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Carla Passino
Carla Passino is a freelance writer on a range of topics, from property to women's luxury, food and drink.
A drink for all seasons: nine crowd-pleasing, well-priced wines from around the world
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A 'a symphony in red brick' just outside Guildford offering charm, creature comforts and two swimming pools
Set on the Sutton Park Estate, Grade II-listed The Manor House has beautiful period features, manicured grounds and two swimming pools.
The house where a young JFK forged his career has come up for sale in Washington
A pretty, red-brick building that has been beautifully renovated, 1400, 34th Street, was home to the American politician at the outset of his career.
An irresistibly pretty coastguard cottage only accessible by boat — yet just a few splashes of an oar from the pub
Built in the 1830s, One, Coastguard Cottages stands above the Yealm estuary, a short row-boat ride away from Newtion Ferrers and Noss Mayo, and affords magnificent views of the water pools.
The 7 most spectacular properties for sale in the world right now
We've trawled the globe to find the best properties on the market, from a bubble palace above the Bay of Cannes to a historic château in the Czech Republic.
Knightsbridge life: From a hotbed of taverns and thieves to one of the poshest parts of London
Today, Knightsbridge is home and host to the glamorous, but it wasn't always quite that way, finds Carla Passino.
In Focus: How a taped banana questioned the meaning of art
Made with a banana duct-taped to a wall, The Comedian, the latest installation by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sparked the debate on what is a work of art — especially after the fruit was eaten by performance artist David Datuna.
The 'perfect whisky collection' is to go under the hammer — and it's expected to fetch £8 million
Almost 4,000 rare or unusual bottles, accumulated over the course of two decades by American businessman Richard Gooding, will go on sale next years and could fetch £8 million.
'One of the finest period houses in Hampstead village' comes up for sale, beside the heath that inspired Keats and Constable
Ideal for entertaining, this magnificent period property is less than one minute away from the green expanse that inspired Constable.
'A jumper is for life — not just for Christmas' urge campaigners against Yuletide 'fast fashion'
Some 12 million seasonal jumpers will be sold this year and the vast majority are made of plastic, exacerbating the devastating impact that fast-fashion is having on the planet.
Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conference
A no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world's oceans'
In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
A countryside dweller's guide to the 2019 General Election: Who will do what, and where, and when?
With the general election fast-approaching, discover what each of the main parties plans for the countryside, farming and the environment.
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Elizabeth I's terrible handwriting helps scholar identify a manuscript written by Good Queen Bess herself
Country Life Today: Why deadly bacteria could be our allies in the fight against climate change
Meet the 18,000-year-old frozen puppy that could be the world's oldest dog
Perfectly preserved down to its frozen paws, Dogor might one of the very first dogs to have been domesticated — but whether pet or wolf, he's already an Internet celebrity.
Does farming's greener future mean a return to tradition, or new technology that heralds 'the end of sustainable agriculture as we know it'?
With the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis becoming increasingly pressing, we could see a shift away from conventional agriculture towards indoor food production, say some experts.
Hands off our red phone boxes, say Yorkshire parish councils
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The Saxon treasure hoarders 'have been convicted of a crime that they needn't have committed'
Treasure theft made the headlines after two metal detectorists were convicted of stealing a £3-million Viking hoard, but an expert thinks cases are actually decreasing compared to the past.
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In an effort to be as open and valuable to the community as possible, we encourage our readers and followers to send us questions on topics they are interested in hearing our thoughts on. This week, I am diving in and answering a great question sent in by @BrianPerezer.
Thanks for sending this over, Brian. I am going to do my best to keep this short and sweet.
It's no secret that we loooooove to share what we are working on. Between Dribbble, Twitter, Instagram, and Behance, we are always posting something. This has a huge impact on our business in a variety of ways (I will write more on that in a future post). As for this topic, we have a very open discussion with our clients in the project kickoff call. You used the words "trust" and "transparent" and both of those couldn't be more important to us in our client relationships. That is a huge part of who we are and the kind of relationships we look to form, whether that be with clients, peers, coworkers, etc.
Much of the trust and transparency for the client starts and builds in the sales process (believe it or not), but the kickoff call is where we actually get to the topic at hand, sharing work. The kickoff call with our clients serves a variety of purposes, mainly introducing team members, covering early questions, gauging expectations, and stage-setting. This call is a must in any project. Toward the end of that call, we have a specific line item called "Dribbbleability." Since most of our clients are familiar with our social activity, and Dribbble specifically, we don't spend much time explaining Dribbble itself. If they are not familiar, I will take some time to talk over the platform, and the potential advantages and/or disadvantages of social showcasing during the design process. Even though I use Dribbble as the subject for the conversation, the response to the question applies to all social platforms and our portfolio development.
Green Light: We are allowed to post anything and everything we touch on the project from the kickoff meeting forward. Nothing is sensitive or needs to be hidden.
Yellow Light: This option allows for some sharing but certain elements or features remain hidden from the public eye until the full rollout. This often requires a defined list of what is allowable and what is not, or it requires that the client is offered a review process in advance of each shot.
Red Light: This is pretty obvious, but this is a full stop. No sharing outside of the Focus Lab team. This is typically due to the scale of the project and eyes of the competition. The client is probably planning a big splash rollout and doesn't want any of the competitors to be in the know until it's live.
So which option gets picked most often? That is changing over time but it's still a mix of the three. In the past, it was a high majority green but as the stakes have risen and the clients are getting bigger, the Red Light is coming out a bit more (a good problem to have). I would still say that more than half of our projects are greenlighted and those clients do love the added eyes and exposure we can give them. It's very openly talked about and can be leveraged as an additional value from working with us, especially if our target demographics align.
In the end, we just want to do what's right for the client. Some clients worry that we will be disappointed if they don't give us the Green Light, and that's not true. We certainly want to post when the time is right, but not if it's going against the comfort of our clients and what's best for their project.
Thanks for the question Brian, Cheers!
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January 26Let's Yack About Mr. Fanning
January 24Seniors Accepted To College
January 12Should We Start School Later?
January 6Milk Propaganda at LHS: Does Milk Improve Athletic Performance?
December 22What Is The Most Anticipated Christmas Gift?
December 19French Club Hosts Fundraiser
December 15LHS Prepares For Winter Spirit Week
December 2The Bat Is Back
November 28Ludlow Donates To Mayflower Marathon
November 22Success at States: LHS boys take 14th place
LHS acquires new basketball coach Dan Falvey
Stacia Papuga, Staff Writer
Ludlow High School recently welcomed Dan Falvey as the new varsity boys basketball coach. Falvey replaced Wayne Donaldson, who coached boys varsity basketball from 2002 to 2012.
Falvey graduated with his bachelors degree in history and an education minor in 2009 from Springfield College and got his masters degree in special education in 2011, also from Springfield College.
"I played for the varsity basketball team there for two years, and my senior year I coached at Belchertown High School," says Falvey.
This is Falvey's first year as a varsity coach, but this is his fourth year coaching high school sports.
He was the junior varsity coach at Belchertown, but left to focus on earning his masters degree. Falvey then coached the last two years at Chicopee High School. Falvey said that it feels great being a varsity coach. It has been one of his goals and it is special to him to achieve it.
"Coaching is something that I always wanted to [do]. When I was younger I thought it was going to be in soccer, but as I got older basketball became my favorite sport," he says.
Falvey also helped coach the Chicopee Comp football team but after the basketball season, he would take a break so he could relax and start preparing for the season to come.
The players welcomed Falvey to the team. "I feel as though there is a great improvement with the new coach and I like the competitive attitude that he brings to the team," says senior captain Jeremy Lamontagne.
Other than coaching, Falvey is a teacher at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, and in the off-season he works at the Nike Factory store at the Lee Outlets.
"I also still play a lot of basketball. [That] and videogames are probably my only hobbies. I really only play sports video games such as FIFA 13 and NCAA football," says Falvey.
Since coach Falvey has been a coach at Chicopee High for the past two years, he felt like he wanted to take on a varsity position instead of junior varsity.
"When some of the jobs opened up, I felt that Ludlow was a place that I would enjoy being at and would fit me at this point in my career," says Falvey.
Stacia Papuga, Sports Editor
Making her way into her sophomore year, this crazy, outgoing, adventurous and athletic girl is now taking her place as "Sports Editor." Other than...
Ludlow Cub's Twitter
Ludlow High School
Let's Yack About Mr. Fanning
One of LHS' Greats: Mr. Lee
Home Economics: A Subject That Has Gone Obsolete.
Seniors: Why Do They End School Early in May?
Three Tips to Improve Math Skills (and your everyday life)
How Ludlow High School Students View Subject Colors
Riley Londraville's Journey As Class President
Mr. Martin: The King Of SPAM
The Impact of TikTok on Young Adults
