text:
\section{Analysis and results}\label{sec.analysis}

\subsection{Speed of Cherenkov photons}\label{sec.speed}
\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.4]{img/velocities.png}
	\caption{\label{fig.crt_vel} Variation of the CRT as a function of the value of the optical photon speed used for the calculation. }
\end{figure}
The calculation of the CRT depends on the speed of the Cherenkov photons in liquid xenon (Eq.~\ref{eq.velocity}), which, in turn, depends on the wavelength of the photon. Since the wavelength of a detected photon is not known, it is necessary to use an average value $\bar{v}$ in the calculation of the CRT, thus introducing a fluctuation.

Fig.~\ref{fig.crt_vel} shows the CRT as a function of  $\bar{v}$, assuming the ideal case of perfect spatial resolution and no jitter in the sensor response and in the front-end electronics. The CRT has a minimum around 200--210 mm/ns, as expected, since most of the radiation is emitted in the blue and near-UV range, where the photon speed varies very little (Fig.~\ref{fig.CherVel}-\textit{right}.) In the rest of the paper, a value of 210 mm/ns will be used for the speed of all photons, regardless of their wavelength.

\subsection{Intrinsic CRT}

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\centering
\includegraphics[scale=0.4]{img/pde_2mm.png}
\caption{\label{fig.allwvl} Dependence of the CRT on the sensor photodetection efficiency assuming all wavelengths are detected with the same efficiency.}
\end{figure}
Our initial calculation assumes an ideal sensor with no time jitter or fluctuations introduced by the electronics. The uncertainty in the determination of the 511--keV gamma interaction position in the cell is simulated as a gaussian fluctuation with 2--mm r.m.s., as in Ref.~\cite{Gomez-Cadenas:2016mkq}. In this case, the CRT is dominated by the GDE. Fig.~\ref{fig.allwvl} shows that the variation of the CRT with the GDE is small: using the time of the first photoelectron detected in each cell to compute the CRT, a perfect sensor with 100\% GDE exhibits a CRT of 12 ps, while a sensor with a GDE of 10\%, shows a CRT of some 17 ps.  This result demonstrates that, in spite of the low average number of detected photons in the case of low GDEs, the CRT is not affected sizeably, since it depends only on the arrival time of the first detected pair of photons.

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.4]{img/pde_300minwl_2mm.png}
	\caption{\label{fig.minwvl} Dependence of the CRT on the PDE with a threshold of 300 nm on the detected wavelengths.}
\end{figure}

On the other hand, Fig.~\ref{fig.CherVel}-\textit{right} shows that the speed of photons in liquid xenon varies very little for wavelengths above 300 nm. It follows that the CRT can improve using sensors with a detection threshold above 300 nm (e.g, detectors sensitive to the near UV and blue light), provided that the number of detected photons is high enough.
Fig.~\ref{fig.minwvl} shows that, indeed,  limiting the sensitivity of the sensors down to soft UV wavelengths improves the CRT to some 10 ps almost independent of GDE. As shown in Table \ref{tab.CherProp}, the number of emitted Cherenkov photons that survive this cut is around 15--20, large enough to ensure that the CRT is not spoiled. This result has very relevant implications for our study, since it shows that: a) an intrinsic CRT of near 10 ps can be reached in a LXe detector; b) the required sensors do not need to be sensitive to hard VUV light (as is the case to detect scintillation light, where 170-nm sensitive SiPMs must be used for optimal results, as discussed in Ref.~\cite{Gomez-Cadenas:2016mkq}); and c)  it is possible to decouple the detection of scintillation light and Cherenkov light (which can be done, for example, using micro-channel plate PMTs sensitive to the near UV and optical spectrum). This decoupling allows one to optimize separately sensors dedicated to energy and position measurement and those dedicated to time measurement.

\subsection{Effect of the sensor and front-end electronics jitter}

\begin{figure}[!htb]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.4]{img/jitter_2mm_minwl300nm.png}
	\caption{\label{fig.jitter_min} Dependence of the CRT on the total jitter (sensor + electronics) with a threshold of 300 nm on the detected wavelengths.}
\end{figure}

Given that the intrinsic CRT achievable with Cherenkov light in LXe approaches 10 ps, the obvious requirement for the sensors and associated electronics is to achieve a time uncertainty of the same order. With a time jitter of around 80 ps current SiPMs are far from satisfying this requirement. On the other hand, state-of-the-art fast electronics introduce a time fluctuation in the vicinity of 30 ps \cite{petsys}. When combined with very fast sensors such as single photon avalanche diodes or micro-channel plates photomultipliers, featuring time jitters of about the same order (see, for instance, Ref.~\cite{CastilloGarcia:2012} for the latter sensors), it appears that an overall time uncertainty of some 40 ps may be possible with today's technology.

To quantify the effect, we have simulated gaussian noise (corresponding to the combined time jitter of sensors and front-end electronics) for sensors with a minimum detection wavelength of 300 nm. The results, shown in Fig.~\ref{fig.jitter_min} as a function of the GDE, show that the worst case (time jitter of 80 ps corresponding to SiPMs) yields a CRT between 50 and 80 ps (which is still better than the state-of-the-art),  while jitters around 40 ps, which appear reachable with fast detectors and electronics, result in a CRT between 30 and 55 ps, depending on the GDE. In the case of micro-channel plates, their quantum efficiency nowadays reaches 20--25$\%$ \cite{qemcp}.

\section{The Cherenkov radiation}\label{sec.cher}

\subsection{The Cherenkov effect}\label{cher}
A charged particle propagating in a dielectric medium, at a speed higher than the speed of light in the medium, excites the surrounding molecules, which subsequently relax, emitting radiation.
If a particle travels at a speed lower than that of light, the light emitted by the molecules of the medium at different points along its trajectory never interferes (see Fig.~\ref{fig.CherCone}\emph{-left}). However, if the particle speed is higher than that of light, the electromagnetic waves emitted at different points interfere constructively and emit a glow sufficiently intense as to be detected. The wave front propagates at an angle $\theta$ with the direction of the particle such that:
\begin{equation}
\cos\theta = \frac{v_{\textrm{light}}}{v}
\end{equation}
where $v_{\textrm{light}}$ is the speed of light in the medium and $v$ is the speed of the particle (see Fig.~\ref{fig.CherCone}\emph{-right}).
\begin{figure}[!bhtp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.2]{img/cherfig1c.pdf}
	\includegraphics[scale=0.2]{img/cherfig2b.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.CherCone} Scheme of light emission when a particle travels at a speed lower (left), or higher (right) than that of light in the medium.}
\end{figure}
Cherenkov photons are emitted with wavelengths following the distribution:
\begin{equation}
\frac{\partial N}{\partial x\partial\lambda} = \frac{2\pi\alpha}{\lambda^2}\left(1-\frac{1}{\beta^2n^2(\lambda)}\right)
\label{eq.distrCher}
\end{equation}
where $\alpha$ is the fine-structure constant,  $\beta \equiv v/c$, $n$ is the refraction index of the medium, $\lambda$ is the photon wavelength and $x$ is the distance travelled by the charged particle. Eq.~\ref{eq.distrCher} does not diverge for high photon energy, because $n(\lambda)\rightarrow 1$ for short wavelengths (or high wave frequencies). Most Cherenkov radiation is emitted in the blue and ultraviolet range. Emission stops  when the speed of the particle drops below that of light in the medium, thus resulting in a threshold for light emission at a given wavelength of
\begin{equation}
v>\frac{c}{n(\lambda)}
\label{eq.vthr}
\end{equation}
\subsection{Using Cherenkov light in PET scanners}
The promptness of Cherenkov light (few picoseconds, to be compared with tenths of nanoseconds for scintillation light, see Fig.~\ref{fig.Times}) is a very attractive feature for TOF applications of PET scanners, since it could lead to a dramatic improvement of the CRT, provided that: a) the yield of Cherenkov photons is sufficiently high and b) the noise introduced by photosensors and electronics is sufficiently low.

\begin{figure}[!bhtp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.35]{img/CherTime_nice_black.pdf}
	\includegraphics[scale=0.35]{img/ScintTime_nice_black.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.Times} Emission time of Cherenkov (left) and scintillation (right) photons in liquid xenon. Notice that the range of time axis for scintillation is $10^3$ times larger than that of Cherenkov radiation.}
\end{figure}
In the last decade, the idea of using Cherenkov light for TOF-PET in scintillation crystals have been vigorously  pursued and numerous measurements as well as Monte Carlo studies have been carried out.  The main difficulty found is the very low efficiency of detecting two photons in coincidence, due to the high absorption of UV and blue light in conventional PET detectors, such as LYSO \cite{Brunner:2014}. The best results so far have been obtained with PbF$_2$ scintillator crystals read out by microchannel plate photomultipliers \cite{cherTOFKorpar}, which give a CRT of 71 and 95 ps FWHM in small setups (5 and 15 mm long respectively).

