text:
Sharon Rose
*** Local singer makes it through to Boot Camp ***
Being interviewed about being on the X Factor, when you've been sworn to secrecy, can't be an easy task but Sharon Rose manages to do it with aplomb and handles it like a pro. Sharon appeared on our tv screens last Sunday (6th September) where she auditioned in front of the judges, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw and an audience who were up on their feet dancing and cheering by the end of her knock out rendition of I'm Every Woman. Clearly impressing all of the judges with four 'yes's", she's made it on to Boot Camp.
Sharon, who lives in Canvey Island, is already well known here at MyTownSouthend and in the Southend area, having appeared with local drama group, Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society in the musical Sister Act, playing the lead role of Delores. She also starred as Delilah in Samson the Musical written by local talent Ashton Moore, and has appeared with her band, The Thorns, at The Alex Pub as well as regularly gigging in venues in and around London.
I catch up with 26 year old Sharon on her week off, although interestingly she tells me she is spending a lot of time in the studio. Having previously auditioned for the X Factor in 2012, I wondered how she came to audition for this, the 12th series of the show. "Well, luckily for me, my friend works as a talent scout for Syco (Cowell's production company) and they asked me if I could do it. They told me that they were holding auditions for the X Factor in London. I wasn't really interested in doing it but then I just decided to go along and I got through all the stages; there are quite a few!"
"It was a weird experience but it was good." she tells me when I ask her what it was like watching herself auditioning on tv. "But I wasn't allowed to say anything about it until it aired on Sunday."
I mention that although there are no hard and fast rules, there seems to have been a lot of talk in the press about people auditioning who are already in the music business, implying that they have an unfair advantage. Sharon argues the point by saying, "I think the X factor is just like applying for any job, You know, you make an application and you just hope that if you've got the experience, you'll get it. You just hold out and see what's going to come of it. It's just like any job. We're all singers and all workers who need to get paid for our talents and we just go for whatever we can."
I do wonder why the press seem to make such a big deal of it. "It's a shame really," Sharon says, "because I think the show is for people like that. Obviously it's for people who have never done it before too but also it's for people who aren't getting anywhere and just need that break. That's what the show's for and there's no way anyone can really dictate to anyone else how to go about their success."
Does she think it will help her career progress? "I thought about it in the sense that I really want to push a project that I've got coming up at the end of this year and I was talking about it to a friend and he was kind of saying to me that it's important that I get known because, you know, it's all about publicity really."
The project she wants to push out to the public is a forthcoming EP which will consist of her own original material. "I want people listening out for it and for people to really pay attention to my art."
I ask her if she gets annoyed that people like Joselito (the Copacabana guy) get through when they obviously have no real talent; and she tells me very firmly, "Oh no, no, no! I know what X Factor is all about. It's an entertainment tv show and they are out to create a buzz, to make people laugh, to make people cry and when you sign up to things like that you know it's a game and you have to enjoy playing the game otherwise you're just going to get yourself depressed over it, you know? I kind of went in with an open mind and thinking that it's just a tv show and I'm just going to enjoy it as it is and not try to make it what I want it to be in my head."
Everyone knows that Sharon has got through to the next round at this point - can she tell me any more?
"I don't think I can, otherwise I might get into trouble but you should definitely expect a lot of drama. It's going to be very dramatic. There's going to be a whole lot of entertaining drama!"
Whaaaat? You can't say that and leave us hanging Sharon! But she does. So what can she tell us? I ask her what happens after the judges have all said 'yes'. I assume that she's had to liaise with Simon Cowell as he has been given the 'Overs' (over 25 years old) category. There's a slight pause before Sharon laughs (one of those awkward ones) and says, "Well there's a lot of drama. It's all a bit exciting!" She goes on, "This year the categories have changed, so that's something that might be interesting when you watch it. Watch this space."
Getting to meet Olly Murs and Caroline Flack was a lovely experience for Sharon, "Olly Murs is a very entertaining person." She was relieved at how down to earth they both were backstage too. She also got to meet Rita Ora and Simon Cowell who came backstage after her audition.
Nick Grimshaw's selfie with the other judges
"There was a moment when Simon Cowell had just finished watching and he came backstage and talked to us and just had a genuine conversation with everyone." She reveals, "He is so short, he was much smaller than I thought he would be!" and then as a quick afterthought, "Maybe because I was in heels!" "It's a cool experience, but you have to take it lightly and don't let it be a heavy thing."
Sharon certainly didn't seem to be as nervous as she was the first time she auditioned for the show (I checked out a YouTube video of her audition) although some of the contestants seem uncontrollably nervous before and during their auditions. She tells me, "They have hundreds of people to film in one day, so I can see how some people's emotions can be put to the forefront without them wanting to be, but it is something where you really have to make a decision where it's only going to be what you make it and to not allow the emotional roller coaster that is the X Factor to just take you with it. Otherwise you'll be swallowed up."
Does she think that her experience has helped with that side of things? "Yeah, I've done a lot of work since 2012 and also the fact that I'm really enjoying my life at the moment. I think every moment spent at X Factor and experiencing it, that I'm grateful for it." "It's an extremely nerve wracking situation for anyone performing in front of all those people. Also you're waiting hours and hours to perform for just 2 minutes! Already there are a lot of emotions. All the moments in-between you need to learn to manage them. So regardless of what happens on the journey you can manage yourself."
Wise words, indeed. Sharon certainly does seem to have her head screwed on and I'm sure this will stand her in good stead for whatever the X Factor machine throws at her.
Sharon appearing in Samson the Musical
I briefly ask Sharon how it felt to have performed in Samson the Musical, which was written by Southend writer and composer, Ashton Moore, and also how it felt to have the part written with her as Delilah in mind.
"Samson was amazing, Ashton is such an incredibly talented guy and to work with him and to bring his idea to life was such a good experience. I was really honoured to be part of it. It really brought out my passion for the West End and there are great things coming with that too; So you just have to watch this space." Really, tell me more? She suddenly goes all coy again. "Erm…we may have to save that discussion for another interview some time in the year." This girl is giving nothing away. She's good!
"There's so much I'm not allowed to say but I can say that this year on X Factor there's going to be a lot of changes, a lot of new things happening - and it's such -an exciting show. I don't know how far I'm going to go with it but no matter how far I go I'm just gonna roll with the fun."
So what advice would she give to anyone thinking about possibly wanting to audition for the X Factor in the future.
"The only advice I would give is to go with your guts, the X Factor is driven by a lot of young people - so they really do like having young people on board, because they consider them a blank canvas to work with. It's such a volatile thing and you have to make a decision that you're happy with."
Although she won't give anything away about the competition, you get the feeling that regardless of whether she makes it to the final or not, Sharon Rose has the passion, determination and level headedness needed to be a success in the business that she obviously adores to be a part of.
So what can we expect from Sharon at Boot Camp. "Ooh a bit of Beyonce and bit of James Bay."
"You're not going to sing any of your own songs then" I ask her.
"No. I'm keeping my own stuff for future releases. The future is really exciting!"
And I for one, don't doubt her?
Keep up with Sharon's progress on X Factor every Saturday and Sunday night from 8pm or catch up here with http://www.itv.com/xfactor


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text:
UN rights chief says her rare China trip isn't a probe
Ms Michelle Bachelet said her trip to China's Xinjiang aimed to promote, protect and respect human rights. PHOTO: REUTERS
https://str.sg/w25h
BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - The United Nations' human rights chief told diplomats her trip to Xinjiang this week wouldn't be an "investigation", in an apparent attempt to manage expectations of her landmark visit to China.
Ms Michelle Bachelet said her trip aimed to promote, protect and respect human rights, according two people who attended the Monday (May 23) video call with some 100 participants, who were mostly Beijing-based diplomats. The people asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue.
Ms Bachelet said setting high expectations would lead to disappointment, according to the people, addressing concerns raised mainly by Western diplomats on the call over whether she'd be granted unfettered access to Xinjiang.
Rights groups and countries including the US have accused Beijing of putting mostly Muslim ethnic Uighurs in mass detention camps in the far western region as part of a campaign of "genocide".
China rejects charges that human rights abuses or genocide occur in Xinjiang, which has become one of the biggest points of tension between the world's two largest economies.
US Ambassador Nicholas Burns expressed to Ms Bachelet "profound concerns" about China's human rights record in Xinjiang and attempts by Beijing to manipulate the trip, according to multiple people on the call who asked for anonymity as they weren't authorised to speak.
A diplomat who attended the Monday call said some countries appeared to have prepared statements defending China, and the organiser also took questions in batches - allowing Ms Bachelet to avoid answering anything too sensitive.
The UN Human Rights Office confirmed in a statement that Ms Bachelet met with diplomats. It added that it doesn't provide detailed itineraries of such visits.
Ms Bachelet met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said in a statement. The Chinese government "made the protection of citizens' legitimate rights and interests its basic task," the statement said, adding that it also "made safeguarding the ethnic minorities' rights an important part of its work."
China's foreign minister told the United Nations' human rights chief he hoped her landmark visit would help to "clarify misinformation", ahead of a visit to Xinjiang.
Mr Wang "expressed the hope that this trip would help enhance understanding and cooperation, and clarify misinformation" during a Monday meeting with Ms Bachelet, a foreign ministry readout said on Monday.
Still, Ms Bachelet said she'd make the most of being in China, where her arrival in Beijing this week marked the first time a UN human rights chief had visited the country since 2005.
The UN official also confirmed she'll visit a detention centre in Xinjiang and has set up meetings independently of Chinese authorities, one of the people said.
Ms Bachelet added that she will produce a report on Xinjiang, separate to the delayed one her office is already working on, without sharing publication dates of either.
She'll also deliver a lecture at Guangzhou University in the southern province of Guangdong, visit Kashgar and Urumqi in Xinjiang, and hold a press conference on Saturday to wrap up the trip, the UN Human Rights Office said in a Friday statement.
UN human rights chief due to arrive in China for historic visit
US leads criticism of UN rights chief for China trip
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday at a regular press briefing in Beijing that Me Bachelet would travel in a "closed loop as agreed by the two sides" without travelling press.
China is battling virus outbreaks in several cities, as it clings to a Covid Zero policy of eliminating the virus. Ms Bachelet's visit has taken years to arrange, after being delayed by the pandemic and negotiations over access.
Discussions between China and Europe about a trip to Xinjiang by a group of ambassadors reached a deadlock last year, with an official from the region complaining the envoys wanted to meet "criminals". China routinely has police follow reporters who travel to the region.
The State Department this month outlined plans to boost pressure on China over what it called "horrific abuses" of Uighur and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. A US law set to take effect next month would ban the import of goods from Xinjiang unless companies can prove they weren't made with forced labor. Washington is also weighing the unprecedented step of imposing severe Treasury Department sanctions on Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., which makes surveillance systems used in Xinjiang.
UN expert slammed over $275,900 contribution from China
China database reveals the thousands of Uighurs detained in Xinjiang

