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Zahn v. Transamerica Corp

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Brief Fact Summary. Plaintiff Zahn brought this suit after Defendant Transamerica Corp., as the majority shareholder of Axton-Fisher (“A-F”), decided to redeem Plaintiff’s Class A shares at $80.80 per share prior to the liquidation of A-F. The value of the shares would have been substantially higher at the point of liquidation.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. Unlike a director, a shareholder, majority or otherwise, is entitled to vote in a manner that is most beneficial to their interests.

The Court of Appeals of Kentucky quoted, the law has too much regard for the infirmity of human nature to allow a person to be subjected to the temptation of acting as an agent in a matter in which he has an interest adverse to his principal.

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Facts. A-F was a tobacco company that had as its principal asset leaf tobacco which they bought in late 1942 and early 1943 for $6,361,981. By April of 1943 the value of the tobacco was about $20 million. Defendant, a holding company, was the majority shareholder which entitled them to control nearly every aspect of A-F’s operations. Defendant converted all of their Class A stocks to class B stocks, and then called for a redemption of outstanding Class A stocks at $80.80 per share. The company’s charter allowed for the redemption, but the timing of it was suspicious because right after the redemption Defendant liquidated A-F. As a result, owners of Class A shares lost out on what Plaintiff valued to be a $240 per share return. Plaintiff redeemed some Class A shares, so Plaintiff sought equitable relief to turn in outstanding shares at $240 per share and sought the difference between the $80.80 and $240 for the redeemed shares. Defendant argued that they followed the corporate c
harter when they voted for the redemption.

Issue. The issue is whether Plaintiff is entitled to equitable relief for a decision made by the majority shareholder that was otherwise allowable under the corporate charter.

Held. The court differentiated between a decision made by a shareholder and a director, and determined that the Plaintiff was entitled to equitable relief if, as Plaintiff maintains, the directors were acting on Defendant’s behalf when they decided to redeem Class A shares. Defendant is entitled as a shareholder to vote their interests, but their capacity as director (if the directors are acting as an extension of the majority shareholders) is limited because they owe a fiduciary duty to every shareholder.

Discussion. The important factor in this case was Defendant’s alleged control over the Board, and the fact that the decision to redeem the shares was a decision granted to the directors and not the shareholders.

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Layman's understanding of the water coating transfer technology
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Layman's understanding of the water coating transfer technology

Water transfer printing (water batching) technology is a kind of printing that uses water pressure to hydrolyze the transfer paper/plastic film with color patterns. As people's requirements for product packaging and decoration increase, the use of water transfer printing has become more and more extensive. The principle of indirect printing and the perfect printing effect have solved the problems of surface decoration of many products, and are mainly used for the transfer of various types of ceramics and cellophane.

Those who understand water transfer technology know that there are two types of water transfer technology: one is water mark transfer technology, and the other is water coating transfer technology.

We are talking about the latter, which tends to perform a complete transfer on the entire product surface. The overlay transfer technology uses a water-soluble film that is easily soluble in water to carry graphics and text. Because the water coating film has excellent tension, it is easy to wrap around the surface of the product to form a graphic layer, and the surface of the product has a completely different appearance like spray paint.

The water drape can be transferred to any shape of the workpiece to solve the problem of three-dimensional product printing for manufacturers. Curved surface coating can also add different textures to the product surface, such as leather texture, wood texture, jade texture and marble texture, etc., and in the printing process, because the product surface does not need to contact the printing film, it can avoid damage to the product surface and Its completeness.

Water transfer is a special chemically treated film. After printing the required color lines, it is sent flat on the surface of the water. Using the effect of water pressure, the color lines and patterns are evenly transferred to the surface of the product, so that the coating film is It automatically dissolves in water, and after washing and drying, a transparent protective coating is applied. At this time, the product has shown a completely different visual effect.

And because of the different printing materials, it can also be divided into different grades. If it is just a simple packaging, you can use fast water transfer printing. If you want to print some crafts, you must have a high level of craftsmanship and materials. Requirement, because these are printed on hard materials, so I have to learn to cook in the end.

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02:25 - Source: CNN
Allegations of slave labor in North Korea

Story highlights

U.N. human rights officials says numbers of North Koreans working abroad have grown

They are believed to get little or no pay, with Kim Jong Un's regime taking the lion's share

Companies employing the workers "become complicit" in forced labor scheme, U.N. says

CNN  —

North Korea’s catalog of abuses against its own people within the secretive country’s tightly controlled borders has been widely reported. But Kim Jong Un’s regime is also believed to be pocketing huge sums from tens of thousands of its citizens who are sent abroad to toil in forced labor conditions, the United Nations says.

The laborers are made to work as long as 20 hours a day without enough food and under constant surveillance, according to a new report from Marzuki Darusman, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea.

He told a news conference Wednesday that the practice has become more visible in recent years and that “the numbers have grown.”

“I think it reflects the really tight financial and economic situation in the North,” Darusman said.

The overwhelming majority of the workers are employed in North Korean allies China and Russia, according to the report. But the rest are spread across a range of countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Harsh conditions, little or no pay

CNN reported on the practice in May, highlighting the case of a North Korean man who worked on a construction site in Kuwait for five months without receiving any pay. He eventually managed to escape his minders and take asylum in the South Korean Embassy.

His story chimed with those of other escaped workers who have told rights groups of long hours, little or no pay, no freedom and harsh living conditions.

Those who do get paid are believe to receive between $120 and $150 a month, but their employers “pay significantly higher amounts” to the North Korean government, the U.N. report said.

Kim’s regime appears to be orchestrating the system “to circumvent United Nations sanctions imposed on the country with a view to earning currencies,” it explained, citing a 2012 report from a rights group that estimated North Korea was raking in between $1.2 billion and $2.3 billion a year from the scheme.

Much of the money generated by the workers is believed to be diverted to the regime’s military and nuclear program, as well as to its elite inner circle.

Long days, no money and no escape: Life of a North Korean migrant worker

Companies ‘complicit in an unacceptable system’

Governments in the host countries appear to be turning a blind eye to the abuses of the North Korean workers’ labor rights, Darusman suggested.

He warned that companies hiring the workers “become complicit in an unacceptable system of forced labor.”

“They should report any abuses to the local authorities, which have the obligation to investigate thoroughly, and end such partnership,” his report said.

It estimated the number of North Koreans working abroad to be above 50,000, attributing the number to a 2014 study by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. A South Korean government official told CNN earlier this year that the total is thought to be around 100,000.

The main industries employing them are mining, logging, textiles and construction.

Darusman said the overall human rights situation in North Korea remains “dire,” adding that its government had declined or ignored his repeated requests to meet.

You can join CNN’s #FlyToFreedom campaign to end modern slavery.


The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011. The act granted the FDA a number of new powers and enforcement abilities, including mandatory recall authority and the ability to levy fines against offenders. The law was prompted after many reported incidents of foodborne illnesses during the first decade of this century that cost the food industry billions of dollars in recalls, lost sales, legal expenses and trust.

Food safety has become synonymous with a food retailer’s reputation. Those that avoid the pitfalls of food-related illnesses have built an even stronger bond with their customers, and it’s not by chance. They follow stringent rules to maintain their brands’ reputations and the faith they have built with their clientele.

One way for businesses in the food industry to avoid these potentially brand-wrecking incidences is to embrace the FSMA by adhering to the following three tips:

1. Start by being transparent about food safety
The increasing intricacy of the global food chain has amplified the complexity of the traceability of ingredients. It’s also been recognized by many that that there is a need for even more transparent information on the quality of the entire food chain outside of listing ingredients and calories.

Modern tracking and tracing methods have made it easier to meet these needs. Moreover, FSMA has made this task a critical part of the farm-to-fork process. More vigilance and awareness of the supply chain is an essential part of protecting consumers and the company brand, and plays an important role in the event of a recall.

Transparency is a given on the customer side. Consumers expect openness from food companies in all ways. They want to know where the products are coming from and what’s in them. But they also want to know everything about how safe items are to consume.

Being transparent about food safety even before it’s on your shelves is vital. In turn, the business community in the food supply chain regards the call for safety from their customers, government and other stakeholders as important driving forces for continuous innovation. These innovations focus on implementing systems to improve the product quality and to guarantee food safety, while at the same time making transparent the supply chain, including the food processors.

2. Monitor food safety beyond the processor
Maintaining food quality doesn’t end at your processor’s dock. They should be held accountable to do their part to ensure food safety during the transportation phase of the cold chain.