Liquid xenon, on the other hand, is transparent to UV and blue light. Furthermore, scintillation and Cherenkov light separate naturally, as will be shown below. Last but not least, operation at moderate cryogenic temperatures may be an advantage (e.g, negligible dark count rate in sensors such as SiPMs \cite{dcr}). Therefore, liquid xenon appears to be an optimal candidate for TOF measurements using Cherenkov radiation.

\section{Summary and outlook}\label{sec.concl}
In this work, we demonstrate that liquid xenon, and in particular a detector along the lines of the recently proposed PETALO scanner, can effectively use Cherenkov light to provide an extraordinary CRT. The intrinsic CRT of LXe (using detectors sensitive to near UV and blue light) approaches 10 ps. In a PETALO cell, designed to cover two of the faces (entry and exit along the line of flight of the gammas) with VUV-sensitive SiPMs, one can cover the up to four additional faces with fast detectors (e.g., single photon avalanche diodes or micro-channel plates photomultipliers) sensitive to near-UV and blue light. While the CRT achieved reading scintillation light with SiPMs can be as good as 70 ps, the corresponding Cherenkov CRT may be up to a factor two better, and the combined CRT may approach 30 ps for sufficiently fast sensors and electronics. Thus, the PETALO technology may truly result in a break-through for TOF-PET scanners.
\section{Introduction}

\subsection{Positron Emission Tomography}
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique used to observe metabolic processes in the body. A PET apparatus detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide (tracer), which is introduced into the body on a biologically active molecule. The positron annihilates with an electron of the neighbouring atoms, producing two 511-keV photons with momenta on the same line (line of response, or LOR), but in opposite directions. A sensor system surrounding the patient detects the coincidence of the two gammas and constructs their  LOR. Crossing many LORs yields the image of the area where the radiotracer concentrates.

The measurement of the time difference between the arrival of the two photons (time--of--flight, or TOF) improves the signal to noise ratio and the scanner sensitivity. The resolution in TOF (known as coincidence resolving time, or CRT) depends on: a) the physical properties of the radiator (e.g, the yield and the emission time of the photons); b) the detection efficiency; c) the time resolution (time jitter) introduced by the photosensors and the readout electronics.

Current commercial PET scanners use inorganic scintillating crystals as detectors, such as LYSO (lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate), which enable TOF measurements, resulting in a CRT of $300-600$ ps FWHM \cite{gemini,vereos}. The most recent investigations performed in small laboratory systems, deploying detectors of a few tens of mm$^3$ volume, obtain a CRT of $\sim 80-120$ ps FWHM \cite{LysoCRT, LysoFBK}.

\subsection{The PETALO concept}
Recently, a new scintillator detector, called PETALO\footnote{Positron Emission TOF Apparatus with Liquid xenOn} based on liquid xenon cells read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPM)  has been proposed \cite{Gomez-Cadenas:2016mkq}. The excellent properties of liquid xenon as scintillator are clearly established in the literature \cite{Aprile:2009dv, Chepel:2012sj, Doke1, xemis, Nishikido2}. Specifically, LXe is attractive for two main reasons: a) it has a large scintillation yield (60 photons per keV of deposited energy) and b) its scintillation is a fast process, which can be parametrized as the sum of two exponentials with decay times of 2.2 and 27 ns. Furthermore, since LXe is a uniform, continuous medium, it permits the design of a homogeneous PET scanner (with minimal dead regions). At atmospheric pressure xenon liquefies at $\sim$ 161 K and thus cryogeny is relatively simple. On the other hand, operation at that temperature reduces the dark noise of SiPMs to negligible levels. In Ref.~\cite{Gomez-Cadenas:2016mkq} a Monte Carlo study was carried out to assess the TOF measurement performance of such a detector, using xenon scintillation light. If the scanner is equipped with (currently available) VUV-sensitive  SiPMs, an excellent CRT of 70  ps can be obtained.

In this paper, we present a Monte Carlo study of the CRT that can be reached in the PETALO detector using Cherenkov instead of scintillation light. In Sec.~\ref{sec.cher} we introduce the Cherenkov effect and its application to the PET technology. In Sec.~\ref{sec.MC} we describe the Geant4 simulation used for the current study and discuss the characteristics relevant for a CRT evaluation. In Sec.~\ref{sec.analysis} we discuss the performance of a PETALO scanner in CRT measurement using Cherenkov light. Conclusions are presented in Sec.~\ref{sec.concl}.
\section{Monte Carlo simulation} \label{sec.MC}

\subsection{Description of the set-up} \label{setup.MC}
To study the performance of a Cherenkov radiation TOF-PET based on liquid xenon, we have simulated a two-cell set-up using the Geant4 toolkit with version number 10.01.p01 \cite{Agostinelli:2002hh,Allison:2006ve}.
Our set-up is the same as the one described in Ref.~\cite{Gomez-Cadenas:2016mkq} and consists of two cells of 2.4 $\times$ 2.4 $\times$  5 cm$^3$ filled with liquid xenon, at a distance of 20 cm along the $z$ axis, on the opposite sides of a back-to-back 511 keV gamma source. The cells are instrumented in their entry and exit face with a dense array of 8 $\times$ 8 photosensors with an active area of 3 $\times$ 3 mm$^2$ and configurable photodetection efficiency. The photosensors are placed at a pitch of 3 mm, thus they cover the whole box face. The uninstrumented faces are covered by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which reflect optical photons according to a lambertian distribution with an efficiency of 97\%. This value for the reflectivity has been chosen following Ref.~\cite{Yamashita:2004} and references therein. A reflectivity higher than 99$\%$ is reported for the spectral range 350--1800 nm, and slightly lower values from 350 nm down to 200 nm. A simple extrapolation to 175 nm would give 95$\%$. For the scintillation spectrum of LXe (155--200 nm) values between 88$\%$ and 95$\%$ are found to produce a good fit of Monte Carlo to data, varying the absorption length of LXe to UV light from 1 m to infinity. We have chosen to use 97$\%$ for all wavelength as an average value and an absorption length $> 1$ m, which is virtually the same as infinity, given the dimensions of our cells. The physical properties used in the simulation which are relevant for the generation and propagation of optical photons are summarized in Table \ref{tab.LXeProp}, together with the main characteristics of the geometry.
\begin{table*}[h!]\centering
\begin{tabular}{@{}l|l@{}}\toprule
Parameter & Value \\  \midrule
\multicolumn{2}{c}{Geometry}\\  \midrule
Cell dimensions & $2.4\times 2.4 \times 5$ cm$^3$ \\
Distance between cell entry faces & 20 cm \\
Sensor pitch & 3 mm\\
Number of sensors per face & 64 \\
\midrule
\multicolumn{2}{c}{Physics properties}\\  \midrule
LXe density & 2.98 g/cm$^3$ \cite{DensityLXe}\\
LXe attenuation length for 511 keV gammas & 4 cm \cite{Oberlack:2000cw} \\
LXe Rayleigh scattering length &  36.4 cm \cite{RayleighLXe} \\
Refraction index of sensor entrance window & 1.54 \\
Reflectivity of PTFE walls & 0.97 \\
 \end{tabular}
\caption{Summary of the Monte Carlo set-up specifications and the LXe relevant properties used in the simulation.}\label{tab.LXeProp}
\end{table*}
The coverage of the instrumented faces is assumed to be 100$\%$. We take into account the effect of a non-perfect coverage in a global detection efficiency (GDE), which encloses the probability of the photon to fall within the active area of a sensor and its photodetection efficiency.

\begin{figure}[!bhtp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.37]{img/CherWavelength_nice_black.pdf}
	\includegraphics[scale=0.37]{img/CherVelocities_nice_black.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.CherVel}(Left) Distribution of the Cherenkov radiation wavelength used in the simulation. (Right) Cherenkov radiation wavelength as a function of the group velocity of the photons. The plot shows that in the 350--600 nm range the photon velocity has very little variation.}
\end{figure}

Back-to-back 511 keV gammas are shot isotropically, at  $t=0$ ~from a vertex at equal distance from both boxes. The photons  can interact in the liquid xenon via photoelectric absorption or Compton scattering. In this study we focus on photoelectric events, only, in which all the available kinetic energy (511 keV) is deposited in one point. The Cherenkov radiation emitted by the electrons produced in such processes is simulated, with a wavelength distribution that follows Eq.~\ref{eq.distrCher} and is shown in Fig.~\ref{fig.CherVel}--\emph{left}. A cut is set at 155 nm, because no reliable measurements of the refraction index of liquid xenon exists for energies higher than $\sim$ 8 eV, which corresponds to $\sim$ 155 nm (see, for instance, Ref.~\cite{Baldini:2004td}). This assumption will not affect our results, since the fastest photons (which dominate the CRT, as will be demonstrated below) have much higher wavelengths (Fig.~\ref{fig.CherVel}--\emph{right}), mainly in the blue and near UV region. The upper cut at 1200 nm is conservative, being well beyond the typical sensitivity of the photosensors proposed.

