title: Advancements in breast reconstruction techniques a comprehensive guide to revision procedures

text:
Breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy can be a transformative journey for breast cancer survivors, offering not only physical restoration but also emotional healing. However, the process doesn’t always end with the initial surgery. Revision procedures may be necessary due to various factors such as changes in breast shape, implant issues, or complications. In recent years, advancements in breast reconstruction techniques have provided patients with improved outcomes and a wider array of options for revision procedures.
Understanding Breast Reconstruction Revision
Revision procedures in breast reconstruction aim to address issues that arise after the initial surgery. These issues can include implant malposition, capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant), implant rupture, changes in breast symmetry, or dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome. Revision surgery may involve adjusting the implant position, replacing implants, fat grafting, or even converting to alternative reconstruction methods such as autologous tissue reconstruction.
Innovations in Implant Technology
One notable advancement in breast reconstruction is the evolution of implant technology. Modern implants offer improved durability, more natural-feeling materials, and reduced risks of complications such as capsular contracture. Additionally, the development of shaped implants allows for more customized results, especially in cases where patients desire a specific breast shape or contour.
Fat Grafting for Natural Results
Fat grafting has emerged as a valuable technique in breast reconstruction revision. It involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into the breasts to enhance volume and shape. Fat grafting can address contour irregularities, improve breast symmetry, and provide a more natural-looking outcome. Moreover, it offers the added benefit of utilizing the patient’s tissue, reducing the risk of rejection or complications associated with implants.
Combining Techniques for Optimal Results
In many cases, a combination of techniques may be utilized to achieve the best possible outcome in breast reconstruction revision. Surgeons may combine implant revision with fat grafting or incorporate tissue flaps from other areas of the body to optimize breast shape and symmetry. This personalized approach ensures that each patient receives a tailored solution that addresses their unique needs and concerns.
Patient-Centered Care and Shared Decision-Making
Central to the success of breast reconstruction revision is patient-centered care and shared decision-making. Surgeons work closely with patients to understand their goals, preferences, and concerns. Through open communication and collaboration, patients can make informed decisions about their treatment options and actively participate in the revision process. This partnership between patients and healthcare providers is fundamental in achieving satisfactory outcomes and enhancing overall patient satisfaction.
Advancements in breast reconstruction techniques have revolutionized the field, offering patients a multitude of options for revision procedures. From innovations in implant technology to the integration of fat grafting and tissue flaps, surgeons can tailor approaches to meet the unique needs of each individual. By prioritizing patient-centered care and shared decision-making, breast reconstruction revision can not only restore physical form but also empower patients on their journey toward healing and wholeness.


tier: cub

shelf: finance

title: Metlife denies hack amid ransomware attack claims

text:
Many business owners like yourself provide employee benefits like retirement, dental, and accident insurance policies. One of the top financial service companies that offers this and more is MetLife, which functions globally. Suppose MetLife is, in fact, your insurance provider. In that case, you’re probably wondering about the recent alleged attack that the company has undergone since it could affect you and your workers.
RansomHub’s Side of the Story
RansomHub, a new but infamous ransomware group that surfaced in 2024, has been eyeing MetLife, an insurance giant. Using the ransomware-as-a-service operation, the hackers claimed to have stolen 1 TB of information directly from the insurance company’s databases.
Following the story, Cybernews reported that this information included a minutes log from a meeting on December 11th. These discussed internet issues they were having that affected customers and investments. The files also included documents from July 2024 from an Executive Board meeting, investment and financial documents, and details about their Brazil, Columbia, and Chile systems.
Because every bit of information leaked was in Spanish, Cybernews had reason to believe it was the Latin American division that was under attack.
The cybercriminals then placed MetLife on their homepage with a countdown clock. At the time, it stated that the company had 11 days to pay a ransom that they did not visibly disclose. However, despite this and proof of stolen documents, MetLife said otherwise.
The insurance company's spokesperson claims there was no such attack against any MetLife department. He stated that the closest thing to a threat the company has seen is one of its subsidiaries undergoing a breach in recent months.
According to the spokesperson, the Equador-based Fondo Genesis is a financial services firm that does not operate within the MetLife enterprise systems. That means any impact Fondo Genesis receives is limited to them alone, and the effects would not reach the insurance company in question.
This attack was alleged to have occurred on New Year’s Eve. However, MetLife is not the only company facing this allegation.
Hudson Rock, a data intelligence company that prevents ransomware attacks and other fraudulent activities, sent a report to MetLife. The former claimed that a MOVEit hack exposed almost 600,000 records from the insurance company’s databases. Yet again, the company denied this.
The spokesperson stated that MetLife and Fondo Genesis were safe from this attack. That means the MOVEit hack never compromised the insurance company or its subsidiaries.
What Does This Mean?
The cybercriminal group claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday, December 31, the same day as the attack. The next day, MetLife denied all allegations of a threat to its core systems. So, where does that leave things?
As of now, no new information has come to light. So, if you’re one of the 100 million MetLife financial services customers worldwide, you likely have no reason to worry. However, keeping your eyes and ears open is always key!


shelf: education

title: Harford community college celebrates launch of its participation in marylands cyber workforce accelerator program

text:
Harford Community College held a ribbon cutting and opening celebration on May 13 in Joppa Hall to mark the launch of the College’s participation in Maryland’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program. Here are the details provided by the college:
Ribbon Cutting and Opening Celebration for Cyber Range Training Lab Held at Harford Community College
Harford Community College held a ribbon cutting and opening celebration on May 13 in Joppa Hall to mark the launch of the College’s participation in Maryland’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program.
Brian Walker, Chair, Harford Community College Board of Trustees, welcomed everyone to the event. The Honorable Harry Coker, Jr., Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce, discussed the “Impact of Cyber Range for the State of Maryland.” Theresa B. Felder, Ed.D., President, Harford Community College spoke on the “Impact of Cyber Range at Harford Community College.” The Honorable Sanjay K. Rai, Ph.D., Secretary of Higher Education, Maryland Higher Education Commission, addressed the “Impact of Cyber Range on Higher Education.” Brad Phillips, Ed.D., Executive Director, Maryland Association of Community Colleges, spoke about “Cyber Ranges at Maryland Community Colleges.” Bruce Spector, Chairman of BCR Cyber, discussed “Cyber Range as a Classroom Tool.” In addition, Harford Community College students Dominic Jones and Ryden Meadows discussed how the Cyber Range will augment their studies in the Cyber program. Marc Minnick, DBA, Dean, Business and Applied Technology, Harford Community College, served as the emcee for the event.
“This transformative space is more than the opening of a state-of-the-art facility—it marks a bold investment in our students, our region, and the future of cybersecurity. The Cyber Range at Harford Community College represents opportunity, innovation, and workforce readiness. As cybersecurity threats grow more complex, this space will empower our students to meet them head-on—with knowledge, skill, and purpose. We are proud to lead the way in building Maryland’s cybersecurity talent pipeline and thank all our partners who helped make this vision a reality,” said Dr. Felder.
Cyber ranges are virtual environments that simulate real-world networks and cyber attacks for training purposes. By participating in simulated cyber attacks and defenses in a secure, controlled setting, individuals and teams have the opportunity to engage in challenging, hands-on cybersecurity activities. These exercises help students learn, practice and improve the skills needed to obtain industry jobs and help to meet the critical need for cybersecurity professionals in Maryland.
Established by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and BCR Cyber, the Cyber Workforce Accelerator provides cyber ranges to all 16 Maryland community colleges. The BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range, a training system that simulates cyber attacks and introduces students to cybersecurity concepts and operations, is key to the CWA program.


shelf: home-craft

title: Ficus

text:
Ficus Benjamina, or Weeping Fig, are extremely popular for bonsai due to the beautiful umbrella-like canopy that can be produced with the thin branches that typically cascade downward from the weight of the leaves. In the wild, the roots of this tree are known to break concrete surfaces, wreaking havoc on defenseless roads and sidewalks. In the bonsai world, these roots provide great surface roots that attract the viewer’s eyes to the trunk of the specimen.
Watering Ficus Benjamina
This species typically needs to be watered more than others due to the amount of sunlight it receives. These trees can dry out very quickly if not watched carefully. You can use your finger to test how dry the soil is if you do not own a moisture meter. Another way to test for moisture is by feeling how heavy the plant is. A lighter plant than normal indicates that it needs to be watered.
Placement of your Ficus Benjamina
Benjamina Ficus thrive in well-lit locations, sheltered from direct midday sunlight. Place this tree in an area that gets a large amount of moisture, such as a kitchen. They tend to grow less leaves and look less lively if grown in dry areas of the house. Ensure that your miniature tree is not in a location that experiences cool drafts.
Training Ficus Benjamina
Pruning Ficus Benjamina encourages the tree to grow new shoots, so it is essential that you prune them regularly. In order to maintain shape, cut new growth back to the first two leaves after they have grown 5 or 6 leaves. You will have to perform maintenance pruning regularly to maintain shape and size, as this tree grows quickly.
Benjamina Ficus are great for formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi-cascade, broom, and slanting styles. They are also well known for rock-over-root and clasped-to-rock plantings. These plants are commonly grown as bonsai and much larger house plants.
Repotting Ficus Benjamina
These trees should be repotted every year for the first few years to ensure they have plenty of support for vigorous growth. When repotting, it is important that you remove up to 30% of the surface roots to promote new growth. Ficus prefer well-draining soils, containing mostly sand and other arrogates.
Fertilizing Ficus Benjamina
Your Benjamina Ficus relies heavily on the nutrients you provide in your fertilizer. The nutrients in the soil will wash away quickly and must be reapplied through a good fertilizer. This species prefers a weekly feeding of balanced fertilizer, slowed down to every other week through the winter.