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Lichuan kan syfta på:

Lichuan, Enshi – en stad på häradsnivå i Hubei-provinsen i centrala Kina
Lichuan, Fuzhou – ett härad i Jiangxi-provinsen
Liquan – ett härad i Shaanxi-provinsen
 Lichuan (ort i Kina)

WP:Projekt Kina

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A warm welcome to the parish of Christ Church Cathedral! The members of our Welcoming Ministry have put together an FAQ section that we hope will answer some of your concerns.
When are your services and when is the Cathedral open? The Cathedral is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. If you visit the Worship section of this site, you will find information about our Sunday and week day services.
Where are you located and where may I park? The Cathedral is located on Quadra Street at Rockland Avenue. Click HERE for a map and information about parking.
Is the Cathedral wheelchair accessible? The Burdett Avenue parking lot has four designated spaces for those with disabilities and the Rockland lot (Sundays only) has three. There are wheelchair access ramps at both the South entrance on Burdett Avenue and at the West entrance on Quadra Street. There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms and an elevator to provide access to the second floor.
What activities are there available during the week? If you sign up for our weekly e-news, you'll find many upcoming events and activities listed there. You may also want to check out any of the Ministries in which you are interested. Times and location of meetings are listed on the pages. For example, if you click here, you'll reach the Walking Group page and be able to access their schedule.
Is there anything available for children during the Sunday services? The Cathedral offers a robust children's program at the 9.15 a.m. service. Children who want to participate are asked to gather in the soft space at the back of church between 9.05 and 9.15 a.m., when one of the teachers will come to greet them. Children and infants are welcome to remain with their parents or guardians at all services. For those who would find it helpful we have a well-stocked 'soft space' at the back of the church near the Quadra Street doors.
You can also access a brochure by clicking the link below. This gives you detailed information about the parish such as:
the weekly services
the parish leadership
the varied ministries which you might like to join
a short history of the Cathedral, and
more general information on finances and the governance of the parish.
We hope this will be helpful as you explore all that this parish has to offer.
Welcome_NEWCOMERS brochure Jan2019.pdf


text:
import sys, logging, csv, os, time, tempfile
import cStringIO

# SQLObject for Database Storage
from sqlobject import *

# NumPy for numeric functions
from numpy import *

# PyBrain for our learning
from pybrain.rl.environments.environment import Environment
from pybrain.rl.environments.task import Task
from pybrain.rl.learners.valuebased import ActionValueTable
from pybrain.rl.agents import LearningAgent
from pybrain.rl.learners import Q
from pybrain.rl.experiments import Experiment
from pybrain.rl.explorers import EpsilonGreedyExplorer

config = None

collection_file = None

AGES = {}

CONF = {
        'directory': '',

        # Set the default weights.
        'age': 0.5,
        'reliability': 2.0,
        'time': 0.5,
        'redundancy': 0.5,
        'coverage': 0.5,

        # Turn on learning
        'learning': True,

        # Set the default learning values
        'alpha': 0.5,
        'gamma': 0.989999999999,
        'epsilon': 0.299999999999,

        'reward': 1,

        # Use fail prediction
        'predict': True,

        # Stop on first fail
        'stopOnFail': False,

        # Use triangular randomization in failure prediction
        'triangular': True,

}

############################################################################
# Utility Functions
############################################################################

def setupLogging(level):

    # Get the appropriate logger
    logger = logging.getLogger('thesisapp')

    # Create a stdout/stderr stream log handler (this simply prints to
    # the console)
    handler = logging.StreamHandler()
    fileHandler = logging.FileHandler('/tmp/thesisapp.log')

    # Set the formatting of log entries
    formatter = logging.Formatter('%(levelname)s %(message)s')

    handler.setFormatter(formatter)
    fileHandler.setFormatter(formatter)
    # logger.addHandler(handler)
    logger.addHandler(fileHandler)

    # Setup the level. The logging module uses an integer reference for
    # level, referenced by attribute name for convenience. Uppercase
    # our given config level, and get that attribute of the logger.
    level = getattr(logging, level.upper())
    logger.setLevel(level)
    logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)

    return logger

def collectFails(controller, pattern, result, difference, retested, healed,
        status, fail_v, triag, probability, eq = ''):
    global collection_file

    row = [controller.agent.name,
           controller.name,
           AGES[controller],
           controller.machine_type.reliability,
           pattern.name,
           int(result),
           difference,
           retested,
           healed,
           status,
           fail_v,
           triag,
           probability,
           eq]

    # Write out to a file for data collection purposes
    if collection_file:
        # If the file doesn't exist, create it and write the header line
        if not os.path.exists(collection_file + '-fails.csv'):
            file = open(collection_file + '-fails.csv', 'ab')
            writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
            writer.writerow(['Agent Name',
                             'Controller Name',
                             'Controller Age',
                             'Machine Type Reliability',
                             'Pattern Name',
                             'Result Value',
                             'Difference',
                             'Retested',
                             'Healed',
                             'Controller Status',
                             'Failure Probability',
                             'Triangular Randomization',
                             'Final Failure Value',
                             'Equation'])
            file.close()

        file = open(collection_file + '-fails.csv', 'ab')
        writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
        writer.writerow(row)
        file.close()
    else:
        # print controller.agent.name, controller.name, result
        pass

def collectLearning(controller, testsuite, pattern, result, reward, eq, q):
    global collection_file

    row = [controller.agent.name,
           controller.name,
           AGES[controller],
           testsuite.name,
           pattern.name,
           int(result),
           reward,
           eq,
           q]

    # Write out to a file for data collection purposes
    if collection_file:
        # If the file doesn't exist, create it and write the header line
        if not os.path.exists(collection_file + '-learning.csv'):
            file = open(collection_file + '-learning.csv', 'ab')
            writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
            writer.writerow(['Agent Name',
                             'Controller Name',
                             'Controller Age',
                             'Test Suite Name',
                             'Pattern Name',
                             'Pattern Result',
                             'Reward',
                             'Equation',
                             'Q Value'])
            file.close()

        file = open(collection_file + '-learning.csv', 'ab')
        writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
        writer.writerow(row)
        file.close()
    else:
        # print controller.agent.name, controller.name, result
        pass

def collectLearningEnvironment(testsuite, pattern, q, fails, runs):
    global collection_file

    row = [testsuite.name,
           pattern.name,
           q,
           fails,
           runs]

    if collection_file:
        # If the file doesn't exist, create it and write the header line
        if not os.path.exists(collection_file + '-learning-env.csv'):
            file = open(collection_file + '-learning-env.csv', 'ab')
            writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
            writer.writerow(['Test Suite Name',
                             'Pattern Name',
                             'Q Value',
                             'Number of Fails',
                             'Number of Runs'])
            file.close()

        file = open(collection_file + '-learning-env.csv', 'ab')
        writer = csv.writer(file, dialect='excel')
        writer.writerow(row)
        file.close()
    else:
        # print controller.agent.name, controller.name, result
        pass

############################################################################
# SQL Data Types
############################################################################

class Pattern(SQLObject):
    name = StringCol()
    repair = FloatCol(default=0.0)
    coverage = FloatCol(default=0.99)
    redundancy = FloatCol(default=0.0)
    test_time = FloatCol(default=1)

    test_suite = ForeignKey('TestSuite')

class TestSuite(SQLObject):
    name = StringCol(unique = True)
    reward = FloatCol(default=0.0)

    patterns = MultipleJoin('Pattern', orderBy=Pattern.q.id)
    machine_type = ForeignKey('MachineType')

    @property
    def randomizedPatterns(self):
        # Shuffle the default order of patterns.
        rpatterns = self.patterns
        random.shuffle(rpatterns)
        return rpatterns

    def run(self, iterations):
        global CONF

        logger = logging.getLogger('thesisapp')

        # If this test suite has no patterns, we have nothing to run
        if len(self.patterns) == 0:
            return

        # If we don't already have a learning agent and environment set
        # up, create one.
        task = None
        av_table = None
        if not hasattr(self, "experiment") or \
                getattr(self, "experiment") == None:
            # Define the action-value table.
            #   Number of states: 2, initial and failed
            #   Number of actions: number of patterns.
            # We start in the intial state, and we are trying to arrive
            # at the failed state. The patterns are the actions we want
            # to get us there.
            states = 2
            actions = len(self.patterns)
            av_table = ActionValueTable(states, actions)
            av_table.initialize(0.0)

            # Initialize the Q learning agent
            learner = Q(CONF['alpha'], CONF['gamma'])
            learner._setExplorer(EpsilonGreedyExplorer(CONF['epsilon']))
            agent = LearningAgent(av_table, learner)

            # If learning is turned off in the configuration, disable it
            # on the agent.
            agent.learning = CONF['learning']

            # Set up the environment. It will be the test suite.
            environment = TestSuiteEnvironment(self)

            # Set up the task that will reward failure of a pattern.
            task = TestSuiteTask(environment)

            # Set up the PyBrain experiment with the above task and
            # learning agent.
            self.experiment = Experiment(task, agent)

        else:
            task = self.experiment.task
            av_table = self.experiment.agent.module