The Cherenkov photons are propagated inside the box  and eventually either reach a photosensor where they may produce a photoelectron, depending on the GDE, or are absorbed by the uninstrumented faces. The LXe refraction index dependence on the energy of photons is simulated according to the Lorentz-Lorenz equation \cite{Baldini:2004td}
\begin{equation}
 \frac{n^2 - 1}{ n^2 + 2}= - A (E) \cdot d_M
\end{equation}
where $n$ is the LXe refraction index, $d_M$ is the molar density  and $A(E)$ is the first refractivity viral coefficient:
\begin{equation}
A (E) = \sum_i^3 \frac{P_i}{E^2-E_i^2}
\end{equation}
with $P_i \textrm{(eV$^2\cdot$ cm$^3$/mole)} = (71.23, 77.75, 1384.89)$ and $E_i \textrm{(eV)} = (8.4, 8.81, 13.2)$. This dependence is illustrated in Fig.~\ref{fig.nlambda} in terms of the wavelength.
\begin{figure}[!bhtp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.6]{img/RefrIndex.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.nlambda} LXe refraction index as a function of the wavelength of the optical photon, as results from the parametrization in Ref.~\cite{Baldini:2004td}. For wavelengths above 300 nm the refraction index is practically flat, and has a value of  around 1.4.}
\end{figure}

\begin{table*}[h!]\centering
\begin{tabular}{@{}c  | c | c | c@{}}\toprule
Bin range  & Refraction & Energy threshold & \# photons \\
(nm) & index & (keV) &  for 511--keV e-\\  \midrule
155--250  & 2.58--1.46 & 43--189 & 41 \\
250--350  & 1.46--1.41 & 189--214 & 10 \\
350--450  & 1.41--1.39 & 214--224 &  5 \\
450--550  & 1.39 --1.38& 224--229 & 3 \\
550--650 & 1.38 & 229--232 & 2 \\
\midrule
 \end{tabular}
\caption{Properties of Cherenkov light simulation in liquid xenon.}\label{tab.CherProp}
\end{table*}
In Table \ref{tab.CherProp} the properties of Cherenkov radiation production in liquid xenon are summarized for the wavelengths of relevance in this study. The kinetic energy threshold $E_{\textrm{thr}}$ for electrons to produce Cherenkov radiation at a fixed wavelength $\lambda$ is calculated by
\begin{equation}
E_{\textrm{thr}}(\lambda)=\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}} - 1 \right)m_e c^2
\end{equation}
where $v=c/n(\lambda)$ according to Eq.~\ref{eq.vthr} and $m_e$ is the electron mass. The range of a 511--keV electron in liquid xenon is of a few mm, which is enough to produce $\sim$60 Cherenkov photons on average, as can be seen in Fig.~\ref{fig.numbCher}. The same figure shows that in the ideal case of a perfect GDE the distribution of the detected photons is almost coincident with that of produced photons. This is due to the high collection efficiency of the PETALO set-up, possible thanks to the transparency of liquid xenon to all the wavelengths involved and the almost perfect reflectivity of PTFE.
\begin{figure}[!bthp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.6]{img/NumbOfCherPhotonsMulti.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.numbCher} Distribution of the number of Cherenkov photons produced and detected in one photoelectric interaction of a 511--keV gamma in our set-up, varying the GDE of the sensors between 10$\%$ and 100$\%$.}
\end{figure}

\subsection{CRT calculation}

\begin{figure}[!bthp]
	\centering
	\includegraphics[scale=0.30]{img/setup_Cher.pdf}
	\caption{\label{fig.psetup} Scheme of the Monte Carlo simulation set-up, where $d_g$ is the distance between the centre of the LOR and the interaction point of the 511-keV gamma, $d_d$ is the distance between the centre of the LOR and the emission point of gammas and $d_p$ is the distance that a Cherenkov photon covers between its emission and detection point. }
\end{figure}
We denote $d_g$ as the distance from the centre of the LOR to the interaction vertex of each 511 keV gamma, $d_d$ as the displacement of the gamma emission vertex from the centre of the LOR and $d_p$ as the distance from the interaction vertex to the detection vertex (i.e., the position of the sensor), as illustrated in Fig.~\ref{fig.psetup}. If $t_1,t_2$ are the time of the first photoelectron recorded in each one of the cells, the time difference between them can be written as:
\begin{equation}
t_1 - t_2 = 2\frac{d_d}{c} + \frac{\Delta d_g}{c} + \frac{ \Delta d_p}{v}
\label{eq.first}
\end{equation}
where $v$ is the velocity of the Cherenkov photon and $c$ is the speed of light in vacuum. Therefore, the difference in time between the gamma emission vertex and the centre of the LOR can be expressed as:
\begin{equation}
\Delta t  \equiv \frac{d_d}{c}  =  \frac{1}{2}(t_1 - t_2 - \frac{\Delta d_g}{c} - \frac{\Delta d_p}{v})
\label{eq.CRT}
\end{equation}
The CRT, $\delta \Delta t$, is defined as the variance, expressed in FWHM, of the $\Delta t$ distribution. Therefore, the factors that affect the fluctuation of $\Delta t$ are: a) the number of detected Cherenkov photons; b) the  fluctuations in the velocity of propagation of Cherenkov photons in liquid xenon; c) the precision in the measurement of the recorded time of photoelectrons, which is driven by the time jitter of the sensors and the front-end electronics; and d) the determination of the interaction point of the 511-keV gammas, which depends on the spatial resolution of the detector.

Notice that the velocity of propagation of optical photons in Geant4 is the group velocity, which depends on the refraction index of the medium in the following way:
\begin{equation}
v = c\times \left(n(E)+\frac{\textrm{d}n}{\textrm{d}(\textrm{log}(E))}\right)^{-1}
\label{eq.velocity}
\end{equation}
where $E$ is the energy of the photon and $n$ is the refraction index of the medium.

