It’s time to get the February Upromise coupons loaded on your cards for Publix, Winn Dixie, Rite Aid and CVS. I love Upromise because I don’t have to print or clip any coupons since they load directly to my rewards card, but the best part is that every time I use one I’m also adding to my kids’ college fund 🙂 It’s free to join and you just can’t beat a deal where you get paid back for using coupons. You get to designate who gets the college money – it can be for you, for your child or grandchild. All you have to do is sign up and put in the numbers on your rewards cards, plus other people (like grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends) can also register their cards to add to your account if they’d like. In addition to earning rewards on your grocery shopping you can also earn rewards on gas, travel, online shopping and at your favorite restaurants.<|endoftext|>The Syrian Refugee Art Therapy Project: Colors of Love – January 4th – February 18th, 2016 – produced by Chime-In International Youth Ambassador program and The Voices of the Children


Many children across the globe have had their innocence stolen from them. All children have the right to a childhood. With the tremendous incline of refugees worldwide, post trauma therapy is in a larger demand than ever before. The war remains within the human psyche until


1256590  Schupp, a Democrat from Creve Coeur, is pleased with many of the changes. As for the new website, she said it will be helpful -- if interns know enough about it.


After the resignations of Rep. John Diehl, R-Town and Country, and Sen. Paul LeVota, D- Independence, earlier this year following realizations of sexually explicit texts and advances toward college-aged interns, the public’s eye has turned not just to the political decisions of Missouri lawmakers but the culture in Jefferson City as well.


Missouri House members will have to undergo training to prevent sexual harassment every year and are barred from engaging in romantic fraternization with staff and interns.


The House committee on administration and accounts voted 6-1 to adopt the policies, which take effect immediately.<|endoftext|>Travelers in a foreign country have two options — they can learn the culture and blend in, or they can fake it until they make it. And while it’s impossible to know which strategy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took on his official visit to India, it’s clear he didn’t make it.


Trudeau’s eight-day trip, which earned the headlines calling it everything from eyebrow-raising to a “total disaster,” featured embarrassing moments from the cold initial greeting onward. In one concerning moment, Trudeau accidentally invited an Indian extremist convicted of attempted murder in 1986 to an official state dinner.


But by far the most visible misstep on the trip was the prime minister’s choice of dress — traditional Indian wear — for the vast majority his time in the country. Critics online found Trudeau’s wardrobe over-the-top, excessively pandering and potentially indicative of a lack of understanding of Indian culture beyond the surface level.


“FYI we Indians don’t dress like this every day sir, not even in Bollywood,” Twitter user Omar Abdullah wrote last Tuesday.


Though it probably came from a place of good intentions, Trudeau’s choice to wear formal, traditional Indian attire throughout his visit to the country underscores a troubling pattern of skin-deep commitment to diversity and inclusion — both in Trudeau’s personal policy history and among other mainstream liberals.


It’s vital that liberals work toward policies that actually have a positive impact on systematic racial and other social inequalities. Over the course of his eight days in India, Trudeau reportedly spent just half a day working on official business — not exactly the most constructive use of time or resources.


Vivek Dehejia, an economics professor at Carleton University, suggested the trip and Trudeau’s elaborate dress-up might have been intended less to pursue a policy goal than to obtain a PR payoff in advance of Canada’s next federal elections.


“A cynic might suggest that the main benefit of this trip is boosting the esteem of the Prime Minister in the eyes of Canada’s large Indian diaspora,” Dehejia told the Hindustan Times.


All too often, garnering votes or other shows of public support seem to be the ultimate goal of diversity initiatives — whether in Canada, Pittsburgh or Washington, D.C. Whether or not the accusation against Trudeau is accurate, it’s still true that both Canada and the United States face an alarming lack of inclusivity in society at large, despite the fact that “diversity” has become a buzzword for all kinds of public institutions.


If Trudeau and other members of Canadian and American societies want to address the concerns of immigrant communities in North America, they might start with a look inward at addressing continuing racialized attitudes in our communities. The incident of hate crimes in the United States against South Asian and other immigrant communities has exploded since the current administration’s inauguration last year. Even in Canada, with its reputation for liberal political attitudes, minority candidates for public office still routinely endure racist opposition.


If working for real racial inclusion in our societies was as easy as a white prime minister putting on Indian clothes, we wouldn’t still be facing the problems of systematic racial inequality. That only comes with real commitment to the issues.


Pure Storage, a Silicon Valley based startup that sells flash-based enterprise storage arrays, announced that it has filed its S-1 with the SEC, firing the starter’s pistol on its run to an IPO. It intends to list with stock ticker symbol PSTG.


Pure has previously raised a $470 million from a variety of investors including Greylock Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and Samsung Ventures. According to the company, its April 2014 raising of $225 million valued the company at over $3 billion. In my estimation, this implies that any IPO will value the company at somewhere between $5 billion and $10 billion for investors to receive a decent return on investment.


Pure’s numbers show total revenues of $174 million for fiscal year 2015, total operating expenses of $277 million, and a net loss of $183 million. Compared to a year ago, fiscal 2014 is listed as total revenue of $42 million, total operating expenses of $97 million, and a net loss of $79 million. That’s revenue growth of nearly 400% in a year, and an increase in net loss of just over 200%, so things seem to be moving in the right direction.


R&D and sales and marketing expenses are around three times what they were last year, so Pure seem to be investing in new products as well as telling people about them. Good products and good marketing go hand in hand, so these are encouraging signs.


The company announced its latest product line, the FlashArray//m, in June 2015, which looks like a solid product that solves real customer problems in a decent way. When the product was announced I drew a somewhat cheeky comparison to Cisco’s venerable 6500 product line, my point being that Cisco made scads of money for a very long time with the 6500 series.


The FlashArray//m still lacks features found in competitor products, like multi-tenancy and QoS, but that provides room for product development, something you definitely want to see in a company about to go public.


I also think that this marks the start of a run to IPO for several other storage startups who have taken lots of investment money. With VMworld just around the corner, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see another one or two IPO run announcements by the end of the year.


Mayor Bloomberg may be taking his most trusted NYPD bodyguards with him to the private sector, in an attempt to buy their silence.


Law enforcement sources told the New York Post the Mayor wants his security team, that consists of at least 15 cops, to go with him because they’ve been with him so long and know him personally.


The cops will receive a pretty penny. The reports say the cops could be pocketing cushy pensions and new six figure salaries to continue serving the outgoing Mayor.


Pingback: Ray Kelly’s security detail when he leaves office to cost taxpayers $1.5M a year: report | PIX 11<|endoftext|>My fellow Elegant Coder Jan Van Ryswyck wrote about Craftmanship Over Crap. I generally agree with his point of view. Writing good, clean code is tremendously important for the long term survival chances of any software project. But i also believe that we sometimes need to be a bit more pragmatic about how we solve a problem.


A software developer’s primary goal should be to create value for the users of a system. Value can mean a lot of things here. First and foremost, it should be about things that users actually experience. Features, ease of use, performance, etc. You can get all of those with crappy code, but that leads to a situation where you won’t be able to sustain that value in the long term. A system can be very useful to its users, but if the code is in such bad shape that it can’t easily be maintained and extended with new features over time, the value of the system will slowly reduce. New features will introduce new bugs. Bug fixes will introduce new bugs. Eventually, the system starts to collapse under its own rot and the dreaded rewrite commences. Nobody really wants this, do they? If you write good, clean code from the beginning, you can usually avoid these problems.


A lot of opinionated developers claim that a true craftsman developer will never write a piece of bad code. In an ideal world, i would agree. These same developers also look down on people who implement a quick fix instead of looking for the proper solution. Again, in an ideal world i would agree with that. In the real world however, i’m not so sure if that’s always the best thing to do.


Those of you who’ve been reading my posts for a while know how important clean code is to me. I generally hate crappy code and i generally hate quick fixes that don’t fix the real problem. Then again, i do realize that we sometimes need to put our principles aside in order to be able to deliver value to our users.


Allow me to use an example to defend my position on this. I recently had to fix a nasty bug in NHibernate. Once i found the true reason for the bug’s existence i had two options to fix it. The correct solution would have required me to modify some crucial parts in NHibernate. The easiest fix required me to modify one non-essential class in a manner that couldn’t impact anything else.


Certainly, a true craftsman would go for the best solution, right? Well, let me tell you something about the NHibernate code base… it’s pretty big, it’s quite complex, and it’s been worked on by a lot of people over the


1256591  too early is not a good thing because his ablity haven't been triggered,and you will never draw the 2nd one which is useless,but I'm not sure it's suitable for this atypical outland deck.


If you are under 21 years of age, or if it is illegal to view adult material in your community, PLEASE LEAVE NOW.


We can't be held responsible for your actions. We are not acting in any way to send you this information; you are choosing to receive it. Continuing further means that you understand and accept responsibility for your own actions, thus releasing the creators, owners and service provider of this Web site from all liability.<|endoftext|>And that is exactly the feeling I get when I can give someone an amazingly beautiful Golden Go Brown glow 😍🌟


My passion is within the Fitness and Beauty Industry and I love making people feel pretty and confident about themselves.


ATTENTION ❣❣ I combined these two pictures of one of my beautiful brides to show you what an amazingly big difference just a spray tan and different hairstyle can make 👰🏻


The trial on the the left - we did a middle path with a vertical curl, a rosy eye look and NO spray tan &


The trial on the right - I did a horizontal curl with volume and the hair to one side, a different eye look and I gave her a spray tan the day before 😍


She was extremely happy with the look with the spray tan and decided to go with that one for her special day 💃🏼<|endoftext|>PURPOSE: To obtain an alcohol in high yield, by reacting a substrate liquid with an immobilized yeast which is being rotated.