        # Zero out a couple of arrays to hold a count of each
        # pattern's runs and failures
        fails = zeros(len(self.patterns))
        runs = zeros(len(self.patterns))

        for controller in self.machine_type.controllers:
            self.experiment.task.env.controller = controller

            # Run the given number of iterations, learning as we go
            # along. It will be the learning environment that performs
            # the action, the pattern, on the controller, in an attempt
            # to learn which patterns fail more often from this test
            # suite on this machine type.
            for i in range(iterations):
                # Age the controller. We assume the controller is being
                # tested once per week.
                if controller not in AGES:
                    AGES[controller] = controller.age
                AGES[controller] = AGES[controller] + (1.0/52)

                # Yo Dawg, I heard you like loops...
                for i in range(10):
                    self.experiment.doInteractions(1)

                    # Check the results of the last action and add them to
                    # our failure array.
                    if task.lastResult == 0:
                        fails[task.lastAction] += 1.0
                    runs[task.lastAction] += 1.0

                    # Collect the data for each iteration
                    pattern = self.patterns[task.lastAction]
                    q = av_table.getActionValues(1)[task.lastAction]
                    collectLearning(controller, self, pattern,
                        task.lastResult, task.lastReward,
                        task.lastRewardEq, q)

                    if CONF['stopOnFail'] and controller.status == 0:
                        # Break out!
                        break

                self.experiment.agent.learn()
                self.experiment.agent.reset()

                if CONF['stopOnFail'] and controller.status == 0:
                    # Break out!
                    break

        # Collect the data for the test suite
        for i in xrange(len(self.patterns)):
            collectLearningEnvironment(self, self.patterns[i],
                    av_table.getActionValues(1)[i], fails[i],
                    runs[i])

class MachineType(SQLObject):
    name = StringCol(unique = True)
    reliability = FloatCol(default=1.0)
    meanTimeBetweenFail = FloatCol(default=0.5)

    test_suites = MultipleJoin('TestSuite')
    controllers = MultipleJoin('Controller')

class Agent(SQLObject):
    """
    The Agent is the component that communicates with individual
    controllers and coordinates actions across multiple controllers.
    """

    name = StringCol(unique = True)
    controllers = MultipleJoin('Controller')

class Controller(SQLObject):
    name = StringCol()
    status = IntCol(default=0)
    counter = IntCol(default=0)
    age = FloatCol(default=0.1)

    machine_type = ForeignKey('MachineType')
    agent = ForeignKey('Agent')

    def apply(self, pattern, retest = False, healing = False):
        """
        Apply the given pattern, compare to its signature, then evaluate
        and return a result.

            retest
                Is this a restest?

            healing
                Has healing been attempted?

            predict
                Use failure prediction?

        """
        global AGES, CONF
        age = AGES[self]

        weights = CONF
        predict = CONF['predict']

        logger = logging.getLogger('thesisapp')

        if retest:
            logger.info("%s resting %s" % (self, pattern))

        # This is our fail prediction function
        # 1-EXP(-(wa/machinetype)*age*^wm)
        fail_f = lambda a, m : 1 - math.exp(
                    -(weights['age']/m) * math.pow(a, weights['reliability']))

        fail_v = fail_f(age, self.machine_type.reliability)

        # Format the equation and value for outputting
        eqIO = cStringIO.StringIO()
        print >>eqIO, '1 - e^(-(', weights['age'], '/', \
                self.machine_type.reliability, ') *', age, \
               '^', weights['reliability'], ') = ', fail_v
        eq = eqIO.getvalue()
        # print eq

        # The failure prediction function could return > 1, but we have
        # to limit it to 1. If it's less than 0, limit it to 0.
        if fail_v > 1:
            fail_v = 0.999999999999998
        elif fail_v < 0:
            fail_v = 0.000000000000001

        # Randomize the result of the pattern testing based on the
        # failure prediction value.
        # This is done by getting a triangular distribution from 0 to 1,
        # using fail_v, the calculated fail probability value, as the
        # mode. The resulting floating point number is then rounded and
        # converted to an integer.
        triag = 0
        probability = 0
        if predict:
            # This is NumPy's random.triangular which isn't API
            # compatible with Python's random. It is left, mode, right.
            triag = random.triangular(0, fail_v, 1)

            # Once we have the randomized failure value, multiple it by
            # the pattern's coverage value in order to obtain our final
            # probability. This way, we have the probability of failure
            # combined with the probability that the pattern will catch
            # it.

            if CONF['triangular']:
                probability = pattern.coverage * triag
            else:
                probability = pattern.coverage * fail_v

            # Decide how many bits will be flipped in the pattern result
            # based on this value. This will decide whether retesting,
            # healing and retesting, etc, is done.
            if probability < 0.7:
                result = 0
            elif healing and probability < 0.8:
                result = 0
            elif probability < 0.9:
                result = 1
            else:
                result = 2

        else:
            # If we're not using the failure prediction, then just pick
            # at random.
            result = random.randint(0,2)

        if result == 0:
            logger.info("%s applying %s SUCCEEDED" % (self, pattern))

            # Set the controller online.
            self.status = 1
            collectFails(self, pattern, True, 0, retest, healing,
                    self.status, fail_v, triag, probability, eq = eq)
            return True

        # We have failed
        else:
            # How many bits are flipped?
            logger.info("%s applying %s FAILED with diff %d" % (self,
                pattern, result))

            # If we've already tried retesting and healing and have
            # failed again, set offline, and return.
            # This is a non-repairable fail. Flag user, update MTBF.
            if retest and healing:
                logger.info("%s setting offline" % self)
                self.status = 0
                collectFails(self, pattern, False, result, retest, healing,
                    self.status, fail_v, triag, probability, eq = eq)

                #print "Pattern", pattern.test_suite.patterns.index(pattern), "Failed"
                return False

            collectFails(self, pattern, False, result, retest, healing,
                    self.status, fail_v, triag, probability, eq = eq)

            # If only 1 is flipped, reapply the pattern by recursing.
            if result == 1 and not retest:
                return self.apply(pattern, retest = True)

            # If more than 1 bit is flipped, attempt healing, then
            # reapply the pattern by recursing.
            else:
                self.heal()
                return self.apply(pattern, retest = True, healing = True)

        # If we reach this point... well, we should not.
        return False

    def heal(self):
        logger = logging.getLogger('thesisapp')
        logger.info("%s attempting healing" % self)

############################################################################
# PyBrain Learning Data Types
############################################################################

class TestSuiteEnvironment(Environment):

    # The number of state values the environment accepts. In this case,
    # two: passing or failed.
    outdim = 2

    # The number of action values the environment produces. In this
    # case, the number of patterns in the test suite. This is a dynamic
    # value depending on the test suite associated with this
    # environment.
    @property
    def indim(self):
        return len(self.test_suite.patterns)

    def __init__(self, test_suite):
        self.test_suite = test_suite

        # We expect the controller to be modified externally before any
        # actions are performed.
        self.controller = None

        # This is the last action requested to be performed. It
        # corrosponds to the master index of patterns within the test
        # suite.
        self.lastAction = -1

        # This is the last result from the last action performed. It
        # effectively is a boolean whether or not the pattern caught a
        # fail on the given controller.
        self.lastResult = 2

    def getSensors(self):
        """
            The currently visible state of the world
            (the observation may be stochastic - repeated calls returning different values)
            :rtype: by default, this is assumed to be a numpy array of doubles
        """
        # Default to the "passing" state for now. Since we only ever
        # want to get from passing to "failed"
        return array([1.0,])

    def performAction(self, action):
        """
            perform an action on the world that changes it's internal state (maybe stochastically).
            :key action: an action that should be executed in the Environment.
            :type action: by default, this is assumed to be a numpy array of doubles
        """
        # We expect the controller to be set externally. If it isn't,
        # we can't do anything.
        if self.controller == None:
            return

        # Perform the requested action.
        # The 'action' is a numpy array of whether to run the patterns
        # corrosponding to the index in the array or not. A 1 indicates
        # the pattern should be run, a 0 indicates the pattern should not be
        # run.
        # print "Performing Action:", action

        # Get the pattern corrosponding to the action index.
        self.lastAction = int(action[0])
        pattern = self.test_suite.patterns[self.lastAction]

        # Apply the pattern on the controller and get the result. Within
        # the controller, the pattern will be  run, if it fails, it will
        # be retested and healed before we get a result back.
        self.lastResult = self.controller.apply(pattern)

        return self.lastResult

    def reset(self):
        """ Reset the environment """
        self.controller = None
        self.lastAction = -1
        self.lastResult = 2

class TestSuiteTask(Task):

    def __init__(self, environment):
        Task.__init__(self, environment)
        self.env = environment

        # These variables hold the previous reward's state. They're
        # primarily useful in introspection.
        self.lastReward = 0
        self.lastAction = 0
        self.lastPattern = None
        self.lastResult = -1
        self.lastRewardEq = None

    def performAction(self, action):
        """ A filtered mapping towards performAction of the underlying environment. """
        self.lastAction = int(action[0])
        self.lastResult = self.env.performAction(action)

    def getObservation(self):
        """ A filtered mapping to getSample of the underlying environment. """
        sensors = self.env.getSensors()
        return sensors

    def getReward(self):
        """ Compute and return the current reward (i.e. corresponding to the last action performed) """
        global CONF

        weights = CONF

        # Fetch the pattern and its result.
        # Note: self.lastResult is assigned when performAction is
        # called as the return value of the environment's performAction
        # function.
        pattern = self.env.test_suite.patterns[self.lastAction]
        pattern_results = self.lastResult

        # Format the equation and value for outputting
        eqIO = cStringIO.StringIO()
        print >>eqIO, \
            '((', weights['time'], '/', pattern.test_time, ') +', \
            '(', weights['redundancy'], '/', pattern.redundancy, ') +', \
            '(', pattern.coverage, '/', weights['coverage'], ')) / 10'
        # print eq

        # Reward = (wt / T + wr  / R + C / wc)/ 10
        # 0 <= Reward < =1
        # wt + wr + wc = 1
        reward = ((weights['time'] / pattern.test_time) +
                  (weights['redundancy'] / pattern.redundancy) +
                  (pattern.coverage / weights['coverage'])) / 10

