrying about navigation. You can look out the panoramic windows of the bus, take pictures, and play games without having to keep your eyes on the road or look up directions.
7. You'll have a knowledgeable driver.
Need a restaurant or activity suggestion? Get insider tips and recommendations on life in South Beach from your bus driver.
For corporate travelers who need to stay connected, we can match you with a bus that offers wifi and power outlets at no additional cost. Conduct meetings, message clients, and receive updates during your trip.
As one of the top motor coach service providers in North America, we don't take our responsibility to safety lightly. We only charter buses that are up-to-date on Florida's Department of Transportation safety standards and drivers who have passed all background checks. With South Beach Charter Bus Company, you can travel with confidence and assurance.
Luggage and equipment gets separated into multiple vehicles when groups carpool, making it difficult to keep track of your items. On a motorcoach, the luggage bays underneath the buses and overhead bins inside allow for plenty of storage space. Keep all of your belongings safe on the bus until you're ready to unload them.
Get a quote for your upcoming trip by chatting with us anytime at 1-305-330-1674.


Discussion in 'Scenic, Architecture, and Travel' started by nickthetasmaniac, Nov 23, 2012.
People seem to get excited about the outright speed of the CV Nokton twins, which is fair enough - they are, well, rather fast... But gees, is there any other lens, for any format, that produce 10-pointed starbursts quite this crisp?
Interesting! Is this an image shot during your trip in Europe?
But gees, is there any other lens, for any format, that produce 10-pointed starbursts quite this crisp?
Pentax 15mm f/4 Limited produces starburst at the drop of a hat, and it is a pretty sharp lens. Starbursts are well formed. Fourteen point stars however, not ten.
Not the greatest example, but somewhat interesting. Shows how easily this lens produces this effect.


World's most popular social networking site Facebook launched a new feature for their user called mobile number verification. This feature introduced by facebook security team to make the security more stronger of this social networking giant.Though since this get launched facebook mobile verification is not compulsory but you can enjoy some real great features on facebook if you enable this feature and got extra security to your facebook account.But there is a disadvantage in it,Facebook doesn't offer multiple facebook accounts verification for the same mobile number and the main problem arises if you are having multiple facebook accounts and using just a single mobile phone. So here in this post we are going to share tricks applying that you can verify your multiple facebook accounts with same mobile number.
The most common advantage of mobile number verification is that you can easily add a custom profile url after mobile number verification.
Another great advantage of mobile number verification is that it also keeps your facebook profile in good standings, so chances of getting blocked by facebook and hacked by hackers become reduced.
We're assuming that one of your facebook accounts is already verified with some of your mobile number.,so here we're only showing how to verify your other remaining facebook account with same mobile number you've used. If didn't yet verified any of your facebook account with mobile no then first verify a facebook account with mobile number and follow the below trick.
Open your 1st facebook account and deactivate that account. To deactivate a facebook account go to Account Setting > Security > Deactivate Account.
Next logout from your 1st facebook account.
Aftre that open your 2nd facebook account.
Next click on mobile tab and enter your mobile number followed with country code.
After sometime you'll receive a verification code on your mobile. Enter that code and save setting.
Now logout from your 2nd facebook account and activate your 1st facebook account.
That's it.Now you have two verified facebook account with single mobile number.
Hope you find this trick useful.For more such upcoming tricks be with us subscribing us.
Very good and informative, but I have one FB account only. I've got some good info from you.
Oh wow. Great tricks but I don't have more than one account in Facebook so these are useful for those who have.
I think 1 account for 1 mobile number is just fine.


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Whowhatwear
January 3, 2018 January 3, 2018 Media, Social Networks 2018 trendsCoveteurDaily MailInstyleMetronewsPinterestSocial MediaTrend predictionsWhowhatwear
2018 Predicted By Pinterest
Pinterest, the platform described by CEO Ben Silbermann as a "catalogue of ideas" that inspires users to "go out and do that thing" has evolved into a trend prediction platform.