CONSTITUTION: The immobilized yeast 10 in the form of a plate, is immersed in a substrate liquid consisting of raw material sugar, e.g. molases or sucrose, in the reactor 11 and notated. An inert gas is passed through the distribution plate 15 and fed from the bottom of the reactor 11 in the form of bubbles. The substrate liquid and bubbles are agitated by the rotating yeast 10, and the three phases are brought into contact with one another evenly. The inert gas bubbles and formed carbon dioxide rise and are fed from the vent hole 19 to the cooler 25. The substrate liquid in the reactor 11 is fed from the outlet 17 through the circulation path 33 to the inlet 18 and circulated by a given portion. At the constatn alcohol concentration, the alcohol is taken out of the path 35.


An internal call/return stack (CRS) correction apparatus in a pipelined microprocessor is disclosed. Each time the microprocessor updates the CRS in response to a call or return instruction (call/ret), the microprocessor also stores correction information into a first correction stack. The microprocessor includes two distinct stages that detect invalidating events, such as a branch misprediction or exception. Once a call/ret passes the first detecting stage, the correction information associated with that call/ret is moved from the first correction stack to a second correction stack. If an invalidating event is detected at the upper detecting stage, then only the correction information in the first stack is used to correct the CRS. However, if an invalidating event is detected at the lower detecting stage, then the correction information in both the first and second stack is used to correct the CRS.


This invention relates in general to the field of call/return stacks in microprocessors and particularly to maintaining consistency of a call/return stack with main memory. [0002]


A microprocessor is a digital device that executes instructions specified by a computer program. Modern microprocessors employ an internal call/return stack to reduce pipeline bubbles introduced by lengthy memory accesses associated with call and return instructions. [0003]


A call instruction comprises an instruction that changes the flow of a program to a subroutine, whose address is specified in the call instruction. When a call instruction is executed, the return address, i.e., the address of the instruction after the call instruction, is pushed onto a stack in main memory pointed to by a stack pointer register in the microprocessor, and the address of the subroutine is loaded into the instruction pointer register of the microprocessor. A return instruction comprises an instruction that changes the flow of a program from the subroutine back to the instruction following the call instruction in the program. When a return instruction is executed, the return address previously pushed onto the stack is popped from the main memory stack and loaded into the instruction pointer register. [0004]


In a microprocessor that incorporates a call/return stack, when a call instruction executes, the return address is pushed onto the call/return stack to enable instruction fetching to continue, and later stages of the pipeline subsequently update the main memory stack with the return address. Conversely, when a return instruction executes, the return address is popped from the call/return stack to enable instruction fetching to continue, without having to wait for the relatively lengthy retrieval of the return address from the main memory stack. [0005]


The effectiveness of a call/return stack is largely determined by the ability of the processor to keep the call/return stack consistent with main memory. Inconsistencies between the main memory and the call/return stack may be introduced by speculative updates of the call/return stack in response to call or return instructions. An update of the call/return stack may be speculative because an instruction ahead of the call/return in the pipeline causes an invalidating event, such as generating an exception, for example, which requires the pipeline to flush all the instructions behind the exception-causing instruction, including speculatively executed call/return instructions. Similarly, a branch instruction executing ahead of call/return instructions may have been mispredicted, which might require the pipeline to flush the speculatively executed call/return instructions. Because the call/return stack has been speculatively updated in response to the call/return instructions, but the main memory stack has not yet been updated until the call/return instructions are no longer speculative, the contents of the call/return stack and the contents of the main memory stack are inconsistent. [0006]


U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,514, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING AN INTERNAL CALL/RETURN STACK IN A MICROPROCESSOR THAT SPECULATIVELY EXECUTES CALL AND RETURN INSTRUCTIONS, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes a method and apparatus for keeping a call/return stack consistent with main memory in spite of speculative call/return instruction executions. However, the apparatus described in the Patent operates in a microprocessor in which a branch instruction misprediction is detected from only a single stage in the microprocessor pipeline, and will not operate effectively in a microprocessor that takes exceptions or detects branch instruction mispredictions from multiple stages of the pipeline. [0007]


Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus for correcting an internal call/return stack in a microprocessor that detects incorrect speculative execution of call/return instructions from multiple pipeline stages. [0008]


The present invention provides a segmented correction apparatus that keeps the correction information for a speculative call/return instruction in different segments depending upon the location of the call/return within the pipeline, thereby enabling selective correction based on the stage in which the call/return instruction resides at the time of the detection of the invalidating event relative to the stage that detects the invalidating event. In one aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for correcting a call/return stack in a pipelined microprocessor. The apparatus includes a first stack, having a first plurality of entries for storing correction information related to call or return instructions present in a first plurality of stages of the microprocessor pipeline. The apparatus also includes a second stack, coupled to the first stack, having a second plurality of entries for storing correction information related to call or return instructions present in a second plurality of stages of the microprocessor pipeline. The apparatus also includes control logic, coupled to the first and second stacks, for receiving a control signal indicating a call or return instruction is passing from the first plurality of stages to the second plurality of stages. The control logic moves the correction information associated with the call or return instruction from the first stack to the second stack in response to the control signal. [0009]


In another aspect, the present invention provides a pipelined microprocessor. The microprocessor includes a call/return stack (CRS). The microprocessor also includes first and second pipeline stages, for generating a true value on first and second signals, respectively, in response to detection of a misprediction of a branch instruction present in the first and second pipeline stage, respectively. The first stage is above the second stage in the pipeline. The microprocessor also includes an apparatus, coupled to receive the first and second signals, for maintaining first information related to call or return instructions present in stages of the pipeline above the first stage, and for maintaining second information related to call or return instructions present in stages of the pipeline between the first and second stages. The apparatus is configured to selectively correct the CRS using the first information if the first signal is true, or the first and second information if the second signal is true. [0010]


In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for maintaining consistency between a call/return stack (CRS) in a pipelined microprocessor and a memory coupled thereto. The method includes receiving requests to update the CRS in response to a presence of call or return instructions. The method also includes storing correction information into a first buffer, in response to the receiving. The method also includes detecting a condition in which one of the call or return instructions has proceeded past a first stage of the microprocessor pipeline configured to detect a branch instruction misprediction, after the storing. The method also includes moving a portion of the correction information from


1256592  allowing those areas to cultivate a discontent. I allowed them to lay stagnant, but then God provided a few humbling experiences. The first was our pastor's sermon from a couple of weeks ago. It was everything I have been learning in the last year, summed up in one sermon. It was on the sanctity of marriage and the beauty of single-hood. How many churches preach that it is healthy, even good to be single? Our pastor preached that being single is God's greatest for our lives right now. And that as a Christian our greatest goal is to expand the kingdom of God and bring glory to His name. Marriage is not our end goal. Heaven is our end goal.


I am so often fed up with the "stay-at-home daughters" that seem to be prevalent in my small group of friends. I'm not a feminist. I believe there are specific roles for women and men. I believe that God has designed all of us with unique places on His battlefield. I have a hard time seeing where staying at home for the sake of finding a husband is God's purpose in our lives. As women, our lives don't end with marriage. Our husbands will not be our spouses in heaven. If that is so than why are our only focuses on being wives? I know that whom ever I marry will be apart of my mission field. I know that when that part of my life begins, my first mission field is in my home. I am called to be a virtuous wife. And when I have kids I know that they will be my direct expansion of the kingdom of heaven. But what about now? What is my purpose? Where am I on that battlefield? I don't want to sit at home pining over who I might marry. That is God's timing. And constantly hoping will make it worse. It will cause our attention to be caught up in passing joys of this life when we should be focused on eternity.


I am thankful for my time at home. I love my family, and every time I leave I realize just how special they are to me. But it doesn't take 20+ years to learn how to keep a house. And there is only so much you can learn about parenting or marriage without actually being a parent or spouse. So girls, what is your mission? Why are you here? Who are you called to serve? I've known for years that I'm called to be on the mission field, serving pregnant women. That mission field might be here in the U.S. but it might also be out in the bushes of Africa or from a villa in Europe. Where ever it is, I don't want to waste this time. Singleness is God's greatest for me right now. So I want to use this time I have been blessed with to serve God.


Another way that I was challenged this week was to really figure out how much of my parents beliefs were my own. Do I agree with reformed theology? Do I agree with paedobaptism? If you know how passionate my parents were on these issues then you wont find it a surprise that I have come to agree with all of the big issues. But why? And can I defend this? I have really pushed myself to read and evaluate the biblical proof of these theological positions. And I've ended up realizing the practical and spiritual parts of these theological issues are things I have believed for a while. But understanding why I believe them and why they are biblical is new to me. It was hard for me to excuse paedobaptism once I started to realize how it applied to parenting. I couldn't imagine raising them without a covenantal view. I also realized just how important reformed theology was to my life also. It was such an intricate part of my grieving process. It has come to define me. And now that I understand it more I have come to realize that it is a large part of how I live my life and my mission field too.


I am so thankful for these challenges. And these humbling experiences. God has worked in such amazing ways these last few weeks. This is where the rubber hits the road and I live my life by my Christian faith rather than my parents. This is where I defy society. And I learn that my limits do not exist when I define my life by God's standards. I am working hard to fight in God's army. I want to keep my part of the battlefield strong.


Hey, Pop...you are a very gifted thinker and writer, so impressed. To articulate your faith journey with such clarity and conviction (at only 19 years of age, are kidding me?!) should be lauded. I firmly believe God will continue to do great things in you and through you. Blessings on your adventure!


