tier: kodiak

title: Migrating large scale compute workloads to kubernetes

text:
Millions of people worldwide use Uber daily, generating vast amounts of data on traffic, routes, estimated times, and more. We use this data to learn and enhance their experiences with Uber.
We developed DSW (Data Science Workbench), an interactive notebook platform for applied scientists, data scientists, ML engineers, and operations specialists to facilitate this learning. DSW supports data exploration, analysis, model training, workflow scheduling, visualization, and collaboration through a web interface.
Behind the scenes, the DSW team provides access to Jupyter® and RStudio® notebooks by allocating isolated containers with internal tooling and necessary open-source software. These containers vary in memory, compute, and GPU resources. Each user session offers multiple Python® kernels, Apache Spark™ PySpark, and Sparkmagic kernels, with independent environments. Additional Python packages can be installed in the environment that used to require reinstalling upon container restart before the migration.
Managing Python dependencies is complex, and migrating tech stacks without disruption is challenging. In this post, we explore how we migrated 3,500 interactive Jupyter and RStudio user sessions from Peloton—an Apache Mesos®–based container orchestrator—to Kubernetes®, with minimal disruption. We also highlight how intelligently debouncing inotify events helped track installed/uninstalled Python packages during the migration across restarts.
This blog is the second in a multi-part series about Kubernetes migration use cases. Uber is gradually converging to Kubernetes for batch, stateless, and storage use cases. The goal is to leverage industry-standard technology, rich built-in functionality, and stability. This blog describes how we migrated DSW batch job workloads from Peloton to Kubernetes. The previous blog described how we migrated all shared stateless workloads to Kubernetes. Future blogs will explore additional workload and architecture migrations.
Motivation Behind the Migration
- Our stack should work seamlessly across on-prem and the cloud without vendor lock-in
- Zone turn-up and infrastructure management should be automated with homogeneous hosts
- Capacity migration from on-prem to the cloud should be simple and centrally managed, preferably within a single container orchestration platform
DSW sessions use a common NFS (network file system) mount for cross-session persistence. To provide these mounts, a lower-level service handles NFS on dedicated host groups. However, these dedicated hosts within Peloton hindered workload portability. Following the principles outlined in the Crane initiative, we aimed to migrate DSW workloads to Kubernetes for better resource management, robust NFS support, and easier cloud migration.
Aspects of DSW and Kubernetes presented migration challenges we had to consider.
Modeling Interactive Workloads
DSW session workloads align fairly well with Kubernetes’ built-in Jobs construct, but key differences exist. Kubernetes Jobs are designed for non-interactive, short-lived, multi-container tasks, whereas DSW workloads are interactive, long-lived, and single-container.
Achieving Efficiency Gains
DSW workloads on the Peloton stack ran on dedicated, zonal clusters, risking complete downtime if a zone or cluster failed. This setup also caused load imbalances, with DSW clusters experiencing high load and scheduling delays while other Peloton clusters remained underutilized. Additionally, direct interaction between the DSW platform and dedicated clusters created operational challenges, such as difficulty in decommissioning or maintaining clusters and bringing new ones online without involving both the DSW and Compute teams.
Kubernetes allows first-class support for NFS mounts through plugins like container storage interface drivers or additional packages in the Kubelet service. However, adding such support requires further development and maintenance.
Moving Workloads Without Disruption
DSW offers interactive sessions in Jupyter and RStudio, allowing users to install custom packages. Moving a session container between orchestration platforms requires a restart, which results in losing the in-memory state, local disk data, and installed packages. This significantly impacts productivity and leads to dissatisfaction with the DSW platform.
Uber infrastructure principles and a focus on efficiency, maintenance, and availability drove our migration design choices.
Modeling DSW Sessions as Kubernetes Jobs
Modeling DSW sessions as a CRD (Custom Resource Definition) in Kubernetes offered benefits like total control over pod behavior for long-lived containers. However, maintaining and sustaining a CRD would be challenging. Additionally, the existing Kubernetes Federation supported the Job interface, enabling faster migration. So, we chose to model DSW sessions as Kubernetes Jobs with some modifications.
- Parallelism: Measures the number of parallel pods executing as part of the Job. Since each session is modeled as a Job, only one pod runs at a time for each Job, so parallelism must be set to 1.
- Completions: The number of pods that should be completed to consider a Job a success. Since the sessions run indefinitely, our pods would never have a zero exit code marking success, so our completion value should be set to a large number. We use 1,024.
- Restart Policy: The restart policy in Kubernetes determines how the scheduler responds to pod failures. We set restartPolicy to Never, so a failed pod gets replaced with a new one. Using OnFailure would restart the container on the same pod, causing issues. We also set spec.backoffLimit to a high number to keep DSW session containers running despite multiple failures. We configured it to ignore such failures to prevent Kubernetes disruptions like evictions from affecting the backoff limit.
- Networking: With the support of dynamic port allocation, service mesh by the Compute team at Uber, and setting hostNetwork: true, we enabled service-to-service communication from the DSW sessions.
- Secrets and Spire Authentication: Additional volumes were mounted in the DSW session container to access ownership-specific secrets and SPIRE identity.
Efficiency Gain Through Kubernetes Federation
The federation layer in batch compute at Uber, called Federator, provides an abstraction layer over Kubernetes batch clusters. Unlike directly submitting workloads to a dedicated cluster in the Peloton world, DSW now interacts with Federator, which internally talks to the underlying Kubernetes clusters. The federation layer provides various improvements.
The first improvement is high availability. Federator is a regional service that interacts with multiple Kubernetes clusters across zones. It monitors cluster health by constant polling, ensuring that a cluster or zone failure doesn’t completely disrupt DSW workloads in the region, unlike in the previous Peloton setup.
Federator uses a cluster selection algorithm for each incoming workload, choosing the best cluster based on resource availability and current demand. This ensures balanced loads across compute clusters, leading to better SLA guarantees and reduced scheduling wait times.
Federation also drives operational efficiency. Interacting directly with dedicated Peloton clusters posed challenges during decommissioning, provisioning, secret rotations, and maintenance. With Federator abstracting Kubernetes batch clusters, new Kubernetes clusters can be added or removed from the region without involving the DSW team.
On the Peloton orchestrator, DSW sessions used dedicated hosts with an NFS cluster mount via a low-level initialization service. Although Kubernetes offers native NFS support through CSI drivers and plugins, Uber’s early Kubernetes deployment didn’t allow such installations. We maintained the existing approach but eliminated the need for dedicated host groups, opting for a single host mount across the entire Kubernetes fleet.
Checkpointing User-Installed Packages
We aimed to make the migration as non-disruptive as possible. Moving an interactive workload between container orchestrators required restarting the container, which could disrupt the user experience. We explored Docker® checkpointing features and Kubernetes volume snapshots but found these solutions either unavailable or unsuitable for our performance needs.
Understanding user pain points revealed that repeatedly setting up the development environment after restarts was a major hassle. To address this, we decided to checkpoint installed packages so they persisted across restarts. However, user installations occurred through interfaces like pip, poetry for Python, and different tools for R.
We focused on monitoring package installation directories, using a novel method to debounce inotify events and track installation and uninstallation events, storing this information in NFS. Upon session restart, missing packages are automatically reinstalled during bootstrapping. This approach ensures users experience minimal disruption, with only the in-memory state lost, while their notebooks continue running smoothly with all necessary packages intact.
Accessible Compute Metadata Through UI
The Peloton UI boasts additional features not found in the Kubernetes UI, such as job and resource pool views. Due to greater Apache Cassandra® capacity (versus etcd®), which backs the Peloton UI, 30-day historical retention has been expanded. Peloton’s strengths boost its effectiveness in providing comprehensive observability and management.
DSW users relied on the Peloton UI for detailed Job insights in the Peloton stack. To overcome the limitations of the Kubernetes UI, we implemented near-real-time data replication from etcd to Cassandra. This solution allowed us to support Kubernetes clusters within the same but rebranded Peloton UI, called the Compute UI, preserving and extending essential functionalities for Kubernetes environments.
With the Compute UI, users can view detailed information about individual pods, including their current state and logs for running and terminated pods. Compute UI also provides a clear overview of Job statuses, displaying the current state of Jobs, listing all associated pods, and showing their respective states. The UI offers a comprehensive view of the user’s resource pools, including current allocation and reservation metrics. It also lists running and terminated Jobs within each resource pool.
By moving workload states from etcd to Cassandra, we achieved higher data retention and overcame etcd’s storage limitations. This solution ensures users maintain access to critical observability features, matching the Peloton experience and enabling a transparent migration.
Sandbox and Log Viewing Experience
The migration from Peloton to Kubernetes significantly changed the logging and sandbox browsing experience for DSW users. Our goal was to maintain continuity while enhancing accessibility, addressing Kubernetes’ limitations, such as ephemeral container logs and limited historical data access.
We introduced the Browse Sandbox feature, which allows users to view the active file system and access logs in real-time. This was achieved by integrating the Kubernetes API server’s pod/exec API for file system exploration and Kubelet’s container logs API for streaming logs in the Compute UI. For terminated pods, we implemented an archival strategy, zipping and uploading sandbox content and logs to TerraBlob for future access.
Development and Deployment Challenges
Initially, the plan was to keep the entire environment on the NFS. However, an environment, be it Python or R, consists of many small files. Bootstrapping the environments was tedious and consumed a lot of IOPS.
To address the issue, we pivoted to keeping the list of additional packages installed during the session lifetime instead of keeping the entire environment on NFS.
We also had to design a new restart API that’d send communication to the end-user, checkpoint the session running on Peloton—shut down the same, and respawn it on Kubernetes.
The DSW workloads are among Uber’s first batch workloads to completely migrate to Kubernetes. The migration opened up opportunities for better resource sharing across teams, an easier path to the cloud, and cost savings. This effort involved migrating several thousand interactive sessions for more than 2,000 users without any major disruption or user complaints.
As Kubernetes at Uber matures, we’ll adopt first-class support for NFS through CSI drivers or the nfs-common Debian package in the Kubelets. Then, workloads will become truly portable.
As we modernize infrastructure, enhance reliability, and refine features, DSW platform adoption has increased. This blog discussed how we completed a large batch job workload migration by innovatively using existing technology and developing essential tools. We hope these insights will benefit others undertaking similar migrations.
Our continuous effort to provide world-class data exploration tools wouldn’t be possible without the entire Data Science Workbench team: the leadership team members Aasha Medhi, Sandeep Kumar, and Vijay Mann; the engineering team members Anshita Vishwa, Divya Biyani, Mehtab Alam, Praveen Muthusamy, Sparsh Bansal, Sayan Pal, and Yashi Upadhyay; and the compute team members Amit Kumar, Gaurav Kumar, Guru Chaitanya Ganta, Monojit Dey, Rishabh Mishra, and Zeel Patel.
Apache®, Apache Cassandra®, Apache Spark®, Apache Mesos®, and Mesos logo are registered trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by The Apache Software Foundation is implied by the use of these marks.
Docker® is a registered trademark of Docker, Inc in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by Docker, Inc is implied by the use of this mark.
Google Cloud Platform™ is a trademark of Google LLC and this blog post is not endorsed by or affiliated with Google in any way.
Jupyter® and Jupyter® logo are registered trademarks of LF Charities in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by LF Charities is implied by the use of these marks.
Kubernetes®, etcd®, and Kubernetes® logo are registered trademarks of the Linux Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by The Linux Foundation is implied by the use of these marks.
Python® and the Python logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Python Software Foundation.
The R logo® is a registered trademark of the R Foundation in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by The R Foundation is implied by the use of this mark.
RStudio® is a registered trademark of Posit Software in the United States and/or other countries. No endorsement by Posit Software is implied by the use of this mark.
Sayan Pal is a Senior Software Engineer on the Uber Data Platform team in Bangalore, India. He focuses on batch workloads, UX, and operational aspects in the Data Science Workbench.
Rishabh Mishra is a Senior Software Engineer on the Uber Compute Platform team, based in Bangalore, India. He specializes in managing stateless and batch workloads on Kubernetes.
Building Uber’s Multi-Cloud Secrets Management Platform to Enhance Security
May 15 / Global
Migrating Uber’s Compute Platform to Kubernetes: A Technical Journey
April 24 / Global
Enhancing Personalized CRM Communication with Contextual Bandit Strategies
March 27 / Global
Case study: how Wellington County enhances mobility options for rural townships
Uber’s Journey to Ray on Kubernetes: Resource Management
Advancing Invoice Document Processing at Uber using GenAI
Migrating Uber’s Compute Platform to Kubernetes: A Technical Journey


