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Islam – the world's largest cult?
February 2002 | by Kent Philpott
The fruit of Islam
One sign of a cult is the way it keeps its adherents in the dark about other faiths. I doubt whether Muslims today know much about the message of Jesus and his gospel. They know only what they have been told by their religious teachers. How accurate would we expect this information to be?
To make it even worse, there is a general misunderstanding of what Christianity is. One misconception, for example, is that the 'West' is Christian and that America is a Christian nation.
But all that goes by the name of Christian is not Christian. To grasp what is the true essence of Jesus' teachings, we must examine the primary source, the Bible.
What about the Crusades?
Muslims often ask: 'What about the Crusades?' The intention of this question is often to deflect attention from the violence and oppression displayed by Muslims worldwide in the name of Allah.
Yes, there were the Crusades, and historians debate the complex tangle of religion and politics that gave rise to them. The power-hungry medieval Roman Catholic Church had a big part in the Crusades, to be sure.
But this same organisation persecuted Jews and Protestants also. This same medieval church persecuted to the death those who believed the truths that I, as a Christian today, hold precious.
Is it therefore accurate for Muslims to blame all that goes by the name Christian for the Crusades? Would it not be fairer and wiser to discriminate amongst Christians? After all, most people do not blame all Muslims for the actions of some extremists.
Another cultic aspect of Islam is the oppression of women in countries under Islamic rule. It is shocking, deviant and evil.
Why is this frightful treatment tolerated? Why is there such an exaggerated fear and mistrust of women? Islamic spokesmen say the women are merely being protected. The women themselves generally resent their treatment and lowly status, but are seemingly powerless to bring about change.
The plight of young men and women in Islamic countries is sad indeed. Their isolation from one another distorts normal social relationships between the sexes. Wealthy (and usually older) men can have four wives and as many concubines as they can afford, while younger, poorer men, are deprived. This deplorable situation stems directly from the nature and traditions of Islam itself.
Women are denied education in countries ruled by strict Islamic law. Why? Is it to keep women in their place? Why must women cover themselves so that not even an ankle can be seen in public? These are twisted gender mores.
Moderate Muslims claim that these practices are only enforced by extremists. The 'extremists' claim they are only interpreting Islam in the purest manner possible! Who is right?
Fruit of Islam
Islamic political control has prevented social progress and economic development. For example, does anyone own a car made in an Islamic country? How about a television set, a computer, an alarm clock, an aeroplane, or a boat?
Where do wealthy Muslims send their young people to be educated? To Western countries, for the most part. Why are many Islamic countries among the poorest in the world even while their oil reserves are huge?
One answer is the cultic nature of Islam. In these countries, middle-class wealth would mean an ever-increasing importation of Western ways, and this is feared and condemned by Muslim clerics.
Muslims have undoubtedly contributed to the world's storehouse of achievements. But if we look at the Islamic nations today we see they are something less than wonderful. Except for Afghanistani refugees trying to enter Pakistan, I haven't read about people queuing at their borders waiting to get in.
Islam is sometimes described as the 'beautiful religion', but where can this beauty be seen? What Islamic country practises Islam in such a way that someone might be motivated to move there?
It is one thing for Muslim leaders to disown the September 11 terrorists as extremists. It is another to demonstrate peaceful moderation and tolerance.
Please understand I am not saying that Muslim people are not as capable, intelligent and worthy as any other people. It is their religious system that is toxic, cultic and repressive.
Muslims are born into a religious heritage they did not choose and cannot walk away from. They are moulded by their environment into dedicated Muslims; there is essentially no choice available for them – they are stuck.
The major difference
Islam is a religion based on performance, whereas biblical Christianity is grounded on God's grace. The Islamic deity rewards obedience. Muslim heaven, or paradise, must be earned, either by martyrdom or by carefully keeping rules and regulations.
And since Allah is depicted as remote and detached from the individual Muslim, there is no assurance of salvation, nor any confidence that even the faithful Muslim will achieve paradise.
Works-based religion can and does inspire fear and extremism in those who take it seriously. It is not surprising that some go to extremes to curry the favour of the deity and their religious leaders, especially when a favourable eternity is at stake.
The Qur'an assures 'martyrs' that they will attain paradise, and it is this very promise that motivates suicide bombers including, one suspects, those who turned commercial airliners into missiles on September 11.
Biblical Christianity, on the other hand, emphasises grace, which signifies 'God's giving'. Through Jesus Christ, God imparts forgiveness and salvation as a free gift, apart from any good work. Salvation is by grace, not by works (Ephesians 2:4-10). Even extreme devotion, sacrifice and obedience will never secure God's favour.
Furthermore, Christians have assurance of salvation by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, so they are not left in doubt and insecurity (Romans 8:15-17).
Everlasting life with God in heaven is given to the Christian through the work of God the Son. It cannot be lost, since God the Father keeps the believer by his great power (John 10:27-30).
An absurdity
Cults employ mind-bending techniques to induce their followers to be obedient – this has long been understood.
What about the mind-boggling promise of 70 virgins available for the pleasures of every martyred Islamic warrior? Talk about cultic – this is as extreme an example as can be found even in the strangest sects!
Certainly, for poor, young, love-starved men, whose future is clouded at best, the promise of unlimited fleshly pleasure in the hereafter might be an inducement to die for the sake of Allah.
But is this obscene and sexist doctrine true? Moderate Islamic interpreters say no; the sexually oriented promises are unfounded. Yet, this perverse promise is constantly embraced. Many a mind-bent warrior has killed and died to acquire his 70 virgins.
Harassment of Muslims is unacceptable, and this article is not an attempt to bring grief to Muslim people.
However, I would challenge Muslims to examine their religion, indeed, their hearts and minds, and ask themselves these questions.
'Why am I a Muslim? Is my commitment to Islam based on a free decision, apart from family influences? What is my attitude towards those of other religions, particularly Jews and Christians?
'Are my attitudes cultic in any way? Do I honestly think that killing Jews and Christians serves Allah? Do I believe it is a Muslim's duty to defend Islam by martyrdom or suicide?
'Should I support religious tolerance for people of other faiths in Muslim-dominated countries like Saudi Arabia?'
Many Muslims are seekers after God, and this is good. The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah wrote: 'You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart' (Jeremiah 29:13).
Whether Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, nominal Christian, or nothing at all – the challenge is to seek God because he can be found. Jesus said: 'Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well' (Matthew 6:33).
Regardless of our religious background, we are created in the image of God. We have been made by and for him, and will never be satisfied until we know him personally. The Creator God sent his Son, Jesus, to break down the walls of separation between men and reconcile all kinds of people to himself (Ephesians 2:14-18).
The challenge is to make up your own mind about Jesus Christ. Learn about him yourself and do not merely accept the opinions and prejudices of others.
Find a New Testament, read the story of his life, and see if you find anything amiss with him. Is there any sin, or anything false, in the one who came from God?
Find an Old Testament and read the prophecies of the Messiah (which is Hebrew for 'Christ'), passages like Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Are not these passages about Jesus?
If you seek him, he will be found.
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Kent Philpott is pastor of Miller Avenue Baptist Church, Mill Valley, California, and director of Earthen Vessel Publishing.
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For specific dates please look for the 2019 Spring League Time Line in Latest News.
Spring Registration for "A", "AA" & "AAA" will begin on January 2 and end on February 10.
Leagues are based on age as of April 30, 2019. For questions, e-mail us at pats@eulesstx.gov.
You may register your players individually for "A" League by using the PACS Online Registration System or visiting the Euless Family Life Center located at 300 W. Midway Dr.
Register your "AA" or "AAA/Majors" team online by registering online now.
Rookie T-Ball Is a fast paced action game for kids that is extremely exciting! It teaches the baseball/softball fundamentals (hitting, running, throwing and fielding) while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Each child will receive a jersey, cap, eight ballgames and a participation award.
Parent(s) or legal guardians must sign a "Positive Participation" oath at the time of registration. The cost is $55 per player. Regular season will begin the week of March 30. Practice will begin two weeks prior.
All games will be played on Saturdays. Each team will play once a week. To register your player, take a copy of his/her birth certificate to the Euless Family Life Center located at 300 W. Midway Dr. in Euless, 76039.
Players may return to their previous team if they desire and remain in the same age group. All other player's will register as draw players. Players may register for the draw utilizing the "buddy" system, including siblings. Teams will be formed using a blind draw. The registration fee includes a jersey, cap, pants, socks and belt. Each player will receive ten games and a participation award.
Parent(s) or legal guardians must sign a "Positive Participation" oath at the time of registration. Regular season will begin the week of March 30. Practice will begin two weeks prior. A copy of your child's birth certificate will be required at registration.
If you would like to register as a team in our "A" division, call 817-685-1838 for approval. All teams playing in the "A" division are subject to evaluation during the regular season. If the Athletic Supervisor decides that your team is too competitive for the "A" division, you will be moved up to the "AA" division. Costs listed below are per player.
Games will be played Monday through Saturday. Each team will play twice a week.
To register your player, you must provide a copy of his/her birth certificate to the Euless Family Life Center, 300 W. Midway Dr. in Euless. You may also sign up online using the PACS Online Registration.
"Recreation/A" League Coaching - If you are interested in coaching a recreational baseball team, please visit the Euless Family Life Center and complete the coach's application. That application will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted. All applicants must pass a local/state/federal criminal background check. This applies to returning coaches as well as new coaches.
This more competitive league is for coaches and teams that want to keep their players together and compete at a higher level. Teams will play a 12 game season with the top four teams from each division playing in a single elimination bracket at the end of the season to determine the City Champion.
"AA" League Baseball registration is per team as opposed to individual registration. Teams participating in the "AA" division must provide their own uniform and team insurance. Each team must be registered with USSSA Baseball. Each team will receive two dozen baseballs. To register for "AA" please visit the Online League Registration page or call 817-685-1838. Costs listed below are per team.
The regular season will begin the week of March 4. Practice will begin the first week of February. Champion and Runner-up will receive team and individual awards.
Games will be played Monday through Saturday. Each team will play twice per week. We will do our best to schedule minimal games on Saturdays. We no longer accept schedule requests.
This league is our most competitive! Teams will register as a team only and will play a fee per team. This league will have a 14 game season with no playoffs. All games will be played Monday through Thursday; no Friday, Saturday or Sunday games. We no longer accept schedule requests. Teams participating in the "AAA" or "Majors" division must provide their own uniforms and team insurance. Each team must be registered with USSSA Baseball. Each team will receive three dozen baseballs.
To register for "AAA" or "Major" League, please visit the Online League Registration page or call 817-685-1838. Costs listed below are per team.
The regular season will begin March 4. Practice will begin the first week of February.
The 14U 60/90 League is limited to the first 14 teams that register and pay in full. There will be trophies for Champion and Runner Up upon request.
To contact the Parks at Texas Star, please email pats@eulesstx.gov or call 817-685-1838.
Check out the League Who's Coming List to see who is already signed up to play.