Launched in the US in 2010 the social media site has, in comparison to platforms Facebook and Instagram, struggled to develop as a commercial retail platform, despite garnering over 175 million daily users.
Media outlets and retailers are, however, now fully realising the benefits of Pinterest as a customer insight tool and not just a sales one. It's a move that sees the power shift between consumers and retailers move increasingly in consumer favour, with users' daily pins no longer just capturing trends but informing them.
Published every December Pinterest 100 captures the top 100 biggest trends based on the activity of its subscribers. Style, beauty and home decor are just some of the categories covered, with analysts looking for topics that showed critical mass, grew at least 50% in 2017 and trended up towards the end of the year. You can view 2018's top trends to try here.
Such is the credibility of the predictions, leading influential media outlets are using the platform as a source for new season forecasting features, the very articles that influence our buying behaviour for the year. Coveteur, WhoWhatWear, the Daily Mail. Metro and Instyle are just a handful of those that have run over recent weeks.
In a world where data is gold, it's no surprise Pinterest plan to further build on the predictions. This year the platform will launch Audience Insights, a subscriber based tool that will afford businesses the opportunity to take a deeper look at its audience and how it engages. The tool will be available to US business accounts early in the year and is expected to roll out to follow.
With traffic to Pinterest having increased significantly over the last six months, the platform's potential to inform new product development and business marketing strategies is only set to grow.
The use of the platform by media outlets as a source for seasonal trend features isn't new but it is gathering momentum. Where trends were once dictated by designers and magazine publishers, consumers are increasingly the ones to watch.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Home Breaking News COVID-19 virus with D614g mutation detected in Malaysia – Dr Noor Hisham
COVID-19 virus with D614g mutation detected in Malaysia – Dr Noor Hisham
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The Malaysian Institute for Medical Research has detected a D614G type mutation as a result of isolation and culture tests on three cases from the Sivagangga patient-under-investigation (PUI) Cluster and one case from the Ulu Tiram Cluster.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this means the community has to be more careful as the COVID-19 virus with the D614G mutation has been detected in Malaysia.
"It is found to be 10 times easier to infect other individuals and easier to spread, if spread by 'super spreader' individuals.
"So far, these two clusters have been found to be under-control as a result of the swift public health control actions. This initial test and several follow-up tests are being conducted to test several other cases, including for the index case for the two clusters," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.
Explaining the matter, he said, the D614G mutation was discovered by scientists in July 2020 and it is likely to result in the study on existing vaccine to be incomplete or ineffective against the mutation.
Therefore, he advised the public to continue to apply preventive measures and public health control, which is to practise the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOP), like physical distancing, self-hygiene practices and to wear the face mask.
""The latest COVID-19 situation is found to be under control and the Ministry of Health and other agencies are still making efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Public cooperation is needed so that we can together break the chain of the COVID-19 infection from all types of mutations," he added.
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Japan is an island nation in eastern Asia with an area of 377,887 square kilometers that is comprised of over 6,800 islands, including Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa. Japan contains 47 self-governing administrative divisions referred to as prefectures.
The total population hovers around 127 million people, with about 90% living in urban areas. As of 2015, about 36.5% of the total population resided in Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Osaka, Aichi Prefecture, or Saitama Prefecture. Among these, the largest proportion was in Tokyo, which was home to 10.7% of the total population of Japan..
An ageing population coupled with a low birth rate are two major concerns facing Japan and its healthcare system,.
Those aged 65 and over comprised 27.3% of the total population as of October 1, 2016. This figure is expected to approach 40% by 2060.
The old-age dependency ratio (the ratio of people aged 65 and over to people between the ages of 15 and 64) in 2015 was highest in Akita Prefecture (60.7) and Kochi Prefecture (59.2), and lowest in Okinawa Prefecture (31.2) and Tokyo (34.3).
The overall fertility rate in Japan was 1.45 in 2015. This rate was lowest in Tokyo (1.24) and highest in Okinawa (1.96).