tier: cub

shelf: health

title: Bone infections

text:
Bone infections can cause severe complications when left untreated or not properly treated. At the Texas Infectious Disease Institute in Richardson, Texas, double-board-certified internal medicine and infectious disease specialist Serge Lartchenko, MD, and his experienced team specialize in treating bone infections. Their goal is to reduce the risk of amputation. Call the office today to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking tool.
A bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, is an infection in one of your bones. While bone infections are common, you must take them seriously when they develop.
The symptoms often appear slowly, so they often go unnoticed until a more severe infection develops. The earlier you seek medical attention, the easier bone infections are to treat, and the better your outcome.
If you experience consistent tenderness in a bone, contact the Texas Infectious Disease Institute right away.
The hallmark symptoms of bone infections include:
In their early stages, bone infections might not cause any symptoms — or the symptoms might be mild and unnoticeable. Over time, however, bone infection symptoms can become severe when left untreated.
The common causes and risk factors for developing bone infections include:
Complications linked to untreated bone infections include joint infections, impaired growth in children, bone death, skin cancer, and amputation.
To diagnose bone infections, your specialist reviews your symptoms, discusses your medical history, and completes a physical exam. You might need bloodwork, diagnostic imaging (X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan), or a bone biopsy.
Effective treatments for bone infections require a quick, powerful antibiotic response since bone infections tend to spread quickly. Your provider offers drainage, foreign object removal, procedures that increase blood flow to the affected bone, and removal of dead tissues (debridement).
The Texas Infectious Disease Institute uses the most cutting-edge, up-to-date treatments to eliminate infections and speed healing.
You might need antibiotics that require several weeks or even months of treatment in a comfortable infusion suite. Your provider monitors you throughout treatment to make sure it’s effective and changes your treatment plan when needed.
Schedule an appointment today by phone or online at the Texas Infectious Disease Institute at the first sign of bone infections.


