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Caramel Day Trips
Day Tripper, Story Teller & Public Transport User
S.E Asia & Aust
Hampstead Heath To Kenwood House
27th March 2018 3rd April 2019 caramelsalty From London, North London
I read somewhere that Hampstead Heath is so magical that when C.S. Lewis was walking in the snow there and spots an old-fashioned lamp, he comes up with the idea of the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I may have missed the snow for this year, but I'm still hoping for an inspiring visit.
Start of Day: Hampstead Overground Station, Zone 2, London
Cost of Day Out: Moderate (£)
History Content: Low
The River Fleet is said to start from Parliament Hill. Indeed, one of the tributary to the river was dammed up here in 1700 to form reservoirs to supply London. These ponds are only a 10 minute walk through a tree-lined path that begins across the road from the station.
Path From the Station Towards The Heath
The imaginatively named [1] Hampstead No 1, Hampstead No 2 and Mixed Bathing Pond, all next to each other, are also bird habitats today. The majestic swan, resident at No. 1, performs for my camera. However, he glides away most disappointed when he realises that I have come empty-handed.
The Swans Perform For Me At Hampstead Heath
Crossing between No 2 Pond and the Mixed Bathing Pond, I make my way up a slight slope to [2] Parliament Hill view. The rising sun illuminates a dog and his walker on the brow of the hill. For how early it is, there are a surprising number of people around.
Sunrise Over Parliament Hill
There are benches scattered around the park, many of them dedicated to past walkers of the heath. One bench I come across enroute to the viewpoint has an intriguing [3] inscription by Parviz Owsia, an Iranian writer. Despite pondering over it, I'm not sure if I've quite fathomed out what the writer alludes to.
A Bench with an Intriguing Inscription
During the English Civil War (1642-1651), this hill was occupied by troops loyal to Parliament, and was called Traitors Hill. And no wonder, given the vantage point they had of the city. A horizon filled with glass and steel today, it would have been just church spires during the Civil War. And somewhere within sight too, is said to be the mysterious location of the remains of Boudicca, Queen of Iceni.
The Sun Rises over the City From Parliament Hill
From here too, I can also make out [4] the pointed spire of St Michael's Church and the green-domed St Joseph's Catholic Church in Highgate. But I soon lose sight of these towers as I take a track lower down the hill to enjoy the wonderful sculptures formed by the bare trees of a winter walk.
The Leafless Trees at Hampstead Heath Make a Splendid Display
As I wander in the open heath, the sound of honking geese alert me to a pair flying low towards the [5] Men's Bathing Pond, my next pond. I soon spot it shimmering through the stripped back trees.
The Sun's Golden Rays Through the Trees Around the Ponds
It's only 08:00 a.m. The temperature on land is only 2 degrees. And yet a half naked man walks briskly along the spring diving board. I involuntarily brace myself as he lifts off to dive into the freezing grey water. Oooh ! That must be so cold.
The Icy Cold Men's Bathing Pond in Hampstead Heath
At the corner where I'm stood, I hear the rush of water under a grate. I wonder if this is one of the tributaries of the River Fleet, now relegated to being just an underground drain. When I get to the other side of the [6] Model Boating Pond, a host of pretty yellow daffodils beside the lake, beneath the trees, remind me of the words of Wordsworth.
I Think of Wordsworth When I Come Across This Scene
I follow a tarmac road outside the heath up the hill, past some handsome large houses. At the fork to Fitzroy Park, I take the left lane going past [7] Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond, in a secluded location, far away from prying eyes. I am greeted by an early morning, invigorated female bather, departing for the day after her dip.
The Shady Lane Leading Up the the Secluded Women's Swimming Pool
I turn left at [8] Stock Pond. A red robin flits in and out of the ivy and bramble along the pond. This pond, unlike the others, has a natural wild look about it, surrounded by overgrowth. It is also liable to flooding, as the sign warns me.
The Naturally Wild Looking Stock Pond
Soon after Stock Pond, I come across one of the many entrances to Kenwood House. This one dips into a dark green wood. On turning around to warm my face in the sun before diving into the gloom of the trees, I'm surprised to find that I still have a view of the London skyline.
View of the City from Kenwood House
Emerging out of the woods, I am greeted by a sprawling, manicured lawn with ponds and bridges. A slope leads up to a grand white building. The setting is typcial of an English country stately home. I clamber up to the side path for an obscured, yet charming view of Kenwood House through the trees.
Jaw Dropping View of Kenwood House Across the Lawn
During Victorian times, [9] Kenwood House would have been considered the countryside. It would have been connected to London by a lonely track. It's spectacular gardens, with its outdoor sculptures, including a Henry Moore, its views of London, an ivy tunnel and ponds make for a serene and peaceful walkabout.
Photo Montage of the Gardens at Kenwood House
When the house opens, I wander in for a delightful tour of the house which Robert Adam remodelled between 1764 and 1779, in his trademark style of lightness and airiness. In the entrance, on the ceiling, is a painting of Bacchus and Ceres (Antonio Zucchi), Greek Gods of Agriculture complete with the ivy which Bachus is associated with.
Adam's Art on the Ceiling in The Entrance Hall
Through the first door, I come to my favourite bit, what I call the blue staircase. With the sun shining through the glass dome, catching the glass blue lamp above the staircase, which then casts a blue light over the duck egg blue ironwork and walls, it provides a sense of calm in this stairwell.
The Blue Stairwell at Kenwood House
Living in this house in the 18th century is the Earl of Mansfield (1705-1793), and Lord Justice. He is responsible for making several landmark rulings to abolish slavery. And Belle (1761-1804), the mixed race daughter of a middling class Navy officer is is brought up by her aristocratic great-uncle, the same Earl of Mansfield in white upper middle class London society. Which must have turned heads during the time when slavery was still rife.
I Wonder if Belle Spent Much Time in the Pastel Coloured Robert Adam's Library
Kenwood House is staffed by very knowledgeable volunteers. I always learn something new from them every time I visit. There is plenty of great art displayed in every room, from Rembrandts, Reynolds, Gainsboroughs, Larkins and even a view of Dordrecht by Albert Cuyp.
Claude de Jongh's Painting of London Bridge In Kenwood's House Collection
I also love the shop in the Orangery. I always purchase a bottle of liqueur having been persuaded by the tasting that precedes it. I depart Kenwood House, heading back to Hampstead village. I try to spot the warblers sat on top of the bare branches lining my exit path. But I find it impossible, despite no leaves obscuring my views.
Bare Trees As I Walk Out Of Hampstead Heath
So did I find inspiration for a story at Hampstead Heath? Well let's see…….. mysterious looking gnarled trees, puzzling inscriptions on a bench, freezing ponds, poetic daffodils, a warrior Queen lost in battle, white mansions, granite giant sculptures, blue staircases, a mixed race girl brought up in a white aristocratic family. I think somewhere in there is a story that could even become a movie one day.
The South Bank (Part One) – Westminster Bridge to Hungerford Bridge – for Boudicca's statue in London
Useful Stuff To Know
Tube Map and City Mapper are free apps that provide London maps, route planner and train/ bus times from your nearest stop.
Transport for London is cashless.
Only Oyster Cards (at stations) or contactless cards are acceptable.
London Panorama Guide from Hampstead Heath's viewing point
Kenwood House (website)- open daily, free. Guided tours are extra.
My Route Around Hampstead Heath
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Tagged A Day Out in London Belle Hampstead Heath Kenwood House London Robert Adams
Malta – Hop on, Hop Off To Dwejra Point and Other Hamlets in Gozo
Melaka – The British in Melaka


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The Best New Music in Rock, Alternative, Hip-Hop, and More
Expertly Curated by the CoS Staff
The Dear Hunter premieres new single "Wait" — listen
Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise takes a dark turn on the penultimate track
by Ben Kaye
on August 10, 2015, 1:45pm
The tracks we've heard so far from The Dear Hunter's return to the Act Series, Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise, have highlighted the rousing side of Casey Crescenzo's orchestral prog rock. Lead single "A Night on the Town" is a nine-minute epic filled with references to past material, while "Waves", downbeat as the lyrics are, is full of strings and horns that rise like an ocean thermal. Not everything on the new record will be as invigorating, however, as evidenced by the penultimate track, "Wait".
Here, the new string section creates a heavy vortex of sound chained to churning guitar chords. The sludgy arrangements appear to mirror a dark turn for The Dear Hunter character himself. With his voice reaching up from the murk, Crescenzo sings out, "Will I ever know heaven or hell/ Or is eternity something worse?/ I keep my eyes from looking too far up/ I fear that there is a heaven above."
Take a listen below.
Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise is out September 4th via Cave & Canary Goods/Equal Vision Records. The band will tour extensively behind the record across both Europe and the US. Find those dates here.
The Dear Hunter
How The Beatles and Richard Lester Made a Pretty Neat Movie Out Of Help!
GEMS announce new album, share "Living as a Ghost" — listen

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God loves each human life from the instant of his or her conception and entrusts this gift to the protection of a mother and father. Abortion ends the life of a child and offends God. It also deeply wounds the men and women involved. If someone you know is suffering after abortion. Find help through Project Rachel Ministry.


Can you tell the difference between Bolton and Preston?
Their football clubs both wear navy blue and white strips, but how well can you identify landmarks in Bolton and Preston?
If you live in Lancashire, there's a good chance that you will have visited both Bolton and Preston over the years; they are often the first place people associate with Lancashire mill towns which brought so much wealth and industry to the country in the 19th century.
However, both of these towns have evolved extensively from their industrial past, Preston was granted city status in 2002, becoming England's 50th city in the 50th year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
Bolton was within Lancashire County Council jurisdiction until 1889, when it was granted County Borough status which self-governing and independent, this lasted until 1974 when it became a constituent part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester.
Preston has already had a number of changes over the last few years, that has included the rejuvenation of the Guild Hall and the market but there are also major multi-million pound projects involving the building of a £6.9 million Youth Zone on the western side of the iconic bus station and the proposed Adelphi Square at the University of Central Lancashire site.
With all these changes afoot, it may mean that we will have a few more famous landmarks that we can associate with both Bolton and Preston in the future.
We would love to see your photos of Bolton or Preston - upload them to the reader photo gallery.