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Whiny NBA Refs Want the League to Stop Pointing Out Their Mistakes
By Adam K. Raymond
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In March of 2015, the NBA began issuing L2M (Last 2 Minute) reports that point out all the terrible mistakes referees make when the spotlight is the brightest. After an atrocious playoffs that's seen one blown call after another, the referees union is crying foul.
The National Basketball Referees Association released a statement today calling on the NBA to return to an era of secrecy, when the league's evaluations of their calls were kept private. The current system, the statement argues, "encourages anger and hostility towards NBA officials."
Well, that's one way of looking at it. Another is that the bad calls made by refs in the last two minutes of games encourage anger and hostility toward NBA officials.
This union's stance here is no surprise. The refs feel undermined each time the league comes out and says they screwed up. L2M reports put an official stamp on what fans already knew. But if refs think keeping their reviews secret will somehow reduce hostility, they're misguided.
Fans don't need the NBA's L2M reports to know about blown calls. They see them, in real time, during the game. Endless replays from countless angles ensure that. Meanwhile, the statistics show that NBA refs generally do a good job at an incredibly difficult job. But it's easier to notice when they get things wrong than when they get them right. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has defended officials, saying, "Human error is part of this game, and the best athletes in the world make mistakes. And coaches occasionally make mistakes. Officials do, too."
Unlike players and coaches, who are the constant target of criticism, refs want to be forgiven for their mistakes though. And in a sense, they are. The league actually reviews officiating for the entire game, but those reports aren't released to the public. Refs should be glad fans aren't reminded of their screwups in the other 46 minutes.
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Upon completion of Canskate level 4, 5 or 6, STARSkate offers opportunities for skaters of all ages to develop fundamental figure skating skills in the areas of ice dance, skating skills, free skate, interpretive skating and Synchronized Skating. Unique in Canada, this program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. Skaters have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system.
Sherwood Parkdale Skating Club has three levels available for registration
Jumpstart: skaters fresh out of Canskate (completed stage 6), or skaters who have completed stage 4 or 5 (with permission of a club coach) may fast track into this Starskate program. Skaters working on the Star 1 level will also register at the Jumpstart level. Jumpstart is an opportunity for skaters who desire to be figure skaters to fast track and progress into the Starskate Program. This is the entry level into Starskate.
Junior: Progression to Junior is on recommendation by a club professional. Skaters will be working on STAR 1 with advanced skill level, proven work ethics and understanding to participate safely and effectively on combined STARskate sessions.
Intermediate: skaters working on Star 2 level or higher. Star 1's will be considered at the recommendation of the club professional.
Senior: skaters who have achieved the complete Star 3 or higher, or on the recommendation of a club professional.
All starskate level programs participate in group lessons with a Club Professional. The cost of these lessons is included in the registration fee. In addition to group lessons provided, parents are able to hire a coach for private lessons if they wish. Though there is no obligation to do so, it is highly recommended (especially at the senior level) that skaters have a private coach for further development, assessment opportunities & for competition. If private lessons are taken during group time, they should not interfere with or disrupt the progress of the group lesson. The skater may leave for a private lesson and rejoin the group session. However, the Club Professional may not be able to reiterate the missed portion. Skaters at the Junior and Senior levels have regular private practice time during their weekly session times. Jumpstarts are introduced to independant practice time for the last 20 minutes of their session on Saturday mornings.
All our athletes are expected to exhibit good behavior and responsibility to work independently when they are not under the direction of their coach, and follow skaters code of ethics. While they are working toward their goals, they find time to make friends and have fun.
Private lessons are the result of parents engaging a professional coach (Club professional or a freelance coach) to provide one-on-one instruction in freeskate, skating skills, dance and interpretive. A private lesson usually lasts 15 minutes and may cost on average $7 - $10. The number of private lessons to be taken weekly may be recommended by the coach, but is ultimately determined by the parents. The Club has no responsibility for any arrangements regarding private lessons, or for any issues arising among the parties involved.
What Options do I have as a STARSkate Athlete?
Skate Canada introduced a new STAR 1-5 Program Nation Wide during the 2016-2017 Season. Full implementation started September 2017. Though geared to learn-to-train and to progress through learning-to-compete, skaters are not required to compete and may continue with the program to develop skills for their own enjoyment. Below is a message from Skate Canada on the STAR 1-5 format.
Congratulations on being the parent of a figure skater; the STAR 1-5 competition program is where figure skating begins! The STAR competition program is comprised of five different levels of events for skaters who have completed the CanSkate program. It introduces participants to key components of figure skating including performance, assessment, and competition. STAR 1-5 fits into the Learn to Train level of Skate Canada's Long-Term Athlete Development Model (LTADM).
Each stage of this national program emphasizes key skills such as turns, stroking, jumps, spins, and different aspects of performance that have been designated by figure skating experts as necessary for development and progression in our sport. It is important to note that every skater is unique and will advance at different rates due to various factors such as growth spurts and participation. To accommodate individual needs, the STAR 1-5 competition program is designed to be fluid and allow skaters to progress at their own pace, even skipping levels if appropriate; skaters may move through several levels in a season or stay at the same level – it's all dependent on individual athlete development! At all stages and levels, parents should discuss their skater's progress with their coach to determine the best options for them. The chart below provides a brief description of each level at competition:
Group Elements Event
Introduces skaters to performing elements like jumps and spins in a fun group environment with their coaches. Skaters are evaluated and receive a report card and ribbon based on their performance.
Evaluated Program
Skaters now take many of the elements they learned in STAR 1 as well as new skills and perform them in a program in front of judges. Many skaters may learn a program in a group and even share music. Like STAR 1, skaters are evaluated and receive a report card and ribbon.
STAR 3 continues to build on the skills learned in STAR 1 and 2. More difficult elements like an axel jump are added and judges evaluate the programs based on more challenging criteria. Skaters also receive a report card and ribbon.
Ranked Program
Axels are encouraged at this level and receive a bonus for successful completion. STAR 4 serves as a transition point between evaluated levels and competition incorporating a points system. Assessments are used to produce a ranking for each group of competitors. Each skater receives a report card with top finishers in each group receiving either a ribbon or medal.
In STAR 1-4, skaters are evaluated against a national standard by a panel of certified judges. Each element they perform receives an assessment of Gold, Silver, Bronze or Merit as well as an overall standing.
Skaters may perform double jumps at this level. STAR 5 is the first time skaters are rewarded points for elements and performance; it is the same scoring system used to judge top competitive figure skaters. Skaters are ranked based on total points and are provided a detailed report card. Top finishers receive medals.
What Happens After STAR 1-5?
Skaters may choose to continue in higher levels of the STARSkate program. The New STAR 6 - Gold will be piloted during the 2018-2019 Season with full implementation by the Start of the 2019 -2020 Season. After STAR 5 skaters may also transition into CompetitiveSkate (Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, etc.) that leads to Provincial to National qualifying events. Skaters may also explore ice dancing, pair skating, interpretive skating, or synchronized (team) skating. There are many opportunities for skaters and the best path for athletes to take should be a decision made collaboratively (child, parent and coach).
Helping your skater get the most out of STAR 1-5
There are a lot of options within figure skating and that can sometimes be overwhelming; here are some tips to make this a positive and fun experience for parents and children.
Keep it Fun. The focus of STAR 1-5 should be on enjoyment and developing figure skating specific skills. Encourage skaters to have fun, try their best, and learn to find joy in all aspects of the sport. Remember this is their sport.
Ask Questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the way the skating world works! Your coach is a good place to start as are experienced parents and club volunteers. You can also find excellent information on-line at www.skatecanada.ca, as well as your section and club websites.
Reward Effort. Do not get hung up on results; instead, focus on personal progress and effort. Rankings only reflect the performances on the ice and not who skaters are as individuals. Skaters are not machines and top world skaters have bad days too.
Provide Emotional Support. This is a really challenging sport. Even in the STAR 1-5 competition program skaters attempt fairly complex movements on a tiny blade and slippery surface; that's enough to make anyone nervous! Being anxious before competition is normal and it can be helpful to explain to your children that their nerves just show they care about how much they want to do their best.
Model Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. Even beginner athletes need the right fuel to help them perform at their best. Modeling healthy eating behavior and providing meals that are nutritious and balanced will benefit your entire family. Encourage participation in a range of physical activities in addition to skating - can you find physical activities that you can do together as a family?
Communicate with your Coach. Your coach is there to help you as well as your child. Communicate with them regularly about the progress of your skater and to chart a course for development that works for your family and your budget.
Why Register in the STARskate program?
STARSkate has been the mainstay of figure skating in Canada for more than four decades.
When you/your child registers for a STARSkate program , you also become a member of Skate Canada and will have access to:
opportunities to be recognized through a nationally standardized testing system for achieving specific figure skating skills
complimentary Gold Test pins
invitational and interclub competitions, including the STARSkate championship stream
specifically designed awards and incentives such as badges, tattoos and stickers
STARSkate Skater of the Year awards program
Progress updates and report cards
Special STARSkate events and club functions
Opportunity to be talent-scouted
Opportunity for personal growth and the development of important life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, confidence, time management, healthy lifestyle and coping strategies to deal with success and failure.
These are some of the awards and incentives that have been developed to encourage athletes in the STARSkate Program.
Skating Skills: Skating Skills are a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo. The basic components of all disciplines of figure skating are incorporated into the program. The movements are derived from former compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the basic fundamentals of skating – edge quality, control, power and speed.
Ice Dance: The Dance Test program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. In addition to the traditional compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dances to challenge skaters' creativity, artistry and originality.
Free Skate: Free skating consists of the execution of jumps, spins, footwork, field movements and stroking, either in isolation or performed in sequence to music.Each test consists of 2 parts – Elements in Isolation and a Free Skate Program.
Interpretive: The objective of the Interpretive program is to encourage and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, interpretation of music, as well as the use of space, rhythm, line and style. The program provides skaters with the opportunity to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements.
Competitions for STARSkate Athletes: STARSkate participants love to compete! Skate Canada feedback and our clubs experience indicates that even though a skater may choose not to participate in the Skate Canada CompetitiveSkate Program, they still want the opportunity to test their skill in a competition situation. Skate Canada offers several opportunities to do this. Skate Canada PEI runs an ADL Jr.STARskate Championship and The STARSkate Championship towards the end of our Winter Season. There are also invitational events held by our neighboring provinces. Watch our events page for more details. Your professional coach can answer questions regarding competitions for your child or go to our CONTACT US page and we will be happy to help you.
Sherwood Parkdale Skating Club
PO Box 20157 161 St. Peters Rd Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 9E3 | (902) 208-2811 | sherwoodparkdaleskatingclub@hotmail.ca
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The Community Inclusion Center works to enhance and strengthen the Park High School and ISD 833 community by fostering a space that embraces and celebrates our diverse students and staff.
Through educational programming, community building, and authentic dialog, we hope to ignite a passion for learning that inspires a deeper understanding of our diverse community and the importance of an inclusive environment.
Students: Sign up for a Park Multicultural Fair Performance slot!


Southern Illinois University Edwardsville completed 2018 Spring commencement exercises for 2,091 eligible graduates Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, in the Vadalabene Center on campus.
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook bestowed degrees upon students from the Graduate School and the Schools of Business and Nursing on Friday, May 4.
Ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 5 for graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.
Future Business Leaders of America members and advisers from South Central High School attended the 69th Illinois Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, on Friday and Saturday, April 6-7.
Three band students at Vandalia Community High School have received schoiarships to play in the bands at Kaskaskia College this fall.
Emalee Hall (far left), Taylor Simpson (center) and David Justice (right) are pictured above with VCHS Band Director Amanda Moloney (seated, right), KC Professor Cliff Jourdan (back, left) and VCHS Principal Randy Protz (back, right).
Three band students at Vandalia Community High School have received schoiarships to play in the bands at Kaskaskia College this fall. Emalee Hall (far left), Taylor Simpson (center) and David Justice (right) are pictured above with VCHS Band Director Amanda Moloney (seated, right), KC Professor Cliff Jourdan (back, left) and VCHS Principal Randy Protz (back, right).
The Vandalia Okaw Vocational Center hosted the Section 19 FFA Ag Mechanics CDE on Thursday, April 26.