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All The Cub Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Wait! Before I confused more people, I was not in the city of Karaikudi in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the capital of the Chettinad region but instead I'm in an Indian restaurant in Penang's Little India by the name of Karaikudi right in the heart of Georgetown, Penang. Thanks to PenangTuaPui for inviting me to try out their food. The food in this restaurant is so much different compared to a few others that I had frequent quite regularly. Here, they concentrate more on the fresh ingredients and spices imported all the way from India. That's the reason why the taste, the texture and the fragrance emitted for the dishes were so pleasant to my senses.
To get everyone's appetite moving, we were first served with Mango Lassi (RM4.00) to hydrate and refresh the body after a tiring day. What could be greater than blending fresh mangoes and yogurt to rejuvenate the body? Not only does the beverage contain Vitamin A, B6&B12, C and many more nutrients, it has the necessary dietary fiber to aid our digestive systems. The Mango Lassi served here was one of the best I have tasted. It was thick, creamy and smooth flowing. How I wished they would blend in some ice cubes to make the beverage maintained its chillness.
Chettinad Style Vegetable Soup (RM3.00) was served to every individual next. The soup was mild in taste with cuts of fresh cauliflower, carrot, French bean and dhal with a light touch of spices. The soup was light and slightly salted to boost up the pungent taste. Non spicy at all and it would be suitable even for kids.
As appetizer, we were served with some thinly sliced and yet crunchy Bitter Gourd Chips (RM6.00). These were well marinated with chili powder, salt and chickpea flour (Besan) and deep fried to perfection. I love the version here as each piece was sliced so evenly thin and fried without any moisture left within. Moreover, having curry leaves and dried chillies fried together with the bitter gourd had added that special fragrance for the dish. Bitter gourd is also believed to improve the energy level, stamina, eyesight and also to lower sugar level in the blood and urine. This would be a great vegetable dish for diabetics.
The next dish which is quite common in an Indian restaurant would be the Squid Fry (RM8.00). Slices of squids would be dipped in spicy batter and then deep fried while maintaining the tenderness within while having a crunchy outer layer of batter. It's better to consume this dish as soon as it had been laid on the table as time would eventually make the fried squids soggy due to the moisture inside.
No meal in an Indian restaurant would be complete without trying out their Chicken Briyani (RM9.50). Basmati Rice was use in this dish combined with the necessary spices and it has that hidden tangy taste of tomatoes. A chicken drumstick was hidden right at the base of the fragrant rice with a hardboiled egg above. The rice would go well with the accompanied side dressing such as chutney and raita but I personally felt that the chicken should be above. Somehow, the meat had lost its value hidden under the rice although this would be how any Indian restaurant would serve their Nasi Briyani. Moreover, the meat was not as fragrantly cooked as it should be. Another thing that the restaurant might not be aware of was the presentation. The modern generation might not be so concern about it as it would just be another meal to them. To the older generation, especially the Chinese Taoist, the hidden chicken especially in such a small bowl with an egg on top would meant something taboo which would only be performed in certain rituals. My advice to the restaurant would be to turn it into a clay pot style or present it on a plate.
If you want something with rich gravy to go with your rice, you should order their Kadai Vegetables (RM9.00). There were assorted vegetables such as green peas, tomatoes, carrots and many more, slowly simmered with freshly grinded spices and water until the gravy became thick. This dish was really good as I can taste the freshness of the ingredients very well such as a touch of garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, etc. The only difference in terms of style of cooking was the added bean curd cubes. Moreover, the freshly sliced coriander and onions garnishing gave that extra fragrance to the dish.
The Chicken Kothu Paratha (RM9.00) was something unique. Roti Paratha would be what the Malaysian would address as Roti Canai. It's made of whole-wheat flour, pan fried in cooking oil or sometimes in ghee for the extra crispiness. The Roti Paratha would be cut into strips (somewhat the thickness of koay teow). On the other hand, the chicken meat would be cooked in curry and then hand shredded into smaller pieces. These would then be stir fried with boiled lentil (urad normally would be used in the cooking of dhal), eggs, tomatoes, onions, spices and curry leaves. This is a great dish and was not that oily too.
When I saw the Ladies Finger Pepper Fry (RM7.00) on our little "test paper", I thought it would be those slimy wet version of ladies fingers as the Chinese would cook. To my surprise, the dish came with deep fried thinly slices ladies fingers fried with chopped onion, grinded black pepper with some salt. It was so simply and yet it was so delicious with that peppery taste. In fact, we had ordered for a second helping.
The Mutton Chukka Varuval (RM18.00) caught most of us by surprise with its powerful spiciness. Simple as it may look, the added curry leaves and chillies sent many seeking for more drinks. I suspected that the garam masala that they had used contained more grounded peppercorns than usual. I had no problem with that as spicy food regardless of Indian, Malay, Chinese or Thai has been quite a norm in my daily meals. Surprisingly, I found this dish to be extremely delicious. The meat just melted in my mouth as it was tender, juicy minus the strong mutton taste.
The Kashmiri Naan (RM6.00) served here is simple but yet delicious. Normally it would be filled with more nuts and dried fruits such as raisins, pistachios, almonds, cashew nuts, shredded coconuts and many more. Instead of making the naan so complicated in ingredients, the restaurant made it simple by only filling it with desiccated multi colored coconuts some powdered cashew nuts and garnish with some chopped cherries. It was slightly sweetened but it was good as each bite was smooth to the mouth.
The next dish which was the Chettinad Potato Masala (RM6.00) has been my favorite no matter which Indian restaurant I had patronized. The only difference was that the ones served here was richer in taste. It was a perfect dish with potato cubes being sauteed fragrantly with the presence of cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, poppy seed, dried chillies, curry leaves, tomato and garnished with some coriander. The chef sure knew the secret to a good Chettinad masala.
The Egg Podimas (RM4.00) was actually the Indian version of scrambled eggs. I cook this dish quite often at home but not as spicy as what the restaurant served. It's basically beaten eggs fried with onions, chili powder (prapika), turmeric powder, coriander leaves, green chillies, mustard seed, curry leaves, salt and pepper. I normally add in slices of fresh tomatoes to cut down on the spiciness.
Chettinad Special Dosai (RM4.00) was indeed the colorful version of a plain Dosai. It had a generous spread of chopped beet roots, onions, carrots, cabbage, coriander leaves. This crispy thin Indian pancake tasted well with the accompanied chutney and tomato puree.
There was a surprise in store for us towards the end of the meal and it was the special creation of the owner's wife. Sizzling Brownie (RM10) as the name stated came sizzling with a freshly baked chocolate brownie on a hot plate of melted butter, topped with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge and some cashew nuts. This was somewhat like the apple crumble I had at Swensen's but the ice cream here melted just too fast over here. Although the dessert tasted great with the slightly burn taste of the brownie and cashew nuts combined with the saltiness from the boiling butter, I would advise the restaurant to reconsider the brand of the ice cream. This brand does not really suit the sizzling plate concept. It's either the suggestion mention or to provide a thicker cake base to distance the sizzling heat from the ice cream. Moreover, the presentation was not as impressive as it should be as you can see on the photo below. It would be better if the sauce would be poured right in front of the customer for that wonderful experience, with the advance provision of a napkin of course.
After a hefty meal, what would be best than to have a hot cup of frothy "teh tarik" styled in-house specially filtered brew, namely the Chettinad Filter Coffee (RM2.80) just like what everyone in Tamil Nadu would do. The distinct taste of the grounded roasted coffee beans, set in boiling water, filtered, then slightly sugared and with added fresh cow milk was indeed bonus for all.
Alternatively, if you would love to have tea instead, you could always try out their spicy Masala Tea (RM3.00) or sometimes known as Masala Chai which has a strong taste of cloves, star anise, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. There are many variants to the Masala Tea as sometimes ingredients such as grounded peppercorn, mint leaves, nutmeg or licorice roots would be added too. Some might not like their tea to be so spicy but it was surely an aromatic experience for all of us.
If you are coming from Lebuh Light (Esplanade/Fort Cornwallis), you would reach a roundabout near Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower with one of Penang's beautiful stainless steel structure known as "Pinang Dibelah Dua". Turn 3 o'clock into Lebuh Pantai where all the main banks are. Drive on and keep a lookout for the 5th junction on your right (1st-Lebuh Union, 2nd-Lebuh Bishop, 3rd-Lebuh Gereja, 4th-Lebuh Cina and 5th-Lebuh Pasar). Turn right into Lebuh Pasar (Market Street) and you will see the restaurant on your right. Parking space could be quite limited here during certain peak period and office hours. Try to find some along Lebuh Penang, Lebuh King or Lebuh Queen. If you are having trouble finding parking space, I would advice you to park your car at Sri Weld Car Park (next to Sri Weld Food Court) located along Jalan Pantai directly opposite Lebuh Bishop and walk up to the restaurant.
Address: 20 Lebuh Pasar (Market Street), 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Plentiful of nice Penang Accommodation are also available if you plan to visit Penang for all the wonderful and multinational cuisine.
chicken cutlet looks so good! I am sure it goes well with the set meal.
Food looks delicious…. the fragrance must be wonderful….
It was indeed a great experience Selby.
Well… I won't say it was a problem. It's just that certain people would not be accustomed to their taste of the beverage.
Gosh… I must, I repeat, I MUST make a visit there some day! Thanks for the rec.
I do agree with you that the lassi is one of the best but if can chill up the coldness is even better. As for the Chicken Briyani I think there is still room for improvement on the chicken side. Even I am not that traditional type of chinese that is very particular on the out look but the taste of the chicken really need to look into it. For the Chettinad Filter Coffee compare to Masala Tea, I still love the Coffee, sorry for the non-coffee lover. I think it is mainly because the powder of spices that mix in the tea that makes the tea "powdery". Is not my cup of tea.
Haha.. your cup of tea? It sounded real familiar. Where have I heard this before? LOL!
the masala tea is not that strong compared to those served in the country of origin!