St. Louis has a proud architectural heritage, with many different design styles. Slate Roofing is prominently featured in STL's most affluent neighborhoods including, Frontenac, Clayton, Ladue, and many locations in the city.
Why Donovan for Slate Roofing in STL?
We are the best at installing slate, tile and copper roofing on homes of any size. Donovan Roofing and Construction, LLC is locally owned and operated in St. Louis, providing residential and commercial roofing services. The mission and goals we set on day one haven't changed – deliver top quality, cost-effective projects within budget and on time.
We approach each new project as if it was our own, staffing highly performance teams that are motivated, flexible and focused. With over 15 years experience, we pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality service from the initial estimate and claim to the final inspection. During a time when most companies are not there to support you, we are here. Our trained team accurately assess your damage, and recommend the best course of action, while always putting our customers best interest first.
There are many reasons for you to own a slate roof. Today we will get into a discussion on what the pros of having a slate roof are.
Environment Approved– Statistics show that 5% of landfill waste comes from our roofs. Remember shingled roofs last between 15 to 25 years. So they are being replaced constantly, filling our landfills sky high.
Fire Proof– Unlike your shingle roof, Slate roofs are virtually fireproof. The tile its self is 100% fireproof. This is why when you look at homes that are built out in the areas known for wildfires, most of these homes have slate roofs. I know we don't have to deal with wildfires very much or at all here. The idea though behind this is for the 4th of July, lightning storms and many other things that can cause a roof to be hot.
Long Lasting– Slate roofs have been known sometimes to last 150 years. So this means slate roofs last 6x longer. This is a great reason to buy it. You always hear people talking about they are needing to get their roof replaced. If they would have bought a slate roof from Donovan Roofing they wouldn't be having this problem.
Keep Up With The Jones– Have you ever driven through a neighborhood in Ladue, Mo and noticed some of the older homes and the roofs look incredibly beautiful. Generally, this is because these homes were built with a slate roof. The slate roof allows you to custom build your design to meet your specifications. I bet if you were to reach out today you would be surprised by how many styles are available.
We would love to come to give you a bid today.


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Q: equation $\frac{\frac{1}{x^2}-\frac{1}{y^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2}+\frac{1}{y^2}}$
*

*Frist I solved this equation $\displaystyle \frac{\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}}{\frac{1}{xy}}$ by multiplying $xy \left(\frac{xy}{x}+\frac{xy}{y}\right)=y+x$ The answer is correct.

*Next equation was:
$$\frac{\frac{1}{x^2}-\frac{1}{y^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2}+\frac{1}{y^2}}$$
I made the bottom multiplied and got $x^2 y^2.$ So I made the up also multiply and got
$$\frac{\frac{y^2}{x^2}-\frac{x^2}{y^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2y^2}}.$$
 Now I'm stuck.
So now I doubt I did the first one the right way. I might have gotten the answer right but not the correct way to get it. Im sorry if Im confusing. Can someone help me with the two were I go wrong?

A: You have
$$\frac{1}{x^2}-\frac{1}{y^2}=\frac{y^2-x^2}{x^2y^2}$$
and
$$\frac{1}{x^2}+\frac{1}{y^2}=\frac{y^2+x^2}{x^2y^2}$$
So
$$\frac{\frac{1}{x^2}-\frac{1}{y^2}}{\frac{1}{x^2}+\frac{1}{y^2}}=\frac{\frac{y^2-x^2}{x^2y^2}}{\frac{y^2+x^2}{x^2y^2}}=\frac{y^2-x^2}{y^2+x^2}$$

A: First, you don't have equations to solve (no equal sign), you have expressions you are trying to simplify.  When you multiplied the denominator by $x^2y^2$ you should have $x^2y^2(\frac 1{x^2}+\frac 1{y^2})=y^2+x^2$  When you multiply the numerator you should have $x^2y^2(\frac 1{x^2}-\frac 1{y^2})=y^2-x^2$, giving a final answer of $\frac {y^2-x^2}{y^2+x^2}$

A: hint:
multiply numerator and denominator by $x^2y^2$

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If Senator Manny Pacquiao were to ask, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa should be included in the senatorial line up of the administration in 2019.
Pacquiao gave Dela Rosa's name when reporters asked on Tuesday whom he thinks should be included in the PDP-Laban's senatorial slate.
"Well para sa akin si General Bato. Pwedeng mag serbisyo yan, nakita naman natin yung sinsiridad to serve. Nandyan yung toong puso nya. Yan kung magdesisyon sya…" the senator said.
Last May, the chief PNP had reportedly expressed openly his interest to run for senator.
"Hindi po ako plastic na tao. Ako ay gusto na maging senador din ako," Dela Rosa said in an interview over DZMM radio.
"Hindi ko sinabi agad directly na ako ay tatakbo. Ang akin lang, kung makakatulong ako sa bayan sa pamamaraan ng pagiging senador, why not (I am not saying directly that I will run. For me, if I can help for the nation in a way of me being a senator, why not)?" he said.
But Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, president of PDP-Laban, said he could not comment on Dela Rosa's possible inclusion in the slate since the latter is not a party member.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier endorsed Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as among those he wanted to be included in the lineup.
Asked about Uson's inclusion in the slate, Pacquiao said it would be up to the people to choose their leaders and whatever their decision is should be respected.
"I can't judge no, hindi ako pwedeng maghusga ng ibang tao pero matalino naman yun, may pinag aralan naman yung tao at huwag nating i-judge at gusto nyang magserbisyo sa taumbayan," he said of Uson.