text:
package com.intellij.debugger.ui.tree.render;

import com.intellij.debugger.engine.evaluation.EvaluateException;
import com.intellij.debugger.engine.evaluation.EvaluationContext;
import com.intellij.debugger.ui.tree.ValueDescriptor;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;

import javax.swing.*;

public interface ValueLabelRenderer extends Renderer, ValueIconRenderer {
  String calcLabel(ValueDescriptor descriptor, EvaluationContext evaluationContext, DescriptorLabelListener listener) throws EvaluateException;

  @Override
  @Nullable
  default Icon calcValueIcon(ValueDescriptor descriptor, EvaluationContext evaluationContext, DescriptorLabelListener listener)
    throws EvaluateException {
    return null;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


With the state transportation budget now signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, it will take effect in July with funding priorities of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) included.
The state transportation budget, House Bill 62, is a two-year funding plan that addresses Ohio's infrastructure and public safety needs. The legislation is expected to generate an additional $865 million more per year for road and bridge projects.
More information on MORPC's government affairs work, including testimony on the state transportation budget, is available at morpc.org/GovAffairs.


To the surprise of no one, a new state Department of Education report has concluded — confirmed might be a better word — that yes, teenagers would benefit from later school start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2014 recommended later start times for that very reason, but progress in that direction has been minimal at best in New Jersey — just nine percent of the state's high schools and middle schools have start times as late as 8:30 a.m., and few districts are meaningfully considering major changes.
To the surprise of no one, a new state Department of Education report has concluded — confirmed might be a better word — that yes, teenagers would benefit from later school start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2014 recommended later start times for that very reason, but progress in that direction has been minimal at best in New Jersey — just 9 percent of the state's high schools and middle schools have start times as late as 8:30 a.m., and few districts are meaningfully considering major changes.
The report also tells us the reason for such reticence is a daunting array of obstacles that include, among other things, higher busing costs, impact on after-school activities and family concerns about child care. Therefore, according to the study group behind the report, any attempt at a "one size fits all" mandate to change school start times would be a mistake; this issue is best left to individual districts to examine as they see fit.
We really needed this whole process to tell us that? Every dollar spent on this study was a waste.
The traditional structure of school start times has long seemed unnatural; older children who stay up later must wake up earlier, while elementary-school students begin their school day the latest. The potential benefits of a new model would be significant in improving the physical and mental health of teenagers, who struggle with chronic sleep deprivation in part because their natural sleep cycles skew later after puberty. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, it is typically difficult for teenagers to fall asleep before 11 p.m.; that makes 7-8 hours of sleep a night a rare commodity considering how many students must awaken by 6 a.m. or earlier.
But while there's little dispute in a vacuum about the basic value of later start times, the challenges to accommodating them in practice are daunting. District officials can't just begin the high school day an hour later, for instance, and declare their work done. Staggered start and finish times cut transportation costs by reducing the necessary size of a bus fleet, so an entire district would likely have to be restructured to avoid a cost spike.
Academic mandates won't allow for fewer hours in school, and shorter days would also work against the goal of increasing academic performance. So later start times mean later finish times. A high school suddenly ending its day at 3:30 instead of 2:30 will run into major conflicts coordinating schedules for sports and other extracurricular activities unless the schools with whom they regularly compete make similar changes.
At home, many parents rely on older children finishing school first to help care for younger siblings. Reverse that school-day pattern, and families would confront new and expensive child-care burdens.
Change isn't impossible. A determined district with broad community support could develop a viable plan with modest disruptions. We encourage schools to take a long look at possibilities. But it won't be easy.
Of course we already knew that.


text:
package com.f2prateek.segment.android;

import com.f2prateek.segment.model.Message;
import com.f2prateek.segment.model.TrackMessage;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.concurrent.Future;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import org.mockito.ArgumentCaptor;
import org.robolectric.RobolectricTestRunner;
import org.robolectric.RuntimeEnvironment;
import org.robolectric.annotation.Config;

import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
import static org.mockito.Mockito.mock;
import static org.mockito.Mockito.when;

@SuppressWarnings("CheckResult") //
@RunWith(RobolectricTestRunner.class) //
@Config(constants = BuildConfig.class, sdk = 23) //
public class ContextInterceptorTest {
  @SuppressWarnings({ "unchecked", "ConstantConditions" }) @Test public void contextInterceptor() {
    Interceptor.Chain chain = mock(Interceptor.Chain.class);
    ArgumentCaptor<Message> argumentCaptor = ArgumentCaptor.forClass(Message.class);
    when(chain.message()).thenReturn(new TrackMessage.Builder() //
        .userId("foo").event("event").build());
    when(chain.proceed(argumentCaptor.capture())).thenReturn(null);

    Interceptor interceptor = ContextInterceptor.with(RuntimeEnvironment.application);
    interceptor.intercept(chain);

    Map<String, Object> context = argumentCaptor.getValue().context();
    assertThat(context).hasSize(9);
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("app")) //
        .containsEntry("name", "com.f2prateek.segment.android")
        .containsEntry("version", null)
        .containsEntry("build", 0);
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("device")) //
        .containsEntry("id", "unknown")
        .containsEntry("manufacturer", "unknown")
        .containsEntry("model", "unknown")
        .containsEntry("name", "unknown");
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("network")) //
        .containsEntry("carrier", null);
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("screen")) //
        .containsEntry("density", 1.5f)
        .containsEntry("height", 800)
        .containsEntry("width", 480);
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("library")) //
        .containsEntry("name", "segment-android")
        .containsEntry("version", BuildConfig.VERSION_NAME);
    assertThat((Map<String, Object>) context.get("os")) //
        .containsEntry("name", "Android")
        .containsEntry("version", "6.0.0_r1");
    assertThat((String) context.get("userAgent")).isNull();
    // Timezone depends on the computer running so ignore.
    // assertThat((String) context.get("timezone")).isEqualTo("America/Vancouver);
    assertThat((String) context.get("locale")).isEqualTo("en-US");
  }

  static class MockChain implements Interceptor.Chain {
    @Override public Message message() {
      return null;
    }

    @Override public Future<Message> proceed(Message message) {
      return null;
    }
  }
}


Do you have to stay overnight for a visit to count?
If a region has been visited for less than an hour, but something has been seen, does this count as a visit?
Does a mere visit to a border post/line, just crossing the line - without proceeding further - count as a visit?
Does a visit to an airport without crossing immigration or leaving the secure area (i.e. airside) count as a visit?
Does a visit to the airport after crossing immigration but not going further than the airport area count as a visit?
Does overflying closely (i.e. at low altitude) count as a visit, especially for places best seen for above like volcanoes, atolls etc?
If crossing a region by train at night (with nothing but some lights visible), does this count as a visit?
If crossing a region by train during the day (without stepping foot in the region), does this count as a visit?
If a region has been crossed on a train while the traveller is asleep, does this count as a visit?
If a traveller has only stepped at a region in the train station/platform, does this count as a visit?
If a region has been crossed by car without a stop at all, does this count as a visit?
If a region has been crossed by car/bus and only a pitstop by the road been made (for fuel, snack etc), does this count as a visit?
If a region is viewed clearly from a vessel at sea/port exclusively (without disembarking), does this count as a visit?
If a passenger is in the secure port area alone without venturing further, does this count as a visit?
If a region has been crossed into illegally (and assuming that then a 'good visit' takes place to a main city or sight), does this count as a visit?


