Lately it seems impossible to go an entire week without seeing or hearing a story about the embattled Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Three recent tragedies, all involving children connected to DCF, have again put the department on the front pages of newspapers and led to cries for changes in the child welfare system. Nonetheless, it is important that people look beyond the headlines and try to understand what DCF was created to do and to recognize the daily challenges state social workers must confront.
DCF has a simple and straight forward mission: Strive to protect children from abuse and neglect and, in partnership with families and communities, ensure children are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. While the mission is easy to understand, achieving it is more than complicated. DCF intervenes with thousands of families and children every year and in virtually every case it is with a family in active crisis. Drug abuse, neglect, sexual trauma, criminal activity, poverty, and mental health issues are common concerns for DCF social workers trying to effectuate a positive change in a child's life. Helping a child overcome any one of these challenges seems daunting enough but helping a child thrive when confronted with most or all of these challenges is a herculean task. Headlines rarely capture these elements when dedicating 350 words or 75 seconds of air time to a case that DCF may have spent years trying to salvage.
Fortunately, change is on the way. Governor Charlie Baker has put forth major changes in an effort to support DCF and its mission. In addition to over $35 million in new funding, DCF has new procedures for tracking children and families, reducing caseloads for employees, training staff, assessing risk, managing intakes, and emergency responses. There is also an investment in technology and in resources such as reopening a shuttered regional office in Worcester. Given that DCF is tasked with saving at-risk children it seems likely that the department will always be a lightning rod when something goes wrong. Hopefully, all of the changes to DCF moving forward will help to shine a light on the countless times every year that things go right.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. At Venture Community Services, we believe everyone deserves respect. This March, we would like to encourage everyone to take a pledge to promote respect in our community – the pledge to remove the "R-word" permanently from your vocabulary. "Mentally retarded" is a term that was historically used in medical and clinical settings, yet in recent years it has become a commonly used insult, synonymous with "stupid". Over time, the cultural meaning of this term has changed drastically, and has unfortunately become an offensive slur.
For individuals with intellectual disabilities and their loved ones, using this term as slang in everyday speech is hurtful and insulting. Although it may not be directed at an individual with a disability, it still reinforces negative stereotypes and creates a sense of non-acceptance within a community. Today, federal legislation has officially removed the term "mentally retarded" from all government communications and replaced it with "intellectual disability". Many schools, organizations and individuals have followed suit.
This March, in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we would like to encourage you to make this same pledge and show support and respect for people in our community with intellectual disabilities. Please visit www.r-word.org to make your pledge today!
Thanks to all our Volunteers, Participants, and Supporters!
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to our brand new website, developed in part as acelebration of our new name and 40th anniversary.You have probably heard about our rebranding, but we wanted to tell our supporters a little bit about the process.
Together with the management team and the Board of Directors, we worked with the Sturbridge-based branding firm Smith & Jones Idea Agency to develop an image that represents our commitment to the people we support, our workforce and the community. We began by identifying what was important to us and what guides our work. These tenets became our core values – honesty, respect, integrity, innovation and compassion. These values are what inspire our work every day, whether it's with our program participants, our donors or among employees. These ideals guided the development of every aspect of our new brand. We worked through many different ideas, but we decided on a name that represented our commitment to innovation and our investment in the future.
Venture represents a project, an endeavor, a journey. It evokes a feeling of new beginnings and fresh ideas. Once we reached a decision about our new name, Smith & Jones then helped us explore complimentary logos, colors, tag lines, and designs.We are especially proud of our logo, which incorporates the feeling of movement and thinking ahead. We have found that our special icon looks different to everyone – what do you see?
We are very excited our new image and brand, and we are happy to share this with our supporters through our new web site. Remember that our social media presence has also been updated – look for Venture Community Services on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, and check back often for new blogs every month!


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Squeezing More Freshness Out of Sea Captain's
At Sea Captain's House in Myrtle Beach, we incorporate "fresh" into everything we do - from the seasonal ingredients we cook with and fresh catches we feature each weekend, to the fresh seafood we serve and fruit we use. The most recent way we've added...
Sea Captain's Oceanfront Brunch
Sea Captain's Fresh Juicer
Easter Brunch at Sea Captain's House
Easter may fall on April Fool's Day this year, but at Sea Captain's in Myrtle Beach, we're not joking around when it comes to all the special Easter festivities we're having! During the weekend of Easter, Thursday March 29th through Saturday, March 31st, we will be...
Sea Captain's House Restaurant Awarded for our Oceanfront View
The votes are in and it's been announced that Sea Captain's House has been awarded the Best Waterfront Restaurant in the 2018 Myrtle Beach Herald's Readers' Choice Awards! The Myrtle Beach Herald is a weekly local newspaper that keeps subscribers up to date on the local...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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January 29, 2020 March 17, 2021 Michael Magoon
Article Summary: "Was the Industrial Revolution Inevitable?" by Charles Jones
Title: Was the Industrial Revolution Inevitable? Economic Growth over the very Long Run
Author: Charles Jones
My personal rating: 4.5 stars
Jones builds a statistical model that predicts historical innovation, economic growth and changes in standard-of-living.
This article is not very fun reading, but the conclusions are very useful. I recommend reading this summary and skipping the article unless you are a serious academic.
It is possible to develop a simple statistical model that predicts long-term innovation, economic growth and changes in standard-of-living.
Population size a key predictor of economic growth.The more people there are, the more new ideas that can be produced.
The more ideas there are, the more likely that one will become a useful technology.
The more useful technologies there are, the greater the population size that can be produced.
Institutions that promote property rights, patents and a legal system give individuals the incentive to come up with good ideas.
Because all these factors feedback on each other, the Industrial Revolution was inevitable in the long run.
This paper studies a growth model that is able to match several key facts of economic history. For thousands of years, the average standard of living seems to have risen very little, despite increases in the level of technology and large increases in the level of the population. Then, after thousands of years of little change, the level of per capita consumption increased dramatically in less than two centuries.
Quantitative analysis of the model highlights two factors central to understanding this history. The first is a virtuous circle: more people produce more ideas, which in turn makes additional population growth possible. The second is an improvement in institutions that promote innovation, such as property rights: the simulated economy indicates that the single most important factor in the transition to modern growth has been the increase in the fraction of output paid to compensate inventors for the fruits of their labor
The number of ideas produced per year increased more than 110,000 times between the beginning of the simulation in 25,000 B.C. and the 20th century. A factor of 108 of this increase is due to the fact that there is a larger population available upon which to draw: more people produce more ideas.
The level of per capita consumption rises slightly from 25000 B.C. until the year 0. In contrast, the level of population rises from 3.34 million to 170 million, a 50-fold increase.
This is the long-run Malthusian consequence of the improvements in technology.
The establishment of institutions that encourage the discovery and widespread use of new ideas can lead societies to outstrip Malthusian forces. However, the removal of these same institutions can allow the Malthusian forces to once again become dominant. The technological frontier must be constantly pushed forward in order to avoid the specter of diminishing returns associated with fixed resources. The history of "growth recurring," to use the evocative phrase of Eric Jones, may reflect the establishment and then elimination of property rights in various civilizations.
With small populations, an improvement in property rights has a small effect on rates of discovery and therefore on standards of living: the number of new ideas created depends on the size of the population. The presence in recent times of a large world economy makes property rights themselves more valuable. The cumulative effect of thousands of years of discoveries has been to raise the world population to levels at which the establishment of property rights could lead to large and rapid improvements in technology and standards of living.
The Industrial Revolution caused a change in fertility and mortality leading to an increase in population. Then the shock of an improvement in property rights is added to account for a sudden increase in per capita economic growth
Something like an industrial revolution is inevitable in the model, at least for a range of parameter values. However, the timing of this industrial revolution is quite sensitive to the parameter values and the nature of the shocks. A counterfactual experiment at the end of the paper suggests, for example, that absent the large improvements in property rights measured to have occurred in the 20th century, the Industrial Revolution would have been delayed by more than 300 years.
This paper provides a model of growth over the very long run in which the basic story goes something like the following. A long time ago, the world population was relatively small and the productivity of this population at producing ideas was relatively low, in part because of the absence of institutions such as property rights. For example, in the year 25000 B.C., the model suggests that it took several hundred years before the society of 3.34 million people produced a single new idea. Once this idea was discovered however, consumption and fertility rose, producing a rise in population growth, so that there were more people available to find new ideas, and the next new idea was discovered more quickly. In the model, this feedback leads to accelerating rates of population growth and consumption growth provided the aggregate production technology is characterized by increasing returns to accumulable factors.
In the absence of shocks, this general feedback seems capable of producing something like an industrial revolution. However, the quantitative analysis suggests that changes in institutions to support innovation have been extremely important. The rise and decline of institutions such as property rights could be responsible for the rise and decline of great civilizations in the past. And the establishment of innovation-promoting institutions in the 20th century appears to have played a critical role in generating the observed Industrial Revolution.
In the simulated economy, the resulting technological progress and rise in per capita consumption lead to a reduction in mortality followed by a reduction in fertility as the demographic transition sets in. In the very long run, it is possible for the level of the population to stabilize while the level of consumption grows to infinity, albeit at a growth rate that gradually falls to zero.
Causes of Economic Development
Some Article Summaries
Previous Article Summary: "How Deep are the Roots of Economic Development?" by Spolaore and Wacziarg
Next Article Summary: "Was the Wealth of Nations Determined in 1000 BC? " by many


Adult | Row America Rye | Come Join Us!
Adult programs are for rowers ages 21 and up of all levels of rowing ability and fitness.
Our beginner-level programs are designed to get adults on the water quickly, and prepare them for the next step, either the Adult Intermediate Rowing group, or the competitive Racing Team. Sessions will include instruction on the fundamentals of rowing, taught at an age-appropriate pace. RowAmerica Rye's coaching staff fosters a fun, energetic, and enthusiastic atmosphere for all levels of fitness and ability.
Join the rowing revolution with RowAmerica's signature recreational rowing program!
Inspirational and professional coaching staff will ensure that each workout delivers full-body fitness, and transforms the way you look and feel. Recreational workouts are geared to improve overall fitness by combining long distance and interval training with a relaxed, non-competitive approach. Prerequisite: complete Adult Intro programming, or be recommended by a member of the coaching staff.
Go for the ultimate challenge of racing. The Adult Racing Team is for the goal-oriented individual, who is looking for the inspiration and motivation of racing to deliver maximum fitness gains. Adults in the Racing program will train with the goal of competing in local and, potentially, national regattas. Reaching for the highest levels of technical, physical and mental abilities will drive athletes beyond their perceived limits of physical fitness.Adult Racing Team members will be eligible to attend regattas at the local, regional and national (for those who qualify) levels. Additional regatta fees will apply; please contact the Club Director for more information.
Enjoy the benefits of rowing while staying indoors during the winter months with our winter training programs. Sessions will include indoor training, using rowing machines,body weight and resistance exercises designed to build strength and stamina. Train with us to improve technique, and stay fit for the winter, and be ready for spring!