tier: polar

shelf: history-culture

title: Your essential guide to the golden gods breakthrough category

text:
Every year a band with potential makes the step up to achieve something more – be it a larger fanbase, an improved live spectacle, or an advancement in their recorded output. In the metal world of 2016, all of these bands nominated here have made that important step to the next level.
You can trust Louder
The Swedes were already something of a cult proposition in the UK after being bumped up to a main stage slot at Bloodstock last year. But this past 12 months has seen them reach an even more fervent level of devotion from fans of their Hollywood, goth, rock superstar aesthetic.
2014’s Disgusting debut sent shockwaves through the underground with its raw and deeply personal lyrical content mixed with slamming hardcore – and the chaotic live shows that followed were legendary. But no one could have imagined the connection it had with so many people, so quickly. There are now an army of fans waiting to hear its follow-up.
Already critically lauded for their meld of post-black metal atmospherics on 2013’s Sunbather album, the San Franciscan quintet have truly, and quite amazingly, crossed over into mainstream consciousness with the release of last year’s New Bermuda. An album that took their formula and improved upon it.
Northlane could have been derailed, as so many bands are, by a change in the vocalist department. But instead they found Marcus Bridge – a man whose vocal dexterity and class is plastered all over last year’s Node album – and have taken vast creative steps both on record and live.
We Came As Romans
Already a big name in the States, WCAR had never really managed to break out of the metalcore pack here in the UK. That is until they released the best, and most accessible, album of their career with last year’s self-titled effort. Now the buzz on this band can be heard on both sides of the Atlantic.
Vote for who you want to win Best Breakthrough Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods, in association with Fireball, to be in with a chance of winning tickets to the ceremony.
Each Golden God Awards ticket includes a free 3-month TeamRock+membership worth £11.97, giving unlimited access to full magazine content online from Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Prog and The Blues Magazine as well as exclusive content, events and offers.
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Since blagging his way onto the Hammer team a decade ago, Stephen has written countless features and reviews for the magazine, usually specialising in punk, hardcore and 90s metal, and still holds out the faint hope of one day getting his beloved U2 into the pages of the mag. He also regularly spouts his opinions on the Metal Hammer Podcast.


shelf: civic-law

title: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail

text:
Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail
& @madiustangau (Twitter)
Subscribe to our Telegram channel for our latest stories and breaking news.
According to New Straits Times, KPDNHEP minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said his ministry has conducted a preliminary study over the matter and has contacted AirAsia’s management for feedback.
He said the ministry has compiled many consumers’ grievances and complaints, including flight delays at short notice to passengers, flights being rescheduled to over six hours past its original time, and the lack of compensation for these inconveniences.
Nanta added that although the aviation industry is under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, he will intervene in the interest of consumer rights.
Many posts on social media show angry and dissatisfied customers tagging the airline and calling them out over the trouble caused by the long waits.
“If you feel that you have not been adequately compensated, please lodge a formal complaint with the airline before contacting the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM),” he said on his official Twitter account today, 10 May.
According to MAVCOM, he said consumers have the right to claim compensation in the event of a flight delay, which may come in the form of:- Food, phone calls, and internet access, if the delay is over two hours,
– A hotel stay and transport, if the delay is over five hours, or
– A full refund or alternative flight, if the flight is cancelled.
The minister also asked AirAsia to provide a flow chart for the convenience of consumers on the process of filing a formal complaint for compensation.
In an earlier report by Malaysiakini, AirAsia had apologised just last week for 10-hour long domestic flight delays during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Labour Day weekend.
AirAsia did not immediately respond to a request for comment by SAYS today.


shelf: science-engineering

text:
Microsporogenesis and Microspore (With Diagram) !
During the development of the microsporangium, the anther is seen at first as a homogeneous mass of meristematic cells, oblong in cross-section and surrounded by an epidermis (Fig. 404A).
It then becomes more or less four-lobed and four longitudinal rows of archesporial cells are differentiated. The archesporial cells are marked off from the surrounding cells by their more deeply staining cytoplasm and conspicuous nuclei.
There may be only one such archesporial cell in each of the four lobes (fig. 404B) as in Boerhaavia, etc., or there may be more of them forming a plate (Ophiopogon, etc.).
Longitudinally, also, there may be one to many of them. Each archesporial cell now cuts off a primary parietal cell towards the epidermis and a primary sporogenous cell on the inner side (Fig. 404C).
The parietal cell now divides by periclinal and anticlinal walls giving rise to several layers of cells forming the wall of the anther while the sporogenous cell usually divides a few times giving rise to a number of microspore or pollen mother cells (Fig. 404D).
The innermost layer of wall cells directly abutting on the sporogenous tissue forms the tapetum which is a nutritive tissue nourishing the developing microspores (Fig. 404E). The wall cells just below the epidermis form the endothecium which later loses the cell contents, usually becomes fibrous, and forms the dry coat of the mature anther in which the epidermis becomes rather inconspicuous.
Between the tapetum and the endothecium there are one to three middle layers of cells. The middle layers and the tapetum are usually crushed by the time actual meiosis occurs in the sporogenous cells.
During microsporogenesis (i.e., development of microspores or pollens) the nucleus of each microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis or reduction division ultimately giving rise to four haploid (i.e., possessing ‘n’ number of chromosomes) nuclei (Fig. 404—F & G).
These four nuclei are arranged tetrahedrally (Fig. 404—H & I) and are soon invested with cell walls. Many variations are known of this typical pattern of meiosis, e.g., in maize a wall is formed across the dyad (2-nucleated condition).
They are now the microspores or pollens which soon dry up and become powdery while the tapetum becomes absorbed.
The anther now becomes a dry structure, the partition walls between the sporangia (i.e., loculi) are usually destroyed (Fig. 404J) and the microspores (pollens) are soon liberated by dehiscence of the anther.
The tapetal cells often become multinucleate and play a great part in the nutrition of the pollens. Sometimes they develop a Plasmodium after disintegration and play a part in the development of the exine of the pollen. Even a part of the sporogenous tissue may break down and serve for nutrition instead of developing spores.
While the pollens are dry and powdery in most flowers, peculiar conditions are often let with. In Annona, Elodea, Typha, etc., the four spores in a tetrad never separate but form compound pollen grains.
In the Mimoseae 8 to 64 pollens often aggregate together while in the gynostegium of Calotropis and the gynostemium of orchids all the pollens of each anther lobe from a characteristic mass called pollinium (Fig. 405). Each pollinium is provided with a stalk called caudicle and a sticky base called disc or corpusculum.
The pollen or the microspore is a very minute structure (0.025 to 0.125 mm in diameter). It is unicellular and usually round although it may be oval, pyramidal, polyhedral, etc. It is provided with two coats—an inner, delicate cellulose layer called intine and an outer tough, cutinised layer called exine or extine. The exine is often sculptured or provided with spines, warts, etc. Occasionally, it is smooth.
The exine may have a waxy coating to render the pollen more or less waterproof. Very often, there are some definitely thinner, circular spots or slits in the exine called germ pores or slits.
These weak spots are utilised during the germination of the pollen. The pores are sometimes provided with lids (Fig. 409 B) which open out like valves during germination. Very often, before the pollen is discharged from the anther it becomes binucleate (Fig. 406), the original single nucleus dividing-into a tube nucleus and a generative nucleus.
The latter, with some cytoplasm surrounding it, becomes the generative cell (described later). Sometimes the pollen may even become trinucleate (Fig. 410), as in most cereal crops, by complete development of the male gametophyte even before it is shed. Fig. 407 shows some different forms of mature pollens. Palynology is the science involving the study of pollens.
Development of The Male Gametophyte:
The nucleus of the microspore begins to divide very soon after it is formed. Its division is usually quicker in the warmer climate than in the cooler regions. Such division may begin even before the microspores dissociate from the tetrad condition.
When the pollen is lodged on the stigma, usually its nucleus has already divided. The microspore cell divides into two very equal cells with the smaller cell attached to the wall (Fig. 408A).
The latter soon loses contact with the wall (Fig. 408 B) and becomes the lens-shaped generative cell floating freely in the cytoplasm of the large vegetative or tube cell (Fig. 409A).
It is then in the binucleate (or two-celled) stage. As the pollen germinates and the pollen tube comes out through a germ pore (Fig. 409B) the vegetative nucleus precedes the generative cell (Fig. 409C).
The generative cell soon divides mitotically to form two male gametes (Fig. 409 D) and this act is known as spermatogenesis as the male gametes of Angiosperms are equivalent to the ciliated sperms of the lower groups of plants. The gamete nuclei are enveloped in cytoplasmic sheaths, this forming gamete cells. At a later stage the two male gamete cells are seen to follow the vegetative ‘nucleus (Fig. 409E).
Soon the vegetative nucleus, which seems to be of no importance being a mere vestigial organ, disappears. As the pollen is the microspore, the contents within the pollen and the pollen tube formed by the germination of the microspore is the male gametophyte of Angiosperms.
While the male gametophyte, thus, usually develops after the pollen has germinated, there are many instances where it develops within the pollen before the pollen tube is formed and, in some cases, even before pollination. Trinucleate pollens with tube nucleus and two gamete cells are observed in such cases (Fig. 410). Such trinucleate pollen formation is the rule in many plants (e.g., Portulaca), specially the cereal crops like wheat, rice, maize of Gramineae and sugarcane of the same family.