shelf: finance

title: Ethena expands usde into aave

text:
- In order to borrow stablecoins into Ethena USDe or sUSDe, users can now deposit stETH, weETH, ETH, and WBTC on Aave.
The company behind the fourth-largest stablecoin by market capitalization, Ethena Labs, has connected with Aave, the biggest lending platform in the sector, and is working to expand USDe’s presence in Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
Users can now deposit USDe and loop their position with other stablecoins on Aave, as well as deposit stETH, weETH, ETH, and WBTC on Aave to borrow stablecoins into Ethena USDe or sUSDe, according to the Ethena team. Users will also be able to provide liquidity into Ethena and unleash long delta exposure to tokens like ETH.
In addition, users will receive Sats for posting collateral for USDe (20x multiplier), sUSDe (10x, subject to confirmation through a governance vote), and collateral for ETH, stETH, rETH, and weETH to borrow GHO into USDe (10x), among other benefits.
According to Marc Zeller of the Aave Chan Initiative, the asset has matured considerably after a quarter and has been approved for onboarding with caps and inside isolation mode. He stated that risk criteria are reasonable and that there has been “absolutely no pushback” from the community.
His remarks are unexpected considering that Zeller was the author of a proposal in the Aave governance forum to remove DAI’s collateral status on the platform when MakerDAO incited conflict amongst DeFi community members by adding USDe as collateral in the beginning of April.
Ascended the Levels
Ethena is exerting more power with this integration. Users have been swarming to the protocol and its stablecoin USDe despite the fact that its yield-bearing architecture, which combines native staking rewards with average funding delivered to shorts, caused some temporary PTSD in some of them.
By market capitalization, USDe is currently ranked fourth out of all stablecoins, having risen swiftly through the ranks. In the last 30 days, it has increased by 42%, from $2.2 billion to $3.2 billion.
Ethena gains access to the biggest loan environment in the market by joining Aave. DefiLlama reports that Aave has $13.2 billion in total value locked (TVL), or 35% of the sector.
Today on X, the Ethena team revealed that the current borrow rates on USDC for Aave “compare favorably” to the borrow costs seen on the USDe and sUSDe vaults of MorphoLabs, suggesting that this could be a less expensive way to get leveraged exposure.
While USDe on Morpho is currently at 15.4%, USDC on Aave has borrow rates of 12.8%.
Disclaimer : This article was created for informational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice. An asset’s past performance does not predict its future returns. Before making an investment, please conduct your own research, as digital assets like cryptocurrencies are highly risky and volatile financial instruments.


shelf: education

text:
WingFoiling and WingSUP Lessons in Scotland - Edinburgh, Fife, East Lothian
WingFoiling (or WingSUP'ing or WingSurfing) is a brand new sport that's taking the world by storm. It's the easiest way to get into a wind-driven water sport in the world. With proven teaching techniques we'll show you the basics of how to use a wing, teach you all the safety aspects of this new amazing sport and get you up and riding on a SUP. The next step is to learn how to combine the wing, SUP and a hydrofoil - it's the closest thing to riding a magic carpet!
Our lessons are tailored around all experience levels - from your first time on the water, through those who already know how to SUP, windsurfers or kitesurfers. No matter where you are on your journey with Watersports, we'll help you to take the next step into the world of wings!
WingSurf and WingFoil Lessons in Edinburgh, Fife, East Lothian
The idea behind WingSurfing in simple - you're using an inflatable wing to propel yourself through the water. It's probably the safest wind-water sport out there and anyone can do it. There's no great physical strength required nor extensive sports background. We'll take you through all the steps you need to take, to enjoy WingSUP on your own after the lessons. Having some experience with SUP (standup paddle boards) is always beneficial but not required to take the course.
Once you master using the wing on a SUP board we'll take you through using it in combination with a hydrofoil. This allows the board to hoover over the water, allows for higher speeds and makes it easier to go harder into the wind. It also feels like flying! Word of warning though - it's VERY addictive!
Our main teaching locations include: Longniddry, Gullane, Yellowcraigs (near North Berwick) and some other beaches near and around Edinburgh and Fife.
Course designed to work on your wing skills combined with a SUP board. Includes hire of a Wing, SUP board and a wetsuit.
Want to take it to another level? This course will teach you how to combine the wing with a hydrofoil! Price includes hire of a Wing, foil board, hydrofoil and a wetsuit. Lessons are assisted with a powerboat and 2-way communication headset.


shelf: home-craft

title: Diy glow in the dark pumpkins

text:
Halloween is literally, just around the corner, so that means carving pumpkins, trick or treating, candles, candles and terrifying costumes and decorations. And in that spirit we present you a simple yet creative DIY project meant to terrify your guest in that spooky night and bring a little light and terror to your home. Your little ones will be ecstatic to help you in the process of making the DIY glow in the dark pumpkins and they will definitely want to decorate them themselves in the funniest and creepiest way possible. The steps in making these Halloween decorations are pretty simple.
You will require glow in the dark paint in different colors ( the Tulip paint does the trick), several pumpkins of different sizes and shapes, natural or plastic ones( the plastic ones resist longer) and some free time. It takes literally next to nothing and the results are instant. Just paint the pumpkins however you wish, with geometric shapes or funny/ creepy faces, spider webs, spiders, place them under the sunlight for the paint to charge and at night voila! Glow in the dark pumpkins that you can then place around the house, on the porch and garden to greet your trick or treaters, or incorporate them into glowing driveway themes or Halloween garden decor for a full spooky outdoor setup or hide them in closets and corners to spook your family on the Halloween night. Remember to buy white pumpkins because they reflect the light better and to leave the decorations to charge so they will lit and terrify you at night. Enjoy the process!
Make several glow in the dark decorations to match you pumpkins.
Remember to charge the pumpkins during the day.
You can use all sorts paint colors so the decor will look pretty during the day as well.
Decorate the pumpkins however you please with dripping line or simple colorful dots.
The end result will definitely surprise you and enchant the little ones.
Photo courtesy to: Ilovetocreate.com


shelf: history-culture

title: Captain marvel everything begins with a hero

text:
Captain Marvel is a 2019 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Carol Danvers. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the twenty-first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, with Geneva Robertson-Dworet also contributing to the screenplay. Brie Larson stars as Danvers, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Annette Bening, Clark Gregg, and Jude Law. Set in 1995, the story follows Danvers as she becomes Captain Marvel after Earth is caught in the center of a galactic conflict between two alien worlds.
The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
During a mission to rescue an undercover operative infiltrating a group of Skrulls, alien shapeshifters with whom the Kree are at war, Vers is captured by Skrull commander Talos, taken aboard their Earth-bound vessel, and subjected to a memory probe. Vers manages to escape, crashlanding in Los Angeles. Her presence attracts S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury and Phil Coulson, whose investigation is interrupted by a Skrull attack. In the ensuing chase, Vers recovers a crystal containing her extracted memories while Fury kills a Skrull impersonating Coulson. Talos, disguised as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Keller, orders Fury to work with Vers on the condition he does it alone in the event of other Skrull imposters.
Captain Marvel had its world premiere in London on February 27, 2019, and was theatrically released in the United States on March 8, 2019, in IMAX and 3D. The film has grossed over $550 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of 2019. Critics described it as “entertaining, enjoyable and savvy” and praised the performances of Larson, Jackson and Mendelsohn.