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Das allergische Kontaktekzem, die (allergiebedingte) Kontaktdermatitis oder Kontaktallergie ist eine Ekzemerkrankung der Haut, die durch eine verzögerte Immunreaktion als spezifische Antwort auf ein von außen einwirkendes Kontaktallergen ausgelöst wird. Dieses ist an sich für den Organismus nicht gefährlich, die Erkrankung entsteht erst durch die nicht angemessene Reaktion des Immunsystems auf den Kontaktstoff. Die Behandlung erfolgt nach den Prinzipien der Ekzemtherapie und erfordert die Aufdeckung der Ursachen durch eine Epikutantestung. Allergische Kontaktekzeme sind relativ häufige Erkrankungen, die bei unterbundenem Allergenkontakt meist selbstlimitierend verlaufen. Wird das ursächliche Kontaktallergen allerdings nicht identifiziert oder nicht gemieden, kommt es zu wiederholten Krankheitsepisoden. Sorgfältige Diagnostik und Allergenmeidung sind daher von zentraler Bedeutung.

Häufigkeit
Die Lebenszeitprävalenz für das allergische Kontaktekzem wird auf etwa 15 % geschätzt. Bei Berücksichtigung auch anderer epidemiologischer Studien ist davon auszugehen, dass in mitteleuropäischen Gesellschaften die 12-Monats-Prävalenz des allergischen Kontaktekzems seit Jahrzehnten stabil um die 7 % liegt. Damit ist die Häufigkeit dieser Krankheit vergleichbar mit der Häufigkeit anderer wichtiger Volkskrankheiten wie z. B. der des Diabetes mellitus. Im Gegensatz zu solchen chronischen Erkrankungen verläuft ein allergisches Kontaktekzem allerdings selbstlimitierend, vorausgesetzt, der verantwortliche Kontaktstoff wird identifiziert und gemieden.

Ursachen und Pathophysiologie
Kontaktallergene sind niedermolekulare Verbindungen, die auf Grund ihrer chemischen Reaktionsbereitschaft mit Proteinen der Haut reagieren. Erkannt wird vom Immunsystem ein Bruchstück dieses initialen Komplexes, das den gekoppelten Anteil des Kontaktallergens und ein Peptid aus dem ursprünglichen Protein enthält.

Die Entstehung einer Kontaktallergie erfolgt zweiphasig: Einer klinisch stummen Sensibilisierungsphase folgt eine Auslösephase, die mit Hauterscheinungen einhergeht. Der Sensibilisierungsvorgang ist komplex und verläuft fast immer unbemerkt. Verschiedene, bis jetzt nicht lückenlos verstandene Faktoren begünstigen oder verhindern die Sensibilisierung.

Die Zahl potentieller Kontaktallergene ist sehr groß. Sowohl Naturstoffe (wie z. B. Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe) als auch künstlich hergestellte Verbindungen können als Kontaktallergen wirksam werden. Letztlich entscheidet aber der Kontakt im Privat- und Berufsleben, ob es auch zu einer Sensibilisierung und damit möglichen Erkrankung kommt. Von der grundsätzlichen Möglichkeit, sich gegen ein Kontaktallergen zu sensibilisieren ist jeder Mensch betroffen, da der Ablauf der Immunreaktion zentralen Vorgängen der Infektabwehr entspricht, die für jeden Menschen das Überleben sichern. Im Gegensatz hierzu entstehen Soforttypallergien (Heuschnupfen, allergisches Asthma, Lebensmittelallergien) nur in der hierfür besonders disponierten Gruppe der Atopiker.
Im Rahmen der Sensibilisierungsphase kommt es in den Lymphknoten zur Aktivierung spezifischer T-Zellen, die sich vermehren und leicht bei erneutem Allergenkontakt aktivierbar sind. Diese Zellen zirkulieren durch den Organismus und passieren dabei bevorzugt die Haut, für die sie auf Grund spezifischer Signale eine hohe Affinität besitzen.

Erst bei erneutem Allergenkontakt (Auslösephase) wird die eigentliche vom Betroffenen spürbare Ekzemreaktion von diesen spezifischen T-Zellen durch immunologische Botenstoffe ausgelöst, die zum Einwandern eines unspezifischen entzündlichen Zellinfiltrats führen. Bei bereits eingetretener Sensibilisierung tritt die kontaktallergische Hautreaktion charakteristischerweise 2 bis 3 Tage nach dem erneuten Allergenkontakt auf. Diese immunologische Reaktion wird daher auch "Spättypreaktion" oder Typ IV-Reaktion (nach Coombs-Gell-Klassifikation) genannt. Bedingt durch die lange Persistenz der allergenspezifischen T-Zellen im Körper und ihrer Verbreitung in allen Hautarealen, kann ein allergisches Kontaktekzem in jeder Körperregion auch noch viele Jahre nach der eigentlichen Sensibilisierung bei hinreichendem Kontakt zum Allergen auftreten.

Symptome
Das Erscheinungsbild des allergischen Kontaktekzems entspricht einer klassischen Ekzemreaktion der Haut. Die wesentlichen Merkmale eines Ekzems sind Erythem (Rötung), Schwellung, Bläschen, Papeln (Knötchen) und Schuppung. Meistens werden alle Stadien der Ekzemreaktion ausgehend von Bläschen und nässenden Erythemen bis hin zu trockener Schuppung durchlaufen. Bei anhaltendem oder wiederholtem Kontakt zum Allergen können die Zeichen eines chronischen Ekzems mit Lichenifikation (Vergröberung des Hautrelief), Hyperkeratose (übermäßige Verhornung) und Rhagaden (Schrunden) entstehen.

Diagnose
Der Verdacht auf Entwicklung eines allergischen Kontaktekzems ergibt sich oft direkt aus dem beobachteten Zusammenhang zum Einwirken eines Kontaktstoffs. Kommt es hingegen im Verlauf eines regelmäßig wiederkehrenden Kontaktes, z. B. am Arbeitsplatz, erst nach gewisser Zeit zur Sensibilisierung, so fällt es schwer, allein aus der Vorgeschichte die Ursache abzuleiten.

Der Nachweis einer Kontaktsensibilisierung erfolgt durch den Epikutantest. Hierzu werden die in Frage kommenden Kontaktallergene in einer hautverträglichen Konzentration für 48 Stunden mit speziellen Testpflastern auf die erscheinungsfreie Rückenhaut appliziert. Liegt eine Kontaktsensibilisierung vor, so entwickelt sich eine umschriebene Ekzemreaktion an der Kontaktstelle. Der Epikutantest erlaubt die Abklärung einer größeren Zahl in Frage kommender Allergene und ist bei fachgerechter Planung, Durchführung und Bewertung ein sicheres und zuverlässiges diagnostisches Verfahren.

Da das klinische Erscheinungsbild eines Ekzems nur bedingt Rückschlüsse auf die Ursache zulässt, kann ein allergisches Kontaktekzem meist erst nach einem Epikutantest bewiesen oder ausgeschlossen werden.

Therapie
Im Gegensatz zu anderen Ekzemformen wie dem irritativen Kontaktekzem oder dem atopischen Ekzem kann die Ursache der Erkrankung leicht und effektiv durch Meidung aller in Frage kommenden Kontaktstoffe beseitigt werden. Dies ist die Voraussetzung für den Erfolg der Behandlung. In der Regel ist die Anwendung eines Glucocorticoids auf der betroffenen Fläche angemessen, bei schweren und vor allem streuenden Verlaufsformen des Ekzems kann eine kurzzeitige systemische Therapie nötig sein. Die Auswahl des Wirkstoffs und die galenische Grundlage werden an die erkrankte Region und das Stadium der Ekzementzündung angepasst. Therapeutische Alternativen (z. B. Calcineurininhibitoren wie Tacrolimus und Pimecrolimus oder eine UV-Therapie) kommen beim allergischen Kontaktekzem selten in Betracht, z. B. wenn die Verwendung eines Glucocorticosteroids  wegen einer schon bestehenden Vorschädigung der Haut kontraindiziert ist.

Heilt das Ekzem in absehbarer Zeit trotz intensiver Therapie nicht ab, so wurde möglicherweise das tatsächlich auslösende Kontaktallergen noch nicht erkannt und gemieden bzw. war dieses wegen seiner weiten Verbreitung nicht konsequent genug vermeidbar. Kommt es immer wieder zu Rückfällen, so kann auch dies an einer mangelnden Allergenmeidung liegen oder es spielen andere Ursachen für ein Ekzem eine zusätzliche Rolle, denn Mischbilder aus allergischen Kontaktekzemen mit irritativen Ekzemen und Formen des atopischen Ekzems sind relativ häufig.