Techship can in many aspects take part in your wireless integration project, our technical expertise will safeguard success and fast development. Whether you are inexperienced in wireless integration or just want to double-check or safeguard specific areas doesn't matter, we can help you out in bigger or smaller cases. Below some ideas of how we can help.
Based on your business case we will make a review of your application idea, suggested OS platform and products & components. This includes guidance of which technology and wireless module to choose, geographical and mobile operator network use, hardware interfaces etc. Our experts within IoT systems will map possible products. We will provide hardware integration guides, software & drivers for the suggested alternatives.
Basic studies to get up to speed on your technical platform and suggest designs or solutions to move forward. This includes both hardware and software topics, drivers and interfaces.
Remote screen sharing where one of our FAEs will monitor and use debug tools and logs to help solving integration problems, identify bugs or any other hardware or software related issues in your application.
One of our FAEs will visit you on-site at your office, R&D centre or customer site to solve integration problems, identify bugs or any other hardware or software related issues. If the issue is related to module hardware / software, we will remotely interact with the manufacturer's engineers for a solution.


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Crosswalk Editors Daily Devotional and Bible Devotions
The Power of Words - Crosswalk the Devotional - April 6
<< The Crosswalk Devotional
The Power of Words
By Anna Kuta
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" - Proverbs 18:21.
We've all heard the phrase "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." In my mind, that statement couldn't be further from the truth.
Words are powerful. We've all, no doubt, been wounded at some point by careless, unkind or mean statements. Their effect on our lives, even years later, is undeniable. No matter how much we deny it, it still makes us cringe to remember the taunts of the second-grade bully on the playground and makes us want to crawl under a rock to think of that rumor spreading through the high school hallways.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue," Proverbs 18:21 says. The impact our words have on others cannot be overstated. One small comment or remark can make the difference between building a relationship up or tearing it down. We have the power to either encourage or destroy others with our speech.
The Bible speaks extensively about the power of words – especially positive ones – and warns about the dangers of careless ones. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger," says Proverbs 15:1. "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones," Proverbs 16:24 adds. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." And Matthew 12:36-37 says: "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
One particular instance of the power of words in my life stands out in my mind – one that, without exaggerating, very likely changed my whole course at that time. It was early in the second semester of my sophomore year of college, and I was trudging up the stairs of the journalism building to turn in an assignment. Freshman year and the first half of sophomore year had been rough for a variety of reasons, and now I was struggling to juggle my classes, work and personal issues and keep my head afloat. I had to officially declare my major in just a few weeks, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It was one of those weeks where I seemed to be failing on every assignment, and to top it off, I had just come from a disastrous meeting with an econ professor who made me feel stupid for not understanding an "easy" problem. Even in my journalism classes – my best subject – I couldn't seem to get into the swing of things. The harder I tried, the worse the results seemed to be. I was beginning to worry that majoring in journalism would be the most terrible idea of my life, and I was, in all honesty, becoming more and more tempted to give it all up completely and go take a semester off somewhere.
On my way out of the journalism building, I passed two of my professors talking in the hallway. I said hi to them and kept walking, but after I rounded the corner I stopped short as I heard one of them say to the other, "Anna is one of the most hard-working and good journalism students." I don't know if he meant for me to overhear his statement, and I don't remember hearing either of them say a single other thing, but his words made me freeze and stand there for a good 10 seconds. A good student – that's really what he thought? My work was paying off? I wasn't a total journalistic failure who would never succeed as a writer? It was like right then and there something went off in my mind. I hadn't even realized I needed the encouragement, but suddenly my whole outlook changed. If that's what my professor thought of me, then I was determined not to let him down. Many times throughout the rest of college when I doubted myself or just needed a pick-me-up, I thought back to his comment. He became one of my most trusted mentors, and before I graduated I was finally able to tell him how his words that day had probably been the turning point in my whole academic career. To this day, I still don't know what it was about that one simple statement – but I do know its impact went a thousand times beyond what my professor could have ever imagined.
A kind, positive or encouraging word at the right time can truly be life-changing. Your words hold the power to breathe an attitude of death or life into others – which will you choose?
Intersecting Faith & Life: Let us strive to remember the power of our words and their impact on those who hear them. Think twice before making a negative statement, and instead find a way to pass along an encouraging word today.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Kainos is a word used in the Bible to refer to something new. Kainos Project exists to create a community of voices that are eager to explore the new ways God wants to work in the lives of his followers and in his Church. Join Dale and Tamara Chamberlain as they explore what it means to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised us by tackling ancient truths in everyday settings.
Listen to an episode now by clicking the play button below!
Read More The Crosswalk Devotional
He Makes Beautiful Things - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 1 Feb 01, 2023
The Darkest Thought - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 31 Jan 31, 2023
Reassurance from God - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 30 Jan 30, 2023
Life Under Pressure - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 29 Jan 29, 2023
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Nine long stories and essays, originally published in the Ploughshares Solos digital series, unite for the first time in this inaugural collection.
Follow a street urchin's transformation into a burlesque star and a woman's solitary, hectic journey through Israel and the West Bank. Wait with Kafka's last physician for "the patient in room 12" to die, and dream of performing death-defying motorcycle stunts with an Uzbek boy. These and other characters struggle to understand themselves and the worlds they move through.
Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and remains prescient in the digital age by publishing quality literature for readers wherever they are. Find out why The New York Times named Ploughshares "the triton among the minnows."


A new method of producing ultrafine metal powders offers potential as an electroplating substitute. In addition, the approach is eventually expected to be able to produce carbon nanotubes and fabricate circuit boards or other super-small microelectronics, says lead researcher Jogender Singh at the Applied Research Laboratory of Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. To make a silver powder, Singh puts silver nitrate in a blender with a reducing agent at room temperature. Next, he whirls the mixture while irradiating it in bursts with a laser. As the laser burst hits the liquid, it creates a tiny "hot spot" where the silver nitrate and a reducing agent can react. The result is a tiny, virus-sized particle of silver. Singh can control the size and, to an extent, the shape of particles by altering the laser energy, rotation speed, and constituents of the reaction. The process is available for licensing.


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Max. Head Lift: 100 ft.
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text:
PET imaging agents may allow earlier diagnosis of cardiotoxicity
Cardiotoxity is one of the most important adverse reactions of chemotherapy, significantly reducing cancer patient survival rates. Cardiotoxicity can appear at any stage during the disease and standard methods to detect it, such as echocardiography and heart ejection, are sensitive to late stage toxicity only, where the effects are likely to be irreversible.
Stuart McCluskey, an Imperial College London-Imanova sponsored PhD student, has been evaluating the use of a PET imaging agent to help detect early onset chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, increasing the chances of reversing the damage. We hypothesis that a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential within the heart will precede observable decreases in heart function. Therefore, PET imaging agents sensitive to changes in this potential may allow earlier diagnosis of cardiotoxicity, impacting treatment strategies. He will be presenting the potential of [18F]Mitophos, developed at Imanova, as a promising PET imaging agent at the following conferences:
"Preclinical evaluation of [18F]Mitophos_07 as an imaging agent for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity"
European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) 5-7 April
International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences (ISRS) 14-19 May
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Annual Meeting (SNMMI) 10 -14 June
Stuart's work is collaboratively supervised by Prof Nick Long and Imanova scientists Dr Christophe Plisson and Dr Lisa Wells.