tier: polar

shelf: civic-law

title: Tuberville on border security president biden sending a come one come all signal

text:
‘…any immigration reform proposal must include policies that strengthen our lawful immigration system and protect our nation’s borders. So far President Biden’s policies do neither.’
‘…what I, and the people of Alabama, will not stand for is a refusal to enforce the laws of today.’
WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today delivered a speech on the Floor of the United States Senate focused on the worsening crisis at the border. In his remarks, Senator Tuberville discussed the impact of President Biden’s unilateral policy rollbacks, cited the unsustainable numbers of migrants flooding across the southwest border, and highlighted two measures we should take to address the growing crisis.
Senator Tuberville also noted he has yet to receive a response from the Secretary of Homeland Security to a letter he sent last month questioning the double standard pertaining to COVID testing for American citizens entering the United States versus migrants illegally crossing the border. Excerpts from his remarks can be found below, and the full speech can be viewed here.
“Americans back home are paying attention. They are watching what’s going on and seeing how it’s getting worse by the day. The saddest thing is that this was predictable and preventable. Protecting our border and cutting down illegal immigration matters to the people of Alabama and the rest of the country.
“Alabamians are law-abiding people. We play by the rules, and we expect others to follow them, too. When people break the rules, they have to face the consequences – plain and simple. That’s how our country should operate. By law and order. Enforcing the laws on our books cannot be optional.”
“President Biden has put forward an immigration proposal that would completely up-end our existing immigration policy and give out American citizenship like its candy. But before that, he made sure to lay the groundwork with executive orders. President Biden quickly reversed many of President Trump’s most successful border control policies with a stroke of his pen, and his Secretary of Homeland Security, whose department oversees immigration policy and border security, has made it clear he’s not interested in enforcing existing laws. We’ve seen the dangerous effects of President Biden’s policies already – and it’s barely been two months.”
“The data shows the number of illegal immigrants trying to cross the southern border is going up during a month when historically apprehensions are low. In fact, the staggering numbers of people arrested crossing the border illegally this January is the most any January has seen in more than a decade.”
“…it is a direct result of President Biden… sending a ‘come one, come all’ signal. President Biden decided to message to the world that our border’s open – we shouldn’t be surprised that people showed up. We all saw this coming. We all warned that reversing President Trump’s policies would lead to a national security and humanitarian crisis.”
“On top of all of this, President Biden’s administration is subjecting American citizens to more stringent standards to enter our country than they are with illegal immigrants… American citizens have to prove they have a negative test to enter the country but illegal immigrants do not. At a time when the virus is on retreat, thanks in part to vaccines developed by President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, we cannot afford to allow thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants into the country especially without screening for COVID. It is not only a reckless security policy – it is a reckless health policy.”
“President Biden’s policies at the border are reckless. The American people can see it for themselves and the data proves how bad the situation has become in such a quick time. We can and should take positive proactive concrete steps to secure our border and strengthen our national security. There are two big items to address right away.”
“Number one, we should maintain the migrant protections protocol program… It was successful, hugely successful. The number of apprehensions along the border went down when people realized they couldn’t just come walking into the United States. It was exactly the kind of message we want to send: our borders are not wide open. You must follow the rules. You must stay in line.”
“We need to continue building the wall. My constituents expect me to hammer this every day. A strong wall will help prevent illegal migrants crossing over our border between ports of entry and avoid law enforcement.”
“…any immigration reform proposal must include policies that strengthen our lawful immigration system and protect our nation’s borders. So far, President Biden’s policies do neither.”
“What I, and the people of Alabama, will not stand for is a refusal to enforce the laws of today. It puts our country at risk and encourages migrants to seek dangerous paths to enter our country instead of the legal paths provided. Allowing illegal immigration to go unchecked fundamentally undermines the rule of law in this country. Without laws, and without borders where those laws apply, a sovereign nation ceases to exist.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.


shelf: science-engineering

title: Talentcell mini ups 98 wh

text:
If you live in an area where city power is rather unstable, you tend to grow quite conscious about electricity availability. Now, unless you plan to go completely off-grid which is a large investment on its own, all you can do is purchase UPS and some power banks to keep what you consider essential online when power goes out.
UPS has traditionally been bulky, very heavy, and rather unreliable. It is no fault of UPS itself. Rather, the fault lies on its battery which is 99% lead acid battery.
Things are slowly changing though as of 2020. Lithium ion and, especially, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are making their way into consumer market at affordable price points.
Both types of batteries, in this case lead acid battery and Lithium ion, have pro and con. However, lead acid battery isn’t really meant for UPS. It works, yes, but it’s not very efficient and reliable. I am not going to go too deep on the matter here but lead acid battery isn’t ideal for UPS for following two reasons.
- Discharging lead acid battery below its 50% of its advertised capacity is not recommended as it will damage the battery, meaning, if your UPS has a 108 Wh (a typical 9Ah battery at 12v), your real capacity is only 54Wh. If you add power conversion loss from DC to AC which is typically 15% at the least, you can see how little of juice you actually have at your disposal. Of course, you can ignore this but doing so will significantly impact the battery lifespan.
- Lead acid battery does not like fast discharge. However, in many cases, it is discharged rapidly due to being hooked up to a beefy machine.
There are more reasons but above two are my primary reasons for looking alternative UPS technology.
Enter TalentCell Mini UPS, rated at 98 Wh and has a capacity of 27,000 mAh @ 3.7v. Its batteries are Lithium ion, the cheaper, thus more affordable, kind. Lithium ion generally have 500 life cycles which is about the same with lead acid battery you find within a traditional UPS.
Unlike lead acid batteries, Lithium ion battery capacity is as advertised. It is safe to discharge well below 50%. It is NOT recommended to fully discharge it but using 90% of its advertised capacity will have no ill effect. It can also handle fast discharge. Its voltage will drop but that happens with every battery type.
The TalentCell Mini UPS is basically a beefy powerbank with a passthrough function. Almost all powerbanks do not have this function. What it does is that the unit will stop charging its battery once it’s fully charged and pass power to connected units directly. According to its manual, it will let the battery idle until its charge drops to a certain point and it will charge it back up. This will preserve its battery life.
If power is lost, it will automatically, and seamlessly, use its battery to supply power. This is effectively what a UPS does. The unit has four 12v DC and one 9v DC outputs. It has no AC outlet. It’s DC only, so its application is limited. However, it is advertised for routers, modems, CCTV camera, and such which would fit the bill.
Let’s measure its voltage at full charge. This part is important for few reasons. You want voltage from DC output to be stable. It will drop, for sure, as the battery drains but, if it goes too low, it might shut down connected units. The only way for 12v DC to be stable is when the output is regulated which I doubt this unit is. I mean, look at the header image where it shows its spec. The label says “9v to 12.6v” for 12v DC. 9v is kinda a little too low for my taste though. So, let’s see whether it goes really that low.
12v DC reads at 12.26 volt. 9v DC reads at 9.32 volt. It is looking good. However, do remember that this is at full charge. I am going to drain its battery to its last bar; there are four power dots with each indicating 25% of charge. Then I will measure its voltages again.
I can’t say I am too surprised. At one power dot (less than 25% charge left), we are looking at 9.82v from 12v DC and 9v from 9v DC. My router still worked at this voltage though. I reckon the voltage will hit close to 9v at really low charge.
Let’s open it up and see what’s inside next.
I see 12x TNL-ITR 18650 AF battery. Googling the part number doesn’t yield a good result but there is an Aliexpress listing that shows TNL-ITR 18650 STP with 1,300mAh rating. I do not know the difference between AF and STP here. If I go by the 1,300 mAh rating, this unit has 15,600 mAh @ 3.7v which is far cry from advertised 27,000 mAh.
What seems certain is that TNL appears to be a Chinese company which isn’t generally a good sign when it comes to lithium ion batteries. However, the unit itself works fine and it took almost 2 days for me to drain the unit with a USB light. I wish I had something better to drain the battery, but this is my first in-depth battery review and I am lacking tools.
Do I recommend the unit though? I can’t say at this time. I am going to hook it up to my router and see how it works. It will take several months for me to make a proper judgement as well as a proper power outage in addition.
What I can say for sure is that you don’t find many lithium ion UPS on consumer market. For me, this is the only lithium ion UPS I can get my hands on. And beggars can’t be choosers, most of time.
Finally, even if the true mAh is indeed 15,600mAh, it should power a router for hours which is the main reason for me to have purchased this unit, so I will see how it goes.
Update 2022 April: It died.
I found out that it died after it failed to power my router during a recent power outage. Upon a quick autopsy, I found that the batteries are completely dead. Well, I am not too surprised to be honest. New, healthy, cells shouldn’t die after 2 years of minimal usage. It is either that the cells were not exactly new, I mean they even lied about its capacity, or that the unit was charging cells wrongly.
Either way, it’s dead. I am not buying another unit because I no longer trust them.