Holiday shopping doesn't have to be a hassle, and it doesn't have to be a last-minute bonanza. Nor does it have to involve the clogged parking lots of a mall or a frenzied shopping spree on Amazon. Instead, try taking a big breath and making this holiday season one to remember – for your loved ones and yourself.
The skilled holiday shopper knows the best place to scour for a truly unique and meaningful gift involves a trip to one of the many downtown districts scattered around our region. Epicenters for dining, food and shopping, these charming business districts are filled with homegrown shops peddling all types of treasures – much of which you can't find elsewhere, even online.
While you're browsing for creative and meaningful gift selections, take some time to enjoy the day for yourself, perhaps with a casual meal at a locally owned bistro or a scouting mission for your own must-haves.
To get you started on a shopping experience worth remembering, we've found five of the best downtown districts to explore this season. Maybe you'll find everything on your list in just one community, but if not, enjoy the ride!
Loaded with locally owned shops, Rockford is a great destination for a holiday shopping spree. The downtown, now enjoying a renaissance, is filled with unique destinations, but retail gems and delicious eateries are thriving throughout the city.
The shelves are stocked with wine – a perfect gift for any host. Beer and spirits are also available, or opt for a personalized gift basket. Surprisingly thorough expertise is provided at no additional charge.
Great gifts don't need to come in small packages. Fireplaces, gas- and wood-burning stoves, smokers and grills will warm anyone's heart this holiday season.
For a classic gift, jewelry is the key to making your loved one smile. Shop for wedding rings and fashion jewelry in this spacious store, or take advantage of design and repair services.
Specializes in luxury cosmetic/skincare products for men and women. Favorite products include Detox Body Oil, Velvet Rope lipstick and Luminizer X Quad eyeshadow.
For an outdoorsy loved one, here's everything you need for your next adventure. Stop inside for equipment sales or rentals, lessons and guided trips, plus apparel for any outdoor excursion.
For a more casual setting, try Mary's Market Cafe & Bakery, Tavern on Clark or Maciano's Pizza & Pastaria. For a white tablecloth experience, try Josef-Barbados or Franchesco's Ristorante, and for something in between, try tacos in an urban setting at Taco Betty's.
Make holiday shopping fun by visiting stores with personality. Rockford is full of cute, classy boutiques that are fun to explore, such as Porch Inc., Trove Vintage and Salvaged by Sonya. Find stunning pieces of jewelry, mid-century modern furniture and dressy items of home decor at all three of these locations.
Beloit is brimming with cute little nooks that carry vintage treasures. Discover the perfect gift for a special someone, enjoy exhilarating recreation, participate in culturally enriching experiences and take in the city's charming downtown.
This restaurant, market and preservation kitchen features local foods from local farms. Find artisan snacks, beer, wine, Wisconsin cheeses, local grains, honey and more. The kitchen carries favorites like cherry bomb hot sauce, beet ketchup, spicy dill pickles and fermented kimchi.
Take a leap of faith and gift a skydiving experience. Skydive the Rock operates out of the Beloit Airport, where the adventurous can tandem skydive or learn to jump alone. While you're there, consider riding along in dual control gliders.
The Industrial Age makes a comeback at this rustic-meets-modern hotel. Book a romantic visit and access amenities such as Beloit Club's pool, golf course and exclusive dining.
This 10-day tribute to the power of film kicks off Feb. 23, 2018. Purchase tickets in advance or gift a membership to BIFF's film society, which comes with tickets, discounts and free entrance to encore showings throughout the year.
Favorite dining spots include Lucy's #7 Burger Bar, known for its gourmet-stuffed burgers, and Zen Sushi, beloved for exciting Japanese dishes. For breakfast or brunch, try Bagels & More, and for mouth-watering steaks, seafood and chicken specialties, try Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint, located inside Ironworks Hotel.
Beloit is home to hidden gems that are culturally enriching, including the Logan Museum of Anthropology and the Wright Museum of Art. Both offer opportunities to appreciate and interact with large collections and exhibitions, and both are located at Beloit College. While you're there, walk around the grounds to see several Native American effigy mounds.
Monroe Square is loaded with interesting shops, mostly locally owned. This Wisconsin city is beloved for its cheese, wine and beer, plus other treats with Swiss and German influence.
Browse through a variety of handmade and eclectic items. Selections include handmade tablet cases, embroidered towels, milk and cookie sets, jewelry, scented candles and cute snowmen decor, for starters.
Take your pick from sparkling pieces of fine jewelry, including wedding bands, engagement rings, watches, sterling silver and estate jewelry. Locations are also in Belvidere and Freeport.
From ancient classics to the latest bestsellers, this nook has a large collection to occupy any bookworm. The used books are lovingly cared for and in good-as-new condition. There's also a display of unique, handcrafted artwork for sale.
Monroe specializes in all things cheese. Stop by Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern to fill a gift box as you like with favorites such as 5-Year Cheddar, Mild Brick and Baby Swiss, plus sausages and mustards. Swiss Colony is also known for exceptional cheeses and sausages, plus pastries, pies and other treats. Alp & Dell Cheese has more than 125 specialty cheeses, plus wine and beer.
The charming city of New Glarus sits just 16 miles north of Monroe. Tour the famous New Glarus Brewery and stock up on Spotted Cow; gorge at Sugar River Pizza Co.; and wander through unique shops such as Brenda's Blumenladen, The Bramble Patch and Esther's European Imports.
The drive alone makes a visit worthwhile. Take in the view of rolling hills and glances toward the Mississippi River as you venture into a downtown with mid-19th century architecture. It's a real adventure exploring the myriad of shops and restaurants the city has to offer.
Taste award-winning wines, produced locally, before selecting your favorites. Sign up a die-hard wine-lover for the Wine Club, and they'll have three bottles shipped to their home four times a year.
This fun, funky shop strives for a "beyond the ordinary" experience. Shop for toys, games, books, jewelry, home decor, one-of-a-kind art and everything in between. Need a little help finding a gift? Ask a "Poopette" for some personal shopping help.
Treat your loved one to something shiny and memorable by gifting a unique custom jewelry piece. Look for eclectic clothing, collectibles and popular Grandco sandals.
Need a gift for a sweet tooth? Here you'll find shelves upon shelves of treats. Small batches of fine, hand-dipped chocolates are a specialty of this confectionery. Be sure to taste the shop's signature item: Pecan Georgies.
For a casual pub-style meal, swing by Durty Gurt's and enjoy some burgers, fish 'n' chips and other quick bites. For comfort food, opt for a double-decker pizza at Procento's Pizzeria. Fritz & Frites has European-style fare, such as schnitzel, steak frites and garlic-roasted chicken, while The Galena Brewing Co. offers house drafts, bar bites and live music on the weekends.
Make this a weekend trip by staying at the Goldmoor Inn, Galena's premier bed-and-breakfast overlooking the Mississippi River backwaters. While in town, downhill ski at Chestnut Mountain Resort and tour the U.S. Grant home.
The word "welcome" is part of this city's lifestyle. From family-owned shops to museums and cultural events, there's plenty to see and do.
Gifts of high-quality teas and whole-bean specialty coffees are always appreciated. Grab a pastry, sandwich or warm drink for yourself as your shopping day commences.
Fifteen wines are available, including full-bodied reds, refreshing whites, luscious fruit wines and sweet dessert wines. Everything is made from local grapes, and many wines are award-winning.
This talented artist creates exquisite hand-made Santas in all kinds of themes, from Fishing Santa to Harley Santa. Call (815) 541-8890 to discuss ways to create a personalized Santa Claus.
Does Mom want a new sofa? Or perhaps a new refrigerator? Find a wide selection of options from top brands in the furniture and appliance industries at this locally owned specialty retailer.
To add some cultural flare to your day, visit Freeport Art Museum and see world-class exhibitions. The 14th annual Regional Juried Exhibition is on display until February, featuring work by local artists. Find artsy gifts, too.
Located midway between St. Charles and Rockford, this quaint community gets the best of both worlds: suburban proximity with a relaxing, pastoral setting – and all the charm to boot. Make a day trip here and wander into neighboring DeKalb, home of Northern Illinois University.
You'll find several antiques stores in town, but this one is a standout. Its cozy space is filled with treasures from many time periods, gathered through estate sales and locations around the world. Visit the store's annex to see exclusively antique furniture.
Just as its name promises, this store is filled with creative, original gifts handmade by local crafters who love that traditional country aesthetic.
Before it was beloved for its wedding venue, this beautifully restored industrial property was revered for its lush   garden center, which still operates year-round. This season, look for holiday and home decor as well as workshops for the cabin-fevered gardener.
An extension of the Genoa-based Prairie State Winery, this relaxing tasting room carries each of the winery's 35 varieties, many of them award winners produced from Illinois-grown grapes.
Comfort food reigns at this classy, yet relaxed restaurant where pot roast, cedar-planked salmon and jambalaya are top entrees. While you're there, say hi to David Waeghe and his wife, Natalie, the restaurant's namesake.
Have fun with the family and support a worthy cause with a museum membership at Midwest Museum of Natural History. Starting at $35 a year, memberships provide free admission all year, in addition to perks like members-only events, reduced fees and guest passes.
Giftable items are tucked in fun shops all throughout our region. For the expert road-tripper, we've picked out a few additional cities to explore, along with a must-visit store.
Wines from around the world make their way to Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe. You can also have bottles or glasses specially engraved.
The city, not the state. Visit Oregon Soap Shoppe for handmade, three-in-one specialty soaps that can be used for showering, shaving and shampooing. Ask about soaps for special skin conditions, too.
If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind treasure, chances are you'll be successful at Cracker Jax. Soy candles, incense, gemstones of every kind, books, antique furniture and vintage jewelry are just the tip of the iceberg.
For warm socks, cute boots and winter-approved jackets, visit The Complete Sheep Shoppe for all things wool. Woven throughout the store are popular brands such as Ugg, Minnetonka, Acorn and Qwaruba.
Got a friend with a green thumb? K & W Greenery is a dependable stop for trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping materials. There's even a gift shop selling housewares and decor. Make sure to also stroll through the newly opened shops of Block 42, including So Chopped, The Bodacious Brew and The Bodacious Olive.
Busy every time of year, Lake Geneva can easily serve as a one-stop city for finding gifts. Visit Cornerstone Shop & Gallery for treasures in every corner, literally. The store carries clothing and accessories, home decor and kitchen ware, toys and games, plus a friendly, helpful staff to help you navigate through it all.
This entry was posted on Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 11:59 am	and is filed under Features, Top Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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Short Story 2016 Featured Amar Agarwala
Rosemary And Her Cats
Miss Rosemary Horatio Auckland, finally retired as the Principal of The Jewish Girls School, which was a prominent girls school of the city sometime in the early 1970's. She had held on to her post well past her retirement, having being given several extensions by the School Trustee Board. Firstly, because she was a teacher par-excellence and the second being her incredible administrative abilities, which made her run the affairs of the school with an iron hand and to top it, she was a total disciplinarian. The Board members were hapless in finding a suitable replacement for her in the city precincts and had little choice but to reappoint her. Finally, as she neared her sixty sixth year, she refused any further extension which was on the anvil. She felt that after a long and satisfying career of more than forty years, it was quite enough for a life-time. More so, she had a few commitments to her family whom she felt were neglected considerably owing to her preoccupations with school. Surprisingly, her immediate family comprised of an ageing family servant and cook by the name of Mehboob Ali, and her entourage of eight cats. Miss Auckland was incredibly fond of her feline family, for almost all her own, comprising of her parents and seven siblings had passed away, save for an elder sister named Belinda, who had moved to Canada after her marriage. It did not deter the sisters from keeping in regular touch though mails and occasional long distance phone calls.
Rosemary was nice to look at in her youth, she was tall and lissom and always had robust health, but never married; she preferred remaining a spinster, for she found it hard to find a suitable man.
According to her, most men were irresponsible and untrustworthy besides being sexually frustrated. She herself came from a broken family, for her father who was a Colonel in the British Army had divorced his wife of fifteen years; her mother, having fallen in love with another woman when he was posted abroad. Later her went on to marry her and settled down in South Africa, breaking all ties with his erstwhile family, comprising of his wife and eight children, of whom, Rosemary was the youngest. Her mother Simone, was a devout Irish lady with strong family values; she decided to stay on in India and spent her life bringing up her children. Being the only child of her parents, she was well supported by her father who was a wealthy Irish trader, hence she never lacked for money and never remarried either. However, she remained bitter towards her husband, Horatio Benedict Auckland for having abandoned her and never saw him again in during her life. Even though, and not surprisingly, he had evinced an interest in meeting her and his children some years later but his overtures were stonewalled by Simone. Rosemary shared her mother's matrimonial traumas and deeply resented the man who had fathered her and then left them without a thought to fend for themselves. With Simone struggling with the upbringing of all her children together, two brothers and a sister went away to Ireland to live with their grandfather and the rest, including Rosemary remained in India. Deep in their hearts the family stoutly bore the painful separation and the unholy scar; but most of it was suffered by Rosemary, for whom it was an unwanted and abhorable legacy, which she despairingly lugged around in her mind, unable to cast it away. It made her closer to her siblings and all she yearned for was for the family to be well-knit, together and happy.
Rosemary's penchant for cats was no where near the ordinary, for she was not just fond of them but considered each one of them as family. It was a known fact that Rosemary was extremely fond of her three brothers and four sisters, like she was of her mother and grandfather, who had deep affections for her. She had kept constant contact with them, as they had with her during their lifetime. Each in their death left Rosemary devastated and heart-broken; it would not be long before another cat would be added to her existing litter, almost as if it were filling up a void in her heart. And Rosemary would happily look after it, as if it was her intrinsic duty. She would lovingly christen the cats with familiar names, so that they could easily be identified. It was her novel way to condole the deaths, an inevitability, which she bore with the utmost of stoicism. Her pet count of eight did in fact, add upto names like: Brendon, Simone, Benedict, Raul, Vivian, Geraldine, Ronald, and Michelle. Miss Auckland would often lovingly speak of her surviving relative, an elder sister Belinda, who was the only one alive besides herself. She did not bother with the memories of her father; for the simple reason that she never considered him family after what he had done. She never forgave him and desperately wished to erase the fleeting memories of him she had as a child.
She took wonderful care of her pussies, and her large apartment resembled a cat-house with the lazy and spoilt animals roaming around like monarchs at the sprawling tenements of No.2, Chowringhee Lane, often to the annoyance of her neighbours. I was privy to it all, for our apartment at 3A, was alongside No.2, with only a stony and dilapidated courtyard separating us. The Mango Tree stood as a sentinel to ensure that the two edifices never met; like me, the crows nesting on it were a trifle weary of the cats, who would often climb up the branches for a quick feast on the helpless fledglings. From each of my window on the third floor, I could look directly into her apartment which was on the second. The ancient windows of her apartment were fitted with large teak-wood wooden shutters, but none of them had grills, perhaps it was to make it easy for her cats to sneak in and go out as they pleased. She even had a cosy little balcony near the eastern side of her apartment, which overlooked onto the lane. Here, she would often sit in the mornings and during the evenings, on her favourite rocking chair and read. At times she would look down and casually glance at the passers-bye, sharing a comment or two with her little bunnies who would lay comfortably sprawled around her and even atop the armrest of the chair. They would take turns on her lap to be gently caressed and rubbed, happily purring at her plod dings when she felt the need to share something with them. They would almost instantly agree with her in each of her comments and passed judgements; after all, they were all a well knit family.
The family servant Mehboob was directed to cook special dishes for the animals, as each one had their own select taste bud: whereas Brendon loved raw fish, Simone liked milk with cookies, Raul loved chocolate biscuits and cakes, Geraldine liked raw meat, while Vivian and Michelle liked rice and milk and the rest liked boiled vegetables and fruits. Her visitors and guests were warned by Mehboob to give utmost respect to the animals, or else the Memsahib would feel upset. More so, if anyone was allergic or was not fond of cats, then it was advisable that they kept away from the Auckland household. The cats went for walks with their mistress, slept with her on her large double bed, ate under the dining table when she sat for her meals. At times they would even be audacious to follow her into the washroom, when she was completing her ablutions. They would be given baths by her and sparingly by Mehboob, after that, they would be patted dry, powdered and combed. Times they would sport a little bow, specially Brendon and Benedict, for they were supposed to be very fashionable in their outlook. The others would carry pertinent accessories too, like Simone had a thin pearl necklace to adorn her, Vivian and Michelle would often wear silver trinkets on their feet and Raul was inseparable from his large red rubber ball. She would happily say that he was an ardent soccer fan, and vehemently supported Manchester United, whose jersey color matched that of the ball. Times, some of them accompanied her for short walks and at even went along with Mehboob to the market, when he went to shop for groceries and tinned cat food. During the winter months, they would often be seen walking around with little colourful jackets and vests covering their furry bodies, the colour of course matched their favourite of which Rosemary was well aware of.
It may not be out of place to mention that Miss Auckland was an expert on cat-care and would often visit the neighbourhood vet at the corner of Kyd Street, so that she could take better care of her little ones. She was very well read and had a cupboard full of books, quite a number of them were on animals and most being about cats and their upbringing, dietary schedules and domestic care. Her family of cats an apt example of good care, for they looked clean, well-fed and had amazing grace and manners. I would often see them responding to their mistress with the alacrity of soldiers obeying the command of their generals. Come morning, and she would stare from atop her horn rimmed spectacles with her head of thick salt and pepper hair tied up in a bun, and holler in her loud high pitched voice: "Brendon and Michelle, what keeps you asleep so late? It is time to wake up and smile."
"Raul, you do need to exercise a little, can't you see that you are putting on so much weight. Wait till I tell Mehboob to cut down on your quota of biscuits and cup cakes."
"Ronald, did I see you upturning a few flower pots in the courtyard yesterday, when you were playing with Simone. Naughty boy, don't you need to be careful? What if one of them broke? It would be such a pity… wouldn't it? And Ronald would apologetically stand in front of her, listening to the mild admonishments of his mistress with a melancholic stare. I would love to watch it, for I was never fond of cats and it gave me a chance to see the lot getting scolded for unmannered behaviour. Miss Auckland's was indulging but ever strict with her family and her watchful eyes missed nothing, after all that is what she did for more than forty years at school – keeping a vigil on her students. The classroom had since changed and her wards had turned to an assortment of graceful cats, who perhaps obeyed her more than her students and never harboured harsh thoughts against her, unlike some of her students.
One of them, a young girl called Lilian was a regular visitor to our building, as her best friend lived on the first floor. Lilian had passed out of Jewish Girls School, when it was reined by the indomitable Miss Auckland; fondly recollects how the girls would snigger at being reprimanded by the principal, which would happen almost everyday, even for trivial issues like their skirts were a little untidy or out of place when they sat down, talking loudly to their friends across the corridors of school and much more. Miss Auckland was prim and proper herself, always very conscious of her dress and demeanour and expected every of her student and close family to match it. The only exception she tolerated was Mehboob Ali, who was quite unkempt and scraggly and bothered little with his appearance. In essence he would hardly be blamed for it, for the household would have a hundred chores to be done, in addition to a demanding family of nine to be looked after. The task was incredible, for to begin with, he had the military dictions of Miss Auckland to comply with and besides he had his hands over-full to keep the large four bed-roomed apartment habitable and in running order, it hardly had time to bother with himself. The quality that endeared Mehboob to Miss Auckland was his dedication to the family for more than half a century, an almost extinct quality that can no longer found of working hands. He was dependable and loyal, besides never uttering a word when his memsahib was distressed or annoyed, and that she often was, being extremely finicky about cleanliness and to top it would often get into fits of extreme temper that were far from easy to manage.
Mehboob occupied the tiny bedroom at the extreme western end of the apartment which took up almost the entire of the second floor at No.2, Chowringhee Lane. It had a miniscule bath fitted to it; which served as his living quarters. He was a widower, and his only daughter was married off when she was only a child, as it was custom in the villages then. But tragedy struck when she suddenly passed away in child-birth, Mehbood was distraught and shattered by the news, more so, for he had a little grand-son who was only seven and he worried for the child's well-being. A short while into her death, he got tidings from his native village in Bihar that his son-in-law had remarried and the step-mother was ill-treating his grandchild, this was more than what Mehbood could bear. He took leave from work and fetched his grandchild from his native village with the complete consent of Miss Auckland, who was more than encouraging. She had as much warned him earlier, that his son-in-law would prove to be most incompetent to take care of the child, and she was right. She allowed Mehboob to keep the boy with himself in the Auckland house and even took a liking for the reclusive little boy and soon adopted him into her already expanding family. The shy Liaquat, finally found a home, and did not mind sharing it with the cats, whom he soon befriended and the family seemed complete, well almost. Mehboob was glad to have a helping hand, and the cats an attendant to see to their nagging needs. The educationist that she was, Miss Auckland admitted the little boy into the small school that was just across their house on Chowringhee Lane. Some time later, Liaquat befriended the gang of boys down the lane, and I in particular shared a good rapport with him. It also helped me with valuable insights on the Auckland family, which I always found intriguing and most interesting.
Then just a few days before Thanksgiving, the only other surviving member of the Auckland family, Belinda, came visiting her youngest sister after almost two decades. Miss Auckland was delighted, but her happiness was short-lived when Belinda informed that Jason, the second son of her eldest brother Brendon had died in a road accident in Portsmouth, England. He was only twenty five of age, the family had on purpose kept the news from her, considering her age and that she lived all by herself. The news saddened her considerably, even though she had only once met the little boy when he was all of seven and she had gone visiting her brother in England, who was recovering from a bout of tuberculosis. Within a few days, a little kitten appeared from nowhere and added to the litter in the Auckland household. Rosemary promptly christened him with a name which was close to her heart! Then something startling happened on Thanksgiving which shook the very edifice of the Auckland family. Mehboob was asked to cook a lavish dinner for Belinda, who was the guest of honor and for the cats; Belinda who was closely watching her younger sister since her arrival, finally confronted her about the cats and her obsession with them. Soon after the prayers were said on the dining table, and much to the bewilderment of her sister Belinda and little Liaquat, Rosemary formally introduced her cats to them, saying… do meet: Brendon (My Maternal Grandfather), Simone (My Mother), Benedict (My Eldest Brother), Raul (My Second Brother), Vivian (My Eldest Sister), Geraldine (My Second Sister), Ronald (My Third Brother and the youngest among them all), Michelle (My Second Sister) and now Jason (My nephew) looking directly into the eyes of the white and grey colored pussy-cat which had entered the household only a few days ago and quietly sat licking its paws under her chair. While, Belinda was initially agape and then shocked at what she heard, Liaquat was mortally afraid that the apartment thronged over with a gang of dead relatives reincarnated as cats. He stood in mortal fear, tightly clasping the sweaty palms of his grand-father, who stood with a bland knowing expression on his dark wrinkled face.
Belinda had reacted with astonishment, "You couldn't mean this Rose… I mean how could you?
To which Rosemary had replied as a matter of fact, "My Dear Belinda, they were all very fond of me, if you remember correctly. And shortly after they died they came back as cats to live with me forever. It is so hard on them to stay away from one another… and from me."
"You need help Rose," Belinda's voice had quivered.
"I am merely trying to keep the family together and it is finally my responsibility, after Mumma passed away," she looked a little dismayed saying the words.
"They are all dead Rose… and will never ever come back to us. Why don't you realize it?" Belinda was at her wit's end to try and explain to her sister whom she now suspected to have turned a little insane.
"It is true they died, but it is also true that they are back. Can't you see them, can't you feel their vibrations here… right here in this room," so saying she had got up and caressed one of the cats, "Look at him: Brendon – did our grandfather not walk with a limp – this one has one from the day he come to this house. Look here, this is Simone, and she has such slender neck, just like Mumma did and our dear Ronald, who had a scar on this right cheek and here it is. They are all a carbon copies of our beloved family. Count them, they are nine in all, eight of us and now Jason… how can you not see it Belinda," Rosemary had pleaded palpably distraught.
"Rose… I cannot believe that you being so educated and learned could harbour such perverted, superstitious thoughts…, "Belinda had cried out.
"In fact, I have been so eager for our family to be complete… it has been ages. And now that you are here…" Rosemary's face beamed uttering the words, which had the strangest of tones, it was almost eerie.
Belinda had left the table and stormed into her bedroom, completely aghast with what she had heard. She could barely believe that her dear little sister, the youngest and last surviving member of the family after her, was waiting for her to die and be added to the litter of cats, that would follow her around the rest of her life.
Liaquat tells me, that Belinda hurriedly aborted her stay and left soon after. She did not speak much with her sister after that night, neither did she try to reason with her or keep in touch once she reached Canada. It was a different matter that, she did not live long enough to carry the grievances she had harboured after her last visit to her home country, for she died within a few months of her return. A short while later, a little brown cat emerged in the Auckland household, and was unceremoniously christened – Belinda by Miss Auckland. Liaquat would often hear the lady of the house crooning to the new cat, "Oh my loving Belinda. Am at a loss of words to thank you for making our family complete…, you are so wonderful. Mumma will finally be happy now… so will Grandpa. I know that they are now at peace." Then she would croon in a cracked sing-song voice:
'Our small family is together,
And they are such a loving lot,
Shall be with them till infinity
Oh! What a wonderful thought
Oh! What a wonderful thought...'
I gathered all this from Liaquat, but that was a long time ago. It has now been almost two decades that Miss Auckland has passed away. She left all her properties and belongings, including her litter of kittens to Liaquat, who she felt was the rightful inheritor of not just her belongings but could be entrusted with keeping the family together. Much the way his grandfather had served the family. Liaquat had once mentioned that the cats had turned a shade hostile and troublesome after the demise of Miss Auckland, until a few months into her death, a milky white Siamese cat, with blue grey eyes, marched into the Auckland apartment, at No.2, Chowringhee Lane completely uninvited. It was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen and had not the least inkling how it got there. but it was wearing a blue ribbon around its neck with a lovely silver pendant – and he remembered that the color blue was Miss Auckland's favourite besides he even had a feeling that he had seen the pendent somewhere in the house but he was not very sure. The cat seemed to know the household by the back of its hands and the first thing it did was jumping up on the old weather-worn rocking chair, on the little balcony, and plonked on it cushions and promptly fell asleep, completely oblivious to her surroundings. In a few days, the remaining cats took to their old disciplined behaviour as the Siamese took complete charge of them. The shaken Liaquat, not knowing what to do, promptly gave the Siamese a name, which was an old ritual in the Auckland household, for he thought it was the best he could do under the circumstances. I was not surprised when he told me that the Siamese responded to its christened name with immense delight – he called her 'Rosemary'!
Labels: Featured Amar Agarwala, short story, Short Story 2016, short story 2016 contest