Prognose
Eine einmal entstandene Kontaktsensibilisierung bleibt meist lebenslang bestehen, da es sich um eine der stabilsten Reaktionsformen des Immunsystems handelt. Eine Hyposensibilisierung wie für Soforttypallergene ist nicht verfügbar. Umso wichtiger ist daher die konsequente Meidung der unverträglichen Kontaktstoffe durch Austausch von Alltagsprodukten und Arbeitsstoffen, oder – wenn dies nicht möglich ist – ein kontaktfreier Umgang bzw. das Tragen geeigneter Handschuhe.
Soweit eine Kontaktsensibilisierung durch den Beruf entstanden ist, sollte eine Meldung an die zuständige Unfallversicherung durch einen sogenannten Hautarztbericht erfolgen. In besonders gefährdeten Berufsgruppen wie zum Beispiel dem Friseurhandwerk, Zahntechnik, Metall- oder Bauberufen kann ein nicht ausreichend vermeidbarer Allergenkontakt zur Berufsunfähigkeit führen.

Einzelnachweise

Allergologie
Hautkrankheit

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Although the grieving family members were enraged at the actions of local authorities, they gathered to bury the young father of three. But in the weeks following the funeral, they soon discovered that they could not let go of the case. They did not believe the conclusions drawn so quickly by the Sheriff's department. After all, this young man, called Chip by family and close friends, had absolutely no history of drug use.
Family members wanted justice. But they also wanted to clear his name. After all, one day Chip's very young children would grow up and ask questions about how their father died. When law enforcement officers refused to reopen the case, the family contacted an attorney who called International Investigators.
When our investigators took the case, we began to interview Chip's close friends and relatives. It didn't take long to discover that Chip had a secret romantic relationship with a woman named Caroline, who happened to be the Sheriff's married daughter. According to three of the woman's close friends, the relationship had gone on for at least a year. Although Caroline expressed to her friends that she wished to end her marriage and be with Chip, she feared for her safety. Her husband Nick was a known drug dealer and possibly had ties to the mob.
There was a strong possibility that Caroline was the victim of cell phone spying, so she provided her cell phone and requested a mobile phone forensic analysis. A cell phone investigation includes using cell phone forensic tools and data extraction software for forensics data recovery.
Caroline had not been aware until the mobile phone spyware detection was complete that she had been the victim of cell phone monitoring by her husband. It was through the spyware that Caroline's husband had discovered the affair.
Using digital forensics and cell tower triangulation, Nick's phone was placed in proximity to where Chip's body had been found in a critical time period. Through an extensive background check, Nick's record emerged across several states, including two stints in prison for drug-related offenses. Two of Nick's former cronies provided sworn affidavits, which, along with the forensic cellular evidence, allowed for the case to be reopened.
Further investigation proved that Caroline's husband had arranged for Chip's murder. Although the infidelity was not what the family wanted to hear about Chip, they were given the opportunity to seek justice for the homicide of their loved one. And Caroline began a new life, too – without Nick.