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text:
using System;
using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;

namespace EnsureThat
{
    public static class EnsureThatTypeExtensions
    {
        public static TypeParam IsInt(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsInt(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsShort(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsShort(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsDecimal(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsDecimal(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsDouble(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsDouble(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsFloat(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsFloat(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsBool(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsBool(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsDateTime(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsDateTime(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsString(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsString(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsOfType(this in TypeParam param, [NotNull] Type expectedType)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsOfType(param.Type, expectedType, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsNotOfType(this in TypeParam param, Type expectedType)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsNotOfType(param.Type, expectedType, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsAssignableToType(this in TypeParam param, [NotNull] Type expectedType)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsAssignableToType(param.Type, expectedType, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsNotAssignableToType(this in TypeParam param, Type expectedType)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsNotAssignableToType(param.Type, expectedType, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static Param<T> IsClass<T>(this in Param<T> param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsClass(param.Value, param.Name);

            return param;
        }

        public static TypeParam IsClass(this in TypeParam param)
        {
            Ensure.Type.IsClass(param.Type, param.Name);

            return param;
        }
    }
}


Abstract: One-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) saplings were subjected to artificial insect damage and defoliations of varying intensities, and subsequent growth indexes, biomass allocation patterns and photosynthesis were monitored during a 60-day period. Seven treatments were conducted in which the leaves of saplings were perforated with three or six holes per each leaf, and damaged by clipping one-third of each leaf, or they received 25, 50 and 75% defoliations during a single growing season (from April to August of 2014). Simulated insect damage and artificial defoliation decreased growth. The 75% defoliation significantly reduced the total dry mass of birch saplings at harvest by 30%, while such reduction did not influence the total productivity. The dry mass of leaves was reduced by 45% when saplings were defoliated by 75% compared to not defoliated saplings. Moreover, the total production of leaves significantly increased in the 75% defoliated saplings compared with control saplings. Artificial defoliation increased the relative biomass allocation to foliage, and this was more evident in defoliated than in mechanically insect-damaged saplings. Despite losing 25, 50 or 75% of leaf mass due to clipping, defoliated birch saplings recovered similar dry masses and root/shoot ratios by harvest as the non-defoliated saplings. Perforation and clipping parts of the leaves, as well as the artificial defoliations, caused the regrowth of biomass that did not significantly change compared to healthy silver birch saplings, and this phenomenon could be assessed as equal-compensatory growth.
An increasing interest in various aspects of climate change impacts on forest ecosystems provides a basis for discussions regarding the increased abundance of insect pests and, furthermore, increased deterioration in forest health. Initially, defoliation or insect-caused damage reduces the photosynthetic area per plant, which may eventually result in a considerable loss of leaf area. Therefore, the expected implications of insect damage include reductions in height, biomass and growth rates, as well as changes in photosynthetic activity (, ).
Generally, the effect on biomass production depends on the compensation potential of individual species and damage scenarios. There are two opposite growth responses to defoliation. In the first, the final vegetative biomass of defoliated plants decreases after the removal of biomass, while in the second the defoliated plants partially or fully compensate for the removal of biomass (, , , , ). Meanwhile, root growth decreases or stops post-defoliation ().
With regard to the compensatory hypothesis (), over-, under- or equal-compensatory rates could occur under different site and defoliation conditions. For example, Zhao et al. () found a greater reduction in the growth of aboveground biomass when an intense clipping of 80% was applied. Data from several sources have identified cases of partial compensation, especially for insect-damaged trees (, , ). Some studies investigating growth changes under various insect damage scenarios have focused exclusively on birch species (, , , , ).
It has been demonstrated that the greater ability of birches to exhibit compensatory growth and recover after severe defoliation occurs faster after increasing the nutrient supply (, ). Subsequently, Anttonen et al. () reported that nutrient availability was significant only in determining how the total biomass responded to defoliation, and no interaction between defoliation and fertilization was found in the second growing season after the defoliation.
Previous research has indicated that photosynthetic rates increase in damaged leaves, or even in healthy leaves adjacent to damage (, , , ).
Numerous studies have attempted to explain the different consequences of defoliation for relative biomass allocation (, , , ). Markkola et al. () showed that the loss of foliage decreases the root-to-shoot ratio, i.e., changes in the partitioning between above- and below-ground biomass occur, as shoot growth is favored at the expense of root growth ().
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of different artificial defoliation and simulated insect-damage regimes on the growth characteristics of silver birch saplings. The first objective of this study was to determine possible changes in dry mass and relative biomass allocation across different compartments of birch saplings. We also conducted a pilot study on foliar gas-exchange, aiming to investigate the effect of simulated insect damage and partial defoliation on the photosynthetic characteristics of the remaining leaves.
This research was conducted in southwestern Lithuania (54° 51′ N, 24° 03′ E) at the Dubrava Experimental and Training Forest Enterprise. The mean annual temperature in this area was 6.5 °C, ranging from 5.0-13.7 °C in April, 8.8-17.1 °C in May, 13.2-16.8 °C in June, 19.3-22.8 °C in July and 13.7-22.5 °C in August. The mean monthly temperature was higher by 1-1.5 °C (May) to 3-4.5 °C degrees (July) compared to the standard climatic norm during the vegetation season. The mean annual precipitation was 686 mm, with 21 mm in April, 84 mm in May, 57 mm in June, 71 mm in July and 112 mm in August. The mean monthly precipitation was close to the standard climatic norm.
In this study, a pot-cultivated experiment of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) saplings was conducted. Initially, all experimental material was approximately equal in size, averaging 40.6 ± 0.14 cm of height. Before treatment, the growth of birch saplings did not differ among treatments (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA: p<0.05).
The soil for planting was prepared by mixing sand and neutralized peat in a 1:5 ratio.
Saplings were planted into individual 3-L plastic pots filled with the mixed substrate. The mean pH value of the soil in the pots was 5.0. The total nitrogen and potassium contents of the soil were 0.4 and 40 mg l-1, respectively. The soil received no fertilizer. Throughout the experiment, trees were watered as needed. Pots had 16 equidistant perforations at the base to allow excess water to drain.
One-year-old silver birch saplings were planted on April 2, 2014. Each sapling was planted in its own pot and numbered. Artificial defoliation of 25, 50 and 75% and three different types of simulated insect damages, i.e., three and six holes per each leaf, and clipping one-third of each leaf, were conducted on June 17, 2014. No visible injury caused by biotic and abiotic agents was fixed during the experimental period. In total, seven treatments were conducted, including a non-defoliated control. Each treatment had 20 replicates. Potted trees were placed adjacent to each other in rows, the treatments were mixed. The intensities of the defoliation treatments were designed to approximate insect defoliation levels during the active vegetation period in Lithuania. The simulated damages showed the different insect feeding intensity during outbreaks. The artificial defoliation was the basis for the potentially different effects of the remaining parts of the birch saplings.
The defoliation was conducted using scissors, cutting each leaf perpendicular to the midrib near its base. Each leaf was damaged with 3 or 6 non-overlapping holes (0.33 cm2) using a steel hole-punch, or one-third of each leaf was cut using scissors. Defoliation treatments were applied only once, at the beginning of the experiment.
The individual height of birch saplings before each treatment was measured on April 4, April 24, May 15 and June 4 to calculate the relative growth rates in different periods. The height increment was measured 1, 5 and 8 weeks post-defoliation on June 25, July 25 and August 18, respectively.
At the end of experiment, aboveground biomass was sampled on August 18 or 8 weeks post-defoliation. For the determination of total dry mass, samples were removed from the following aboveground tree compartments: leaves, living and dead shoots, branches and stems.
The samples were transported to the laboratory in paper bags. The bags were stored in a clean and ventilated room, and left open prior to oven drying. The oven drying took place in the weeks immediately after sampling. The removed biomass from each treatment, as well as the final live biomass, was collected and oven-dried to a constant weight at 60°C to determine the accumulated aboveground biomass. Roots were then harvested, rinsed of soil and oven-dried to determine the total belowground biomass.
The leaf areas of 3 leaves, taken randomly from each sapling per each treatment, were estimated using a scanner using leaf area analysis software (WinFOLIA 2004a, Regent Instruments Inc., Quebec, Canada). Later, specific leaf area was interpreted as the projected leaf area/leaf dry mass ratio and used for re-calculation of the photosynthetic rate per square centimeter per treatment. The diameter of air-dried main stems was measured at a 2 cm distance above the stump base for each individual sapling using an electronic digital caliper. The length of the roots of each sapling was measured from the root base to the bottom, straightening the root before measurement.
The net photosynthetic rate of the remnant leaves was measured with a portable photosynthetic system LCpro-SD (ADC BioScientific Ltd, Hoddesdon, England). Measurements were taken 1 day, 4 weeks and 7 weeks (June 18 to August 4) after the clippings. To avoid strong sunlight and wind, the measurements were conducted between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
For the first measurement, five systematically selected birch saplings were taken from four treatments: the non-defoliated control, the simulated insect damages of three or six holes per leaf, and the clipped third of the leaf. The photosynthetic rate was measured for three leaves from each sapling, yielding 15 leaves per treatment. For the measurements conducted after 4 and 7 weeks, the saplings from all treatments were measured following the same selection scheme. We measured mature, sunlit, naturally undamaged leaves in each treatment.
where A is the chlorophyll content of the fresh weight of leaves (mg g-1), C is the chlorophyll concentration (mg l-1), V is the volume of chlorophyll extract (ml) and P is the weight of plant material (g).
The total aboveground biomass of each tree was calculated by the summation of the mass of dried shoots, branches and leaves, in grams. The total biomass of each tree was calculated by the summation of the aboveground and belowground biomass, in grams. Leaf, aboveground and total production or cumulative dry mass were calculated by summing the dry mass at harvest plus the leaf mass removed during insect damage and in the defoliation events. Root biomass was expressed in relation to the aboveground biomass, and the root-to-shoot ratio (root/shoot ratio) was calculated. Cumulative leaf dry mass in relation to the root was calculated, and the ratio of leaf production-to-root ratio (leaf production/root ratio) was obtained.
Departure from normal distribution of the variables was tested by Lilliefors and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. However, the normality hypothesis was rejected for all observed variables (α = 0.05).
The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to ascertain the significant differences in dry mass between the different treatments (7 groups: control, 3 and 6 holes per leaf, clipped one-third of leaf, and 25, 50 and 75% defoliations). The test was taken as a non-parametric alternative to between-groups one-way ANOVA, as the data were non-normally distributed. Throughout the study, the means are presented with the standard error of the mean (± SE). Statistical analyses were conducted using the software STATISTICA® 7.0 (StatSoft, Tulsa, OK, USA), and a level of significance of α = 0.05 was chosen in all cases.
At the end of the experiment, the largest height increment of 6.0-6.5 cm was found in the 75%-defoliated saplings and in those with clipped one-third of leaf compared to their height before treatment (Tab. 1). Other treatments did not show any remarkable difference compared to not defoliated saplings.
Tab. 1 - Height (cm) of B. pendula saplings 1, 5 and 8 weeks after treatment. Values are given as the mean ± standard error (SE, n=20). Non statistically significant differences between treatments are indicated in all cases at p<0.05.