The people of Japan enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with the average being 91.35 years for females and 84.95 years for males. Mortality rates for the top nine causes of death in 2015 are listed in the following table (according to data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 79% of all deaths were related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2014. Amongst these, 30% of deaths were caused by cancers, 29%, by cardiovascular diseases, and 12%, by other NCDs.
Japan is not ageing across all regions at the same rate. Large metropolitan areas, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya are at the forefront of aging in Japan. According to Tai Takahashi*, between 2010 and 2025, the population of those aged 75 and over will grow by 7 million people, more than half of whom will reside in the Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama), Osaka, and Nagoya. These three regions, however, comprise a mere 2% of Japan's total land area, underscoring the urban nature of Japan's "super-ageing society." Takahashi also points out that Tokyo faces serious additional challenges regarding the number of care facility beds, which is equal to just half the national average. This shortage may become increasingly serious as the population continues to age.
*Reference: "Regional Differences in the Peak of Healthcare Demand and the Level of Medical-Social Resources: Rebuilding a Medical-Social Service Delivery Structure," Presentation by Professor Tai Takahashi of the International University of Health and Welfare at the 9th Meeting of the Committee on National Social Security Reform, 2013.
Ranked by the burden that each disease places on the lives of sufferers as measured in DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years)*, the most critical diseases within the Japanese population are cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neuro-psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, other NCDs, external injuries, and infectious diseases. It is expected that the burden of life-style related diseases and degenerative diseases will increase alongside demographic changes such as ageing.
The World Bank estimated in 2015 that the under 5 mortality rate (U5MR) for Japan stood at 3 per 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality ratio was 6 per 100,000 live births. These figures reflect a decrease of nearly 50% when compared to data from 1990.
*DALYs are an indicator of disease burden which assesses the amount of harm caused to health by specific diseases and injuries. DALYs are calculated by adding the total of years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death and the years of life lived with disability (YLD).
Between 2010 and 2040, the population aged 65 and over will increase by 9 million. Over the same time period, the population under age 65 will decrease by 30 million. Starting sometime around the year 2040, it is expected that growth in the older population will plateau, while the working population will sharply decrease, causing the overall population to shrink by around 15%. This will increase the proportion of people aged 65 and over in Japanese society.
OECD (2015). Health at a Glance 2015: OECD Indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2015.


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How Did Pierce Brosnan's Wife Look In Her Youth? He Married A Beauty!
Many are surprised when they see a plain-looking woman next to a real heartthrob. But there are many happy families that prove that appearance is not as important as personality and love.
Famous actors often take their spouses along to the red carpets. Gorgeous couples are admired, while some cause bewilderment. Looking at the special ones of some idols, people often wonder: what is it that he's found in her? This is probably all too familiar to Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith.
The couple got married in 2001. Keely is a Hollywood diva, she's a journalist, writer, and TV host, and few people remember that she was once a model and even starred in movies.
Ms. Smith met Mr. Brosnan back in 1994 in Mexico when she attended one party with the intention of interviewing actor Ted Danson. Their relationship developed very rapidly, and both their sons, Dylan and Paris, were born even before their romantic Irish wedding.
During all the years of marriage, the spouses have hardly ever separated. Despite the fact that Keely had a lot of her own work and young children, she accompanied her husband to all social events and often visited him at filming sets far from home.
Looking at the pictures of this slender beauty, it becomes clear that her appearance was probably one of the reasons why Pierce fell in love with the girl.
Not only did she help the actor bounce back after the loss of his first spouse (we recall Cassandra Harris died of cancer in 1991), but also took their 3 children in as her own. Unfortunately, Pierce's only daughter, Charlotte, also lost her battle to cancer in 2013.
Pierce and Keely are considered one of the strongest couples in Hollywood. For years, they've supported different charities and environmental causes. Also, they are known to be incredibly close and devoted to each other.
However, for years, besides their adorable relationship, there has been another subject widely discussed in the media: Keely's appearance. It would seem that the rich woman could have easily done like many others and got in "Hollywood" shape in no time.