Thank you! I am so incredibly thankful for God's guidance and faithfulness in my life. And it is encouragement to hear from others as I speak about my faith.<|endoftext|>For the last 7 days, I have been in mourning whilst trying to adhere to the medical advice given me on resting. Sunday 11th July brought the realities of international conflict home to fellow Ugandans and visitors alike. It was a night when most persons had settled down in to the spirit of the closing final football game to the first world cup to be hosted on African soil. The world cup in itself had provided its very own surprises, but much more lasting pain was to be visited upon the residents of Kampala.


In the minutes leading up to extra-time, I received news of the bomb attack at the Kyaddondo Rugby club and at the Ethiopian Village eatery. Not being familiar with either places, I sought clarification in a bemused manner hopping it was a hoax. The phone lines became jammed at this point and I checked the net instead. To my sadness, it proved to be a reality – bombs had gone off and lives had been losts with many injured not getting the rapid emergency help they needed not being able to get through. My medical background took hold and soon I was looking at ways of alerting persons on the ground I knew could be able to assist if they hadn’t already been called upon. The frustration on my part was in knowing so many injured could be helped but the resources and infrastructure was not in place. This frustration soon gave way to anger – why would a developing country like Uganda engage in situations such as the resulting attacks without having adequate cover? The emergency services in place were already pitiful and the nation’s medical system was just about equivalent to a band-aid. For months if not years, the medical service industry has been labouring for more resources and is heavily reliant on donations and charity. The local fire service is virtually non-existent and the police force, save for the top cream is poorly equipped to even handle an immediate crime scene without evidence being corrupted be it knowingly or unknowingly! So the anger in me rose at the very persons in governance for endangering the lives of innocent civilians by opting to engage without proper assessment or planning in issues that have fatal consquences on the security of her people. I had to work hard at remembering I’m on bed rest and shouldn’t allow myself to get over-excited! So I opted to keep myself to what I could do in support of the persons on ground affected by the bombings. But like a child that is fed after a bout of incessant crying – it was hard to focus on the support without the occasional grumblings…


Reflecting back over the loss of lives, injuries and reasons or solutions to what transpired, my mind drifted to the other side of the coin. The thoughts or reasons as to why these persons opt to carry out such devastating acts on others. I recalled an article way back in April 2003 just before Saddam’s regime came to an end and a boy of 12 was orphaned following a shelling of his shack of a home by our Allied armies. Or the continued war in Afghanistan that is affecting countless civilians where the body count is no longer mentioned unless it involves one of our own soldiers here that we know of. Nor of the continued suicide bombings in Pakistan, India and Iraq which still rage – innocent lives continue to be claimed. This is the common theme that binds all of us caught up in this madness of point scoring using arms. Innocent lives are the gambling chips – they are the soft targets of politics.


“When people decry civilian deaths caused by the U.S. government, they’re aiding propaganda efforts. In sharp contrast, when civilian deaths are caused by bombers who hate America, the perpetrators are evil and those deaths are tragedies.


When they put bombs in cars and kill people, they’re uncivilized killers. When we put bombs on missiles and kill people, we’re upholding civilized values. When they kill, they’re terrorists. When we kill, we’re striking against terror.” Norman Solomon, “Orwellian Logic 101 – A Few Simple Lessons,” at FAIR: http://www.fair.org/media-beat/980827.html


I don’t condone the acts of those who took away lives of innocent young persons in last Sunday’s attack in the twin bombing strike – indeed, I’ve lost friends and associates in these incidents who were very instrumental to some of the causes I greatly admire. I do implore the Ugandan leader however to put humanity first when making decisions that could have a far deeper detrimental effect on her young developing nation. If not for him, then for his grandchildren he should act; for his legacy is one that will stand to mark his position in history. The challenges Uganda faces are many already – without taking on more armed conflict whereby her citiziens do not fully comprehend the stakes or even share in the loot. Ugandans have been through so many hells – now that the security afforded through decades of civil wars is in place, it would be great for all her people to enjoy this security in ways


1256593  considered an indolent disease affecting elderly patients, with a median age at diagnosis of approximately 72 years.


In parallel with improvements in treatment outcome, recent advances in the understanding of CLL biology have allowed us to identify selected subgroups of patients with adverse characteristics such as chromosomal abnormalities,[2] immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgVh) gene mutational status,[3] zeta associated protein 70 (ZAP70)[4] and CD38 expression,[5] some of whom have projected survival as short as 3 years.


Even if CLL often has an indolent behavior with good responsiveness to cytoreductive treatment, about 20% of the patients who need treatment show an aggressive course and die within a few years of diagnosis despite early institution of intensive therapies. These so called “poor-risk” patients are characterized by preexisting or rapidly developing resistance to conventional chemotherapy, including modern purine analogue-antibody combination regimens[6,7] with a dismal survival of less than 12 months.[8,9]


Although alemtuzumab, lenalidomide, and flavopiridol, show promising activity in some patients with poor-risk CLL, none of these compounds seem to be able to change the natural course of poor-risk CLL.[10-14]


Myeloablative allogeneic SCT has several theoretical advantages over autologous SCT. Firstly, any potential tumor contamination of the stem cell product is eliminated even if new data are emerging about the potential possibility of CLL transmission by unrecognized CLL/MBL (Monoclonal B Lymphocytosis) donor.[15] Secondly, there is the potential for the graft versus leukaemia (GVL) effect to eliminate chemotherapy-resistant leukaemia cells by immune mechanisms. Moreover, in contradistinction with the results of autologous SCT plateaus in the survival curves emerge 1–2 years following allogeneic transplantation.


The enthusiasm for myeloablative allogeneic SCT in CLL, using either related or unrelated donors, is however tempered by registry reports showing very high TRM rates of 38–50%: these published data showed that approximately two-thirds of allotransplanted CLL patients will succumb either to TRM or to recurrent disease, and approximately one-third will be cured of their disease.[16,17] Moreover patients with chemosensitive disease have significantly better outcomes than patients with refractory disease, suggesting that an earlier application of allogeneic SCT may further improve transplantation outcomes.


A major advance in reducing the short-term morbidity and mortality of allogeneic SCT has been the introduction of non-myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens to allow engraftment of allogeneic stem cells. So the RIC regimens were developed in the 1990s to allow allo-SCT in older patients or younger patients with comorbidities and the total number of allogeneic transplantations for CLL patients in Europe, has almost treble in the last 7 years. In the last decade, many reports, which enrolled primarily patients with chemorefractory end-stage disease, have stressed the potential curative role of RIC allo-SCT in CLL.


There is no doubt that the crucial therapeutic principle of allo-SCT in CLL is GVL activity. This evidence derives from some interesting observations such as: decreasing relapse incidence over time even in RIC Allo-SCT, in contrast to autologous SCT or other intensive therapies,[16-22] achievement of durable clinical and molecular responses due to antitumor activity,[23] reduced relapse rates in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD),[20,24] increased relapse rates associated with T cell–depleted grafts[25,26] and efficacy of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) in the post-transplant relapse.[25,19,27]


Multiple single-center phase 2 studies have evaluated several different RIC regimens with different myeloablative and immunoablative potential (Table 1).


Ritgen et al demonstrated that in the majority of cases achievement of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity was clearly linked to immune intervention, such as tapering of immunosuppression or donor lymphocyte infusions that lead to develop chronic GVHD, also he suggests that a “GVL escape” mechanism might be acquired during the post-transplantation course probably caused by survival of clonogenic cells at “GVL sanctuary” sites.[23] Farina et al confirmed GVL activity in patients in clinical complete response (CR) after RIC Allo-SCT showing delayed clearance or decrease of MRD levels upon chronic GVHD in clinical CR.[24] Both studies also detected that MRD negativity 1 year post transplant was durable over the entire follow-up period in more than 90% of patients and predictive for the virtual absence of clinical relapse. In conclusion, MRD kinetics studies consistently indicate that permanent MRD negativity after Allo-SCT for CLL can be reached in the context of chronic GVHD and/or immunomodulating intervention. Both the durability of MRD remission and its sensitivity to immunomodulation strongly suggest that GVL is effective in CLL.


Ex-vivo and in-vivo T-cell depletion are effective means of preventing acute and chronic GVHD after Allo-SCT. In CLL, however, T-cell depletion has been associated with increased relapse and rejection rates.[26-28] Now-a-day, considering the scanty data, the role of this type of transplantation in CLL is controversial.


European Bone Marrow Transplant (EBMT) guidelines have now been established outlining indications for SCT in CLL [29] (Table 1). In the absence of prospective randomized trials, the Consensus recommendations were based on evidence of grade II or less.


Criteria for poor-risk disease according to the EBMT CLL Transplant Consensus are: purine analogue refractoriness, early relapse after purine analogue combination therapy, and CLL with p53 lesion requiring treatment.


However considering the recent improvements in CLL treatment outcome, now-a-day one should test other innovative and very promising therapeutically approach before giving the indication to Allo-SCT, such as: antibody-purine analogue combination regimens as first-line or salvage treatment,[30,31] combined alemtuzumab therapies useful in fludarabine refractory and 17p-/p53 patients as showed by the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG) CLL2H study,[12] and novel agent flavopiridol and lenalidomide capable to achieve 30% to 40% response rate when used as salvage therapy in fludarabine-refractory or del 17p- CLL.[13,14] Moreover these approaches may be helpful to achieve remission, a basic prerequisite for successful Allo-SCT.[32]


The EBMT guidelines conclude that there is evidence-based efficacy of allogeneic SCT in CLL and that this procedure is indicated in high-risk CLL patients. It should be stressed that none of the EBMT categories requires assessment of biologic risk factors except for cytogenetics for detection of p53 deletions, who deserves allogeneic SCT in first response. Ongoing prospective clinical studies will determine the impact of biomarkers including IgVh mutational status and other cytogenetic abnormalities in identification of patients at sufficiently high risk to deserve use of allogeneic SCT in first CR.