In all cases, simulated insect damage and defoliation decreased growth (Tab. 2). The 75% defoliation had a significant impact on the biomass present at harvest. The dry mass of silver birch saplings at harvest was by 30% lower due to the 75% defoliation, while, when included leaf lost in defoliation, total productivity was not significantly reduced. At harvest, the dry mass of leaves was by 45% lower in the 75% defoliated saplings than non-defoliated control. However, total leaf production was by 21% higher in the 75% defoliated saplings than in the control saplings.
Tab. 2 - Dry mass (g) of leaves, shoots, stems and roots of B. pendula saplings at harvest. Values are given as the mean ± SE (n=20). Different letters within a row indicate statistically significant differences in dry mass between treatments (p<0.05). (1): Leaf production include leaf lost in defoliation (cumulative dry mass); (2): total production value was obtained by summing dry mass at harvest plus leaf mass removed in defoliation events; (3): Gram roots / (gram stems + gram shoots + gram leaf); (4): Gram leaf production / gram roots.
Lower defoliation intensities (25 and 50%) had, to some extent, lower impacts on the total dry mass of defoliated saplings at harvest. The dry mass of saplings was approximately by 20% lower due to the 25 and 50% defoliation, while total productivity did not differ from controls. However, the total dry mass of leaves was significantly reduced by 30-33%. At harvest, the total production of leaves was significantly by 22% higher in the 50% defoliated saplings compared with the control. This response was similar to that of the 75%-defoliated saplings.
In almost all cases, different intensities of simulated insect damages (3 and 6 holes, 1/3 clipped leaf) did not significantly affect the dry mass of damaged saplings. For example, the total leaf dry mass of saplings damaged with 6 holes per each leaf was lower by 16% than that of the control, while the total dry mass at harvest remained similar to that of the controls, with a slight, increasing tendency.
Similar to the response of aboveground dry mass, root dry mass was also significantly reduced by 28% in the 75% defoliated saplings. The root dry mass in the other defoliation treatments did not respond significantly. The differences in biomass partitioning enabled artificially insect-damaged and defoliated saplings to recover root/ shoot ratios that were similar to that of the control saplings (Tab. 2). Relative biomass allocation across the compartments of birch saplings at harvest was affected mainly by defoliation treatments as compared with the simulated insect damage (Tab. 2, Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 - Biomass allocation to stem, leaves, and branches of B. pendula saplings in the different treatments of simulated insect damage and artificial defoliation 60 days after treatment.
Defoliation increased the relative biomass allocation to leaves. In comparison with the control saplings, 75%-defoliated saplings allocated a greater proportion of their biomass to leaf production: the ratio of total leaf production relative to root production was 0.72 in the 75%-defoliated saplings and 0.41 in the controls (Tab. 2). The 25- and 50%-defoliated saplings allocated a lower proportion of mass to leaf production than the 75%-defoliated saplings (Tab. 2). However, the ratio of total leaf production to root production was higher than in the controls (0.41), i.e., it was 0.49 and 0.60 in the 25- and 50%-defoliated saplings, respectively. Simulated insect damage did not affect the leaf production-to-roots ratio.
Leaf photosynthesis responded inconsistently to different defoliation regimes or damage levels (Tab. 3). In June, one day after treatment, the photosynthetic rate was lower in damaged than control saplings (data not shown). A significant increase in the photosynthetic rate in response to clipping one-third of each leaf was observed 7 weeks post-treatment. In contrast, reduced photosynthetic rates were obtained after weak artificial insect-damage (leaves damaged with 3 holes) and the moderate 25 and 50% defoliation regimes, although these differences were not significant.
Tab. 3 - Photosynthetic rate (μmol m-2 s-1) of the remnant leaves of B. pendula saplings one day, 4 and 7 weeks after treatment. Values are given as the mean ± SE (n=15). Different letters indicate statistically significant differences in dry mass between treatments (p<0.05).
The pilot study of foliar chlorophyll content showed that simulated insect-damage with 6 holes per each leaf and 50% defoliation significantly (p=0.007-0.02) decreased the content of chlorophyll a from 2.41 ± 0.15 in the controls to 1.57 ± 0.13 and 1.63 ± 0.11 mg g-1, respectively. The chlorophyll b content decreased by 17% and total chlorophyll - by 30% in the saplings damaged with 6 holes per each leaf and 50% defoliation compared with controls 7 weeks after treatment (data not shown).
The 75% defoliation significantly decreased the diameter of the main stem compared with that of the control (p=0.007 - Tab. 4). The other defoliation regimes, as well as the simulated insect damages, had no significant effect on the diameter of the main stem.
Tab. 4 - Leaf area (cm2), diameter of main-stem (mm) and length of main-root (cm) of B. pendula saplings 8 weeks after treatment. Values are given as the mean ± SE (n=20). Different letters indicate statistically significant differences in dry mass between treatments (p<0.05).
At the final harvest, the clipped leaves treatment significantly decreased the leaf area by 20% (Tab. 4). Decreases of 8-9% were found after the 6 holes per leaf and 50 and 75% defoliation treatments.
The results obtained from the root analysis showed that the 25 and 50% defoliations caused the highest reductions, up to 15%, in the length of the main root. About a 10-12% significant reduction was found in the 6 holes per leaf treatments.
This study was set out with the aim of assessing the effects of different simulated insect damage levels and defoliation regimes on the growth characteristics of silver birch saplings. Our results confirmed that defoliated plants partially or fully compensate for the removal of biomass (, , , ). The main growth indexes of defoliated saplings grown under the same nutrient conditions most often showed the compensatory response in the case of total productivity. However, no data showed that the stimulation of productivity resulted in overcompensation, as demonstrated for example by Oesterheld & McNaughton ().
Saplings were able to tolerate the defoliation of all studied regimes and all damage levels with slight effects on height growth. This study was unable to demonstrate a reduction in height growth in response to the 50 and 75% defoliation treatments, as found by Augner et al. ().
In our study, a single 75% defoliation event had a significant effect on leaf and stem biomass. All treatments non-significantly decreased the total aboveground and belowground biomass at harvest, as well as the masses of leaves and stems compared with controls. These changes were similar to those obtained by McGraw et al. (). Nevertheless, the cumulative dry mass of birch leaves increased in response to the 50 and 75% defoliation intensities.
Despite losing a considerable part of leaf mass due to clipping, 25-, 50- or 75%-defoliated birch saplings recovered similar dry masses and root/shoot ratios by harvest as the control saplings. This finding supports previous research by Oesterheld & McNaughton (), who reported that the root/ shoot ratio recovered by the end of the experiment after a previously drastic increase by clipping.
Other studies confirm that 50%-defoliated plants recovered similarly to non-defoliated plants, and those defoliated by 25% even overcompensated their biomass compared with controls (). In our case, saplings that lost 50% of their foliage increased their growth rate by 40% to achieve a biomass that was similar to that of the controls. Similarly, the growth rate of saplings that were damaged by the 75% defoliation was even greater, i.e., their relative growth rate was 2-fold higher than that of controls, which enabled their biomass to reach a level that was similar to that of the controls. Surveys, such as that conducted by Reich et al. (), have shown that plants defoliated by 75% were only able to partially compensate biomass growth and recover. Our findings are not fully consistent with these results, as we found full compensation, or even a slight overcompensation, in the case of leaf productivity.
The leaf areas of defoliated saplings did not differ from that of the control; therefore, we could assume that their recovery was obvious in terms of leaf area, which was much changed during the single artificial defoliation and simulated insect damage events. We confirm the findings that specific leaf area was unaffected by defoliation treatment (), although the leaf weight ratio decreased under the 25-75% defoliation events.
Allocation refers to the amount of biomass apportioned to each above-ground compartment (leaves, shoots and stems) and roots over the duration of the experiment or 8 weeks post-defoliation. Moderate and severe defoliation regimes correlated with greater biomass allocations to leaves. The findings of Reich et al. (), who examined biomass partitioning in red pine, showed that biomass shifted towards foliage. Changes in allocation that resulted in a higher production of new leaf area were also obtained by Oesterheld & McNaughton (). Otherwise, our findings are not comparable with those of Honkanen et al. (), who found a biomass allocation to stems.
Other existing studies also show a similar tendency, but a higher-nutrient level was given as a specific condition (). Fertilization increased the growth of silver birch saplings at all defoliation levels, demonstrating that nutrient availability limited growth in the experimental field. However, we did not use additional fertilizers, and, therefore, our results differed from those of some other studies (e.g., , , , ). It could only be assumed that the increased growth compensation was revealed after the additional input of nutrients (, ). The same tendency could occur if pot size limits root growth, as stated by Oesterheld ().
The current study found significantly increased photosynthetic rate only in the clipped leaf treatment seven weeks post-defoliation. Otherwise, changes in the photosynthetic area per plant were small over a relatively short period of time. Moreover, despite the significant increase in leaf productivity, the severe 75% defoliation did not cause any changes in the photosynthetic rates compared to the control. However, the moderate defoliation events reduced the photosynthetic rate.
To a certain extent, an atypical response of photosynthesis was observed - it did not increase with increasing defoliation intensity. The reduction of photosynthetic activity after partial leaf removal was presented by Zangerl et al. (). Otherwise, Huttunen et al. () discussed that the ability to photosynthesize decreases in low nutrient soils, which, therefore, could have an impact on growth. In our experiment, the soil could be characterized as a nutrient-poor substrate. McGraw et al. () found that defoliation alone did not have a significant effect on photosynthesis, as such effects varied with the watering regime.
In terms of diameter growth, saplings reduced their growth under the highest defoliation intensity at harvest, but did not respond to other treatments. Indeed, such a quick response is quite a good outcome of this experiment compared with some other studies, which found the response only after a longer period ().
The artificial holes and defoliation may not exactly repeat the natural insect feeding (). Some of simulated indexes including the size of the treated area or the amount of removed foliage caused by artificial and natural agents could be similar. However, the plant possibly recognize a sustained damage by feeding insects from the artificial damage which was conducted with own damage strategy and location in the plant only once per vegetation season. A study of different damage types by Hartley & Lawton () reported that defoliation induced by natural insect herbivory caused stronger responses compared to the artificial damage. However, we have not succeeded to find any published material of similar investigations conducted in naturally growing birch stands. The information regarding natural birch damages induced by insects is available only from the permanent observation plots established in the birch stands and monitored for almost 20 years in Lithuania. Still, it only points that no visible insect damages was registered (unpublished).
Returning to the question posed at the beginning of this study, we assume that the obtained defense strategies of birch trees are significant in determining spatial variation and temporal of this species. This should be important for the determination of competitive abilities following herbivory, especially given the fact that the area of birch stands is currently expanding in Lithuania, at the same time the frequency of insect outbreaks increases.
We found that silver birch saplings were able to recover from moderate and severe (75%) defoliation in one growing season. In the case of leaf production, even growth overcompensation could be observed. Different levels of simulated insect damage, perforations of 3 or 6 holes per leaf, gave weaker responses than the defoliation regimes, and the 6 hole-treatment responded similarly to the 25% defoliation. The recalculation of the dry masses of different compartments to the total production showed that all saplings recovered 8 weeks post-treatment, regardless of the defoliation intensity.
Our results suggest that different defoliation regimes play a considerable role in determining whether silver birch compensates for defoliation. The discrepancy of our findings in the case of photosynthesis could be attributed to specific meteorological conditions, and these findings need to be replicated. According to the present data, the conclusions must be interpreted with caution, and further studies are necessary to explain whether a short time for recovery after artificial defoliation or simulated insect damage and a limited soil nutrient supply could cause any other specific responses.
The paper presents research findings obtained through the long-term research programme "Sustainable forestry and global changes", implemented by the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry.
Augner M, Tuomi J, Rousi M (1997). Effects of defoliation on competitive interactions in European white birch. Ecology 78: 2369-2377.
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Q: NHibernate: Generate mappings for stored procedures I need to call some stored procedures via NHibernate (not necessarily for CRUD-operations). Is there a freeware/open source tool which can generate mappings (a hbm.xml) for stored procedures and tables?