Keely gained weight during the pregnancies, but it didn't go away. It may well be the result of problems with the thyroid gland, as reported by some media. It is worth noting that the actor's wife doesn't look worse with a few extra pounds: yes, she's not as slim as she used to be, but she hasn't lost any of her former beauty, has she?
Women around the world strive to conform to certain ideals, to change for the sake of their beloved. This task was probably more difficult or less of a priority for Keely. And she proved that mutual feelings don't depend on how much a woman physically transforms over the years.


Mohammad Khanifar is a member of the Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane Company's Islamic Labour Council. His arrest clearly shows that even membership of an Islamic Labour Council does not stop anyone being harassed and jailed for pursuing the just rights and demands of workers.
Those who thought that Islamic Labour Councils were going to be under the legal and security protection of the Iranian regime have had a rude awakening – if you resolutely defend the just rights and demands of workers you will fall foul of the capitalist system's anti-worker laws and institutions.
The Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign strongly condemns the arrest of Mohammad Khanifar and demands his immediate and unconditional release. All Haft Tappeh workers and activists must be freed. We call on all trade unionists, socialists and other political activists to help us in defending the rights of all workers, social rights' activists and political prisoners in Iran.


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Tag Archives: becoming
Cornell researchers call for AI transparency in automated hiring
Cornell University is becoming a hotbed of warning about automated hiring systems. In two separate papers, researchers have given the systems considerable scrutiny. Both papers cite problems with AI transparency, or the ability to explain how an AI system reaches a conclusion.
Vendors are selling automated hiring systems partly as a remedy to human bias. But they also argue they can speed up the hiring process and select applicants who will make good employees.
Manish Raghavan, a computer science doctoral student at Cornell who led the most recent study, questions vendors' claims. If AI is doing a better job than hiring managers, "how do we know that's the case or when will we know that that's the case?" he said.
A major thrust of the research is the need for AI transparency. That's not only needed for the buyers of automated hiring systems, but for job applicants as well.
At Cornell, Raghavan knows students who take AI-enabled tests as part of a job application. "One common complaint that I've heard is that it just viscerally feels upsetting to have to perform for a robot," he said.
Manish Raghavan
A job applicant may have to install an app to film a video interview, play a game that may measure cognitive ability or take a psychometric test that can be used to measure intelligence and personality.
"This sort of feels like they're forcing you [the job applicant] to invest extra effort, but they're actually investing less effort into you," Raghavan said. Rejected applicants won't know why they were rejected, the standards used to measure their performance, or how they can improve, he said.
Nascent research, lack of regulation
The paper, "Mitigating Bias in Algorithmic Employment Screening: Evaluating Claims and Practices," is the work of a multidisciplinary team of computer scientists, as well as those with legal and sociological expertise. It argues that HR vendors are not providing insights into automated hiring systems.
One common complaint that I've heard is that it just viscerally feels upsetting to have to perform for a robot.
Manish RaghavanDoctoral student in computer science, AI researcher, Cornell University
The researchers looked at the public claims of nearly 20 vendors that sell these systems. Many are startups, although some have been around for more than a decade. They argue that vendors are taking nascent research and translating it into practice "at sort of breakneck pace," Raghavan said. They're able to do so because of a lack of regulation.
Vendors can produce data from automated hiring systems that shows how their systems perform in helping achieve diversity, Raghavan said. "Their diversity numbers are quite good," but they can cherry-pick what data they release, he said. Nonetheless, "it also feels like there is some value being added here, and their clients seem fairly happy with the results."
But there are two levels of transparency that Raghavan would like to see improve. First, he suggested vendors release internal studies that show the validity of their assessments. The data should include how often vendors are running into issues of disparate impact, which refers to a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission formula for determining if hiring is having a discriminatory impact on a protected group.
A second step for AI transparency involves having third-party independent researchers do some of their own analysis.
Vendors argue that AI systems do a better job than humans in reducing bias. But researchers see a risk that they could embed certain biases against a group of people that won't be easily discovered unless there's an understanding for how these systems work.