text:
Jamie Davies on Unsplash
To London
There are 4 ways to get to London from London Stansted Airport.
London Stansted (STN) is located 48 km from the city centre and getting to London typically takes anywhere from 44 min to 75 min. The recommended transport option is the Train by Stansted Express which for GB£18 can bring you to London Liverpool Street. You can be pretty sure to get there in approximately 44 min. Train departs every 20 min. Uber is always a very convenient option costing GB£24 more than traditional taxis and bringing you to any destination in London . If you are two of you it will cost GB£48 more than the Train. Reaching in particular King's Cross St. Pancras, London Liverpool Street is pretty convenient by taking the TerraVision UK, Stansted Express which can bring you directly there from the airport.
Route Options
Train 44m Every 20m
London Liverpool Street
GB£18 - GB£27
Bus 75m
TerraVision UK
King's Cross St. Pancras
GB£8 - GB£10
Taxi 45m
All Terminals
GB£109 - GB£141
Uber 45m
Uber London
Uber London Stansted (STN)
An Uber from London Stansted (STN) to London typically cost between GB£133 - GB£188. The following ride options are available for you to choose from:
For the Uber pick up at London Stansted (STN): You'll get directions about a pickup point directly in the app. Signs might also be available at the airport.
What is the cheapest way to get from London Stansted (STN) to London?
The cheapest way to get from London Stansted (STN) to London is by Bus. It costs GB£8 - GB£10 and takes 75min.
What is the fastest way to get from London Stansted (STN) to London?
The fastest way to get from London Stansted (STN) to London is by Train. It takes 44min and costs GB£18 - GB£27. It departs every 20min.
Is there a direct bus between London Stansted (STN) and London?
Yes, there is a direct bus from London Stansted (STN) to King's Cross St. Pancras. It takes approximately 75min. The service operates every Nonemin .
Is there a direct train between London Stansted (STN) and London?
Yes, there is a direct train from London Stansted (STN) to London Liverpool Street. It takes approximately 44min. The service operates every 20min .
How far is London Stansted (STN) from London?
The distance from London Stansted (STN) to London is 48 km.
How long does it take to get from London Stansted (STN) to London?
How long does the Stansted Express Train take?
Stansted Express takes approximately 44min to get from London Stansted (STN) to London Liverpool Street. The service operates every 20min.
Is Uber available at London Stansted (STN) ?
Yes, Uber is available at London Stansted and can bring you to London for GB£133 - GB£188 in 45min, costing you approximately GB£24 more than taxi.
How much does a taxi cost from London Stansted (STN) to London?
The fare for a taxi from London Stansted (STN) to London is between GB£109 - GB£141, and should take around 45min. Alternatively you can take Uber, which costs GB£133 - GB£188.
How do I get from London Stansted (STN) to King's Cross St. Pancras?
To get from London Stansted (STN) to King's Cross St. Pancras you can take the Bus, which takes 75min and costs GB£8 - GB£10.
How do I get from London Stansted (STN) to London?
To get from London Stansted (STN) to London you can take the Taxi, which takes 45min and costs GB£109 - GB£141.
How do I get from London Stansted (STN) to London Liverpool Street?
To get from London Stansted (STN) to London Liverpool Street you can take the Train, which takes 44min and costs GB£18 - GB£27.
London Heathrow (LHR) to London London Gatwick (LGW) to London Birmingham (BHX) to Birmingham East Midlands (EMA) to Loughborough Edinburgh (EDI) to Edinburgh Exeter (EXT) to Exmouth Glasgow (GLA) to Glasgow Leeds Bradford (LBA) to Leeds Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) to Liverpool London City (LCY) to London London Luton (LTN) to London Newcastle (NCL) to Whitley Bay Newquay Cornwall (NQY) to Newquay Bristol (BRS) to Bristol Inverness (INV) to Inverness Southampton (SOU) to Southampton George Best Belfast City (BHD) to Belfast City of Derry (LDY) to Derry Southend (SEN) to Southend-on-Sea Kirkwall (KOI) to Orkney


UT-Austin will be hosting a 5 day summer school for graduate students on the topic of philosophical methodology. Each day of the workshop will include two or three seminar-style sessions led by faculty. In addition, there may be some number of faculty-led roundtable discussions on such issues as conceptual analysis, intuition, thought experiments, conceivability, reduction, reflective equilibrium, and ontological commitment.
To date, confirmed faculty participants include Julia Driver (Dartmouth), Jeff King (Rutgers), Dan Korman (Illinois), Marc Moffett (Wyoming), Roy Sorenson (Dartmouth), Ernest Sosa (Rutgers), and UT faculty Josh Dever, Mark Sainsbury, and David Sosa.
The workshop will be held August 12-16, 2008. Attendance will be limited to around 10 outside graduate students, the presenters, and UT graduate students and faculty. Interested graduate students are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is June 7, 2008. See the workshop homepage for details.


The Court's betrayal of its constitutional role has vastly increased the stakes for the current and any future Justice nomination.
Why is it that starving Venezuelans are eating dogs while Americans are rescuing dogs from hurricanes?
It's frightening to see the persistent lack of insight shown by policymakers and financial media on the 2008 financial crisis.
In the early years of the United States, legal systems were far more localized and flexible. But elites preferred consistency over flexibility, and the rich could afford the more bureaucratic legal institutions that ordinary people could not.
The origins of the Second Amendment tell us it's impossible to be both pro-military and pro-second-amendment at the same time.
The US deep state's hatred of the Iranian people goes back a long way, at least as far back as 1953.
Trump has certainly changed his tune on low interest rates since he was elected.


Air Academy, Pueblo Centennial and The Classical Academy all advanced to the second round of the 4A Boys State Soccer Tournament on Wednesday night with wins.
Canon City, Cheyenne Mountain, Lewis-Palmer, Discovery Canyon and Pueblo West were all eliminated after losses.
To see highlights from some of these games, click the videos above.


I spent the month of October, 2018 in France as part of the DRAWInternational artist residency. My time was filled with a rush of productivity. Focusing on themes that have been lingering in the background for years, I was able to give over to dissecting a complicated relationship humans have with our natural world. This show reflects an exploration of moments we strive to be of the natural order and less segregated from our environments and our animal brethren. Sometimes our activities, although we mean well, don't turn out as we hope.


With compulsory reporting of female genital mutilation now firmly embedded in health legislation, nurses and midwives are at the forefront of the battle to stop this immoral and illegal practice.
In February last year, the government announced a range of measures to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM), which we discussed in a previous blog. In the following October, the duty to report FGM became mandatory for health and social care professionals. And in April this year, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) updated its FGM guidance, highlighting the important role that nurses and midwives (and particularly community nurses) can play in safeguarding girls and young women.
FGM is illegal in England and Wales, and legislation requires health and social care professionals to report to the police all cases in under 18s they come across in the course of their day-to-day work. However, the RCN guidance goes further, telling health visitors and community children's nurses (CCNs) that they have a 'responsibility to ensure families know that the practice of FGM is illegal and are in an ideal position to act if they consider a girl or young woman is at risk'.
The guidance also advises community and practice nurses to be on the lookout for behavioural changes that may indicate a risk of harm. For example, prolonged visits to the toilet may indicate that a child is having difficulty urinating following FGM.
"Nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff are well placed to help protect women and girls from this deplorable abuse, but need strong support and thorough training to do so, " commented Carmel Bagness, the RCN's Professional Lead for Midwifery and Women's Health.
Health Education England (HEE) has developed an FGM e-learning programme, available free of charge to all healthcare professionals. More details are available here. In addition, Recognising and Preventing FGM is a free course provided by the Virtual College on behalf of the Home Office.
Because FGM is only prevalent in certain communities, many nurses may never encounter a single case. However, it's widely acknowledged that the key to addressing the issue is greater general awareness. There are no official statistics relating to the practice in the UK, but a 2015 report by City University estimated that the number of women and girls with FGM in England and Wales was 137,000. The NSPCC's website says that it has responded to over 1,200 contacts about FGM since June 2013, with more than a third of these resulting in a referral to police or children's services.
"In recent years there has been a real consensus that more needs to be done to tackle FGM and protect some of the most vulnerable members of society," said Carmel Bagness. With the right training and support, nurses and midwives can lead the way.


text:
Q: SOAP testing client web service class I did writer a persistent class SOAPLoanCalculator and have two methods there. Should I have instead two classes write few smaller classes.
In the SOAPLoanCalculatorTest I do not understand how to write test for the loan calculator. I think there are some specific methods I should use. My conclusion is that after word "stub." I have few options I can choose.
Can you give me advice how I should work on the Test Class (how to test loan calculator?). You may give me just idea for example how to call MonthlyPayment method and receive answer back. With the rest I should be able to do the work.

public class SOAPLoanCalculator {

public double monthlyPayment(double principal, double interest, double period){

    double mPayment = (principal * interest / 1200) / (1 - Math.pow( 1 / ( 1 + interest / 1200), period) );
    return  mPayment;
}

public double totalInterestPayments(double principal, double interest, double period) {

    double periodicInterest = interest / period;
    double interestPayment = periodicInterest * -principal * Math.pow((1 + periodicInterest), period) / (1 - Math.pow((1 + periodicInterest), period));
    double totalInterestPayment = (interestPayment * period) - principal;
    return totalInterestPayment;
}

}

import ndnu.wc.SOAPLoanCalculator;
import ndnu.wc.SOAPLoanCalculatorStub;

public class SOAPLoanCalculatorTest {

public static void main(String[] args) {

    SOAPLoanCalculatorStub stub = new SOAPLoanCalculatorStub();
    stub.
}

}

A: You should utilize a standard testing framework such as JUnit to test your Web Services. You could reference http://www.drdobbs.com/web-development/unit-testing-web-services/211201695 to see how to create test cases.
If you would like to utilize some testing tools for JUnit, you could consider SoapUI. Here is the example at http://www.soapui.org/Test-Automation/integrating-with-junit.html

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
"""Utilities."""

import glob
import io
import os
import re
import time

import matplotlib as mpl
import numpy as np
import tensorflow as tf
from tensorflow.python.client import device_lib

mpl.use('Agg')
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import seaborn as sns

def setup_tf():
    os.environ['TF_CPP_MIN_LOG_LEVEL'] = '2'
    tf.logging.set_verbosity(tf.logging.ERROR)
    if not get_available_gpus():
        raise SystemError('You need at least 1 GPU.')

class HookReport(tf.train.SessionRunHook):
    """Custom reporting hook.