        # If the pattern failed, increase its reward substantially — it
        # got to our desired end state.
        if pattern_results == 0:
            reward += CONF['reward']
            print >>eqIO, "+", CONF['reward']

        eq = eqIO.getvalue()

        # Set our introspection variables
        self.lastPattern = pattern
        self.lastRewardEq = eq
        self.lastReward = reward

        return reward

    @property
    def indim(self):
        return self.env.indim

    @property
    def outdim(self):
        return self.env.outdim

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, the transit authority is dialing back its construction schedule.
But riders, especially those in Brooklyn, will experience disruptions on 13 lines: the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, D, F, G, L, M, N, Q and S.
The L train will shut down at 12:01 Saturday from Eighth Ave. to Broadway Junction due to track and signal work between Bedford and Myrtle Ave s.
The M train, the M14 and free shuttle buses will pick up the slack.
Also shutting down is the Q train between 57th St.-Seventh Ave. in Manhattan and Prospect Park, with the N and R replacing trains between 57th St. and Atlantic Ave.-Pacific St. station and shuttle buses covering the additional ground.
There will be no No. 2 or 3 service in Brooklyn with No. 5 trains replacing the No. 2, and No. 4 trains replacing the No. 3.
From 6:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday, the N train will terminate in both directions at DeKalb Ave. due to structural repairs of tunnel columns between Atlantic Ave. and Prospect Park while the Brooklyn-bound N will run on the D line from 36th S t. to Coney Island. For a complete listing, go to www.mta.info.


text:
Madame Vampire
Zeus, Inc.
The Curse Of Hekate
Return of the Titans
Children of Time: The Companions of Doctor Who
Crossroad Press
Robin Burks
Author, freelance writer
Early Blog Tour Preview: Interview on Strahbary's Fields Zeus, Inc. Blog Tour: Interview on Wi Love Books
Welcome to the Zeus, Inc. Blog Tour
By Robin On October 6, 2013 · Add Comment
Don't miss the Zeus, Inc. Blog Tour giveaway. You could win ebook copies of Zeus Inc. , along with a $25 Amazon gift card. Even better? Winning is easy: see details on how to enter below.
To be entered to win:
Pick up a copy of Zeus, Inc. for $2.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo or anywhere else ebooks are sold.
Enter the Rafflecopter contest below.
Also, please be sure to visit all the stops on the tour:
Strahbary Fields
The Dabbler
Wi Love Books
Gabbing About Books
Kat Yares
Reese's Reviews
FanGirlConfessions.com
About Zeus, Inc.
(Biting Dog Publications) – 50 years ago, mysterious Zeus, Inc. CEO Joseph Brentwood saved the world from a major energy crisis by discovering a new unlimited energy resource. Now, in 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing and private eye Alex Grosjean has been hired to find him. Alex's search leads her through her own murky past and into the fantastical depths of Hell itself, where she discovers that no one is who or what they seem to be.
Robin Burks is not only a journalist for DVICE.com and RebelGaming.com, but also for her own site FanGirlConfessions.com. Robin has just published her first novel: Zeus, Inc. with Biting Dog Publications and is working on its sequel The Curse of Hekate. A science fiction trilogy, The Book of Revelations, is also currently in the works. An internet addict, she can often be found on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. She also loves to read , act, sing, play video games and travel. Robin currently lives in Missouri with her four cats. She also occasionally speaks French and loves Doctor Who. Visit Robin on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or GoodReads.
Sign up for the mailing list and stay up to date on news, books and announcements.
© 2010 - 2019 Robin Burks


text:
Carl Gustaf Axel Örbom (29 July 1836 – 30 May 1889), was a Swedish jurist and government figure who, in the final eight months of his life, served as the Minister for Justice.

Biography
A native of Stockholm he was the son of Johan Axel Örbom (1800–1868) and Anna Karolina Westman.  Following studies at Uppsala University (1854–1858), he embarked on a career in law, becoming, in 1870, an assessor in Stockholm's Svea Court of Appeal and, the following year, joining the legal staff of Ministry of Justice.  In 1884 he was appointed Justitieråd, the title carried by a justice of the Supreme Court of Sweden.  On 28 September 1888, he took over as the new Minister for Justice.  His eight months in office carried a heavy workload, including cases dealing with sedition and agitation, which brought him criticism from opposition Socialists in Riksdag, the National Parliament.

Axel Örbom died in Stockholm two months before his 53rd birthday.

References

Swedish Ministers for Justice
Justices of the Supreme Court of Sweden
Politicians from Stockholm
1836 births
1889 deaths
Members of the Första kammaren
19th-century Swedish judges
19th-century Swedish lawyers


Will Adam take a chance on love with the seemingly straight man? Underneath Wade's business suit, which he once wore like armor against intimacy, is a hard body and a tender heart.
Tropical fruit too juicy to just eat. A man damaged by his homophobic upbringing. Steamy man on man love action and a happy ending.
And what was yesterday's almost-kiss about? It was obvious that Wade had wanted to. Adam wasn't sure what stopped him. He remembered their conversation, of course. He didn't spell it out, but Wade's family sounded like a bunch of old-fashioned, homophobic bigots. Perhaps that was part of the problem.
Ugh. No. Absolutely not. The last thing Adam needed were tangled, messy feelings for a straight man. And Wade had made it absolutely clear he was straight. Adam wasn't excited about going there.
HJ Perry is a 49 years old mother of three school aged children. They live by the English seaside and from her hometown she can see France. Helen loves reading. If it were possible, she'd do nothing else. She reads science fiction, fantasy, young adult, all types of LGBT fiction, and, of course, gay romance. Aside from reading she likes walking and watching films, most often science fiction or thrillers.


text:
Book Review: '1000 Comic Books You Must Read'
by Sal Loria, Nov 13 2009
When the idea for a book called 1000 Comic Books You Must Read came about, I'd imagine that picking an author for the project would be almost as difficult as picking which 1000 comic books to focus on. Luckily for Krause Publications they had just the person right under their noses: Tony Isabella.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Isabella's accomplishments, and more importantly (in this case), credentials, allow me to fill in the blanks for you. He's been a writer and/or editor for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics – along with a smattering of other publishers – for over 30 years. He's reviewed and written about comics and comics-related items for Comic Buyer's Guide – produced each month by F+W Media, which is also affiliated with Krause Publications – in his "Tony's Tips" column for almost the same period of time.
He's arguably read more comics than most of us comic aficionados hope to read in our lifetimes. While judging comics always comes with the usual "how it's interpreted" hang-up, having Tony Isabella at the helm is definitely a step in the right direction.
So how's the book? For starters, neglecting the urge to rank said comics was probably the best decision the powers that be ever made in regards to this project. All ranked lists do nothing but fuel debate, which the seemingly endless Internet trolls love to argue and spit vitriol over. Instead, the book is broken up into sections spotlighting the various decades, ranging from the forties to the current decade.
There are two notable exceptions to the breakdown: a section for Superman's first appearance and early issues as well as a section where Isabella talks about his pick for "the greatest comic book of all time" for an extended period. I won't tell you which issue stood out for Isabella but I will say he makes some interesting points – both professionally and personally – as to why it was chosen.
As for the rest of the selections, Isabella gives you everything you need to know in a simple paragraph, and are always accompanied by a cover for easy recognition. There's a handy page near the end of the book with outlets to purchase these comics, however, I would have liked to see where certain issues were also collected. After all, not everyone who reads this book has the scratch to buy Spider-Man's first appearance, as an example.
Silly nit picking aside, I can't see how any die-hard comic fan or brand new fans to the medium can go on without this incredibly useful tome. If I may be so bold, Mr. Isabella, I'll give your book "five out of five Tonys."
Available through Amazon.com, Diamond Distributors, KrauseBooks.com and many other venues, and considering the holiday season just around the corner, I'd say this would make an excellent gift. Once you've read it, be sure to come back and let us know what you thought of 1000 Comic Books You Must Read, we're always interested in hearing what others have to say. Enjoy!
Posted in: Books · Comics · Reviews
Tagged: Comic Buyer's Guide, F+W Media, Krause Publications, Spider-Man, Superman, Tony Isabella, Tony's Tips


text:
The New Republic Staff/ February 2, 2007
Eyes Off The Ball
Is it paranoid to think that the White House is planning to attack Iran--and soon? Reports like this one, from U.S. News & World Report, keep bubbling up every day:
Democratic insiders tell the Political Bulletin that they suspect Bush will order the bombing of Iranian supply routes, camps, training facilities, and other sites that Administration officials say contribute to American losses in Iraq.
Under this scenario, Bush would not invade Iran with ground forces or zero in on Iranian nuclear facilities. But under the limited-bombing scenario, Bush could ask for a congressional vote of support, Democratic insiders predict, which many Democrats would feel obliged to endorse or risk looking like they weren't supportive of the troops.
Democrats would feel "obliged" to support this? After everything we've seen so far? The Bush administration, meanwhile, hopes to offer up evidence of "Iranian meddling inside Iraq" in the near future--at least once all of those officials who are "concerned that some of the material may be inconclusive" are placated. At this point, I'd prefer that Democrats in Congress quit horsing around with all these "nonbinding" resolutions on Iraq and instead try to prevent the White House from blundering on into Iran. Most Dems seem to be in denial, though, hoping that all these rumors of impending war are just that. But is that really a safe bet at this point?
--Bradford Plumer
The Plank, Business, Environment, Entertainment, Health, Politics, War


Good news continues to surface regarding Danny Farquhar, the White Sox reliever who suffered a brain hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Farquhar, 31, was discharged from Rush University Medical Center on Monday and is resting at home with his family, Sox officials said in a news release.
Not only that, Farquhar's neurosurgeon expects Farquhar to be able to pitch again, though not in 2018. Dr. Demetrius Lopes is ordering Farquhar to use the rest of this season to fully recover from the brain hemorrhage.
The Farquhar family said it has appreciated the many cards, tweets and texts it received from friends and fans since he collapsed in the Sox dugout April 20 after pitching against the Astros.
Sox players have been wearing T-shirts that read, "PRAY FOR 43," with "FOR DANNY" on the left sleeve. Fellow relievers have hung his No. 43 jersey in the bullpen.
"It will be out there until he walks back in here," Nate Jones said recently. "He's a brother of ours and we care about him. He's still part of this team and we want to show our support."
(c)2018 the Chicago Tribune Visit/Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


text:
La tinnunculita és un mineral de la classe dels substàncies orgàniques.