A good starting point for food processors is to fully understand the requirements of FSMA and key dynamics of the U.S. fresh foods landscape. Recognize and address the risks and vulnerabilities through an assessment of a processor’s internal systems and gain greater visibility into the supply chain.

The following temperature monitoring best practices as outlined by the FDA, can be leveraged throughout the transport of fresh foods to help create an effective program:

A. Develop and communicate proper transport temperatures. Prior to the product being shipped to distribution centers, it must remain within acceptable temperature ranges for the particular commodity.

B. Establish pre-cooling processes. Before food is transported, it should be pre-cooled by the processor to the correct transit temperatures, as this can have a direct impact on product quality, safety and shelf life. Pre-cooling should occur when the container is connected to the cold storage unit.

C. Ensure proper loading practices. Perishable products should be loaded in a way that permits airflow through the transport container, making sure that it does not go above the “load” line. Also, the product packaging itself should promote airflow.

D. To track temperatures; integrate temperature monitoring device and placement procedures. Place a digital temperature-monitoring device on the product to provide the most accurate product temperature data. Establish consistent placement locations in all trailers.

E. Check temperature data upon receipt at the distribution center. To ensure the food is safe when the shipment reaches the distribution center, quality assurance staff should check the temperature monitoring device’s data for any breaches. These devices provide historical information about what happened during transit, and can help identify any issues that may not be visible but could affect the future food quality and shelf life.

At this point, it would be the distribution center’s responsibility to continue product monitoring from their site to the store. While this segment of the cold chain is subject to similar food quality risks, independent monitoring devices are not always used to validate that product temperatures have been maintained. It’s recommended to use these devices along the process for a complete, continuous monitoring program.

3. Prevent food safety issues with remote monitoring
Ninety-four percent of shoppers trust their grocery store to ensure that the food they purchase is safe, according to the 2016 FMI U.S. Shopper Trends survey. In fact, food retailers are perceived as an important ally in helping customers to achieve wellness goals. But, consumers are aware of the many possible hazards in the food system, so retailers have the potential to lose that trust if an issue arises in their stores.

Maintaining refrigeration systems can avoid costly equipment failure that could compromise food quality and affect the shopping experience. Comprehensive equipment monitoring methods can help address these concerns. Remote monitoring services provide real-time performance data on critical store equipment, including insights around energy expenditure, equipment operating condition, facility maintenance needs, refrigerant leaks and shrink causes.

Some services offer simple systems for food monitoring, but have limited insight into other facility systems, lacking the big picture for retailers to fully know the impact of a potential issue. With robust equipment diagnostics, retailers will understand a specific equipment problem, be able to make a quick decision on necessary actions, ensure that the issue is actually fixed – not just masked – and gain valuable insights into how to prevent it and not put food products in jeopardy in the future.

To ensure fresh, top quality food that meets consumer expectations, retailers need to accurately and efficiently report product and case temperatures. Food quality reporting through remote monitoring services can automate this process to help reduce human error and increase efficiency, while improving customer satisfaction and food safety.

FSMA and food retail facilities
As the regulations address the entire supply chain, not all provisions of this legislation apply to food retailers. But retailers should review the law and its provisions because it places specific responsibilities and accountabilities on supply chain participants for actions and validation of processes.

This means grocers will need to work collaboratively with their food suppliers and transportation carriers to ensure that all suppliers are aware of what’s needed for food safety compliance. Some information from the FDA that may be of highest interest to retailers includes:

  • Procedures to assure that facilities and vehicles used in processing and transport did not allow food to become unsafe or altered.
  • Documented food processing and transport safety programs.
  • Verification that supply chain employees were adequately trained on proper, safe temperature management during processing and transport.
  • Temperature monitoring and reporting that demonstrate food was processed and transported under safe temperature conditions.

FSMA places an increased importance on collecting and utilizing data, especially product temperatures, to ensure that food remains fresh and safe from the farm, to the manufacturer, to the store, and ultimately into the hands of the consumer. Record keeping is another key component for compliance, so retailers and their supply chain partners will need to ensure accurate, efficient documentation to verify the integrity of their foods.

Communication, collaboration and training among retailers and their supply chain partners will be essential as developments continue.


What Is an Attractive Nuisance?

swimming pool | What Is an Attractive Nuisance?

One aspect of premises liability is attractive nuisances. These are items or features on a property that would attract younger individuals and draw them in, but they can be a potential threat to the individual’s health. Recognizing what an attractive nuisance is can significantly change a premises liability case.

Children as Trespassers

Typically, in premises liability cases, a trespasser would not always be protected by the law. An adult who breaks into someone else’s property and suffers injuries may not be able to file a lawsuit against the property owner. However, while children can be trespassers, property owners can still be held accountable for injuries because of an attractive nuisance.

A child is still owed a duty of reasonable care if the property owner has an attractive nuisance on their grounds. For instance, a swimming pool is the most common attractive nuisance. A property owner should take precautions to protect children from them, including building fences around the pool or ensuring the pool is secured.

Who Is Protected?

The term “children” can be broad, and every court views this differently. In some situations, the court may consider children to be those 12 and younger. However, minors under the age of 18 may still be children if the court deems them as such.

If someone you love suffers an injury because of an attractive nuisance, it’s vital to recognize what options exist. Working with a lawyer can explain who is protected by law, what can be done to hold the property owner accountable, and more.

Our Oregon premises liability lawyers at The Gatti Law Firm care about getting your results when you need them most. We aim to hold negligent property owners accountable. When you need someone on your side to seek justice, we will be there for you every step of the way.

For a free case review, call us at (503) 543-1114 today.


Oneonta Grocery Stores

Oneonta, Alabama has 6 Grocery Stores, with a population of 6.6 thousand, there is 1 Grocery Store for every 1.1 thousand people. Oneonta is ranked 232nd of 776 cities in Alabama for Grocery Stores per capita.

All Grocery Stores in Oneonta, Alabama

Find Oneonta Grocery Stores addresses, and lookup phone numbers, hours & services.

Busy Bee Food Mart 25812 State Hwy 75 Oneonta, 35121

Camps Grocery 927 Sawyer Mtn Rd Oneonta, 35121

Jay's Groceries 500 2nd Ave E Oneonta, 35121

La Chalita 413 6th St S Oneonta, 35121

Priceless IGA 929 2nd Ave E # 939 Oneonta, 35121

Save-A-Lot 939 2nd Ave E Oneonta, 35121


Keynote presentations

J.R.F. Arruda, University of Campinas.

Manipulating elastic waves aiming at reducing vibration and noise: band gaps, metamaterials, and topological modes

The most simple structural element, the elementary rod, is used to introduce the basic concepts of wave propagation in periodic structures. We show that, by just ”wrapping around” a finite periodic structure, it is possible to compute a discretized dispersion diagram using standard modal analysis tools. We also show that a spatial state-space formulation can be used to model spatially varying one-dimensional waveguides. Recent results on one- and two-dimensional shape optimization based on spatial Fourier coefficients, including optimizing for an improved sound transmission loss, are presented. The effects of manufacturing variability are investigated using frame structures. Finally, the use of feedback actuation to create non-Hermitian, non-reciprocal systems, which exhibit localized modes that are topologically protected, is addressed. Other investigations on topological behavior are also reported. As a conclusion, the actual potential for industrial applications of acoustic metamaterials are discussed.

J. Peeters, ZF Wind Power.

Empowering a sustainable future with continuous innovation in wind turbine powertrains

Global climate targets and the increased ambition to be independent from imported fossil energy accelerate the energy transition in which renewable energy - such as wind - plays a crucial role. This evolution urges continuous innovation to further increase competitiveness of wind energy as a power source. As a technology driven developer and supplier of wind turbine powertrains, ZF is taking a leading role in this evolution. This article describes recent achievements in the development of new technologies and products contributing to a lower cost of wind energy. One focus point is the combination of advanced simulation models and testing, enabling a more compact and reliable gearbox platform product. Another challenge is the optimization of this product for the sound performance of the wind turbine system. In addition, the benefits of digital technologies are highlighted: technologies that enable easy access to large amounts of data which can be processed in an automated way.


the inventions of Brian Selznick

around our house we have a girl named Isabelle wearing a dark blue beret and a boy named Hugo who has made his stuffed bear into an automaton named Tomtom.  the mechanical man drew this picture.  does it look familiar?  it’s the man in the moon with a rocket in his eye from the film A Trip to the Moon by Georges Melies.

we have been enjoying the work of Brian Selznick.  his novels, Wonderstuck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret are a wonderfully strange mix of story and image–not a picture book, and yet not simply a chapter book either.  i think a middle grades reader would love to read these big books on their own, and we’ve had a great time reading them aloud.

just now you can also enjoy Hugo’s story as a 3D movie!  Andy and i had so much fun catching snowflakes and dodging trains in our theater seats!  exactly what movies should be.