    Register your tensor scalars with HookReport.log_tensor(my_tensor, 'my_name').
    This hook will report their average values over report period argument
    provided to the constructed. The values are printed in the order the tensors
    were registered.

    Attributes:
      step: int, the current global step.
    """
    _REPORT_KEY = 'report'
    _ENABLE = True
    _TENSOR_NAMES = {}

    def __init__(self, period, batch_size):
        self.step = 0
        self._period = period // batch_size
        self._batch_size = batch_size
        self._sums = np.array([])
        self._count = 0
        self._step_ratio = 0
        self._start = time.time()

    @classmethod
    def disable(cls):
        class controlled_execution(object):
            def __enter__(self):
                cls._ENABLE = False
                return self

            def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback):
                cls._ENABLE = True

        return controlled_execution()

    def begin(self):
        self._count = 0
        self._start = time.time()

    def before_run(self, run_context):
        del run_context
        fetches = tf.get_collection(self._REPORT_KEY)
        fetches = fetches + [tf.train.get_global_step()]
        return tf.train.SessionRunArgs(fetches)

    def after_run(self, run_context, run_values):
        del run_context
        results = run_values.results
        # Note: sometimes the returned step is incorrect (off by one) for some
        # unknown reason.
        self.step = results[-1] + 1
        self._count += 1

        if not self._sums.size:
            self._sums = np.array(results[:-1], 'd')
        else:
            self._sums += np.array(results[:-1], 'd')

        if self.step // self._period != self._step_ratio:
            fetches = tf.get_collection(self._REPORT_KEY)
            stats = '  '.join('%s=% .2f' % (self._TENSOR_NAMES[tensor],
                                            value / self._count)
                              for tensor, value in zip(fetches, self._sums))
            stop = time.time()
            tf.logging.info('kimg=%d  %s  [%.2f img/s]' %
                            ((self.step * self._batch_size) >> 10, stats,
                             self._batch_size * self._count / (
                                     stop - self._start)))
            self._step_ratio = self.step // self._period
            self._start = stop
            self._sums *= 0
            self._count = 0

    def end(self, session=None):
        del session

    @classmethod
    def log_tensor(cls, tensor, name):
        """Adds a tensor to be reported by the hook.

        Args:
          tensor: `tensor scalar`, a value to report.
          name: string, the name to give the value in the report.

        Returns:
          None.
        """
        if cls._ENABLE:
            cls._TENSOR_NAMES[tensor] = name
            tf.add_to_collection(cls._REPORT_KEY, tensor)
            tf.summary.scalar(name, tensor)

class Shuffler:
    """Shuffles data in a buffer. This allows to shuffle data post augmentation for smoother gradient descent."""

    def __init__(self, buffer_size=4096):
        self.buffer_size = buffer_size
        self.fill = 0
        self.buffers = None

    def shuffle(self, *args):
        if self.buffers is None:
            self.buffers = [np.zeros((self.buffer_size,) + x.shape[1:], x.dtype) for x in args]
        batch = args[0].shape[0]
        if self.fill == self.buffer_size:
            sel = np.random.choice(self.buffer_size, batch, replace=False)
            new_args = [buffer[sel] for buffer in self.buffers]
            for buffer, x in zip(self.buffers, args):
                buffer[sel] = x
            return new_args
        elif self.fill < self.buffer_size:
            for buffer, x in zip(self.buffers, args):
                buffer[self.fill: self.fill + batch] = x
            self.fill += batch
            return args
        else:
            assert 0

# A dict where you can use a.b for a['b']
class ClassDict(dict):

    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
        super(ClassDict, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
        self.__dict__ = self

def ilog2(x):
    """Integer log2."""
    return int(np.ceil(np.log2(x)))

def to_hwc(image):
    """Converts a CHW image to HWC."""
    return image.transpose(1, 2, 0)

def images_to_grid(images):
    """Converts a grid of images (NNCHW 5D tensor) to a single image in HWC.

    Args:
      images: 5D tensor (count_y, count_x, colors, height, width), grid of images.

    Returns:
      a 3D tensor image of shape (count_y * height, count_x * width, colors).
    """
    ny, nx, c, h, w = images.shape
    images = images.transpose(0, 3, 1, 4, 2)
    images = images.reshape([ny * h, nx * w, c])
    return images

def save_images(image, output_dir, cur_nimg, name=None):
    """Saves images to disk.

    Saves a file called 'name.png' containing the latest samples from the
     generator and a file called 'name_123.png' where 123 is the KiB of trained
     images.

    Args:
      image: 3D numpy array (height, width, colors), the image to save.
      output_dir: string, the directory where to save the image.
      cur_nimg: int, current number of images seen by training.

    Returns:
      None
    """
    if name:
        names = [name]
    else:
        names = ('name.png', 'name_%06d.png' % (cur_nimg >> 10))
    for name in names:
        with tf.gfile.Open(os.path.join(output_dir, name), 'wb') as f:
            f.write(image)

def to_png(x):
    """Convert a 3D tensor to png.

    Args:
      x: Tensor, 01C formatted input image.

    Returns:
      Tensor, 1D string representing the image in png format.
    """
    with tf.Graph().as_default():
        with tf.Session() as sess_temp:
            x = tf.constant(x, dtype=tf.float32)
            y = tf.image.encode_png(
                tf.cast(
                    tf.clip_by_value(tf.round(127.5 + 127.5 * x), 0, 255),
                    tf.uint8),
                compression=9)
            return sess_temp.run(y)

def from_png(x):
    """Convert a png to a 3D tensor.

    Args:
      x: png image bytestring.

    Returns:
      Tensor, 3D image.
    """
    with tf.Graph().as_default():
        with tf.Session() as sess_temp:
            x = tf.constant(x)
            y = tf.image.decode_png(x)
            return sess_temp.run(y)

def find_latest_checkpoint(dir, glob_term='model.ckpt-*.meta'):
    """Replacement for tf.train.latest_checkpoint.

    It does not rely on the "checkpoint" file which sometimes contains
    absolute path and is generally hard to work with when sharing files
    between users / computers.
    """
    r_step = re.compile('.*model\.ckpt-(?P<step>\d+)\.meta')
    matches = glob.glob(os.path.join(dir, glob_term))
    matches = [(int(r_step.match(x).group('step')), x) for x in matches]
    ckpt_file = max(matches)[1][:-5]
    return ckpt_file

def get_latest_global_step(dir):
    """Loads the global step from the latest checkpoint in directory.

    Args:
      dir: string, path to the checkpoint directory.

    Returns:
      int, the global step of the latest checkpoint or 0 if none was found.
    """
    try:
        checkpoint_reader = tf.train.NewCheckpointReader(find_latest_checkpoint(dir))
        return checkpoint_reader.get_tensor(tf.GraphKeys.GLOBAL_STEP)
    except:  # pylint: disable=bare-except
        return 0

def get_latest_global_step_in_subdir(dir):
    """Loads the global step from the latest checkpoint in sub-directories.

    Args:
      dir: string, parent of the checkpoint directories.

    Returns:
      int, the global step of the latest checkpoint or 0 if none was found.
    """
    sub_dirs = (x for x in glob.glob(os.path.join(dir, '*')) if os.path.isdir(x))
    step = 0
    for x in sub_dirs:
        step = max(step, get_latest_global_step(x))
    return step

def getter_ema(ema, getter, name, *args, **kwargs):
    """Exponential moving average getter for variable scopes.

    Args:
        ema: ExponentialMovingAverage object, where to get variable moving averages.
        getter: default variable scope getter.
        name: variable name.
        *args: extra args passed to default getter.
        **kwargs: extra args passed to default getter.