shelf: software-docs

title: Introduction to data migration

text:
The Data Bridge API facilitates the transfer of databases between on-premise server instances and managed server instances on Data Bridge.
Tenants may import or export databases (e.g. EDMs, RDMs, custom databases) as database artifacts. A database artifact is a copy of a database that has been saved to a particular format for backup, storage, or data transfer. Data Bridge APIs support processes for importing and exporting database artifacts in the BAK, MDF, or DACPAC formats.
Authenticated principals with the appropriate role-based permissions (Admin and Contributor roles) may import and export databases to Data Bridge.
The Data Bridge API offers two methods for importing database artifacts to managed server instances on Data Bridge. The method you choose depends on the size of the file uploaded:
- Small databases. The Databases API defines operations that facilitate the transfer of relatively small database artifacts in a single stream. Use this method for one-off uploads of smaller database artifacts (less than 5GB in size). For step-by-step instructions and sample code, see Import Small Databases.
- Large databases. The Import/Upload API defines operations that enable you to transfer large files (greater than 5GB in size) in multiple parts. Moody's RMS recommends that you use this method for API integrations. For step-by-step instructions and sample code, see Import Large Databases.
Moody's RMS recommends that you use the Import/Upload API for all upload for all data integration projects. Although this workflow is more complicated than a single-stream upload workflow, multipart upload jobs provide for greater throughput and better recovery from network issues. The Databases API defines enables a process that is suitable for one-off uploads of small database artifacts (less than 5GB) in size.
Both processes leverage Amazon Web Services (AWS) APIs to manage the uploading of database artifacts (in BAK, DACPAC, or MDF format) to Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3). Data Bridge provides operations for acquiring pre-signed URIs to storage buckets on Amazon S3 and for importing the uploaded data from the storage bucket into a managed server instance on Data Bridge.
The Data Bridge API also supports exporting hosted databases on Data Bridge as database artifacts. Exported databases may be downloaded and imported into on-premise server instances. To learn more, see Export Databases.
Updated about 1 year ago


shelf: health

title: By John Greco

text:
By John Greco
The news was grim, the sort of thing no parent wants to hear. I had been born cross-eyed with severe astigmatism. Just a few months later, the doctors were confident that my eyes would not improve over time. There was no procedure or surgery available to correct the issues, so they told my parents I would eventually be blind.
My dad was, and still is, a pretty stubborn guy. But in this case, it turned out to be an amazing blessing. He was determined to find a doctor who would give him a different answer. And so, he marched into his boss’s office one morning and announced that he would be leaving every Friday at noon for the foreseeable future. He would use those afternoons to meet with ophthalmologists and eye surgeons, anyone who might give his son a better prognosis. A short time later, my dad did indeed find a doctor who was willing to operate. It was an experimental procedure with no guarantees, frontier medicine at the time. But the surgery was successful, and today I don’t even wear glasses.
At the time, my dad worked for IBM in lower Manhattan. It was, by every measure, a really great job—great medical and dental coverage, full pension, lots of time off. It was a wonderful opportunity with a growing company. It wasn’t the sort of job anyone would just toss aside lightly. But that’s what my dad was willing to do if it came to it. When he met with his boss to tell him his Friday afternoon plans, he wasn’t exactly seeking permission or requesting time off. He was simply saying, “If you care about me, respect me, and appreciate the work I do, then you will also care about my son. He’s my priority. This is not up for negotiation.” In other words, they couldn’t have the father without also loving his children.
This is also God’s posture toward His children—you, me, and the millions of brothers and sisters we have in Christ. That’s why John writes, “The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister” (1John 4:21). You can’t have the Father without also loving His children.
This can be hard for us. Like many kids in large families, we can forget that Dad has other kids He loves with His whole heart. He loves each of us uniquely and perfectly, but He doesn’t love us alone. So, then, how we treat our brothers and sisters is a good measure of how well we are loving God. Let’s love each other well, not because we are always loveable, but because God loves every one of His children. And we ought to love what He loves.
Written by John Greco


title: How can cloud bookkeeping improve cash flow management

text:
Cloud bookkeeping platforms provide real-time visibility into your income and expenses, which is crucial for effective cash flow management.
Features such as automatic invoice generation, payment reminders, and integrated payment processing help you get paid faster and reduce the likelihood of overdue accounts.
You can also set up customizable dashboards to monitor your accounts receivable, upcoming bills, and cash balances. This visibility enables better decision-making and allows you to plan for upcoming expenses or growth opportunities.
Using these cloud bookkeeping tools, business owners can identify trends, cut unnecessary costs, and make strategic financial decisions—all of which contribute to a healthier bottom line.
📍Need Help Getting Started?
At Daniel Ahart Tax Service®, we help small business owners embrace smarter bookkeeping solutions. Whether you’re transitioning to digital tools or need someone to take the books off your hands altogether, our team can help guide you every step of the way.
Ready to modernize your bookkeeping?
Let’s talk about your current process, your goals, and the best digital tools to keep your business running smoothly and profitably.
📞 Contact us today and discover how easy it is to go digital.
Remember that every person and every tax return is different, this is just a guide, please find the closest DATS location near you and do not hesitate to contact us. Daniel Ahart Tax Service will be open and ready to answer the phone or in person to clarify any doubts and to be able to guide you in the process,” explains Daniel Ahart, chief tax officer at the tax preparation company Daniel Ahart Tax Service®
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Use our tool to find the office nearest you or click on a city link below. You will find office information and a link to schedule and manage your appointment on the office page.
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title: Shaping the leaders of tomorrow the role of education in leadership development

text:
Leadership, in all its facets, underpins the success of any society, organization, or institution. Leaders are at the helm, steering the course of action. They drive initiatives, bolster growth, and ensure that collective objectives are realized. However, the million-dollar question remains—are leaders a product of birth, or can they be crafted?
While this discussion simmers, one consensus emerges—education wields immense power in molding leaders. This article delves into how education serves as the architect of future leadership, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of competent leaders. Read on.
Table of Contents
Nurturing Leadership Skills Early On
Leadership capabilities aren’t limited to the professional sphere. Indeed, their cultivation should commence during the foundational years. Educational institutions, such as Hillsong College, introduce children to critical competencies. Consider, for example, a student participating in a team-based science project. This practical scenario aids the student in honing skills like expressing ideas clearly, tackling problems collaboratively, and functioning effectively as part of a team.
Such experiences, when facilitated within a supportive educational environment, can help shape future leaders. These fundamental skills—communication, problem-solving, and teamwork—form the cornerstone of sound leadership. Nurturing these skills from an early age cultivates a strong foundation for the leaders of tomorrow.
Instilling Values For Leadership
Education primarily fosters indispensable leadership values like integrity, empathy, and resilience. Take, for example, a classroom debate where students grapple with divergent viewpoints. Such an experience imparts respect for others’ perspectives, thereby nurturing empathy. On the other hand, experiencing an academic setback, such as failing a test, can instill resilience, teaching students to rebound stronger.
In this scenario, the role of educational institutions becomes pivotal. By facilitating a balanced curriculum that equally emphasizes academic growth and character development, these institutions become the breeding ground for these strong values.
Once students internalize these values, they are on their way to becoming well-rounded leaders who strike a balance between accomplishing tasks and demonstrating emotional intelligence. In this way, education serves as the cornerstone in shaping leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also emotionally aware and compassionate.
Active Leadership Development
Education isn’t merely confined to classroom learning; it encompasses real-world, practical experiences as well. Schools and colleges present a plethora of leadership opportunities. For instance, when students take the reins as project team leaders, they experience the thrill and challenges of decision-making and conflict resolution first-hand.
Simultaneously, taking up the mantle of a school club leader or orchestrating a community event allows students to polish their organizational and interpersonal skills. These situations serve as incubators for leadership, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world contexts, thereby sharpening their leadership abilities.
In essence, these opportunities foster active leadership development, allowing students to not just learn about leadership in theory but also practice it, giving them a head start in their journey toward becoming effective leaders.
The Power Of Experiential Learning
Experiential learning, learning through active engagement, provides a strong platform for nurturing leadership. Think of a student undertaking an internship. The experience of working in a professional environment, dealing with real-time challenges, meeting deadlines, and cooperating with team members equips the student with practical leadership skills.
Similarly, volunteering for community service teaches empathy and accountability—essential traits for any leader. Study abroad programs introduce students to diverse cultures, encouraging adaptability and inclusivity.
By facing and overcoming real-world hurdles, students learn to adapt, innovate, and lead effectively, enhancing their leadership prowess. Such experiences underscore the immense potential of experiential learning in shaping future leaders.
The Importance Of Feedback In Leadership Development
Feedback serves as a vital cog in the wheel of leadership development. Imagine a student leading a fundraising campaign for a school event. Post-event feedback from teachers and peers provides insights into their performance, shedding light on strengths and pinpointing areas needing improvement.
Educational institutions play an instrumental role in facilitating this feedback loop. Regular feedback on a student’s performance in diverse leadership roles can stir self-reflection.
This cycle of receiving feedback, reflecting on it, and implementing changes promotes learning and growth, forging stronger leaders. It’s through this continuous feedback mechanism that students can evolve, learning to play to their strengths and improving areas of weakness, steadily morphing into effective leaders.
Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. By fostering leadership skills early on, instilling values, offering opportunities for active leadership development, promoting experiential learning, and facilitating constructive feedback, educational institutions can cultivate future leaders. The leaders of tomorrow are not just born—they can be made through intentional, impactful education.