Economic impact of Westover airport industrial parks in Chicopee, Ludlow pegged at $2.2 billion

CHICOPEE — More than 100 workplaces in the three industrial parks spread over Chicopee and Ludlow annually generate a collective $2.2 billion in benefits across the state or $1.7 billion in Hampden County, according to a university study.

The Westover Metropolitan Economic Development Corp. recently commissioned the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst to study and calculate the economic impact the businesses and other institutions in its three industrial parks and airport have on the community.


Edward Hopper often painted scenes where human habitation ends and where nature begins. He points to our simultaneous inclusion in and divorce from the natural world, what shape the modern, urban world takes in relation to nature and how this molds the individual in the city. In many of his paintings he shows the results of how we have reconstructed nature to our needs and desires instead of accepting a predetermined function within it, while nature looms as an awesome but threatening force of alluring entropy just outside our windows or front doors. He enjoyed painting railroad tracks because these were the thin dendrites that connected human habitations within the vastness of the natural world while the tracks also represented our departure from that world. An exhibit in Indianapolis at Newfields examines Hopper’s paintings of hotel rooms within this whole context in the show: Edward Hopper and the American Hotel.

In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dave finds himself in a hotel room constructed by aliens. When Kubrick was envisioning this hotel room, he thought of how we try to add interesting rocks and trees and other natural elements in zoo enclosures to make the animals feel at home. So Kubrick added little touches like neo-classical French sculpture to Dave’s hotel room. A hotel room is, basically, a substitute for one’s bedroom created for the traveler from one city through nature to another. The little touches reassure one that one is safe, surrounded by comfort. Yet the hotel is also a place of isolation as the expectations of the city inhibit interpersonal communication as we see in Hopper’s Hotel Lobby. A couple and a young woman are in each other’s presence but meaningful communication is impossible. The couple themselves have little to talk about, but feel tied to each other nonetheless. We are accorded this type of companionship.

The people in Hopper’s hotel rooms often seem to be looking out the windows. Are they looking at what we have abandoned? Do they feel a longing for nature even though we are no longer suited for it, the way Yeats could hear the lapping of the ocean waves against a shore while standing on a roadway? These figures seem to be planning, plotting, hoping, waiting. They are looking outside as we do not get the impression that hotels are for introspection. If we see a person reading, for example, the person is clearly killing time and not searching for anything life transforming. Hopper is depicting movement in the outer world and not change within ourselves.

In the painting 11AM we see a woman completely naked except for her shoes, sitting in a comfy chair and staring outside, elbows on knees, hands together in anxiety, not in prayer. In Hotel by the Railroad we see a couple, each absorbed in his or her own thoughts, the woman reading, the man looking speculatively at the railroad tracks. In South Carolina Morning a woman stands at her door looking out at a seemingly endless field of tall grass. In Morning Sun a woman sits on her bed staring at the sky through her window expectantly. In Morning in the City we see another naked woman looking through her window as she dresses for the morning, wondering, perhaps, what the day will bring. In Western Motel we see inhospitable yet stately mountains outside the windows. People in the Sun shows well-heeled folks relaxing on wooden folding chairs while looking at distant mountains. It is as if Hopper is sneering at the entire tradition of Western landscape painting and its total misunderstanding of what nature is in relation to humanity.

There are some Hopper works where we are looking through the window at the inhabitants. In Apartment Houses we see a maid in pristine uniform. She is a part of the experience, part of the luxury of the accommodations, but, perhaps, we are invited to view her as more than that and think about why we might completely overlook her in the first place. In Room in New York we see a woman in a red dress distractedly plunking away at piano keys while a formally dressed man studies something intently in a newspaper. In House at Dusk we do not see what is happening inside the rooms, but we can anticipate, basically, what they are doing: the same things we do.

These paintings are about the individual pursuing his/her own ends, how we abandoned community for isolation, success and profit, how we are taught to rely on ourselves and damn everyone else and the loneliness and anxiety this type of life causes. These are rooms where you realize how very little is really expected of us in our lives. How our lives and actions are supposed to be geared to external needs and gains and we feel content when we leap over such a low bar to the acclaim of our peers. These are the outposts of materialism and consumerism, showing little or no humane engagement and very little joy among those depicted. While folks are looking out those windows, or as we gaze on them secretly, they may be feeling they are missing something under a more oppressive sense of denial that precludes further introspection.

We also get a sense of permanence and transience in these paintings. These hotel rooms will last for some time, the travelers will change on nearly a daily basis. There is no recognition of the individual or his/her journey, the goal of the hotel room is to find the common denominator of all travelers and provide a sense of temporary comfort and ease for anyone who might enter. The uniformity of the room mirrors the uniformity of our desires, aspirations and often the essence of our life choices.

The show contains numerous photos of and drawings by Hopper as well as many of his paintings but also includes the work of other artists. I wanted to focus, however, on Hopper in this review. This show is significant in that it challenges the belief that Hopper was just a painter of urban alienation. Hopper’s chief preoccupation went far beyond that and encompassed a monumental theme using the most mundane scenes.


Föräldraidentiteter i livsberättelser.

Karlsson, M.
-Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis-

The overall objective of this dissertation is to gain more knowledge about the relationship parents have to daycare centres by analysing the life stories of parents.   The dissertation asks three questions: 1) What parent identities stand out in the parents’ stories about their contact with, and relations with, the daycare centre and staff?   2) How do different constellations of the daycare centre, staff, other parents, children and childhood lay the foundation for these parent identities? 3) How do these parent identities contribute to understanding the relationships between parents and the daycare centre as part of socially and culturally situated and structured societal processes?

Overall, the study concludes that the relationship between parents and the daycare centre should be understood dynamically, i.e. when society changes, the relationship between parents and the daycare centre will also change. The dominant discourses at daycare centres today are 1. amateur-expert, where daycare staff are regarded as being experts and parents as being amateurs; 2. cooperating parties, where the parents and the staff are seen as being equal (but are criticised for neglecting power structures) and; 3. supplier-consumer, where daycare centres are regarded in the context of a consumption discourse in which the parents are conscious consumers. The results from the interviews show that the dominant discourses in the relationship between parents and daycare centres have a tendency to construct parents as a homogeneous group and thus conceal differences such as gender, social class, ethnicity and age. Thus the different constructions of child and childhood, relevant structures and the influence of these on the relationship between parents and the daycare centre remain concealed. Ultimately, this means that it is not clear that child carers and parents share a responsibility in relation to the institutionalisation of childhood.

Taking the thematic life story interview as the point of departure, six parents were interviewed. These life stories were analysed on the basis of discourses about the relationship between parents and the daycare centre.

Karlsson, M. (2006). Föräldraidentiteter i livsberättelser. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis.

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When the Sparrow Falls

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Pub Date 29 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 04 Apr 2022

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Here, in the last sanctuary for the dying embers of the human race in a world run by artificial intelligence, if you stray from the path—your life is forfeit. But when a Party propagandist is killed—and is discovered as a “machine”—he’s given a new mission: chaperone the widow, Lily, who has arrived to claim her husband’s remains.

Here, in the last sanctuary for the dying embers of the human race...

Marketing Plan

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Featured Reviews

Wow, what a great read! Highly recommend this book. Once I started reading I found it very difficult to put down. I really enjoyed both characters and world building. Will buy a copy for my library so others can enjoy!

Thanks to Your Books and Netgalley for providing an early copy to read.

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Holy-hell this is good. Some of the best speculative fiction I've read in ages. At once a grounded political thriller and a wildly imaginative vision of the future, SPARROW puts a magnifying glass up to the political nightmare and corruption that marks our headlines today, whilst offering a glimmer of hope. All within a tightly plotted thriller. A genuinely impressive debut.

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If you read The Preserve because the concept sounded interesting, but ultimately were bored, this book is for you. A couple centuries into the future, AI rules the world and "humanists" who want to live an all-organic-human country are relegated to a small area by the Caspian Sea. We follow Nikolai South through this intricate world as he navigates an increasingly complicated mission. Would definitely recommend. Very well done.