shelf: software-docs

title: Where is the mute button on my android phone

text:
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where turning off the sound on your Android phone seemed like a mystery? We’ve all been there, struggling to find the mute button to silence our devices. In this article, we will guide you through the process of locating the mute button on your Android phone, making it easier for you to control the sound settings and avoid any unnecessary disruptions.
Android Phone Basics: Understanding The Mute Function
The mute function on an Android phone is a handy feature that allows you to temporarily silence your device. Whether you’re in a meeting, attending an important presentation, or simply need some quiet time, knowing how to use the mute function is essential.
When your Android phone is on mute, it won’t make any sound for incoming calls, notifications, or alarms. However, it’s important to note that the mute function doesn’t affect other device functionalities, such as vibrating or displaying notifications on the screen.
To activate the mute function, you typically need to locate the mute button on your Android phone. Its placement may vary depending on the phone model and brand. Some phones have a physical mute switch or button, while others require you to access the mute function through the phone settings or quick settings menu.
Understanding the basics of the mute function on your Android phone is crucial for effectively managing your device’s sound output. In this article, we will explore different methods to locate the mute button on various Android phone models and brands, as well as provide troubleshooting tips if the mute button is not working as expected.
Locating The Mute Button On Different Android Phone Models
Finding the mute button on your Android phone can be a bit tricky, as it varies depending on the phone model you have. However, there are a few standard places where you can usually find it.
On most Android phones, the mute button is located on the side of the device. It is often placed near the volume buttons or on the opposite side. Look for a small button or switch with an icon that resembles a speaker crossed out, indicating the muted state. Some models might have a dedicated mute switch, while others might use a combination of buttons.
For Samsung Galaxy phones, you can generally find the mute button on the left-hand side of the device, above the volume rocker. On Google Pixel devices, the mute button is typically on the right-hand side, near the volume buttons. Other brands like LG, Motorola, or HTC might have variations in button placement, but they usually follow a similar pattern.
If you’re unsure about the location of the mute button on your specific Android phone model, you can always refer to your phone’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s website for more information. Don’t worry; with a little bit of exploration, you will be able to locate the mute button and silence your phone whenever necessary.
Mute Button Placement On Popular Android Phone Brands
Mute button placement can vary across different Android phone brands, which can be confusing for users. Here is a breakdown of where you can typically find the mute button on some popular Android phone brands:
1. Samsung: On most Samsung models, you can find the mute button on the left side of the phone, above the volume buttons. Some newer models may have the mute button integrated with the power button, requiring you to press and hold it to access the mute function.
2. Google Pixel: For Google Pixel phones, the mute button is usually located on the right side, just below the volume buttons. It is a small rectangular button that you can easily press to mute your phone.
3. OnePlus: On OnePlus devices, the mute button is often found on the left side, above the volume buttons. It is a small slider button that you can toggle up or down to activate the mute function.
4. LG: On LG phones, the mute button is typically located on the left side, similar to Samsung devices. It is a small button that you can press to mute your phone.
Remember that these placements may vary slightly between different models within each brand. Consult your phone’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions if you’re having trouble finding the mute button on your Android phone.
Navigating The Mute Function On Android Phone Settings
Navigating the mute function on your Android phone settings can differ slightly depending on your phone model and the version of the Android operating system you are using. However, the general steps to access the mute settings are usually similar.
To navigate the mute function on your Android phone settings, start by accessing the Settings app on your device. You can usually find this app on your home screen or in your app drawer.
Once you have opened the Settings app, scroll down and look for the “Sound” or “Sound & Vibration” option. Tap on this option to access the sound settings of your phone.
Within the sound settings, you should find a “Silent” or “Do Not Disturb” option. This is where you can control and customize various mute options for your calls and notifications.
Tap on the “Silent” or “Do Not Disturb” option to access advanced settings. Here, you can enable or disable features such as silent mode, vibrate mode, or priority mode.
Additionally, you can also schedule specific times for your phone to automatically enter silent or do not disturb mode. This can be useful during meetings, work hours, or bedtime.
By navigating the mute function on your Android phone settings, you can have more control over how and when your device stays silent, ensuring uninterrupted focus or a peaceful environment.
How To Temporarily Silence Your Android Phone
When you find yourself in a situation where you need your Android phone to be silent temporarily, you can easily accomplish this with a few simple steps. Firstly, locate the volume buttons on the side of your device. These are usually located on the right-hand side or directly beneath the power button. Once you have located the volume buttons, press the volume down button until your phone vibrates or displays a silent icon on the screen. This indicates that your phone is now in silent mode.
Alternatively, you can access the quick settings panel by swiping down from the top of your screen. In the panel, look for the sound icon, which resembles a musical note. Tap on it to switch your phone to silent mode.
Remember that temporarily silencing your Android phone does not disable vibrations, and it may still emit sounds from certain apps or alarms. To ensure complete silence, you may want to also disable vibrations and adjust app-specific notification settings.
To restore your phone’s sound, simply press the volume up button until you reach your desired volume level or use the quick settings panel to toggle off silent mode.
Customizing Mute Options For Calls And Notifications
In this subheading, we explore the various customization options available for managing mute functions on your Android phone. Android offers a range of settings that allow you to personalize how your phone behaves when it is in mute mode.
Firstly, you can customize the behavior of incoming calls while your phone is on mute. You have the option to completely silence calls or allow them to vibrate instead. This can be especially useful in scenarios where you want to be discreet but still need to be notified of important calls.
Additionally, you can customize mute settings for notifications. Android allows you to choose whether notifications should be completely silenced, only vibrate, or display an LED light without any sound. This flexibility enables you to tailor mute preferences to suit your specific needs, ensuring that your phone remains silent when desired.
Furthermore, depending on your Android device, you may have options to set a specific schedule for mute mode. This functionality allows you to automatically activate mute during specified hours, such as during work hours or bedtime, preventing any disturbances without manually activating it.
By customizing mute options for calls and notifications, you can optimize your Android phone’s behavior to align with your preferences and lifestyle.
Using Gesture Controls To Activate Mute On Android Phones
Gesture controls are a convenient way to activate the mute function on your Android phone. Many Android phones offer gesture controls that allow users to perform specific actions with a simple swipe or tap. To activate the mute function using gesture controls, follow these steps:
1. Open the settings app on your Android phone.
2. Look for the “Gestures” or “Motions” option and tap on it.
3. Find the gesture that is associated with the mute function. This could be a swipe gesture or a tap gesture.
4. Enable the gesture by toggling the switch next to it.
5. Once enabled, perform the gesture to activate the mute function.
While the exact steps may vary depending on your Android phone model and software version, most devices offer gesture controls as part of their customization options. By utilizing gesture controls, you can quickly and effortlessly activate the mute function on your Android phone without having to navigate through menus or press physical buttons.
Troubleshooting: Mute Button Not Working On Android Phones
If you have been experiencing issues with the mute button on your Android phone not working, you’re not alone. Many Android users have faced this problem, but fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue.
Firstly, check if your phone’s software is up to date. An outdated operating system can sometimes cause glitches with the mute function. Go to your phone’s settings, then navigate to the “Software Update” or “System Update” section and ensure that your device is running the latest version of Android.
Next, restart your phone. Often, a simple restart can solve minor software issues that may be causing the mute button problem. Press and hold the power button on your phone, then tap the “Restart” or “Reboot” option.
If the issue persists, try clearing the cache of the app you are using when experiencing the problem. Go to your phone’s settings, then tap on “Apps” or “Applications.” Find the app you are having trouble with, tap on it, and then select “Storage.” Finally, choose the “Clear Cache” option.
If none of these steps work, the problem may lie with the hardware. Consider contacting your phone’s manufacturer or visiting an authorized service center to get professional assistance with repairing or replacing the mute button.
Remember that these troubleshooting steps may vary slightly depending on your Android phone model and software version.
1. Where can I find the mute button on my Android phone?
The mute button on Android phones can usually be found on the side of the device. It is typically located either on the upper left or upper right side, near the volume buttons. Look for a small switch or button with a crossed-out speaker icon.
2. What should I do if I can’t find the mute button on my Android phone?
If you are unable to locate the mute button on your Android phone, there may be several possibilities. Firstly, check if your phone has a physical mute button at all, as some models may not have one. In such cases, you can usually mute the device by accessing the volume settings through the notification panel or the settings menu. Additionally, consult your phone’s user manual or search online for specific instructions related to your device model.
3. Can I customize the function of the mute button on my Android phone?
The ability to customize the function of the mute button depends on the phone’s manufacturer and the version of Android it runs on. While some devices allow you to assign different actions to the mute button, such as toggling between silent and vibrate modes or activating specific apps, others may have a fixed function. To check if your Android phone supports customization, go to the system settings and search for the “Buttons” or “Gestures” section. From there, you can explore the available options to modify the mute button’s behavior if applicable.
In conclusion, locating the mute button on an Android phone can vary depending on the model and version of the operating system. However, it is generally found within the quick settings panel, accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen. Additionally, some devices may have a physical mute button located on the side of the phone. By familiarizing oneself with the specific device and its operating system, users can easily locate and utilize the mute button on their Android phones.