Característiques
La tinnunculita és una substància orgànica de fórmula química C₅H₄N₄O₃·2H₂O. Va ser aprovada com a espècie vàlida per l'Associació Mineralògica Internacional l'any 2015. Cristal·litza en el sistema monoclínic. És un dihidrat d'uricita (àcid úric) d'origen natural, del qual és visualment molt similar. És també un component poc freqüent de l'orina. Químicament (C-H-N-O), és similar a altres minerals orgànics: guanina, uracil, acetamida i kladnoïta.

Segons la classificació de Nickel-Strunz, la tinnunculita pertany a "10.CA - Miscel·lània de minerals orgànics" juntament amb els següents minerals: refikita, flagstaffita, hoelita, abelsonita, kladnoïta, guanina, urea i uricita.

Formació i jaciments
Va ser descoberta al mont Rasvumchorr, al massís de Jibiny, Província de Múrmansk (Districte Federal del Nord-oest, Rússia). També ha estat descrita a les mines de zinc de Glomsrudkollen, a Åmot (Noruega), a Varana (Emília-Romanya, Itàlia), i a dues localitats austríaques: a Hüttwinklache, a la vall de Hüttwinkl, i a Sportgastein, a la vall de Gastein, totes dues a l'estat de Salzburg.

Referències

Minerals orgànics
Minerals de nitrogen
Minerals descoberts al Rasvumtxorr


text:
Sabotage in Tournaments: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
See all articles by Loukas Balafoutas
Loukas Balafoutas
Florian Lindner
affiliation not provided to SSRN
Matthias Sutter
Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods
Number of pages: 27 Posted: 12 Feb 2012
Kyklos, Vol. 65, Issue 4, pp. 425-441, 2012
Many tournaments are plagued by sabotage among competitors. Typically, sabotage is welfare-reducing, but from an individual's perspective an attractive alternative to exerting positive effort. Yet, given its illegal and often immoral nature, sabotage is typically hidden, making it difficult to assess its extent and its victims. Therefore, we use data from Judo World Championships, where a rule change in 2009 basically constituted a natural experiment that introduced one costless opportunity for sabotage. In Judo, competitors can break an opponent's attack in an unsportsmanlike manner; these are seen as acts of sabotage. Based on a unique dataset of 1,422 fights, we find that the rule change in 2009 has led to a large increase in the use of sabotage. Moreover, sabotage is more likely to be employed by relatively less qualified individuals, and to be targeted at more qualified ones. From a survey among spectators, we show that sabotage is welfare-reducing.
Keywords: tournaments, sabotage, Judo, natural experiment
JEL Classification: C93, D03, L83, M51, M52
Balafoutas, Loukas and Lindner, Florian and Sutter, Matthias, Sabotage in Tournaments: Evidence from a Natural Experiment. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2003629 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2003629
Loukas Balafoutas (Contact Author)
University of Innsbruck ( email )
Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020
Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods ( email )
Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 10
D-53113 Bonn, 53113


text:
Why Kirk Beats Spock at Innovation
by Jeffrey Phillips
There's a mistake being played out in your organization when it comes to staffing innovation projects. You are likely staffing them with a bunch of "Spocks", people who know a lot about the subject and have deep expertise. While this may look like a dream team, I can assure you that staffing a bunch of Spocks is not helpful and can be harmful. You need at least a few Kirks in the mix to create a balanced team capable of generating interesting innovation.
For those of you born before the TV Show that started it all, James T (for Tiberius) Kirk was the commander of the Enterprise, a spaceship out to "boldly go where no one had gone before". Spock was the chief science officer, a Vulcan who is (supposedly) devoid of human emotion and who makes all decisions based on logic and reason. Kirk and Spock make a great team because they complement each other. Kirk makes decisions based on his emotions, his instinct and his gut. Spock counters with the reasons why Kirk's planned actions are "illogical" or don't fit the data. Kirk experiments, creates problems with impulsive decision making and usually wins the day by doing something Spock (and Kirk's adversaries) didn't expect him to do. Kirk demands more than his people and his ship should be able or willing to offer. Kirk rejects the rules and tries to apply his own rules to any situation. And yes I know there were other spin-offs and other Star Trek series and movies, but they pale in comparison to the original.
Why this is pertinent to innovation
I suspect if we look long and hard enough, every science fiction tale has insights for innovation. In this case it is evidently true. Kirk and Spock represent the manifestation of the two sides of our brain – the left side, analytical and rational, scientific, and the right side, creative, impulsive. The problem in many organizations is that we overly emphasize the scientific, rational and logical at the expense of imagining new unexpected or unanticipated products or services. The scientific approach seeks to break down the problem into small morsels and solve for each small incremental solution, always keeping in mind what is "logical" reasonable and possible. Your competitors, at least the competitors you understand and know from your industry, also do this. They seek reasonable, rational, logical solutions and technologies to existing problems. The gap in this thinking is that your unlikely competitors, the new entrants, those with nothing to lose, those who seek to disrupt the market, don't care about logical or rational. They don't care about the existing order – in fact they'll be happy to disrupt it. Their actions on the surface may seem, well, illogical. Why would anyone give away software for free? Who would create a website with a revenue model based on ads? What seemss logical to us is just what seems familiar or reasonable in a given context, not necessarily in all contexts or under all conditions.
The Spocks in your company want to approach innovation as a science. They want to examine all the data, review all the technologies and make the most logical decision possible. Their ideas are likely to be very well defined, very reasonable and often very incremental. The Kirks of your company think differently. They want to understand the problem, want to create unusual solutions that may defy existing logic. They recognize that it may be necessary to suspend disbelief for a while in order to get to the right solution. They work from instinct, from their gut and may not be able to justify their approaches to the Spocks, or worse, to the executives.
Balancing Kirks and Spocks
Given that Kirks find it hard to justify their outlooks and approach, it's rare you'll have a team full of Kirks. In fact, it's often unlikely that you'll have any Kirks on an innovation team at all, because innovation looks risky and uncertain and dangerous. Who better to staff an innovation activity than a bunch of Spocks, who demand data, expect to be able to predict all of the outcomes and are scientifically based? But the world according to Spock (had to do it) doesn't exist. The world is far more unpredictable, capricious, fickle than Spock expects. The world shifts in its expectations and demands, and what was impossible only yesterday is currently completely possible. What was unthinkable yesterday is now an accepted reality. Five years ago the US was completely dependent on foreign oil, and the amount we imported each year was growing. In the next decade we may become an EXPORTER of oil and natural gas. Things change, and change quickly. Kirks get this, but may get it wrong. Spocks understand it but discount it.
Your innovation teams will have more Spocks than Kirks. That's understandable, but can become a real limiting factor if the whole team is Spocks. You need some Kirks to make the activity more instinctual, more illogical, more messy. Without Kirks your innovations will be practical, safe, predictable and ultimately very incremental.
However, to create something interesting, with real value, to disrupt the status quo, you need some Kirks. And while you are reading this and thinking, wait, was Jobs a Kirk or a Spock, I'll offer this: Jobs was probably the rare being who could be both. While he ran Apple like a Spock, he understood the markets like a Kirk. You don't have to be both to be successful, but you need to understand what value each offers, and right now Kirks are undervalued for innovation.
image credit: star trek
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Jeffrey Phillips is a senior leader at OVO Innovation. OVO works with large distributed organizations to build innovation teams, processes and capabilities. Jeffrey is the author of Relentless Innovation and the blog Innovate on Purpose.
collaboration Employees HR Innovation Kirk Leadership movies Spock staff Star Trek Strategy	2013-02-18
Jeffrey Phillips
Mark A Hart
Instead of framing an innovation discussion as "Kirk beats Spock," I have found it beneficial to consider other phrases such as:
– The interplay of Kirk and Spock
– The synergy that results from Kirk plus Spock
– Spock shapes Kirk's orientation, Kirk shapes Spock's orientation
Instead of highlighting the balancing aspects of the relationship between Kirk and Spock, consider the interaction of Kirk and Spock with others. Innovation emerged when Kirk and Spock interacted with others in their network (such as the crew, colleagues from Star Fleet, new friends, and old villains) to produce unexpected value.


text:
Parineeti turns into a curator
Jul 20, 2020, 6:19 pm IST
The Asian Age.
The actress took to Instat o share her mother's artwork
The lockdown has celebrities looking to make the most out of their time.
And keeping up with it, Parineeti Chopra has become a curator for her mother Reena Chopra's painting. The Jabariya Jodi actress took to her Instagram account to showcase a few of her mother's works.
"My mom is not a professional artist. She just loves to paint because it gives her happiness. Everything she makes is straight from the heart. She does not have a big studio or some huge production setup. She has put a small chair and table in my old bedroom and works from there. Whenever she gets free from cooking or running the house, she goes upstairs and starts drawing. It is our family's dream that she does this professionally one day!! (sic)," the actress opened up about her amateur mother's talent.
Adding further, Parineeti said that she's willing to sell the paintings. And soon, her contemporary and fellow actress Sonam Kapoor, in a heartfelt gesture, bought one of the paintings.
51st IFFI begins with precaution amid COVID-19 pandemic
Freida Pinto to play World War II spy Noor Inayat Khan in new series
Baby sitting bromance


I thought I would share another shot of the tree frog. She was creeping down toward her intended safe haven.
I am grateful that Bridger spotted her for me and called me out to take her photo. Surely there are many of these frogs in the trees around us, yet we so rarely see them. I get excited when I see wild animals, and I hope I always will!
This entry was posted in photography and tagged 2012, frog, nature, outdoors, photo, Photograph, Photography, summer, tree frog.