Another crucial point in the allogeneic transplant is a better selection of patient, as recently suggested by Sorror.[21] The FHCRC analysis revealed that comorbidities were more important than CLL-related variables for predicting progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).[21] Another risk factor for non-relapse-mortality (NRM), usually correlated with the presence of comorbidities, is refractory disease at transplantation.[22] Thus, it would appear prudent to limit allo-SCT to fit patients without evidence of refractory disease.


In conclusion, allo-SCT is the only therapy with curative potential in CLL and, in contrast to conventional treatment, with potential of providing long-term disease control even in patients with a very unfavorable biological and clinical risk profile (Table 2). However in addition to the disease risk, patient-related risk factors, such as age and comorbidity, have to be considered when the decision about allo-SCT is made.[21,33]


The larger RIC prospective trials uniformly show that in CLL the results of Allo-SCT are considerably impaired if the disease is not in remission at the time of transplantation, due to nodal bulks and/or chemotherapy resistance. Thus, Allo-SCT should be performed before CLL has advanced to a status of complete refractoriness or large resistant tumor burden in order not to miss the “window of opportunity” for a successful outcome. In eligible patients, Allo-SCT should be considered as soon as the first and/or the third EBMT criterion is met; on the contrary, the optimum timing for Allo-SCT in patients with early relapse (within 2 years) after purine analogue combination therapy (second EBMT criterion) needs to be defined by systematic studies.


On the other hand, RIC allo-HCT is able to mitigate the adverse prognosis conferred by purine analog resistance and unfavorable genetics. The EBMT guidelines identify a group of patients in whom available therapies are unlikely to achieve a


1256594  Prize finalist-and Houghton Mifflin marked its 20th year in print with a new jacket (as well as O’Brien’s revisions and corrections.) Here, his protagonist, struggling with his moral dilemma over the war, comes close to fleeing to Canada and decides he’s a self-betraying coward for not doing so: Unwilling to risk disgrace and mockery, he sets aside his doubts about the war’s moral legitimacy. The novel grimly recounts war and its effects. The language is vibrant, the characters colorful and haunting, the work experimental in its use of both fiction and nonfiction techniques.


Several of O’Brien’s novels deal much less directly with Vietnam, yet the war experience continues to arise in various ways, and with one persistent theme: how the human imagination, capable of manifold transformations, deals with it, spins it, or provides emotional release from it. In his debut novel, Northern Lights (1975), a key character returns home maimed by the war. Is he a war hero? His experience in Vietnam matches up poorly with the conventional views of town leaders. The war may have been an “adventure,” but it’s not one he’ll talk about. Seeking his own self-styled adventure, something to fuel his imagination, he recruits his brother (the protagonist) for an arduous winter’s journey through the deep Minnesota wilderness, which nearly costs both of them their lives.


One of O’Brien’s darkest works is In the Lake of the Woods (1994). At the height of the protagonist’s campaign for the U.S. Senate, his hidden Vietnam past emerges: He played a part in the My Lai massacre. His career in politics is suddenly over. Since childhood, his tricks as a self-trained magician have enabled him to recast the world in his own terms-to make a new reality by pretending. But no tricks can dispel this ugly truth.


O’Brien switches to bizarre comedy in Tomcat in Love (1998). The protagonist, a macho male who continually seeks dominance over women, pretends he’s an alpha war hero, having outwitted six Green Berets back in Vietnam. In this quirky first-person narrative, O’Brien challenges the reader with a compelling, richly comic and often unreliable narrator.


Two characters in July, July (2002), a tragicomic novel set at a 30-year college reunion, are greatly affected by the war. One has left for Canada and escaped the draft but suffers a great romantic love loss, which his memory works and reworks for years. The other, a college baseball player, goes to war and loses a leg, and finds that he has only his fond fantasies to rely on – namely a hoped-for future with his college sweetheart, however doomed to failure that prospect was.


On the whole, O’Brien’s characters struggle to find hope in worlds made dark by both personal and societal forces. Their imaginations often inspire them to seize life for what it might possibly offer – an escape to Paris, an exotic trip to Africa or Rio or a sudden romantic tryst. His canvas is broad, covering the personal, the philosophical, the social and the political.


Not much. Naturally I was delighted. But still, when you sit down to begin a new book, you don’t think, “I won the National Book Award.” The mind doesn’t work that way. It focuses on a story that needs telling, on the exploration of character, on the difficulties of composing decent sentences. The award certainly gave a boost to my career, and it validated many years of hard labor, but in terms of the writing itself, I can’t say it was either helpful or an obstacle. The only thing that can really help a writer is to keep summoning the nerve to confront the blank page every day.


All of your novels deal in some way with the war. Do you start out with that intention, or does it just happen?


A mixture of the two. Sometimes I start out with the intention of writing about Vietnam pretty directly. At other times I start somewhere else, with no thoughts at all about Vietnam, and then end up going there anyway. The story seems to guide me there. I’m sure that has to do with the life I led and how important Vietnam was to me as a kid. It was traumatic, and I still carry the memories and the ghosts and the horrors along with me, and I suppose my subconscious has pushed my stories in that direction. A good example of the latter is July, July. As I began that book, I didn’t think I’d be dealing with the war, but I ended up writing about it anyway.


Your characters do a lot of fantasizing, and in several of your works you emphasize the role of the imagination and pretending. This theme seems significant to you.


That’s an important part of my work. I’m a believer in the power of the imagination in ordinary human lives, and it’s much more important that we often credit. If you’re thinking about becoming a doctor, you don’t just make a wholly rational, pro-and-con decision. You’re going to imagine doctoring, helping people, the long hours of residency, the great pressures and rewards that play out in your daydreams. You’re going to make some kind of determination based at least in part on what you imagine. Do I want to put my hands in gore all day? If the answer’s no, you’re probably not going to be a surgeon. In our daily lives, we make concrete choices in response to our daydreams and imaginings and flights of fancy. And that is, I think, key to why I’m a fiction writer. If that element were not present, I’d be doing nonfiction. Or I wouldn’t be a writer at all.


The imagination can be a beneficial or destructive force. The epigraph in July, July suggests the latter.


“We had fed the heart on fantasies…”? Yes, the human imagination can certainly have a destructive aspect. For instance, if someone obsessively imagines making a big score in Vegas, and if that person finally empties out his savings account and gambles away every last nickel, that seems to me pretty destructive. In general, I think the human imagination has a compulsive or obsessive aspect to it, and the consequences of obsession can be negative in the extreme. Some of my writing, such as In the Lake of the Woods, tries to dramatize that negative aspect. But of course I also believe that imagination is what in large part separates us from the chipmunks. We can envision a future for ourselves. We can envision a better and more decent world. We can envision ourselves as better and more decent human beings. And now and then we can take a bold, glorious stride into that which we’ve imagined.


The vast Minnesota wilderness appears in two of your novels. Is it a shaping force for your fiction?


It’s an emblem more than anything-an emblem of a spiritual “lostness” and of a spiritual “searchingness,” combined. As a kid, I once got lost in the Minnesota wilderness. I spent a couple of miserable hours blundering around in the forest, an 8-year-old , totally turned upside down. The experience hit me hard and stayed with me into adulthood. And throughout my fiction, I’ve called upon that experience as a way of addressing, or dramatizing, a certain spiritual disorientation and confusion people sometimes encounter. I certainly felt lost in Vietnam, and not just in a physical sense. Others might feel lost in a career that is going nowhere, or in a bad marriage, or in the loss of a beloved child. In my books, the whole notion of “lostness” ultimately takes on a psychological and spiritual dimension.


Much of your work combines a gritty realism with bizarre, quirky characters – falling in the genre of dark humor. What does this suggest about your overall vision or world view, or does it?


It does, I suppose. There’s a real world out there that influences all of us, and I try to be realistic about that. But moving through that real world are human beings who have their eccentricities, fantasies, warped viewpoints and bizarre internal lives. So I suppose my fiction reflects that mixture of realism, on the one hand, and bizarre eccentricity, on the other.


For me, a good story embraces both the ordinary and the extraordinary. I’m not interested in simply holding up a mirror to the world. I’m not interested in reporting on actualities and calling the result fiction. To my taste, a good story is a mix of the so-called real world and a much more mysterious and elusive interior world we all live in.


The main challenge, I suppose, is to sustain a balance between darkness and comedy. Comedy, of course, is at least partly in the eyes and ears and heads of the beholder, and there’s always the risk that readers won’t find certain material funny in the least. In two of my own books, Tomcat and July, July, a number of readers didn’t find much to laugh at – or so I’ve been told – even if I, as the writer, thought a good many scenes were side-splittingly hilarious. Other readers did not find the books funny.


My guess is that I’ll be remembered, if I’m remembered at all, for my so-called tragedies: The Things They Carried, Going After Cacci


1256595  love cooking, kitchen is a paradise, because it can bring fun to friends and family, but for those who don’t cook, kitchen is a nightmare. At this time, you need a smart kitchen, one the one hand, it can save time, on the other hand, it can help improve cooking ability and get more happiness.Matt Van Horn, CEO of the June Smart Oven, once said, “Technically, our kitchen hasn’t had much innovation since the 1970s.”


In what we have seen and heard, the term artificial intelligence is always accompanied by this high-tech, it is hard to imagine that one day you will associate it with the traditional kitchen. But companies that develop home appliances have not forgotten to keep their products’ quality. Unlike ovens with traditional functions, June developed the smart oven with a 2.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA processor with built-in camera, sensor and kitchen scale. These things can help him know what he is baking, and can also adjust the baking time of different weights of ingredients. Currently, this oven has been able to identify 15 different types of food.