title: Coombe Avenue, Bournemouth BH10 5AB

text:
Coombe Avenue, Bournemouth BH10 5AB
£385,000 via Meyers Estate Agents, Covering Bournemouth: 01202 149451
This listing has expired!
A well-presented THREE-BEDROOM DETACHED family home situated on a popular residential road abutting REDHILL Park - with excellent SCHOOL CATCHMENTS such as Glenmoor/Winton & Moordown St Johns and various LOCAL AMENITIES. The property comprises of an entrance PORCH, generous HALLWAY, spacious LIVING ROOM featuring a bay window, open-plan KITCHEN/DINER with access to rear garden via patio doors, GF WC, first floor LANDING, TWO DOUBLE BEDROOMS, ONE good-sized SINGLE BEDROOM and family BATHROOM. Outside benefits from a low-maintenance REAR GARDEN with GARDEN ROOM and private driveway for OFF-ROAD PARKING.
The property is a beautifully presented three-bedroom detached family home, ideally located in a sought-after and well-established residential area.
The property enjoys a prime position within proximity to a wide variety of local amenities, including shops, parks, and leisure facilities. The area is particularly popular with young families thanks to its excellent access to highly regarded local schools, making it an ideal setting for family life.
Having been thoughtfully updated and reconfigured in recent years, the home is offered in immaculate condition throughout. Upon entering, you are welcomed by a practical entrance porch leading into a spacious hallway, which includes a convenient ground-floor cloakroom.
The main sitting room is warm and inviting, offering a comfortable space for relaxation. To the rear of the property is a modern open-plan kitchen and dining area. This stylish and sociable space features contemporary fittings and ample room for family meals or entertaining guests. Patio doors seamlessly connect the indoors to the garden, flooding the space with natural light and offering easy access to the outdoor area.
Upstairs, there are three well-proportioned bedrooms, each thoughtfully decorated and suited for family living. A modern family bathroom serves the bedrooms, offering a clean and comfortable space for everyday use.
One of the most impressive features of this property is its generous rear garden. Ideal for families and those who enjoy outdoor living, the garden is a tranquil and private retreat. It includes a large wooden garden room perfect as a home office, studio, or additional entertaining space. To the front of the house there is off road parking for two cars.
Agent: Meyers Estate Agents, Covering Bournemouth
Meyers Estate Agents, 918 Wimborne Road Bournemouth BH9 2BJ
Phone: 01202 149451
Return to: All Properties in BH10


title: Alva

text:
“Throughout my 30 years as an artist, my music has been closely linked to indigenous rights and to my Sámi community involvement. On my new project, ALVA, I created music that thematizes love in the word’s different values.”
Singer , musician, activist, and cultural icon Mari Boine has long used her voice, musical or otherwise, to further her advocacy for the preservation of Sámi culture and identity.
On this album, Mari steps back towards her own roots, offering glimpses into a childhood which she abandoned when she chose to leave behind a strict religious upbringing in order to pursue a life of activism and music. The poignancy of the record reaches an emotional high on the mournful “Mu eadni” (Mother of Mine), wherein Mari laments her own relationship with her mother.
“Mu eadni is a song of love and lament for the woman who gave me life, and for all women who suffer under systems that shame and subordinate them.”
“As a Laestadian Christian, my eadni was bound by strict gender roles, and that insidious association of the feminine with sin. She was taught to be self-denying: that her highest purpose as a woman was obedience. (To males, naturally, all the way down.)
When her daughters resisted, she felt it was a personal failure. And yet, she was Sámi, with echoes and stirrings from a much older worldview, one that celebrated the feminine, that found purpose in reciprocity, not hierarchies. Sometimes, I feel her with us, free from shame, sharing our freedom. Smoothing our fringe. Adjusting our belts. Asking us to twirl.”
Alva is available as a black LP, purple LP and a CD, with beautiful photos by Knut Bry and Gregor Hohenberg and graphic design by Büro Dirk Rudolph.
“On Alva, her new work, Mari reflects on her roots and Sámi culture, and continues to advocate the preservation of the environment, her cultural heritage and wisdom of her ancestors, as well as raising awareness for intercultural dialogue.”


title: 7 years ago you donated your salary to me today im confirming your appointment senator abbo tells aregbesola

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The senator representing Adamawa north, Senator Elisha Abbo, said Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and minister-designate, gave him his one-month salary to contest the chairmanship election in his hometown in 2012.
The young senator stated this on Monday while speaking on the floor of the Senate during an ongoing ministerial-nominee screening of the former governor, describing him as a ‘detribalised, honest Nigerian’ and request the senate extend the respect accorded other ex-lawmakers to him.
He narrated, ” I want to join my colleagues from Osun and the entire south-west to extol the virtue of this great Nigerian.
I remember in 2012 when i contested for the chairmanship of my local government as a very tiny young man; I visited you in GRA, Ikeja in your house.
“I never knew you and you asked me to come in and I explained my problems and you told me to come to the government house and meet you.
“When I got there, I thought I would stay there for three days without seeing you. I filled a form, you saw my name and ushered me into your office upstairs and you gave me the whole of your salary that month to go to Adamawa and contest election.
“Today, to the grace of God, I am one of the people confirming your nomination. I want to enjoin my colleagues to please allow this detribalised, honest Nigerian to take a bow and go and also ask of Mr President of Nigeria to give you a very big ministry. God bless you, sir.”
Aregbesola however responded not recollecting the encounter but expressed gratitude to Abbo for sharing it publicly.
The former governor also did not leave out the APC chieftain of the south-west, Bola Tinubu, whom he said groomed him well.
It should be recalled, Senator Abbo was alleged to have assaulted a nursing mother at a sex toy shop in Abuja in a viral video and is being investigated by the senate.


title: 39315 nasa satellite shows healing ozone hole

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Efforts to heal the hole in Earth's ozone layer over Antarctica appear to be paying off, according to a new, first-of-its-kind study that looked directly at ozone-destroying chemicals in the atmosphere.
Earth's ozone layer protects the planet's surface from some of the sun's more harmful rays that can cause cancer and cataracts in humans, and damage plant life, according to NASA. In the mid-1980s, researchers identified a massive hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica and determined that it had been caused largely by human-produced chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Previous satellite observations have observed changes in the size of the ozone hole, noting that it can grow and shrink from year to year. But the new study is the first to directly measure changes in the amount of chlorine — the main CFC byproduct responsible for ozone depletion — in the atmosphere above Antarctica, according to a statement from NASA. The study showed a 20-percent decrease in ozone depletion due to chlorine between 2005 and 2016. [Earth's Atmosphere: Composition, Climate & Weather]
The new study looked at ozone data collected between 2005 and 2016 by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument aboard the Aura satellite. The instrument cannot directly detect chlorine atoms, but instead detects hydrochloric acid, which forms when chlorine atoms react with methane, and then bond with hydrogen. When Antarctica is bathed in sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere's summer, CFCs break down and produce chlorine, which then break apart ozone atoms. But during the winter months (early July to mid-September), the chlorine tends to bind with methane "once all the ozone has been destroyed" in its vicinity, according to the statement.
"By around mid-October, all the chlorine compounds are conveniently converted into one gas, so by measuring hydrochloric acid, we have a good measurement of the total chlorine," lead study author Susan Strahan, an atmospheric scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in the statement.
The MLS instrument observed the ozone hole daily during the Southern Hemisphere's winter.
"During this period, Antarctic temperatures are always very low, so the rate of ozone destruction depends mostly on how much chlorine there is," Strahan said. "This is when we want to measure ozone loss."
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Because previous studies relied on measurements of the physical size of the ozone hole, the authors of the new study say their research is the first to directly show that ozone depletion is decreasing as a direct result of a decrease in the presence of chlorine from CFCs, according to the statement. The 20-percent reduction in depletion is "very close to what our model predicts we should see for this amount of chlorine decline," Strahan said.
"This gives us confidence that the decrease in ozone depletion through mid-September shown by MLS data is due to declining levels of chlorine coming from CFCs," she said. "But we're not yet seeing a clear decrease in the size of the ozone hole because that's controlled mainly by temperature after mid-September, which varies a lot from year to year."
The study was published Jan. 4 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Calla Cofield joined Space.com's crew in October 2014. She enjoys writing about black holes, exploding stars, ripples in space-time, science in comic books, and all the mysteries of the cosmos. Prior to joining Space.com Calla worked as a freelance writer, with her work appearing in APS News, Symmetry magazine, Scientific American, Nature News, Physics World, and others. From 2010 to 2014 she was a producer for The Physics Central Podcast. Previously, Calla worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (hands down the best office building ever) and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California. Calla studied physics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is originally from Sandy, Utah. In 2018, Calla left Space.com to join NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory media team where she oversees astronomy, physics, exoplanets and the Cold Atom Lab mission. She has been underground at three of the largest particle accelerators in the world and would really like to know what the heck dark matter is. Contact Calla via: E-Mail – Twitter