title: Annalynne mccord says her acting roles were splits after her dissociative identity disorder diagnosis

text:
AnnaLynne McCord said her acting roles were ‘splits’ after the 33-year-old beauty publicly revealed her Dissociative Identity Disorder diagnosis. AnnaLynne’s story sounds like a movie plot but this is real life playing out before the public eye. When AnnaLynne starred as Naomi Clark in the television series 90210, she suffered real-life trauma when portraying a rape victim. Not only did filming those scenes cause her to relive anguish from a rape she suffered in 2018, but she began recovering lost memories of past childhood, sexual abuse. Through therapy, AnnaLynne not only uncovered the memories of sexual abuse she experienced between the ages of five and eleven, but her doctor diagnosed her with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder or Split Personality, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a mental health condition that occurs as a response to severe trauma or neglect. When a child is still forming his or her personality and experiences overwhelming trauma, the mind breaks off or fragments into another portion that serves to protect the individual from dealing with the trauma they experienced. AnnaLynne bravely spoke about her condition in a two-part video series that aired on YouTube with Dr. Daniel Amen of the Amen Clinic. You may watch those videos below.
AnnaLynne made it clear that she wants to change the narrative about Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dr. Amen showed a brain scan of AnnaLynne’s brain and concluded she may have suffered from a head injury as well. Some fans were quick to notice that when asked about any head injuries she suffered in the past, AnnaLynne’s voice became young, playful, and childlike. Though she didn’t address any physical abuse as a child, she did recall being in several car accidents as an adult.
AnnaLynne said that there is no shame in having Dissociative Identity Disorder and she hopes that by going public with her story, she will help others find their own healing journey.
Charisse Van Horn is a freelance writer from Tampa Bay. She enjoys writing about celebrities, entertainment, crime, and fashion. The writer of this article will take legal action on those who reproduce or spin this article outside of Celebrity Insider. Source


text:
eCommerce Revenue Analytics bobbibrown.com.mx
bobbibrown.com.mx, operated by Estée Lauder Cosméticos S.A. de C.V., is an online store with nationally-focused sales. Its eCommerce net sales are generated almost entirely in Mexico. With regards to the product range, bobbibrown.com.mx specializes in the Care Products category, particularly in the area of Personal Care.
bobbibrown.com.mx: eCommerce revenue analytics
eCommerce net sales development of bobbibrown.com.mx
bobbibrown.com.mx: Distribution of eCommerce net sales
Detailed breakdown of first-party net sales by country and category
- eCommerce Net Sales2017: Annual report, ECDB analysis2018: Annual report, ECDB analysis2019: Annual report, ECDB analysis2020: Annual report, ECDB analysis2021: Annual report, ECDB analysis2022: Annual report, ECDB analysis2023: Annual report, ECDB analysis2024: ECDB analysis2025: Forecast
- Revenue Split by CountryECDB analysis
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The top similar online stores to bobbibrown.com.mx
Discover the most similar onlines stores based on net sales, product mix, and geographic reach.
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bobbibrown.com.mx: Consumer behavior insights Beta
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Analyze shopper behavior. We provide average order value (AOV) estimates for each shop as well as the respective shopping category and country.
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Compare the budgets of online stores for search engine advertising (SEA), and find out who spends the most on ads on Google and other search engines.
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Find information on payment methods provided by the store: supported cards, bank transfer, e-wallets, invoice, direct debit, and many more.
bobbibrown.com.mx: Company & contact information
Leads for your research
Enhance your lead research with corporate addresses and contact information that will give you a solid base to start from.
Company | Estée Lauder Cosméticos S.A. de C.V. |