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Archive for the 'Baroque' Category
Saint Peter's Square-2012.07.26
Posted: July 26, 2012 in 1600s, 7.26, Architecture & Place-Making, Baroque, Bearing Masonry, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Neoclassical, Piazza, Urban, Vatican City
Tags: Architecture & Place-Making, Piazza
Saint Peter's Square
Architect: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Location: Vatican City
Building Type: Piazza
Architecture Styles: Baroque Neoclassical
Architectural Time Period: 1600s
Construction Type: Bearing Masonry
Context: Urban
Introduction(Information mainly based on Internet and Readings):
Saint Peter's Square is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, the papal enclave within Rome (the Piazza borders to the East the rione of Borgo).
The open space which lies before the basilica was redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to 1667, under the direction of Pope Alexander VII, as an appropriate forecourt, designed "so that the greatest number of people could see the Pope give his blessing, either from the middle of the façade of the church or from a window in the Vatican Palace" (Norwich 1975 p 175). Bernini had been working on the interior of St. Peter's for decades; now he gave order to the space with his renowned colonnades, using the Tuscan form of Doric, the simplest order in the classical vocabulary, not to compete with the palace-like façade by Carlo Maderno, but he employed it on an unprecedented colossal scale to suit the space and evoke emotions awe.
The site's possibilities were under many constraints from existing structures (illustration, right). The massed accretions of the Vatican Palace crowded the space to the right of the basilica's façade; the structures needed to be masked without obscuring the papal apartments. The obelisk marked a center, and a granite fountain by Carlo Maderno stood to one side: Bernini made the fountain appear to be one of the foci of the ovato tondo embraced by his colonnades and eventually matched it on the other side, in 1675, just five years before his death. The trapezoidal shape of the piazza, which creates a heightened perspective for a visitor leaving the basilica and has been praised as a masterstroke of Baroque theater, is largely a product of site constraints.
My own exploration:
Keywords: Colonnades,Geometry&Floor Pattern
Colonnades
The colossal Tuscan colonnades, four columns deep,frame the trapezoidal entrance to the basilica and the massive elliptical area which precedes it. The ovato tondo's long axis, parallel to the basilica's façade, creates a pause in the sequence of forward movements that is characteristic of a Baroque monumental approach. The colonnades define the piazza. The elliptical center of the piazza, which contrasts with the trapezoidal entrance, encloses the visitor with "the maternal arms of Mother Church" in Bernini's expression. On the south side, the colonnades define and formalize the space, with the Barberini Gardens still rising to a skyline of umbrella pines. On the north side, the colonnade masks an assortment of Vatican structures; the upper stories of the Vatican Palace rise above.
Geometry&Floor Pattern
The geometry of the square is ellipsis, which has a center occupied by an obelisk, it has symmetrical and self-centered spatial quality, what's smart about the design is that the paving is varied by radiating lines in travertine, to relieve what might otherwise be a sea of cobblestones. Circular stones were set to mark the tip of the obelisk's shadow at noon as the sun entered each of the signs of the zodiac, making the obelisk a gigantic sundial's gnomon.
The plan diagram with the floor patterning
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane-2012.07.24
Posted: July 24, 2012 in 1600s, 7.24, Architecture & Place-Making, Baroque, Bearing Masonry, Church, Francesco Borromini, Rome, Urban
Tags: Architecture & Place-Making, Buildings
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
Architect: Francesco Borromini
Location: Rome, Italy.
Building Type: Church
Architecture Styles: Baroque
The Church of Saint Charles at the Four Fountains is a Roman Catholic church in Rome, Italy. Designed by the architect Francesco Borromini, it was his first independent commission. It is an iconic masterpiece of Baroque architecture, built as part of a complex of monastic buildings on the Quirinal Hill for the Spanish Trinitarians, an order dedicated to the freeing of Christian slaves. He received the commission in 1634, under the patronage of Cardinal Francesco Barberini, whose palace was across the road. However, this financial backing did not last and subsequently the building project suffered various financial difficulties. It is one of at least three churches in Rome dedicated to San Carlo, including San Carlo ai Catinari and San Carlo al Corso.
Keywords: Interior
The church interior is both extraordinary and complex. There are three principal parts that was identified vertically as the lower order at ground level, the transition zone of the pendentives and the oval coffered dome with its oval lantern.
In the lower part of the church, the main altar is on the same longitudinal axis as the door and there are two altars on the cross axis. Between these, and arranged in groups of four, sixteen columns carry a broad and continuous entablature. The arrangement seems to refer to a cross plan but all the altars are visible as the two central columns in each arrangement of four are placed on the oblique with respect to the axial ordering of the space. This creates an undulating movement effect which is enhanced by the variation in treatment of the bays between the columns with niches, mouldings, and doors. Architectural historians have described how the bay structure of this lower order can have different rhythmic readings and the underlying geometric rationale for this complex ground plan, as well as discussing the symbolism of the church and the distinctive architectural drawings of Borromini.
The dome with its intricate geometrical pattern
The pendentives are part of the transition area where the undulating almost cross-like form of the lower order is reconciled with the oval opening to the dome. The arches which spring from the diagonally placed columns of the lower wall order to frame the altars and entrance, rise to meet the oval entablature and so define the space of the pendentives in which roundels are set.
The oval entablature to the dome has a 'crown' of foliage and frames a view of deep set interlocking coffering of octagons, crosses and hexagons which diminish in size the higher they rise. Light floods in from windows in the lower dome that are hidden by the oval opening and from windows in the side of the lantern. In a hierarchical structuring of light, the illuminated lantern with its symbol of the Holy Trinity is the most brightly lit, the coffering of the dome is thrown into sharp and deep relief and light gradually filters downwards to the darker lower body of the church.
Spanish Steps-2012.07.22
Posted: July 22, 2012 in 1700s, 7.22, Alessandro Specchi, Architecture & Place-Making, Baroque, Bearing Masonry, Rome, Stairway, Urban
Tags: Architecture & Place-Making, stairway
Spanish Steps
Architect: Alessandro Specchi
Building Type: Stairway
The Spanish Steps are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. It is the widest staircase in Europe.
The monumental stairway of 138 steps was built with French diplomat Étienne Gueffier's bequeathed funds of 20,000 scudi, in 1723–1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy, and the Trinità dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France, both located above — to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi located below. The stairway was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.
Keywords: Urban Design, Approach
In urban design strategy, the Spanish Stairs were built to unite Via del Babuino, which is the easternmost of the three main arteries radiating into the city from the Piazza del Popolo with Via Felice. It is the first great street planned by Sixtus V (1585). Their junction is crossed at an approximately right angle by Via Condotti, which defines the direction toward St. Peter's and the Vatican. The architect Alessandro Specchi's ideas were later assimilated by the chosen architect of the Stairs, Francesco de Sanctis. The very rich and varied solution ultimately employed by De Sanctis (1723-26) is based on a simple doubling in depth of the central theme from the Ripetta: a protruding volume flanked by convex stairs and a straight flight in front. The upper unit presents the theme in its basic form; the lower constitutes an articulate and lively variation.
Plan Diagram of Spanish Steps
On the way up or down, there are three landing area to take a "break" of the long approach within the two levels, which is a brilliant idea. These three landing areas function as resting space for people.
Photograph taken at the bottom of the piazza, we can see people seating on the steps to take a rest
One of the landing area while walking up
Views from the upper-most landing area, looking towards the piazza and the main commercial street
The curve away staircase while walking up, this gesture has successfully connected the upper piazza and welcoming the circulation on a wider range
Approach and sectional diagram of Spanish Steps, which clearly shows the relationship of different levels
Sant'Agnese in Agone-2012.07.21
Sant'Agnese in Agone
Sant'Agnese in Agone is a 17th century Baroque church in Rome, Italy. It faces onto the Piazza Navona, one of the main urban spaces in the historic center of the city.
The rebuilding of the church was begun in 1652 at the instigation of Pope Innocent X whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced onto the piazza and was adjacent to the site of the new church. The church was to be effectively a family chapel annexed to their residence. A number of architects were involved in the construction of the church, including Girolamo Rainaldi and his son Carlo Rainaldi, and two of the foremost Baroque architects of the day; Francesco Borromini and the sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini.
The name of this church is unrelated to the 'agony' of the martyr: in agone was the ancient name of Piazza Navona (piazza in agone), and meant instead, from the Greek, 'in the site of the competitions', because Piazza Navona was built on the form of an ancient Roman stadium on the Greek model, with one flat end, and was used for footraces. From 'in agone', the popular use and pronunciation changed the name into 'Navona', but other roads in the area kept the original name.
Keywords: Baroque& Interior Decorations
Baroque& Interior Decorations
We are not allowed to take photos when we can to the interior, I can introduce some of the information: there are a number of large scale sculptures in this church, including the marble relief in the main altar, placed in a setting installed by Carlo Rainaldi and Ciro Ferri, that depicts the Miracle of Saint Agnes, initially commissioned from Alessandro Algardi and completed by Ercole Ferrata and Domenico Guidi in 1688, under constraints that their product must remain in conformity with the original Algardi design. The Sacred Family altarpiece (third to the right) is also by Domenico Guidi.
The altar dedicated to Saint Alexius, depicting his death, was completed by Giovanni Francesco Rossi. The stucco decoration of angels by Ferrata with the symbols of the Saint: pilgrim's staff and flower crown. The altar depicting the Martyrdom of Sant'Emerenziana is by Ercole Ferrata. He also completed Sant'Agnese and the flame, Leonardo Retti completed the superior portions. The altar depicting the Death of Santa Cecilia was executed by Antonio Raggi. Stucco angel decorations (with musical instruments) by Ercole Ferrata with fresco designs by Ciro Ferri. The altarpiece of the Martyrdom of St. Eustace was commissioned to Melchiorre Caffà, but generally completed after Caffà's early death by Ferrata and Giovanni Francesco Rossi. The statue of Saint Sebastian Martyr is by Pietro Paolo Campi.
Sketch of the main alter
One characteristic of Baroque architecture is 'painterly' color effects, I was caught by this notion when I saw the main alter of this church, also, it has fascinating detailing with free curves and romantic motion.
Piazza Navona – 2012.07.21
Posted: July 21, 2012 in 1600s, 7.21, Architecture & Place-Making, Baroque, Cut Stone Masonry, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Piazza, Rome, Urban
Construction Type: Cut Stone Masonry
Piazza Navona is a city square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans came there to watch the agones ("games"), and hence it was known as 'Circus Agonalis' (competition arena). It is believed that over time the name changed to 'in agone' to 'navone' and eventually to 'navona'.
Keywords: Baroque Roman Architecture, Fountains,Point In Space
Baroque Roman Architecture
Today we visited the famous piazza: Piazza Navona. it was defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, the Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art. And I enjoyed ambling inside this Baroque pizza and I am trying to find what makes this place "Baroque", and why it is so successful for people to use.
First notion for me was that facing onto the piazza, there are seveal important sculptural and architectural creations: in the center stands the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini,topped by the Obelisk of Domitian. As in the center of the piazza, it function as a attracting point in space, which attracts people in order to break the scale down and define circulation. In the photograph, standing as the background of Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Francesco Borromini, Girolamo Rainaldi, Carlo Rainaldi and others; It also add the Baroque language to the piazza and public.
Photograph of Pamphili palace, a palace facing onto the Piazza Navona also by Girolamo Rainaldi, that accommodates the long gallery designed by Borromini and frescoed by Pietro da Cortona.
There are fabulous fountains seating on the Piazza Navona: at the southern end is the Fontana del Moro and at the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune.
La Fontana del Moro (the Moor Fountain) is a fountain located at the southern end of the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy. It represents a Moor, standing in a conch shell, wrestling with a dolphin, surrounded by four Tritons. It is placed in a basin of rose-colored marble. The fountain was originally designed by Giacomo della Porta in 1575 with the dolphin and four Tritons. In 1653, the statue of the Moor, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was added. In 1874, during a restoration of the fountain, the original statues were moved to the Villa Borghese and replaced with copies.
Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) is a fountain in Rome, Italy, located at the north end of the Piazza Navona. It was once called "Fontana dei Calderari" because it was located close to a small alley with blacksmith's workshops, makers of pots and pans and of other metal based businesses, all of them generating heat.
The restoration of the Roman Aqua Virgo aqueduct in 1570 was immediately followed by the start of work on a continuation water supply pipe towards the district of the old Campo Marzio, which following the diminution of the city's size and importance was left as the most densely populated part of the city. Restoration of a piped water supply in turn permitted the construction of several public fountains. The basin part of the Fontana del Nettuno, (without the sculptures) was designed in 1574 by Giacomo Della Porta, who also designed the Moor Fountain at the other side of the square. It was sponsored by pope Gregory XIII. The lower part of the basin consists of white marble and the upper part of the local stone from Pietrasanta. For the next 300 years, the fountain survived without statues.
Point In Space
I think the piazza works well because the idea of "Point In Space", the fountains play the role of "point", distributing strategically in the space.
Analytical sketch for "point in space". For me, this space works well for the following reasons:
1. The "point" attracts people
2. They define "zones"
3. They define circulations
Fontana di Trevi(Trevi Fountain)-2012.07.21
Posted: July 21, 2012 in 1700s, 7.21, Architecture & Place-Making, Baroque, Bearing Masonry, Fountain, Nicola Salvi, Rome, Urban
Tags: Architecture & Place-Making, Fountain
Fontana di Trevi(Trevi Fountain)
Architect: Nicola Salvi
Location: Rome, Italy
Building Type: Fountain
Introduction(Information mainly based on Internet and Readings)
The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy. Standing 26 meters (85.3 feet) high and 20 meters (65.6 feet) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
In 1629 Pope Urban VIII, finding the earlier fountain insufficiently dramatic, asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sketch possible renovations, but when the Pope died, the project was abandoned. Though Bernini's project was never constructed, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it exists today. An early, striking and influential model by Pietro da Cortona, preserved in the Albertina, Vienna, also exists, as do various early 18th century sketches, most unsigned, as well as a project attributed to Nicola Michetti one attributed to Ferdinando Fuga and a French design by Edme Bouchardon.
Competitions had become the rage during the Baroque era to design buildings, fountains, and even the Spanish Steps. In 1730 Pope Clement XII organized a contest in which Nicola Salvi initially lost to Alessandro Galilei – but due to the outcry in Rome over the fact that a Florentine won, Salvi was awarded the commission anyway.[9] Work began in 1732, and the fountain was completed in 1762, long after Clement's death, when Pietro Bracci's Oceanus (god of all water) was set in the central niche.
Salvi died in 1751, with his work half-finished, but before he went he made sure a stubborn barber's unsightly sign would not spoil the ensemble, hiding it behind a sculpted vase, called by Romans the asso di coppe, the "Ace of Cups".
The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini, who substituted the present allegories for planned sculptures of Agrippa and "Trivia", the Roman virgin.
Keywords: Baroque&Symmetry, Coin Throwing
Baroque&Symmetry
On an architecture perspective view, as a baroque fountain, Trevi fountain has the character of symmetry and free curves.It owns the nature of baroque style that exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture.
The top of the fountain was characterized by free and sculptural use of the classical orders and ornament, which is the baroque language, it gives a richness feeling for the skyline, at the same time, under its "free form", it has the logic of classical orders, it has rational horizontal and vertical elements to form a symmetrical order.
Unlike the classical architecture, new emphasis was placed on domes, light-and-shade effects, and the bold play of volume and void, which we can tell clearly fro the facade.
Analytical sketch of the facade, I learned how to read the baroque language and classical order from it.
Coin Throwing
A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. This was the theme of 1954's Three Coins in the Fountain and the Academy Award-winning song by that name which introduced the picture.An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.
As the tradition manner, I throw a coin as well, hope I can be back to Rome in the future!


Lock in a great price for Casa De Leon – rated 9.2 by recent guests!
The ladies running the place were very helpful and just beautiful people. 3 volcanoes are in direct view from the roof patio. Breakfast was served as one of the volcanoes kept blowing smoke. Plants are all over the property. Food and drink close by. Incredible little place!
Staff is so lovely and helpful! Beds are comfortable, breakfast is delicious. Santa Clara bakery's coffee and chocolate croissant nearby. Great place!
Owner was so nice, rooms were clean, and breakfast was DELICIOUS. Better than any food we found outside. We really enjoyed our stay here!
The staff was great and the shower was warm, which is not always the case in Antigua, so that was very nice.
Very friendly staff and a great breakfast each morning. Located a 5 minute walk from the middle of Antigua but nice and quiet at night.
Perfect example of Mi Casa, Su Casa! Comfortable, quiet, good location, breakfast prepared every morning, and the host even graciously washed my laundry and lent me their iron. Wonderful roof top area with lovely views of the volcanoes. One can't beat the incredible price either. A definite thumbs up!
Most comfortable bed I had in all of Guatemala, definitely the best breakfast!
I loved my stay with my family, Mitsy and the personnel were very kind and helpful at all times, the place is very clean and quiet, a great place to spend the night at a great rate, I definitely recommend this place.
Nice location in a quiet area of town. The breakfast was fantastic. The rooftop terrace had great views of Fuego at night!
Casa De Leon is set in Antigua Guatemala, 2,650 feet from Santa Catalina Arch. It features a 24-hour front desk and Spanish lessons.
Rooms are equipped with a shared bathroom. Casa De Leon features free WiFi.
This homestay has a ski school and free use of bicycles is available. An array of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and hiking.
뀐 Located in the top-rated area in Antigua Guatemala, this property has an excellent location score of 9.2!
When would you like to stay at Casa De Leon?
House Rules Casa De Leon takes special requests – add in the next step!
The breakfast, staff and rooftop terrace were exceptional! We planned on staying one night but we stayed for five days. I don't think you can find anything better in Antigua. I would also recommend the airport shuttle service a lot.
There were no windows in the bedroom which made it dark and the room itself felt quite damp. There is one shower and two toilets. The shower was often taken around peak times but the showers were always hot. Regardless, this was great value for money!
Breakfast was different each morning and always so tasty and filling. It was very clean and quiet which made it a great place to go to at the end of the night to get a good sleep. The beds were comfortable and the location made it easy to walk everywhere. Great terrace upstairs to lounge with a good view. Staff were friendly and always helpful.
Sharing toilet and bathroom but I knew that anyway.
Great breakfast! Super helpful with booking tours and making your stay comfortable.
The breakfast was the best! Very delicious! Rooms were comfortable. The house is clean. Nice rooftop terrace available.
Very nice and well maintained place, near the center, with super nice hosts.
Shower didn't warm up - not the worst thing but worth noting.
They are SO welcoming. The hotel is really well located with a little roof top in front of the volcanos, the breakfast was good. Thank you for everything!!
Nothing. It was great. Maybe would be nice to have a place to hang towels in the room.
The ladies that work here were super friendly and accommodating. The breakfast was delicious and the facility was clean. Beautiful views from the terrace and a lovely green atmosphere with all the exotic plants lining the common room.