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Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India
Markaz International, a leading Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, is committed to providing high-quality solutions that ensure the longevity and protection of metal surfaces. With rust being a common issue affecting iron and steel products, our iron rust remover chemicals are designed to restore the surface efficiently and prevent further corrosion.
As a top Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, we prioritize quality and innovation in every product. Our rust removers are formulated to dissolve rust quickly, leaving behind a clean, metal surface ready for further treatment or coating. Whether used in industrial applications or maintenance of machinery, our chemicals are trusted by industries across the country.
Product Description of Iron Rust Remover Chemical
Our Iron Rust Remover Chemical is a powerful and effective solution designed to eliminate rust from iron and steel surfaces. Formulated with advanced ingredients, this product ensures fast and thorough rust removal, restoring metal surfaces to their original condition. It works by dissolving rust without damaging the base material, making it ideal for industrial and household applications. Safe to use on a variety of iron surfaces, this chemical helps protect metals from further corrosion, extending the lifespan of your equipment.
It is a non-drying rust preventive. It has ability to displace water from metallic surface spreading rapidly to form a rust preventive film in the same time. It has a good water repelling power. Highly recommended for ball bearings, cylinders, pistons & piston parts, precision measuring instruments, sheet and strip metal, machine tools, internal protection of machines etc. especially during transit or storage of items.
Features of Our Iron Rust Remover Chemical
- Fast-Acting Formula: Our rust remover works swiftly, reducing downtime in industrial processes.
- Non-Toxic and Safe: Being a responsible Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, we ensure our products are environmentally friendly and safe to use.
- Easy Application: Our rust removers are simple to apply, offering versatility for various industries, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Markaz International products offer great value, making us the preferred Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India for businesses looking for long-term rust prevention solutions.
Product Application of Iron Rust Remover Chemical
The Iron Rust Remover Chemical is highly versatile and can be used across multiple industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing. It is perfect for cleaning rusted machinery, tools, iron gates, and more. Simply apply the solution to the rusted area, wait for the chemical to penetrate and dissolve the rust, and wipe it off to reveal a clean, rust-free surface. As a trusted Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, we ensure our product delivers exceptional results in various industrial applications. Choose our Iron Rust Remover Chemical for efficient and reliable rust removal.
Why Markaz International Stands Out
At Markaz International, we understand the importance of protecting your assets from corrosion. As a trusted Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, we offer solutions that not only remove existing rust but also help prevent future corrosion, extending the lifespan of metal components.
If you're searching for a reliable Iron Rust Remover Chemical manufacturer in India, contact Markaz International today. Our experts are ready to assist you with customized solutions for your rust removal needs.


title: Rebecca Renfroe, LCSW

text:
Rebecca Renfroe, LCSW
I am a licensed therapist in Oklahoma with three years of professional experience working with children, teens, and young adults, and I am open to supporting clients from a variety of age groups. My expertise includes helping individuals navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation challenges, self-esteem, confidence, and depression. I also have experience supporting clients through significant life changes.
I believe in creating a safe, compassionate space where we can work together to explore and address your unique concerns. With training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I tailor our sessions and treatment plan to your specific needs and goals.
Taking the first step towards a more fulfilling and balanced life takes courage. I am here to provide support and guidance as you work towards your mental health and personal growth.
Additional areas of focus: Attachment issues, Body image, Communication problems, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia
OK LCSW 20609
I'm still new to therapy, as I've tried it before but can only get through 1 or 2 sessions before giving up, however after 3 sessions with Rebecca, I feel as if I'm gonna finally stick to it. Rebecca shows me a lot of patience, even when I don't exactly know how to describe what's wrong or what I'm needing help with. I was worried I'd be too much, but she works with me, listens and offers great advice/grounding words. We aren't moving too fast or too slowly, and she has made me feel very comfortable with opening up. I have no complaints at all.
Written on Dec 18, 2024 after therapy with Rebecca for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd


title: Satellite Insurance Market Key Insights

text:
Satellite Insurance Market Key Insights
Satellite Insurance Market Analysis by Regions
Satellite Insurance Market Analysis by Segments
Satellite Insurance Market Size (current and future)
Satellite Insurance Market Competitive Benchmarking
2 years ago
This report aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of the global market for Satellite Insurance, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to help readers develop business/growth strategies, assess the market competitive situation, analyze their position in the current marketplace, and make informed business decisions regarding Satellite Insurance.
The Satellite Insurance mar...
The fall season is a favourite when it comes to fashion since fall fashion is different from all the others with its straight cuts, monochromatic colours and warm appeal.
Technological advancements and automation encourage commercial vehicle manufacturers to produce safer, better, and more robust trucks to encourage comfortable and reliable drives. Although the commercial vehicle market was severely impacted due to the pandemic and limited trading and supply chains, some producers remained at the top of their production and innovation. Therefore, their market shares remained more or less constant as well.
The skateboard demands continue to rocket, making the global market even more competitive each day. There are numerous skateboard manufacturers differing in their sizes and market shares. Because skateboarding is a strenuous and slightly risky game, consumers prefer buying their skateboards from leading brands and popular businesses.
Douglas Insights enables effective market research for its clients by including the Global Silicone Nasal Cannula report in its comparison engine. Industry p...
Douglas Insights is looking to grow its comparison engine and conversely included an analysis on 3D Gaming Consoles Market. The research includes all sorts o...
Douglas Insights enables effective market research for its clients by including the Silicone Coated Textile Market report in its comparison engine. Industry ...


text:
Exploring the many ways that instructors use TMYN
UMC Aspen Rooms
Poster Presentation Part of
Increasing Student Engagement in Lectures and Labs
We explore the many ways that The Math You Need, When You Need It (TMYN) is used both formally and informally to support quantitative skills use and development in the geosciences. TMYN was originally designed as a student resource to be used in close connection to introductory geoscience courses. Evaluation of the modules has focused on collecting data associated with its use by faculty trained at several workshops to implement the resource in conjunction with their introductory geoscience course. Faculty who went through the workshops incorporate it in their classes in flexible ways - as an out of class resource, pre-lab homework, optional homework, or as a review for students who struggle with basic mathematics. However, we have discovered that both trained and untrained instructors are using TMYN in innovative ways that extend beyond their original design. Several faculty who attended the workshop subsequently trained others in their departments and adapted TMYN so that the modules could be used throughout the department. UW Colleges (Wisconsin's state system of community colleges) are using TMYN and its evaluation software system-wide to collect data on student quantitative preparation and skill acquisition. The most recent edition of the AGI/NAGT Physical Geology manual includes QR codes and links directly to appropriate pages in TMYN as a way to scaffold student support. TMYN resources are also accessed by 5,000-10,000 people per week, most of whom are searching for mathematical help on Google or other search engines. As the TMYN project draws to a close, we explore ways to continue and extend the effective use of the resource post-NSF funding.


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Last year's buns with crosses and glaze - very pretty
A little late I know, but I did actually make these on time (i.e. before Good Friday) this year. I decided not to do the traditional crosses, making them into Not Cross Buns and therefore perfect for any time of the year, because these little beauties should definitely not be confined to the celebration of Easter!
I used the same recipe as last year, which can be found here: No Knead Mini Hot Cross Buns. The minor changes I made were to use all raisins rather than a mixture of raisins and cranberries, to use whole milk rather than semi skimmed (2%) and to use normal bread flour instead of extra strong. I got 17 50g balls of dough from the recipe.
This year's buns - not so pretty but equally delicious
It's perfect as far as I'm concerned - a little forethought for the soaking of the raisins to make them beautifully plump and juicy, no kneading of the sticky dough, minimal intervention on my part, and the loveliest soft, juicy buns at the end of the process. The only thing it requires is time really - I find sweet (enriched) yeasted doughs take much longer than you think to rise and I know this is where I've made mistakes in the past - not letting the dough rise enough has led to bullet like buns. The spices also retard the action of the yeast, so here patience is a virtue. I also like to arrange my buns to proove so that they batch together, maximising the softness.
Soft crumb with juicy raisins
I am the first to admit that these are not the most picture-perfect round, glazed hot cross buns but oh wow do they make up for that in taste and texture. J was chief taste tester for these and her first comment after finishing one (interspersed by comments such as 'Ooh, these are really good') was 'Have you brought any more for me....?' Make them, you won't regret it!
I'm entering these not cross buns into Calendar Cakes, where the theme this month is Easter Extravaganza. The host this month is Laura of Laura Loves Cakes, and the challenge is also hosted by Rachel of Dolly Bakes.


title: 21103

text:
Hulu has unveiled the official trailer for its highly anticipated supernatural horror film, Mr. Crocket, a nostalgic yet chilling nod to 1990s children’s programming. The trailer opens with a heartwarming scene of a mother showcasing her affection for her young son by introducing him to what appears to be a charming children’s variety show. However, the cozy atmosphere quickly turns sinister as Mr. Crocket, the show’s host, emerges from the television screen to abduct the child, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.
Mr. Crocket is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on October 11, 2024, following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest next week. The film is produced by David Brooks, Arbi Pedrossian, Jenna Cavelle, and Carl Reid under WorthenBrooks’ first-look horror slate with Hulu Originals, with the story developed by WorthenBrooks.
The film’s synopsis reveals a dark tale: “In 1993, a mysterious children’s show host, Mr. Crocket, magically emerges from television sets to kidnap young children, brutally slaying their parents in the process. After Mr. Crocket snatches her son, one determined mother embarks on a perilous quest to track down the demonic entertainer and rescue her boy.”
Directed by Brandon Espy in his feature-length debut, Mr. Crocket is co-written by Espy and Carl Reid. The film is based on a 2022 short of the same name, also penned and directed by Espy for Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. Co-producers include Sean King O’Grady, Josh Feldman, and Jesse Ford, with Miles Alva serving as executive producer.
The cast features notable talents such as Jerrika Hinton (Hunters) and Elvis Nolasco (Godfather of Harlem), alongside Ayden Gavin, Kristolyn Lloyd, and Alex Akpobome. Mr. Crocket will serve as the closing film for Fantastic Fest, which runs from September 19 to 29 in Austin, Texas. The festival lineup includes 28 world premieres, 23 international and North American premieres, and 15 U.S. premieres, showcasing films like Halle Berry’s suspense thriller Never Let Go and the world premiere of The Rule of Jenny Pen, along with Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3.
Mr. Crocket will have its world premiere on September 29 at Fantastic Fest before becoming available for streaming on Hulu starting October 11. Fans can catch a glimpse of the horror ahead by watching the trailer now.