title: Aids Control Unit

text:
Aids Control Unit
Dr. Olympia Jelagat
Aids Control Unit
Maseno University AIDS Control Unit’s (MUACU) vision is “A healthy, empowered and sustainable community in which individuals and families are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to eliminate HIV& AIDS” The unit is located within Maseno University and is coordinated by the School of Public Health and Community Development under the guidance of a multidisciplinary steering committee with members drawn from the management, health services, students’ body, academic and non-academic staff.
The Unit’s overall goal is to promote HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support activities in Maseno University and surrounding communities.
I joined ICL while in my 2nd year and being a Peer Educator was one of my major milestones in campus. The impact was more personal as I got a chance to understand my Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, became more self-aware of myself and importantly, built networks that I still use up-to-date. I didn't know that years later I would work with young people on SRH in the NGOs world & here I am at Dandelion Africa with strong foundation on what ICL invested in me.
Ruth Nderitu (Peer Educator)
I was trained as a peer educator by the Maseno University AIDS Control Unit in 2014 and up until now, the journey has been quite a fine one. Starting from within, I realized that there is a lot of information at our disposal in how to take care of ourselves and the people we love, but not many people use this. Back in college, we used to print information fliers, brochures and have individual sensitizations alongside major events with collaborations from countrywide. Our main partner back then was I Choose Life Africa. Working with them was fun and together we were able to communicate effective behaviour change, even to staff and citizens outside school. Until now, the peer educator journey has shaped my career, as I have found a haven in advocacy through patnerships we forged then.
Nelson Onyimbi (Peer Educator)


title: Tender Leaf My Forest Floor

text:
Tender Leaf My Forest Floor
An extensive open-ended play tinker tray box for your little one to sort, stack and arrange their woodland treasures. The lid is removable and can be turned around and used as a chalkboard on which to create your forest floor. The wooden compartments can also be removed and the box filled with sand to create a magical woodland play scene. Set includes: 6 grey flat pebbles, 4 multi-faceted rocks, 3 cone trees, 8 twigs, a snail, a moth, 6 little toadstools, a large toadstool, 10 leaves, 2 acorns, 3 beetles, 4 tunnel pieces, and a bird's egg.
Tender Leaf Little Garden Designer
Part of our open-ended play range is this fabulous garden design toy, which has 64 solid wood pieces that can all be arranged in an infinite number of garden designs. Set includes; 7 trees, 2 bushes, 2 terracotta flower pots with removable bushes, 3 flower beds, 6 vegetable patch tiles, 4 sunflowers, 8 grass tiles, 6 patio and 6 path tiles, 4 paving slabs, 4 rabbits, a two-part shed, 4 hedge slabs and a pond. All contained in a beautiful plywood box with a sliding lid.
Tender Leaf My Little Rock Pool
This is a beautiful plastic-free Montessori toy, reminiscent of the seaside, rock pools and summer days at the beach. All the pieces of beautifully painted wood can be stacked, sorted and played with in this layered wooden rock pool base. A classic tinker tray toy with an innovative twist on play. This toy box supports creative learning and story telling whilst creating their own sandy landscape! With the coral pieces you can make a 3 dimensional ocean world for your fish families to live in. Presented in an illustrated color box.
Tender Leaf Woodland Gnome Family
Living deep in the forest, amongst the toadstools and leaves, are our Nordic gnome family. Freya the mother looks after Olga and Erik in their leafy glade. All dolls have their names printed underneath and are scaled to the same size as the Sailway Boat, Rosewood Cottage, Bunny Tales, and Bear Tales. A wooden doll family built for open-ended play makes a great addition to our Merrywood Tales collection. Made from sustainable rubber wood and responsibly sourced plywood, colored with soft non-toxic colors for a contemporary style. Presented in an illustrated color box.
Tender Leaf Happy Folk Hotel
Part of our open-ended play, meet the 9 folks who reside at the happy hotel. Made from solid wood, colored with a soft water-based stain, they can represent anyone you know. These little people are perfect for adding to any sort of creative or imaginative play, and can be perched easily on any surface.
Tender Leaf Swifty Bird
A great addition to our ever-growing collection of Merrywood Tales characters, This little wooden doll who comes in his very own mode of transport, Swifty the Swallow bird. Spud the pilot doll has his name written underneath just like all the other Merrywood characters, he is also removable and any other character will fit in his place. All dolls have their names printed underneath and are scaled to the same size as the Sailaway Boat, Rosewood Cottage, Bunny Tales, and Bear Tales all part of our Merrywood Tales collection. This toy supports important story-telling and language practice with children, creating a doll's world means your child plays imaginatively. Re-enacting scenarios they know from the house and home, learning reasoning, empathy and caring within the family home. Skills that are useful for later in life.
Tender Leaf Penny Windmill
Part of our Merrywood tales range, these three little wooden toy field mice have made a perfect home in a wheat field. The windmill is 2 stories tall and has a revolving windmill which when it turns, raises a small bag up to the second story. Accessories include: a bread oven, 2 loaves of bread, a bread shovel, table and 2 stools, a grain sack, a fabric armchair, a lamp, and a flour scoop that doubles up as a bed for the baby mouse. A wonderful toy for story telling and imaginative play with children.
Tender Leaf Sandy’s Beach Hut
Meet Sandy the wooden toy seagull and her family down on the beach where they have inhabited a small beach hut and turned it into a fish and chips stall. Set on 2 bases of plywood that resemble sand, they have collected two pieces of seaweed, a deck chair, a kettle, a wooden tub of ice cream and spoon, three fish in a dish, a bucket with chips, a fish and chips sign, a sand castle, a piece of candy rock, and a boat made from newspaper. Check out Gully the dad seagull who has a knitted hat and a removable wooden ‘rubber’ ring. Names of the seagulls are written underneath so that these little characters can become part of a story-telling seaside adventure. Perfect for creative story-telling and imaginative play.
Tender Leaf Wildlife Camping Playset
Scaled for dolls house world, this set takes our dollies on an adventure into the wild! Set up camp near a mountain stream and watch the wild forest animals come and play. A cosy sleeping bag, lamp, water bottle and fishing rod are all essential as well as building a small campfire for the evening! Included is a camping poster with real tips and advice for camping trips. Good for imaginative play. Good for storytelling. Age range: 3 years+Product size: 16.54 x 14.06 x 6.69” / 42 x 35.7 x 17 cmWeight: 2.11 kg


title: 308

text:
Apartment number 308
Downtown Houston, TX
1515 Main St
HCH Houston corporate Housing and furnished apartments in Houston offers Iconic stays With a rich Houston history at Block 334. Blok 334 carries its high-profile address from the past into the future. As an icon in the historic revival of downtown, it's ready to make history again by reinventing luxury urban living. Flashback to 1910, Block 334 was part of a prestigious residential area in Houston. The trendsetters and elite made their homes here and the first luxury apartments were built just around the corner.
HCH provides accommodation to business professionals from all levels, working with the largest corporations in Houston since 2014, our furnished apartments comes fully furnished and well equipped with housewares and kitchenware's and with everything you will need for your or your employee's needs, you will enjoy free parking, free WIFI, king size beds and free use of the building amazing amenities, our customer service team will take care of everything you will need during your stay and will strive to make your stay hassle free as we value your time and more important the time you need to relax after a long day at work
Today, our Downtown furnished apartments at Block 334 represents a revitalized downtown Houston. Minutes from concert, sport and nightlife venues and set along a central transportation line, this community offers location matched with city views, hardwood flooring, and stunning amenities. Welcome to iconic living.
Distinct features and modern comforts are the heart of what makes this downtown Houston gem truly iconic. you will enjoys awesome amenities free of charge.

CROSSROADS OF CULTURE AND CREATIVITY such as Children's Museum of Houston, Houston Police Museum, Station Museum of Contemporary Art, The, Health Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts.