One problem often cited is that an AI-enabled system can help improve diversity but still discriminate against certain groups or people. New York University researchers recently noted that most of the AI code today is being written by young white males, who many encode their biases.
Ask about the 'magic fairy dust'
Ben Eubanks, principal analyst at Lighthouse Research & Advisory, believes the Cornell paper should be on every HR manager's reading list, "not necessarily because it should scare them away but because it should encourage them to ask more questions about the magic fairy dust behind some technology claims."
"Hiring is and has always been full of bias," said Eubanks, who studies AI use in HR. "Algorithms are subject to some of those same constraints, but they can also offer ways to mitigate some of the very real human bias in the process."
But the motivation for employers may be different, Eubanks said.
"Employers adopting these technologies may be more concerned initially with the outcomes — be it faster hiring, cheaper hiring, or longer retention rates — than about the algorithm actually preventing or mitigating bias," Eubanks said. That's what HR managers will likely be rewarded on.
In a separate paper, Ifeoma Ajunwa, assistant professor of labor relations, law and history at Cornell University, argued for independent audits and compulsory data retention in her recently published "Automated Employment Discrimination."
Ajunwa's paper raises problems with automated hiring, including systems that "discreetly eliminate applicants from protected categories without retaining a record."
AI transparency adds confidence
Still, in an interview, Cornell's Raghavan was even-handed about using AI and didn't warn users away from automated hiring systems. He can see use cases but believes there is good reason for caution.
"I think what we can agree on is that the more transparency there is, the easier it will be for us to determine when is or is not the right time or the right place to be using these systems," Raghavan said.
"A lot of these companies and vendors seem well-intentioned — they think what they're doing is actually very good for the world," he said. "It's in their interest to have people be confident in their practices."
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For Sale – NUC8I3BEK 240gb NVME, 2x4GB RAM
Baby on the way so starting to clear my gadget empire as it's becoming serious obsession.
Fantastic condition and full working order. Original boxes, vesa mount etc etc etc
NUC8I3BEK with PSU, bios up to date. Still has protective film on it. Warranty until Feb 2022
Adata SX8200 M.2 NVME 240gb, warranty until Aug 2023
2x4gb 2400mhz Ram,HyperX, this is faster CL14 RAM, lifetime warranty
Windows 10 PRO, not activated but it works just as fine
Thanks for looking, any questions please let me know.
Price and currency: 290
Delivery: Prefer collection, but can organise delivery
Payment method: bt/ppg/cash
Advertised elsewhere?: Advertised elsewhere
Prefer goods collected?: I prefer the goods to be collected
This message is automatically inserted in all classifieds forum threads.
By replying to this thread you agree to abide by the trading rules detailed here.
Please be advised, all buyers and sellers should satisfy themselves that the other party is genuine by providing the following via private conversation to each other after negotiations are complete and prior to dispatching goods and making payment:
Landline telephone number. Make a call to check out the area code and number are correct, too
Name and address including postcode
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DO NOT proceed with a deal until you are completely satisfied with all details being correct. It's in your best interest to check out these details yourself.
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For Sale – NUC 8i3BEK 240gb 8gb & Deskmini110 275gb 8gb
Very light usage as doing most of my browsing on phone these days and vero 4k in charge of media.
Fantastic condition and full working order. Original boxes, etc etc etc
At the moment I am looking to sell only one and have no preference as very happy with both.
NUC8I3BEK with PSU, bios up to date. Warranty until Feb 2022
2x4gb 2400mhz Ram, matched sticks for dual channel
Deskmini 110 with PSU, bios up to date.
Intel I3 7320 4.1Ghz, Warranty until Aug 2020
Crucial MX300 275gb SSD, Warranty until Sep 2020
Intel AC 7265 wireless card with external antennas
VESA mount
Both come with Windows 10 PRO, fresh with all drivers installed.
Please note, windows is not activated, but you can purchase activation key should you wish.