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HAL-9000, Image Courtesy Stanley Kubrick Productions
On October 23rd, SV@Home participated in a press conference by San Jose Councilmembers Ortiz and Cohen, calling for a ban on the use or sale of algorithmic rent-setting services in the city. Recently, several companies have introduced services that use software programs (sometimes referred to as “algorithmic devices”) that threaten to destabilize rental housing markets in cities nationwide. These services enable landlords to indirectly coordinate with one another through the sharing of both public and non-public competitively sensitive data, in order to artificially inflate rents and vacancy rates for rental housing. Participating landlords provide vast amounts of proprietary data to the programs, which in turn set or provide recommendations for rent and occupancy levels. Rent increases driven by algorithmic rent-setting services especially harm renters, but also landlords who are not using the technology. Some local jurisdictions have already taken action to ban the sale or use of this technology, including San Francisco.
Antitrust lawsuits have been filed against some of these companies, including RealPage, Inc. and Yardi Systems, Inc. The lawsuits allege that these companies are enabling and participating in a scheme of unlawful rent-fixing. These include a lawsuit filed by the District of Columbia Attorney General in November 2023, a lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General in February 2024, and more than 20 federal private class action lawsuits filed nationwide that have been consolidated in the federal court in the Middle District of Tennessee. The United States Department of Justice recently filed a Statement of Interest in support of the efforts to regulate these companies.
The City of San Jose’s Rules Committee, which considers items to add to the City Council’s agenda, discussed the memo introduced by Councilmembers Ortiz and Cohen calling for a ban on the sale or use of algorithmic devices for the purpose of setting residential rents in the city. The proposed ban would bring relief to the city’s tenants as well as putting landlords who have been using these devices on equal footing with those who are willing to adhere to fair standards for setting rental rates. Ultimately, the Rules Committee decided not to bring the proposed ban to the full council for consideration but to monitor the progress of the ongoing antitrust lawsuits and any state or federal legislation to regulate the use of algorithmic rent-setting services. Check out this blog post from our partners at TechEquity Collaborative, who have been engaged in elevating the impacts of AI on residents and workers throughout California.


title: Advancements in battery technology for marine energy storage systems

text:
As the world shifts towards greener energy solutions, lithium batteries have gained increased attention. While electric vehicles have been in the spotlight for over a decade, the potential of electric energy storage systems in marine settings has been overlooked. However, there has been a surge in research focusing on optimising storage lithium batteries usage and charging protocols for different boat applications. Lithium-ion phosphate deep cycle batteries in this case are particularly attractive due to their high energy densities, good chemical stability, and prolonged cycle life under the stringent requirements of marine propulsion systems
As the installation of storage lithium batteries gains momentum, so too does the implementation of regulations to ensure safety. The ISO/TS 23625 is one such regulation that focuses on battery selection, installation, and safety. It is crucial to note that safety is paramount when it comes to the use of lithium batteries, particularly regarding fire hazards.
Marine energy storage systems
Marine energy storage systems are becoming an increasingly popular solution in the marine industry as the world moves towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. As the name suggests, these systems are designed to store energy in a marine setting and can be used for a variety of purposes, from propelling ships and boats to providing backup power in case of an emergency.
The most common type of marine energy storage system is a lithium-ion battery, due to its high energy density , reliability, and safety. Lithium-ion batteries can also be tailored to meet the specific power requirements of different marine applications.
One of the key benefits of marine energy storage systems is their ability to replace diesel generators. By utilizing lithium-ion batteries, these systems can offer a reliable and sustainable power source for a variety of applications. This includes auxiliary power, lighting, and other electrical needs on board a ship or vessel. In addition to these applications, marine energy storage systems can also be used to power electric propulsion systems, making them a viable alternative to conventional diesel engines. They are particularly suited to smaller vessels operating in a relatively limited area.
Overall, marine energy storage systems are a key component of the transition to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in the marine industry.
Advantages of lithium batteries
One of the most evident advantages of using storage lithium batteries compared to diesel generator is the lack of toxic and greenhouse gas emissions. If the batteries are charged using clean sources such as solar panels or wind turbines, it could constitute a 100% clean energy. They are also less costly in terms of maintenance with fewer components. They produce much less noise, making them ideal for docking situations near residential or populated areas.
Storage Lithium batteries are not the only type of batteries that can be used. In fact, marine battery systems can be divided into primary batteries (which cannot be recharged) and secondary batteries (which can be recharged continuously). The latter is more economically beneficial in a long-term application, even when considering capacity degradation. Lead-acid batteries were initially used, and storage lithium batteries are considered newly emerging batteries. However, research has shown that they provide higher energy densities and prolonged life, meaning they are better suited for long-range applications, and high load and high-speed demands.
Regardless of these advantages, researchers have not shown any signs of complacency. Over the years, numerous designs and studies have focused on improving the performance of storage lithium batteries to improve their marine application. This includes new chemical blends for the electrodes and modified electrolytes in order to guard against fires and thermal runaways.
Selection of lithium battery
There are multiple characteristics to consider when selecting storage lithium batteries for a marine storage lithium battery system. Capacity is a critical specification to consider when selecting abattery for marine energy storage. It determines how much energy it can store and subsequently,the amount of work that can be produced before recharging it.This is a fundamental design parameter in propulsion applications where capacity dictates the mileage or distance the boat can travel. In a marine context, where space is often limited, it’s important to find a battery with a high energy density. Higher energy density batteries are more compact and lightweight, which is particularly important on boats where space and weight are at a premium.
Voltage and current ratings are also important specifications to consider when selecting storage lithium batteries for marine energy storage systems. These specifications determine how quickly the battery can charge and discharge, which is important for applications where power demands can vary rapidly.
It’s important to choose a battery that is designed specifically for marine use. Marine environments are harsh, with exposure to saltwater, humidity, and extreme temperatures. Storage lithium batteries that are designed for marine use will typically feature waterproofing and corrosion resistance, as well as other features such as vibration resistance and shock resistance to ensure reliable performance in challenging conditions.
Fire safety is also crucial. In marine applications, there is a limited amount of space for battery storage and any fire spread could lead to toxic fume releases and costly damages. Installation measures can be taken to limit the spread. RoyPow, a Chinese lithium-ion battery manufacturing company, is one example where built-in micro extinguishers are placed in the battery pack frame. These extinguishers are activated by either an electrical signal or by burning the thermal line. This will activate an aerosol generator that chemically decomposes the coolant via a redox reaction and spreads it to extinguish the fire quickly before it spreads. This method is ideal for rapid interventions, well suited for tight space applications like marine storage lithium batteries.
Safety and requirements
The use of storage lithium batteries for marine applications is on the rise, but safety must be a top priority to ensure proper design and installation. Lithium batteries are vulnerable to thermal runaway and fire hazards if not handled correctly, particularly in the harsh marine environment with saltwater exposure and high humidity. To address these concerns, ISO standards and regulations have been established. One of these standards is ISO/TS 23625, which provides guidelines for selecting and installing lithium batteries in marine applications. This standard specifies the battery design, installation, maintenance, and monitoring requirements to ensure the battery ‘s durability and safe operation. Additionally, ISO 19848-1 provides guidance on the testing and performance of batteries, including storage lithium batteries, in marine applications.
ISO 26262 also plays a significant role in the functional safety of electrical and electronic systems within marine vessels, as well as other vehicles. This standard mandates that the battery management system (BMS) must be designed to provide visual or audible warnings to the operator when the battery is low on power, among other safety requirements. While adherence to ISO standards is voluntary, compliance with these guidelines promotes safety, efficiency, and longevity of the battery systems.
Storage lithium batteries are rapidly emerging as a preferred energy storage solution for marine applications due to their high energy density and extended lifespan under demanding conditions. These batteries are versatile and can be used for a range of marine applications, from powering electric boats to providing backup power for navigation systems.Furthermore, the continuous development of new battery systems is expanding the range of possible applications to include deep-sea exploration and other challenging environments. The adoption of storage lithium batteries in the marine industry is expectedto reduce greenhouse gas emissions and revolutionize logistics and transportation.