text:
Q: Empty message body with graph API When I try to get the message body using graphapi I can't get it even if I extract the id and the number of unread messages I was thinking about permission, but I add the read_inbox permission and when trying the tools of developer the message was saying field is empty or disallowed by the access token, and I have this message saying
error": {
   "message": "You can only access the \"inbox\" connection for the current user.",
   "type": "GraphMethodException",
   "code": 100

A: As the error message indicates, you probably tried to access the inbox content of a friend.

graph.facebook.com/USER_ID?fields=inbox

For evident privacy reasons, this is impossible. You can only consult your own inbox:
graph.facebook.com/me?fields=inbox

A: My application reads posts, home, inbox, insights and other data of any user who has logged into my application and have given permission to my application to do these things on his/her behalf. I have found following solution and it worked for reading inbox.
graph.facebook.com/USER_ID?fields=threads

The inbox edge has been deprecated and now threads can be used instead. You need read_page_mailboxes for pages and read_mailbox for account to read inbox messages.


text:
Helmar Becker-Berke (* 4. August 1906 in Bonn; † 6. Januar 1980 in Stuttgart; eigentlich Helmar Heinrich Manfred Becker) war ein deutscher Maler, Zeichner, Grafiker und Illustrator.

Leben
Becker-Berke entstammte der Malerfamilie Becker. Er war Sohn des Malers Hans-Josef Becker-Leber und der Malerin Sophia Becker-Leber. Sein Großvater war der Maler und Kupferstecher Carl Leonhard Becker. Seine Cousine war die Bundesrichterin Maria Elisabeth Geyser.

Seine Ausbildung erhielt Becker-Berke an der Kunstgewerbeschule und Akademie Berlin-Charlottenburg. Seit 1925 war er als freier Maler und Zeichner in Berlin tätig, 1928 Mitarbeiter im Ullstein Verlag. Als Helmar Becker geboren, legte er sich unter Verwendung der Geburtsnamens seiner Großmutter Franziska Berke den Künstlernamen Becker-Berke zu. Im Zweiten Weltkrieg war er u. a. Kriegszeichner für die Propaganda, nachdem er zuvor bereits vereinzelt für die Deutsche Arbeitsfront Propagandaplakate entworfen und Illustrationen gefertigt hatte. Nach 1945 war er Pressezeichner in Stuttgart und Bildschriftleiter.

Becker-Berke schuf u. a. Tierzeichnungen, Plakate und zahlreiche Buchausstattungen.

Werke

Zeichnungen in Büchern
 Ilse Friedrich, Anja in Afrika, Stuttgart 1953
 Theodor Storm, Am grauen Strand am grauen Meer, Berlin 1936
 Arthur Berger, Simba der König der Steppe, Stuttgart 1953
 Richard Katz, Von Hund zu Hund, Rüschlikon 1956
 Richard Katz, Spass mit Hunden Kunterbunte Hundekunde, 1957
 Harry Bär, Sensation aus Menlopark : Das Leben Thomas Alva Edisons, Stuttgart 1953
 Erich Kloss, Geheimnisse des Waldes, 1950
 Julius Stinde, Die Familie Buchholz, Aufl. Hamburg 1962
 Günther Schwab, Herz auf vier Beinen. Ein heiter – ernstes Hundebuch., Zürich, Stuttgart 1954
 Heribert Horneck, Die mit uns Leben. Begegnungen mit Menschen und Tieren., Graz, Stuttgart 1963
 Lewis Carroll, Alice im Wunderland, Stuttgart, Hamburg 1966
 Hans-Wilhelm Smolik, Tierfreund in Not, Düsseldorf 1955
 Senta Dinglreiter, Petzi der Bär, Darmstadt o. J.
 Heinz Sponsel, Der Hüter der wilden Stiere. Roman eines Jungen aus Südfrankreich., Stuttgart 1953
 C. Berger, Königin Luise. ein Vorbild echter Weiblichkeit., Reutlingen o. J.
 Wilhelm Fronemann, Reineke der Fuchs – Nach der Niederdeutschen Ausgabe des "Reinke de Vos" von 1498 erzählt, Hoch-Verlag, Düsseldorf, 1953
 Albert P. Terhunde, Mein Hund Lad, Stuttgart: Hans E. Günther Verl.,1967

Plakate
 Zoo Berlin von 1929

Literatur

 Weigelt, 44, Nr. 124
 Kürschner 1967, 20

Einzelnachweise

Illustrator (Deutschland)
Pseudonym
Deutscher
Geboren 1906
Gestorben 1980
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I recently had a regular website visitor write to me asking about tripods. The question was mostly about which tripod would be best for his circumstances, but the conversation reminded me that I'd better slip in one of my most talked about tips and one that I revisit pretty regularly. Stated simply, if you want the Number One secret to improving your landscape images it is to simply use a tripod. Every pro landscape photographer I know uses one at least 90% of the time.
In my case I use a big ole Gitzo 3541 with a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead. It's a monster to carry around, weighing in at 8 pounds, even though the tripod is carbon fiber. Add that to my other gear and I'm packing around 30 pounds when I hike into a pristine location to photograph. At my age that's equivalent to maybe 200 pounds, especially on the way back to the car. So, it better be worth the effort. The plain fact is that it is.
On a recent trip to Italy and Malta I did something I never thought I'd do. I bought a lightweight travel tripod. The thing weighs 4 pounds, including ballhead, but it can never fully substitute for a pro-grade tripod. Still, it proved to be helpful in many of the situations I find myself in.
For more information about shooting prize-winning landscapes, check out my The Photographer's Eye e-books. They are only $4.99 and include 10 images, each of which illustrate a point, as well as ten tips for improving your landscape photography. If your preference is wildlife or people, I have ebooks on those topics, too. Enjoy!