What Are Some Upcoming SEO Strategies In 2018?
How Does Google Rank SEO-Friendly Websites?
2018 promises to be an exciting year also in the field of search engine optimization. Trends that started in 2017 continue this year and continue to gain in importance. In the following, we present promising SEO strategies for this year and show you what developments await us this year.
As early as 2017, Machine Learning and Google's RankBrain were A BIG TOPIC IN THE SEO COMMUNITY . This should continue to remain so, after all, Google itself indicates that it is RankBrain to the third most important ranking factor.
RankBrain analyzes user behavior and then rates the pages visited. Google wants to present users with even better search results – and those websites that are optimized for the user, not for the search engine.
So if you want to optimize for RankBrain, you should first and foremost optimize for the user. Guidelines that can help here include the organic click-through rate (CTR) and the dwell time, ie the user's length of stay.
The days when link building plays an important role in SEO are far from over. At the same time, the quality of the set backlinks is becoming ever more elementary. Google still rates backlinks as an authority signal, but is paying increasing attention to which pages these links come from. So in the past, anyone who has simply set fast links from link networks could be punished by Google. Inferior links should be removed. The consequence of this is that, paradoxically, a strategic link down can often lead to a better ranking. If you have not yet adapted your backlink strategy, you should do so by 2018 at the latest.
The way we look at Google is changing, and Google is responding to these trends and tweaking the search results. Two examples are Featured Snippets and Voice Search.
Featured snippets can be text, spreadsheets, videos, and more. While it's not possible to do some tricks to make sure that Google processes your own website's information as a Featured Snippet, it's certainly possible to increase the likelihood of it – through tables, lists, and question-and-answer content, for example.
However, Featured Snippets are by no means always pulled from the best-ranked website. Rather, it is here to offer short and informative content on the specific issue.
Although Voice Search will still be waiting for the big breakthrough in 2018, there is no denying that voice search is becoming increasingly popular. Thus, in the long run, both our way of looking for and Google's search results will be affected. Predictive SEOs are already focusing on optimizing some of their pages for language search. After all, today 35 times as many voice searches are performed on Google as in 2008, and 40% of all adults perform at least one such search every day.
If you want to optimize a website for voice search, you should focus on content that has been prepared as a question and answer. It offers appropriate W-questions or FAQ lists. Overall, it is also useful here to aim for Featured Snippets.
Longtail keywords have long been the focus of search engine optimization. In 2018, this trend is likely to intensify. Because with many very strong keywords meanwhile the problem exists that Google offers already in the search results the answer or information, which is searched for – approximately by Featured Snippet. Even the best ranking does not help – often even the top position only appears after scrolling, and a click is no longer worthwhile for the searcher because all the information is already available.
However, those who rely on long-tail keywords in their optimization strategy will find it easier to achieve good to very good rankings, and will also attract users who are looking for more information – and will be more willing to click.
2018 will be the year of the mobile first – that much is already apparent. Because shortly Google will introduce the Mobile First Index. This has the consequence that the mobile version of a web page receives more weight for the ranking than the desktop version. The Mobile First Index is not introduced all over the web, but rolled out gradually – many SEO experts suspect that it is already in force for some websites. Now, at least, businesses should start to optimize their website for mobile devices. Benefits are thus opening up in two places: on the one hand for users who want to surf more and more mobile and on the other hand for the Google ranking of the entire website.
2018 has many interesting developments and exciting challenges for SEOs. Machine learning and increasing mobile surfing are two of the most important factors in the current developments in the field of search engine optimization. Businesses and SEO strategists should already set the right direction for the future. Because, as is often the case with Google, whoever reacts early wins.


Now an ongoing series! Goldie and Cheryl find an astronaut on the beach who has lost her memory!
Mordecai and Rigby seek out Benson to restore civilization, but Benson's doing alright for himself in a new utopia he's created that...kinda looks like the Park.
Heller solicits the help of his fellow New Yorkers in helping to protect the city as he finds himself starting to believe in Dr. Brownfield's bizarre theories.
The final year of The Woods begins here, as our crew comes to terms with the fallout from the destruction of Bay Point.


text:
Q: PackageParser: Unknown element under : meta-data I'm trying to make update for my application that will be delivered through own server. Everything goes well until updating process which says: Parse error - There was a problem parcing the package.
From logcat
PackageParser: Unknown element under <manifest>: meta-data at

and looking with aapt
  A: android:name(0x01010003)="android.permission.MANAGE_USB" (Raw: "android.permission.MANAGE_USB")
E: meta-data (line=21)
  A: android:name(0x01010003)="android.support.VERSION" (Raw: "android.support.VERSION")

One post from same issue suggested that Instant run feature should be disabled but still no go.
I have latest AS and latest updates on it.
meta-data part in my app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml is
<meta-data
android:name="android.app.device_admin"
android:resource="@xml/device_admin_receiver" />

Another post has discussion also about the meta-data and how it should include name and resource but in my meta-data there is both so that could not be the issue.
I also looked from manifest-merger-release-report.txt
meta-data#android.support.VERSION
ADDED from [com.android.support:appcompat-v7:25.3.1] /home/test/.android/build-cache/0babb927f9685604721e7d79f796b3104e7aa65c/output/AndroidManifest.xml:25:5-27:34
MERGED from [com.android.support:support-v4:25.3.1] /home/test/.android/build-cache/c982b10f45110a04eb75ca3351098dfbfe082732/output/AndroidManifest.xml:25:5-27:34

and from app/build/intermediates/manifests/full/release/AndroidManifest.xml
it has:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_USB" />

<meta-data
    android:name="android.support.VERSION"
    android:value="25.3.1" />

<application

I have external libraries
compile 'com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-core:2.9.0'
compile 'com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind:2.9.0'
compile 'com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-annotations:2.9.0'
compile 'uk.co.chrisjenx:calligraphy:2.3.0'

and CarouselLayoutManager as module which have
compile 'com.android.support:recyclerview-v7:25.3.1'

I have tried to find root cause for this but all guides, hints and tips came to dead end.
Update 1
Here is full AndroidManifest.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
package="com.xxx.yyy.app_android">
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_DEVICE_ADMINS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_USB" />

<application
    android:fitsSystemWindows="true"
    android:allowBackup="false"
    android:icon="@mipmap/icon"
    android:supportsRtl="true"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:name=".ui.App"
    android:theme="@style/SplashTheme"
    android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustNothing"
    tools:ignore="GoogleAppIndexingWarning">
    <activity android:name=".ui.SplashActivity">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
        </intent-filter>
    </activity>
    <activity android:name=".ui.USBDeviceConnectionActivity" />
    <activity android:name=".ui.MainActivity" />
    <activity android:name=".ui.MainAppViewActivity" />
    <activity android:name=".ui.InstructionsActivity" />

    <service android:name=".machine.AdjustSeatHeightService" />
    <service android:name=".machine.AdjustPressureService"/>
    <service android:name=".machine.RFIDService"
        android:exported="false" />
    <service android:name=".machine.MVUControlService"
        android:exported="false" />
    <service android:name=".machine.PressureNModeControlService"
        android:exported="false" />
    <service android:name=".machine.MachModeChangeService"
        android:exported="false" />
    <service android:name=".machine.ReadMotorPos"
        android:exported="false" />

    <receiver
        android:name=".ui.DeviceAdminReceiver"
        android:description="@string/app_name"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:permission="android.permission.BIND_DEVICE_ADMIN">
        <meta-data
            android:name="android.app.device_admin"
            android:resource="@xml/device_admin_receiver" />
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.DEVICE_ADMIN_ENABLED"/>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.PROFILE_PROVISIONING_COMPLETE"/>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED"/>
            <action android:name="android.app.action.DEVICE_ADMIN_ENABLED" />
            <action android:name="android.app.action.DEVICE_ADMIN_DISABLED" />
        </intent-filter>
    </receiver>

    <!-- Start the Service if applicable on boot -->
    <receiver android:name=".ui.BootReceiver">
        <intent-filter >
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED"/>
        </intent-filter>
    </receiver>
</application>
</manifest>

Update 2
Replaced recyclerview-v7 version from 25.3.1 to 25.3.0 and now i'm getting this error. From my guess is that problematic meta-data comes from appcompat-v7 but i don't know how it's getting included and why it's going wrong place when merging AndroidManifest files.
Error:Execution failed for task ':app:processDebugManifest'.
> Manifest merger failed : Attribute meta-data#android.support.VERSION@value value=(25.3.1) from [com.android.support:appcompat-v7:25.3.1] AndroidManifest.xml:27:9-31
is also present at [com.android.support:recyclerview-v7:25.3.0] AndroidManifest.xml:24:9-31 value=(25.3.0).
Suggestion: add 'tools:replace="android:value"' to <meta-data> element at AndroidManifest.xml:25:5-27:34 to override.