A: You can accomplish this by mapping the stored procedures as named queries. There is a good write up on this at NHForge.org. You can create the stored procedures themselves as part of your schema generation using database-object mappings; see here for details.
As far as some sort of pre-built tool goes to accomplish this, you're pretty much out of luck. However, implementing this as described above is trivial.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In the entire city of Rome, S. Sabina is maybe the church that shows us best what the Christian worship space must have been like in Late Antiquity (or the early Middle Ages if you will). From the basilical plan — a plain rectangular hall with two side aisles and no transept — to the antique columns of giallo antico and granite, to the mosaic frieze running over them, to the stone grillwork of the windows from an age in which large panes of glass were not feasible, everything has remained substantially as it was when the church was built fifteen hundred years ago. In fact the building was restored in 1441 and 1481, then completely done over to contemporary tastes in 1587 by Domenico Fontana and again by Borromini in 1643: as much as possible of all that was undone in two separate restorations by Antonio Muñoz in 1914‑1919 and 1936‑1937.
In the early 13c, St. Dominic worked out of S. Sabina; it was here that he received the Rule of the Order from the hands of Pope Honorius III, and the custodian of the church remains the Dominican Order.
The basilica of S. Sabina is also very famous for one precious relic of Antiquity: the great wooden door that is the largest ancient Roman wooden sculpture in the world.
Let's start with that door, then. Something like 6 meters tall and made of cypress wood, which is one of the reasons it has lasted so well, it is composed of 7 ranks of 4 panels each; although the framework is original, 10 of the panels have disappeared over the ages, and 2 are unphotographable without very good equipment because they're behind a Plexiglas shield.
My photos of the 16 others all came out rather nicely: for now, only the 8 smaller panels are online here.
Like most of the old churches of Rome, S. Sabina has its ancient inscriptions. A closer look at the sarcophagus and two Late Antique tombstones: the early Christian epitaph of a 5‑year‑old boy, and an inscription that was almost certainly carved by someone who could neither read nor write.
A fuller website is on its way; and among the first steps toward it is to provide you with some collected source material. My Web transcriptions of Christian Hülsen's Le Chiese di Roma nel Medio Evo and Mariano Armellini's Le Chiese di Roma are each for the moment only partly online: but they do both include cross-linked sections on this church. Additionally linked there is the brief passage on the church in Titi's Description of the Monuments of Rome (1763).