text:
Open access peer-reviewed chapter - ONLINE FIRST
Surveying Sensitive Topics with Indirect Questioning
By Evrim Oral
Submitted: September 6th 2018Reviewed: January 17th 2019Published: February 25th 2019
DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.84524
Home > Books > Statistical Methodologies [Working Title]
Data reliability is a common concern especially when asking about sensitive topics such as sexual misconduct, domestic violence, or drug and alcohol abuse. Sensitive topics might cause refusals in surveys due to privacy concerns of the subjects. Unit nonresponse occurs when sampled subjects fail to participate in a study; item nonresponse occurs when sampled subjects do not respond to certain survey questions. Unit nonresponse reduces sample size and study power; it might also increase bias. Respondents, on the other hand, might answer the sensitive questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others instead of answering truthfully. Social desirability bias (SDB) has long been recognized as a serious problem in surveying sensitive topics. Various indirect questioning methods have been developed to reduce SDB and increase data reliability, one of them being the randomized response technique (RRT). In this chapter, we will review some of the important indirect questioning techniques proposed for binary responses, with a special focus on RRTs. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of some of the indirect questioning techniques and describe some of the recent novel methods.
social desirability bias
unmatched count technique
network scale-up technique
nonrandomized response technique
randomized response technique
Evrim Oral*
LSUHSC School of Public Health, Biostatistics program, New Orleans, LA, USA
*Address all correspondence to: eoral@lsuhsc.edu
Statistical MethodologiesEdited by Jan Peter Hessling
Statistical Methodologies [Working Title]
Dr. Jan Peter Hessling
1. Introduction: surveying sensitive topics
Data reliability is a common concern across all studies that use surveys, but more so while asking sensitive questions. Sensitive questions include sacred, private, or potentially exposing information that could be incriminating or discriminating for a respondent, or for the social group that is represented by the respondent [1]. For example, in studies which evaluate exposure to HIV infection, respondents are often asked sensitive questions regarding their opposite- or same-sex sexual practices. As another example, in studies which aim to assess substance use and abuse, respondents might suppress disclosure of their drug and alcohol misuse to avoid embarrassment or potentially harmful/unwanted consequences. Estimating the prevalence of such sensitive attributes is particularly important for health care researchers to build scientific knowledge, create necessary public health interventions, and develop political strategies.
Two problems typically arise while studying sensitive topics, (1) nonresponse rate increase and (2) social desirability bias (SDB), which is defined as the tendency of answering questions in a socially acceptable fashion rather than answering truthfully, occurs. Nonresponse rates can be reduced by utilizing some strategies such as using advance letters, offering incentives, using more experienced interviewers, and making the topic salient to respondents [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. However, if these strategies are more effective for some particular subpopulations compared to others, a reduction in nonresponse can in reality increase nonresponse bias. Statistical techniques can also be used to minimize the effects of unit nonresponse after the data is collected [7]; yet, none of these approaches can prevent SDB.
Many researchers have suggested using self-administered modes such as mail, web, computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI), audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI), telephone audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (T-ACASI), or touchtone data entry (TDE) in order to reduce SDB [8, 9, 10, 11]. However, self-administered modes have their own drawbacks. For example, all self-administered surveys are known to be susceptible to produce low-quality data since they lack the interviewer feedback to help clarify the questions when respondents do not understand them. As another example, it is known that computer-based surveys, such as CASI or ACASI, are mostly completed by younger, more computer savvy respondents, which potentially could introduce bias to estimates. T-ACASI, on the other hand, mainly suffers from high break-offs. There are additional issues about the feasibility of utilizing T-ACASI in survey tools with the elderly [12]. In addition, when surveying disadvantaged populations, self-administered surveys might not be a viable option. In fact, illiteracy, poor vision, respondent preference, or other reasons can cause self-administration not to occur: in a self-administered component of a computer-assisted personal survey, only 79% of CASI cases were actually fully self-administered [13]. For an extensive review of advantages and disadvantages of some of the common survey modes, see Smith and Kim [14].
An effective, alternative way to improve response rates and prevent SDB simultaneously is to increase the perceived privacy of the respondents. If the respondents' privacy can be guaranteed, then their tendency to refuse to participate and/or provide untruthful answers would decrease. All indirect questioning techniques aim to achieve this goal via different approaches. In the next section, we review some of the indirect questioning techniques that have been developed to increase the perceived privacy of the respondents, where the characteristic under study (the outcome) is binary in nature. Some of these techniques explained here have been extended to the cases where the characteristic under study is quantitative or polychotomous in nature; here we will only focus on the binary outcomes, such as in yes/no type of questions. Note that all indirect questioning techniques have produced extensive research areas: they all have been modified and/or extended since they have been first introduced; here we briefly summarize the most important ones and present their main aspects for conciseness.
2. Indirect questioning techniques
Several indirect surveying methodologies have been developed to increase respondents' confidentiality when the characteristic under study has a sensitive nature. Among them, the most commonly used ones for binary outcomes are, namely, unmatched count technique (UCT), network scale-up technique (NST), nonrandomized response technique (NRRT), and randomized response technique (RRT).
UCT, which is also called the item count technique, was first introduced by Raghavarao and Federer [15] with the name "block total response procedure," but it was formally developed by Miller [16] in the form that we use today. Since then, UCT has been applied by many researchers such as Miller et al. [17], LaBrie and Earleywine [18], Biemer and Brown [19], Wolter and Laier [20], Gervais and Najle [21], and so forth. UCT provides privacy by embedding a sensitive behavior (which is of interest) within several nonsensitive behaviors. All nonsensitive behaviors and sensitive behavior should be binary outcomes (yes/no). In applying the technique, survey participants are randomly divided into two groups. Individuals in one group are provided with a list of nonsensitive behaviors (say, k items), whereas individuals in the other group are provided with the same list of nonsensitive behaviors plus one sensitive behavior that is under study (in total k + 1 items). Participants in both groups are asked to report the total number of activities that they have engaged in. The prevalence of the sensitive behavior is then estimated by calculating the difference between the two independent group means. Several researchers have modified and/or extended UCT in recent years such as Tsuchiya [22], Chaudhuri and Christofides [23], Hussain et al. [24], Ibrahim [25], and so on. As an example on how to apply UCT, consider the study of Zimmerman and Langer [26] in which the technique was utilized to improve the prevalence estimates of marihuana use and ever having had sex with a person of the same gender among the tenth grade students in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In their study, the sample (1524 students) was randomly assigned to receive one of three lists on the survey: 33% of the respondents received a list with four nonsensitive items only; 33% received a list with the four nonsensitive items plus the sensitive item about sex with someone of the same gender; 33% received a list with the four nonsensitive items plus the sensitive item about ever using marihuana. Their UCT estimate of prevalence of having sex with someone of the same gender was 80% higher than the prevalence from direct questioning (DQ) (15.9 vs. 8.7%); similarly, their UCT estimate of marihuana use was 21% higher than the prevalence from DQ (20.6 vs. 16.7%). Assuming that for socially undesirable behaviors, higher prevalence estimates are more accurate than the lower prevalence estimates; Zimmerman and Langer [26] concluded that their results demonstrate the superiority of UCT compared to DQ.
The NST was first proposed by Bernard et al. [27] in order to estimate the size of a population at risk and was first used to get an estimate of the number of victims killed in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake [28]. The method was later refined and used to estimate the HIV-seropositive persons in the USA [29]. NST basically involves two steps: (1) the personal network size of the members of a random sample of a population is estimated and (2) an estimate of the number of members of the hidden subpopulation is obtained using the information from step 1. The method heavily relies on the assumption that people's social networks on average are representative of the general population; for example, if respondents report knowing 500 people on average, five of whom are sex workers, we can estimate that 1% of the general population is sex workers. The estimated prevalence is then combined with known information about the size of the general population, say the population of the USA, to produce an estimate for the number of people in the USA who are sex workers (see Russell et al. [30] for more details on NST and its limitations).
NRRT was first introduced by Swensson [31] and later modified by Takahasi and Sakasegawa [32]. The main idea behind Swensson's NRRT was to combine a nonsensitive behavior with a sensitive behavior in the same question so that it would not be possible for the interviewer to know which behavior is being responded with a "yes" answer; and therefore, respondents are provided with some level of privacy. Swensson's NRRT requires two independent samples to calculate the estimate of the sensitive characteristic; for this purpose, survey participants can be randomly divided into two groups. Let U be the nonsensitive behavior, such as being married, and let A be the sensitive behavior under study, such as abusing prescription drugs. Let us demonstrate the combined question using Table 1 given below.
A (Do you use prescription pain relievers without a doctor's prescription?)
U (Are you married?)
Yes a b
No c d
Demonstration of Swensson's NRRT.
Respondents in the first group receive the question "Do you belong to one of the groups a, b, or c in the table?" whereas respondents in the second group receive the question "Do you belong to one of the groups a, b, or d in the table?" Realize that the probability of belonging to groups a, b, c, or d is P (A = 1, U = 1), P(A = 1, U = 0), P(A = 0, U = 1), or P(A = 0, U = 0), respectively. If we denote the unknown proportion of the population members who have the sensitive characteristic A, i.e., the prevalence of the sensitive characteristic, by πA, and let
Xij=1,if the respondentireplies witha ''yes''in samplej0,if the respondentireplies witha ''no''in samplej
where 0≤πA≤1, i=1,2…,nj, and j=1,2, then the probability of getting a "yes" response from sample 1 becomes
PXi1=1 = PA=1U=1 + PA=1U=0 + PA=0U=1E1
and the probability of getting a "yes" response from sample 2 becomes
PXi2=1=PA=1U=1 + PA=1U=0 + PA=0U=0.E2
Since,
PA=1U=1 + PA=1U=0=PA=1,
using the Eqs. (1) and (2), we can write
PXi1=1 + PXi2=1=2PA=1+PA=0,
PA=1=PXi1=1 + PXi2=1−1.E3
From Eq. (3), πAcan be estimated using the proportions of "yes" responses, which are calculated from the samples as:
π̂AS=π̂1+π̂2−1E4
where π̂j=∑i=1njXij/nj, j=1,2. One can easily show that the estimator given by (4) is an unbiased estimator of πA:
Eπ̂AS=1n1E∑i=1n1Xi1+1n2E∑i=1n2Xi2−1=1n1∑i=1n1PXi1=1+1n2∑i=1n2PXi2=1−1=2PA=1+PA=0−1=πA.
The variance of the estimator given in Eq. (4) is derived in a few steps:
Varπ̂AS=1n12Var∑i=1n1Xi1+1n22Var∑i=1n2Xi2=1n12∑i=1n1PXi1=11−PXi1=1+1n22∑i=1n2PXi2=11−PXi2=1=PXi1=11−PXi1=1n1+PXi2=11−PXi2=1n2,
which can be estimated by
Var̂π̂AS=π̂11−π̂1n1+π̂21−π̂2n2.E5
Swensson's NRRT was later modified by Takahasi and Sakasegawa [32] as follows: In the first stage, all respondents are asked a nonsensitive binary question, such as "If you have to choose between adopting a cat or a dog, which would you prefer?" but directed not to report their answers to the interviewer (replies are silent). In the second stage, the sensitive behavior is combined with the previous nonsensitive question and asked the respondents in the format given below:
If you are a dog person, and use prescription pain relievers without a doctor?s prescription, say 0.
If you are a dog person, and do not use prescription pain relievers without a doctor?s prescription, say 1.
If you are a cat person, and use prescription pain relievers without a doctor?s prescription, say 1.
If you are a cat person, and do not use prescription pain relievers without a doctor?s prescription, say 0.
In this NRRT, to be able to obtain the estimates, the nonsensitive and sensitive behaviors need to be independent (U and A should not be related). As we explain in the next section, if the nonsensitive binary question's prevalence in the population is known, then Takahasi and Sakasegawa's NRRT is equivalent to Warner's model. If the nonsensitive binary question's prevalence in the population is not known, then this method requires the use of two independent samples. By relaxing the assumption of independence of the nonsensitive and sensitive behaviors, Takahasi and Sakasegawa [32] proposed an additional NRRT as well, where the nonsensitive behavior has three outcomes instead of two; as a result, in this NRRT, three independent samples are required instead of two independent samples. For a comprehensive review of NRRTs, interested readers are referred to Tian and Tang [33].
Different than the previous indirect questioning techniques, RRTs provide confidentiality by utilizing a randomization device, such as a deck of playing cards, a pair of dice, or a spinning game wheel while asking the sensitive question. The interviewer does not observe which playing card is chosen or what numbers the dice show, thus a respondent's privacy is absolutely guaranteed by the RRT process because the interviewer cannot know which statement the participant is responding to. In the next section, we review some of the main RRTs that have been proposed as well as some of the recently developed techniques.
3. Randomized response techniques