Update 3
Ok. Seems that problem is external module that i have taken into build.
For some reason androidManifest.xml get merged from it which brings that extra meta-data information.
Update 4
Removed external module and it's still problem is coming. It seems that problem is com.android.support:recyclerview-v7:25.3.1 but i'm not sure why.
Update 5
Found the problem.
It seems that supportlibraries 25.3.0 and newer brings changes on their manifest files:
 <manifest package="android.support.v7.appcompat">
    <uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="9" tools:overrideLibrary="android.support.graphics.drawable.animated"/>
    <meta-data android:name="android.support.VERSION" android:value="25.3.0"/>
    <application/>
 </manifest>

meta-data is not under application tags there and it gets injected to wrong place in final AndroidManifest.xml when creating APK.
Now i just have to figure out how to revert back to earlier support libraries as i get notification that i have mismatching versions from other libraries that are not included. :(

A: According to this android reference meta data tags are contained with in the below tags
<activity>
<activity-alias>
<application>
<provider>
<receiver>
<service>

But your tag is out side any of these.
The error you posted is

PackageParser: Unknown element under <manifest>: meta-data

So the  tag is placed directly under <manifest> tag which is causing the issue.
So please move it into <application> tag and it will work.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 8:30PM
MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM
3 S Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
BUY TICKETS (8:30 PM)
Desi Comedy Fest, the biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America, comes to New Jersey FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!
Desi Comedy Fest was started in August 2014 by Abhay Nadkarni & Samson Koletkar. In it's opening year the fest featured 11 comics across 4 SOLD OUT shows. In 2017 the festival showcased 40+ comedians on 11 shows on 11 consecutive nights with a total attendance of about 3000. The fest has held shows in Portland, Seattle, San Diego & Los Angeles. In February 2016 it toured for 20 shows in 20 days across 4 cities in India.
Coming to New Jersey for it's east coast debut, this show features 6 diverse comedians!
(*Show is in English)
Abhay Nadkarni
Co-Founder, Featured on NBC, CBS, Huffington Post, originally from Bangalore, raised in Qatar, Schooled in Los Angeles, resides in San Francisco
Ahmed Bharoocha
Comedy Central half-hour special, Featured on Late Night with Stephen Colbert & Conan O'Brian, Irish-Catholic + Pakistani-Muslim parents
Melissa Shoshahi
Featured on Laughs on FOX, Iranian American comedian from Los Angeles
Richard Sarvate
Appeared on NDTV, Regular on SF SketchFest, Hollywood Improv, Punch Line Comedy Club
Samson Koletkar
Co-Founder, BookMyshow's 10 Best Indian-Origin Comedians of the Last Decade, World's only Indian-Jewish comedian from Mumbai
Usama Siddique
Featured on Fusion TV & Huffington Post, Bangladeshi-American