Rarity: 0/18 LE, 1/4 Promo, 1/5 SuperRares, 2/98 Rares, 5/61 Uncommons, 11/153 Commons, 40/78 Generics.
Sets: 15/121 Spanish Main, 20/152 Crimson Coast, 25/144 Revolution, 0/0 Barbary Coast.
Nations: 19/127 Pirate, 12/79 English, 11/69 Spanish, 8/63 French, 8/48 American.
Type: 2/202 Ships, 58/179 Crew, 0/9 Forts, 0/26 Treasure, 0/1 Events.
Points: 60 Tiny, 0 Small, 0 Medium 0 Large, 0 Huge, 0 Gigantic.
Page generation took 0.010766983032227 seconds.


text:
When to visit Munnar, the land of summer resorts, tea and Neelakurinji
April 20, 2019 4:56 PM | Skymet Weather Team
One of the biggest tea plantation areas in India, Munnar was once a summer resort for the British Government in South India. Located at 1600 m above the sea level in Kerala, this is a popular retreat for people escaping summer heat. The place also houses picturesque towns, winding lanes and multiple holiday facilities which make it a popular town among the tourists.
Some very exotic varieties of flora and fauna can be found over here, among which is the rare Neelakurinji. This flower blooms once in every twelve years. The blooming year sees lakhs of tourists flocking the hill station to be a witness to the mesmerizing view.
Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
Let's find out what would be the best season to visit this beauty-
Summers (April to June)
As we pointed earlier, Munnar is a perfect getaway from the Summer heat. Summers in Munnar records average maximum and minimum temperatures close 20°C and 15°C, respectively. Occasional showers keep the temperatures in check. The refreshing climate in summer with its cool breeze attracts lots of tourists to Munnar. Carrying light woolen clothes is always advised even in the Summer months.
Monsoon (June to September)
Munnar experiences heavy rainfall due to Southwest Monsoon. Munnar is at its best during Monsoon and the area becomes lush green adorned with little streams and streamlets. Temperatures may drop as low as 2°C during this season.
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Munnar is very chilly with average day temperature hovering around 13°C during. The night temperature may drop to sub-zero levels at times. Heavy woolens are a must during Winters at this place.
So, in a nutshell- September to May is the best season to visit Munnar. Intermittent showers can be experienced during these months. Monsoon months also attract those tourists to Munnar who love to experience heavy rains.
Things to do and places to visit in Munnar
Eravikulam National Park- This is where you will find some endemic species of plants, butterflies, animals and birds- be it the endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr or the flowering of the Neelakurinji.
Anamudi Peak- Prefect for trekking this is the highest peak in South India.
Mattupetty- is known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake.
Pallivasal- a place of immense scenic beauty and is often favored by visitors as a picnic spot.
Visit Chinnakanal & Anayirangal to get a view of the waterfalls.
Tea Museum- houses artifacts, photographs and machinery; all of which have a story to tell about the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar.
Image Credits – Goibibo, Visit Munnar, TravelTriangle
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather
Best time to visit Munnar
Munnar City Tours
Munnar Tourism
Munnar Travel Guide
Munnar Weather
When to visit Munnar


A federal appeals court says a 2007 Beaufort Sea lease sale by the Minerals Management Service was conducted properly. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed a lower court decision that said the agency did not violate federal environmental laws. The North Slope Borough and the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission sued the federal agency seeking to rescind the sale, claiming an environmental review done for a 2003 sale was inadequate for the 2007 sale. The borough and the commission claimed increased industry activities should have been taken into account. Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) called the decision good news for the state and said Outer Continental Shelf development was critical to Alaska's long-term economic future.


It's been several months since favourite tables spoke to the then newly crowned BBC MasterChef 2014 winner Jamie Scott. That title will soon be passed to the winner of the new series currently being broadcast.
I am so excited to be able to tell you guys about my own restaurant which is well under way with kitchen refits and design work coming together nicely. My wife Kelly will be alongside me as we build our vision and we use the word vision because "vision" is going to be a feature of the restaurant. Its laid out on two floors and both have large glass walls giving fantastic views across the River Tay to the Dundee coastline.
Both floors will also have large outside areas with glass walls surrounding. So the atmosphere in the warmer evenings and weekend will be very relaxed as people dine or enjoy drinks and watch the river flow by.
I'm currently spending a lot of time working on the menu..my menu, that sounds good. All the work should be finished just before Christmas and we can start putting the finishing touches to both the restaurant look and feel and the menu, so that we will be opening before the end of January.
As well as all the time and effort he is putting in at The Newport, Jamie also told us he is running a series of pop-up dining experiences, all sold out in minutes, in Montrose, Dundee and Edinburgh which are also part of the menu development process. When we asked about what the menu could look like, he preferred to wait and surprise people.
Are you any good?" I used to be… I had some trials for the county and could have possibly played for Scotland," was the modest response.
When the family moved to Arbroath to take over the running of a pub, Jamie's passion for the kitchen took hold, helping his mother everyday or evening whilst attending catering college. The reputation of the family pub quickly grew as he introduced his skills and styles of cooking on to the menu. A chance meeting with the owner of a local restaurant saw him joining The Byzantium restaurant shortly after leaving catering college.
In 2011, just six years after first helping in the family catering business, Jamie joined Rocca working under the then Head Chef Scott Davies, as junior Sous Chef. 2013 saw a lot of changes at Rocca and in Jamie's culinary career. When the BBC came to the area looking for Chefs to take part in the upcoming MasterChef the Professionals, both Head Chef Scott and Jamie were asked to apply. Jamie's application forms missed the entry deadline for 2013 by just one day!
Later that year a new Head Chef, David Aspin joined the kitchen at Rocca and Jamie became Senior Sous Chef. A year later and Jamie was offered the Head Chef position. Then in 2014, already a busy year for him, got a whole lot busier when the Masterchef team recontacted him to ask if he would like to be included in the 2014 series.
Jamie got his career "Hole in One" and was crowned 2014 Masterchef the Professionals winner.
His love of asian flavours and cooking styles came across during the Masterchef programmes, so when we asked him "where do you like to eat out" his first selection was no surprise.
My wife and I both love a little place in Glasgow called The Hanoi Bike Shop. Everything feels authentically Vietnamese and the food is perfectly presented and packed full of flavour. My favourite dish is a slow cooked pork belly in a red curry Vietnamese style.
If i'm allowed a second Favourite Tables suggestion then that would be Cail Bruich again in Glasgow. I love that they change the menus here according to the seasons. There is a market and à la carte menu, and they have two tasting menu of five or seven courses.
Favourite Tables predicts a very busy year ahead for Head Chef Jamie Scott and in particular around July when the Open Golf Championship rolls in to town. Will he get a chance to play a round of golf that fortnight who knows.
Hi there how do we go about booking a table for the opening of the new restaurant in Newport in 2016? My wife and I would love to be there.
Hi, Thanks for comment… We have spoken to Jamie and work is progressing on getting everything ready for an opening. The dates have not yet been confirmed and therefore no bookings are being confirmed at the moment.
Favourite Tables hopes to be one of the first to announce the launch dates so check back after christmas.
how soon can we book a table ? any menus created yet ?


Gascoigne 2015 documentary review | Who Killed British Cinema?
"CHILD AND VICTIM- THE ABUSE AND TRAGEDY OF THE ENGLISH WORKING CLASS".
When Reg Keys stood against Prime Minister Tony Blair in the 2005 General election, it was not in the belief of taking the Prime Minister's seat. It was out of necessity to raise awareness of how we live in a society where working class men and women can be made to pay the ultimate price under false pretentions. While Reg Keys has to endure the loss of his son, Prime Minister Blair is re-elected. The recent acquittal of former CEO of NEWS OF THE WORLD – Rebecca Brooks is to anyone's intelligence another insult to truth and justice. One of the alarming revelations that came out in the live Q+A following Jane Preston's excellent documentary GASCOIGNE is the fact that the subject believes he is still being phone hacked today!
The English working class are the most big hearted, fair minded, humourous and yet still demonised by the British establishment when not exploited as cannon fodder for elite minority causes. The film, despite having only a handful of recognisable contributors in it such as Gascoigne, Linekar and Mourinho actually benefits by being more revelatory than flat showering complimentary of the football talent and recovering alcoholic in Paul Gascoigne; his background, his present state of mind and his future.
Fine and interesting subjects like this, WE ARE MANY (Iraq war), and GOING CLEAR (Scientology) are hardly getting to audiences in the UK not due to lack of interest or demand but simply because of the rigged market set up which excludes new and innovative voices. Jane Preston's fine film is already available on Blu ray and DVD. Get it!