The first RRT was introduced by Warner [34]. Warner's RRT asks the sensitive question by providing respondents a randomization device with two statements on it that appear with known probabilities θ and 1−θ. For example, consider a spinning game wheel which divided into two sectors with areas θ and 1−θ. The first statement on the device possesses the sensitive characteristic, and the other statement is simply the complementary of the first one. Let us suppose that the sensitive characteristic is being HIV+. The two statements on the wheel would read "I am HIV+" and "I am HIV-" (see Figure 1). The respondents spin the wheel in private and answer truthfully with a "yes" or "no" to the statement on which the arrowhead lands. Since the spinning process is not observed by the interviewer, this model assures privacy protection for the respondents [34].
Demonstration of the randomization device in the Warner's model.
Let the unknown proportion of the population members who have the sensitive characteristic A be denoted by πA, and let
Xi=1,if the respondentireplies witha ''yes''0,if the respondentireplies witha ''no''E6
where 0≤πA≤1and i=1,2…,n;then the probability of getting a "yes" response can be written as
PXi=1=πAθ+1−πA1−θ,E7
and, from Eq. (7), an unbiased estimator of πAcan be derived as
π̂AW=π̂+θ−12θ−1,
where θ≠0.5and π̂=∑i=1nXi/n.The variance of Warner's estimator can be derived as [34]
Varπ̂AW=πA1−πAn+θ1−θn2θ−12.E8
Now, let us compare Swensson's NRRT with Warner's model. For simplicity, let us assume that n1=n2=n/2and the prevalence of U (say, the proportion of the married people in the population) is known from previous studies. Let us also assume that U and A are not related behaviors. In Swensson's NRRT, if we denote the prevalence of U by p, the probability of getting a "yes" response from samples 1 and 2 can be written as
PXi1=1=πA+PA=0PU=1=πA+1−πAp
PXi1=2=πA+PA=0PU=0=πA+1−πA1−p,
respectively, assuming that the nonsensitive and sensitive behaviors are independent. Since we have
PXi1=11−PXi1=1=πA1−πA1−2p+p1−πA1−p1−πA
PXi2=11−PXi2=1=p1−πA1−p1−πA,
the variance of π̂AScan be simplified as
Varπ̂AS=2nPXi1=11−PXi1=1+PXi2=11−PXi2=1=2nπA1−πAp2+1−p2+21−πAp1−p. (9)E9
In order to compare Warner's RRT with Swensson's NRRT, we calculated theoretical relative efficiencies (REs)
REθ,p=Varπ̂AWVarπ̂AS
from Eqs. (8) and (9) for various combinations of πAand θ=pvalues using a FORTRAN code and providing our results in Table 2. The FORTRAN code used is given in the Appendix.
πA
θ=p
0.1 0.445 0.489 0.590 0.765 1.067 1.630 2.854 6.360 25.298
0.7 0.615 0.775 1.009 1.370 1.969 3.072 5.455 12.263 49.028
0.9 0.817 1.256 1.892 2.867 4.480 7.444 13.843 32.120 130.806
Relative efficiencies of the estimators from Warner's model and Swensson's NRRT for various πAand θ=pvalues. The shaded cells show the cases where Warner's model is more efficient than Swensson's model.
One can conclude from Table 2 that Warner's model is more efficient, i.e., has smaller variance, than Swensson's NRRT for small θ=pvalues. When θ=p≥0.25, however, Warner's estimator π̂AWloses its efficiency. The reason for this efficiency loss is due to the fact that when θ→0.5, the variance in Eq. (8) →∞. However, keep in mind that small θvalues are not preferable in Warner's model since they do not provide sufficient privacy protection [33, 35]. In order to further investigate how Warner's RRT compete with Swensson's NRRT, we also assumed the case where θ≠pand calculated the theoretical REs as given above, for the case where πAvalues were set to 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. The results are provided in Table 3. Realize that we only present the RE values for 0.05≤p≤0.5and 0.05≤θ≤0.45since
REθ,p=RE1−θ,p=REθ,1−p=RE1−θ,1−p.
πA = 0.1
0.05 0.445 0.691 1.049 1.601 2.516 4.200 7.840 18.239 74.394
0.20 0.213 0.330 0.501 0.765 1.203 2.008 3.748 8.720 35.567
Relative efficiencies of the estimators from Warner's model and Swensson's NRRT for various θand p values when πA=0.1,0.2,0.3.The shaded cells show the cases where Warner's model is more efficient than Swensson's model.
The FORTRAN code used for Table 3 can be obtained from the author upon request.
One can observe from Table 3 that Warner's model is more efficient than Swensson's NRRT only for small θvalues. One can also observe that REs become higher when πAvalues increase, except for some special cases where p≤0.25and θ≥0.10. Note that in both Tables 2 and 3, REs→∞when θ=0.5.
When the nonsensitive binary question's prevalence in the population is known (say, the prevalence of being a dog person is 1−θ,and the prevalence of being a cat person is θ), Takahasi and Sakasegawa's NRRT becomes equivalent to Warner's model. To see this, let the unknown proportion of the population members who have the sensitive characteristic A be denoted by πA, where 0≤πA≤1, and let Xi(i=1,2…,n) be defined as in Eq. (6). If θis known, the probability of getting a "1" response from Takahasi and Sakasegawa's NRRT can be written as
PXi=1=1−πA1−θ+πAθ,E10
which is equal to the probability of getting a "yes" response from Warner's model, i.e., Eq. (7) and thus, provides the same estimator when solved for πA.
There have been many different RRTs developed since Warner's original method, such as in Greenberg et al. [36, 37], Gupta [38], Gupta et al. [39, 40, 41], Yu et al. [42], Sihm et al. [43], Gupta and Shabbir [44], and so on. Efforts specifically have been made to improve the efficiency of the technique by reducing the variance and thus the confidence intervals, because, the primary disadvantage of the Warner's model, and in fact of all RRTs, is that the variances of the estimators are higher than the ones that could be obtained from DQ [35, 45]; for a comprehensive review of RRTs, interested readers are referred to Chaudhuri and Mukerjee [35], Chaudhuri [46], and Chaudhuri and Christofides [47]. In the next subsection, we will review some real-life applications of RRTs and their comparisons with other surveying techniques.
3.1 Applications of RRTs
Two meta-analyses of 6 validation and 32 comparative studies which utilized RRTs showed that in various settings, the RRT results are superior to those from DQ and become more valid as the sensitivity of a topic increases [48].
The benefits of the RRTs have also been demonstrated by many statistical methodology researchers via theorems and simulation studies; however, their use in large or national surveys has been somewhat limited. In fact, to our knowledge, the only study which applied an RRT on a national level was done by Kirtadze et al. [49] in the country of Georgia. Kirtadze et al. [49] used a multistage cluster sampling and surveyed 4805 respondents to assess under-reporting of drug abuse in the Republic of Georgia. They utilized the unrelated question RRT to ask questions such as "During the last 12 months, have you taken hashish or marihuana?" They found that all RRT estimates for prevalence of controlled substance use were higher than the DQ estimates, which indicates under-reporting with DQ. For example, lifetime cannabis use estimate was 88.24% higher from RRT than from DQ. Kirtadze et al. [49], however, did not use a gold standard such as urinalysis and thus did not know the "true" value of prevalence of illegal drug use in the Republic of Georgia's study population.
Although not nationwide, there have been other researchers who incorporated RRTs in their surveys. Fisher et al. [50], for example, used forced RRT to estimate the prevalence of substance use and sexual activity of high school students who enrolled to their clinic. They compared their results with the ones from a non-anonymous questionnaire which was completed by the same students earlier the same academic year. While RRT provided higher rates for substance use-related questions with respect to the DQ, it provided similar rates for sexual activity-related questions (36% from DQ vs. 31% from RRT). Fisher et al. [50] concluded that admitting to sexual activity in the school setting might carry less stigma and perceived risk than admitting to marihuana or cocaine use [50]. We suggest, however, that this result might indicate that the high school students who participated in the study overestimated their sexual behavior when asked directly to live up to peer acceptance; in other words, we suggest that forced RRT corrected the over-reporting.
In another study, Srivastava et al. [51] used Warner's RRT to assess the extent of sexual abuse among children in several districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India. They found that the estimates from RRT were higher than the national estimates obtained from Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, which is an indicator of potential under-reporting with DQ.
In a more recent study, Chhabra et al. [52] used convenience sampling and asked the question "Have you ever been a victim of sexual abuse by a friend or family member?" to 585 students in a college in Delhi, India. They divided their sample into three equal randomly selected groups and asked the sexual abuse-related question using (1) DQ, (2) the RRT proposed by Sihm et al. [43], and (3) the confidential method, which was their gold standard to compare their results. The prevalence of sexual abuse was 14% with the gold standard, 8% with the DQ method, and 12% with the RRT. Note that their confidential method, however, was also a surveying technique in which the participants wrote down their answers and put them into a closed box.
3.2 Inflated variance
Although all RRTs lead to unbiased (i.e., accurate) estimates of the sensitive characteristic of interest, their variances are larger than the ones from the DQ technique. Thus, the price for using an RRT instead of the DQ is the inflated variance, which is due to the randomization process. Consequently, if the question of interest is not considered to be really sensitive by most of the respondents in a specific population, using an RRT instead of the DQ inflates the variance of the estimates unnecessarily. Besides, it is known that there are cultural or social differences in the extent to which topics are perceived as sensitive. For example, smoking marihuana is a less threatening topic in the Netherlands than in the USA, or questions regarding education are considered to be sensitive in Sweden [1]. Similarly, questions regarding HIV status or sexual practices might not be considered to be sensitive by patients who visit an HIV clinic for treatment. Unfortunately, once an RRT is incorporated within a survey, even if the question of interest turns out to be not sensitive after collecting the data, one has to proceed with the inefficient estimate obtained from the RRT. Motivated by the fact that if researchers do not have a priori knowledge about the sensitivity level of a question in a specific population, then they should be able to select between the estimators from an RRT and the DQ; Ardah and Oral [45] proposed a novel two-stage RRT for a binary response where they utilized Warner's RRT in the second stage. Their model provides unbiased estimators of both prevalence of the sensitive characteristic and the proportion of cheating in the population simultaneously and allows one to obtain better estimates by avoiding the unnecessary penalty, i.e., the inflated variance, if the question of interest turns out to be significantly not sensitive. Although there are some other RRTs which can estimate the sensitivity level of a question, such as in Gupta [38], none of these RRTs have the ability to avoid the inflated variance if the question's sensitivity level turns out to be low.
Ardah and Oral [45] denoted the unknown true proportion of population members that have the sensitive characteristic A by πA, where 0≤πA≤1. They showed that, in a self-protective no-saying model (i.e., when a respondent cheats, s/he always answers in favor of the least stigmatizing category (see [53])) if one uses the DQ, the proportion of respondents who have the sensitive characteristic A becomes
πA=πD+πC,E11
where πDis the proportion of respondents who reply with a "yes" to the sensitive question when asked directly and πCis the proportion of respondents who cheat (i.e., the proportion of respondents who reply with a "no" to the sensitive question even though they have the characteristic A). Realize that in Eq. (11), πCis the SDB, and if all respondents answer truthfully in the DQ, i.e., if πC=0, then πA=πD. Unfortunately, the SDB, i.e., the proportion of cheaters, cannot be measured using the DQ. Ardah and Oral's [45] proposed model, however, allows one to both estimate it and select the unbiased estimator with the minimum variance depending on the sensitivity level of the question (or proportion of cheating in the population). Ardah and Oral [45] utilized unrelated question RRT in the second stage of their model as well; in fact, their model can easily be extended to any desired RRT [45].
Numerous indirect questioning techniques have been developed to ask survey questions on sensitive topics or stigmatizing characteristics. All indirect questioning techniques have their own limitations: In applying the UCT, only one of the group members provide the information on the sensitive characteristic of interest [25]. NST is known to suffer from recall bias, barrier effects, transmission error, and response bias [54]. NRRTs can be vulnerable to cheating due to distrust as much as the RRTs [55]. RRTs have some disadvantages as well: integrating a randomization device into a survey tool might not be practical in some situations, such as when researchers plan to use venue sampling to reach LGBT community members in gay bars or clubs. RRTs are also known not to work well if the respondents do not understand the process and/or do not follow the instructions properly. Besides, there might be cultural, social, or personal differences in the extent to which topics are perceived to be sensitive. Thus, we suggest that researchers should select the optimal surveying technique by considering various aspects of their study, such as the target population, sensitivity level of the question, available resources, and practicality of integrating a specific technique, at once. As in Erdmann [55], we also suggest that researchers should not rely on the more-is-better assumption, which is assuming that the higher prevalence estimates are more accurate than the lower prevalence estimates, in comparing different techniques; instead, we suggest to use a valid gold standard (such as urinalysis or a lie detector) for comparisons, whenever possible, perhaps using a small subsample.
!***************************************************************************
! This code was written to calculate the relative efficiencies in Table 2
INCLUDE 'link_fnl_static.h'
REAL(8) THETA,C, PIA, K,E, VAR_RRT, VAR_NRRT
REAL(8) R(21,21)
INTEGER I,J,ITENO,N
OPEN (3,FILE="C:\Users\Oral\Documents\Fortran results\Table2.txt")
WRITE(3,*) ""
WRITE(3,50) "Calculated Relative Efficiencies for various p=theta and Population Proportion (Pi_A) combinations"
WRITE(3,*)""
WRITE(3,*)"*****RE MATRIX*****"
WRITE(3,*)"p=Theta value "
DO K=0.0,1.05,0.05
WRITE(3, 100,advance='no') K
END DO
WRITE(3, *) "
DO J=1,148
WRITE(3, 200,advance='no') '_'
THETA=0.0
PIA=0.0
DO I=1,11
DO J=1,21
WRITE (*,*) 'theta=p=', THETA, 'Pi_A=', PIA
VAR_RRT=(PIA*(1-PIA))+((THETA*(1-THETA))/(((2*THETA)-1)**2.0))
VAR_NRRT=2*((((PIA*(1-PIA)))*(1-(2*THETA)+(2*(THETA**2.0))))+(2*(1-PIA)*THETA*(1-THETA)))
WRITE (*,*) 'VAR_RRT=',VAR_RRT, 'VAR_NRRT=', VAR_NRRT
R(I,J)=VAR_RRT/VAR_NRRT
THETA=THETA+0.05
WRITE(3,100,advance='no') R(I,J);
WRITE (*,*)"
PIA=PIA+0.1
100 FORMAT (F15.5,1X)
200 FORMAT (A1)
CLOSE(3)
1.Introduction: surveying sensitive topics
2.Indirect questioning techniques
3.Randomized response techniques
Evrim Oral (February 25th 2019). Surveying Sensitive Topics with Indirect Questioning [Online First], IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.84524. Available from:
140total chapter downloads