Different from the trivialities of the family kitchen, there is always a lot of repetitive movements in the restaurant. The past actions are all done by apprentices, but now, artificial intelligence is going to help the kitchen to liberate such a labor force.


Miso Robotics experimented with a “robot kitchen assistant” that automatically cooks pies, which can flip pies, chop vegetables or perform other repetitive kitchen tasks.It calls Flippy. Flippy is equipped with a thermal sensor, which allows him to know the temperature difference between the pie and the grill, allowing it to control the heat more accurately. Many people can’t remember what’s lacking in the refrigerator when they go to the supermarket. Based on this phenomenon, the refrigerator of John Lewis, the largest department store in London, has already increased the sales of its own internal camera by three times this year. This robot kitchen assistant is so cool, China has a big B2B platform called Sinosources, they can cooperate with each other. Samsung Smart Hub has three built-in cameras that are mounted on the top, middle and bottom of the refrigerator’s door. Whenever the refrigerator’s door is closed or the light is off, the refrigerator takes an internal photo and sends the photo to the user’s mobile phone.


The cooking style of the Chinese has caused the Chinese kitchen to be smoked. The food produces fumes during the cooking process because the temperature in the pot exceeds the smoke point of the ingredients. Now, this stove that can control the temperature according to the food in the pot to prevent the generation of soot.


The smart gas cooker is equipped with a precise temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature in the pot and controls the food temperature below the smoke point. The soot generated in the gas oven is also burned twice by a special smoke-burning burner.


I’m not Scottish. Possibly a light rub of OO and oil the grill grate. These killed trees are best for responsible firewood harvesting. Recipes for grilling and smoking turkey, cooking grilled chicken, steak, bacon, brisket, salmon, vegetables and every thing in amongst. This handbook includes straightforward to comprehend answers and how-to’s for almost any camping query or situation. Take the pig and insert the spit rod into a single finish – it does not matter which on most spits. A. Osmosis by means of an eggshell, if it takes place at all, would be considerably slower than evaporation of the water in the brine. Bring to a boil, minimize heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Don’t risk turning your whole camping trip into a dark comedic tragedy. Kindling split from White Ash catches fire very easily, burns hot, and makes truly great coals, so those who cook with firewood can rely on White Ash to get it accomplished.


One more excellent firewood, burns gradually, great heat output and little smoke. 1. Newsprint: the most traditional technique of lighting a chimney, newsprint burns quickly and effortless. The chimney starter gets extremely hot, so you need to have to be cautious when handling it. The softer woods, such as birch, burn quicker but put out a lot of heat with really tiny sparks or smoke to ruin the evening. The much more surface location that is exposed to the flame, the cleaner the firewood will burn. Whether you are trying to stick to a fitness routine or just like to preserve yourself moving, these camping activities will hold you in shape and on the go. Take away the eggs and location in a bowl of ice water for at least 20 minutes. Joints ought to wiggle freely, juices ought to run clear, and when you location a thermometer into the thickest parts of the pig you must get an internal temperature of at least 140 degrees F. What temperature to cook your pork is up for debate depending on what you’ve discovered.


Although you won’t use this to scramble your eggs, your frying pans will see a lot significantly less use after you start utilizing this grill pan. Cast iron pots are durable, nonstick as soon as they have been seasoned, heat evenly and have a old-fashioned, nation cooking look that can’t be beat. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bag, as properly, reserving some of the diced bacon for garnishing the tops of the deviled eggs. We have more than 70 models of grills, custom produced outside kitchens, fireplaces and more. For wood to burn properly and cleanly it demands time to dry. Description: Stansport 24 Piece Enamel Camping Tableware Set gives a extremely efficient steel coating for tableware, and cookware for that matter, but it does have one drawback, enamel is very prone to chipping, specifically along the edges, and this exposes the underlying steel, which rapidly oxidizes and benefits in rust forming more than the exposed regions.


At complete steam, “soft-boiled” eggs are ready in 6 minutes, “challenging-boiled” eggs at eight minutes. Simply pile your charcoal on leading of the element, plug it in and wait for the charcoal to light. Soon after about 8 minutes you can get rid of it and wait for the rest of the charcoal to begin. Solidteknics US-ION pans supply a non-toxic nonstick surface that you develop and preserve yourself over time. The egg is boiled, cooled, and peeled, then coated in a reddish batter of flour, water and ground annatto seed and fried until golden. Wood, peat, or furze was lit in the oven and left to burn till the interior was hot adequate. You also need function surfaces for cooking cleaning and food preparation. Also recognized as tea-smoked or marble eggs, they are a tough-boiled eggs “decorated” with marble-like patterns on the surface of the white beneath the shell.


30 minutes or so adds just adequate smoke flavor and colour to the cooked eggs. Whether you have a large group or just a handful of friends, here’s a list of games to hold every person entertained. This is a heavy cast iron pot that comes with a lid. Subsequent, bring the water to a boil more than higher heat. This softwood produces a reasonable heat but like Pine has the potential downside of leaving oily and sticky deposits in the flue method if not burned at a high temperature. There are lots of games you can play sitting about the campfire. Grill to desired doneness, about three minutes per side for medium. Plus, they do not require electricity or sheets of newspaper, which makes them wonderful for lighting charcoal with when you happen to be not at property.


Open the barbecue, eliminate the skewers from the meat, lie the the chops on their sides and continue to barbecue for four to six minutes per side (with the barbecue lid closed), depending on your preference of doneness. Reader “SuperDave2” writes to say he puts the chimney on the sideburner on his gas grill and “I can light my chimney with a push of a button, they are prepared in half the time, and perfectly evenly lit.” Clever feller. There has been a large shift amongst cooks to healthier and more sustainable cookware in current years, due to the really actual concerns about toxic, disposable synthetic-coated nonstick pans Several cooks rediscovered the positive aspects of standard old cast iron skillets. Charades: Most men and women have played this entertaining game for adults at one point or yet another, but in the dark about a campfire can bring in some unique interpretations.


It’s a time-honored formula: seafood + salt + smoke = larger-than-life flavor. I chose applewood for my smoking chips. It burns significantly longer than most other types of firewood simply because of it’s density, meaning with oak firewood you will not have to stock up your fire as typically as other firewood types. The area temperature was 75 F (24 C) and the water temperature was 55 F (13 C). Morton Canning and Pickling Salt was utilized and the strenghth of the brine was measured with salinometer. Just never neglect to take the pan out of the oven ahead of you go to preheat it the next time. Softwood can create a extremely pleasing flame to appear at but it will burn quite rapidly and you will get by way of a big volume of wood in a quite short time. Whether it really is your first time stacking a woodpile or you just want a refresher course on suitable splitting strategy, we’ve got a quantity of helpful guidelines on the best way to stock winter wood.


Smoked salmon is one particular of


1256596  soon T'yog would return. And so the next day, and the next. For weeks they hoped and waited, and then they wept. Nor did anyone ever see T'yog, who would have saved mankind from fears, again.


Thereafter men shuddered at T'yog's presumption, and tried not to think of the punishment his impiety had met. And the priests of Ghatanothoa smiled to those who might resent the god's will or challenge its right to the sacrifices. In later years the ruse of Imash-Mo became known to the people; yet the knowledge availed not to change the general feeling that Ghatanothoa were better left alone. None ever dared to defy it again. And so the ages rolled on, and King succeeded King, and High-Priest succeeded High-Priest, and nations rose and decayed, and lands rose above the sea and returned into the sea. And with many millennia decay fell upon K'naa—till at last on a hideous day of storm and thunder, terrific rumbling, and mountain-high waves, all the land of Mu sank into the sea forever.


Yet down the later aeons thin streams of ancient secrets trickled. In distant lands there met together greyfaced fugitives who had survived the sea-fiend's rage, and strange skies drank the smoke of altars reared to vanished gods and daemons. Though none knew to what bottomless deep the sacred peak and Cyclopean fortress of dreaded Ghatanothoa had sunk, there were still those who mumbled its name and offered to it nameless sacrifices lest it bubble up through leagues of ocean and shamble among men spreading horror and petrifaction.


Around the scattered priests grew the rudiments of a dark and secret cult—secret because the people of the new lands had other gods and devils, and thought only evil of elder and alien ones—and within that cult many hideous things were done, and many strange objects cherished. It was whispered that a certain line of elusive priests still harboured the true charm against Ghatanothoa which Imash-Mo stole from the sleeping T'yog; though none remained who could read or understand the cryptic syllables, or who could even guess in what part of the world the lost K'naa, the dreaded peak of Yaddith-Gho, and the titan fortress of the Devil-God had lain.


Though it flourished chiefly in those Pacific regions around which Mu itself had once stretched, there were rumours of the hidden and detested cult of Ghatanothoa in ill-fated Atlantis, and on the abhorred plateau of Leng. Von Junzt implied its presence in the fabled subterrene kingdom of K'n-yan, and gave clear evidence that it had penetrated Egypt, Chaldaea, Persia, China, the forgotten Semite empires of Africa, and Mexico and Peru in the New World. That it had a strong connexion with the witchcraft movement in Europe, against which the bulls of popes were vainly directed, he more than strongly hinted. The West, however, was never favourable to its growth; and public indignation—aroused by glimpses of hideous rites and nameless sacrifices—wholly stamped out many of its branches. In the end it became a hunted, doubly furtive underground affair—yet never could its nucleus be quite exterminated. It always survived somehow, chiefly in the Far East and on the Pacific Islands, where its teachings became merged into the esoteric lore of the Polynesian Areoi.