Price and currency: 280 & 220
Delivery: Delivery cost is not included
Payment method: Bacs/Cash
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Beyond our four walls: How Microsoft is accelerating sustainability progress – Microsoft on the Issues
Our planet is changing — sea levels are rising, weather is becoming more extreme and our natural resources are being depleted faster than the earth's ecosystems can restore them. These changes pose serious threats to the future of all life on our tiny blue dot, and they challenge us to find new solutions, work together and leverage the diversity of human potential to help right the course.
The good news is that progress is being made across the globe, and non-state actors, from cities to companies to individual citizens, are setting bold commitments and accelerating their work on climate change. But it's also clear that we all must raise our ambitions, couple that with action and work more swiftly than ever.
At Microsoft, we fully understand and embrace this challenge. That is why, this week, at the Global Climate Action Summit, Microsoft is sharing our vision for a sustainable future — one where everyone everywhere is experiencing and deploying the power of technology to help address climate change and build a more resilient future. We are optimistic about what progress can be made because we are already seeing results of this technology-first enablement approach.
Today, we are unveiling five new tools, partnerships and the results of pilot projects that are already reducing emissions in manufacturing and advancing environmental research and showing immense potential to disrupt the building and energy sectors for a lower-emission future.
A new, open-source tool to find, use and incentivize lower-carbon building materials: To create low-carbon buildings, we need to choose low-carbon building materials. But right now, choosing these materials is challenging because the data is not readily available and what we do have lacks transparency to ensure it's accurate. We are the first large corporate user of a new tool to track the carbon emissions of raw building materials, introduced by Skanska and supported by the University of Washington Carbon Leadership Forum, Interface and C-Change Labs, called the Embodied Carbon Calculator for Construction (EC3). We'll use this in our new campus remodel. Our early estimates are that a low-carbon building in Seattle has approximately half the carbon emissions of an average building, so this could have a substantial impact on reducing carbon emissions in our remodel and eventually the entire built environment. We're proud to not only be piloting it, but that this open-source tool is also running on Microsoft Azure.
The results of a "factory of the future" and solar-panel deployment at one of our largest suppliers of China: We partnered with our supplier's management team to develop and install an energy-smart building solution running on Microsoft Azure to monitor and address issues as they emerge, saving energy and money. Additionally, Microsoft funded a solar panel installation, which generated more than 250,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the past fiscal year. This integrated solution is estimated to reduce emissions by approximately 3 million pounds a year.
The successful pilot of a grid-interactive energy storage battery: Solving storage is a critical piece of transforming the energy sector. That is why we're excited to share the results of a new pilot in Virginia, in partnership with Eaton and PJM Interconnection. We used a battery that typically sits in our datacenter as a backup system, hooked it up to the grid to receive signals about when to take in power, when to store it and when to discharge to support the reliability of the system and integration of renewable energy. With thousands of batteries as part of our backup power systems at our datacenters, this pilot has the potential to rapidly scale storage solutions, allowing datacenters to smooth out the unpredictability of wind and solar.
New grantees and results from our AI for Earth program: Since we first introduced this grant, training and innovation program last year, we've experienced 200 percent growth. We are now supporting 137 grantees in more than 40 countries around the world, as well as doubling the number of larger featured projects we support. We've seen early results, too, allowing many people outside the grant program to benefit from our work, allowing us to process more than 10 trillion pixels in ten minutes and less than $50.
New LinkedIn online training module for sustainability, the Sustainable Learning Path: LinkedIn is providing new training courses to enable people everywhere to learn and gain job skills to participate in the clean energy economy and low-carbon future. The Sustainable Learning Path offers six hours of expert-created content; initial courses include an overview of sustainability strategies and introductions to LEED credentials and sustainable design. All six courses are unlocked until the end of October, in celebration of the Global Climate Action Summit, and can be accessed here.
While these are just the first proof points of the potential of technology to accelerate the pace of change beyond our four walls, they build on decades of sustainability progress within our operations. These include operating 100 percent carbon neutral since 2012, purchasing more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy on three continents, committing to reduce our operational carbon footprint by 75 percent by 2030, and a host of other initiatives. As meaningful as this operational progress is, we know it's not enough. As a global technology company, we have a responsibility and a tremendous opportunity to help change the course of our planet.