text:
Q: Datanuclues Merge On HBase Not Working (Serialized (Detached) Objects ) I get the exception when trying to merge an entity whose Id matches the corresponding datastore entity already in HBase:
javax.persistence.PersistenceException: Object "ai.ilikeplaces.entities.Wall@4aaf0d" being inserted has id "12653" yet an object with this id already exists in the datastore!
        at org.datanucleus.api.jpa.NucleusJPAHelper.getJPAExceptionForNucleusException(NucleusJPAHelper.java:30
2)
        at org.datanucleus.api.jpa.JPAEntityManager.merge(JPAEntityManager.java:568)
        at ai.ilikeplaces.util.cache.AbstractHCMapStore.store(AbstractHCMapStore.java:39)
        at ai.ilikeplaces.logic.crud.hazelcast.HazelcastWallMapStore.store(HazelcastWallMapStore.java:20)
        at com.hazelcast.impl.concurrentmap.MapStoreWrapper.store(MapStoreWrapper.java:110)
        at com.hazelcast.impl.CMap$1.run(CMap.java:994)
        at com.hazelcast.impl.executor.ParallelExecutorService$ParallelExecutorImpl$ExecutionSegment.run(ParallelExecutorService.java:212)
        at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor.runWorker(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:1110)
        at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker.run(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:603)
        at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:679)
Caused by: org.datanucleus.exceptions.NucleusUserException: Object "ai.ilikeplaces.entities.Wall@4aaf0d" being inserted has id "12653" yet an object with this id already exists in the datastore!
        at org.datanucleus.store.hbase.HBasePersistenceHandler.insertObject(HBasePersistenceHandler.java:129)
        at org.datanucleus.state.JDOStateManager.internalMakePersistent(JDOStateManager.java:2371)
        at org.datanucleus.state.JDOStateManager.makePersistent(JDOStateManager.java:2347)
        at org.datanucleus.ObjectManagerImpl.persistObjectInternal(ObjectManagerImpl.java:1798)
        at org.datanucleus.ObjectManagerImpl.persistObjectWork(ObjectManagerImpl.java:1647)
        at org.datanucleus.ObjectManagerImpl.persistObject(ObjectManagerImpl.java:1504)
        at org.datanucleus.api.jpa.JPAEntityManager.merge(JPAEntityManager.java:564)
        ... 8 more