Von Junzt gave subtle and disquieting hints of actual contact with the cult; so that as I read I shuddered at what was rumoured about his death. He spoke of the growth of certain ideas regarding the appearance of the Devil-God—a creature which no human being (unless it were the too-daring T'yog, who had never returned) had ever seen—and contrasted this habit of speculation with the taboo prevailing in ancient Mu against any attempt to imagine what the horror looked like. There was a peculiar fearfulness about the devotees' awed and fascinated whispers on this subject—whispers heavy with morbid curiosity concerning the precise nature of what T'yog might have confronted in that frightful pre-human edifice on the dreaded and now-sunken mountains before the end (if it was an end) finally came—and I felt oddly disturbed by the German scholar's oblique and insidious references to this topic.


Scarcely less disturbing were von Junzt's conjectures on the whereabouts of the stolen scroll of cantrips against Ghatanothoa, and on the ultimate uses to which this scroll might be put. Despite all my assurance that the whole matter was purely mythical, I could not help shivering at the notion of a latter-day emergence of the monstrous god, and at the picture of an humanity turned suddenly to a race of abnormal statues, each encasing a living brain doomed to inert and helpless consciousness for untold aeons of futurity. The old Dusseldorf savant had a poisonous way of suggesting more than he stated, and I could understand why his damnable book was suppressed in so many countries as blasphemous, dangerous, and unclean.


I writhed with repulsion, yet the thing exerted an unholy fascination; and I could not lay it down till I had finished it. The alleged reproductions of designs and ideographs from Mu were marvellously and startlingly like the markings on the strange cylinder and the characters on the scroll, and the whole account teemed with details having vague, irritating suggestions of resemblance to things connected with the hideous mummy. The cylinder and scroll—the Pacific setting—the persistent notion of old Capt. Weatherbee that the Cyclopean crypt where the mummy was found had once lain under a vast building . . . somehow I was vaguely glad that the volcanic island had sunk before that massive suggestion of a trapdoor could be opened.


WHAT I read in the Black Book formed a fiendishly apt preparation for the news items and closer events which began to force themselves upon me in the spring of 1932. I can scarcely recall just when the increasingly frequent reports of police action against the odd and fantastical religious cults in the Orient and elsewhere commenced to impress me; but by May or June I realised that there was, all over the world, a surprising and unwonted burst of activity on the part of bizarre, furtive, and esoteric mystical organisations ordinarily quiescent and seldom heard from.


It is not likely that I would have connected these reports with either the hints of von Junzt or the popular furore over the mummy and cylinder in the museum, but for certain significant syllables and persistent resemblances—sensationally dwelt upon by the press—in the rites and speeches of the various secret celebrants brought to public attention. As it was, I could not help remarking with disquiet the frequent recurrence of a name—in various corrupt forms—which seemed to constitute a focal point of all the cult worship, and which was obviously regarded with a singular mixture of reverence and terror. Some of the forms quoted were G'tanta, Tanotah, Than-Tha, Gatan, and Ktan-Tah—and it did not require the suggestions of my now numerous occultist correspondents to make me see in these variants a hideous and suggestive kinship to the monstrous name rendered by von Junzt as Ghatanothoa.


There were other disquieting features, too. Again and again the reports cited vague, awestruck references to a "true scroll"—something on which tremendous consequences seemed to hinge, and which was mentioned as being in the custody of a certain "Nagob", whoever and whatever he might be. Likewise, there was an insistent repetition of a name which sounded like Tog, Tiok, Yog, Zob, or Yob, and which my more and more excited consciousness involuntarily linked with the name of the hapless heretic T'yog as given in the Black Book. This name was usually uttered in connexion with such cryptical phrases as "It is none other than he", "He had looked upon its face", "He knows all, though he can neither see nor feel", "He has brought the memory down through the aeons", "The true scroll will release him", "Nagob has the true scroll", "He can tell where to find it".


Something very queer was undoubtedly in the air, and I did not wonder when my occultist correspondents, as well as the sensational Sunday papers, began to connect the new abnormal stirrings with the legends of Mu on the one hand, and with the frightful mummy's recent exploitation on the other hand. The widespread articles in the first wave of press publicity, with their insistent linkage of the mummy, cylinder, and scroll with the tale in the Black Book, and their crazily fantastic speculations about the whole matter, might very well have roused the latent fanaticism in hundreds of those furtive groups of exotic devotees with which our complex world abounds. Nor did the papers cease adding fuel to the flames—for the stories on the cult-stirrings were even wilder than the earlier series of yarns.


As the summer drew on, attendants noticed a curious new element among the throngs of visitors which—after a lull following the first burst of publicity—were again drawn to the museum by the second furore. More and more frequently there were persons of strange and exotic aspect—swarthy Asiatics, long-haired nondescripts, and bearded brown men who seemed unused to European clothes—who would invariably inquire for the hall of mummies and would subsequently be found staring at the hideous Pacific specimen in a veritable ecstasy of


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We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.AcceptNo thanks<|endoftext|>Main key: high heat stir fry the chicken in short time and add water to slow cook the keep it tender.<|endoftext|>Qmunity have a Social gathering once a month for our LGBT+ Qmunity and Friends to catch up and be part of our special day to enjoy a Picnic in the park with fun activities, friendly conversation and make new friends.<|endoftext|>This quarterly is all about tourism! Join us for an update from Tourism Nova Scotia's Michele Saran.<|endoftext|>The stars of the 2018 ITV talent show will perform at the SSE Arena in Belfast on March 6 next year as part of the tour.


X Factor Digital Presenter, Becca Dudley, will be returning as host this year on The X Factor Live Tour. Becca has been hosting MTV UK programming since 2012 and presents multiple shows across the network, as well as covering worldwide music events with World Stage from Brazil to Belgium.


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I remember sitting at my desk those first few days in the hills of Scranton, Pennsylvania and scribbling my thoughts on the paper in front of me. My college roommates would be forced to read and listen to a plethora of my contraband musings.


I graduated and found work. Yet, at night I would still find myself pounding the keys of the typewriter.


I would submit a few pieces, get the standard rejections, stop for a few months and then repeat again.


There came a point, despite securing an agent and having manuscripts make it through multiple reviews on blind submissions when I still believed it was time to surrender. The publishing industry is what I refer to as an ‘elusive and exclusive’ world. An arena with far more rejections than praise and one where the odds are quite frankly against you.


I sat before the computer which now replaced my typewriter to open the e-mail which replaced my mailbox. My work would be featured in Washingtonian Magazine. It would be both validation and the realization of a dream. The Washingtonian not only an esteemed publication but Washington, D.C. the seventh largest media market in the country.


I tell my children I wasn’t a Pulitzer-winning writer, I didn’t get lucky, and I didn’t know anyone. I simply defied the odds in an otherwise odds against you industry because I never gave up.


Do not let life confuse you. Do not be filled with doubt upon rejection. This passion quells inside of you for a reason.


Try not to get too confused, the track is Jesse Jagz all through – from production, to vocals and the rap lines laced on the song. This is akin to having Nicki Minaj and her insane alter ego Roman Zolanski on the same song, or more locally, Terry Da Rapman and Joe Spazm on the same track.


Either way, Jesse Jagz delivers an intrinsic northern Nigerian sound in a way that is truly pleasing to the ears. Hey, you might hardly know what’s being said but you’re inclined to still sing along anyway. Again, the video was directed by Clarence Peters. A man who is establishing himself as the go-to-man for great videos. Simple and sleek video.


[Sidebar: Did you spot Chocolate City Boss, Audu Maikori in the video? Plus can you tell what building, it is that’s across the street from the window?]


Though i like it but he get only one style of music,maybe it’s there j-town or loopy style of music.


this is soooooooooooooo cool but takes some growing on you definitely the best thing ive heard from jagz. very bold


This is truly original. The beats blend an indigenous sound with a contemporary style. Brilliant ! I wish more Nigerian artists could be more daring.


Ths jam is supa dupa with d video in its supa dupa element.South Shoutz 2 Jagz and Clarence for a nice jam and video.


Once you’ve tried yoga, there’s no going back! To all our yoga lovers – sport this beautiful sea green bead bracelet, giving you the same calming effects yoga can do for you. Summon all that positive energy you’ve gained from your teachings wearing this trinket.


A good angle can be so hard to find. This Bluetooth Selfie Stick makes it easy to find the perfect angle when taking self portraits. The pole can extend from 8" to 42.5", allowing a wide viewing angle to capture that perfect selfie, scenic or group picture. The Selfie Stick can also contract down, making it easy for on-the-go photo shoots. The removable phone clip allows you to attach both your smartphone or digital camera.<|endoftext|>Maybe you've heard of his Bonus Bagging system – it's the leading arbing system on the internet – and Mike's widely known as the UNDISPUTED AUTHORITY in online risk-free betting ...


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I think you're going to be just as surprised as I was when you get the big picture – it's like nothing I've ever seen before but you need to check it out for yourself.


Good draft and your reasoning makes sense. Not a fan of Barkley but understandable. Love the Mathieu pick, him as a PR/KR lets PP focus at CB. Rest very solid, 6 & 7 were great


Overall I like this draft, but the biggest disappointment would be the lack of an OLB. I also would not have gambled with your 4th round pick. Those I would tag as negatives. I also wouldn't have gone after Barkley, however, given you specifically said that the coaching staff would change, I'd have to admit that your 1st round pick of him would probably be more valuable to the team than mine. So, I'd give you a bonus positive tick for that move.