Generally speaking, the short necklace should be suitable for the summer and autumn, because in these two seasons, people would like to wear the clothing with a bigger collar. The extended pearl necklaces are general put outside of the woolen sweater in the winter and spring. The cheongsam and the wedding dress should be matched with two or three sets of pearl necklace, in order to be better representing your noble and elegant temperament.
The woman with a little bit short face is better wear the slim and long pearl necklace, or the one with pendant. The woman with a long face is suitable to wear the short or thick pearl necklace, or the one with two or three sets. And also, the pearl earrings should be bigger and round design earring pins, thus, the face would be looked like shorter. The round face should be matched with the slim and long jewelry with the slender lines, such as the fine jewelry chain, the pole type earrings, the pearl necklace with pendant, in order to draw the face looked like longer. There are two kinds of triangle faces. The up-side-down triangle face is suitable for any kind of jewelry. There is no too much requirement in choosing the jewelry. On the other hand, the regular triangle face is narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. It is better to wear the bigger earrings matching with the short hair covering one side of the lower jaw. And also, it can put an outstanding hairpin in the loose hair, in order to increase the width of the upper jaw. The necklace should be worn the long pearl necklace which has the extended effect, and achieving harmony. This effect can not even be achieved by the make-up.
3. The pearl jewelry should be matched with the body figure.
The graceful body figure can choose any kind of modeling pearl jewelry as willing. However, the one with unperfected body figure, should carefully choose and pay attention to the choice of jewelry, whether it is symmetry and harmonious. The one with a slim body figure should choose the pearl jewelry with horizontal line and square block. For the color, the white, pink and light color should be suitable. The one with short and thick body figure must avoid the horizontal or square modeling pearl jewelry, instead, the vertical, strips, flake, small and exquisite pearl jewelry is suitable. The one with the lower body long, generally the waist is relatively short. It is better to choose the thick and long pearl necklace, in order to lower the waist. The one with the lower body short, it is due to the waist is relatively long. The way to choose the jewelry is opposite with the above. The one with a longer neck should choose the bulky pearl necklace, and the one with a short neck should choose the tiny pearl necklace.


The Marley Cup, presented by Charleston Hemp Company is the first of its kind in the USA! The all-day, all-ages Music Festival and All-Star Celebrity Soccer Event takes place on Saturday, March 31st, 2018 at MUSC Health Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Drive, Charleston, South Carolina.
Kymani Marley and The Dubplates have teamed up with The Charleston Battery to produce The Marley Cup. There will be an All Star 7; a side Soccer Game Jamaica VS Charleston Battery; Plus Live Music from Kymani Marley, KJ Marley; Mix Master Mike of The Beastie Boys; The Dubplates featuring Future Fambo and More.
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Super Tramp is a long established company that have a reputation for making reliable garden trampolines for customers globally. Rectangular trampolines are designed for performance and this XR series trampoline is no exception.
Designed and recommended for both children and adults, this trampoline is powered by 68 high performance 7" springs, creating a thrilling, yet soft responsive bounce making it an incredible jumping experience. This is a very high quality trampoline that will suit divers and gymnasts as well as all the family for fun in the garden.
This great trampoline benefits from neoprene foams which are impermeable to water and air and are highly resistant to UV rays. They are designed so that this trampoline can be outdoors for prolonged periods of time without deteriorating, discolouring or going brittle. The rust-resistant Zinc-plated springs allow for longevity of use. The frame is made from galvanised steel both inside and out that will give the trampoline long-lasting protection from rust and corrosion for years to come.


According to just about all the UK press, National Trust members voted to reject a ban on culling badgers on its land at its AGM last Saturday.
Only one problem with all of those stories.
National Trust members didn't vote against a ban – they voted for it.
There were 7,807 votes in favour of the resolution and 6,583 against it.
National Trust chairman Simon Jenkins overruled the members' vote by using a discretionary block of 2,111 proxy votes.
These are members who voted neither for nor against the resolution.
Jenkins decided to use the block of proxy votes to vote down the ban on culling badgers on National Trust land – ignoring the clear wishes and democratic will of National trust members.
Why would Jenkins do that?
Could it be because he rather likes the idea of hunting defenceless animals?
well thats me decided now. was contemplating joining the national trust this next year as opposed to the English Heritage as ive done most of the venues in the regions i can get to that EH have. but nope. not now. other things were also being weighed up ill admit like my inability to climb stairs thus being relegated to only seeing ground floor of any NT houses etc and gardens (again only if plenty of seating dotted around) but this has put the lid on any more debate on the matter.ill find something else to do. im sure there's lots if i look around on the net.
You know, I was wondering about that. I've been an NT member for years, and I don't actually recall being asked about the issue.
Perhaps someone should badger Simon Jenkins.
National Distrust was formed because NT do nothing about illegal fox hunting on their land. If you could join or give us a shout out that would be great.
This post isn't quite accutrate – the motion was about more than banning badger culling, as indeed was the Trust's reasons for not supporting the motion – it called for vaccination of all badgers on Trust land which the Trust felt was financially prohibitive.
It is also true to say that the 2,111 people who gave their proxy votes to the Chair could have reasonably expected he would use them to support the status quo. The Trust published its opposition in advance and those 2,111 people could have voted for the motion if they disagreed with that response.
James Holden's reply is spot on – I too was very frustrated by the outcome of the vote, but it really is a misrepresentation to say that it was undemocratic. If you allow the Chair to act as your proxy, you accept that he will vote as he sees fit. I'm a member of the Trust, and I voted for the motion, so I'm not about to defend the organisation's stance on this issue. But leaving won't help either – if you leave the organisation, you can't vote at all.


There were mini-games on gaming handhelds and home consoles. Mini-games, mini-games, mini-games. You'd think I would have had my fill.
Hardest Game Ever - 0.2s is a collection of, wait for it, mini-games. In the last few years, mini-games became synonymous with casual gaming, and Hardest Game Ever - 0.2s definitely has one foot planted firmly in Casual-Land. That's not a bad thing.
The mini-games consist of the likes of counting things on screen, doing addition, shooting a target, and catching eggs.
I only played the free version, so I don't know how the paid version is, but all the mini-games I played were enjoyable and took advantage of the Apple's interface.
The games are timed and should remind you of a Wario Ware type experience. If you fail to complete a challenge, the screen flashes to a defeated male character with the words "Failed".
You start off on "Easy", which was easy enough, and then progress through "Normal", which I'm finding increasingly challenging.
This might not be the hardest game in the world. That actually doesn't matter. What mattered, for me at least, was the gentle reminder just how fun a succession of mini-games can be. And just because they're short, that doesn't necessarily mean they're a cake walk.
The free version of Hardest Game Ever - 0.2s is available in the link below.


text:
Ds Nöie Teschtamänt Bärndütsch ist eine Bibelübersetzung. Sie gibt den Urtext des Neuen Testamentes in berndeutschem Dialekt wieder. Die Übersetzung besorgten Hans und Ruth Bietenhard auf der griechischen Grundlage des Novum Testamentum Graece (Nestle-Aland, Stuttgart 1981). Erschienen ist sie 1984 beim Berchtold Haller Verlag.

1990 veröffentlichten die Übersetzer, zusammen mit ihrem Sohn, Ds Alte Teschtament bärndütsch, eine Auswahl von Texten aus dem Alten Testament.

Leseprobe (Matthäus 18,23–24):

Literatur
 Hans und Ruth Bietenhard: Ds Nöie Teschtamänt Bärndütsch. Berchtold Haller Verlag, Bern 1984; Neuauflage 2015, ISBN 978-3-85570-086-8.

Deutsche Bibelübersetzung (Neues Testament)
Christentum in der Schweiz
Religion (Kanton Bern)
Literatur (Schweiz)
Literatur (20. Jahrhundert)
Literatur (Alemannisch)
Deutsche Sprache in der Schweiz

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Java program displays wrong order of numbers in a diagonal of a multidimensional array In my Java program I want two diagonals of a multidimensional array to be displayed, but the second diagonal shows the wrong order of numbers, the inverse order of numbers to be more precise. Can someone tell me what's wrong with this code?
import javax.swing.*;
public class arrays
{
int array[][]={{450,463,267,685},
                {467,483,236,898},
                {457,124,685,457},
                {986,357,321,786}};
int option=1, op=0, i=0;
public arrays()
{
    while(option==1){
        int num=Integer.parseInt(JOptionPane.showInputDialog("1-Diagonal1 2-Diagonal2"));
        switch(num){
            case 1:
                diagonal1(array);
            break;
            case 2:
                diagonal2(array);
            break;
            default:
                System.out.println("That's the wrong number");
                System.out.println("- - - - -");
                option=0;
        }
    }
}
public void diagonal1(int array[][]){
    for(int z=0;z<array.length;z++){
        for(int x=0;x<array.length;x++){
            if(x==i){
                for(int y=0;y<i;y++){
                    System.out.print("    ");
                }
                System.out.print(array[x][z]);
            }
        }
        i++;
        System.out.println();
    }
    System.out.println("- - - - -");
}
public void diagonal2(int array[][]){
    int v=3;
    for(int z=0;z<array.length;z++){
        if(v==-1){
            v=3;
        }
        for(int x=0;x<array.length;x++){
            if(x==v){
                for(int y=0;y<v;y++){
                    System.out.print("    ");
                }
                System.out.print(array[x][z]);
                v--;
            }
        }
        System.out.println();
    }
    System.out.println("- - - - -");
  }
 }