When attempting to merge an entity.
The code related to this exception is:
        System.out.println("Attempting to store data:" + value);
        EntityManagerFactory emf = Persistence.createEntityManagerFactory("adimpression_ilikeplaces_war_1.6-SNAPSHOTPU_DN");
        System.out.println("Obtained EntityManagerFactory.");

        EntityManager em = emf.createEntityManager();
        System.out.println("Obtained EntityManager.");

        em.getTransaction().begin();
        System.out.println("Began Transaction.");

        em.merge(value);

        System.out.println("Persisted data.");

        em.getTransaction().commit();
        System.out.println("Committed Transaction");

where
em.merge(value);

is line 39. That is AbstractHCMapStore.java:39 .
The entity I am trying to merge is a new entity, i.e. created with java new keyword and not fetched from database previously.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

A: Set datanucleus.allowAttachOfTransient=true in persistence.xml if you're trying to merge a serialized object


text:
Perry Township is one of fifteen townships in Wayne County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 835 and it contained 325 housing units.

History
Perry Township was originally settled chiefly by Quakers.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of , of which  (or 99.94%) is land and  (or 0.06%) is water. Lakes in this township include Osborne Lakes. The streams of Economy Run, Jordon Creek, Mop Run, Swab Creek, Wash Branch and West Brook run through this township.

Cities and towns
 Economy

Adjacent townships
 Union Township, Randolph County (north)
 Green Township (east)
 Clay Township (southeast)
 Jefferson Township (southwest)
 Dalton Township (west)

Cemeteries
The township contains two cemeteries: Economy and Jordon.

Major highways
 U.S. Route 35

References
 U.S. Board on Geographic Names (GNIS)
 United States Census Bureau cartographic boundary files

External links
 Indiana Township Association
 United Township Association of Indiana

Townships in Wayne County, Indiana
Townships in Indiana


As of June 2019, Brussels Airlines will offer flights from Brussels to Sheremetyevo International Airport near the city of Moscow instead of Domodedovo Airport, Travel Trade Daily reports.
Since the start of its Moscow operations in 2004, Brussels Airlines operates flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport. However, as of June 02, the airline will move its operations from Domodedovo Airport to Sheremetyevo International Airport, a prime location with an important industrial area.
The airline herewith responds to the high share of businessmen and women travelling with Brussels Airlines from Brussels Airport to Moscow. Sheremetyevo is also for leisure travelers an attractive airport as it is easier to reach out of the city center of Moscow.
Next to flights to the Russian capital Moscow, Brussels Airlines also offers flights to St. Petersburg.