text:
Q: strange mysql results in asp I have the following piece of code:
strSQL = "SELECT COUNT(*) AS anz FROM tbl_ergebnisse WHERE testavg >0"
set rs3 = Conn.Execute(strSQL)
Response.Write "Count(*):
"
if not rs3.eof then
    Response.Write "Anz: " & rs3("anz")
else
    Response.Write "EOF"
end if

strSQL = "SELECT testavg FROM tbl_ergebnisse WHERE testavg >0"
set rs2 = Conn.Execute(strSQL)

Response.Write "Entries:
"
do while not rs2.eof
    Response.Write rs2("testavg") & "
"
rs2.MoveNext()
loop

strSQL = "SELECT AVG(testavg) AS mittelwert FROM tbl_ergebnisse WHERE testavg >0"
set rs = Conn.Execute(strSQL)

if not rs.eof then
    Response.Write "Mittelwert: " & rs("mittelwert")
else
    Response.Write "EOF"
end if

Which give me a strange result:
Query 1 returns "4" (the count is correct). Query 2 returns no results and Query3 also returns no results
The table "tbl_ergebnisse" looks like this
testavg (DECIMAL)

with the entries: 3; 3; 4; 5;
Screenshot from data in the table can be found here: www.trinews.at/data.png

Any suggestions why I get an empty recordset? Running the querys direct on the database returns correct values.

A: I recreated your issue with SQL Server Express with a field type of Decimal(18,0) and it worked as expected.
Try converting the results to doubles using CDbl as below.
strSQL = "SELECT testavg FROM tbl_ergebnisse WHERE testavg >0"
set rs2 = Conn.Execute(strSQL)
Response.Write "Entries:
"
do while not rs2.eof
    Response.Write CDbl(rs2("testavg")) & "
"
rs2.MoveNext()
loop

strSQL = "SELECT AVG(testavg) AS mittelwert FROM tbl_ergebnisse WHERE testavg >0"
set rs = Conn.Execute(strSQL)
if not rs.eof then
    Response.Write "Mittelwert: " & CDbl(rs("mittelwert"))
else
    Response.Write "EOF"
end if

A: try using CAST in your MySQL statement to convert the decimal type to a number that ASP ADODB can understand, otherwise ASP can't recognize the results from MySQL and thinks it's EOF. example:
SELECT CAST(SUM(Entry_Data_1) as UNSIGNED) as score FROM contests_entries

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
countrygardenerblog.com
Quick Answer: Did Martin Luther Believe In The Trinity?
Why do Protestants not believe in Mary?
Do Protestants believe in purgatory?
Why was Luther upset with the church?
Where does the Bible mention purgatory?
How is Lutheran different from Christianity?
What church does not believe in the Trinity?
Did Martin Luther believe in salvation?
What does the father represent in the Trinity?
What is the difference between the Catholic Bible and the Protestant Bible?
Did Martin Luther change the Bible?
Is the concept of the Trinity Biblical?
Did Martin Luther believe in Jesus?
The Roman Catholic Church reveres Mary, the mother of Jesus, as "Queen of Heaven." However, there are few biblical references to support the Catholic Marian dogmas — which include the Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity and her Assumption into heaven.
This is why they are rejected by Protestants..
In general, Protestant churches reject the Catholic doctrine of purgatory although some teach the existence of an intermediate state. Many Protestant denominations, though not all, teach the doctrine of sola scriptura ("scripture alone") or prima scriptura ("scripture first").
Luther became increasingly angry about the clergy selling 'indulgences' – promised remission from punishments for sin, either for someone still living or for one who had died and was believed to be in purgatory. On 31 October 1517, he published his '95 Theses', attacking papal abuses and the sale of indulgences.
Roman Catholic Christians who believe in purgatory interpret passages such as 2 Maccabees 12:41–46, 2 Timothy 1:18, Matthew 12:32, Luke 16:19–16:26, Luke 23:43, 1 Corinthians 3:11–3:15 and Hebrews 12:29 as support for prayer for purgatorial souls who are believed to be within an active interim state for the dead …
2) The central point of belief for all Christians, including Lutherans, is Jesus Christ as the Savior. 3) The Lutheran denomination differs from other Christian sectors primarily in the belief that humans are saved from sins by God's grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide).
Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity doctrine, viewing it as pagan and unscriptural, and hold to the Jesus' Name doctrine with respect to baptisms. Oneness Pentecostals are often referred to as "Modalists" or "Sabellians" or "Jesus Only".
His central teachings, that the Bible is the central source of religious authority and that salvation is reached through faith and not deeds, shaped the core of Protestantism. Although Luther was critical of the Catholic Church, he distanced himself from the radical successors who took up his mantle.
God the Father Christians refer to God as the Father. God the Father is the creator of all things. This means that he was the creator of the world and everything in it. He is the father of the universe.
"I would say that the main difference is that the Catholic Bible includes more wisdom books," Collins said. "And wisdom is associated with natural theology, and that has been one of the major theological differences between Protestants and Catholics. Protestants generally reject natural theology."
While he was sequestered in the Wartburg Castle (1521–22) Luther began to translate the New Testament from Greek into German in order to make it more accessible to all the people of the "Holy Roman Empire of the German nation." He translated from the Greek text, using Erasmus' second edition (1519) of the Greek New …
The New Testament of the Bible never explicitly refers to the Trinity as such, but it does contain a number of references to the Economic Trinity: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Before 1516, Luther's belief that Mary is a mediatrix between God and humanity was driven by his fear of Jesus being the implacable judge of all people. "The Virgin Mary remains in the middle between Christ and humankind. … Luther later rejected the stance of Mary as a mediator between Christ and humanity.
Question: Did Moses Wander The Desert For 40 Years?
Why did Jesus go to the desert for 40 days?
Quick Answer: Do Baptists Speak Tongues?
Is there a baptism of the Holy Spirit? It is a sacrament
What Does The Bible Say About Gifts And Talents?
What is the lesson of the parable of the talents?
Question: Where Did Jesus Go After Being Baptized?
Did Jesus receive the Holy Spirit when he was baptized?
Question: Is Spain Poor Or Rich?
What is the richest part of Spain? In Madrid city itself
How Do You Know You Met Your Soulmate?
How do you know if the universe wants you to be with someone?
Did Ready Player One Make Money?
How many references are there in Ready Player One?
Who Was Jesus'S Father?
Who was Jesus's actual father? PantheraPanthera
What Is Sudan'S Main Religion?
Does Sudan have freedom of religion? The 2019 transitional
Question: Who Is The Most Famous Person In The Philippines?
Who is the most famous celebrity in the Philippines?
How Can We Solve Poverty In The Philippines?
Is Philippines a poor or rich country? Having sustained
Quick Answer: What Is The Difference Between Wherefore And Therefore?
What does Wherefore mean in Old English? Even though
Question: Whats Does Grace Mean?
What is God's grace and mercy? In the dictionary
© 2021 countrygardenerblog.com


Not everyone who celebrates Sunday's Feast of the Epiphany will appreciate -- or even want to hear -- the message Matthew conveys in the Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12).
I always remind my students of Rev. Dennis McCarthy's definition of "canonicity." The late Jesuit said: "We have these specific books in the Bible because they've helped the most people over the longest period of time to understand their faith."
Matthew's story of the Magi forces us to zero in on the last words of Father McCarthy's definition -- "to understand their faith."
The scriptural writings were never intended to give people their faith. Only after they believed did they turn to the sacred writings to understand the implications of their faith.
Writing for a Jewish/Christian community, Matthew is attempting to show how non-Jews reached faith in Jesus without going through the faith-process his own readers had experienced.
The Magi are astrologers, not kings. Obviously Gentiles, they follow a path to Jesus forbidden to Jews. We who hear this narrative today simply don't share the same religious environment its original listeners shared.
Jews were prohibited by their Mosaic Law to use heavenly bodies for anything except light, and instruments to determine times and seasons. Those who dared "follow" stars were to be put to death. All Jews knew Yahweh never employed stars as means of divine communication.
Yet, that happens here. And not only here, but also in the parallel situations presented in the other two readings for Sunday.
In the second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6), Paul presumes some in Ephesus are just as locked into the same limited view of God's actions as some in Matthew's community. That's why he refers to Gentile participation in Christianity as a revelation "not made known to people in other generations."
No one could have foreseen the day when these non-Jews would become "co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel."
God not only works outside the restricting lines we create; He completely and haughtily erases those lines.
In the first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6), the prophet attempts to prepare his audience for such "unreligious" actions by talking about the day when Jerusalem will benefit from the generosity of Gentiles: "Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of Yahweh."
Giving those words even more significance is that, when the prophet proclaims them, Jerusalem is in ruins. If the city is to be rebuilt, Gentiles will have to help -- something most Jews would have found unacceptable.
Some of us find the message of these three authors unacceptable. As Gentiles, we're not uptight about the role Gentiles are given in the passages. But formed by catechism classes and dogmatic methods of instruction, it's difficult to step outside the boundaries in which we're so comfortable.
Our sacred authors would have regarded such a limited mentality as "unbiblical faith."
I suggest you look around after Sunday's Gospel is proclaimed. If someone spontaneously throws his or her fist into the air and yells, "Yeah!" you've just discovered someone for whom Scripture was originally intended.