    Returns:
        If found the moving average variable, otherwise the default variable.
    """
    var = getter(name, *args, **kwargs)
    ema_var = ema.average(var)
    return ema_var if ema_var else var

def model_vars(scope):
    return tf.get_collection(tf.GraphKeys.TRAINABLE_VARIABLES, scope)

def get_available_gpus():
    local_device_protos = device_lib.list_local_devices()
    return [x.name for x in local_device_protos if x.device_type == 'GPU']

def average_gradients(tower_grads):
    # Adapted from:
    #  https://github.com/tensorflow/models/blob/master/tutorials/image/cifar10/cifar10_multi_gpu_train.py
    """Calculate the average gradient for each shared variable across all towers.
    Note that this function provides a synchronization point across all towers.
    Args:
      tower_grads: List of lists of (gradient, variable) tuples. For each tower, a list of its gradients.
    Returns:
       List of pairs of (gradient, variable) where the gradient has been averaged
       across all towers.
    """
    if len(tower_grads) <= 1:
        return tower_grads[0]

    average_grads = []
    for grads_and_vars in zip(*tower_grads):
        grad = tf.reduce_mean([gv[0] for gv in grads_and_vars], 0)
        average_grads.append((grad, grads_and_vars[0][1]))
    return average_grads

def para_list(fn, *args):
    """Run on multiple GPUs in parallel and return list of results."""
    gpus = len(get_available_gpus())
    if gpus <= 1:
        return zip(*[fn(*args)])
    splitted = [tf.split(x, gpus) for x in args]
    outputs = []
    for gpu, x in enumerate(zip(*splitted)):
        with tf.name_scope('tower%d' % gpu):
            with tf.device(tf.train.replica_device_setter(
                    worker_device='/gpu:%d' % gpu, ps_device='/cpu:0', ps_tasks=1)):
                outputs.append(fn(*x))
    return zip(*outputs)

def para_mean(fn, *args):
    """Run on multiple GPUs in parallel and return means."""
    gpus = len(get_available_gpus())
    if gpus <= 1:
        return fn(*args)
    splitted = [tf.split(x, gpus) for x in args]
    outputs = []
    for gpu, x in enumerate(zip(*splitted)):
        with tf.name_scope('tower%d' % gpu):
            with tf.device(tf.train.replica_device_setter(
                    worker_device='/gpu:%d' % gpu, ps_device='/cpu:0', ps_tasks=1)):
                outputs.append(fn(*x))
    if isinstance(outputs[0], (tuple, list)):
        return [tf.reduce_mean(x, 0) for x in zip(*outputs)]
    return tf.reduce_mean(outputs, 0)

def para_cat(fn, *args):
    """Run on multiple GPUs in parallel and return concatenated outputs."""
    gpus = len(get_available_gpus())
    if gpus <= 1:
        return fn(*args)
    splitted = [tf.split(x, gpus) for x in args]
    outputs = []
    for gpu, x in enumerate(zip(*splitted)):
        with tf.name_scope('tower%d' % gpu):
            with tf.device(tf.train.replica_device_setter(
                    worker_device='/gpu:%d' % gpu, ps_device='/cpu:0', ps_tasks=1)):
                outputs.append(fn(*x))
    if isinstance(outputs[0], (tuple, list)):
        return [tf.concat(x, axis=0) for x in zip(*outputs)]
    return tf.concat(outputs, axis=0)

def plot_points(data, width=768):
    """Plot points in a 2D plane [-2, 2]. Return an RGB image."""
    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(width / 100.,) * 2)
    ax.set_aspect('equal')
    ax.set_ylim((-2, 2))
    ax.set_xlim((-2, 2))
    sns.kdeplot(data[:, 0], data[:, 1], cmap='Blues', shade=True, shade_lowest=False, ax=ax)
    ax.scatter(data[:, 0], data[:, 1], linewidth=1, marker='+', c=None, color='m')
    buf = io.BytesIO()
    plt.savefig(buf, format='png')
    png = buf.getvalue()
    buf.close()
    return from_png(png)

def smart_shape(x):
    s = x.shape
    st = tf.shape(x)
    return [s[i] if s[i].value is not None else st[i] for i in range(4)]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Platinum rate in Namibia
Today, 19th January 2021, current platinum price of 1 troy ounce(1078.0 USD) and USD rate (14.61 NAD). All prices are shown in Namibian Dollar
430.41 NAD
501.3 NAD
Price of platinum in Tonga
in Tongan Pa'anga (TOP)
Price of platinum in South Sudan
in South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
Price of platinum in Democratic Republic of the Congo
in Congolese Franc (CDF)
Price of platinum in Belarus
in Belarusian Ruble (BYN)
Platinum, a highly valued and desired metal, has a wide range of uses, including jewelry, catalytic converters, electrical contacts, pacemakers, medication and magnets. Because it is rare — there are only about 5 parts per billion by weight in Earth's crust, platinum tends to be very pricey, as anyone looking to buy a platinum wedding ring might discover. Platinum is a silver-white metal — it was once known as "white gold." It is extremely resistant to tarnishing and corrosion (which makes it known as a "noble metal") and is very soft and malleable, making it easy to shape; ductile, making it easy to stretch into wire; and unreactive, which means it doesn't oxidize and is unaffected by common acids. Platinum is one of the transition metals, a group that includes gold, silver, copper and titanium — and most of the elements in the middle of the periodic table. The atomic structure of these metals means they can bond easily with other elements. It is also one of the densest elements at 12.4 ounces per cubic inch (21.45 grams per cubic centimeter), a little more than 21 times the density of water or 6 times the density of a diamond. These properties lead to many uses for this very rare and precious metal.


text:
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Defeating Big Government Socialism
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Now a National Bestseller!
Bestselling author and former Speaker Newt Gingrich reveals how Big Government Socialism is crippling America—and offers strategies and insights for everyday citizens to overcome its influence.
In communities across our country, Americans are debating Critical Race Theory, vaccine mandates, tax increases, rising inflation, online censorship, and a host of other important issues.
We have serious decisions to make about the future of our nation. Do we want big government, or limited government? Do we want to work hard and keep what we earn, or do we want government to decide how our money is spent? Do we want our children to learn how to think in school, or be told what to think? Do we want to make our own decisions about health care, or should the federal government dictate our treatments? Should American companies compete on a level playing field, or should Washington decide who wins and loses?
Speaker Gingrich analyzes these questions, describes the polling that shows what the American Majority wants, and illustrates how we can create a safer, more prosperous, and secure future for America.
In Defeating Big Government Socialism, best-selling author and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich explains how Americans must confront Big Government Socialism, which has taken over the modern Democratic Party, big business, news media, entertainment, and academia. He also offers strategies and insights for everyday citizens to save America's future and ensure it remains the greatest nation on earth.
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"America is being crippled by a Big Government Socialist agenda. In this book, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich outlines how we can defeat these destructive policies and create the prosperous, safe country that the American Majority wants. This is a must-read."—Sean Hannity, Radio and Fox News host
"Defeating Big Government Socialism is the fight I have dedicated my entire life to. Newt has spent more than two of my lifetimes doing the same. This book is the roadmap for how to win that fight, from a tested leader who I trust."—Charlie Kirk, Founder and President of Turning Point USA
"Defeating Big Government Socialism is exceptional. America is at risk, and Speaker Newt Gingrich thoughtfully develops a positive agenda so the American Majority can save America's future from the rise of the Big Government Socialists."—Larry Kudlow, Former U.S. National Economic Council director
Meet The Author: Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and 2012 presidential candidate. He is Chairman of Gingrich 360, a multimedia production and consulting company based in Arlington, Virginia. He is also a Fox News contributor and author of 42 books, including Beyond Biden and many New York Times Best Sellers. He lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife Callista L. Gingrich, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and CEO of Gingrich 360.
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Bet you didn't know about the hundreds of kids who pile into theater seats every year to screen shorts and talk with visiting international filmmakers for the Cucalorus Outreach Program. They do!
Over 700 area elementary-school kids flock to Media Literacy to screen age-appropriate shorts and learn critical thinking skills to help them understand the media all around them.
At the same time Global Perspectives offers a space for area high-school students to screen international shorts from Cucalorus as well as meet the visiting filmmakers. These international subjects and artists help bring a world-wide perspective right here to the Cape Fear Region and to these young scholar's doorstep.
Thanks to the Landfall Foundation and North Carolina Arts Council for making these 2010 programs possible.


Similar Events for Xanadu Jr.
Xanadu Jr. is always a great hit with every crowd. Dynamic Tickets has access to a wide variety of tickets to every Xanadu Jr. show. No matter what your budget is, you will find the right seats here!
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Keep the sun away from your family and friends as they enjoy your swimming pool, backyard, patio, deck or other outdoor space. The 12-foot and 16.5-foot square shade sail will provide stylish sun protection. Made from high-quality high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with stainless steel triangle D-rings and includes a 19.5 feet of rope to cut for hanging the shade. The sun shade is reinforced with tape sewn along edges and inside seams for extra durability. This fabric is UV-protected, resistant to mold, mildew stains, tears, cracking and fading. Also, because it is different from canvas or cloth, HDPE will not absorb water or humidity, meaning water will not pool in the material after a rain shower. Plus, the sails are breathable and let cool air/wind in while keeping the sun and heat out.
The square shade is exceptionally versatile, you can attach it to homes, trees, patio columns, poles or any wood posts or steel columns that are embedded in cement or concrete footings. You can take them down seasonally and simply wash them with soap and water.
You may purchase the hanging hardware for an additional $24.95, simply check the box under the Availability Section and you will have everything needed to use your new shade sail!
12-foot dimensions: 12' x 12' x 12'; weighs about 2 lbs.
16.5-foot dimensions: 16.5' x 16.5' x 16.5'; weighs about 4 lbs.
Features UV-protected high-density polyethylene material with reinforcement tape stitched on edges and seams and stainless steel triangle D-rings on corners for hanging.
Includes one shade sail, one easy-to-carry case and one 19.5' rope that you can cut to the size you need when hanging.
High-quality HDPE material will not absorb water or humidity, so water will not pool in the material after a rain shower.
Shade sail is resistant to mold, mildew and rot, so you can use it with confidence.
Sunnydaze Decor backs its products with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty plus, the shade sail fabric is covered by a 5-year fabric warranty against UV breakdown.