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Wow, was I impressed by this book. First of all, Sharpson makes us understand the Caspian Republic very quickly. To me, it seemed like a sort of future mashup of East Germany and North Korea. Because the Caspian Republic is the only country in the world that bans artificial intelligence—which by then has been incorporated in humankind everywhere else—it’s essentially a hermit kingdom, a pariah country and a surveillance state. The StaSec (state security), which Nikolai South works for, and ParSec (party security) tightly control all aspects of life in the country and anyone even slightly deviating from rules and orthodoxy is dealt with summarily. Life is harsher by the day, as other countries have blockaded the country, the infrastructure is crumbling and even the country’s leaders are slowly starving.

In addition to reminding me East Germany and North Korea, there are unmistakable reminders of white supremacists, as the Caspian Republic is staunchly philosophically human supremacist. They have their version of “replacement theory” too, and the concomitant hatred and fear of the other.

Anyway, so we start out with impressive world building. Sharpson treats this novel almost as if it’s history, with detailed descriptions of the origins of the Caspian Republic and all the military and political fighting that led to its establishment.

Now on to characters. For a guy who has spent decades trying to ensure he doesn’t garner any attention from anybody, especially ParSec, Nikolai South quickly becomes an indelible character. He has a gently mocking tone in his inner dialog, with his tart observations directed at himself and to his country. Imagine his surprise—and fear—when the StaSec chief orders him to report to her. It turns out that it is precisely because of his decades-long self-effacement that she deems him the perfect person to handle a no-win assignment: be the minder for a foreign visitor who has come to identify her husband Paolo Xirau, a staunch party loyalist who was killed and found in his autopsy to be AI. Of course his widow Lily is AI too, and Nikolai is gobsmacked to find that she looks like his long-dead wife.

Now Nikolai is in jumbled state of mind, wondering exactly what is going on and having great difficulty dealing with the maelstrom of his feelings about Lily Xirau. Not as sharp as he maybe should be, considering that there are forces within the Caspian Republic who want to kill Lily for the great sin of being AI and being in their country at the same time.

This is a real standout read, positing an imaginable future not so many decades away. A future that is dauntingly dystopian in many ways, but full of humanity’s potential when it is open to possibility.

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I love well-crafted stories that incorporate AI, and this is no exception. This is one of the best sci-fi thrillers I've read in a while. I don't normally enjoy (and often openly despise) political thrillers, but this is such a unique spin and Nikolai South is such a great character that I couldn't help but to love the book. I will be buying a few copies for my local library system so that everyone can have an opportunity to enjoy this book as much as I did. Thanks to the publisher Tor Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this excellent ARC.

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*I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley*

The problem with dystopias in science fiction is that they often tend to only exist to sow conflict into the protagonists world; they aren't there for any consistent in-world reason. Often it is just a given that there is a powerful almost all-seeing, almost all-powerful entity that all antagonists work as cogs to perpetuate. But that isn't how real autocracies work and worse, it isn't very interesting.

What makes Sharpson's When the Sparrow Falls so compelling in its worldbuilding is that you fully understand both the values of the Caspian Republic and how actors with differing interests would have to be in conflict given those values. It feels real.

Of course, you will see things here that remind you of a Philip K. Dick novel (only with less drugs and more sensible characters) mixed with Darkness At Noon (only with some hope in the dreariness). But everything works to a purpose.

If you look at my Goodreads history, you won't see a lot of five-star reviews. But I loved When the Sparrow Falls, so it gets my enthusiastic recommendation.

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Books turned into movies or TV shows are quite common. But I haven’t seen many books, such as When the Sparrow Falls, adapted from plays. Sharpson adapts his own script into a sci-fi meditation on political extremism, loneliness and technology.

We follow Agent Nikolai South, who is instructed to escort the visiting AI machine Lily Xirau when she arrives in the Caspian Republic to retrieve her deceased husband. Her unprecedented visit sets off political mayhem, as the Caspian Republic is the last bastion of humanity, with no AI allowed within the borders.

While the rest of the world is essentially ruled (or guided, depending on your perspective) by hyper-intelligent artificial intelligence, the Republic is machine-free. Humans are free to make their own decisions, but the Republic mirrors Stalin’s Russia rather than paradise.

As Nikolai gets to know Lily, their conversations challenge his beliefs on what it means to be human. What unfolds is part James Bond, and part Her, and had me almost missing meetings to finish the next chapter.

Yet, the book feels slightly off balance. The height of the tension resolves about 80% of the way through the book. Leaving the last 1/5th more of a quiet settling than an explosion. I liked having more time to see the conclusion of the experimental Republic, but when the cast of characters shifts it became somewhat hard to follow.

Nonetheless, Sharpson writes all of his characters with poise and spunk, no matter how many pages are dedicated to them. The final twist was unexpected, and made me delighted to reflect on the novel as a whole.

I liked Sharpson’s conclusions on technology (a necessary adaption), and political extremism (a strange and deadly hobby). He nailed the balance of doing what is right vs doing what is moral and will have you considering the trade-offs long after you finish the novel.

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ATV vs UTV: What’s the Difference Between These Two

ATV vs UTV Whats the difference between these two

Both ATV and UTV are terrain vehicles, but both come with their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are really interested in finding the difference between these two, then please keep reading till the end.

So what’s the difference between an ATV vs UTV?

There are chances that people get confused between the two as both look similar, there are quite a few differences between the two.

One of the major differences among the two is the purpose of usage of these terrain vehicles. If you are looking to have a fun time or race with your buddies along the terrains, then the ATV is the best option there.

But if you are looking to haul heavy equipment and things in your farm or outdoor, an ATV will be a bad choice. UTVs server a great purpose in hauling woods or other heavy equipment across your property.

In other words, UTV, as the name suggests, is the better option for carrying out work whereas ATV is better for pleasure seekers.

Seating Capacity & Handling
Another difference between the two is the seating capacity and handling of both vehicles. It comes with a straddled seat much like a motorcycle. When compared to UTVs, the All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) require greater balance and handling.  While the ATV is controlled by a handlebar, UTVs are controlled using a steering wheel. UTVs mostly come with comfortable seats and can seat 4-6 passengers.

When it comes to speed, ATVs are the best option for speed riders. They are specially designed for providing greater speed and easy to maneuver when compared to UTVs. While both offer a high speed of about 35mph, but this can vary based on your model, design and build etc. UTV’s provide more control when compared to ATVs and don’t offer the amount of speed most ATVs offer.

If you compare the cost between the two, ATVs are cheaper than UTVs. While a basic version of a single-seat ATV without the gear and additional accessories is much lower when compared with the cost of a basic model UTV. But when you add the additional accessories, insurance, gear and other things, the cost of ATVs can go higher. It is also the same with UTVs as customization costs are pretty much on the higher side for UTVs.

Like all vehicles, there are dangers involved in riding both ATVs and UTVs. It’s highly recommended that the appropriate safety gear and headgear are used while riding both these vehicles.

One major difference between both is that UTVs come with a secure roll-cage that provides ample protection even when the vehicle topples over. Provided that the rider has been buckled in correctly, riding a UTV is always safe even in the instance of accidents. But it is not the same with ATVs as they are far more dangerous can even lead to deaths during major accidents.

Regardless of what you pick, you shouldn’t ever ride any vehicle without understanding how to correctly drive and manage it. Not taking the opportunity to learn may have some catastrophic outcomes.


Family Law Attorneys Focused On What Really Matters To You

How do other romantic relationships affect divorce?

On Behalf of | Jan 23, 2020 | divorce

One of the most common reasons couples divorce is because they either have or want to have other romantic relationships. Under these circumstances, there may be no choice but to end their marriage.

While non-marital relationships are one common reason behind the decision to divorce, they can also affect the divorce process in a few significant ways.

Fueling bad feelings

Cheating on a spouse or starting a new relationship very quickly can make the other party feel betrayed and angry. As such, the party who has not been in another romantic relationship may want to hurt the other person. He or she may demand more property or request spousal support; he or she may refuse to cooperate or trust the other party, causing delays and friction in the divorce process.

On the other hand, someone who is ready to move on or already has moved on may want to pursue the fastest route to divorce. He or she may also feel guilty or bad for the other party. These emotions can lead to inadvisable or rushed agreements.

Potentially affecting child custody

Children can be upset when a parent starts a new relationship. They may not like the new partner; they could also be angry with the parent for finding someone new.

These reactions could influence the child custody arrangement if the children are vehemently opposed to the new partner and are old enough to have a preference for custody. Further, if the relationship reflects reckless decision-making on the parent’s part, it may not be in a child’s best interests to spend significant time with that parent.

Costing more money

Infidelity could have financial repercussions. For instance, if one spouse was unfaithful, he or she may not be eligible to receive spousal support. On the other hand, the non-cheating spouse could receive more alimony, as infidelity is one of the factors courts consider when awarding support.

Further, spouses may have addressed infidelity and other types of marital misconduct in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. If so, they may have already assigned specific financial repercussions.

It is worth noting that new relationships don’t always create problems during a divorce. In cases where both parties are ready to move on to new chapters, the divorce process could be amicable and cooperative.


Germany will soon be left without gas

Gas storages in Germany are replenished faster than usual, but the country is still not enough fuel to survive the future winter. In the reserves of the state of gas will be enough for a maximum of three months, writes Bloomberg.

President of the Federal Network Agency Klaus Müller emphasized that the storage facilities are 77%filled. Germany reached these indicators two weeks earlier than planned. “I can’t promise you that all storage facilities in Germany will be filled with 95% in November,” said Klaus Müller. He emphasized that “at best” this indicator will be able to achieve in three storage facilities of four.

Analysts say that filling out the storage facilities by 95% until November will be very difficult, it takes more time. The situation can be complicated in the fall due to cold weather and problems with gas supplies from Russia. The risks of energy rationing in winter for residents of Germany are still high.


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How dancing black holes get close enough to merge

An artist's concept showing a supermassive black hole surrounded by a disk of gas
An artist's concept showing a supermassive black hole surrounded by a disk of gas. (Image credit: Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC))

The many black hole mergers detected through gravitational wave observatories have revealed that black holes crash into each other far more often than we thought. Now, new research suggests a way for black holes to merge quickly: They must be caught in the accretion disk of a supermassive companion.

It's relatively easy, astrophysically speaking, to get two black holes close to each other. Either they are born that way as the offspring of a binary star system, or they randomly encounter each other in the depths of interstellar space. And once in orbit, they can remain so, circling around each other endlessly.

Even before the detection of gravitational waves from merging black holes, astronomers knew that binary orbiting black holes eventually met a fatal end. We know that large galaxies grow from the collective merging of many smaller galaxies and that almost every galaxy in the universe hosts a giant black hole in its center. But usually, each galaxy has only one giant black hole, telling us that if galaxies merge, then so too must their black holes.

Related: Watch two monster black holes merge into one in this intricate NASA simulation (video)

But getting black holes to smash into each other is pretty challenging. To bring two orbiting objects closer together, you have to suck energy and angular momentum away from the system. Because space is pretty frictionless, this is a tough job. Planetary systems do this all the time, but it usually involves the emission of radiation or the presence of gas. Black holes have no such option.

Gravitational waves can pull energy and momentum out of a binary system, but because gravitational waves are so weak, this process works well only when the two black holes are already very close to each other. This is known as the "final parsec problem," whereby astronomers have recognized the difficulty in getting binary black holes close enough to let gravitational waves do the rest of the work in driving the merger.

Solving the final parsec problem

Over the years, astronomers have come up with a variety of ways to solve the final parsec problem. These mechanisms have usually involved the presence of a third object well beyond the mutual orbit of the binary pair. If the conditions are right, with just the right alignments and speeds, the third companion can gently tug on the binary, stretching out their orbit. That stretching increases the ellipticity of the binary black hole orbit. With the increased ellipticity, the black holes start to spend more and more of their time close together. Once they reach a critical distance, gravitational waves close the gap and the black holes finally merge.

But that scenario requires a precise configuration for the third companion, and it may not be enough. Based on all the observations of gravitational waves, astronomers estimate that there are somewhere between 15 and 38 black hole mergers every year within every cubic gigaparsec of volume in the universe (about 1/12000th of the total volume of the observable universe), and mechanisms that rely on a third companion produce less than half that number.

In a new paper published in the preprint database arXiv (opens in new tab), researchers propose a new way for black holes to merge. It, too, uses a somewhat specific setup, but it's much more generic than the reliance on a distant third companion.

The setup starts near a supermassive black hole. This isn't a crazy idea, since supermassive black holes sit in the centers of galaxies, which are crammed with stars and hence many smaller black holes. As with most things near the center of the galaxy, we can probably find many binary black holes lazily orbiting the central supermassive one.

This image shows Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

This image shows Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. (Image credit: EHT Collaboration, CC BY-SA)

The authors of the paper discovered that if the binary is tilted with respect to its orbit around the supermassive black hole, there's a chance to set up a merger. First, the binary pair needs to precess, which means the axis of their orbital rotation wobbles over time. If the rate of that precession matches the orbital period around the central supermassive black hole, then its enormous gravity will regularly tug on the binary, causing their eccentricity to increase and heightening the chances of a final merger.

But that kind of matching can happen only if the orbit of the binary around the central supermassive black hole is exactly right, and that has to be a very lucky coincidence. Thankfully, the authors found that nature can take care of that. Wherever the binary black holes are born, if they are in the disk of the supermassive black hole, they will slowly migrate inward.

No matter their starting orbit, they will eventually find a distance where their orbital period matches their precession period. If they hang out in that orbit long enough, the gravity of the central supermassive black hole will have sufficient time to increase the eccentricity.

The authors found that this is a rather generic scenario. By running many simulations of black hole properties and starting conditions, they discovered that binary black holes routinely merge.

It's not yet clear if this is the primary mechanism by which mergers take place, or if it's just one of the many ways. Regardless, the work shows just how complicated the lives of black holes can be and the many ways they can dance in the dark.

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Paul Sutter Contributor


Eu Science & Technology News

technology and science

What Are Science And Technology?

The U.S. has lengthy been the global chief in science and engineering (S&E), however that place is being increasingly challenged with China doubtless surpassing the U.S. in whole Research and Development (R&D) investment in 2019. Accounting for this altering panorama, the National Science Board (NSB) just lately launched its Vision 2030 report. It identifies the first challenges facing the S&E enterprise within the United States, the important elements of leadership, and a roadmap for implementing these suggestions and maintaining U.S. management in S&E for the following decade.

Science Out Of Technology

Exploring the pros, cons, and state-of-the-art of this plethora of strategies is past the scope of this chapter. However, whereas deep studying and synthetic intelligence analysis are producing impressive results on a case by case basis, there are a selection of bottlenecks not least the human component. Intelligent methods require, if not demand, a knowledge database comprising human area and task data to make sense of this data and ensure meaningful insights are generated. Not solely is entry to domain consultants a bottleneck, there’s a dearth of information scientists to seize this knowledge and design and implement fashions based mostly on it.

NBC News talks to Christine Keiner, professor and division chair, Department of Science, Technology, and Society, in regards to the historical past of consuming oysters in the Northeast. It balances core programs and department electives with a submajor targeted on a more specialised interest within science and know-how studies.

Science and technology improvements are being done at all ranges inside the NWS. Field-driven innovation and research-to-operations additionally integrates new or improved science and technology into subject operations in areas similar to aviation weather, lightning, fireplace climate, and climate. These advances end up directly within the arms of the forecasters providing day-to-day life saving forecast and warning info directly to the public. The NWS engages in varied forms of collaborative and applied research and improvement actions within the company, as well as in coordination with NOAA line workplaces and the research neighborhood with the aim of incorporating innovation and research into operations. This enables the company to enhance on operational atmospheric, ocean, land, sea ice, hydrologic, and other elements of environmental prediction models, operational steerage and decision assist tools, improved radar and satellite tv for pc products, and social science integration.

National Security Since World War II, the United States has sought army advantage via technological quite than numerical superiority. For instance, technological superiority in the palms of a nicely-educated navy contributed tremendously to the success of the Persian Gulf War. The United States will proceed to rely on this technique to retain army advantage, however the sources of recent navy know-how are shifting.3 In the past, the phase of trade that has supplied each hardware and software program to the U.S. military has been largely separate from civilian business.

In their investigations students targeted on the analysis query, “What is the water quality of our creek? ” Based on their measurements and observations, students wrote research reviews about the water quality in the creek. In the spring semester, Matt’s students posted on-line dialogue to the class Web web site. In his action research examine, Matt investigated how on-line discussions affect his students’ studying. Matt valued on-line discussions since he believed that they encourage college students to take part in and more deeply analyze the course supplies.

In this article, we current the newest knowledge on varied aspects of science in China because the 1980s. These embody science and engineering (S/E) labor pressure size, S/E degrees, authorities policies and investments, and scientific output and influence. For ease of interpretation, we compare China to the United States, and in a few cases to other international locations.


May 26, 2020
Visa tips

Vietnam e-Visa Application Procedures For French Citizens

The application procedure for French citizens who are applying for Vietnam e-visa is quick and easy. The application’s status can easily be investigated online and does not take a lot of time to complete once you have all the documents in hand. Also, you can process the application form using any smartphone, laptop, or PC with an internet connection.

Before you start filling in the application form, make sure that you have all the documents in place and meet all the requirements. If not, the process might get delayed. The details which the form generally asks is the personal details of the applicants (it should reconcile with the information provided in the passport), and details about the stay in Vietnam (hotel and city).

One visa is acceptable for just 1 person, not anyone else. Therefore, if you are travelling in a group, ensure that everyone applies separately. Furthermore, apply 7 days before the arrival. Otherwise, if there are any errors in the application, they can be sorted within time.

After the approval of the visa application, the PDF of the visa will be sent to the e-mail ID that was a filled in the form.

What is Vietnam e-Visa? Vietnam e-visa for French citizens is an online visa approval process available to French nationals. Payment and delivery of the visa is done entirely online, and probably takes 3-4 business days.

French travelers that require a multiple-entry visa to Vietnam and plan to stay there for more than a month should opt for the Visa on Arrival. With this visa, you can choose to stay in the country for a maximum of 60 days.

Since Vietnam e-visa must be applied online, the entire process is pretty straightforward. Unlike the standard type of visa where you need to visit an embassy of Vietnam and personally hand out your visa requirements, this type of visa will only require you to go online.

The cost of the Vietnam e-visa will vary. Generally, the standard processing time for e-visa is 3 business days.

When applying for the Vietnam e-visa for French citizens, you’ll be required to accomplish an online application form. You just need to use your laptop or mobile phone and access the official website for the Vietnam e-visa application.

The entire e-visa procedure is carried out online. As such it takes far lesser time in comparison to the other visa procedures.


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9 Best Tips for Homemade Pizza

There’s nothing quite like the smell of pizza baking in the oven. The combination of fresh dough, sauce, and cheese is hard to beat.

Unfortunately, most people’s experience making pizza at home is a disaster. The crust is either too thin or too thick, the sauce is watery or bland, and the cheese tastes rubbery. But with these nine tips, you can make perfect pizza every time!

1. Don’t overload the dough

We all love pizza sauce and cheese, but too much of it can ruin it’s only means of delivery —the crust. If you want your crust to be soft and crunchy, you need to be careful not to go crazy on the sauce or cheese. A cup of each is sufficient for a nicely sized pizza, and you’ll be able to taste the best parts of everything!

2. Use quality ingredients

This one may seem obvious but many people skimp on quality when making pizza at home because they are trying to save money.

If you use higher-quality ingredients —like making your dough from scratch— your pizza will taste better than what most restaurants can offer, and even if you do buy lower-quality items from the store at first, you’ll likely notice something lacking in the final product.

Make sure to use full-fat cheeses for the best meltability!

3. Cook your toppings first

If you want to add meats and vegetables on top of your pizza, make sure they’re cooked beforehand. You don’t want to undercook or overcook them in the oven with everything else.

You should precook any toppings that need it before putting them on the dough. This includes bacon (or other cured meats), chicken breast, ground beef.

Raw veggies like bell peppers and onions should be lightly cooked before going on the pizza, as they’ll release lots of water into the dough (leaving it soggy) if you don’t.

4. Avoid using a rolling pin at all costs

The best pizza makers hand-toss their dough for a reason. Using a dough roller forces gasses out of the dough. These gasses are essential in creating those delicious bubbles we all love. Use a rolling pin though, and you’ll end up with a hardened, cracker-like crust that nobody will want to eat.

5. Get creative with your toppings

You don’t have to stick to the boring old pepperoni and cheese topping recipe. You’re safe at home, and free to experiment with whatever you want. For some really creative (and even therapeutic) pizza ideas, check out this article.

6. Cook on a pizza stone

A pizza stone is  a must-have for perfect pizza. It absorbs the heat of the oven and distributes it evenly, resulting in a crispy crust that isn’t burnt on the bottom. If you don’t have a pizza stone, use an upside-down baking sheet instead —it won’t be as good as a real pizza stone, but it’s better than nothing!

7. Don’t grease your pan or stone

This is another step that many people overlook when making homemade pizza. The dough will stick to the pan if you grease it first, and it will ruin your perfectly cooked crust. Same goes for the pizza stone. Instead of using grease, just make sure both your pizza stone and pizza peel or paddle are well-floured.

8. Use a pizza peel or paddle

One of the trickiest (and sometimes most disastrous) parts of cooking a pizza at home is getting the pizza in and out of the oven. One wrong slip and you can burn your hands —or worse— ruin the pizza.

A pizza peel allows you to easily slide the uncooked pizza onto the stone in the oven. Just flower it well, assemble your pizza while it’s directly on the peel, and then simply transfer it into the oven.

A pizza paddle works in much the same way, but is thicker, so it requires a little more finesse, but still very effective!

9. Make your own sauce

Pizza sauce is one of the easiest sauces to make —you just have to know how to do it! You shouldn’t use any ingredients other than tomatoes, onions, and garlic. These will make a simple, but delightfully fresh sauce everyone will love.

Making pizza at home can be a daunting task, but following these nine tips will make the process much easier (and your pizza much better). So get creative with your toppings, cook on a pizza stone, and avoid using a rolling pin. And most importantly, have fun!


Dylan is one of our new additions to the YPN committee. A queer person of colour, a fashion design student, a passionate LGBTIQA+ youth advocate, and a fierce upcoming drag performer, they’ve hit the ground running at YPN, working hard to make WA a better place for LGBTIQA+ POC.

A finalist at the 2021 WA Youth Awards for Creative Contribution, Dylan is passionate about using art and drag as a vessel for advocating for LGBTIQA+ people and people of colour. Whether it be while whirling spots as their drag alter ego, or while wearing their hoodies crooked to fashion school, Dylan is always advocating for queer youth to reach their full potential.

Walking the entire 2021 Pride Parade with the YPN float in a pair of heels (without complaint), Dylan has become an integral member of the YPN team.


Which is higher king or queen in cards?

Which is higher king or queen in cards?

The king is usually the highest-ranking face card. In the French version of playing cards and tarot decks, the king immediately outranks the queen. In some games, the king is the highest-ranked card; in others, the ace is higher.

Is a king higher than a queen in poker?

Does 4 of a kind beat a royal flush?

For example, any straight flush beats any four of a kind; any flush beats any straight. Royal flush: Five cards in sequence with all five cards of the same suit. The highest straight flush, having an ace as its high card, has a special name, royal flush. Any lesser straight flush does not have a unique name.

Is Ace higher than king in war?

Aces are always higher than Kings in this game, but they are often lower than Jokers (if used). A “war” occurs when the two players play the same rank (two 9s, for example), making a tie. Each player then deals three cards facedown (the spoils are for the winner) and a face-up card.

Can you have JQKA 2 straight?

What happens if there is a straight on the board?

A player with the highest rank of straight wins. If both players have the straight of the same rank, then the pot is split.

What if 2 people have the same straight?

If more than one player has a straight, the straight ending in the card wins. If both straights end in a card of the same strength, the hand is tied. If more than one player holds three of a kind, then the higher value of the cards used to make the three of a kind determines the winner.

Does a higher straight beat a lower straight?

A high straight would not beat a lower straight with two pair if the two pairs were both the same pair.

Is there a kicker in a straight?

A kicker is the set of cards in a standard five-card poker hand which are not the part of the hand which makes its rank. Poker hands which require all five cards to “make their hand” (this includes straights, flushes, full houses, and straight flushes) contain no kicker.

Who wins in poker if both have 2 pair?

Two pair is always ranked by the value of the highest pair first and only if that pair is the same for both players do you rank by the second pair. If both of two pairs are identical it will be the kicker that will decide the winner (the highest-value fifth card is the kicker).

Does ace count in a straight?

1 Answer. Aces may indeed be used as low in a straight in holdem. A2345 is the lowest possible straight, also sometimes called a “wheel.” In any other context, aces will be ranked higher than other cards.

What is the highest hand in Texas Hold em?

What are the worst hands in poker?


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Monday, July 24, 2017

Fire Alarm Calculations

If you are preparing to take the NICET exam for Fire Alarm Systems, there are numerous fire alarm calculations you must understand in order to properly design a code compliant system.  These calculations can break down exact requirements for sound pressure (dB) levels, voice intelligibility, voltage drop on a circuit, back up battery sizes, candela settings and dB line loss for speaker circuits.  There are additional calculations however these are some of the most common and important so this article will concentrate on the following:

You can also download our Fire Alarm Calculation Tool here.

How to find the correct Candela Strobe to cover a given space

This is a very important measurement as it allows us to properly calculate the necessary candela power needed for a given space.  If you do not have NFPA 72 2013 edition tables and handy or memorized, this formula will save the day!

Take the selected candela (ex. 75 cd) and divide it by 0.0375
75 cd / 0.0375 = 2000
Now take the square root of 2000 to get a spacing of = 44.72136 feet.

If you consult NFPA 72 2013 tables it shows a spacing of 45 x 45 feet and table shows a spacing of 44 x 44 feet.

Voltage Drop Calculation

Step #1:  Find the total current from all of your field notification appliances.  If you consult the appliance's specification sheet, you will find the current draw for each setting.  For example, you have four appliances on the temporal high setting and they each draw 50mA or (0.050A).  If you add all four appliances together (4 x 0.050) you have a total current draw of   0.2A

Step #2:  Determine the to and from distance of the notification appliance circuit (NAC).  For this example, we will saw the NAC is 450 feet.  We have to double this distance to account for both conductors.  450 feet x 2  = 900 feet.

Step #3:  Now that we know the distance, we need to know what type of conductor we are using for the circuit.  For this example we will use a #12 AWG solid coated copper conductor.  Once this is determined, we will need to consult the Conductor Properties table 8 in the National Electrical Code or NEC 2011 (click the link to view a copy of the table).  This table can also be found in chapter 9 on page 721.   On the table, located the section at the top under coated.  Now follow the line down under ohm/kFT (ohms per 1000 feet).  Keep scrolling down until you reach the 12 AWG with a quantity of 1 since it is solid.  If you line the left and top rows up, you will see a resistance of 2.01 ohms for 1000 feet of conductor.

Step #4:  Since we do not have a distance of 1000 feet for a out circuit, we will need to break down this resistance according to our actual distance of 900 feet.  To do this simply divide 900 feet by 1000 feet sown as 900/1000 = 0.9.  Now multiply your resistance per 1000 feet (2.01) by your distance breakdown of 0.9.  2.01 X 0.9 = 1.809 ohms per 900 feet.

Step #5:  To determine the voltage at the end of the notification appliance circuit we need to use Ohm's Law.  Since we know know the total amps (0.2A) and the total resistance (1.809) we can now find the voltage.  I X R = E or Amps x Resistance = Voltage.  0.2 x 1.809 = 0.3618 volts.

Step #6:  To find the voltage drop subtract your answer found in step #5 (0.3618) from the starting voltage of 24 volts.  24 - 0.3618 = 23.6382 volts.

Step #7:  Sometimes you may be asked to know the voltage drop percentage.  To find this, take the voltage drop (0.3618 volts) divided by 24 volts and multiply it by 100.  This is shown as (0.3618/24) x 100 = 1.5075%

See more examples of voltage drop for NACs here

Resistor Calculations

Calculating Resistors in Series

If you come across multiple resistors in series with each other, simply add the resistor values.

Resistors in series for fire alarm circuit
Resistors in Series
R1 = 3.3k
R2 = 4.7k
R3 = 10k
Total Resistance = 18k

Calculating Resistors in Parallel

fire alarm resistors in parallel
Resistors in Parallel

R1 = 200
R2 = 400
R3 = 800

1/Rt = 1/200 + 1/400 + 1/800

If there is a common denominator for the bottom numbers use it by multiplying up both the top and bottom numbers in the fraction.

Example: the common denominator is 800.

Resistor R1 has a resistance of 200.  200 goes into 800 4 times.  Therefore R1 = 4/800
Resistor R2 has a resistance of 400.  400 goes into 800 2 times.  Therefore R2 = 2/800
Resistor R2 has a resistance of 800.  800 goes into 800 1 times.  Therefore R3 = 1/800

Now add the top numbers together (4 + 2 + 1 = 7) and place it on top of 800 like this 7/800.  Now take the reciprocal to make the fraction reverse to 800/7.  Divide 800 by 7 to get your answer of  = 114.286k.

Battery Calculations

Take the total standby current and multiply by 24 (hours for standby)
Take the total alarm current and multiply by (.083 for 5 minutes or .249 for 15 minutes of alarm)
Add the total of (standby current x 24) to (alarm current x .083 or .249)
Multiply the total of above by a safety factor of 1.2.  This gives you a 20% spare buffer.
Round up to required battery amp hour size.

dB Loss and Gain

Every time you double the distance from the audible appliance, you loose 6 dB.

Example:  If you have a speaker with 75dB at 10 feet, you will have 69dB at 20 feet and 63dB at 40 feet and so on at 80 feet, 160 feet......  Please note, these are not multiples of 10 feet!!!  These are broken down by doubling the distance from the last measurement.
Correct: 10 feet - 20 feet - 40 feet - 80 feet - 160 feet
Incorrect:  10 feet - 20 feet - 30 feet - 40 feet - 50 feet - 60 feet

If you double the power output of the appliance, you gain 3dB.

Example:  If you have a speaker tapped at a 1/4 watt with 75dB and you double the wattage to 1/2 watt, you will then have 78dB.

dB Line Loss Calculation

TLR = Total Load Resistance
TWR = Total Wire Resistance
TWR = Ohms/Foot X (Distance X 2)

12 AWG Ohm/FT is .00193
14 AWG Ohm/FT is .00307
16 AWG Ohm/FT is .00489
18 AWG Ohm/FT is .00777

TLR = (Voltage X Voltage) / Power
20 X Log (1- (TWR / TWR + TLR))

You cannot go over -1.5 dB

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While every family knows that the health of their baby, child or teenager, is the first priority in any eye care routine, few people realize that eye diseases and eye conditions can lead to other serious problems in adulthood. For example, persistent blurry vision is more common in adults. Some even see a decline in vision over time as they get older.

Eyestrain is another problem caused by an unhealthy eye, but it affects the neck, the face, and the head and shoulders. Headaches are also often a sign of poor eye health, so it’s important to have regular eye exams, not only for the health of your eyes but for preventing potential headaches. Even when an adult doesn’t develop headaches, there may be other symptoms.

It’s easy to overlook or forget about our own health, but we should not neglect the health of our eyes, no matter how young we are. If you don’t have the money to have an eye exam regularly, at least make an appointment to see your doctor, who will check your eyes for eye diseases, like cataracts and dry eye syndrome. Eye exams may cost a little money, but they can also be very helpful, especially for children. You can use a doctor’s office card to schedule an appointment, or you can call your state’s department of health for an appointment at your nearest facility.

People who have no problems with their eyes have different priorities from those who need frequent eye exams. Many young children have a lot of fun playing games, like tag, that requires getting up and walking around, or running around, and they often see the sky, wonder what the fuss is about, then go outside again to play. In some cases, they may have trouble with balance and coordination because their eyes don’t follow their natural instincts.

As a parent, you should teach your children about eye care. Teaching eye care skills as early as possible in a child’s life helps them to recognize signs of illness, even at a young age. If your child has issues with his eyes, the first thing you should do is to make sure that your child understands that he needs to visit a doctor if he experiences eye problems, such as headaches, blurred vision, or eyestrain.

Another reason to take the time to help your child learn about eye care is that he will be less likely to develop eye problems as he gets older. That’s because eye exams are easy to schedule, do not require very much time and there are many tools that parents can use to help their children learn. For example, an eye care kit that teaches your child about good eye care habits.

Another reason to do your child’s eye care well is that he will be less likely to develop problems with vision problems that can lead to blindness. One of the most common forms of vision loss is called presbyopia. By teaching your child about presbyopia, he can avoid suffering the debilitating effects of this vision problem.

Presbyopia is the term for “early or premature nearsightedness”. It’s defined as a condition where your eyes focus on distant objects for long periods of time, and in some cases, you can even see blurry lines between distant objects. This can happen to your eyes as early as the age of 20. If you don’t catch it early enough, you can find yourself seeing objects that you should not be able to.

So, what is the eye care? The words of the eye doctor can help you better understand the importance of eye care. The eye doctor needs to work with you and your family to diagnose the problem that your eyes are having. Once the eye doctor confirms that it is not something minor, he will give you the proper diagnosis and instruction on how to start caring for your eyes.

For example, for the most part, the eye doctor will determine whether you need glasses or contacts to correct your vision. Sometimes, eye exams show signs of dry eye syndrome, which is caused by not cleaning the eyes frequently, as much as your doctor should, during an eye care routine. While there are specific brands of contacts that can help protect your eyes, so that you don’t get an eye infection, they are a more costly alternative to spending thousands of dollars on a daily eyewear.

Allison Kline is a great resource for learning about eye care and education in your community. Learn more about how you can protect your family from vision problems, at M.KlineOnline.com


A task force from Nepal has suggested legal changes that would allow the central bank of Nepal to issue its own digital currency. After a study concluded that such an initiative was feasible, the task force in Nepal has proposed legal changes that would allow the regulator to implement it.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), is working on revisions to the law that will determine its powers and responsibilities. This would enable the monetary authority of Nepal to issue a digital currency version of its fiat currency, the Nepalese Rupee. This news comes after a study that concluded that a digital currency central bank ( CBDC ) was feasible.

Revati Nepal, the chief of the bank’s Currency Management Department, said that a task force had already created an amendment bill. He said, quoted by Kathmandu Post, that “after internal discussions, we will submit the bill to government to table it in Parliament.” The Nepal Rastra Bank Act will be modified starting in 2002.

The NRB’s Monetary Policy 2021-22 paper announced the study. Revati Nepal, a member of the team that developed the CBDC suggested that the regulator need to establish the legal provisions necessary to allow it to be implemented before it can develop it.

Experts have suggested concrete steps for moving forward, including the creation of a legal framework to support the digital currency. The official at the NRB stated that there are technical and economic issues that need to be addressed.

The central bank plans to create a digital wallet that could allow digital banking transactions to be made through the CBDC. Nepal explained that the central bank will take measures to ensure interoperability between digital payment service providers.

Kathmandu not in a rush, wants to see how China and India are doing with their CBDCs
The Nepal Rastra Bank executive stated that they are not in any hurry to issue digital currency. The Himalayan nation’s monetary authority wants to observe how South Asian countries, including India, proceed with their CBDCs. Nepal emphasized:

We don’t want the unneeded risk of rushing to introduce digital currency.

In February, Nirmala Sitharaman (northern Nepali finance minister) announced that the most populous democracy in the world would launch a digital currency. This was to be done during the coming financial year which began April 1. It is now expected that it will be one of the most populous economies to launch a digital currency. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), expects to roll it out by 2023.

China, Nepal’s powerful neighbor, has been studying the potential for a CBDC from 2014 and is currently conducting trials. In 2020, cities like Chengdu, Suzhou, and Shenzhen were the first to launch the digital currency. In 2021, the tests were expanded to include Hainan province and Shanghai. Visitors and athletes had the opportunity to use the e-CNY currency from the People’s Bank of China at the Winter Olympics.

Since years, a variety of digital currencies have been in use, including decentralized cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Most governments are still in the initial stages of creating digital currency issued by their state. A survey done by the Bank for International Settlements in 2021 found that 86% of central banks were investigating the potential of CBDCs. 60% of them were testing the technology, and only 14% were actually deploying pilot projects.

Nepal has a lot of work ahead, but the NRB’s research produced a concept paper that is currently being reviewed by the bank. Revati Nepal said, “We will identify the best way forward after the conclusion to ongoing discussions.” “It will benefit Nepal to introduce digital currencies with the appropriate technology acquired form other countries,” said Prakash Kumar Shrestha (chief of central bank’s economic researcher department), who also pointed out other important aspects that require attention, such as cybersecurity.

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Angie Byrd


Steroid course

Reading time 3 min 6 sec

The steroid cycle is associated with high body costs for building muscles. The body is trying to fill up the spending of resources with a margin, for this it needs “building material” and time. The basic rule is: you need to get more than spend. Only in this case will happen muscle growth.

Without a proper nutrition diet, any steroids cycle will be a waste of money and time.

From this we have to understand that on a cycle you need to adjust your diet.

How many calories need to be taken per day on the course?

It is well known that a person doing heavy physical activity, on average, spends 2300-3300 kcal per day. Approximately the required number of calories can be calculated by the formula WEIGHT (in kg) * 30 =… Calories. For example, if your weight is 80 kg, then you need 80 * 30 = 2400 kcal. This is the approximate minimum energy required to maintain your weight.

Formula: Your weight (kg) * 30 = sum of calories

On the cycle, this amount should be increased by 600-700 kcal. This is the only way when under heavy workout you can maintain a positive energy balance.

This formula is not universal and should be adjusted taking into consideration the characteristics of your physique (ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph), daily activity (whether you work with a sledgehammer at work or sitting and working on a computer all day). For example, a thin person with high activity at work may add 1000 kcal to his minimum supply of energy and it will go to his plus. A complete endomorph can begin to gain adipose tissue and an extra 500 kcal will be more than enough for him.

It will take time to know the optimal figures of calories for yourself

The optimal diet. The ratio of nutrients:

After you have decided on the number of calories you need to take then you have to choose the optimal diet. The optimal ratio of nutrients in your diet will be:

  • proteins – 20-30%
  • carbohydrates – 50-60%
  • fats – 10-20%

The best nutrient on the cycle is animal protein. You can find it in maximum concentration in fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products. The calorie list of products can be found on medical and other websites. Protein needs about 2-3 g per kg. body weight. Your task is to collect the required amount of protein from these products on a daily diet. Protein is the main building material for your muscles. It is better to use animal protein, not vegetable protein.

If protein is a building material, then carbohydrates are a source of energy. Total carbohydrates, as mentioned earlier, should be 50-60% of the total calories. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple (various sweets) and complex (cereals). Complex(slow) carbohydrates (rice, buckwheat) should be used in the daily diet, but simple(fast) ones can only be used after training for quick recovery.

When and how to eat to build mass?

Eat more often and in small portions. The optimal number of meals is 6-8 times. The interval between meals should be 2-3 hours. Such a schedule is useful for several reasons:

  • equal ingestion of nutrients throughout the day without recessions
  • all processes in your body (fat burning, weight gain) with this diet are more intense
  • ability to absorb significantly more protein

In the morning we need to eat mainly carbohydrates, in the evening – proteins. Cos in the morning our body needs energy more for the coming day, and in the evening is true of building material for our muscles. Especially at night, when our body is at rest, excess energy from carbohydrates will be stored in subcutaneous fat, which is undesirable.

Nutrition before, during and after training.

Before training, you need to eat only proteins and carbohydrates and exclude fats.

Carbohydrates before exercise are needed to provide the muscles and brain with extra energy. To increase energy tone, take a mix of carbs and protein 30 minutes before the workout (Carbohydrates should be complex). The largest portion of protein and carbs you need to eat after your workout. Before going to bed, take a serving of whey/casein protein drink or cottage cheese.

With proper nutrition, the result from the course of steroids will be maximum, without it, any cycle will be a waste of time and money.


Apollo and Daphne

Renaissance sculptures

“Apollo and Daphne” (Apollo and Daphne) is a marble sculpture created by Italian sculptor Zian Lorenzo Bernini in about 1622~1623 (or 1622~1625). The work is now in the collection of the Boergese Museum in Rome, Italy.
The sculpture is based on an ancient Greek mythology, and shows how Daphne began to transform into a laurel tree when she was touched by Apollo’s hand.

The sculpture adopts a dynamic composition of running. The arms of the two people stretch into a semicircular arc, which is in harmony with the movements of their feet, so that their body curves are as graceful as a flowing dance.

“Apollo and Daphne” is a sculpture created by Bernie for the villa of Pope Pionne Porguez, the cardinal of Rome. There are four groups of sculptures, and this is one of them. The sculpture is based on a mythical story. It is said that the sun god Apollo offended Cupid, the naughty cupid shot the arrow that could ignite the flame of love at the sun god Apollo, and shot another arrow to dispel love. Daphne, the daughter of the river god. When Apollo wooed Daphne, Daphne refused decisively, and even when she saw Apollo, Daphne would run away. When Apollo was about to chase Daphne, Daphne asked her father River God for help. Just when Apollo touched Daphne’s body, Daphne became a laurel tree, her hair turned into leaves, and her wrists turned into Branches, two legs turned into trunks, feet turned into roots and plunged into the soil. Annoyed, Apollo still loves Daphne. He made his own laurel wreath from the branches of the laurel tree that Daphne turned into. This is also the origin of the term “laurel wreath”. Apollo’s behavior eventually moved Daphne who became a laurel tree. This sculpture represents the moment when Apollo just touched Daphne’s body and Daphne became a laurel tree.

Contemporary sculptures

abstract figures animals

Hellenistic sculptures

4th century BC to 1st century AD

Modern sculptures

19th-20th century

Renaissance sculptures

14th-16th century

Silk Road Chinese Sculptures

Dunhuang Series, Oriental Lions, buddha Statues, Gate Piers, Stones for Linking Horses, Archways

Western Garden Sculptures

Fountains, Gazebos, Benches, Flower Pots, Animals, Figures, Busts