Ideal for the home handyman or renovator, this Ozito Double Bevel Slide Compound Mitre Saw with Laser Guide allows a variety of cuts to be made including, cross cut bevel, mitre and compound mitre. The included work stand provides a stable and secure working height.
The dual rail slide bars facility enables you to cut wide boards up to 290mm in one pass. Rotating aluminium table for precise angle cuts ranging from -45° to 45° with positive mitre table stops enable quick and simple adjustment. Depth of cut adjustment allows the cutting depth to be set for trenching and rebating applications.
An integrated, mains-power laser marks the cutting line enabling the workpiece to be positioned quickly and accurately.


It may surprise you to learn it's common for people to agree to police questioning in Wisconsin without first making the effort to consult a lawyer for advice. Unfortunately, this isn't the best course of action if law enforcement has taken an interest in you.
It's human nature to answer when asked a question. It's almost automatic. That impulse can be even stronger when an authority figure, such as a police officer, is doing the asking.
It can also be very intimidating to be approached by the police. You might feel compelled to answer their questions in an effort to prove your innocence, but it's important to fight this compulsion.
In all of these situations, it's important to realize the police are likely investigating a criminal offense and you could be the subject of their investigation. You don't want to say anything to compromise your defense or put yourself at risk. Your reputation, livelihood, and even your freedom can depend on it.
If anyone attempts to question or interview you, be polite, but refrain from answering any police questions without the presence of a skilled defense attorney.
If you've recently been approached by police for questioning, contact an established Wisconsin criminal defense attorney right away.
"Do the Police Suspect I've Committed a Crime?"
As difficult as it might be to believe, if the police approach you for questioning of any kind, you may already be the subject of a criminal investigation in Wisconsin.
If you do not stop to consider that you may be the intended target of an investigation when approached for an interview or exchange of any kind by law enforcement--including field sobriety testing--you may not feel the need to seek advice from an attorney. This is a mistake.
Agreeing to answer a police officer's questions without the presence and counsel of a knowledgeable defense lawyer could result in your arrest--wrongfully or not.
Read the article, "Am I Being Investigated for a White-Collar Crime" by Stangl Law if you think the police might suspect you of fraud, embezzlement or other such crime in Wisconsin.
If the police approach you in Wisconsin for questioning or request an interview to assist them with an investigation, be wary. Be polite and stay calm, but do not agree to answer their questions. Instead, simply state that you would like to talk to an attorney.
Contact an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense attorney right away if you are approached for questioning of any kind by police.
Any time you believe you might be implicated in a crime in Wisconsin for any reason--by another person or due to your previous criminal history--it's not advised to leave your freedom to chance.
A skilled criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights and advise you throughout this process.
Read the article, "How to Choose the Right Lawyer in Wisconsin" by Stangl Law if you're not sure which Wisconsin law firm to hire.
Madison Criminal Defense Attorney Pat Stangl has been fighting to successfully defend his clients' rights across Wisconsin since 1991. Attorney Stangl is pleased to offer to you at no obligation a FREE 15-minute consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options to best prepare your defense. Click the link to get started now and restore your peace of mind.


WARNING — IF YOU LIVE IN A CAVE AND READ BY CANDLELIGHT A PLOT SPOLER IS CONTAINED HEREIN: The Weinstein Co's August: Osage County, which screened early this evening at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall, feels a tiny bit abbreviated and doesn't deliver quite as much of a full-on emotional wallop as Tracy Letts' Tony Award-winning stage play, but it's strong and direct and satisfying enough to give the play's admirers what they're looking for. I was intrigued and attuned from start to finish. And the film certainly delivers at least four…make that five top-notch performances — first and foremost Meryl Streep as the bitchy matriarch Violet Weston (an all-but-guaranteed Best Actress nominee), Julia Roberts as her angry daughter Barbara, Margo Martindale as Mattie Fae Aiken, Julianne Nicholson as Ivy Weston and Juliette Lewis as Karen Weston.
I would call August: Osage County a very strongly hit double…okay, a triple due to fielder error and the runner sliding in. Whereas the play was a wowser grand slam, or so it seemed when I first saw it in '08. The bottom line, I suspect, is that the acting is going to get more awards attention than the film itself, and there's nothing wrong with that scenario. A:OC might very possibly end up a Best Picture contender but it doesn't hold a candle, horsepower-wise, to 12 Years A Slave. I'm sorry but it just doesn't. For the simple reason that Slave is a flat-out masterpiece and August: Osage County isn't.
The Broadway stage version was a longish, sprawling, fully-worked-through drama of rage, dysfunction and too much prescription medication — a three-hour litany of familial boils, abrasions and eruptions. The film version, directed by John Wells, does the original material justice — it's a strong family wrestling match but it doesn't feel as ample. It's shorter (the TIFF program notes say 130 minutes but the film was over at just under the two-hour mark) and it just doesn't seem to seep in and spread out and stretch its legs as much as the play. I wanted to swim laps in the pool of it, but it's more of a sitting-in-a-hot-tub experience. Soothing and stimulating for sure, but not as much of a workout.
Streep owns it, but the final moment, I have to say, lacks cojones. The play ended, quite fittingly, with the savage-mannered Violet abandoned by her family and left all alone with…I forgot who she was listening to in the play but in the film it's Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally." The film shows us this, but it ends with Julia Roberts driving around the Oklahoma countryside in a pickup truck, evidently feeling some kind of relief about having left the Weston home or whatever. It feels a bit mushy. Wells and Weinstein should have manned up and gone with the tougher, more concise finish.
That's all I have time to write for now, but August: Osage County has nothing to worry about in terms of gathering strong reviews, award-season acclaim and perhaps some spirited box-office action.


text:
GCR downgrades Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A's rating to A-(AO); Stable Outlook.
Johannesburg, 05 July 2018 — Global Credit Ratings has today downgraded the national scale claims paying ability rating assigned to Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A. to A-(AO) from A(AO), with the outlook accorded as Stable. The rating is valid until June 2019.
Global Credit Ratings ("GCR") has accorded the above credit rating to Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A. ("Saham Angola") based on the following key criteria:
The rating has been downgraded on the back of sustained weakening in earnings capacity relative to the strong performance recorded at the start of the review period, offsetting an improvement in risk adjusted capitalisation. GCR further notes the potential for persistent earnings pressure to gradually impact on capitalisation.
Earning capacity remained under pressure, with the two-year underwriting margin equating to -11% (FY17: -4%), compared to the prior three-year cycle margin of 9%. Moderately weak underwriting performance over the last two years was largely due to an increase in the net incurred loss ratio, coupled with higher operating expenses. In GCR's view, earnings pressure may persist, with the net incurred loss ratio remaining higher (ranging between 35% and 40%), compared to the very low claims ratio registered historically (29%). This is likely to be exacerbated by high operating expenses, with the expense ratio forecast to remain above 60% (FY17: 66%; FY16: 76%).
The insurer's risk adjusted capital adequacy rebounded to a moderately strong level, after registering at a moderately weak level over the last two years. This was largely due to an increase in the capital base, following a capital injection of AOA2.5bn in FY18, catering for an increased quantum of credit risk exposure (stemming from a rise in related-party receivables). Accordingly, the international solvency margin is budgeted to register at a higher 75% by FY18 (FY17: 42%). Risk adjusted capitalisation may remain at similar levels, albeit exposed to persistent and volatile earnings pressure. GCR also notes the high capital exposure to maximum net deductibles per event, which equated to 12% of capital at FY17. Nonetheless, this is partially mitigated by the strong aggregated credit quality of the reinsurance panel.
Liquidity metrics have remained at strong levels over the review period. In this respect, cash coverage of net technical liabilities registered at a high 4.5x at FY17 (FY16: 4.3x), while claims cash coverage equated to 79 months (FY16: 86 months). GCR expects liquidity metrics to remain within a strong range over the rating horizon, supported by somewhat conservative asset allocation. Cognisance is however taken of the currency risk stemming from dollar denominated exposures, in light of limited foreign currency holdings and the current operating environment challenges.
Saham Angola's business profile is viewed to be moderately strong, underpinned by healthy competitive positioning and fairly diversified earnings. In this respect, the insurer is one of the leading players in the domestic market, with an estimated market share ranging between 15%- 20% of total industry gross premiums over the review period. The business mix is spread across four lines of business, albeit characterized by the presence of high-value multi-national risks, which result in a certain degree of volatility in the premium composition. Entrenched market relationships, strong brand recognition, products development and innovative marketing initiatives are expected to support the insurer's competitive positioning over the rating horizon, while management expects to focus on enhanced earnings diversification over the medium term.
Reserving has been measured at high levels over the review period and is expected to be sustained over the rating horizon. Reserving is supported by a fairly sophisticated framework, derived from a fully integrated underwriting system and external technical support.
The rating may be upgraded if earnings capacity was sustainably restored to moderately strong ranges, while risk adjusted capitalisation and liquidity registered at strong levels. Conversely, a downgrade could result from risk adjusted capital adequacy weakening below expectations. Furthermore, a material deterioration in earnings capacity could result in negative rating action.
Initial rating (August 2007)
Claims paying ability: BBB+(AO)
Last rating (July 2017)
Claims paying ability: A(AO)
Outlook: Negative
Yvonne Mujuru Fleur NGASSA
Sector Head: Insurance Ratings Junior Credit Analyst
ymujuru@globalratings.net MarlaineN@globalratings.net
Criteria for Rating Short Term Insurance Companies, updated May 2018
Saham Angola rating reports and announcements, 2016-2017
GA Angola Seguros, S.A rating reports, 2007-2015
Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A. participated in the rating process via face-to-face management meetings, teleconferences and/or other written correspondence. Furthermore, the quality of information received was considered adequate and has been independently verified where possible.
The credit rating has been disclosed to Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A. with no contestation of the rating.
The information received from Saham Assurances Angola Seguros, S.A. and other reliable third parties to accord the credit rating included:
Four years of comparative numbers
TERMS/ACRONYMS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT AS PER GCR'S INSURANCE GLOSSARY
Capitalisation The provision of capital for a company, or the conversion of income or assets into capital.
Capital Adequacy A measure of the adequacy of an entity's capital resources in relation to its risks.
Cash Funds that can be readily spent or used to meet current obligations.
Distribution Channel The method utilised by the insurance company to sell its products to policyholders.
Enterprise Risk Management ERM refers to an integrated or holistic approach to managing risk across an organisation, using clearly articulated frameworks and processes controlled from board level.
Exposure Exposure is the amount of risk the holder of an asset or security is faced with as a consequence of holding the security or asset. For an insurer, its exposure may also relate to the risk related to policies issued.
International Scale Rating ("ISR") International local currency (International LC) ratings measure the likelihood of repayment in the currency of the jurisdiction in which the issuer is domiciled. Therefore, the rating does not take into account the possibility that it will not be able to convert local currency into foreign currency or make transfers between sovereign jurisdictions.
Intermediary A third party in the sale and administration of insurance products.
Investment Portfolio A collection of investments held by an individual investor or financial institution.
Liquidity The speed at which assets can be converted to cash. The ability of an insurer to convert its assets into cash to pay claims if necessary. Market liquidity refers to the ease with which a security can be bought or sold quickly and in large volumes without substantially affecting the market price.
Market Risk Volatility in the value of a security/asset due to movements in share prices, interest rates, currencies, commodities or wider economic factors.
National Scale Rating ("NSR") National Scale credit ratings express risk in relative rank order, which is to say they are ordinal measures of credit risk and are not predictive of a specific frequency of default or loss.
Policyholder The person in actual possession of an insurance policy.
Portfolio All of the insurer's in-force policies and outstanding losses, with respect to described segments of its business.
Rating Horizon The rating outlook period
Short Term Current; ordinarily less than one year.
Underwriting Margin Measures efficiency of underwriting and expense management processes.
For a detailed glossary of terms, please click here
Tagged in: Angola