It gives me this:
            986
        124
    236
685

When it should give me this:
            685
        236
    124
986

A: In diagonal2 method, variable z is referring to the row number and x is referring to column number.
Below is the corrected code:
public static void diagonal2(int array[][]){
int v=3;
for(int z=0;z<array.length;z++){
  if(v==-1){
    v=3;
  }
  for(int x=0;x<array.length;x++){
    if(x==v){
      for(int y=0;y<v;y++){
        System.out.print("    ");
      }
      System.out.print(array[z][x]); // This is corrected
      v--;
    }
  }
  System.out.println();
}
System.out.println("- - - - -");

}


Mittagong Dental Care is a Family operated dental practise that was opened by Dr Michael Burgess and his wife Mrs Janet Burgess in 1993 and has proudly served the Macarthur region for over 25 years.
Experience comprises knowledge of or skill of something gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing over time. It can't be learnt or bought and is vital in gaining a reputation as an expert.
Together Dr Michael Burgess, Mrs Janet Burgess, Mrs Karina Burgess Greig and staff strive to provide the highest level of quality care, one patient at a time. We are perfectionists with over 35 years experience in the dental field and we take time to produce highly predictable and exceptional tailor-made solutions and believe a healthy mouth is the window for a healthy body.
At Mitagong Dental Care we provide dental treatments such as resorative (fillings, crowns, bridges, implants) prosthetic (dentures) endodontic (root canal therapy), periodontal (gum) therapy, exodontia (extraction of teeth), cosmetic (veneers, bleaching) and preventative (hygiene and sports mouth guards) as well as performing examinations, radiographs (x-rays) and diagnosis. We have specially trained Children's Dental Therapists and a Dental Hygienist.
We can also prescribe medications such as antibiotics, analgesics, sedatives, and any other drugs used in patient management. Nitrous oxide gas (happy gas) is available. Dr Burgess performs day surgery under General Anaesthetic (GA) close by in Campbelltown Private Hospital.
Government vouchers are accepted including the Children's Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) or Grow Up Smiling (GUS) vouchers. EFTPOS and HICAPS are available. We are open Seven Days by Appointment. Tooth aches and new patients are most welcome.


text:
In this section: Warning Letters
About Warning and Close-Out Letters
Tobacco Retailer Warning Letters
Compliance Actions and Activities
Fox Companies, LLC d/b/a Fox Cigar Bar - 580123 - 04/26/2019
WARNING LETTER
Fox Companies, LLC d/b/a Fox Cigar Bar MARCS-CMS 580123 — April 26, 2019
VIA UPS and Electronic Mail
Robert Fox
Fox Companies, LLC d/b/a Fox Cigar Bar
1464 E Williams Field Road, Suite 104
hello@foxcigar.com
Issuing Office:
Center for Tobacco Products
Dear Robert Fox:
The Center for Tobacco Products of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently reviewed the website https://foxcigar.com and determined that the cigar products listed there are offered for sale or distribution to customers in the United States. Under section 201(rr) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21 U.S.C. § 321(rr)), as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, these products are tobacco products because they are made or derived from tobacco and intended for human consumption. Certain tobacco products, including cigars, are subject to FDA jurisdiction under section 901(b) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. § 387a(b)).
FDA has determined that your Julius Caeser Hail Caeser cigar is misbranded under section 903(a)(7)(B) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. § 387c(a)(7)(B)) because you sold this product to a person younger than 18 years of age.
Sales to Minors Violation
FDA's investigation of the website https://foxcigar.com revealed that you sold a cigar product to a minor. Specifically, during our investigation of https://foxcigar.com, a person younger than 18 years of age purchased a Julius Caeser Hail Caeser cigar from your website. Additionally, you sent a complimentary Brick House Mighty Mighty Nat cigar. No retailer may sell covered tobacco products, including e-liquid, cigar, pipe tobacco, waterpipe tobacco, and dissolvable tobacco products, as well as electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products that contain any tobacco derivative, to a person younger than 18 years of age under 21 C.F.R. § 1140.14(b). Under 21 C.F.R. § 1140.3, a "covered tobacco product" is defined as any tobacco product deemed to be subject to chapter IX of the FD&C Act by 21 C.F.R. § 1100.2, excluding components or parts not made or derived from tobacco. Before 21 C.F.R. § 1100.2 became effective, only cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and cigarette tobacco were subject to chapter IX of the FD&C Act. 21 C.F.R. § 1100.2 deems all other tobacco products, except accessories of such tobacco products, subject to chapter IX and its implementing regulations. The product cited in this violation is a "covered tobacco product." Under section 903(a)(7)(B) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. § 387c(a)(7)(B)), tobacco products are misbranded if sold or distributed in violation of regulations prescribed under section 906(d) of the FD&C Act, including those within 21 C.F.R. Part 1140. Because this product is sold or distributed to persons younger than 18 years of age in violation of 21 C.F.R. § 1140.14(b), this product is misbranded under section 903(a)(7)(B) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. § 387c(a)(7)(B)).
Conclusion and Requested Actions
The violation discussed in this letter does not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list. You should immediately correct the violation that is referenced above, as well as violations that are the same as or similar to the one stated above, and take any necessary actions to bring your tobacco products into compliance with the FD&C Act.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your tobacco products and all related labeling and/or advertising on this website, on any other websites (including e-commerce, social networking, or search engine websites), in any other media in which you advertise, and in any retail establishments comply with each applicable provision of the FD&C Act and FDA's implementing regulations. Failure to ensure full compliance with the FD&C Act may result in FDA initiating further action without notice, including, but not limited to, civil money penalties, no-tobacco-sale orders, criminal prosecution, seizure, and/or injunction. Please note that adulterated and misbranded tobacco products offered for import into the United States are subject to detention and refusal of admission.
Please submit a written response to this letter within 15 working days from the date of receipt describing your corrective actions, including the dates on which you discontinued the violative labeling, advertising, sale, and/or distribution of these tobacco products and your plan for maintaining compliance with the FD&C Act. You can find the FD&C Act through links on FDA's homepage at http://www.fda.gov.
Please note your reference number, RW1901075, in your response and direct your response to the following address:
DPAL-WL Response, Office of Compliance and Enforcement
FDA Center for Tobacco Products
c/o Document Control Center
Building 71, Room G335
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
If you have any questions about the content of this letter, please contact Ele Ibarra-Pratt at (301) 796-9235 or via email at CTPCompliance@fda.hhs.gov.
/S/
Ann Simoneau, J.D.
Office of Compliance and Enforcement
Fox Cigar Bar- Scottsdale
Attn: Suzanna Hayne
7443 E 6th Ave
Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3502
Fox Cigar Bar
Attn: Mitchell Fox
mitchell@foxtobacco.com
abuse@godaddy.com
SingleHop LLC
netops@singlehop.com
Regulated Product(s)
More Warning Letters

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I want to apologize for not posting more lately. It's not that I haven't been doing pinball-related activities, but lately I've been picking up and storing games because I haven't had time to do repairs and restores. Why? Because I've purchased a building that will house my collection and I've been working feverishly to get it online. It was abandoned after hurricane Katrina and has required a ton of work. So instead of fixing pinball machines, lately I've been doing drywall, electrical, plumbing, painting, etc. When finished, I will have a new state-of-the-art workshop set to do even more! Stay tuned!


The size of the hall is 54' x 32' (16.46m x 9.75m). It has a wood block floor and comprises a stage (with curtain), bar area, and a servery from the kitchen.
The kitchen is equipped with refrigerator, double sinks, microwave cooker, catering sized oven, hob, warming cabinet and catering dishwasher.
178 people for dancing and with tables around the edge of the hall.
A tarmac car park has spaces for 72 vehicles.
For smaller gatherings, the Dampier Room (32' x 12') (9.75m x 3.66m) is available. Hired together with the main hall it provides extra room for serving a buffet or as an alternative space for socialising away from music/dancing in the hall. A sink and kettle will be found in this room. There is no extra charge for hiring both together.
Two levels of heating are available in the Main Hall. One is suitable for a seated audience and the other for dancing and other similar active pursuits. Please make it clear what your preference is at the time of booking.
For the comfort of all users, East Coker Village Hall is a smoke-free building.
Hire charges include heating, lighting, hot water, use of lightweight tables (35), chairs (200), crockery (125 place settings) and washing up facilities for the largest gathering. Extensive cooking facilities are also available including a hot cupboard, refrigeration and dishwasher. Boiling water for drinks is available in the kitchen at all times.
The Main Hall has a sound amplification system with portable, wireless microphones and a Loop Induction System for hearing aid users.
The Main Hall can also be blacked out and a large retractable screen is available.
The Hall is visited and inspected daily by our caretaker to ensure everything is in place and working correctly.
In the interest of the smooth running of the venue and for the benefit of everyone, we would request that all users please check that they have left the Hall as they would wish to find it. Thank you.
For more information, please go to our General Information page.