1. First go to the Wiki Page, then register so you too can add your findings and knowledge to already existing knowledge base.
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text:
EISAI ANNOUNCES JAPAN LAUNCH OF ORAL ANTICOAGULANT WARFARIN GRANULES 0.2%
Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") announced today that it will launch Warfarin Granules 0.2%, a new formulation of the company's oral anti-coagulant Warfarin (warfarin potassium), on December 1 in Japan.
Warfarin Granules 0.2% received marketing authorization in Japan on July 15 of this year and was subsequently listed on Japan's National Health Insurance (NHI) drug price list on November 28. This new formulation is designed to help patients who find it difficult to swallow tablets. It also provides healthcare professionals with the ability to easily micro-adjust the dosage of the medication in accordance with the condition and needs of the patient.
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that is used to treat a wide range of indications, with its efficacy having been verified in large-scale overseas clinical studies. The agent is widely prescribed to patients as it is recommended as the standard first-line therapy in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolism such as cardiogenic brain embolism and venous thrombosis in treatment guidelines in Japan, the United States and Europe. However, it is also known to have a narrow therapeutic range and interact with other drugs, making it necessary to adjust dosage accordingly through the monitoring of blood clotting ability by measuring prothrombin time, etc.
Able to be administered to patients who find it difficult to take tablets, such as children or those patients who have trouble swallowing, Warfarin Granules 0.2% allows the ingredient warfarin potassium to be precisely adjusted to less than 0.5 mg, and has been triturated 500-fold to ensure appropriate dose-volume. Furthermore, as light causes warfarin potassium to break down, this new granule formulation has been designed with enhanced photostability, which was achieved by applying a coating to the granules and other measures.
Eisai estimates that there are approximately one million patients currently taking Warfarin in Japan. With the addition of the new granule formulation to its existing line up of Warfarin products, which comprises Warfarin Tablets 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 5 mg, Eisai seeks to make contributions to increase the benefits provided to an ever-greater number of patients.
[ Please refer to the following notes for a product outline ]
1.Warfarin Product Outline (The underlined parts indicate the new formulation)
1)Product Name
Warfarin Tablets 0.5mg, Warfarin Tablets 1 mg, Warfarin Tablets 5 mg, Warfarin Granules 0.2%
2)Indications
Treatment and prevention of thromboembolism (venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, cerebral embolism, slowly progressing cerebral thrombosis, etc.)
3)Dosage and Administration
The prothrombin time, measured by Quick's one-stage method, and Thrombotest values are used to control dosage and dosing intervals.
The therapeutic range is approximately twice the normal coagulation time, or 15 to 30% of normal prothrombin activity for the prothrombin time and approximately 10% for the Thrombotest, in many cases.
The initial adult dosage for oral use is 20 to 40 mg of warfarin potassium. The drug is then withdrawn for one or two days until it has been confirmed that coagulation levels are within the therapeutic range, and then the treatment is resumed at a daily maintenance dose of 1 to 5 mg. Alternatively, warfarin potassium is administered orally at a daily dose of 5 to 6 mg for several days until coagulation levels are within the therapeutic range and then the dose is adjusted to the maintenance level.
There are marked individual variations in sensitivity to warfarin potassium and even in the same patient, varying degrees of sensitivity may be observed. The prothrombin time should be measured and the Thrombotest conducted frequently, especially during the early stage of therapy to ensure that coagulation levels remains within the therapeutic range.
In order to accelerate the anticoagulant effect, heparin may be coadministered with the first dose of warfarin potassium.
Maintenance doses in pediatric use are shown below.
<12 months: 0.16 mg/kg/day
1 year old≤ <15 years old: 0.04 to 0.10 mg/kg/day
4)National Health Insurance Drug Price Standard
Price (yen)
Warfarin Tablets 0.5 mg 0.5 mg 1 Tablet 9.60
Warfarin Tablets 1 mg 1 mg1 Tablet 9.60
Warfarin Tablets 5 mg
5 mg1 Tablet 10.60
Warfarin Granules 0.2% 0.2%1 g 10.00
5)Packaging
Warfarin Tablets 0.5 mg:100 Tablets (Blister Packaging/Loose), 500 Tablets (Loose), 1000 Tablets (Blister Packaging)
Warfarin Tablets 1 mg:100 Tablets (Blister Packaging/Loose), 500 Tablets (Loose), 1000 Tablets (Blister Packaging)
Warfarin Tablets 5 mg:100 Tablets (Loose)
Warfarin Granules 0.2%: 100g
< Product Photograph>


text:
Posted in Asia-Pacific, Health Care, News
Coronavirus, China's Lies, And Bioweapons Research
By: Cliff Kincaid
Americans are trying to stay safe, as the government attempts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. As this unfolds, let's hope that our "intelligence agencies" are taking an objective and honest look at where this virus came from – and whether other diseases are being planned for America and the world. A recent case of alleged "academic espionage" involving China raises the specter of American involvement in Chinese medical and/or biological warfare research.
In making the charge that the Chinese coronavirus originated in the United States, the Chinese have taken a page out of the old Soviet playbook. As concern about AIDS was growing in the 1980s, the Soviet Union launched a disinformation campaign charging that an American military laboratory had developed the virus that caused HIV/AIDS.
The Soviets were lying in order to cover-up their own biological weapons program. Is this what inspires the Chinese lies?
The Soviet campaign included a Pravda cartoon showing an American military officer receiving a vial with the AIDS virus in exchange for providing cash to a doctor in a lab coat. Dead bodies are on the ground around them.
In one of the most notorious examples of Communist disinformation appearing in the U.S. media, then-CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather picked up this story. He reported in a matter-of-fact way, in a newscast on March 30, 1987, that a Soviet publication had charged that an American military laboratory had developed the virus that caused the AIDS epidemic. He did not accompany this charge with any comment from the Pentagon or the State Department.
The liberal anchorman had fallen for a Soviet ploy to use the AIDS charge against the U.S. as a way to divert attention from the Soviet program to develop Ebola and other viruses as weapons.
This story had been exposed as Soviet disinformation even before Rather aired it. Former KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky later admitted the Soviet KGB role in spreading the AIDS charge against the U.S. in his book, KGB —The Inside Story, calling the charge a "fabrication" that "also took in some of the Western media."
In the end, the Soviets had placed the charge in over 200 publications, as well as radio broadcasts, in 25 different languages. This is the model the Chinese are using to divert attention away from them.
The Soviet campaign was so effective that the Wilson Center featured a discussion, "The AIDS Conspiracy: KGB and Stasi Disinformation," looking back at how the Soviets ran the campaign in association with the East Germany intelligence service. A subsequent report goes into substantial detail.
The reason we should revisit this controversy is to understand why the Chinese communists are using the same kind of disinformation today. The motives behind the Soviet campaign involved far more than just smearing the United States. The Soviet campaign was designed to distract attention from its own biological weapons program. Ken Alibek, deputy chief of the main Soviet biological weapons laboratory, disclosed in his book, Biohazard, that the Soviets had explored AIDS as a weapon but concluded it was too unstable for use. However, he said they did add smallpox to their arsenal. The Soviets tried to cover up a biological weapons disaster at their own Army biological research facility at Sverdlovsk, blaming the deaths on tainted meat.
Similarly, it is reasonable to assume that the Chinese disinformation attacking the U.S. Army as the source of the coronavirus is designed to divert public attention from what has been going on behind-the-scenes in Chinese labs. Alibek's book describes outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in China in the 1980s that were caused by an accident in a lab "where Chinese scientists were weaponizing viral diseases."
In an interesting development, on January 28, as the coronavirus virus was spreading to the United States and Europe, the Department of Justice announced that Dr. Charles Lieber, the Chair of Harvard University's Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department, and two Chinese nationals had been charged in connection with aiding Communist China. (Lieber and his lawyers declined to comment).
Lieber has his own Lieber Research Group at Harvard. The web page says, "The Lieber group is focused broadly on science and technology at the nanoscale, harnessing the unique physical properties of novel nanomaterials to push scientific boundaries in biology and medicine."
What's fascinating are the "sponsors" listed on the bottom of the page. They include the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency, and MITRE, a "research and development" center claiming to be "solving problems for a safer world."
One of the Chinese nationals, according to the DOJ news release, is alleged to have tried to smuggle vials of biological material in his socks that he obtained from the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Another Chinese national, Yanqing Ye, was identified as a Lieutenant of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the armed forces of the People's Republic of China and a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
We are being told by our media and their "fact-checkers" that none of this has anything to do with the coronavirus.
But the sensational allegations in this reported case of "academic espionage" are that Lieber, who became a "Strategic Scientist" at Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) in China, was getting paid big bucks to establish a research lab at WUT. What's more, the DOJ said that Lieber has received more than $15,000,000 in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DOD).
At a time when Congress seems eager to pile more billions of dollars on the NIH, in order to fight coronavirus, shouldn't this scandal be investigated to find out where in fact the money has been going, for what purpose, and to whom? Has American expertise been tapped to make China's secret labs and to engineer viruses to sicken and kill the people of the United States and the world?
Note that a separate entity, the secretive and controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology, has international "partners" that include the NIH and Harvard.
Is there an American connection to coronavirus after all?
*Cliff Kincaid is president of America's Survival, Inc. www.usasurvival.org.
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← American Guinea Pigs In A Chinese Lab
Coronavirus Is Not 'The Big One' →