tier: kodiak

title: - Access exclusive content

text:
- Access exclusive content
- Connect with peers
- Share your expertise
- Find support resources
On Palo Alto Firewall there are two ways to do SSL Decryption (two actions in the Decryption Policy).
SSL Forward Proxy: for outbound connection (from an inside PC to an external server).
SSL Inbound Inspection: for inbound connection (from an external PC to your internal server).
For both option, we need to import the right certificates.
How and where?
On Palo Alto GUI:
Navigate to Device –> Certificate.
For inbound SSL decryption, you have to import the server's certificate and private key.
Then you create a Decryption Policy that matches the traffic coming from internet to your internal server with the action "SSL Inbound Inspection", and finally associate the server's certificate you uploaded previously.
For SSL Outbound SSL Decryption, we will go into details since there are some points that we need to take into considerations.
But before going into the certificate creation and the explanation of each options in the certificate configuration, let's deep dive how the Palo Alto Firewall acts as the Man in the Middle to decrypt outbound SSL Connection coming from your internal network to external servers on the Internet.
The challenge in this case is that we dont have the private key of the external server since it’s not under our control.
The question that arises why do we need this private key? because without this private key, Palo Alto Firewall cannot present the real certificate of the external Server and this private key is essentially used together with the public key to securely exchange the symmetric key that will be used later to encrypt and decrypt the data with the external server.
Basically the SSL handshake without Palo Alto Firewall is negociated as follow:
Client PC —–> SSL Client Hello (proposal cipher :AES,3DES + request certificate) —–> Server
Server —–> SSL Server Hello (chosen cipher AES, certificate + public key of the SRV = K1) —–> Client PC
By inserting the Palo Alto Firewall in the middle, it will do the MAN-IN-MIDDLE ATTACK, to do that, the Palo Alto Firewall will act as the CA.
Now another question that arises, why do we need to define the Palo Alto as the CA? this role provides the Palo Alto Firewall the ability to create a copy of the originale certificate (external Server) and the authority to sign it.
The result is: two SSL Handshake, from PC client to Palo Alto Firewall as the server, and from Palo Alto Firewall as the client to the external Server.
Client PC <—– SSL handshake —–> (Server) PaloAlto (client) <—– SSL handshake —–> Server
With SSL Forward Proxy, we have two certificates (the original certificate presented by the external server to Palo Alto Firewall and a copy of this certificate presented by Palo Alto Firewall to internal users),
The originale certificate has the public key of the external server and signed by an external CA.
For the spoofed certificate created by Palo Alto Firewall, it can be signed by either the Palo Alto Firewall itself acting as the CA or your enterprise CA.
Now two SSL handshakes are negociated as follow:
Client PC <—– SSL handshake —–> (Server) Palo Alto (client) <—– SSL handshake —–> External Server
The external server sends its certificate, the Palo Alto Firewall as the client validates it using the public key of the external CA. The Palo Alto Firewall negociates an encrypted key EK1 with the external server.
The Palo Alto Firewall creates and sends the spoofed certificate, the Client PC validates it using the public key of the Palo Alto Firewall (or your Enterprise CA). The PC negociates an encrypted key EK2 with Palo Alto Firewall.
Now the SSL Decyption is in place.
Client PC <—– DATA encrypted/decrypted with EK1 —–> (Server) FTD (client) <—– DATA encrypted/decrypted with EK2 —–> Server
Now you understood the process of SSL Decryption for outbound traffic with SSL Forward Proxy.
Let's move to configuration where many options are availables.
First as mentioned previously, for the spoofed certificate created by Palo Alto Firewall, it can be signed by either the Palo Alto Firewall acting as the CA or your enterprise CA using different methods.
The first method is to generate a Self Signed Root CA certificate on Palo Alto with the Role of Certificate Authority instead of using an enterprise CA's certificate. Define the Common Name and optionally Subject Alternative Name. The most important part in this configuration is to check the option (Certificate Authority), without this option, Palo Alto Firewall will generate a CSR Certificate Signing Request. This option instructs the Palo Alto Firewall to generate a certificate with the Role of Certificate Authority so that it can be used to sign other certificates as shown below.
Once the certificate is generated, you need to edit it and check the option "Forward Trust Certificate", this option instructs the Palo Alto Firewall to sign the spoofed certificate of the external server.
Let's test the connection to an internet website.
The second method is to create a CSR, then you generate a digital certificate with the role of Certificate Authority but signed by another Certificate Authority. In this case the Palo Alto Firewall will use an intermediate certificate to sign the spoofed server certificate, in other words the Palo Alto is the Subordinate CA of the Authority CA Server that signed its certificate.
The Certificate Auhtority that you will use to sign the CSR's Palo Alto Firewall is for example your Enterprise CA.
In this scenario you have two options to generate and submit the CSR, If you want to submit the CSR into the Enterprise CA, you need to select the option "Signe by : An External Authority (CSR)" as shown below.
Then you download the CSR. To generate the certificate, access the Enterprise CA and past the CSR, in this case you must select the Certificate Template "Subordinate Certificate Authority", then you generate the certificate with the role of Certificate Authority.
The second option which is more simple, the idea is to retrieve the Enterprise CA's certificate + the corresponding Private Key, then you upload both into the Palo Alto Firewall as shown below.
Once the Enterprise CA's certificate and the private key are uploaded, instead of using the Option "Signe by : An External Authority (CSR)", you scroll down and you select the Enterprise CA's certificate you uploaded previously as shown below, and you must also check the option "Certificate Authority", therefore you instruct the Palo Alto Firewall to generate by itself a Subordinate Certificate signed by the Enterprise CA's certificate and the private key.
Once the Subordinate Certificate is ready, you check the "Forward Trust Certificate" option.
Let's test a connection to an internet website.
The third method is to use the Enterprise CA's certificate to sign the spoofed certificate of the external server. To do this, you edit the Enterprise CA certificate you uploaded previously, then you check the "Forward Trust Certificate" option.
Let’s a connection to an internet website.
In some scenarios, the destination or the external server sends its own certificate signed by an untrusted CA, with the "Forward Trust Certificate" option, the original certificate issuer is hidden causing the user to receive a Trusted Certificate signed by Palo Alo Firewall's CA certificate which is already trusted by internal PCs. To warm the user and display a warning about the untrusted certificate so that it is up to the user to trust it or not, you need another certificate with the role of Certificate Authority, but when you generate the certificate that will be used for untrusted external server, do not sign this certificate with a Trusted Root CA the user's web browser trust or don’t use the Enterprise CA you used for Forward Trust Certificate.
Instead it is best practice to use a self-signed CA certificate with a significative Common Name as shown below.
Once the certificate is generated, you need to check the "Forward Untrust Certificate" option as shown below, this option will instruct the Palo Alto Firewall to sign any untrusted certificate received from an external server with this certificate so that users are prompted with a warning when trying to access web sites with untrusted certificates.
Let's test a connection to an untrusted server.
The last and interesting scenario is the case when some legitimate websites are sending their certificate and the Palo Alto does not trust the Certificate Authority that signs the external server's certificate, or the server is using certificate chain and the intermediate certificate is missing from the certificate path the server presented to the Palo Alto Firewall, it cannot trust the legitimate server and the certificate, the Palo Alto Firewall will presents its Forward Untrust Certificate to the client and blocks the connection because the option "Block Sessions With Untrusted CA" is enabled on the Decryption Profile and it's not a good idea to disable it as shown below.
In order to allow the users to access these legitimate websites with untrusted CA, the idea is to upload the Root or the Subordinate certificate that signed the website's certificate into the Palo Alto Firewall.
Once you upload it, you must check the option "Trusted Root CA".
Let’s test the connection to an untrusted server. Now the server’s certificate is spoofed and signed with the trusted certificate of the Palo Alto Firewall so the Forward Trust Certificate is applied as expected.
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title: Clear the Way for Confidence