text:
Artist: Z to A Sort
Bestseller: High to low	Artist: A to Z
Title: A to Z	Title: Z to A	Label: A to Z	Label: Z to A	Date: Old to new	Date: New to old	Price: Low to high	Price: High to low	Label rank: Low to high	Label rank: High to low
Paul Oakenfold/Various
Never Mind The Bollocks... Here's Paul Oakenfold
Rocky & NOK - "Green Sector" (Neelix remix) - (2:27) 138 BPM
Zyce - "Basic" - (3:18) 138 BPM
Liquid Soul - "Adrenaline" - (3:14) 138 BPM
Earsugar & Doube Click - "Beat It" - (1:51) 138 BPM
DJ Danila - "Let The Music" (Belocca remix) - (3:35) 138 BPM
Ivan Nikusev & Wav-E - "Aurora" (Airwave Breaks remix) - (4:10) 138 BPM
The Doppler Effect - "Beauty Hides In The Deep" (Ronski Speed remix) - (5:47) 138 BPM
Paul Oakenfold & Marco V - "Groove Machine" - (2:12) 138 BPM
Neelix - "Expect What" - (6:06) 138 BPM
Cold Blue - "Lucidity" - (3:42) 138 BPM
Paul Oakenfold - "I'm Alive" (feat Infected Mushroom) - (2:52) 138 BPM
Magnus - "Hypnotic" - (3:00) 138 BPM
Federation - "Synchronized" - (3:00) 138 BPM
Audiomatic - "Think Twice" (Cabal remix) - (1:23) 138 BPM
Richard Durand - "Dryland" (Phynn remix) - (5:26) 138 BPM
Daddy'S Groove & Little Mark - "We Are In Da House" - (3:00) 138 BPM
Man With No Name - "Teleport" (Nick Sentience remix) - (3:14) 138 BPM
Ernesto Vs Bastian - "The Incredible Apollo" - (4:38) 138 BPM
Grace - "Not Over Yet" (Jonas Hornblad remix) - (5:06) 138 BPM
Mike Danis - "For You" - (0:27) 92 BPM
Tom Colontonio - "Vertical Drop" - (3:28) 138 BPM
Full Moon Party - (3:11) 138 BPM
Ovnimoon - "Galactic Mantra" (Liquid Soul remix) - (3:33) 138 BPM
Nick Sentience - "Hear Me Now" - (1:09) 138 BPM
Animalis - "Mumbo Jumbo Business" - (4:10) 138 BPM
Duotekk - "Zlow" - (5:33) 138 BPM
Des McMahon - "Autumn Air" (John Dopping remix) - (6:05) 138 BPM
Protoculture - "Sun Gone Down" (feat Shannon Hurley) - (3:42) 138 BPM
Norin & Rad Vs Recurve - "Thrust" - (4:13) 138 BPM
Justin Oh - "Wait For You" - (5:06) 138 BPM
Marcos - "Take Cover" (Sonic Element mix) - (4:10) 138 BPM
Beat Service - "Cut & Run" (feat Emma Lock) - (4:24) 138 BPM
Tokyo (Beatman & Ludmilla remix) - (4:24) 138 BPM
Yodis - "Amore Trio" - (5:06) 138 BPM
Kyota - "Sugar Rush" (HAARP remix) - (0:41) 138 BPM
Kyota - "Nemo" (B-Vibes remix) - (4:52) 138 BPM
Michael Dow - "Desert Storm" - (3:14) 138 BPM
Man With No Name - "Floor Essence" (Apogee remix) - (6:01) 138 BPM
Jamie Harrison - "Bucky Balls" - (3:18) 138 BPM
Senadee - "Life Support Machine" (Bissen remix) - (5:06) 138 BPM
Maguire - "Face Yesterday" - (3:11) 138 BPM
PRFD 005
Release Title: never mind the bollocks... here's paul oakenfold


text:
Q: How to get rid of different results of logarithm between CUDA and CPU? I want to realize an algorithm in GPU using CUDA. At the same time, I write a CPU edition using C++ to verify the results of GPU edition. However I got into trouble when using log() in CPU and GPU. A very simple piece of algorithm (used both on CPU and GPU) is shown below:
float U;
float R = U * log(U);

However, when I compare the results on CPU side, I find that there are many results (459883 out of 1843161) having small differences (max dif is 0.5). Some results are shown below:
U       -- R (CPU side)  -- R (GPU side)  -- R using Python (U * math.log(U))

86312.0 -- 980998.375000 -- 980998.3125   -- 980998.3627440572
67405.0 -- 749440.750000 -- 749440.812500 -- 749440.7721980268
49652.0 -- 536876.875000 -- 536876.812500 -- 536876.8452369706
32261.0 -- 334921.250000 -- 334921.281250 -- 334921.2605240216
24232.0 -- 244632.437500 -- 244632.453125 -- 244632.4440747978

Can anybody give me some suggestions? Which one should I trust?

A:
Which one should I trust?

You should trust the double-precision result computed by Python, that you could also have computed with CUDA or C++ in double-precision to obtain very similar (although likely not identical still) values.
To rephrase the first comment made by aland, if you care about an error of 0.0625 in 980998, you shouldn't be using single-precision in the first place. Both the CPU and the GPU result are "wrong" for that level of accuracy. On your examples, the CPU result happens to be more accurate, but you can see that both single-precision results are quite distant from the more accurate double-precision Python result. This is simply a consequence of using a format that allows 24 significant binary digits (about 7 decimal digits), not just for the input and the end result, but also for intermediate computations.
If the input is provided as float and you want the most accurate float result for R, compute U * log(U) using double and round to float only in the end. Then the results will almost always be identical between CPU and GPU.

A: By curiosity, I compared the last bit set in the significand (or in other words the number of trailing zeros in the significand)
I did it with Squeak Smalltalk because I'm more comfortable with it, but I'm pretty sure you can find equivalent libraries in Python:
CPU:
#(980998.375000 749440.750000 536876.875000 334921.250000 244632.437500)
    collect: [:e | e asTrueFraction numerator highBit].

-> #(23 22 23 21 22)
GPU:
#(980998.3125 749440.812500 536876.812500 334921.281250 244632.453125)
    collect: [:e | e asTrueFraction numerator highBit].

-> #(24 24 24 24 24)
That's interestingly not as random as we could expect, especially the GPU, but there is not enough clue at this stage...
Then I used an ArbitraryPrecisionFloat package to perform (emulate) the operations in extended precision, then round to nearest single precision float, the correct answer matches quite exactly the one of CPU:
#( 86312 67405 49652 32261 24232 ) collect: [:e |
    | u r |
    u := e asArbitraryPrecisionFloatNumBits: 80.
    r = u*u ln.
    (r asArbitraryPrecisionFloatNumBits: 24) asTrueFraction printShowingMaxDecimalPlaces: 100]

-> #('980998.375' '749440.75' '536876.875' '334921.25' '244632.4375')
It works as well with 64 bits.
But if I emulate the operations in single precision, then I can say the GPU matches the emulated results quite well too (except the second item):
#( 86312 67405 49652 32261 24232 ) collect: [:e |
    | u r |
    u := e asArbitraryPrecisionFloatNumBits: 24.
    r = u*u ln.
    r asTrueFraction printShowingMaxDecimalPlaces: 100]

-> #('980998.3125' '749440.75' '536876.8125' '334921.28125' '244632.453125')
So I'd say the CPU did probably use a double (or extended) precision to evaluate the log and perform the multiplication.
On the other side, the GPU did perform all the operations in single precision. Then the log function of ArbitraryPrecisionFloat package is correct to half ulp, but that's not a requirement of IEEE 754, so that can explain the observed mismatch on second item.
You may try to write the code so as to force float (like using logf instead of log if it's C99, or use intermediate results float ln=log(u); float r=u*ln;) and eventually use appropriate compilation flags to forbid extended precision (can't remember, I don't use C every day). But then you have very few guaranty to obtain 100% match on log function, the norms are too lax.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Rebecca Lyne, född den 4 juli 1982 i Sheffield, är en brittisk friidrottare som tävlar i medeldistanslöpning.

Lyne deltog vid EM i Göteborg 2006 där hon slutade på en tredje plats på 800 meter med tiden 1.58,45. Hon deltog även vid IAAF World Athletics Final 2006 där hon slutade på en femte plats.

Personligt rekord
 800 meter - 1.58,80

Källor
 Fakta på IAAF:s webbplats

Födda 1982
Brittiska medeldistanslöpare
Kvinnor
Levande personer


A series of short video pieces exploring the physicality of recorded sound. The audio is derived from altering the playback of 33rpm records by placing objects on the LP and physically interfering with the path of a record player's tonearm to create "sampled loops." In playing around with the phonograph as an instrument, I am following a tradition of experimentation by music pioneers like John Cage (prepared pianos) and hip hop DJ Grandmaster Flash (scratching).
This piece contains samples from some of Erik Satie's best-known solo piano works, including Gymnopédie 1-3, Gnossiennes 1-6, Trois Nocturnes and Vexations.


text:
Joker II
Can we say that in the movie "Joker", the protagonist Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, tries to constitute himself as a subject? Are we witnessing a subjective construction?
Firstly, we could ask ourselves if it was Fleck who constructed his "artistic name"? Was it not the talk-show host, Murray Franklin, played by Robert de Niro, who named him "Joker" after showing the recording of his stand-up comedy show? It is only before the show goes live, near the end of the movie, that Arthur requests that Murray introduces him as the "Joker", a reference to Murray's previous mockery.
Secondly, can we consider Fleck's laughter as an "ironic" one? I believe that there is nothing ironic here; rather I would suggest that it is a laughter absolutely outside-of-meaning [hors-sens], without any purpose to attack the link with the Other, which is the essence of irony. Also, such as he received from the Other his artistic name, he also received from the Other (probably the psychiatrist) the nomination for his laughter outside-of-meaning: the little piece of paper that he shows to the mother's child on the bus at the beginning of the movie, where it is written that he suffers from a head trauma that causes him to laugh at inappropriate times.
Thirdly, when Fleck kills Murray during the talk show, can we call this an "acting out"? I think it would be perhaps more appropriate to consider it as a "passage to the act", albeit in a paradoxical way because it is carried out on the stage, during the "show". However, Fleck seems to be out of any dialectical bond to the Other at that moment. Interestingly, after his "passage to the act", he gets off the stage and goes in front of the camera, thereby breaking the "fourth wall" and exiting the world's stage [la scène du monde].
Furthermore, considering his first murder (the three drunken businessmen), one could suggest that he did it mainly because he had at that moment a gun with him, a gun that he did not seek, but was given to him, in an imposing manner, by his co-worker.
With that in mind, I think that rather than speaking of "knowing-how", "structuring function" and "suppletion", one could state that the "Joker" is 'a body inhabited by the Other', which is another way of saying that there has been no subjective construction.
By Dominique Rudaz| 2019-10-28T10:41:45+00:00	November 2nd, 2019|LRO 188|
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Walls and Holes in Psychiatric Institutes
Wake Up To Keep On Dreaming!
Deep Song
THE LAUGHING UNCONSCIOUS (You are joking…)
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text:
Q: comparing methods of creating skybox material in three.js When it comes to making skyboxes in three.js, I have seen two different schools of thought. Assuming that we have the code
var imagePrefix = "images/mountains-";
var directions  = ["xpos", "xneg", "ypos", "yneg", "zpos", "zneg"];
var imageSuffix = ".jpg";
var skyGeometry = new THREE.CubeGeometry( 10000, 10000, 10000 );