This spaghetti carbonara uses a handful of staple ingredients. It is quite possibly the easiest pasta dish to make!
This isn't your traditional carbonara. This version is made with bacon!
It is because carbonara is made from common breakfast ingredients: eggs, cured meat, and cheese.
Traditional carbonara is made from egg, hard cheese, and guanciale. There are numerous variations on this classic Roman pasta dish. This is my quick and easy, get dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes version.
Guanciale is an Italian cured meat made from pork jowl. Similar to pancetta (made from pork belly), guanciale is unsmoked.
It adds a delicious delicate flavor to pasta and other dishes. However, guanciale may be difficult to procure at your regular supermarket. A speciality deli or butcher shop is where you'll find the premium stuff.
If you can't find guanciale, pancetta would be a great substitute.
Bacon. My fridge (or freezer) is always stocked with bacon.
Traditionalists would probably frown at bacon in carbonara because of bacon's iconic smokey flavor.
I love bacon. I welcome the smoky flavors and richness of bacon.
The sauce for this pasta dish is simply made from whole eggs, grated cheese, salt, and pepper. That's it. SUPER SIMPLE.
I whisk a little bit of the reserved pasta water with the eggs. This ensures the egg sauce is silky and creamy.
It doesn't take very long to cook the eggs. The residual heat from the pasta is enough to bring the eggs to a safe temperature.
To be safe, it's a good idea to heat the sauce over the stove for a minute. Don't cook it too long. You don't wanted the eggs to curdle.
With simply a handful of ingredients, you can create a delicious hearty meal. Even a meal to impress a date with.
During the colder, winter months I'll make alfredo and more richer sauces.
While this isn't the most healthy or light pasta dish, I serve my spaghetti carbonara over a giant bowl of arugula or spinach to balance it out.
Cook spaghetti to al dente according to pasta package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
Place bacon in a single layer in a large cold pan. Set over low heat and slowly cook bacon to render fat. Once bacon has released some grease, increase to medium heat.
Flip bacon pieces are needed for even cooking. Continue to cook based on your desired of crispiness. Remove from heat and remove bacon pieces and allow to drain on a paper towel lined plate. Keep rendered bacon fat in skillet.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, grated cheese, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water until smooth. Set aside.
Heat skillet with bacon fat over medium heat. Once hot, add minced garlic. Stir and cook until fragrant and lightly browned, about 45-60 seconds. Add cooked pasta and bacon. Toss to combine.
Pour in egg mixture. Quickly toss to coat pasta in sauce while the heat is still on, about 30-40 seconds. At this point, the "sauce" should have thickened. Remove from heat.
If sauce is too thick, add in splash of reserved pasta water. Season with additional cheese and black pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.
Ugh, this sounds/looks incredible. Pinned!


Syracuse University Library will offer several training sessions and help clinics on RefWorks, a citation management tool, during February, March and April.
"If you are writing a research paper, thesis, dissertation or article, RefWorks is an excellent system for keeping track of your sources," says Ruth Stein, interim director of the Academic Integrity Office.
RefWorks allows users to save and organize citations, generate bibliographies in different styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), add references to a paper, and format a reference list. Users can import references from many other sites or enter them manually. The Write-n-Cite feature automatically enters citations and generates bibliographies as the individual writes a paper; RefGrab-It automatically captures citation information from websites and then converts the information into the desired citation format.
The upcoming training sessions are structured introductions to RefWorks, while the help clinics offer one-on-one assistance with specific questions. Both are open to all SU students, faculty and staff; no registration is required. All sessions are held in the Electronic Training Classroom, Room 046 in Bird Library. To view the schedule, visit http://library.syr.edu/cite/RefWorksTraining.html.
Librarians from SU's Science and Technology Library have created a RefWorks wiki, an interactive Web environment, to post information and tips on RefWorks and share experiences and questions. Visit http://refworks.wikidot.com.
RefWorks is available free to all SU students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors using the campus network on site (see http://library.syr.edu/cite/refworks.html). For more information, contact refworks@syr.edu.


text:
Just Cause 3 game is officially announced
2014-11-12by Olga Smiyanenko 3620 views
Following the numerous rumors concerning the third part of the Just Cause series, Avalanche Studios company confirmed the development of the new project yesterday. The Just Cause 3 game has been announced on the cover of the GameInformer's December edition. In addition, the studio's co-founder - Christofer Sundberg - has published in the company's official blog the appropriate post.
According to the revealed information, the upcoming shooter will hit PC, PS4 and Xbox One next year. Let us remind you that the previous instalment in the franchise dates from 2010.
Not many details about the future project are known so far. The Just Cause 3 will include a new setting - the fictional archipelago somewhere in Mediterranean sea, which is being under the power of a dictator. Besides, the GameInformer's journalists say that the shooter will contain the improved parachutes, the totally cool wingsuit, which will open more additional opportunities, the updated combat system and lots of other pleasant surprises and useful features.
It has also been reported that the Just Cause 3 game won't be free-to-play, but it won't include any inner microtransactions. However, according to Christofer Sundberg, it doesn't mean that the studio will launch the project without any further support. Quite the contrary, a little bit later, the developers will concentrate on the shooter's various DLCs.
By the way, Sundberg has also commented on the leaked screenshots, which appeared online last week: "Like most games, this one went through an exploratory phase where we looked at different control schemes, different technologies, different business models. Those leaked screenshots show aspects of that process, and in no way reflect the game we are making today".
Are you interested in the Just Cause 3 game? Did you play the previous parts of the series?
Tags: action, action-adventure, Just Cause, Just Cause 3, pc, PS4, screenshots, third-person shooter, Xbox One
Weekly game news digest
The players will get a bonus pack for the Just Cause 3 pre-order
Subscribe to: Just Cause 3


This beautiful unique range of hand made felt home-wares is one of Talo's best sellers.
Each season MUSKHANE releases an entirely new colour palette. They haven't disappointed yet! The colours are striking and irresistible.


text:
Perform the Show
Bob Christianson
Co-Arranger
Bob Christianson is a composer, arranger, keyboard player, and conductor. He was honored to have the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) première A Christmas Carol – The Concert in December of 2011. This is the second of his orchestral works that has been performed by the BSO, the first being Too Hot To Handel, which he co-arranged.
Christianson's new musical, Take Me America (book and lyrics by Bill Nabel), recently had a two-month run at the prestigious Village Theatre in Seattle, which was the original home of the hit Broadway shows Next To Normal and Million Dollar Quartet. Additionally, he was the most called-upon composer for the HBO series Sex And The City. Christianson has been nominated for an Emmy for his music for ABC Sports, and he has scored many series for the Discovery family of networks, including Secrets Of The National Parks and The Blue Angels – A Year In The Life. His television credits also include Mysteries Of The Museum (Travel Channel) and the iconic "NCAA Basketball Theme" for CBS. Christianson has also scored Life Is Wild (for the CW), The Equalizer (CBS), Gimme A Break (NBC), and The Winter Olympics (CBS). He has written over twenty-five award-winning sports themes for CBS, ESPN, and ABC.
Christianson received his bachelor's degree from the Crane School of Music, SUNY at Potsdam, and he has done graduate work in composition at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After college, he started his career in New York as musical director/conductor for such Broadway Shows as Godspell, Gilda Radner – Live From New York, and The Magic Show. As a successful studio synthesist, he has recorded with such producers as the late Arif Mardin and has recorded with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Jan Hammer, Judy Collins, Dianna Ross, Rupert Holmes. Christianson's orchestral works have been performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, the Concordia Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, and others.
website
mail
Buy the album on Apple Music
More Info/Perusal Copy Request
© 2021 Too Hot, LLC


MainBlogsFundamentally FreundA Vacation for Terrorists?
On the eve of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's arrival in the Middle East, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has demonstrated that no concession is too inane when it comes to trying to appease the Palestinians.
In a development sure to bring a smile to Palestinian bomb-makers throughout the region, Mofaz told the Cabinet today that the Israeli Army was temporarily suspending all operations to hunt down and arrest some 300 wanted Palestinian terrorists.
This, apparently, is intended as a "good-will gesture" toward newly-elected Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen).
In practice, of course, all it does is give the terrorists a respite, allowing them to regroup and reorganize without fear of being arrested or tracked down by Israel. Heck, it seems they can even take the family out on a little vacation, as far as Mr. Mofaz is concerned.
But adding to the inexplicable nature of this move was the other announcement that the Defense Minister made this morning – namely, that Palestinian terrorist organizations are planning to carry out attacks in an effort to torpedo Tuesday's planned summit of regional leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh.
So, let's see if we understand this correctly. The terrorists are moving ahead with plans to launch attacks in the next 48 hours, so Israel responds by… calling off military action against them?
Is this making sense to anyone out there? Because it sure doesn't make any to me. Indeed, the message it is sending is that gestures to Abu Mazen are somehow more important than safeguarding Israeli lives.
Just one more compelling reason why the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon needs to be sent packing. The sooner, the better.