Carole McKee has been writing since 1996, beginning with a short story written as a tribute to her beloved dog after he passed away. She published her first novel "Perfect" in 2007, followed by the "Choices" series. She recently published four eBooks. Her genres include Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Contemporary Romance. Originally from Pittsburgh, Carole now resides in Clearwater, Florida. Many of her stories take place in Western Pennsylvania, a place she still loves. Prior to becoming a writer, she acquired a widely diversified work history and education. She now writes full time, and enjoys retirement life.
1. Tell us a bit about the book you are writing now.
Angel Face. It's the fun, feel-good contemporary love story of two people from entirely different backgrounds. Deanna (dubbed Angel Face by Darren) grew up on a working farm about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. She went to school to become a dog groomer and aspires to become a veterinarian one day. Darren grew up being honed to work for his father's company I3RS--International Rescue, Recovery, and Return Systems--a company that takes contracts to go after missing or stolen items (or people) for profit. In other words, Mercenaries. Darren falls hard for her carefree attitude and her delightful fun-loving, and entertaining personality.
2. Is any of your work autobiographical?
Never. However, when I wrote "Maddie's Garden" I based Maddie's personality and behaviour on my own at age 26. What is ironic about that is that an agent ripped my character to shreds when she read it. I guessed she wouldn't like me either, then.
I have eclectic reading tastes, so I have many favourites. Of those who are famous, I like Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, Anne Rice, just to name a few.
But lately, I read and review only Indie authors. There are some really wonderful writers who are virtually unknown, and they shouldn't be. Of those who really stand out for me are Karl Wiggins, Linda Lee Williams, Marie Lavender, Lee Gimenez, and a newcomer, Jim Anders.
4. Do you think an Indie author should constantly tweet about their book? Do people actually read the tweets anyway?
No, I do not. That gets monotonous, boring, and it puts people off. Announcing a new book, announcing a book on sale, mentioning a good review--fine. I guess it would be okay to reference your books or book page once in awhile, but not all the time. Too much makes a writer come off sounding like a used car salesman.
5. Have you ever submitted any of your work to a literary agency, or are you happy self-publishing?
I have. Some actually responded back with positive comments, thanks, but no thanks. Others just ignored me. I actually enjoy the freedom of self-publishing though.
6. Do you ever regret uprooting and moving from Pennsylvania to Florida?
At times, yes. I don't miss the cold weather and the snow, but there are other things I miss. Pittsburgh is a rare city. People are friendly and helpful there. I don't find that in Florida. I miss the Burgh during football season mostly. I'm a major Steelers football fan. I don't get to see many games here unless I go to a Steelers bar, which is near my home, and I'm not a fan of bars. They get expensive, and I don't like cigarette smoke.
7. Where in the world will you be spending your holidays this year?
I will probably be spending my holidays in Florida. I have helped out serving dinners to the homeless in the past, and that still and always will appeal to me. I have very little family and since I've been away from home for such a long time, I sometimes feel disconnected to the family I have.
8. Before you retired, what did you do for a living?
I had several careers. For 20 years I was a keypunch operator, then I became a Nuclear Medicine Technologist after earning a degree in the field. I've worked in business administration in a supervisor capacity, and I was an administrative assistant in a Methadone Clinic. This was before I earned a BA in business Administration. I also worked as a school counsellor once I earned a Master's in Behavioral Health Science--school counselling. That was my last position along with working as a customer service representative in the evenings for a financial services company.
9. Do you miss the workplace, or do you prefer retirement?
No. Hell no. No. I'm not fond of the small social security check I receive, but I love not working. I spend my days doing whatever I want. I love not having a schedule or a time frame to get things done. I worked for more than 50 years. That's enough, don't you think?
10. Apart from writing, what else do you like to do now that you have more time on your hands?
I read and review books. Then there is the beach. I try to stay away during the peak sun hours but in the evening it's a nice place to go and just walk along the shore. Occasionally I do some yard work, but I really don't have that much yard. When I retired, I brought out and dusted off the sewing machine. I love to sew. I've also picked up my drawing pad again. One thing about retirement is I can use my creativity gene to its fullest.
11. If you could live your life all over again, what one thing would you change?
Oh, gees! Honestly? Who and when I married. Especially the who, but the when as well. I would have gone to college first, before marriage, instead of after the divorce.
12. Do you prefer the quiet of the countryside or the buzz of a big city?
Oh, I'm a country girl at heart. I love the country--hate the city. My favourite place I ever lived was a small apartment in a very small town called Mill Village. I awoke to the mooing of cows every morning. Loved it.
13. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
Yes, and no. Yes, to Heaven and no to Hell. I believe in reincarnation and that once we have achieved perfection we can live the afterlife in a pleasing place called Heaven. Hell is here on earth.
14. Jon Bon Jovi, or Johann Sebastian Bach?
I like both. I enjoy classical music, but I also love to sing. Can't sing to Bach.
15. What is number one on your bucket list?
I recently crossed off #1 and #2. I bought a place to live and I paid off my car. So now, #3 moved up to #1.--Visit Alaska.
16. Have you ever seen a ghost?
Oh boy. When I was eleven years old, my mother's aunt was murdered. For a couple of years we saw, heard, and felt things in our house that scared the hell out of us. Did we actually see a ghost? No. Felt the presence of one? Oh yeah. See weird things happen? Uh huh. It went on until her husband died. We always suspected that he had something to do with her death. She couldn't rest in peace as long as he was alive. We believe she haunted our house because she and my mother were very close, and she always loved visiting our house.
17. Do you believe that you can never really know another person inside out?
Yes. I believe that is true. You can know a person well, but never completely. Even the most honest person never tells all. People hold back because they don't know how another person would accept what they really think or feel--or what they have done.
18. Do you prefer being the age you are with all the wisdom and experience it brings, or would you like to be young again but with none of the accumulated wisdom!
I was a confused, messed up, misguided kid, so I wouldn't want to go back there. If I could be young and know what I know now, especially about myself, then yes, I would love that. It's terrible growing up thinking that you're ugly and not good enough for people. But that's a whole other story. It would make a real tear-jerking book.
19. Do you prefer being inside writing, or would you rather be outside in the garden?
Depends on what month it is. October through February I prefer to be outside. March through September I stay inside. It's 94-degrees outside right now. Too hot for humans.
Your one item of luxury -This is tough to answer. A piano would be nice, but if I could have a boyfriend, that would indeed be a luxury.
Great answers Carole! I agree with you that you can never really know another person completely; you may think you do, but you don't. Thanks very much for agreeing to be interviewed.


text:
Ях'я бін Мухаммед ас-Сіраджі (; помер 1296) – імам Зейдитської держави у Ємені. Був нащадком імама Хасана ібн Алі.

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Імами Ємену

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Nascent Health Sciences and the SoPure team headed to Mexico City for the recent 2018 Food Tech Summit. The Food Tech Summit is the premier Food and Beverage industry trade show for Mexico and Latin America with over 350 exhibitors presenting their products and services in addition to sharing sensory experiences and innovations.
Nascent shared a booth with our stevia distributor in the Mexican region: FX Morales. We were able to gather very valuable feedback and intelligence that will help us expand our Latin American market share as well as formulate strategy and products to benefit our distribution partners like FX Morales.
Latin America has some unique challenges when it comes to applying stevia into food and beverage applications. Cost is a very big driver of product decisions in Latin America, according to the many industry peers that we met and spoke with at the event. In addition, the explosive growth of new products in Latin America eclipses other geographies and shows that there's a real demand for stevia formulations that are tailored for the flavor profiles of Latin American consumers. The challenge will be to increase marketplace knowledge around stevia with our Latin America partners and to formulate the right stevia blends that minimize costs.
Our trip to the Food Tech Summit would not have been nearly as successful without the special help of our Mexican distribution partners: FX Morales and Pharmchem. The Nascent team received tremendous hospitality from our hosts and it was truly special to experience firsthand how each of our partners differentiate themselves. FXM has guiding principles which focus on curating a familial culture and facilitating intimacy and faith in God. Pharmchem blew us away with the innovative flavor profiles of their custom stevia blends.
Looking ahead, one of the keys to success for both Nascent and our partners will surely be knowledge sharing. As a global leader of stevia supply, Nascent must continue to invest resources into providing knowledge, training and education to our distribution partners. We look forward to holding more workshop sessions as part of our stevia education initiative in the rest of this year and beyond.