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text:
WATCH: Sen. Rand Paul Says He's Asking Justice Department For Criminal Referral Into Fauci
After clashing during a hearing about our nation's COVID response on Tuesday, Senator Rand Paul announced that he is asking the Justice Department for a criminal referral into Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Senator Paul announced his intent during an interview on Hannity following the explosive exchange during the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing— during which he implied that Dr. Fauci had lied in testimony before Congress.
Fauci had previously claimed that the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) had never funded gain-of-function research in China — which many believe may have been the source of the pandemic. However, Paul pulled up a paper on research about bat coronaviruses that showed money had indeed gone to funding the controversial research — and offered him the chance to retract his statement.
Things escalated significantly when the Kentucky Senator promised that people, including Fauci himself, will be held responsible for what happened.
Things just got tense between Senator @RandPaul and Dr. Fauci.
PAUL: "There will be responsibility for those who funded the lab, including yourself."
FAUCI: "I totally resent the lie that you are now propagating, Senator." pic.twitter.com/RZq3ESb9xM
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 20, 2021
During his subsequent appearance on Fox News, Sean Hannity asked Senator Paul if he thinks Fauci "lied before Congress and broke the law."
BREAKING: Sen. Rand Paul: "I will be sending a letter to the Department of Justice asking for a criminal referral" into Dr. Fauci – https://t.co/p0bxXRPZaN pic.twitter.com/vWrwu8ET1E
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 21, 2021
"Yes, and I will be sending a letter to Department of Justice asking for a criminal referral, because he has lied to Congress," Senator Paul said. "We have scientists that will line up by the dozens to say that the research he was funding was gain-of-function. He's doing this because he has a self interest to cover his tracks and to cover his connection to Wuhan lab. Now does he deserve all the blame? No, there's still some conjecture as to whether or not it came from the lab. But he's lying about whether or not he funded gain-of-function research, and yes, he should be punished."
Texas Democrats Who Fled State To Quit Releasing Numbers On COVID Positive Members
07.20.21 | Charley Mills


text:
Q: Get ID of related object class ModelA(...):
   modelB = ForeignKey(...)

Say I have modelA instance, how do I get the ID of  modelA.modelB without incurring a DB query?
If I do modelA.modelB.pk it will send a query.

A: You can just use modelA.modelB_id. That uses the underlying db field directly.


Apr 15, 2012 at Norton, Mass.
E - Grady(6); Barrett(2). LOB - Southern Me. 7; Wheaton 9. 2B - Ricker 2(9); Verrier(5); Ryan 2(12); Gusovsky(11); Keating(8). 3B - Demeo(1). HR - T. White(5); Grady(4); Ryan(1). HBP - Glauser. SF - T. White(4); Jensen(2). SB - Chadwick(7); Ryan(16); De la Cruz(5); Foley(9).
Win - Filloramo (2-1). Loss - Yates (1-3). Save - None. WP - Laliberte(4); Grant(1). HBP - by Laliberte (Glauser).
Yates faced 3 batters in the 6th.
Southern Maine 1st - Ricker struck out swinging. Glauser singled to third base, bunt. T. White singled to left field; Glauser advanced to second. Grady reached on a fielder's choice; T. White out at second ss to 2b; Glauser advanced to third. Chadwick popped up to ss. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 1st - Landers grounded out to 2b. Jensen grounded out to 3b. Ryan singled to right center. Ryan stole second. Haugh grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Southern Maine 2nd - Carey flied out to rf. Verrier popped up to 1b. Barrett grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 2nd - De la Cruz popped up to 2b. Gusovsky struck out looking. Foley grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Southern Maine 3rd - Powers grounded out to ss. Ricker grounded out to 3b. Glauser popped up to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 3rd - Keating flied out to rf. Demeo tripled down the rf line. Landers grounded out to 2b, RBI; Demeo scored. Jensen lined out to lf. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Southern Maine 4th - T. White homered to left field, RBI. Grady grounded out to 3b. Chadwick singled to second base. Chadwick stole second. Carey grounded out to ss; Chadwick advanced to third. Verrier doubled to left center, RBI; Chadwick scored. Barrett flied out to lf. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 4th - Ryan homered to left center, RBI. Haugh grounded out to 3b. De la Cruz singled to pitcher. Gusovsky singled to right field; De la Cruz advanced to third. Foley singled to left field, RBI; Gusovsky advanced to second; De la Cruz scored. Keating fouled out to 1b. Demeo popped up to 3b. 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Southern Maine 5th - Powers singled to left field. Ricker fouled out to 1b. Glauser hit by pitch; Powers advanced to second. Glauser advanced to second on a wild pitch; Powers advanced to third on a wild pitch. T. White flied out to lf, SF, RBI; Powers scored. Filloramo to p for Laliberte. Grady homered to left field, 2 RBI; Glauser scored. Chadwick flied out to cf. 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 5th - Landers grounded out to ss. Jensen reached on a fielding error by 3b. Ryan doubled to center field, RBI; Jensen scored, unearned. Haugh flied out to cf. De la Cruz flied out to lf. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Southern Maine 6th - Carey grounded out to 3b. Verrier grounded out to 3b. Barrett grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 6th - Gusovsky doubled down the rf line. Foley singled to third base, bunt; Gusovsky advanced to third. Keating doubled down the lf line, RBI; Foley advanced to third; Gusovsky scored. Holmes to p for Yates. O'Neill pinch hit for Demeo. O'Neill grounded out to 1b unassisted. Landers singled through the right side, RBI; Keating advanced to third; Foley scored. Jensen flied out to cf, SF, RBI; Keating scored. Ryan doubled down the lf line, RBI; Landers scored. Haugh intentionally walked. De la Cruz singled up the middle, RBI; Haugh advanced to second; Ryan scored. Gusovsky grounded out to p. 5 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Southern Maine 7th - Connor to 2b for O'Neill. Longley to p for Filloramo. Powers struck out swinging. Ricker doubled down the lf line. Glauser singled up the middle, RBI; Ricker scored. T. White grounded out to 3b; Glauser advanced to second. Grady grounded out to 2b. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 7th - Foley reached on a fielding error by 1b. Keating grounded out to 1b unassisted; Foley advanced to second. Connor struck out swinging; Foley stole third. Landers singled to center field, RBI; Foley scored, unearned. Jensen singled to pitcher; Landers advanced to second. Valenti to p for Holmes. Ryan flied out to lf. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Southern Maine 8th - Chadwick singled through the left side. Carey lined out to 3b. Verrier struck out looking. Barrett singled to right field; Chadwick advanced to third. T. Thibodeau pinch ran for Barrett. Powers grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Wheaton (Mass.) 8th - Carey to 1b. T. Thibodeau to 2b. Haugh flied out to rf. De la Cruz singled to right field. Gusovsky flied out to rf. De la Cruz stole second. Foley flied out to cf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Southern Maine 9th - Grant to p for Longley. Ricker doubled to left field. Glauser singled through the right side; Ricker advanced to third. T. White popped up to ss. Glauser advanced to second on a wild pitch; Ricker scored on a wild pitch. Grady struck out swinging. Chadwick grounded out to 2b. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
HR USM - Tucker White (5); Nick Grady (4).
HR WHE - Ryan (1).