1. Obviously OLB is a serious area of concern that I would have liked to have addressed but we've got lots of needs and Rome wasn't build a day. If we take an OLB not named Damontre Moore (Gone before our pick in my scenario) instead of a QB, leaving us with Kolb, Skelton and Lindley, everybody bashes us. If we take an OLB and ignore the OL early for the 5th straight year, everybody bashes us. If we don't take a safety and A-Dub continues to play just 50% of our snaps and/or Kerry Rhodes is let go at 32 years of age, all we'll hear is "why didn't we address the safety spot last year?" I would liked to have tried to take someone in round 4, where we peeled Acho and OBS off the heap but there's nobody in that area that I like and I'm not going to take an OLB simply to say I took an OLB. The Arizona Cardinals have been there and done that. Cody Brown immediately comes to mind. We've got lots of needs, only 3 prime picks and I'm not taking an OLB just to say I took one. That's where I'm at.


2. I might not have gambled big in round 4 either but it's not all about what you or I would do, it's about what Rod Graves and our brain trust will do. Our brain trust takes risky players with high rewards in round 4. 2 prime examples from the last 4 years. I understand you wouldn't make that choice but again, it's not all about what you or I would do. At least not if I want this to be credible.


Perfect Champ. Although I think there is a small chance Geno Smith will be there Matt Barkley has the leadership qualities to succeed at the next level and would automatically be the best QB on the roster.It's a pick the team has to make.


Honey Badger was living at PP's house about a month ago? Is he still there? I think there is a good chance he could be a Cardinal and could be the biggest steal in the draft.


I have Jones in the late teens/early 20s. The spinal stenosis thing is just too big a problem for me. That and he's not as polished of a pass rusher as people make him out to be. He's a speed rusher who doesn't mix up his rush moves enough, which will cause him problems at the next level. His run defense is a serious concern as well. I was serious when I said he reminds me an awful lot of Bruce Irvin.


Yeah, come draft time, it is more difficult for teams with losing records to address all their


1256598  (Nero), CONTAINER, IMG as well as ISO photos. In addition, it may release or even produce MINISO files, which is a file layout specific to DVDFab Blu-ray Copy. DVDFab Virtual Ride runs in the system rack, so a basic user interface is certainly not available.


Left-clicking on the mold icon presents the placed pictures, while right-clicking opens up an even more intricate food selection, where you can set the lot of rides, sight just recently made use of pictures, unmount rides and also gain access to the treatment environments. Approximately 18 virtual travels can be imitated using this software application. You may install, unmount or browse the contents from every travel individually. Likewise, there is actually an alternative to unmount all the tools at the same time, so you don't need to do this by hand.


Easy access to functions is just one of the advantages that this application carries you. That integrates into the Windows Traveler shell, therefore permitting you to imitate a CD or a VIDEO using the circumstance menu. Moreover, you can make use of custom-made quick way secrets for some demands, including positioning the very first device, deactivating all the drives or revealing the environments dialog. Although this carries out not provide a lot of alternatives for personalizing emulation settings, this computer software is actually a convenient solution for those who wish to participate in Blu-ray ISO picture files and Blu-ray folder back-ups on their Personal Computer. In addition, this offers support for around 18 online drives, which ought to be ample for any user.<|endoftext|>← Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins Tickets – November 13, 2017 Preseason: Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets – August 31, 2017 →


The Bible, written by about forty men who claimed that God was writing through them, over a span of 1600 years, writing on three different continents, at many different locations - from prison and the wilderness to the palaces and sleepy little towns, the Bible has been the most controversial work in all of history, the most hotly debated and researched work, the most beloved yet the most hated by many, the most read, among other things. One such claim involves the first three books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These are called the Synoptic ("to see together with a common view") Gospels, and the claim is that the similarities between these three Gospels leads some to believe that the authors derived their material and information from a common source, known as the hypothetical "Q" document, essentially showing that God did not write through men, but that the Bible is nothing more than a collection of false history. But does this claim hold any water? (Photo credit: [a]John Rylands, Papyrus: 2nd Century CE. From JRUL; [b] Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Ireland. 3rd century.)


The "Q" source is called such for the German word quelle, which means "source." This claim is usually made because it would indicate that the account of Jesus' resurrection was a much later tradition as was His worship as God and Savior, but as we have seen in recent entries such as, "Early Christianity: The 1st Corinthians 15 Creed", the account of the resurrection has been around since day one of Christianity (See also: "Did Jesus Claim To Be God?"). As we can determine from early writings such as Pliny the Younger, Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor in 112 AD, writing to Emperor Trajan, Pliny affirms that these early Christians "were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as to a god..."[1] Lucian, a satirist of the second century AD, said that Christians followed Jesus and denied "Greek gods and by worshiping that crucified sophist himself and living under [Christ's] laws."[2]


But what of the "Synoptic Problem?" The argument states that these three Gospels are so similar that they must have used each others Gospels, or a common source, the "Q" document. First of all, there is no evidence for the existence of such a document, we have never discovered a portion, fragment, or whole document that would ever qualify as "Q." Also, none of the early church fathers ever mentioned such a document or Gospel, but they did mention Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In fact, if we did not have the 24,600+ copies of the New Testament from the early centuries, we could still reconstruct the New Testament from the writings of the church fathers alone, since they so often quoted from it, and in no writings are there any references to another Gospel such as this hypothesized Q document.


The "Q" document is a postulation, an invention, of secular and liberal "scholars" and "historians" who seek to deny and destroy the credibility, reliability, accuracy, and inspiration of Scripture, who believe that the Bible is merely another work of literature from antiquity, that has been changed over time and that it is subject to the same kinds of criticism applied to works of literature. In past entries, we have established the Hebrew Bible and New Testament to be archaeologically attested, we have provided evidence for the historicity of Jesus (though minimalists claim it proves nothing), we have shown that the Bible has not changed over time and is actually the most reliable and accurate work of antiquity we possess (see entries: "Does Archaeology Support the New Testament?", "Does Archaeology Support the Hebrew Bible?", "Did Jesus Really Exist? Is There Any Historical Evidence?", and "Is The Bible Reliable? Has It Been Altered?").


As noted, there is no historical evidence for the existence of this "Q" document, nor is there theological, biblical, or archaeological evidence for its existence. It is little more than the invention of liberal scholars seeking to undermine the validity and veracity of God's Word. There have been wonderful, in-depth studies on why the "Q" document is an incorrect hypothesis, and how the Gospels are reliable, trustworthy documents and accounts of the events of the life of Jesus, and it is not the intention of this entry to delve into a lengthy, technical analysis or specific research on the topic, but merely to answer the question for the layman seeking answers about his or her worldview. The question remains, however: if Matthew, Mark and Luke did not use a "Q" document, why are they so similar?


It is possible that the Gospel which was written first (typically thought to be Mark's Gospel) was available for both Matthew and Dr. Luke to utilize, both likely had access to it. It is also likely that Dr. Luke used material from both Matthew and Mark for his gospel, which he had written after checking the facts - for example, some believe Dr. Luke interviewed Mary mother of Jesus, and derived his information concerning Jesus' birth from her - or from Jesus' brothers and sisters (Jude and James are likely candidates). The New Testament also shows that both Mark and Luke knew one another and were ministering together on more than one occasion. Luke 1:1-4 conveys, "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled [or been surely believed] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."


Here, Dr. Luke (we refer to him as such because he was a physician, see Colossians 4:14 for example) notes that many have written accounts about Christ's life - likely Mark and Matthew - and after investigating these things for himself, as a careful historian,[3] he wrote his Gospel. There is no theological, biblical, or historical problem with Luke utilizing Matthew and/or Mark's Gospel(s) - why not use the resources available to you, given by firsthand witnesses? "Ultimately, the explanation as to why the Synoptic Gospels are so similar is that they are all inspired by the same Holy Spirit, and are all written by people who witnessed, or were told about, the same events. The gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the apostle, one of the twelve who followed Jesus and were commissioned by Him. The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, a close associate of the apostle Peter, another one of the twelve. The gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a close associate of the apostle Paul. Why would we not expect their accounts to be very similar to one another? Each of the gospels is ultimately inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, we should expect coherence and unity."[4]


The question also stands: why do we have four Gospels, and not merely one? The answer is three-fold: 1) Having four Gospels by four distinct writers - Matthew, Mark, Dr. Luke and John - gives us a more complete picture of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus (and provides us with "undesigned coincidences," which we will examine later in this article); 2) To provide multiple eyewitness accounts and the results of careful investigation - multiple attestation of the events of the first century and give more credence and credibility; and 3) For those who seek answers or knowledge, aside from a better understanding of Christ, much can be learned from individual study of the four Gospels, particularly when reconciling the alleged "contradictions" (of which there are none).


Though the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke record similar passages, they also include what we call peculiarities


1256599  have met your purpose.


Luis A. Diaz-Perez, Resident Manager/Maintenance Supervisor. Mr. Diaz-Perez was born in Mexico City, Mexico but was raised in Los Angeles, California (Go Dodger Blue!) Mr. Diaz-Perez has been in Maui since October of 2016 and with KHAKO since August of 2017. After 33 long years in Los Angeles, him and his wife concluded that Maui would be an awesome place to relocate to. The island has not disappointed! With 8+ plus years of property management/maintenance experience, Mr. Diaz is now working with KHAKO as the Resident Manager and Maintenance Supervisor. The goal and vision of the company are noble and deserving of praise. He considers it an honor to work for said company.


Nori Clements, Administrative and Human Resource Manager. Originally, from California, Nori moved to Maui in 1984. She began a small business with her husband Michael, and continued in this for 15 years. After owning and running a business, Nori chose to expand her knowledge and skills in the area of Human Resources. As a past President of Soroptimist International of West Maui, she created many community relationships. Nori found herself a part of the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Agency in 2016 where she felt she could be a part of helping people change their lives.<|endoftext|>From social media to Form 990, Resource Pages prepared by the staff of the Division for Bar Services have quick answers to your pressing questions.