As we look to the future, we'll realize this opportunity in a few ways. We will use our operations as a test bed for innovation and share new insights about what works. We will work with our customers and suppliers to drive efficiencies that lead to tangible carbon reductions. We will continue to increase access to cloud and AI tools, especially among climate researchers and conservation groups, and work together to develop new tools that can be deployed by others in the field.
We are not naïve. Technology is not a panacea. Time and resources are short, and the task immense. But we refuse to believe that it is insurmountable or too late to build a better future, and we are convinced that technology can play a pivotal role in enabling that progress.
That optimism is borne out of our experience, lessons learned and the drive to create a better future that is core to Microsoft. At GCAS, I will be joined by 10 Microsoft and LinkedIn sustainability leaders, who will be sharing more details about this approach and the news outlined at panel sessions throughout the week, showcasing some of our technology solutions at events we are hosting and supporting the effort with more than 50 employees volunteering their time at GCAS. We are also proud to be an official sponsor of GCAS.
You can find our Microsoft delegation at the following events during the summit, as well as many others throughout the week. And we encourage you to follow us @Microsoft_Green for a full view of our conference activities and engagements, and the official hashtags for news of the event at #GCAS2018 #StepUp 2018.
Find Microsoft at the Global Climate Action Summit — event highlights
September 11, 8:00 a.m. PT: Sustainable Food Services Panel (LinkedIn hosting)
September 12, 9:00 a.m. PT: We Are Still In Forum
September 12, 2:00 p.m. PT: "Energy, Transportation & Innovation – a Conversation with U.S. Climate Alliance Governors & Business Leaders" (Microsoft hosting)
Speaker: Shelley McKinley, General Manager for Technology and Civic Responsibility at Microsoft
Watch the livestream: https://aka.ms/CEO_Governors_Live and use #USCAxGCAS to submit questions on Twitter during the event
September 13, 9:00 a.m. PT: World Economic Forum: 4th IR for Earth
Speaker: Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft
September 13, 1:30 p.m. PT: GCAS Breakout Session – "What We Eat and How It's Grown: Food Systems and Climate"
September 13, 3:00 p.m. PT: Meeting the Paris Goal: Strategies for Carbon Neutrality (Microsoft hosting)
Speaker: Elizabeth Willmott, Carbon Program Lead
September 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT: We Are Still In Reception at Microsoft
September 14, 8:30 a.m. PT: Clean Energy in Emerging Markets (Microsoft hosting)
September 14, 11:00 a.m. PT: Climate Action Career Fair (LinkedIn hosting)
Speaker: Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer
Tags: Environment
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


We are happy to share our recent work where we sequenced and performed Bioinformatics analysis for the Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) genome.
Please visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2229/15/212 for more details.
← Workshop on Biomolecular Interactions at NCBS, Bangalore on 25th-28th November, 2015!
How to find a job in Biotechnology ?


Policies governing the Library Board of Trustees, such as By-laws, are located on the Library Policies page, with meeting dates, agenda, and minutes on the Agendas & Minutes page.
*BGPP is the Bylaws/Goals/Policy/Personnel committee.
Interested in helping to shape the future of Elmwood Park Public Library? Each member of the Board of Trustees serve four-year terms, and three trustee terms expire in April 2019.


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Hanson UK's 2011 Performance and Sustainability Report, published today, shows how the company has exceeded its targets across a range of areas, including biodiversity, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and health and safety.
The report, which covers the calendar year 2010, also highlights Hanson's achievement in becoming the largest building materials company in the UK to receive the Carbon Trust Standard across all business lines. The standard is awarded to organisations that have acted on climate change and are committed to on-going reductions.
"Our vision is to become a leading sustainable business which is trusted and respected by our stakeholders for the ethics and standards we adopt," said Martin Crow, Hanson UK's head of sustainability.
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• a 53 per cent drop in reportable and lost time injuries from 74 to 35 and a big fall in the lost time injury rate per million hours worked.
• all sites (329) certified to ISO 14001.