In both methods, one creates a really big cube and applies textures. The difference is whether shaders are used. For example:
Material without using shader:
var materialArray = [];
for (var i = 0; i < 6; i++)
    materialArray.push( new THREE.MeshBasicMaterial({
        map: THREE.ImageUtils.loadTexture( imagePrefix + directions[i] + imageSuffix ),
        side: THREE.BackSide
    }));
var skyMaterial = new THREE.MeshFaceMaterial( materialArray );
var skyBox = new THREE.Mesh( skyGeometry, skyMaterial );
scene.add( skyBox );

Material using shader:
var imageURLs = [];
for (var i = 0; i < 6; i++)
    imageURLs.push( imagePrefix + directions[i] + imageSuffix );
var textureCube = THREE.ImageUtils.loadTextureCube( imageURLs );
var shader = THREE.ShaderLib[ "cube" ];
shader.uniforms[ "tCube" ].value = textureCube;
var skyMaterial = new THREE.ShaderMaterial( {
    fragmentShader: shader.fragmentShader,
    vertexShader: shader.vertexShader,
    uniforms: shader.uniforms,
    depthWrite: false,
    side: THREE.BackSide
} );
var skyBox = new THREE.Mesh( skyGeometry, skyMaterial );
scene.add( skyBox );

My own informal performance tests show no significant difference in FPS using 2048x2048 images for textures. The shader-free code is easier (at least for me) to understand. Are there situations in which there is an advantage to using the shader-based texture?

A: You have a conceptual misunderstanding.
For WebGL, both methods involve shaders. MeshBasicMaterial has a vertex and fragment shader that has been written for you for convenience.
The primary difference between the two examples is the second example uses a cube map for input.
You would use that approach if you were already using the same cube map as an environment map in a reflective material, for example.
The first example is just another way to render a skybox, and is the only one of the two that will work with CanvasRenderer.
three.js r.58


The expert panel for the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship will be made up of Michelin star chefs Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains, alongside Masterchef winner and National Chef of Scotland, Gary MacLean and Head Chef Stephen McLaughlin and Lorna McNee of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.
Bringing a wealth of industry experience, Andrew Fairlie's Mentor and former Chef de Cuisine at Boodles, Keith Podmore will also join the judging panel.
Spearheaded by HIT Scotland and supported by the First Minister, Scottish Government and Gleneagles, the scholarship was launched earlier this year in recognition of Andrew Fairlie's significant and lasting contribution to the hospitality industry.
A Roux scholar along with Andrew Fairlie, Sat Bains knows the value of this experience which he secured at an early stage in his career.
He said: "From the moment I met Andrew in 1999, via the Roux Scholarship, I looked up to him. I appreciated his counsel and advice, and I admired him hugely as a fellow chef. I absolutely treasured our friendship and some of the moments we spent together over the past 20 years are some of the highlights of my career.
To apply, potential candidates should complete an online application form stating why they should win the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship, alongside designing a 3-course summer-inspired lunch menu. A shortlist of finalists will then be decided who will take part in a skills test to establish the key skills that would be expected of an Andrew Fairlie Scholar.


There are a host of skills and resources we require to help support kidney cancer patients across the UK.
No matter what your skill, or how much time you can offer, being a volunteer with Kidney Cancer UK is an easy way to really make a difference and a great way to meet like-minded people who want to make a difference in your local area. From fundraising activities to helping to raise awareness in your local area, there is a place for you.
If you are a kidney cancer patient or a carer, you may wish to share the story of your experiences to help other patients and carers. Contact us here.
To discuss how you can become a volunteer, please contact us by email or call 01223-870008 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).


text:
A belated love letter to my first-grade science teacher
By Michael Mira
You charged onward when one-third of the class was picking their noses and the girls were busy combing each other's hair. You knew sooner or later you would corral our attention, because you had a magic show in store for us.
Just as it started to look like the day's curriculum was slipping from your grasp, you seemingly defied the laws of physics when you intercepted a paper plane at midflight and swiftly diverted it into the recycling bin, all in one fluid motion. You then taught us the fundamentals that made such a feat possible.
With mouths agape and pupils dilated, we watched you pace back and forth in front of the chalkboard like a Roman general confident in her battle strategy. You proceeded with an array of examples to help our mushy minds comprehend the revolution happening before our eyes. You blew our minds into a billion pieces and then reconstructed them, and our way of thinking hasn't been the same since then.
True, your subjects were probably too complicated for our reading level, especially considering that the first-grade science teachers in other schools were dazzling their students with textbooks stacked on a desk like steps to demonstrate that day's subject: center of gravity. That's cool enough, but you had a different approach, kind of like Mr. Keating in "Dead Poets Society." Rather than show us what science what was capable of, you taught us what we were capable of when we learned the fundamentals of science.
You gave us the keys to the kingdom. You let us examine the laws of momentum in swings and how gravity provides the fun factor on seesaws. You let us dig in the dirt for arrowheads and told us in a semiwhisper, as if sharing the secrets of the universe, that we held millions of years of history in the palms of our hands. You let us observe the different kinds of clouds that resembled our favorite cartoon characters, teaching us why some looked like Mickey Mouse, while others looked like Peter Pan in flight. By helping us look at our surroundings in a different light, you essentially gave us the world.
With the salary you earned, you didn't need to go that far or try that hard, but you did, because you believed in us. It is commonly thought that what children absorb early in life affects how they will behave and think when they become older. So as an adult writing this to you many years later, I just wanted to say one last time: Thank you for exposing my mind to the beauty of life rather than corrupting it with negative words.
Michael Mira (notebooknumbernine@gmail.com) is a freelance journalist, photographer and independent researcher based in Houston. He has traveled extensively, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America, researching the effects of economics on public health. He also is passionate about promoting science and math programs outside of the classroom, especially in school districts that receive below-average funding. He writes about technology and environmental sciences for an eclectic range of magazines. Learn more about him at http://notebooknumbernine.wordpress.com/.


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We were talking about the other division last week
Clark E. Cleveland of Elberton Pfc. Robert E. Hampton was also an actor and played the role of a songwriting band manager in Billy Bob Thornton 1996 film Blade. Gustav Berglund III in Knoxville, Tennessee, he changed his name to Col. Bruce Hampton as an adult and started his career with Frank Zappa the Mothers of Invention, appearing on Only in It for the Money in 1967 and Gravy in 1968, according to Variety ..
Cruz; Kevin A. Curtright; Chandra L. Dailey; Christina J. Holmes, Veronica M. Holstein, Mark R. Holt payday loans for bad credit, Pamela Hubbard, David C. LeBlanc, Emily L. Leary, Hailey M. Leavitt, Wanbo Li, Nade Li, Eric J. Ho, Jonathan M. Ho, Lanh V. Ho, Sandy D. Who had the best off season? Ottawa. They got better for sure. We were talking about the other division last week, and some of us think they might be good enough to sneak in the playoffs over in the East How long are you willing to sign and how likely are you to want to stay where you are drafted? Those are questions that have to be asked of guys at the combine.
Jordan Schidlowsky: Noodlecake Studios Inc. Jordan is the cofounder and CEO of Noodlecake Studios Inc. After building a mobile fitness application, he focused on the mobile gaming industry and founded Noodlecake Studios Inc in February 2011. Holds a four star rating from Scout and is one of the nation's top defensive tackle prospectsranked a three star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNranked the No. 11 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout and Florida's No. 2 recruit at his positionranked the nation's No.
If you grew up in the rural South of yesteryear and remember the landscapes, the crops payday loans online, the tractors payday loans, the people, the country stores and churches, you will identify with UNC Chapel Hill Professor William Ferris book, South in Color: A Visual Journal. In the introduction Ferris writes, a photographer of the American South, I sought the Holy Grail single image that captures the region in its fullest, most engaging expression. 100 color photographs document life in the South while he was growing up in the latter half of the last century.
Department of Agriculture, according to the announcement. « Without this component in the financial plan, the ability to sustain the university at this point is not possible. The Board of Directors continues to work actively to resolve financial difficulties and to explore possible partnerships in order to move forward. ».
Europeans took a great liking to animal furs, specifically beaver pelts, and Native American hunters provided the colonists those hides. In approximately 1610, the Iroquois Nation and the Dutch in New Amsterdam began trading furs. When the English took New York, beaver pelt trade relations continued between the English and the Iroquois.
Pooler, Biological Sciences; Marquita K. Rhymes, Psychology; Carol M. Ruiz, Psychology; Jacqueline M. Of deeper concern for UNM is its own offense. While Tulsa has given up 152 points in three games, the Lobos have scored just 80 points all season. The option attack is a shell of its former self and, oh by the way, the team is down to its third string quarterback since starter Lamar Jordan and backup Tevaka Tuioti are both out with concussions..
St. Ann's beat the Kelowna Heritage Christian Saints 97 57 on Saturday, then lost 79 56 to the Kelowna Immaculata Mustangs in the third place game. Immaculata, Kelowna Christian and the Keremeos Similkameen Sparks also qualified for provincials. He doesn't want a spectator and most of them do not want anybody riding on their coattails. So there is a feeling out period. Michael knows who can play on his team, who can make plays.
In his post, Nehls said there could be charges against the driver: « I have received numerous calls regarding the offensive display on this truck as it is often seen along FM 359. If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you. Our Prosecutor has informed us she would accept Disorderly Conduct charges regarding it, but I feel we could come to an agreement regarding a modification to it. ».


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Q: Do any classes benefit from Paragon/Renegade scores? Do any classes benefit from a Paragon or Renegade reputation gameplay-wise?
Reputation used to affect the Intimidation/Charm skills in previous games, so I'm wondering if there's any class-related skills/ect that are affected by reputation in this way.

A: No, but it does go the other way around. Every class has a unique skill which increases your Reputation score at several ranks, in addition to other, class specific benefits.