The Clearinghouse maintains information on issues of interest to the organized bar, including materials from bar association meetings and conferences, surveys, white papers and studies on key issues, and Bar Cat, an online collection of top clearinghouse items.


American Football Monthly - Maximizing Your Offensive Circuit Drills – Overall blocking can be improved with a progression of drills.


Maximizing Your Offensive Circuit Drills – Overall blocking can be improved with a progression of drills.


During the football season time to prepare and practice is very precious. We tend to spend all of our time on “scheming” the opponent and very little on fundamentals. Because of the importance of fundamentals, we have decided to build them into our practice schedule. We call them the “Fundamental 5” or “Fun 5” for short. The first one is blocking by the entire offensive unit.


Blocking is the one skill that all players have in common; therefore, we train them all the same. Once practice begins, all offensive players gather in a circle around me. I number them 1-5 and send them to coaches that are in a large circle surrounding the hash marks (5 stations). Each station will train the players in the first drill of the blocking progression, “Fit”. After 60 secon....The full article can only be seen by subscribers.


At Amiatoo, delivering great deals to our customers is what we do, no matter where you are or how fast you need it. We offer a number of different shipping methods to meet your specific needs. From fast two-day shipping, to more affordable ground transport options, choose the methods that's right for you. We ship all of our products to destinations throughout the United States, and we'll also ship many of them worldwide. Just another reason why [DOMAIN] is the best place to shop online.<|endoftext|>The Falun Census Designated Place had a population of 87 as of July 1, 2018. Falun ranks in the lower quartile for Population Density when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Kansas. See peer rankings below.


The primary coordinate point for Falun is located at latitude 38.6744 and longitude -97.7511 in Saline County. The formal boundaries for the Falun Census Designated Place (see map below) encompass a land area of 1.11 sq. miles and a water area of 0 sq. miles. Saline County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6). The elevation is 1,348 feet.


The Falun Census Designated Place (GNIS ID: 2583499) has a U1 Census Class Code which indicates a census designated place with an official federally recognized name. It also has a Functional Status Code of "S" which identifies a statistical entity.


The Falun Census Designated Place is located within Township of Falun, a minor civil division (MCD) of Saline County.


The table below compares Falun to the other 671 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Kansas by rank and percentile using July 1, 2018 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.<|endoftext|>Our local experts have handpicked recommendations for the best scuba diving in St. Thomas, USVI. Divers will find a wealth of opportunities and some of the world’s most spectacular scuba diving locations here in St. Thomas.


Visit living reefs teeming with fish and explore shipwrecks, ancient volcanic lava tubes, undersea ledges, and many more wonders of the Caribbean Sea. Small-group scuba diving tours include opportunities to encounter sea turtles, rays, and much more. You can even book a thrilling night dive to see nocturnal sea life such as eels, octopus, basket starfish, and parrot fish!


For beginners, fun and easy reef dives are available fright off world-famous Coki Beach, with certified instructors and professional equipment and guidance. More advanced divers will thrill at the opportunities for boat dives with certified PADI dive masters, taking you to exotic destinations beneath the waves.


The only thing better than scuba diving during the day off Coki Beach is a rare opportunity to dive there at night! Experience this amazing night scuba dive off St. Thomas! A lot of divers say it was better than some they have done off a boat!


Explore the best dive sites ST Thomas has to offer with a scuba diving adventure for certified divers only. Depending on conditions and interest of divers, visit a shipwreck, ancient volcanic lava tubes, undersea ledges, or lush coral reefs teeming with colorful fish and marine life!


Several cruises and 4 years of being an island girl later, I FINALLY tried diving! It took a little time for m... More


Whether you are a divemaster or you are just thinking of giving it a try, St. Thomas has a dive experience for... More


Whether it’s the invitation of sparkling clear water or the great mysteries of its depth just waiting to... More<|endoftext|>Showbiz’s worst-kept secret has finally, finally been confirmed. The Spice Girls are going on a reunion tour!


Mel B announced the news on today’s episode of Loose Women (November 5), but it comes with a caveat – the reunion features just four of them, without Victoria Beckham.


And when questioned about why Victoria has not opted to be part of the reunion tour, Mel B said: “Let’s ask her! Well, she’s got a full-on life with all of her work commitments and her fashion line and her kids. So you know, she’s just kind of not committing just yet.


Mel B also revealed that they’re unsure what the interest is going to be like and how many tickets they will sell.


“Actually, we did have this conversation between us four, and a few of us were kind of like, ‘Is this going to sell? Hopefully people are going to want to come and see us’,” she shared.<|endoftext|>Former solicitor Michael Lynn is to appear in court in Brazil today on foot of an extradition request lodged by the Government.


Lynn fled Ireland to set-up home in Brazil in an effort to avoid facing 33 charges relating to debts of €80million.


Today he will be interrogated by Judge Flavia Tavares Dantas in Recile, in the northeastern coastal state of Pernambuco.


Under Brazilian law, Lynn can be held in custody for a maximum of 90 days until the extradition case is decided.


A newborn baby may influence the judge’s decision on whether to grant bail to Lynn, who left Ireland in 2008 with debts of more than €80million.


The former millionaire’s fall from grace was so spectacular that he accepted just €635 a month in exchange for 13 hours a week of tutoring teenagers and young adults.


The Mayo man fled Ireland in 2007 after accusations of multi-million euro property fraud and made a new life in Brazil in the beach resort of Jaboatao dos Guararapes in Pernambuco.


Authorities are still considering whether to grant the Irish request. While there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there is a temporary bilateral agreement.


Paulo Cesar Maia Porto, one of several lawyers on Lynn’s legal team explained that, “Everything in Brazil delays for longer than we would like.”


Lynn has lived openly in northern Brazil for two years using his own name. He worked as an English teacher and photos of the solicitor with his students are on the website of the language school.


Porto added: “He was not hiding here. He came here to work and in a very public activity, as a teacher.


“Lynn was a well liked member of his local community. So many people know him. Everyone thinks he’s great, very agreeable.”


Porto said the defence team will also argue that extradition papers lodged by Irish officials are flawed and their accusations are not clear.


He claims there are “defects” and “formal failures” in the paperwork. The team will suggest some of the 33 charges seem to


1256600  globalization, the big international companies would be the stars and the small companies would be crushed. We all know how this story ended.


Let’s look at some more recent numbers: Since the end of 2009, the MDAX has performed 21,5% p.a. vs. 12,4% p.a. for the Dax. The French Small&Mid Cap index has performed 13,9% p.a. vs. 5,95% for the CAC in the same period. So again, many “asset allocators” are faced with a situation, where the logical thing to do is to allocate as much as possible into the much better performing asset class.


However, this past performance is only one side of the medal. Let’s again look back and look at something else this time: Valuation


When my employer at the end of the nineties decided to pull the plug of the small/midcap fund, the DAX was trading at a P/E of 32 vs. the MDAX at 16. Interstingly enough, the situation now is just the inverse: The MDAX now trades at 28 times earnings against the DAX at around 16 times. The situation looks similar in other markets. The Russel 22000 for instance trades at ~50 times 2013 earnings against 17x for the S&P 500. Of course, profits in small and midcaps could continue to grow much faster than in large caps, but at current valuation levels they have to grow much faster than for large caps in order to justify their valuation.


There seems to be so much money flowing into small caps at the moment that even the weak companies enjoy their day in the sun. So what to do now ? Chase the few remaining “cheap” small caps and hope that they get pushed up by the momentum ? Or exit completely ? I don’t know, but for instance European small caps have almost completely disappeared in my BOSS score database from the “attractive” bucket. The few remaining ones are rather “deep value” cases.


In any case, one should be very careful with small caps going forward. Based on current valuations, profits at most small cap companies (Europe and US) would have to increase really strongly in order to be able to produce additional outperformance in the next few years. There might be a few remaining opportunities, but overall “the air is getting thinner”. We will see how this plays out, but experience shows that multiple expanions will stop at some level and then usually reverse quite drastically and for long time periods. So be careful with small caps. Maybe “big is beautiful” might come again….<|endoftext|>When you walk into the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in La Jolla, it is immediately clear that the hospital is different. Unlike the hospitals across Interstate 5, it has no vaulted ceilings, or plush leather couches; no expensive paintings and sculptures. The only adornment is a grand piano set on the ground floor that plays old time jazz tunes amidst the bustle of patients, staff, and families.


The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, with an annual budget of some $68 billion, and responsibility for overseeing delivery of care to more than 9 million veterans. But the VA has been under intense scrutiny in recent months: its leadership is in flux and it is still recovering from a 2014 scandal involving wait times at some facilities. In this Q&A, we talk with Dr. Erik Owens, Chief of Surgical Service at the San Diego VA Medical Center, and Professor of Vascular Surgery at UC San Diego, to understand the issues, get to know him personally, and hear his hopes for the future of the institution.


You've been Chief of the Surgical Service at the VA Medical Center in La Jolla since 1999. What is the VA?


The VA was founded in the 1940s after World War II, when there was a large number of veterans coming back from the war who needed health care. Today, it's one of the largest, most transparent healthcare systems in the world, probably rivaled only by the Canadian healthcare system in terms of numbers. In the American health care system, aside from Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), there's no comparison. In 2017, the Department of Veteran's Affairs launched an online tool [Access and Quality Tool] that publicly provides data on wait times and quality of care. Nobody does that.


Part of the reason it's so transparent is that it's taxpayer funded, which raises the bar in terms of accountability.