text:
Clear the Way for Confidence
Sun exposure, genetics, and the natural ageing process can cause the walls of blood vessels to weaken, leading to dark-colored veins near the surface of the skin. Although common, thread or spider veins, especially those that appear on the face, can impact your self-confidence and mar your ideal look. Fortunately, at CLNQ in Cheshire & Manchester Laser Thread Vein offers a convenient, safe, and highly effective solution, targeting these tiny veins without disrupting surrounding tissues. Our laser therapists at CLNQ are highly experienced in helping clients banish these pesky veins and enjoy renewed confidence in their appearance.
A Common Concern
Fragility in the walls of the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin can cause them to expand and become visible. These compromised blood vessels can appear as fine red, blue, or purple lines, commonly known as thread veins, spider veins, or broken capillaries. Thread veins on the face can be caused by various factors like prolonged sun exposure, genetic predisposition, rosacea, hormonal changes, and ageing. Most thread veins are not harmful, but many people choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons, especially when they appear on the face. At CLNQ, our skilled laser therapists can safely eliminate unwanted thread veins with Laser Thread Vein treatments, letting you enjoy clear skin without the distraction of unsightly veins.
See Through to You
Laser technology has made it easier than ever to target problem veins with safety and precision. With Laser Thread Vein Manchester & Cheshire patients can expect the following benefits:
The YAG laser emits a specific wavelength of light that precisely targets the hemoglobin in the blood vessels, effectively treating the thread veins while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin.
Unlike surgical procedures, YAG laser treatment is non-invasive, meaning there are no incisions or needles involved.
With the use of topical anesthetics and cooling techniques, most individuals experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, often described as a mild stinging or snapping sensation.
Quick and Convenient
The treatment sessions are typically quick, and there's minimal to no downtime, allowing individuals to resume their daily activities immediately afterward.
Laser Thread Vein can effectively reduce the appearance of facial thread veins, leading to smoother and clearer skin over a series of sessions.
Safe for Various Skin Types
YAG lasers are considered safe for different skin types and tones, with minimal risk of pigmentation changes when performed by experienced professionals.
While multiple sessions might be needed, gradual improvements are observed with each treatment, leading to a visible reduction in the appearance of thread veins over time.
The YAG laser's precision, non-invasiveness, minimal discomfort, and effectiveness in targeting facial thread veins make it a highly favored option for individuals seeking to improve the appearance of their skin without undergoing invasive procedures.
Expert Guidance for Every Step
Are you ready to reclaim your clearest skin and most vibrant confidence? Whether you’re seeking treatment for one pesky thread vein on your face or multiple broken capillaries, we are ready with the expertise and caring clinical model to resolve your vascular issues and help you achieve a beautiful outcome. Get started by scheduling your personal consultation for Laser Thread Vein in Manchester & Cheshire with one of our cosmetic vein specialists today.
Targeted Laser Technology
Before the treatment of Laser Thread Vein Manchester & Cheshire patients will have their skin cleansed to remove any makeup, oils, or lotions. Protective eyewear is provided to shield your eyes from the laser.
During the treatment of Laser Thread Vein, to minimize discomfort and protect the skin, a cooling gel or a cooling device may be applied to the treatment area. In some cases, a topical anesthetic cream might also be used to numb the skin. Your CLNQ therapist will use a handheld device emitting the YAG laser light to target the areas affected by thread veins. The laser emits pulses of light that specifically target the hemoglobin in the blood vessels without damaging the surrounding skin. You may feel a mild stinging or snapping sensation during the procedure as the laser pulses are applied to the skin, but most people find this very tolerable.
Your CLNQ specialist will provide you with detailed guidelines on keeping the Laser Thread Vein treatment area protected and healthy following your visit. With a few simple precautions, you can return to your normal routine right away. It's crucial to protect the treated area from direct sunlight for a few weeks. Applying cool compresses or ice packs can help to reduce swelling or discomfort. We’ll advise you to avoid strenuous exercises and keep your skin well-hydrated for a few days after each treatment. Your CLNQ therapist is always available to answer your questions and offer support between visits.
Shed Your Vein Worries
Laser Thread Vein treatments can produce complete elimination or visible reduction of problem veins on your face. Your CLNQ laser specialist will meticulously assess your concerns in order to create a customized treatment plan. Patience is key as results may not be immediate, requiring multiple sessions for optimal outcomes. Some individuals might notice subtle changes immediately after the first treatment session. Veins may appear lighter or less prominent due to the initial effects of the laser on the targeted blood vessels. However, significant visible improvements often become more apparent over time, typically after a few weeks to a couple of months following the completion of multiple treatment sessions. This is because the body gradually reabsorbs and eliminates the damaged blood vessels, leading to a reduction in the appearance of thread veins.
The number of Laser Thread Vein treatments needed to see significant results for thread veins can vary based on the severity and size of the affected vein. On average, patients might require anywhere from two to four sessions, but in some cases, more sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
Laser Thread Vein for conditions like thread veins is generally considered safe when performed by trained professionals. Temporary changes such as redness, swelling, or bruising in the treated area are common after the procedure. Rarer risks include alterations in skin pigmentation and scarring or burns. Working with a highly qualified provider and following all aftercare instructions carefully greatly reduces such risks.
Some people describe the feeling during the YAG laser treatment as a mild stinging or snapping sensation as the laser pulses are applied to the skin. However, it's generally well-tolerated by most individuals. Before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream might be applied to numb the skin and minimize any potential discomfort. This can help alleviate sensations during the treatment.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve your health and wellness goals through our comprehensive range of personalized treatments and luxury approach. Whether you're seeking to address specific concerns, enhance your appearance, or simply optimize your well-being, we have the solution. Our team of experts is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and confident in your journey to a more radiant you. Don't wait any longer to start your journey to optimal health and beauty.


title: Start your first week of a new job like a boss 2

text:
Vietnamese fintech startup Finhay has raised a $25 million Series B round led by Singapore-based Openspace Ventures, an early backer of Indonesia’s GoTo Group and 30 Under 30 Asia honoree Rexy Josh Dorado’s Manila-based social media site Kumu, and private firm Vietnam Investments Group.
Other investors in the round included Singapore-based Insignia Ventures Partners, TVS, Headline,TNB Aura and IVC, Finhay said in a statement. Earlier this month, Insignia, whose other investments include GoTo and Singapore-based used-car unicorn Carro, led a pre-Series A funding round for Bluesheets, a financial data startup in Singapore.
Finhay was founded in 2017 by Huy Nghiem, a Vietnamese-Australian who quit his finance job in Australia. The startup operates a micro-investment platform for Millennials and has more than 2.7 million registered users in the country of almost 100 million people. It recommends multiple micro-financial products including saving, investment and insurance based on the customer’s personal information and risk assessment.
« Finhay is already emerging as the clear frontrunner in Vietnam’s booming investment space, » Jessica Huang Pouleur, partner at Openspace, said in the statement. « We believe a massive opportunity exists in Vietnam, which has an enterprising population hungry for the chance to invest smartly. »
« A large number of people are now looking for ways to start investing – often for the first time, and we are exploring different ways to enable them, » added Nghiem. « It’s such an important inflection point. »
Other rising fintech platforms in Vietnam include MoMo, which has raised money from the likes of Goldman Sachs, Warburg Pincus and Vietnam Investments Group, and Toss, the fintech superapp operated by South Korean billionaire Lee Seung-gun’s Viva Republica.


title: The New American Small Town

text:
The New American Small Town
Lessons for Sustainable Urban Futures
What makes a sustainable city? When planners and politicians talk about making cities more sustainable, they often describe changes to large urban centers like New York City or Los Angeles. Yet when they suggest solutions for sustainable living, they talk about walkable neighborhoods, traditional architecture, and diverse land uses; they talk about small towns. Planners and developers are now working to introduce a “small-town feel” into our large cities and suburbs in hopes that it will provide a sense of community and reduce the use of automobiles.
So, what of small towns themselves? We don’t talk about these places as much. They are often assumed to be utopias of the past or crumbling ghost towns of the present day rather than places with potential for sustainable living. This book critically examines narratives of American small towns, contrasting them with lived experiences in these places, and considers both the myth and reality in the context of current urban challenges. Interweaving stories from and about U.S. small towns, it offers lessons in sustainable urbanism that can be applied both in the towns themselves and to the larger cities and suburbs where most Americans now live.
List of Figures
Introduction: The Myth of the American Small Town
Chapter 1: Defining and Describing Small Towns in the US
Chapter 2: The Small Town in the American Imagination
Chapter 3: New Urbanism and the New Small Town
Chapter 4: Small Towns and the Rise of Donald Trump
Chapter 5: Dreaming Big in Small Towns
Chapter 6: Sustainable Futures for Ordinary Cities
Conclusion: Transforming the American Small Town
Jennifer Mapes is assistant professor of geography at Kent State University. A community geographer, she researches with local stakeholders to help build more sustainable, just futures. Jen and her family live, work, and play in downtown Kent, Ohio.
"The book offers hope-filled portraits of small towns as livable, sustainable, and diverse places and serves as an important corrective to the media narrative of alienated, left-behind rural voters."
—Mark Bjelland, author of Good Places for All


title: 1191 s elizabeth street denver co us 80210 rec3284269

text: Stunning Contemporary Mediterranean Home in the heart of Cory Merrill. This corner-lot property offers a sun-filled, contemporary style, perfect for modern living, relaxing, and entertaining. Inside, you'll find gleaming hardwood floors complemented by intricate tile inlays and high ceilings on every level. Exposed beams and arched doorways add to the elegant charm, while multiple connections to the outdoors invite you to enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's paradise, featuring high-end stainless appliances, including dual stoves, concrete countertops, and an expansive butcher block island for seating and storage. Ample cabinetry, two pantries, a butler's pantry, and a built-in home office make this kitchen both functional and stylish. Enjoy casual dining in the adjoining nook or host elegant dinners in the formal dining room. The main floor family room, complete with built-ins and a cozy gas fireplace, opens to a deck, patio, and private newly landscaped yard through a sliding door--perfect for entertaining. The backyard contains a beautiful gas fireplace as well as a turf putting green. Upstairs, the primary suite is a retreat with abundant natural light a private balcony with stunning sunset and mountain views, and a luxurious five-piece ensuite bath with a walk-in closet, oversized shower, and freestanding tub. Two additional bedrooms on this level each have their own ensuite bathrooms, with one boasting a beautiful cathedral ceiling. The conveniently located laundry room provides ample storage. The garden-level basement is bright and inviting, offering comfortable guest quarters with a bedroom, full bath, home theater, and family room featuring a gas fireplace and wet bar. This prime location is walking distance to Wash Park, Old South Gaylord, and Bonnie Brae shops and restaurants, and offers easy access to light rail, I-25, Cherry Creek, DU, and downtown. Plus, there's a playground just across the alley!