1.1 How A lot Do You Have to Make it Potential?
1.2 Who Are You Advertising To?
1.3 What Are the Advantages of Digital Advertising?
3 How one can begin planning your Digital advertising methods in China?
How A lot Do You Have to Make it Potential?
To be able to actually know what you might want to spend on digital advertising, you first want to really know "what are your objectives? " all rely in your ambition, what do you need to attain? is it your final aim to drive clicks, conversions or leads, gross sales, or a return-on-investment (ROI)?
Everyone knows that the primary objective of any advertising effort ought to be ROI. In case your digital advertising spend isn't driving worthwhile income for your small business, so why are you advertising on-line? The necessary factor you might want to decide earlier than you determine what your digital advertising finances must be is to determine how a lot income you need to drive.
Who Are You Advertising To?
As soon as you understand how a lot cash you need to make from digital advertising, you should determine "who you're advertising to?" Totally different purchaser requires totally different advertising techniques. Should you don't perceive your viewers, you'll be able to't create an efficient digital advertising technique!
Sometimes, Entrepreneurs take a look at purchaser personas as a great way to craft an efficient advertising technique. Chinese language Shoppers are nice for this, however they're additionally an essential a part of placing collectively an efficient digital advertising plan.
What Are the Advantages of Digital Advertising?
In some ways, some entrepreneurs assume that digital advertising just isn't so totally different than conventional advertising. Then, worldwide corporations search to develop mutually useful relationships with prospects, leads, and clients. However digital advertising has changed most conventional advertising techniques as a result of it's designed to succeed in right now's shoppers.
Digital advertising is a superb choice for any enterprise in China. At GMA, we've used digital advertising to assist worldwide companies to develop quick within the Chinese language market. That's the great thing about promoting on-line. If you already know who you need to goal, you'll be able to simply use digital advertising to focus on Chinese language shoppers, anyplace.
What's been profitable in B2C Companies?
B2C corporations aren't making an attempt to promote extremely costly services or products, in order that they don't want massive gross sales groups or difficult advertising funnels. All they should do is get their services or products in entrance of the suitable viewers with the best messaging and the remaining ought to care for itself.
The primary objective of most B2C corporations is to get individuals into and thru their advertising funnel. B2C corporations typically see nice outcomes from higher-funnel advertising channels like social media advertising or paid social promoting. These channels push your small business in entrance of potential clients who won't in any other case know that you simply exist.
You may also use different digital advertising methods like paid search or search engine marketing on Baidu is all the time a good suggestion, but when you must decide one channel to start out with, paid social promoting or social media advertising are nice choices for B2C.
Most B2B corporations have very particular area of interest audiences that may be exhausting to focus on utilizing social media. As well as, most B2B corporations have a for much longer and extra concerned gross sales cycle than B2C corporations. Consequently, longer-term methods like content material advertising or Lead Era are sometimes vital to shut a deal.
In fact, the suitable spot of digital advertising techniques will change from industry-to-industry and business-to-business, however merely evaluating B2C to B2B ought to show you how to to understand how totally different methods may be higher on your companies.
Not each technique is true for each enterprise, however with somewhat trial and error, you need to be capable of determine probably the most worthwhile strategy in your firm.
How one can begin planning your Digital advertising methods in China?
Digital advertising consists of managing totally different types of on-line firm presence and presences similar to firm web sites, cellular apps, and social media firm pages. That is at the side of on-line communications methods together with the likes of search engine advertising, social media advertising, internet advertising, e-mail advertising and partnership preparations with different web sites.
Paid search, or pay-per-click (PPC) promoting on Baidu, sometimes refers back to the "sponsored end result" on the highest of a search engine outcomes web page (SERP) on Baidu. You solely pay when your advert is clicked. You possibly can personalize your PPC advertisements to seem when particular search phrases are entered, creating advertisements which might be focused to a specific viewers.
PPC advertisements are versatile, seen, and most significantly, efficient for a lot of several types of organizations. They're additionally contextual advertisements that seem when an individual is looking for a specific key phrase.
The key to highly effective digital advertising is visitors. In case you can grasp visitors acquisition, you might have a strong basis for greater gross sales and progress. Bear in mind, there's extra to digital promoting than throwing up an advert and hoping for outcomes. You want a plan. Right here, you'll study the secrets and techniques to crafting a digital promoting plan that really works.
Search engine marketing (search engine optimization) on Baidu is the method of optimizing the content material, technical set-up, and attain of your web site in order that your pages seem on the prime of a search engine outcome for a selected set of key phrase phrases. The primary aim is to draw guests to your web site once they seek for merchandise, providers, or info associated to what you are promoting. Search advertising has radically modified in the previous few years. Right now, search engine marketing (search engine optimisation) can increase your web site's visitors and guests' belief whereas supporting your different digital advertising methods, as properly.
With Baidu, search engine marketing is a totally totally different beast. The best way the primary web page is structured is so unnatural that a warmth map of will present Chinese language customers habitually clicking subsequent web page to seek out organically high-ranking content material. Baidu Solutions, Baidu Baike (an encyclopedia), Baidu Purchasing, paid advertisements, and so on.
Search entrepreneurs ought to perceive Intent-Based mostly Search Advertising as a result of they're optimizing the web site for Web customers first which is what the various search engines actually care about. If you wish to compete within the search channels and appeal to free natural visitors to your web site, that is for you. Study the fitting strategy to do web optimization right here.
search engine optimisation on Baidu may also be seen as a set of greatest practices for good digital advertising. It enforces the necessity for a well-constructed web site, priceless and interesting content material, and the credibility for different web sites and people to advocate you by linking to your website or mentioning it in social media posts.
Chinese language Individuals aren't simply fascinating to observe cat movies or posting selfies on social media today. Many depend on social networks to find, analysis, and educate themselves about manufacturers earlier than partaking with them. For entrepreneurs, it's not sufficient to only publish in your Wechat and Weibo accounts. You should additionally weave social parts into each facet of your advertising and create extra peer-to-peer sharing alternatives.
Truly, Chinese language shoppers need to interact with the model by way of your content material, so they may need to share it. This finally results in them turning into a loyal buyer. And in addition, they may hopefully advocate their buddies to grow to be clients, too.
"Going social" isn't merely about being lively on Wechat or Weibo. It's about being current the place your viewers hangs out, so you possibly can interact with them, construct robust relationships, and make gives your followers will love.
Being on social issues as a result of 79% of Chinese language web customers are on Wechat or weibo and greater than half sustain with the information via social media. However there's extra to social media advertising than merely being on it. Your finish aim isn't extra "Likes." It's extra gross sales. Study extra about social media advertising in China, how you should use it to draw your followers and followers, interact them, and even promote to them.
As you possibly can see, content material advertising is a full-funnel tactic, which means it ought to ship beneficial content material at each stage of the Buyer Worth Journey. To be able to convert a easy prospect to an actual buyer, you'll have to create an ideal content material that satisfies their wants at every conversion funnel levels: Consciousness, Analysis, and Conversion.
Creating wealthy and genuine content material that isn't promotional in nature, however as an alternative educates and evokes, is hard however properly well worth the effort. Providing content material that's related to your Chinese language viewers helps them see you as a beneficial supply of data.
As smartphones and know-how units turn into an necessary a part of our lives, it's very important that entrepreneurs perceive find out how to successfully talk on this distinctive channel. Cellular units are all the time with us, in our pockets, sit subsequent to our beds, and we're checked continuously all through the day. This makes cellular advertising extremely necessary for a digital advertising technique in China.
There are various methods to market on cellular units, so you must discover the suitable technique for what you are promoting in China.
E-mail has been round for greater than 20 years, Sadly in China, e mail is lifeless. You'll be able to't longer use the e-mail as part of your digital technique in China. The reason being easy: Chinese language Shoppers aren't very hooked up to their emails. Chinese language customers don't typically obtain a company-specific app, particularly if that firm may be discovered on Tmall or WeChat. It's a must to discover new methods to interact.
70% of Chinese language shoppers say that they've shared a model's video.
72% of companies say the video has improved their conversion price.
52% of Chinese language shoppers say that watching product movies makes them extra assured in on-line buy selections.
65% of executives go to the marketer's web site and 39% name a vendor after viewing a video.
Utilizing influencers is a really efficient advertising software that works to draw clients. Influencers might be anybody from celebrities to well-known kols and journalists who assist unfold the phrase about your corporation or product by way of their social channels. As a result of Chinese language individuals usually belief kols over company statements.
2019 might be about higher buyer expertise with personalization, automation and AI-powered know-how, so to remain forward of the curve and improve conversions within the coming yr, you'll have to get higher at producing wealthy and genuine content material notably mini video content material to share together with your better-targeted viewers.
Digital advertising is the advertising of the longer term, particularly in China. Along with all the advantages we've mentioned all through this text, you'll be able to monitor the outcomes of your digital advertising efforts with unimaginable accuracy.
Give it some thought and if this text has satisfied you that you simply want digital advertising or have to degree up your digital advertising technique in China, and also you'd like some assist figuring out the best strategy, tell us right here or within the feedback! Our specialists love serving to worldwide companies develop with digital advertising in China.
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Why a Women's Health Company?Addressing the Cervical Cancer Screening Disparities GapAdvances in the Testing for Preterm Premature Rupture of MembraneBetter For Women SeriesCervical Cancer & Co-TestingCervical Cancer ScreeningCervical Cancer Screening: Protecting and Improving Health Outcomes of WomenCervical Cancer TodayCombination Regimen of Estradiol and ProgesteroneEndometriosisEnhanced Recovery for Cesarean Deliveries in the United States: Perspectives From the Front Lines – Part 1LARC Provider ToolkitLaser Treatment for GSMMenopauseSurgeryUterine Fibroid
ContraceptionCOVID-19GynecologyLegally SpeakingLife TransitionsObstetricsVulvovaginalWell Woman
All NewsResidents CornerPractice Management
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© 2021 MJH Life Sciences and Contemporary OB/GYN. All rights reserved.
Why a Women's Health Company?
Addressing the Cervical Cancer Screening Disparities Gap
Advances in the Testing for Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane
Better For Women Series
Cervical Cancer & Co-Testing
Cervical Cancer Screening: Protecting and Improving Health Outcomes of Women
Cervical Cancer Today
Combination Regimen of Estradiol and Progesterone
Enhanced Recovery for Cesarean Deliveries in the United States: Perspectives From the Front Lines – Part 1
LARC Provider Toolkit
Laser Treatment for GSM
Vulvovaginal
© 2021 MJH Life Sciences™ and Contemporary OB/GYN. All rights reserved.
New Society - ISIGO
OBGYN.net Conference CoverageFrom the ESHRE 2001 Conference - Lausanne, Switzerland
Click here for Audio/Video Version *requires RealPlayer - free download
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "It's July 2, 2001 and we're at ESHRE in Lausanne. Next to me is David Bloomer, the publisher of Parthenon."
David Bloomer: "Hello, Hans."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "Good morning, David, and on the other side is Hugo Verhoeven who's a gynecologist in Germany."
Dr. Hugo Verhoeven: "Good morning, Hans."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "Good morning, Hugo. We're talking this morning about the new society ISIGO - the International Society for the Use of the Internet in Gynecology and Obstetrics. Spreading the literature and medical information via the Internet has certain advantages, not only for the western countries but also for other countries. Can you tell us something about this, Hugo?"
Dr. Hugo Verhoeven: "The problem is that even if we have extensive information available in the literature many people do not have the time or the possibility to see what is available. I think the Internet is an excellent possibility for worldwide access to the things that really interest you. That means via the Internet it is possible to make a quick selection of those topics you're interested in, to select them, to read the abstracts, and to say - this I want to load down and not that. So it is an excellent possibility for me to have a very quick overview of everything that is available in my field. This would also be possible for people in the third worlds who don't have access to all literature and to all the journals to inform themselves and to come on a higher standard of medical treatment."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "Talking about this literature, David, several times you were in developing countries' libraries?"
David Bloomer: "Yes, Hans, and I'm very interested in ISIGO because it seems to me the society offers something which hasn't been offered to gynecologists before or, indeed, in most other branches of medicine. It provides an opportunity for really effective distance learning when people want to learn wherever they are regardless of the geography, regardless of the time, and it offers quite a wide scope for supporting literature documentation and material. That's why we got together with ISIGO because it happens to coincide with the introduction of our major new journal - Contemporary Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the concept of this new journal is unique. It is predicated on the recognition that continuing medical education is of increasing importance and is more and more regarded as a vital part of the daily professional activity of any medical specialty but particularly, perhaps, in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics. So the new journal is actually designed to do something, which no other publication does, in which it fits in very well with the whole concept of an Internet society. The journal actually could be regarded as a continuous contemporary textbook of the field. World experts from all over the world contribute to the journal and over the course of a four-year period it covers the whole of obstetrics and gynecology just like you would imagine a really advanced textbook would do. At the same time, it offers a range of other options, which an ordinary textbook can't possibly do:
First of all, of course, it's always contemporary.
Secondly, it's presented in a way which is colorful and which is designed to achieve effective learning and, thirdly, and especially importantly, it offers both CME accreditation and self-assessment. This is really where the society comes into play because all around the world people who are wanting to validate for either their own self-assessment or to document their CME applications will be able to do so via the Internet. Furthermore, via the Internet they will be able to access more information then you would in any one published source. This means that for the society and for the journal there is a natural interaction, which we think will be very effective and make a big impact not just in the United States or in Europe but many other parts of the world as well."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "You think that the hard copy of the journal could be helped by a lot of software and also publishing via the Internet?"
David Bloomer: "I think there's a natural synergy. The paper journal provides a very valuable survey and text for the field but more and more in any form of education but particularly in advanced areas like this, multimedia support makes a vast difference to the effectiveness of being able to learn. The interactivity that the Internet offers adds an element which heretofore has been unavailable, and as a result, it's certainly in my view true to say that this is a unique departure in medical education and one which I think will pioneer the way for similar concepts in other fields of medicine over and above gynecology and obstetrics."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "Thank you, David. Looking at the Editorial Board of this journal we see one of them is Jack Sciarra who happens to be the first President of ISIGO. Can you tell me some more about the new society's board?"
Dr. Hugo Verhoeven: "Let me first add some more to what we heard before. The literature on certain topics is so overwhelming that even in my field of reproductive endocrinology it is no longer possible to read or to get all the journals by mail and read them or take them with you on a plane. It's really too much and the nice thing about the Internet is you can now have an overview, not of a certain journal but on all journals on a certain topic. You can really check what you're interested in, select the things you want to know, have a quick overview, and then take that with you, for instance, on a plane and read it there. That for me is the very nice thing about the Internet that it makes it possible to get informed on a certain topic in a very small amount of time and very extensively. That's not only my problem, that is the problem for everyone in the world who is very busy but wants to be at the state of the art and wants to be up-to-date. We need now what is in the journal today, we want to read it tomorrow and not in 3-4 months, and that's the advantage."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "The other one is that you can fill out the forms, the CME credit, and you can have them online. At the moment, it's only the University of Chicago, isn't it?"
David Bloomer: "The CME accreditation is with the University of Chicago but in addition to that there's also a wide range of self-assessment for every element of the journal. So a physician using the journal, whether it's Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, or Montreal, can validate that self-assessment via the Internet. As Hugo rightly says, it's not only a wide literature which you want access to but there are other things as well, perhaps, even film clips, scans, etc. which can make a great deal of difference to one's ability to grasp a topic and which can be offered as part of the interactive learning process over the Internet in a way which cannot be offered in any normal conventional circumstance."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "Thank you, now back to the Board."
Dr. Hugo Verhoeven: "The Board that has been proposed for next year is composed of the President - Jack Sciarra from Northwestern University in Chicago. He's Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is known worldwide.
For Vice-President, Lillo Mettler from the University of Kiel has been selected. Lillo is also a person who is known worldwide for her engagements in education of training worldwide.
Zeev Shoham is from Israel and he will be the President-Elect of the society. Zeev is working in Rehovot in Israel, and he is Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
You will be the Secretary General, and I was nominated to be the Treasurer.
As you know, I'm very involved with OBGYN.net. I'm a member of the Editorial Board so I think it's a good addition to what I am doing now by being involved in this society. Also, I'm really looking forward to it because I think it's a good thing, and we'll see in one or two years whether my opinion was correct. We'll have our first meeting in addition to the meeting in Paris."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "That's on Controversies in Obstetrics and Gynecology in September of 2001."
Dr. Hugo Verhoeven: "Then we'll start planning and organizing the future."
Dr. Hans van der Slikke: "I think maybe most importantly is, of course, we'll use OBGYN.net as our network where we already have one million visitors each month. I'm sure this will continue the proper use of the Internet for better health not only in our western countries but also in developing countries. Hugo and David, thank you both very much for this first launching interview."