Those who know me know that I am the Program Director at Ta-Pa-Win-Go. There's a reason I'm in programming and not in maintenance. I can't hardly hit a nail straight. But I was reminded in church last Sunday that I can drive a nail pretty good.
Nope, not a nail to build a piece of furniture. But I can, or rather did drive some nails almost flawlessly.
Jesus was nailed to a cross. Guess who drove those nails? You and I. Though not physically there, it was our sin that drove Christ to the cross and therefore, we drove the nails.
If I were to drive a nail during a project at camp, I'd be pretty proud. But I'm not proud of the nails I drove in Jesus' hands and feet. However, I'm so thankful that Christ chose to die for me. Because of His great love, He payed for my sin, died, rose from the dead and offered me forgiveness.
Have you accepted His forgiveness?


Transfer students complete the Graduate application and follow the instructions to submit all application requirements. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at their previous institution as one their three reference letters.
Graduate coursework that has been completed at a CSWE accredited institution will be considered for transfer credit toward the MSW at the time of admission. Other graduate credit that may be equivalent to coursework within the MSW program can also be considered once the student has been admitted. The Rutgers SSW will consider equivalent courses that have been completed within six years of application and where a minimum grade of B was earned. A maximum of 18 credits may be transferred toward the Rutgers MSW degree. Students may be asked to submit course descriptions and/or syllabi to verify equivalency of transfer credits. Professional work and/or life experience may not be considered for transfer credit to the MSW.


The driver was arrested as he set off to Lincolnshire with his partner and children.
A driver has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving on Valley Bridge.
Police stopped the vehicle earlier today (January 29) just as the driver set off for Lincolnshire with his partner and children.
He failed a DrugWipe test for Cannabis.
The driver failed a DrugWipe test for Cannabis and has subsequently been arrested.


Pokémon TCG: Generations (Japanese: スターターパック Starter Pack) is a special expansion released during the English XY BREAK Series and Japanese XY BREAK Era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It primarily contains reprints of cards from the XY Series and features mainly Generation I Pokémon in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the franchise.
Celebrate 20 years of Pokémon with the Pokémon TCG: Generations expansion, covering every stage of a Trainer's journey, from the choice of a first partner Pokémon to the most Elite of Trainer battles. Featuring Pikachu, Snorlax, Ninetales-EX, and Jolteon-EX, plus Mega Charizard-EX, Mega Blastoise-EX, and Mega Venusaur-EX, the Generations expansion is a power to be reckoned with! Train On.
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the franchise, the Generations expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game was first available in English from February 22, 2016. The Starter Pack, its Japanese equivalent, was released on February 27, 2016. The core English set features a large number of Pokémon from Generation I, consisting of cards from the Japanese Starter Pack, as well as a number of Japanese XY-P Promotional cards. The English release also includes a second Radiant Collection subset, the first of which appeared as part of the Legendary Treasures expansion. Like the first, this Radiant Collection originates from a Japanese Concept Pack, the PokéKyun Collection, released only a month before.
Generations features 16 Pokémon-EX, 4 of which are Mega Evolution Pokémon. The full set includes the 83 regular cards plus the Radiant Collection 32 card subset (separately numbered with the prefix RC), bringing the English total of cards available to 115. Each pack contains 10 random cards, which comprise 8 cards from the core Generations set and 2 from the Radiant Collection subset.
Unlike regular expansions, Generations booster packs could not be purchased individually from booster boxes. Instead, they were only available in special 20th Anniversary-related items of merchandise, which included Mythical Pokémon Collections and Red & Blue Collections. Each Mythical Pokémon Collection comes packaged with 2 Generations packs, in addition to a special Full Art promotional card and collector's pin featuring 1 of the 11 Mythical Pokémon available as part of the 20th Anniversary distributions during 2016. The Mythical Pokémon Collection—Mew was the first of these products available from February 22, 2016, concluding with the Mythical Pokémon Collection—Meloetta in December 2016, mirroring the distributions. Each of the 4 Red & Blue Collection boxes available throughout 2016 contain 4 Generations packs in addition to either a sculpted figure or Jumbo card of the focal Pokémon, depending on which country the product was made for sale. Two other Generations products were made available later in 2016: the Generations Elite Trainer Box was released in July and the Super Premium Collection: Mew & Mewtwo was released in September.
The Japanese Starter Pack emulates the original both in terms of design and the random nature of the cards included. While the cards contained in each deck can vary, they are grouped based on evolutionary family and type. The deck can be broken down into two sections, which are packaged separately. The first section will always contain one of two Mega Pokémon, either M Venusaur-EX or M Charizard-EX, in addition to a fixed selection of Pokémon and Energy cards relative to its type, plus multiples of Trainer cards for a total of 27 cards. The second section contains 3 different groups of Pokémon containing an evolutionary family of 1 type, plus 1 other Pokémon of the same type, matching Energy cards, and a selection of single Trainer cards for a total of 33 cards. None of the cards available as part of the pack have rarity symbols. A special Blastoise version of the Starter Pack (Japanese: スターターパック カメックスver.) was later made available, initially exclusive to venues hosting the Kamex Mega Battle in Japan during May 2016, followed by a more general release from the Pokémon Center Online store in June 2016. This version substitutes the Grass or Fire-type cards available in the first section of the regular version with Water-type cards. These cards appear in the core Generations set, but are classed as secret cards in the Starter Pack. The Starter Pack also comes with an exclusive Chansey coin.
A number of special Holofoil variants of cards from the Generations expansion were subsequently distributed as part of 20th Anniversary events in several countries.


text:
Q: twitter4j - get tweets by ID How can I get the tweets when I have the tweet ID and the user ID ? I have a file containing lines like :
userID  tweetID

I guess I should go by :
Query query = new Query("huh ?");
QueryResult result = twitter.search(query);
List<Status> tweets = result.getTweets();

but I have no clue how to spell the query
Thanks

A: Well it was no search call. The tweet apparently is called Status and the code to retrieve one by ID is :
    final Twitter twitter = new TwitterFactory().getInstance();
    twitter.setOAuthConsumer(CONSUMER_KEY, CONSUMER_KEY_SECRET);
    AccessToken accessToken = new AccessToken(TWITTER_TOKEN,
            TWITTER_TOKEN_SECRET);
    twitter.setOAuthAccessToken(accessToken);
    try {
        Status status = twitter.showStatus(Long.parseLong(tweetID));
        if (status == null) { //
            // don't know if needed - T4J docs are very bad
        } else {
            System.out.println("@" + status.getUser().getScreenName()
                        + " - " + status.getText());
        }
    } catch (TwitterException e) {
        System.err.print("Failed to search tweets: " + e.getMessage());
        // e.printStackTrace();
        // DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THROWN WHEN ID IS INVALID
    }

A: The accepted answer is no longer valid. Based on the answer in this page, the code should be changed to the following:
    String consumerKey = xxxxxxx,
            consumerSecret = xxxxxxx,
            twitterAccessToken = xxxxxxx,
            twitterAccessTokenSecret = xxxxxxx,
            Tweet_ID = xxxxxxx;

    ConfigurationBuilder builder = new ConfigurationBuilder();
    builder.setOAuthConsumerKey(consumerKey);
    builder.setOAuthConsumerSecret(consumerSecret);
    Configuration configuration = builder.build();
    TwitterFactory factory = new TwitterFactory(configuration);
    final Twitter twitter = factory.getInstance();

    //twitter.setOAuthConsumer(consumerKey, consumerSecret);
    AccessToken accessToken = new AccessToken(twitterAccessToken, twitterAccessTokenSecret);
    twitter.setOAuthAccessToken(accessToken);
    try {
        Status status = twitter.showStatus(Long.parseLong(Tweet_ID));
        if (status == null) { //
            // don't know if needed - T4J docs are very bad
        } else {
            System.out.println("@" + status.getUser().getScreenName()
                    + " - " + status.getText());
        }
    } catch (
            TwitterException e) {
        System.err.print("Failed to search tweets: " + e.getMessage());
        // e.printStackTrace();
        // DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THROWN WHEN ID IS INVALID
    }

A: A very easy way to get a list of tweets by their ID is to use the lookup function like this:
public static void main(String[] args) throws TwitterException {
        ConfigurationBuilder cfg = new ConfigurationBuilder();
        cfg.setOAuthAccessToken("key");
        cfg.setOAuthAccessTokenSecret("key");
        cfg.setOAuthConsumerKey("key");
        cfg.setOAuthConsumerSecret("key");

        Twitter twitter = new TwitterFactory(cfg.build()).getInstance();
        long[] ids = new long [3];
        ids[0] = 568363361278296064L;
        ids[1] = 568378166512726017L;
        ids[2] = 570544187394772992L;

        ResponseList<Status> statuses = twitter.lookup(ids);

        for (Status status : statuses) {
            System.out.println(status.getText());
        }
    }

The advantage of using lookup is that you can get with a sigle call up to 100 tweets, this means that if you have to download a big number of tweets you will need to do a lot less calls to the twitter API and speed up the process (this is because twitter limits the number of calls you can do).
You can even check the number of calls that you can do before twitter puts you in timeout like this:
RateLimitStatus searchLimits = twitter.getRateLimitStatus("statuses").get("/statuses/lookup");

int remain = searchLimits.getRemaining();
int limit = searchLimits.getLimit();
int secToReset = searchLimits.getSecondsUntilReset();

System.out.println(remain); // this returns the number of calls you have left
System.out.println(limit); // this returns how many calls you have max(this is a fixed number)
System.out.println(secToReset); // this returns the number of second before the reset
// after the reset you return to have the number of calls specified by "limit"


text:
using System;

namespace Roy_T.AStar.Primitives
{
    public struct GridPosition : IEquatable<GridPosition>
    {
        public static GridPosition Zero => new GridPosition(0, 0);

        public GridPosition(int x, int y)
        {
            this.X = x;
            this.Y = y;
        }

        public int X { get; }
        public int Y { get; }

        public static bool operator ==(GridPosition a, GridPosition b)
            => a.Equals(b);

        public static bool operator !=(GridPosition a, GridPosition b)
            => !a.Equals(b);

        public override string ToString() => $"({this.X}, {this.Y})";

        public override bool Equals(object obj) => obj is GridPosition GridPosition && this.Equals(GridPosition);

        public bool Equals(GridPosition other) => this.X == other.X && this.Y == other.Y;

        public override int GetHashCode() => -1609761766 + this.X + this.Y;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub