As part of the Japanese food industry tour group, we were brought to many places to have a taste and experience the many different types of Japanese cuisine such as the tofu dinner (yudofu) near the Kiyomizu-dera temple or the yuba lunch we had after visiting Kinka-ji temple or the massive Japanese buffet (kaiseki) we had in Meiji Kinenkan on the last day of the tour. We even had the pleasure of eating bento sets during our travels from Osaka to Kyoto and from Nagoya to Tokyo. I loved every bit of these. But one Japanese cuisine that had me falling head over heels was the Japanese ramen.

Being a Muslim, there are foods that we cannot ingest such as pork and alcohols. Any dish that are made based on these, we simply cannot eat them. When we found out that there is a Halal ramen restaurant in Asakusa, where we had our last excursion for the tour, we did not hesitate and straight away headed to the restaurant, of course after having a tour around the Senso-ji temple. We went into Naritaya Restaurant and straight away looked into what they has to offer. We were excited to try authentic and halal Japanese Ramen. Each of us ordered different menu so that we could have a taste at each other’s. They were simply delicious.

Ramen is basically a broth- Special Naritaya ramenbased dish, quite similar to Bruneian’s soto (so-to). There are many varieties of ramen with different areas of Japan having their own regional versions such as the Hokkaido’s Sapporo miso ramen or Tokyo-styled ramen. The general idea of a ramen is the noodle and the broth. The broth is usually made from chicken, beef or fish stock with onions and shitake mushrooms. There are many different versions of the broth that can be categorised into 4 basic flavours i.e. shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), miso or curry.

The noodles also varies as there are many ways to make them. The basic ingredients to make the ramen noodles are wheat flour, salt, water and kansui (alkaline water that contains minerals that will make the noodles to be more firm and yellowish in colour). Eggs can be use as substitute of kansui. After both the noodles and broth are placed into a bowl, a multitude of toppings are placed on them. Usually, there will be slices of chicken or beef, a few sheets of nori, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), boiled egg and scallions. These are sometimes optional, so you can ask the restaurant to leave out some if you do not want it. But, it is better to have everything as they will give you the sensation of originality of the Japanese ramen.

Shio based ramen

Japanese ramen gives a special after-effect: it makes you feel warm and homey. This is the perfect definition of a comfort food. In Brunei, soto also gives us this feeling. Since good Japanese ramen is expensive or quite hard to find in Brunei, every time I have cravings for it, I just buy myself a nice bowl of soto and imagine myself to be in Japan, slurping down on a hot bowl of ramen. If I have the chance to go to Japan again, I will, definitely, get myself to a good halal ramen restaurant and order the biggest bowl they have. Maybe you will me there in the near future.


Accountability: The Key To Driving A High-Performance Culture

Tuesday November 13

Edmonton | Alberta | Canada

Accountability: Doing what you said you would do within the timeframe you agreed to do it. -Â Greg Bustin Why Accountability MattersA lack of accountability hold your intended high-performance culture hostage. Greg Bustin, author and world-renowned accountability expert brings practical accountability strategies to help you manage, maintain andÂ motivate yourself, your team and your workforce.


Privacy Policy 2017-03-16T11:52:01+00:00

Your privacy is important to us. We understand that providing information online involves a great deal of trust on your part. We take this trust very seriously, and make it a high priority to ensure the security and confidentiality of the personal information you provide to us. This document, which we update from time to time, describes how we processs and use your personal information and how we use cookies on It also tells you how you can contact us if you have questions about your personal information. Before submitting your personal information to our website, please read this Privacy and Cookies Policy  carefully to learn about our privacy and cookies practices. By visiting you are accepting the practices described herein.

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Last updated, 19 januari 2014


indoors, table, food and drink, text, freshness, western script, art, still life, creativity, communication, food, art and craft, drink, wood - material, close-up, refreshment, coffee cup, no people, high angle view, animal representation

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19. College life. California dreaming ☀ Dance is life 💜💚


Male Infertility

The last decade or so has seen a magnanimous rise in male infertility cases. The maximum spur has been seen in developed nations but the developing countries of the world are also witnessing a surge in the number of reported cases. Until a few decades back male infertility was not as widely reported and treated as today hence it is not very ease to state if the problem has always been this grave.

Male infertility can be caused by several factors. There are various physiological aspects that can cause male fertility but in recent times, doctors all over the world have held the present day lifestyle to be a major cause of the rapid rise of male infertility cases. Coupled with lifestyle, pollution and eating habits are also contributing to the problem.

Male infertility was a taboo until a few years back and today it is not only a conveniently discussed problem but also a solvable one. Male infertility can be treated successfully unless there are some rare problems in one’s hormones and some serious physiological issues. Some causes of male infertility are chemotherapy, sexually transmitted diseases, prostatic infections, hormonal dysfunction, certain strong and high dose medications, testicular ailments and most commonly testosterone deficiency.

Male infertility can be of various types and hence the choice of treatment would strictly depend on a specific case. Male infertility may just be a problem of erectile dysfunction or may be about troubles during ejaculation or lack of healthy and live sperm count. The domain of male infertility is diverse and every patient has to be thoroughly diagnosed to infer any recommended treatment. Erectile dysfunction has its own set of treatments while lack of live and healthy sperm would have an entirely different treatment.

There are quite a few solutions to male infertility and that include natural treatments, medications, dietary changes and dietary supplements, herbal methods and also surgery. The choice of treatment, as mentioned earlier, would depend on the specific case and would later be subject to the patient’s prerogative and affordability. Although not every case of male infertility can be treated still the successes have been more than failures in present times. Even if male infertility cannot be entirely treated, there are various methods of finding an alternative to assist the couple to be able to conceive.

The best tip for any couple struggling to conceive is to immediately head for a diagnosis as aging limits the prospects of treatments of male infertility.

Dr Zafar has always been a very informative Doctor I am happy he is with the mercy group.

– F.B.

Why Choose Urologist in Des Moines for your Male Infertility Treatment?

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The Rise of Market Populism: The Media History of Neoliberalism, 1940–1990

Over the last decade, numerous attempts have been made to explain the rise of neoliberalism. Works of historical research by authors such as Daniel Stedman Jones, Angus Burgin, and Philip Mirowski have conceptualized neoliberalism as a transatlantic network of actors originating in the 1940s. Ever since, this network has worked purposefully towards the social acceptance and political implementation of neoliberal concepts. My project builds on this literature by taking up an as of yet unexplored side of the neoliberal project: its interaction with mass media.

My project analyses the media history of neoliberalism from a transnational perspective. Within this framework, the project focuses not so much on what neoliberals said, but on how they conveyed their message. Which formats and rhetorical, stylistic, and audiovisual techniques and devices did they use to circulate neoliberal knowledge? What consequences did the use of different kinds of media (for example, newspaper articles, novels, TV series, TV appearances, and interviews) have for the content of the neoliberal argumentation? The dissertation will analyse this nexus by drawing on a wide range of source materials. Books like Friedrich Hayek’s Road to Serfdom (1944), novels like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (1957), and television sources like Milton Friedman’s series Free to Choose (1980) will be examined.

The preliminary hypothesis of the project is that the neoliberal message became more populist with the increased use of more popular media formats. The market populism that evolved out of this process portrayed government as a powerful force working from above, while markets were presented as the site – and the saviour – of the ‘ordinary’ man and woman on the street. Thus, the message of neoliberalism shifted in line with the media used and the audience addressed. While it began as a programme distributed in philosophical treatises and aimed at convincing intellectuals, it gradually turned into an arsenal of simple images, metaphors, and narratives directed at a broader public, offering solutions for the problems of the world as well as those of the everyday life of the individual. Thus, the media historical dimension of neoliberalism is essential for understanding its general historical trajectory.

Prof. Paul Nolte


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Background Checks

When it comes to hiring caregivers, it's important to trust your own line of questioning  -- and not just a check conducted by an outside source.

A Kansas mom learned this the hard way: She hired a part-time sitter through a local childcare agency that had supposedly done a background check. When the sitter admitted that due to her history it was hard for her to get jobs, the mom started asking questions and the woman finally revealed she had spent fifteen years on the lam for child abduction. "Apparently all of this thorough investigation had failed to turn up that little fact," she says.

While Pamela Rowse, president of the Kierra Harrison Foundation for Child Safety, recommends that parents choose a licensed childcare provider over an unlicensed one, the quality and thoroughness of background checks varies widely from state to state. Some don't require them at all, while others will only check their own state's records. (You can check your state's requirements by visiting the [XREF {} {National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education} {_blank}].

Plus, records can be difficult to locate if a childcare provider has changed her name. And in some cases, records won't include complaints  -- even if they were pursued by local authorities  -- that didn't turn into criminal charges.

Fortunately, most candidates aren't hiding something. But in order to make an informed decision, know that while a background check may turn up useful information, it isn't necessarily complete.


Latest Carbon Fee Initiative May Succeed Where Others Have Failed

Washington state’s latest effort to fight climate change, Initiative 1631 (I-1631), is on the November ballot. With a broad coalition of support from business, environmental, and special interest groups, proponents are optimistic this will be the year Washington enacts a meaningful carbon policy.

The state has a history of failed carbon initiatives, including the unsuccessful I-732, a grassroots referendum that appeared on the ballot in 2016. But there are reasons to believe I-1631 has a decent chance of success, and if voters approve the measure, it could impact energy policy across the Pacific Northwest and accelerate the region’s transition to renewable energy sources.

Economic and Political Realities of Carbon Policy

There are two common approaches to carbon policy: a carbon tax (or fee), and a cap-and-trade approach. I-1631, also known as the Clean Air, Clean Energy Initiative, falls squarely in the carbon tax camp. The measure calls for a carbon fee of $15 per metric ton, increasing the cost of gasoline by 14 cents per gallon. The fee would increase $2 each year until the state achieves its goals for greenhouse gas reduction.

Both the carbon tax and cap-and-trade approaches are designed to send a price signal on carbon. From an environmental perspective, either framework can potentially achieve the same outcomes, but it can be argued that carbon tax policies are more efficient than cap-and-trade policies. Instead of limiting the amount of carbon pollution that will be released and forcing the market to back into a price for carbon (cap and trade), a carbon tax embeds the cost of climate change into the price of energy. The resulting higher cost of consumption, in theory, reduces the carbon-emitting behavior. Proceeds from the tax can be used to advance the low-carbon cause by supporting renewable energy deployment or efficiency projects, or funds can be returned to ratepayers.

That’s where carbon policies get sticky. To have any chance of passage, carbon policies must also be politically expedient—they require the support of a variety of public and private interests, each concerned about how their organization will benefit from the policy.

Bryce Smith

Bryce Smith

Previous attempts to enact carbon policies in Washington have often failed to account for political realities. For example, one of the reasons I-732 fell short in 2016 was because the grassroots environmental group that spearheaded it couldn’t secure enough support from environmental and special interest groups.

I-1631 appears to have the largest coalition of support to date. In addition to Gov. Jay Inslee (D), supporters include the Alliance for Clean Jobs & Clean Energy, the Nature Conservancy, and a diverse range of labor, tribal, faith, health, environmental, and conservation groups.

Not Perfect, but Step in Right Direction

So far, supporters and opponents of I-1631 have raised more than $4.5 million to campaign for or against the initiative. In a sign that the winds may be blowing in the initiative’s favor, proponents of the carbon fee have significantly outperformed critics. The oil and gas industry is the primary opponent of the measure with most of the opposition’s funding from Andeavor, an oil refinery operator in Anacortes.

Support for I-1631 is partly due to the planned distribution of funds generated by the proposed carbon fee. Importantly, I-1631 is revenue positive and allocates 70% of raised revenue for investments in clean energy, 25% to the state’s waters and forests, and the remaining 5% to communities impacted by carbon pollution. By contributing to the funding requirements of various groups affected by climate change, it appears proponents of I-1631 have learned from the mistakes of failed initiatives and achieved the political compromise necessary to secure a broad support.

Like most carbon policy initiatives, I-1631 is far from perfect. Ideally, a carbon tax or fee would be paid by the first jurisdictional deliverer—the actual emitter of the pollution. It’s simply less efficient for entities further down the supply chain (such as energy providers) to pay the tax because it creates opportunities for economic distortion.

In the case of I-1631, the fee will be paid largely by utility companies, not by the electricity generators sending power to the grid. While utilities will pay a fee for the purchase of carbon-produced electricity, they will also receive a percentage of the fees generated by I-1631. Though this offset may be critical to gain political support, it distorts decision-making and weakens the potential impact of the state’s carbon policy.

Despite that, I-1631 is a move in the right direction. Because energy markets in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and California) are linked both physically and ideologically, the passage of I-1631 may affect energy policies across the entire region.

Of course, the carbon fees make carbon-free energy relatively more attractive from an economic perspective. Given the precipitous drop in wind and solar prices over the past decade, I-1631 only hastens the rapid and inevitable transition to a cleaner economy. There already has been a substantial increase in corporate interest in renewable energy procurement, for both financial and environmental reasons, a trend that will surely accelerate should the carbon tax prove successful. ■

Bryce Smith is CEO of LevelTen Energy.


Family Health Centers of San Diego - San Diego, CA 3.5

Ability to provide support, structure, empathy, sound judgment, and insight into human behavior and family relations....

Estimated: $65,000 - $96,000 a year


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local seo expert london Have you ever wondered how come that one website is higher in serach results than the other? It is because of efficient team of serach engine positioners. Their aim is to grow targeted traffic on the website and escalate the visibility of your company. A proper methods can do wonders and supports the improvement of customer acquisition rate. Applying special.


Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine mostly concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.[1][2] Proponents claim that such disorders affect general health via the nervous system,[2] through vertebral subluxation, claims which are demonstrably false. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, especially spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), manipulations of other joints and soft tissues.[3] Its foundation is at odds with mainstream medicine, and chiropractic is sustained by pseudoscientific ideas such as subluxation and "innate intelligence" that reject science.[4][5][6][7][8] Chiropractors are not medical doctors.[9]

^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Nelson CF, Lawrence DJ, Triano JJ, Bronfort G, Perle SM, Metz RD, Hegetschweiler K, LaBrot T (2005). "Chiropractic as spine care: a model for the profession". Chiropr Osteopat. 13 (1): 9. doi:10.1186/1746-1340-13-9. PMC 1185558. PMID 16000175. The length, breadth, and depth of chiropractic clinical training do not support the claim of broad diagnostic competency required of a PCP. Studies of chiropractic intern clinical experience provides no evidence that chiropractors are trained to a level of a diagnostic generalist for non-musculoskeletal conditions. For chiropractors to describe themselves as PCP diagnosticians is to invite comparisons to other PC diagnosticians, i.e., family practitioners, pediatricians and internists. Such comparisons will not reflect favorably on chiropractic. PCP: primary care providers

No single profession "owns" spinal manipulation and there is little consensus as to which profession should administer SM, raising concerns by chiropractors that other medical physicians could "steal" SM procedures from chiropractors.[70] A focus on evidence-based SM research has also raised concerns that the resulting practice guidelines could limit the scope of chiropractic practice to treating backs and necks.[70] Two U.S. states (Washington and Arkansas) prohibit physical therapists from performing SM,[71] some states allow them to do it only if they have completed advanced training in SM, and some states allow only chiropractors to perform SM, or only chiropractors and physicians. Bills to further prohibit non-chiropractors from performing SM are regularly introduced into state legislatures and are opposed by physical therapist organizations.[72]

Sharp, shooting pains are mostly neurological false alarms about relatively trivial musculoskeletal troubles: your brain reacting over-protectively to real-but-trivial irritations in and around the spine. The brain takes these much more seriously than it really needs to, but evolution has honed us to be oversensitive in this way. That’s not to say that the brain is always over-reacting, but it usually is. Most of the time, a sharp pain is a warning you can ignore.

Traditional chiropractors focus on your muscles and bones, making physical adjustments to your spine for temporary relief. At Vero Chiropractic we take a different approach to chiropractic care. We focus on your nervous system, locating issues in your body at the source and providing our patients more effective and longer lasting health outcomes. In other words, we don’t just treat your symptoms, we correct the cause of why they are occuring!
There are several surgical treatments available to treat cervical spine disorders. Factors that help determine the type of surgical treatment include the specifics of the disc disease and the presence or absence of pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. Other factors include age, how long the patient has had the disorder, other medical conditions and if there has been previous cervical spine surgery.
There are several different surgical procedures which can be utilized, the choice of which is influenced by the severity of each case. In a small percentage of patients, spinal instability may require that spinal fusion be performed, a decision that is generally determined prior to surgery. Spinal fusion is an operation that creates a solid union between two or more vertebrae. Various devices (like screws or plates) may be used to enhance fusion and support unstable areas of the cervical spine. This procedure may assist in strengthening and stabilizing the spine and may thereby help to alleviate severe and chronic neck pain.
Twenty‐six to 71% of the adult population can recall experiencing an episode of neck pain or stiffness in their lifetime. Neck pain is more common in females than in males, with rates reported as high as 77.8%. The natural history is unclear. Neck pain has a costly impact on society because of visits to healthcare providers, sick leave, disability and loss of productivity. There are a number of treatments available for neck pain, one of which is mechanical traction.

Parsonage-Turner syndrome, [RareDiseases.org] inflammation of the brachial plexus. For no known reason, sometimes the web of nerves that exit the cervical spine, the brachial plexus, becomes rapidly inflamed. This condition may sometimes occur along with neck pain. Strong pain in the shoulder and arm develops quickly, weakens the limb, and even atrophies the muscles over several months. There is no cure, but most people make a complete recovery.

Sleeping on your stomach is tough on your spine, because the back is arched and your neck is turned to the side. Preferred sleeping positions are often set early in life and can be tough to change, not to mention that we don't often wake up in the same position in which we fell asleep. Still, it's worth trying to start the night sleeping on your back or side in a well-supported, healthy position.
Over 25 years ago, Dr. Donald Worley chose to specialize in chiropractic care because he was fascinated with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Now, he and the staff at Worley Chiropractic Clinic in Clinton, South Carolina, offer some of the most advanced physical rehabilitation practices as well as nutritional guidance to help you lead your best life.


Hackers can steal data from Air-Gapped PCs with microphones & speakers

A research team from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev ‘s cybersecurity research center has discovered a new way of data extraction from air-gapped computers via using passive devices like earbuds, earphones, headphones, and speakers.

Now, the same research center has claimed to be able to use computer speakers and headphones to act as microphones and receive data. The devices can be used to send back the signals and make the otherwise safe practice of air-gapping less secure.

As per the new technique [PDF], data is extracted in the form of inaudible ultrasonic sound waves and transmission occurs between two computers installed in the same room while data is shared without using microphones.

The research team created a custom protocol to carry out data transmission between two computers. One of them would be air-gapped while the other is connected to the internet and used to further relay the data. Through the attack, researchers claim to carry out speaker-to-headphone, headphone-to-headphone, and speaker-to-speaker data exfiltration.

Findings of this research were published by ArXiv on Friday in an academic paper titled “MOSQUITO: Covert Ultrasonic Transmissions between Two Air-Gapped Computers using Speaker-to-Speaker Communication.” Researchers explained that their research shows how speakers can secretly be used to carry out data transmission between unconnected computers located within a distance of 9 meters.

The reason why they used speakers is that these can be considered microphones working in reverse order; speakers convert electronic signals into acoustic signals whereas microphones convert acoustic signals into electric. The conversion is assisted by a diaphragm in each of these devices, which can be used to reverse the process. This process of reversing the mechanism of a device like a speaker is called jack retasking.

A majority of new audio chipsets can be used for jack retasking (like those from Realtek) because these offer an option of altering the audio port function through software. Malware can be used to reconfigure a speaker or headphone so that it acts like a microphone given that the device is unpowered and passive. The paper reads:

“The fact that loudspeakers, headphones, earphones, and earbuds are physically built like microphones, coupled with the fact that an audio port’s role in the PC can be altered programmatically, changing it from output to input, creates a vulnerability which can be abused by attackers.”

In the MOSQUITO attack, the malware researchers used infected an air-gapped computer and could also be used to modulate or transform locally stored documents into audio signals. These signals could easily be relayed to another computer using headphones, earbuds or speakers.

The receiving computer would also be infected with malware and will convert connected speakers or headphones using jack retasking technique to make them serve as a microphone. The catch is that most of the PCs now have passive speakers while these have active, powered headphones, earbuds, and speakers.

Related:  Malware can Convert your Headphones into Microphone for Hackers

“The main problem involves headphones, earphones, and earbuds since they are reversible and can become a good pair of microphones (even when they don’t have an integrated mic at all),” stated head of R&D at Ben-Gurion University’s research center and co-author of the paper Mordechai Guri.

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Introduction to wireless network security

Network security is often overlooked or not seriously considered when a wireless network is built. Many people buy the necessary network equipment, connect it, flip the power switch and there it is: free wireless connectivity for all the neighbours. All it takes to connect to an unsecured wireless network is to get within range and startup your computer. That could be a passer by with a laptop or perhaps your neighbour who is constantly within range of your wireless network. The nature of wireless networks makes it easy to compromise them. That is why wireless network security is so important if you want to prevent others from accessing your network.

Wireless G, speedboosters, WEP, WPA, encryption and MAC adresses, they are terms that only few people really understand. That is why such a large percentage of networks still lacks any form of security. A small walk through my own town town with my laptop yielded 7 out of 18 wireless networks that I could instantly connect to.

In this article I will show you how to configure wireless security on Linksys' WRT54G wireless router. This doesn't mean that this article is intended solely for WRT54G owners. The security measures offered by the WRT54G can be found in nearly every other wireless router.

The operating system examples in this article are taken from Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2. Similarly, the principles shown in this security tutorial apply to other operating systems as well.


UsThemThemUs is a video comprised of statements extracted from sci-fi cinema in which characters attempt to articulate a boundary between humans and non-humans. These declarations of difference desperately seek to establish delineations between human and machine and animal, yet often resort to nebulous-to-define traits such as emotion, belief, or the soul. Rather than establish clear definitions of what the human is or is not, these attempts instead reveal a slippery space of boundary determinations. Also revealed are the anxieties and pejorative associations entangled with notions of difference and otherness, particularly when ‘the other’ begins to become the same…

The prevalence of films and TV series such as Bladerunner, Terminator, and Battlestar Gallactica reveal the modern-day anxiety surrounding the boundary between the ‘natural’ and the ‘unnatural’. Fragmented sentences extracted from these sources scroll through the video, overlap, become entangled and overwhelmingly incomprehensible at points. The delineations used to define the human – soul, emotion, or belief – are vague and intangible and do little to establish clarity between the human versus the non-human.
The visual fragments are sourced from online videos and show humans somewhat violently interacting with non-humans – in one clip and baby and child are attacking one another, and in another humans kick robots. Historically, humans have defined themselves in contrast to animals, which was also a continually complicated and fluctuating terrain, yet the contemporary threat is clearly becoming the machine. The response of the Robotic Dogs to the human kicks in the video shows the scientific breakthrough of the robot responding to an unexpected change in the environment and immediately adapting and stabilizing itself. This development is significant in the scientific community, yet also veers towards the actual realization of an artificial intelligence that has only been until recently, anxiously dreamed about by writers and filmmakers. As the machine and the human rapidly become closer in capability, we must contemplate the realities of what this new relationship with ‘the other’ will mean, and the potential manifestations that it can take.

About the artist

Portrait_Nicole RayburnMy multi-media artistic practice is a blundering convergence of the use of language, video, and absurdity. My work critically explores terrains such as human/nonhuman relations, contemporary socio-political issues, and concepts of boundary and transgression through topics such as religion, science and popular culture. I currently reside in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada.


Syrian pilgrimage route
By the 16th century all the territories bound to Islam were gathered under the authority of a religious and political chief, the Ottoman sultan. For almost 400 years Jordan was part of the Ottoman Empire, the most powerful state known in the Islamic world since the time of the early Arab Caliphate. Often the Ottomans provided good government to areas that had previously suffered from chaos and dislocation. At the beginning, the main interest of the Ottomans in the territories to the east of the River Jordan lay in the fact that these lands were the most convenient land link with the holy sanctuaries of Islam in Mecca and Medina. Along the pilgrimage route fortresses to guard the route and caravanserais were built to facilitate the journey of pilgrims to the most holy places of Islam.
Hijaz Railway
A significant strategic shift happened in the second half of the 19th century as a result of the severe competition of the colonial powers for the control of maritime trade with the Far East. By 1882 the British were in control of both maritime trade routes with the Far East (the Suez Canal and the Arab-Persian Gulf). The Ottomans, along with the Germans, came up with the idea of building a railway to connect Istanbul with Taba on the Red Sea as an alternative to the Suez Canal. Merchandise could come by ships to Aqaba and from there it could be transported to the eastern Mediterranean ports and to Istanbul itself. This is where the idea of the Hijaz Railway originated. The quest for the trade of the Red Sea brought a sharp rise in interest in this crucial area of the Middle East.
The Great Arab Revolt
Increasing political and economic pressure from the Western colonial powers during the 19th century contributed to the administrative breakdown of the Ottoman Empire and to its economic decline. Consequently the quality of Ottoman rule began to deteriorate. Distant regions seceded to form independent states and they started to challenge the legitimacy of the sultans. This was accentuated by the coming of the “Young Turks” to power in 1908 whose nationalistic policies aroused Arab fears and resentment. On 9 June 1916 the Grand Sharif of Mecca, Husayn ibn ‘Ali, encouraged by the UK, declared the Great Arab Revolt against the Turks in exchange for British support of the independence of the Arab countries in western Asia (Greater Syria and Iraq) and the creation of an Arab kingdom with Sharif Husayn as the king of the Arabs.


Stuttering and Cluttering

What is Stuttering?

Some types of stutters include:

  • Repetitions of sounds, syllables or words e.g. “M-m-m-mummy” or bu-bu –bubbles or ‘I want- I want-I want a pear”.
  • Blockings that are silence as the person tries to speak.
  • Prolongations e.g. “Where is the c-o-o-o-w?”

What Causes Stuttering?

Onset of Stuttering

What happens in Speech Therapy?

Parents may be concerned that stuttering therapy will increase the child’s awareness of his or her speech dysfluencies and have a negative effect. Deciding to bring your child for treatment is an important step towards helping your child.

Stuttering therapy allows children to successfully speak fluently, resulting in:

● Increased confidence
● Stuttering with less tension
● Increased eye contact

Stuttering Treatment

Preschool and school-aged children are treated using the Lidcombe Program. The Lidcombe Program is an evidence-based, behavioural treatment for early stuttering. Parents are trained to help their child to control their stutter. Results from the Lidcombe Program show that the majority of children are able to maintain fluent speech during conversations or social interactions.

For adolescents and adults, Prolonged or Smooth speech techniques are used. Clients are taught specific strategies to improve their fluency and control the stutter. Treatment is conducted on an individual basis and tailored to suit the client’s needs. This may include reading, presentations, speaking engagements, job interviews, or other social situations.

Great Stuttering Resources

Australian Stuttering Research Centre : http://www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/asrc/
Latrobe University : http://www.latrobe.edu.au/istutter/

What is Cluttering?

Differences between Stuttering and Cluttering

Symptom Stuttering Cluttering
What gets stuck Word, sound, syllable Message
Know what want to say?

Typically yes

Yes and No

Rate differences

Examples of dysfluencies:

Repetitions of sounds of syllables:
y-y-you, wa-wa-watermelon
Interjections/ filler words: um, uh
Phrase repetitions: I love, I love NSA
Articulation difficulties
(i.e. difficulties pronouncing sounds in words)
Affective and cognitive components

Can be

Negative reactions and communication avoidance have been identified by consumers

Reference: National Stuttering Association, 2010

Read more: https://thespeechpractice.com/how-to-help-kids-with-stutter-bullying/


Multimedia Multiprocessor Systems Analysis Design And Management Embedded Systems -

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Utsav Yadav

Medical Student

Utsav will be helping in the triage tent to take a complete medical history from each patient and assisting with running the pharmacy.  Utsav is completing his medical studies at the Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.

I am a 4th year medical student currently studying at Maharajganj Medical Campus,Teaching hospital.I beleive my experience and ability in the areas of medical volunteering and medical skills will be helpful in the health camp at tsum valley.

I have already worked as a volunteer in the past for a committee called PSRN where my responsibilities have been related to project. The training experience and education has provided me with a strong background in this field of volunteering.

The variety of skills required for the project together with my natural leadership qualities have allowed me to expand and add to my skill sets while enjoying the challenges at hand.

Volunteer work has always been a part of my life in some form or another and tsum valley medical mission is the organization that I would very much enjoy being a part of .


 Chinaebr.com - China Manufacturers, Suppliers & Products

Costa rica

Date:2016-03-23  Hits:403

Representative Office in Costa Rica is China Council for the promotion of international trade in Costa Rica's agency, established in 2008, the task is according to the China Council for the promotion of international trade institutions nature and purpose of the service, according to the national laws and regulations and the Central American countries to carry out economic and trade investment overall needle, and actively promote the import and export trade between China and the countries of Central America, two-way investment and technical and economic cooperation.

Specific transactions include:

- receive or assist China economic and trade delegation in america;

- to provide consulting services to Chinese enterprises that are interested in investing in Central America;

- contact and American economic and trade delegations to assist in accessing Chinese;

- consulting services for Central American companies that are interested in investing in China;

- collect and provide the Central American economy and market information to the Chinese economic and trade sector;

- to provide China Economic and trade information to the Central American economic and trade circles;

- an investigation report on the economic, trade, market, and investment environment of central america;

- to maintain close ties with the Central American business association, companies, enterprises, banks and offices and other institutions and organizations, and promote the development of bilateral economic and trade investment activities;

- organize or participate in the meeting and trade and economic investment, exhibitions and other activities, China's economic and trade policy propaganda, publicity and promotion.

China Council for the promotion of international trade representative office in Costa Rica wish for China and the countries of Central America trade circles, business circles in the economic field of trade and investment cooperation do pull wires bypass services work. Address: De La Casa de don Oscar Arias en Rohrmoser, 300 metros sur y 100 metros Este, San Jos, Costa Rica mail: P.O. Box 531-1007, San Jos, Costa ric A Tel: 00506-2296 5935 Fax: 00506-2296 5934 E-mail:ccpitcr@ccpit.org general representative: security, andali@ccpit.org working time: 09:00--17:00 (Costa Rica time), 23:00--07:00 (Beijing time)


What does a homeopathic consultation involve?

A first consultation usually lasts about 1½  hours. Time will be taken to listen to your emotional, physical and general symptoms. You will be asked about your lifestyle; diet, temperature etc and how your condition affects you. You will also be asked about your past medical history and that of your family.

A follow up appointment of approximately 45 minutes is usually arranged about 4 weeks later to assess how you are progressing.

How often will I need appointments?

The frequency and number of visits required is very individual and depends very much on several factors ie. your condition, severity and how long the condition has been present.

I am taking medicine from my doctor, can I still have homeopathy treatment?

Yes homeopathic remedies can be used alongside conventional medication. However if you have been prescribed a homeopathic remedy and you feel you need to take additional medication then consult your homeopath to discuss how your treatment may be affected.

Do homeopathic remedies have any side effects?

The remedies are non toxic and non addictive with no harmful side effects. After taking a remedy you may notice some changes. Some people experience feelings of increased energy and wellbeing. Sometimes symptoms may appear to worsen for a short time. This is a positive sign which shows the remedy is taking effect. Sometimes your body may have an initial ’clearing out’ which may appear in the form of a discharge in one form or another ie. a cold or rash etc. All these reactions indicate that the process of self-healing has begun.

Can I take homeopathic remedies instead of HRT?

Many people seek out homeopathy to relieve the symptoms that arise during the menopause. If you are already on HRT and have been advised to come off it by your doctor then homeopathy can aim to support you and ease the transition. Common symptoms of menopause that homeopaths see on a regular basis are hot flushes, mood swings, anxiety, sleeplessness, loss of confidence, dryness etc.

What are remedies made from?

Homeopathic remedies are made from a wide range of natural sources including plants, minerals, metals and some animal products.

Are homeopathic remedies tested on animals?

No. Homeopathic remedies are only tested on people.

I have heard that homeopathy is just placebo and there is nothing in the remedy, is this true and how does it work?

The remedies are so dilute that there are no molecules of the original substance remaining. Although there are plenty of research studies that have been carried out, scientists have yet to discover exactly how it works. The answer is more likely to be found in the field of quantum physics. When a homeopathic remedy is made, the remedies are shaken vigorously during the dilution; a practice known as ‘succussion’. It is thought that the process of succussion transfers the energy belonging to the original substance into the neutral substance. Therefore homeopathic remedies are thought to work on an energetic level rather than a material level sending a message to the body to heal itself.

As for the placebo effect; there is an element of placebo in any therapeutic relationship however homeopathic remedies are just as effective on babies and animals. Homeopathy has been around for over 200 years and its success rates are much higher than what could be attributed to placebo.

Can homeopathic remedies be taken by pregnant women and babies?

Yes. Many pregnant women consult a homeopath presenting with common conditions of both pregnancy and childbirth.  Some examples that pregnat women seek out homeopathy for are: nausea, cramp, back pain, indigestion, heartburn, emotional distress etc .

Babies, including new born babies, can also respond very well to homeopathic treatment. Some common conditions that parents bring their babies to see a homeopath  include colic, failure to feed, nappy rash, teething, coughs, vomiting etc.


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Mining the Gap: James Parente on Studying the Unstudied

July 12, 2017

Colorful map of northern Europe from 1689

Colorful map of northern Europe from 1689
Detail from: Broeck, A. van den, ca. 1689. "Germaniae Generalis Tabula Prae aliis maxime clarissima in lucem edita per Nicolaum Visscher cum Privilegio." Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education, University of Southern Maine.

As a professor of German, Scandinavian and Dutch literature, and Director of the Center for German and European Studies, Professor James A. Parente, Jr. spends a lot of time thinking about research that bridges topics across Europe and beyond. But while his work is undeniably focused on connections, Parente is also uniquely focused on “gaps.”

His research on premodern central and northern European literature has long been guided by the desire to delve into less-explored topics, “I like to go into places where there is basically no structure at all,” he says, “or texts that have been totally passed over, and then dig deep and see what’s really there.”

Professor James Parente in his office

Literature that Crosses Borders

One of those understudied areas brings a transnational perspective to literary history, essentially looking at ways that texts connect and move across linguistic and geographic boundaries. Parente investigates what happens when a text migrates to another culture, what changes result from that migration, and the reasons for its transformation.

Parente tracks a text from its source material through its initial publication and then through its subsequent editions and translations, noting how each is received by the various cultures and generations it visits. For the premodern material that Parente works with, that means pursuing various iterations of a text through the centuries—all the way to the version that you can call up on your smartphone.

Tracing the journeys of texts across boundaries and languages holds a special appeal for Parente. His interest in foreign languages and cultures is deeply rooted in his early experiences growing up surrounded by both Italian and English and the subsequent training he had in Latin and ancient Greek. Several modern languages followed, and his research regularly takes him across multiple medieval and modern languages. His early research was devoted to reviving the study of Renaissance Latin writing (Neo-Latin literature) especially in Central and Northern Europe, where it especially thrived, and the connections between Latin and the various European vernaculars remain a steady interest. Many of his favorite early modern writers, such as the Dutch poets Constantijn Huygens and Jacob Cats, were proficient in several ancient and modern languages, and their works can only be fully understood through their multilingualism.

Mapping Out the Research

One way that Parente studies a text’s trajectory is by mapping the complex geopolitical landscapes that the text crosses. The result is a less-than-tidy map, which he relishes.

He describes “wonderfully messy” maps that are “themselves things of beauty and intrigue,” telling complex stories.

“I was drawn particularly to geographic spaces that were really complicated and intricate to take apart,” he says. “The Holy Roman Empire ca. 1600 was often represented as a beautiful multicolored map of many ecclesiastical and secular principalities that appealed because of its complexity. I was fascinated by the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) because of the opportunity it promised to explore such cartographic chaos.”

Another of his current research interests, the historiography of Europe, looks at when scholars began writing about Europe as a place beyond a geographical description of the landscape.

Here, too, Parente has found a gap to study. While people from many different fields are tackling this topic—from historians and geographers to literary scholars and anthropologists—they do not frequently address the early modern period (1400-1700 CE), in which there was a blossoming of historical writing focusing on both local and continental places. Parente investigates the ways in which local interests were gradually assumed into broader conceptualizations of Europe and its self-appointed global mission.

Leading the Way

There is a different type of “gap” relevant to Parente’s research career—the 13 years that he spent in administration as an Associate Dean (Faculty and Research) and later as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, which kept him out of the classroom for many years. His research interests continued to evolve during that period, but his administrative work did not leave much spare time to pursue them.

When he stepped down as dean in 2013, he embraced the opportunity to pick up where he had left off and to discover new topics.

Today, Parente’s roles as teacher, researcher, and administrator all are all deeply interwoven, and he is committed to helping his students discover their own unique takes on history and scholarship. His advice to students seeking direction in their research? “Go where there’s an explicit gap and look at what’s going on there.”

From guiding graduate students to construct new research questions and shape their postdoctoral careers, to advising undergraduates about their post-baccalaureate job options, Parente continually seeks to close the gap between the University and the world beyond.


Interim Director of Human Resources (Maternity Cover)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join B&FC as our Interim Director of Human Resources. If you thrive in a dynamic and forward-thinking business, where new ideas and innovation are supported and encouraged, and you have the skills, experience and knowledge we seek, then we would be keen to hear from you.

Summary of Responsibilities:

To implement the HR Strategy in order to deliver the future strategic direction of the College’s human resource. To provide the lead specific issues such as organisational development, pay and reward, employment law, employee relations, as well as delivering best practice HR systems and process improvements to deliver improvements and provide tools to support managers to help them achieve their strategic objectives.

Principal Duties:

  1. To deploy an effective long-term HR Strategy which compliments the College’s Corporate Plan and establishes clear objectives and all necessary delivery mechanisms.
  2. To provide outstanding leadership of the HR function, ensuring that targets are met and performance improved, both on an individual and a team basis.
  3. To lead organisational development change programmes designed to ensure that services are developed and delivered in accordance with strategic aims and values of the College.
  4. To deliver advice, support and information by translating expert knowledge into an appropriate format, helping colleagues understand the options available and, where appropriate, making recommendations.
  5. To support and empower managers across the organisation to make sound HR related decisions.
  6. To help foster and maintain an organisational climate and culture which reflects the College’s strategic objectives and improves performance.
  7. To contribute to the development of a proactive and vibrant staff development programme which will develop capability at both individual and team levels in line with the College’s vision and Strategy and lead to organisational improvement and success.
  8. To lead strategies to develop and nurture talent within the organisation by implementing a proactive approach to succession planning and developing and improving people management skills across the College.
  9. To safeguard the Corporation from litigation.
  10. To effectively contribute to the College’s business planning processes to ensure the college resources are robust and we are in a position to anticipate and respond to changing educational landscape.
  11. To generate innovative and proactive solutions HR strategies and well-being initiatives.
  12. To develop policies and practices which enable the College to attract and retain the staff needed to support its growth and success.
  13. To build collaborative relationships with key partners to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HR.
  14. To maintain, develop and implement effective employee relationship frameworks, including working with recognised trade unions.
  15. To develop and implement effective remuneration strategy together with non-financial rewards.
  16. To lead by example, setting exemplary standards in professional standards and boundaries across the organisation.
  17. To deliver the College’s equality objectives, and reporting responsibilities as per legal requirements, but also develop a framework that is proactive and sector leading.
  18. To lead on the College’s safeguarding agenda in respect of staffing matters.

Duties of all Managers

  1. To support the College in its corporate endeavours and achievement of its Mission, Ambition and Strategic Plan.
  2. To produce an annual development plan for the HR service, to achieve agreed targets and to report achievement by means of an annual report.
  3. To undertake an annual HR service Self-Assessment exercise in order to monitor and evaluate HR service performance.
  4. To lead by example and provide visible demonstration of the Leadership and Management Charter.
  5. To establish and secure quality improvement and produce an annual Quality Improvement Plan.
  6. To assist in the recruitment and selection and be responsible for the development and performance review of HR staff.
  7. To manage budgets and resources effectively and efficiently.
  8. To establish effective communication within the HR service.
  9. To maintain and improve Health and Safety standards.

Closing date: 28th August 2018, 12pm (midday).

Interview date: 5th September 2018.


sIFR (short for "scalable Inman Flash Replacement") is a technique for rendering a portion of the text on a web page in a font that is not installed on the user's computer. It was originally developed to provide an alternative to the Microsoft Core Fonts, allowing web design to approach the level of font customization present in print design. sIFR accomplishes its custom font rendering by repackaging fonts as Flash files, and then dynamically reconstructing any text that is marked for replacement with scaled copies of each of the letters and symbols.

sIFR presented an improvement over conventional image replacement techniques because it allowed for easy resizing of text and preserved the original text in a hidden section of the site, allowing users to copy and paste content effectively and giving a more level standing to those who access the web with a screen reader. However, sIFR presents notable problems in that it creates very long page loads (any designer worth his salt is aware of the painfully large sizes of Flash files) and places substantial demands on the client computer when rendering the font. It is also rather cumbersome to recompile the fonts into a format that the sIFR engine can manipulate, but this problem is alleviated somewhat by the potential reuse of the files.

In recent times, Cufon has emerged as a competitor to sIFR, boasting higher speeds and simpler configuration options, as well as a lack of reliance on the proprietary Flash plugin. Nonetheless, sIFR remains an extremely popular method for replacing text on websites, and is expected to continue to flourish until the final realization of the @font-face CSS attribute is attained.


Hacked log (slashing/pierce debuff at beginning of pull)

I was looking through some logs to improve and I stumbled upon a group that had piercing and slashing debuffs already on the boss at 0:00 of a fight, providing a slight boost to their opener damage.

Looking through some other logs it appears it isn’t a common thing so I wanted to check the validity of these logs.

This might actually just be a reporting bug on my end.


Pashinyan Says Armenia and China Share Many Interests

Attending the opening of the Armenian-Chinese Friendship School in Yerevan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he hoped the school would serve as a bridge between the centuries-old cultures of the two peoples and allow Armenians to tap into the rich cultural legacy of the Chinese nation.

“What is it that connects our governments and peoples? If we look at a map, our countries are quite far apart, even in the context of the modern world that has grown smaller. It’s a strategic mentality that brings us closer. In the contemporary world, this mentality shows that Armenia and China share many interests, of which many are strategic in nature,” Pashinyan said in his remarks at the school’s opening.

Pashinyan said the new school symbolizes the opening of a new page in relations between the two countries.


Immersive Entertainment

Look Further

Gurukarma is reaching beyond traditional flat displays to bring visual entertainment to life.  The Oculus Rift from Oculus VR revolutionises 3D visual experiences with affordable, wearable virtual reality displays.

Move Inside

Gurukarma is embracing physical expression to transport natural movements inside entertainment experiences.  The Kinect from Microsoft redefines interactive expression with lounge room gesture, posture and motion tracking.

Feel More

Gurukarma combines leading technology, sight, sound and movement to create an altogether new experience that feels like the real world.

Integrated Technology

Gurukarma is an independent entertainment software development studio specialising in video games and casual entertainment.  Established in 2013 and accepted into the Microsoft BizSpark program in 2014.  Gurukarma integrates Oculus Rift, Microsoft Kinect and Unity3D to create truly engaging and immersive experiences that leave the mind wondering what is real and what is fantasy.

The name gurukarma is a combination of meaning from guru and karma. A guru imparts experiential wisdom; they are a teacher who fosters true and powerful realisations in a student.  They dispel the darkness of ignorance.  Karma reflects interconnectedness and causality: "that which you do to others will be done to you"; "what you do is what you become".

Through entertainment software and casual games Gurukarma will foster a depth of understanding and realisation of the connections between all that we were, all that we are and all that we will be.

Copyright 2014, Gurukarma
All rights reserved


The Baltic Dry Index Explodes Despite Economic Uncertainty

The Baltic Dry Index leaped 3.143% or 56 points to settle at 1,838. There is some economic uncertainty in the developed world, but it does not seem to bother marine transportation rates.

1) Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha Limited updated its earnings guidance. The firm expects the following 12-month results: revenue of JPY 21 billion, operating profit of JPY 570 million, and net profit of JPY 550 million.

2) Oslo Bors who holds power to supervise a take-over approved an offer by GC Rieber AS to acquire all shares of GC Rieber Shipping ASA at NOK 31 per share.

3) Century Logistics Holdings Berhad has issued new stock due to warrant conversion. The new shares amount to 2,600 with an issue price of 1 Malaysian ringgits per share.


When police arrest you, first you will be taken to jail. Thereafter, however, a number of things can happen. If for instance, bail is determined in your case and you post the bail, then you are released based on the promise that you will turn up in court during the arraignment. In such a case, the district attorney will inform you when you need to come to court for the arraignment. If you have questions at this point in time, it’s best to clear these with your San Diego criminal defense lawyer.

Your prosecutor must press charges against you within a period of 48 hours, after the arrest. However, if the prosecutor decides not to file charges against you, then you are released immediately.

If charges are pressed against you, you will find out at an arraignment. An arraignment is your very first court appearance after the arrest. This is an important step in the judicial proceedings against you. In court, the judge will inform you about the charges that have been filed against you, and will also inform you about your constitutional rights under the law. By this time, you must already have hired a San Diego criminal defense attorney. An arraignment is also when you will enter a plea. You can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

This is exactly why it’s very important to get in touch with a San Diego criminal defense lawyer as soon as you arrested. A lawyer will be able to take steps to negotiate with prosecutors to get charges against you either dropped or lowered. That will make a significant impact in your case, and could even mean that you are released immediately if charges are dropped.

What Is A Trial?

If you have been arrested, and charged with a criminal offense, then you have the right to a trial. During the trial, a judge or a jury will decide your innocence or guilt. You may decide that you want a test by a court in which a judge will decide on your case. You could also decide to have a test by jury in which a jury of your peers will be able to decide in your case.

Remember, you need to first decide which of these options you want to choose. Discuss with your San Diego criminal defense lawyer if you want to have a jury trial by your peers, or a court trial. Depending on your case, your Diego Jose criminal defense lawyer may decide that a jury test by some of your peers is much more likely to result in justice for you, than a court trial. In such cases, you may choose to have a jury trial. In other cases, your attorney may decide to go ahead with a court trial.

If you decide to have a test by jury, then a jury will have to be selected in your case. The jury will be selected by a team that includes your attorneys, and who will ask potential jurors a number of questions in order to eliminate users who may already have some bias against cases like yours. Potential jurors who already have knowledge about your case, or have some kind of mental bias against you, must be eliminated from the screening process. Remember, selection of the jury is an extremely complex task and a critical part of your case.

When you stand for trial, you’re automatically presumed to be innocent until you either plead guilty before the trial, or until you are convicted by the court or by the jury. In a trial, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor to prove that you are guilty, and he must provide enough evidence to prove your guilt beyond doubt.

Civil vs. Criminal Cases

Our legal system is comprised of two very different types of cases, Criminal and Civil.  Crimes are generally offenses against the state, and are accordingly prosecuted by the state.  Civil cases on the other hand, are typically disputes between individuals concerning the legal duties and responsibilities they owe one another.

The Basic Difference:

Criminal Case: The State (Government) files a process to punish someone, known as the defendant, for committing a crime.  If the defendant is found guilty of a crime, they may be sentenced to jail or prison. Even though the crime may be committed by one person against another, it is considered as an offense to society as a whole, thereby the state is involved in the prosecution.

Civil Case: An individual or a business sues another person or business because of a disagreement between them, usually involving money. The state does not get involved and the wronged party files the suit on their own behalf.  If someone loses a civil process, they may be ordered to pay the other side money or give up property.  They will not go to jail for losing the case.

Other key differences between a criminal process and a civil process:

  • In a Criminal Case the government must prove the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt”.  In a Civil Case   the plaintiff must prove his or her case by a “preponderance of the evidence” (more than 50 percent). The plaintiff’s side of the process needs to be slightly more convincing than the other  side.
  • In a criminal case, if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint an attorney without cost. In a civil process, if a party cannot afford a lawyer, they have to represent themselves.  There are no court appointed lawyers in a civil offenses cases.
  • Criminal cases almost always allow for a trial by jury.  Civil cases do allow juries in some instances, but many civil cases will be decided by a judge.
  • Because Criminal cases have greater consequences, there are protections in place, (e.g., the 5thAmendment to help you avoid self-incrimination; illegal search and seizure under the 4th amendment) Many of these well-known protections are not available to a defendant in a civil process.

When you need an experienced San Diego criminal defense lawyer, call the Law Offices of Elliott N. Kanter at 619-330-5881 or simply fill out or secure mailing form for a quick reply.  You initial consultation is at no cost, and there is no obligation.  We are here to help you with all your legal questions.  Don’t hesitate to call.

Remember, the time to get in touch with a San Diego criminal defense attorney is not after charges have been filed, but as soon as you are arrested.


Color 6 is a deceptively simple puzzler. Seven colors. Six shapes. Make six-sided figures of the same colors on a grid. And yes, in terms of gameplay, the process of laying pieces on the board is nothing complex. But the game itself with its heavy emphasis on RNG, requires some serious thought and manipulation to succeed at if you want to get anywhere near a high score. You have a limited number of moves, and dozens of possible pieces that can come down that conveyor belt. The odds of you actually getting a piece you need when you need it are slim.

Though the randomness of the pieces in your hand will more often than not be the determining factor in where and how your run ends, there are plenty of things you can do on the board to stave off the creeping jaws of defeat for as long as possible. Here are a few Color 6 tips, cheats and strategies to maximize your hexagons.

Be a Wallflower

Color 6 Tips, Cheats and Strategies

Though the board will likely shift repeatedly throughout your run, set up your initial tile placement so that you have six hexagons against the walls, ideally one of each color. You can use the image above for a guide, mimicking the placement of the edge hexagons. This gives you more room to maneuver as you start to fill up the board, and is a good set-up for the ideal placement that allows you to have as many open hexagons on the board as possible later.

If necessary, with that placement, you can fit a total of four more possible hexagons in the middle. I came close in the image below, but the center-left dark blue hexagon would need to be moved up a row and one space to the left to accommodate another below it. Of course, you don’t want to have that many open hexagons on the board at once, because that leaves you absolutely no room for piece overlap or error. But it’s a possibility, should you need to exercise it.

Stay Open to Change

Color 6 Tips, Cheats and Strategies

Whenever possible, point your possible hexagons “outward,” so that the open space where you’re still missing pieces faces an opening. In a perfect world, you’d match all pieces with another piece that fit them exactly, but Color 6 is not that perfect world. You will often need to use pieces that will leave some overlap and other pieces behind, and when that happens, you usually don’t want those extra pieces hugging an edge. You also want to ensure that’s an option at all, as facing your pieces toward a wall is a surefire way to trap yourself into having fewer options for completing a hexagon.

Oh My God I Have Nothing but Big Triangles

Color 6 Tips, Cheats and Strategies

Big Triangles.  They’re the WORST. They’re the only piece that doesn’t fit perfectly into a hexagon, and always leaves a little triangle leftover. What to do with Big Triangles? It’s inevitable that your hand will be full of them at some point during the game.

The trick with Big Triangles is to be keenly aware of what will be leftover when you’re done with them. There are essentially two options: a trapezoid (if you use one point to fill in a single triangle space), and a little triangle (if you butt a side up against a trapezoid). Neither of those are bad things on their own, but given how you’ll have to use the Big Triangle, they’ll almost certainly put a leftover in an undesirable spot. The best time to use a Big Triangle is when you can quickly clear its leftovers off the board with another piece. Don’t horde the triangles until you have no other options left. Be aware of what they’re going to do, and try to clear them quickly to make room for pieces we actually like.

Anything but Refreshing

Refreshing a new piece into your hand is a dangerous game, as it takes up a precious turn and you have absolutely no idea what you’ll get. When there’s space on the board and moves to spare, there’s rarely a reason to do it. And when you get stuck, refreshing can hurt you more than it helps. Refresh with extreme caution–there’s a balance somewhere in between that early game flexibility and late game panic where refreshing may help you avoid creating bad situations, but it’s tough to gauge.

Know When It’s Over

Color 6 Tips, Cheats and Strategies

There will be a point where you know the game is over. Your board is full of nonsense pieces overlapping one another, you don’t have any good pieces in your hand, and things just look hopeless. Do not go out easily. When you hit this point, it’s time to just start making as many hexagons as you can, even if they don’t quite make sense with your carefully laid board plan. But you want a high score, right? So make some freaking hexagons. At worst, you go out with a higher score than you thought you would. At best, you gain enough extra moves, clear enough board, and have enough good luck to keep the game moving when you thought it was over.

And on that note, too, know when your moves are getting low, even if your board looks good. Planning spaces ahead is important, but so is, you know, actually scoring. If you’re high on space but low on moves, don’t be afraid to make some weird hexagons to get things moving again.


Mourning Peek #43

Lead Designer Dan Antonescu begins a look at the character development system in the Quad and Newrosoft title.

Includes two exclusive 1280x1024 screenshots

Mourning's Character Building System
Part 1 - Things that should make us wise...

One of the biggest differences between role-playing games and any other genre is the way the players influence the gameworld. In other genres, the biggest difference is made mostly by player's instant reactions to the gameworld's environment and changes, while in role-playing games, the biggest difference is made by the player's constant choices during the game, which the influences are "stored" in his game character.

a skill system... should be somewhat limited, allowing players to make choices when building their characters and assuring diversity.

Basically, it is a sort of trade that switches the game's gameplay mechanics from dealing with unexpected situations via the player's speed of reaction to solving them with the knowledge and comprehension gained during his previous in-game experiences, which are stored in his character. This difference is also a reason for why many RPG players prefer third-person character representation. In this way, it's easier for them to project themselves and see their in-game character as an evolving one.

RPGs use experience points as a system to represent a player's gained experience during his gaming sessions, with this experience being stored by the player in his character as improved attributes and skills or new gained ones. The way these experience points are used by the player in customizing his in-game character's attributes are one of the important building blocks for the RPG genre, and the most loved characteristic of these games next to the storyline. Take them away from an RPG player, and you'll have him hating the game pretty soon!

Considering all of this, a totally open skill system would surely be fun, but just for a while! Why? Because all the characters will be the same, having the same gameplay characteristics and therefore taking away the customizing pleasure that all of the RPG players are looking for, making the game one in which the player's speed of reaction is far more important than the way he built his character. This is why a skill system used in an RPG should be somewhat limited, allowing players to make choices when building their characters and assuring diversity. Making a game in which the only important aspect is the way the player character is built is not very desirable; the best games are the ones that balance these two parts.

There are many ways to implement skill system limitations in a game. How we did this for Mourning and why -you'll find out in our next peeks. See you then!

Dan Antonescu
Lead Designer


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The infinity symbol has become an incredibly popular design for jewelry, tattoos and artwork. Don’t worry, tattoo owners…it isn’t going the cliché route of the tribal armband. Whether you have an infinity necklace, tattoo or painting, you are in possession of something special and powerful.

But do you know what it really means?

To understand this, we first have to explain where the infinity symbol came from and what it was originally used for. Since the 17th century, this symbol has gained many different significant meanings over time that you might not know about.

For those of you that have been living under a fashion rock and not yet basked in the glory of this new trend don’t fret, having shot to the forefront of fashion in recent years there are no signs of the infinity jewelry trend slowing down. Many people enjoy adding an infinity necklace or an infinity bracelet to their daily ensemble. The meaning behind an infinity necklace is actually quite beautiful - it symbolizes eternity, empowerment, and everlasting love. To anyone, the infinity symbol can mean different things. So what is it about this symbol that continues to make it so popular?

Infinity Jewelry - The Symbol Origins

Though the infinity symbol can be traced back to mystics roots in Tibetan and Indian cultures, it is best known for its origins as an expression of an infinite sum in Mathematics. Derived from the Latin word infinitas, literally meaning ‘unboundedness’, the infinity sign as we recognize it in modern times was discovered in 1655 by mathematician John Wallis. Wallis coined the term to represent a number that had no end, it was infinite.

Infinity as a representation of eternal love and strength can also be seen in the Celtic cross, whose infinity-inspired shape is symbolic of spiritual love. Lastly, the Ouroborus, part of ancient Egyptian culture, designated as a snake biting its own tail, represents in the relation between beginnings and endings - one cannot exist without the other, creating an everlasting circle.

The mathematical meaning is still one use of the symbol today. The symbol is sometimes referred to as a lemniscate, because of its shape. Lemniscate is derived from a Latin word that means "decorated with ribbons," which makes sense as the infinity symbol looks a lot like a pretty bow. The infinity shape has no end or beginning, much like a circle, and it is divided into two halves.

The Infinity Symbol Today

In addition to its use in mathematics, the infinity symbol is used to represent several abstract concepts. The symbol is commonly used as an expression of endless love or hope.

As exciting as math is, the more heartwarming interpretations are responsible for the popularization of the symbol. It can also represent limitless opportunity, and to many, it is synonymous with loyalty.

An infinity symbol implies that something will last forever, whatever it may be. Many people put infinity symbols on their wedding bands to signify their love will never end.

Others use it to represent the faith they have in God, as the symbol is not specific to one religion. If you bought an infinity necklace for a friend, it could indicate that your friendship will never end.

Some say the infinity symbol is divided into two sections to represent two individuals, elements, or aspects of an individual. This makes it a great gift for couples, or people going through a time of introspection.

The shape has no beginning or end and could be imagined as either a bent circle or two separate but connected teardrop shapes.

Infinity Name Necklace: The Purpose Today

In the case of our jewelry, the infinity symbol denotes the limitless futures of women rescued from slavery.  The infinity necklace aligns with all of Purpose Jewelry’s motives and embodies true hope and opportunity.

To rescued women, the infinity symbol represents much more than a numerical value. It is so much more than a sideways eight. An infinity necklace is a beautiful piece of wearable art that reminds them their lives are not over, and that anything is still possible. Our infinity necklace is handcrafted by a survivor of modern day slavery and can bring meaning and value to anyone who wears it.

Given its powerful meaning, infinity jewelry makes not only the perfect gift but also the perfect addition to your collection. Combine it with your own unique personalization and you have a piece that is not only stylish or timeless but can also be entrusted with acting as an eternal keepsake and memento of your love and relationships. The most popular immortalization of the infinity symbol can be seen in the classic Infinity Name Necklace, the evolution of which has seen it further developed into Double Infinity and Vertical Infinity an even Heart Infinity Necklace designs.

A Look At Infinity Rings

While a ring itself can be seen as symbolic of eternal love and commitment, combine it with the infinity design and you have created more than just another piece of jewelry but rather something with a story that can be cherished forever. Infinity Rings can be designed with a name or birthstones as a personal touch, embedded with Cubic Zirconia for that extra sparkle or created with a double infinity symbol; that which is infamous from the popular Revenge T.V series, for a unique design that has an even deeper meaning.

You can order our INFINITY NAME NECKLACE or INFINITY NAME RINGS here to support the lives of women who are survivors of sex trafficking.

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Ladder Control

If you have a ladder you carry around from project to project, it often takes a couple of tries to find the right spot to grab it so it balances in a horizontal position. To solve this trial-and-error handling, do this: Grab one side and adjust your hand until the ladder balances. Then put a dab of bright paint or tape on that spot. Then you will always know exactly where to grab the ladder to move it.


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Munich, the city that hosts Oktoberfest, is the capital of the region of Bavaria and the third-largest city in Germany. It is located in the south of the country, with Nuremburg to the north and the Austrian border to the south. Visitors can travel by train to Munich from Frankfurt in 6h18mins, and a train journey to Munich from Berlin takes 6h12mins. The station has good connections to other cities in Germany, as well as other European destinations, and the station is served by the Deutsche Bahn Inter-City Express service. Visitors arriving in Munich by train will find themselves in the city centre, close to Marienplatz, in one of Germany’s largest railway stations.

Visiting Munich

To start with the famous Glockenspiel in Marienplatz, visitors should head east on foot from Munich train station, walking for 15 minutes. Here, they can admire the famous performance of colourful figurines dancing, jousting and twirling. The 12-minute performance, representing Munich’s history, takes place daily at 11am and noon. The New Town Hall is also in Marienplatz, but many mistake it for the Old Town Hall because it is an intricate and ornate Gothic building, dating back to the 19th century. The Old Town Hall is a more colourful and picturesque structure, built in the late 15th century. Visitors can take a trip to the top of the tower for great views over the city.

Munich’s museum district is another must-visit for those wanting to explore the city. All it takes is a 20-minute walk north-west from the station. The Kunstareal (art) district includes the Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek, and the Pinakothek der Moderne, covering classical, Impressionist, modern and contemporary collections of art, amongst others. As if that wasn’t enough art and culture for one day, the cluster includes even more museums!

There are plenty of places to eat in Munich, whether visitors are looking for a quick bite or a sophisticated sit-down dinner. But, for atmosphere and tradition, heading back towards Marienplatz is a popular option. Here, there are lots of chances to sample the city’s emblematic Weisswurst (white sausage), which should, of course, be accompanied by Weissbier Bavarian wheat beer! Visitors who are in the city for the legendary Oktoberfest will, undoubtedly, have endless opportunities to sample more of the 40 types and 4,000 brands of Bavarian beer.

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The iCitizen App Allows You to Target Your Interests

 - Nov 27, 2014
References: icitizen & refinery29
The iCitizen app is a "non-partisan platform" that allows users to stay up-to-date with political news and information.

In this hyper-accelerated digital world, finding information that is relevant to your interests can be overwhelming. The iCitizen app allows you to choose what issues are most important to you, and then tracks them accordingly. Moreover, the app shows you how your elected representatives vote on them, all the while collecting your own input. There is also a social aspect to the app, in which users can encourage their friends to contribute their thoughts and opinions on any given issue.

The app makes sure you have current, pertinent information on a wide range of topics, allowing you to form a knowledgeable, well-rounded opinion.


Penguins: Spy in the Huddle

Penguins - Spy in the Huddle

PBS premiered a 3-part mini-series called Penguins: Spy in the Huddle on Wednesday night and OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS SO AMUSING! Researchers made animatronic penguin cameras and sent them out to mingle with real penguins to get a better sense of what penguin life is like. Here’s the description of the show from PBS’s website:

If you missed the first episode, you can stream it online on PBS’s website. The next two parts will be available on PBS over the next two Wednesdays at 8pm.

Understanding the Origins of Morality

I saw a really interesting segment on 60 Minutes tonight about using babies to understand the origins of morality. Researchers enacted various scenarios using “good guy” puppets and “bad guy” puppets and then let the babies choose one of the two puppets. Researchers also experimented with punishing “bad guy” puppets and introducing puppets who were like and unlike the babies to see how they reacted.

Another interesting experiment involved older children and the concepts of greed and generosity. The children were faced with two options; in each, the child would receive a certain number of tokens and “some other kid” would receive a certain amount of coins. Given the options of 1. One coin for themselves & no coins for the other kid and 2. Two coins for each of the kids, young kids consistently picked the first option, even though they got fewer coins. The study showed that as children get older, they learn to be more generous and less selfish.

I’m not sure if the researchers’ results are conclusive. The “good guy” and “bad guy” puppets wore different colored shirts. It could be that the babies just favor one color over the other. Or maybe the babies tend to favor puppets on the right instead of the left. There wasn’t enough information about the experiments to see if the researchers considered factors like these. Nevertheless, I found it interesting to watch.

Click the image below to watch the 60 Minutes segment:

Babies help unlock the origins of morality

Learning from Slime Mold

This is an amazing documentary about the research computer scientists are doing on slime mold. They are using the slime mold to solve maze and networking problems and even operate robots.

In one experiment, oat flakes were placed on a dish to represent the major cities around Tokyo and the slime mold was placed in the corresponding location for Tokyo. The mold created a network between the oat flakes that was strikingly similar to Tokyo’s rail system. My complaint about the experiment was that it did not seem to take topography into consideration, but I looked into it and they used light to simulate mountains, water, and other obstacles. Neat!