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On-Demand Talks
Colonial Racism in Hong Kong and Contemporary Social Movements
Elizabeth Lee
Despite the prevalent notion of racial equality, racial discrimination is still a very real problem today. Recent movements such as #BLM and #StopAsianHate are testament to this. Despite Hong Kong's freedom from overt oppression today, this was not the case under the British Administration. Under the British colonial government, heavily racist legislation against the Chinese in Hong Kong were enacted and applied by the courts. A parallel can be drawn between the discrimination faced by the Chinese with some of that faced by the Jews in Nazi Germany and the Africans and African Americans in the United States. Corresponding areas include that regarding slavery, corporal punishment, zoning and segregation, superiority and purity of race, and various apartheid laws. In the present day, Hong Kong has come a long way in its progress of establishing human and civil rights. Nevertheless, in comparison to the events on the international timeline, Hong Kong is belated in putting into effect these rights. This is in part due to the perpetuation of colonial discriminatory policies and the failure to code basic rights into the legal system until the twilight of the British Administration. Since our own history has such a strong corresponding experience to the discrimination fought against in the #BLM and #StopAsianHate movements, not only should Hong Kong demonstrate a solidarity for these social movements abroad, but it can also take lead in upholding the rights against discrimination for those who still face racial discrimination in Hong Kong today.
Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Bristol and Master of Laws at Tsinghua University. She is presently a candidate in the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws programme at City University of Hong Kong. Her previous research included the examining of the efficacy of inter-State arbitration in relation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and of the business case for gender parity in corporate leadership. She is interested in comparative law, international relations, and history.
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Philly LGBTQ conference addresses deadly stigmatization of HIV
Antoinette Newton-Acquah
Performer Todrick Hall is shown on stage in 2015 in Beverly Hills
"We can find a way to end HIV. We got heart, and maybe that's enough to fight the racism, stigma, homophobia, gender inequity …. We got to stick together. We got to stay strong."
Todrick Hall sang these words, kicking off "Convergence: Forging the Path to End HIV," a panel discussion plenary at the five-day Creating Change Conference, hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force in Center City Philadelphia. Hall, an openly gay and popular YouTube entertainer, received great applause from the audience.
The aim of the discussion was to address the stigma surrounding HIV in hopes of eliminating the virus.
When compared to other countries, the United States has a realtively low suppression rate, which is the number of people living with HIV but undergoing treatment, thereby decreasing the likelihood of spreading the virus.
Panelist Dr. Richard Elion of George Washington University explained that, "[In] Uganda, the rate of suppression runs at about 55 percent, compared to 30 percent in the United States. So clearly, our country is not doing something that we need to be looking at."
Elion said there is more to decreasing the spread of HIV than affordable diagnosis and treatment options, and that combating the stigma of HIV is vital.
Blogger and activist Ken Williams on the panel spoke about his experience living with HIV. Echoing Elion's emphasis on addressing HIV stigmatization, Williams said, "Stigma is oppressive to the point that it kills. Because when you look at the institution of stigma, what you are looking at is fear personified. And that fear impacts everything along the continuum of care, from testing, to treatment, to learning about your sexual healthcare options."
The CDC recommends testing every 3 to 6 months if you are at high risk of contracting HIV. High-risk people include:
People who have more than one sexual partner.
Transgendered people who have sex with men.
People who recently had an STI.
Those who use intraveinous drugs.
President and CEO of Black AIDS Institute, Phill Wilson, stressed the importance of understanding the intersectionality of various issues surrounding HIV.
"You can't fight HIV and not fight stigma and discrimination and marginalization. And you can't be serious about racial justice, sexual orientation, gender equality, and not care about HIV."


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Visiting Charlie Chaplin's home in Switzerland
By Lauren Fazackarley - June 21, 2020
Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest screen presences in motion picture history. The actor starred in more than 80 films, in a career spanning close to 75 years, and continues to be revered as one of the most influential figures of all time in the movie industry. Now, it's fair to say, some of the movies this guy produced are nothing short of timeless classics, and gain deserved recognition.
We have seen many Chaplin movies, but one of his lesser-known and more personal movies came in Switzerland in the 1960s. Except, this time it's a home movie, showing the aged Chaplin dancing and playing with his children on the lawn of his estate. Indeed, the global superstar lived in Switzerland for the later years of his life, and we thought we'd journey back to take a closer look.
The home in question is Manoir de Ban, a 37-acre estate that Chaplin owned in Corsier-sur-Vevey. This is a small and idyllic Swiss Riviera town, situated around 50 miles away from Geneva. Chaplin lived on the estate from 1953 until he passed away in 1977, and it has become synonymous with his life. The manor is one of the most stunning properties we've seen, and the sprawling grounds would have been perfect for Chaplin's carefree humor and personality. If you ever visit Switzerland, and you get the opportunity, you should try to pay a visit.
Recent times
As with all historical places with great cultural significance, the home has undergone a fair amount of renovation and repair work over the years. The place has been turned into a museum and is now part of a complex called Chaplin's World. Situated on the banks of Lake Geneva, this is a wonderful insight into the life and career of this complex and brilliant man. There is also an immersive cinema experience showcasing some of his best work, not to mention plenty of throwbacks to his life in London as well.
So why Switzerland?
Well, why not? In his autobiography, Chaplin stated that a friend had suggested it, but it was a very fitting choice for a man known as a perfectionist. The Swiss are famed for their opulence and precision, from their chocolates to watches, to tennis star Roger Federer. However, there could have been a more financial incentive – the attractive Swiss tax code, for instance. One thing is certain, Chaplin quickly fell in love with the country.
Chaplin's World
Visiting Chaplin's World today brings several emotions; it's a little overwhelming, and awe-inspiring, but it's also fascinating as a film fan. The second you arrive, you are met at the entrance by a wax figure of Chaplin in the foyer – with an eerily lifelike resemblance. This sets the tone for the visit; this is a place to celebrate the man as much as the career. With 15 years in the making, the museum has everything to cater to Chaplin fans, and film fans. This immersive experience allows us to glimpse both the man, and the icon, in equal measure, and that's what makes it so appealing.
If you ever have the chance to visit Chaplin's home in Switzerland, make sure you do. There are so many amazing things to see and experience here, not to mention the incredible Swiss surroundings. This is a must-visit for anybody with interest in motion pictures, and those who are curious about the life and times of an icon.
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Q: Is there any generic 3d pixel image data format? For 2d image, there are so many format that we use, view and exchange, such as ppm, tiff, png, jpg, svg... and most of these is for saving pixel data. However, almost every 3d format is for modeling which like svg in 2d. I found some format for neuroimaging but didn't find any generic format to save color pixels.
Is there really no such format?