*Greyed out dates means unavailable


title: Hyperakt

text: At our digital agency we understand the unique challenges faced by nonprofits in building their brand. That's why we strive to create an impactful resonant brand for each nonprofit we work with. We believe that a strong brand is the foundation for any organization's success and we take pride in our ability to help nonprofits reach their potential. Our team of experienced strategists and designers will work with you to uncover the essence of your organization and create a powerful brand identity that will capture your mission values and vision. Whether it's developing a new logo website or social media presence we will ensure that your brand resonates with your stakeholders. We will also provide ongoing support to help you succeed in the digital space. At our digital agency we believe in building long-term relationships with our clients. We don't just create a logo and walk away. We want to be with you every step of the way providing advice and guidance to help you maximize the impact of your brand. We want your brand to be a reflection of all the good you do in the world. We understand that the success of any nonprofit organization requires dedication and hard work. That's why we strive to provide you with the tools strategies and support you need to unlock your impact. Our team is passionate about helping nonprofits achieve their goals and make a real difference in the world. If you're looking for a digital agency that understands the unique needs of nonprofits look no further. We have the experience knowledge and passion to help you create a resonant brand that will unlock your impact. Contact us today to get started.


title: Oxygen depletion sensor

text:
Whether they come to us from the military, utility, oil and gas, water and waste water, offshore, municipal, semiconductor, chemical processing or another industry, our clients know they will receive a custom system suited to their needs and budget. In other cases, we perform the essential repairs and calibration services that keep employees and properties safe.
Give Us a Call
Questions or Comments?
Choose GDS Corp for Low Oxygen Sensor Services
An oxygen depletion sensor, used by GDS Corp. in our line of Fixed Gas Detection Systems, is an electrochemical sensor that generates a low level current equal to the amount of oxygen present in an atmosphere, in a range of 0.0 to 25.0% by volume. An oxygen depletion, or oxygen electrochemical sensor is used to monitor an area or a process to see what the oxygen level is as compared to the typical oxygen content in breathing air which is 20.9% by volume.
The oxygen depletion sensor is a critical component of a fixed gas detection system, where the system is used to continuously monitor and alarm when oxygen levels get to levels below 20.9%. For area ambient monitoring, where personnel are to be protected for the depletion of oxygen, it is critical to alarm when the oxygen depletion sensor reads levels below 18.5% for an initial alarm, and then 16.0% for a critical second alarm. People can become unconscious at low levels of oxygen in breathing air, and can even die as a result of a very low level as monitored and detected by a oxygen depletion sensor.
GDS Corp oxygen depletion sensors may even be used in a sample draw fixed gas detection system to monitor inert gases, or used as a purge gas to blanket toxic or combustible gas and vapor in a process where the oxygen depletion sensor would alarm should the oxygen level go above 3% by volume.
Every oxygen deficiency sensor must be periodically calibrated and even replaced as they have limited shelf life and life cycle times as part of a fixed gas detection system. Be sure to contact and discuss your application with the team at GDS Corp. to determine the proper fixed gas detection system and how best to utilize an oxygen depletion sensor for your application.
Contact GDS Corp for a Top Notch Oxygen Depletion Sensor
Don’t let another minute go by without the proper low oxygen sensor. GDS Corp application engineers are standing by to discuss specific needs and parameters, and will start creating your custom device today. Please see our contact page for a list of phone and fax numbers.
GDS Gas Detection Products
Our CSA and ATEX certified fixed and transportable gas detectors, gas sensors, flame detectors and alarm and display controllers are truly ‘state of the art’ devices offering unparalleled features and capabilities.
SINGLE / DUAL CHANNEL GAS MONITOR
WIRELESS DUALCHANNEL TOXIC COMBUSTIBLE GAS MONITOR
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Complete this form to receive information specific to your needs.


title: 118660

text:
To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
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Installing trailer wiring can be cumbersome, but the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness by Tekonsha makes it a breeze with its effortless plug-and-play feature. This custom-fit T-One connector plugs directly into your vehicle’s existing wiring system. It eliminates the need for cutting or splicing, which means less hassle and quicker installation. Simply plug it in and you’re ready to go!
Towing with confidence without overloading your vehicle’s electrical system is easy with the built-in ModuLite converter. It draws power directly from your car's battery to ensure that the tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals of your vehicle are seamlessly converted and compatible with your trailer. This not only protects your car’s wiring system but also ensures that your trailer lights operate flawlessly.
Worry about compatibility no more. This harness offers custom fit and functions effortlessly with 5-pole, 6-pole, and 7-pole adapters (available separately). The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness fits most Nissan Muranos, ensuring a perfect match for a range of vehicles and even supporting other trailers with multi-pole adapters.
Constructed with 16-gauge bonded wire and fitted with a dust cap, this wiring harness is built for longevity. The premium features ensure that your connections remain secure and free from dirt and debris, providing you with optimal performance and durability through various weather conditions and terrains.
Storing your connector inside the cargo area when not in use prevents corrosion and damage from environmental elements. This practical solution ensures your wiring remains as good as new, providing reliable performance every time you need to tow. For those preferring external mounting, the option to feed through using a grommet and secure with brackets is available, combining flexibility with protection.
This custom-fit T-One connector plugs into your vehicle's wiring harness, which is located inside your rear cargo area, behind the tail lights on both the driver's side and passenger's side. You will need to remove the rear threshold panel and some interior trim to access the harness.
Once you've plugged in the T-connector, find the 1-pin housing that is taped to the tail light harness on the driver's side and plug in the 1-pin connector on the T-One. Locate the fuse box under the hood of your vehicle and insert the provided 15-amp fuse into the 30A location.
Once installation is complete, the 4-way flat connector will be stowed in your cargo area when not in use.
It is recommended that you use a small amount of grease on all electrical connections - the plugs on your automobile and the 4-pole connector itself - to help prevent corrosion.
A ModuLite power module is built into this T-One connector. Because most trailers run on a two-wire system - wherein the brake and turn signals are carried on one wire - the separate brake and turn signals from your vehicle's three-wire system need to be combined so they are compatible with the wiring system of your trailer. This power module functions as a tail light converter to combine the brake and turn signal functions of your automobile so that they run on one wire to properly activate your trailer's tail lights.
This will not affect how the tail lights on your vehicle operate.
California residents: click here
Wiring harness was ordered and arrived in a very quick time frame. The hitch and wiring harness is installed and I couldn't be more pleased.
Very easy to install. Once again eTrailer video's show exactly how to install making me feel confident I could install myself. The simple unplug and insert between makes this a very simple installation.
Kit didn't come with double sided tape as indicated in directions.
Easy install Plug and play!
We bought this hitch for our 2015 Murano to use for a bike carrier and occasionally pulling a trailer. Installed it and the wiring harness yesterday. It took about two hours total. Very easy install. I had expected it to be more difficult. Balanced the hitch on a gallon paint can to get the first bolts in after that just a matter of installing the rest of the bolts and torquing everything down. Wiring harness was and easy install also. Plug and play after removing a few panels. Easy install with just a screwdriver, torque wrench and razor blade. Seems lake a great product. Fits our car very well. We will lose some rear clearance but I don't think it will be an issue.
Very easy to install video is step by step. Plus you can store the plug In the spare tire compartment until needed
I have used my hitch and wiring harness several times and I couldn't be happier. Whether I am towing my utility trailer or my travel trailer , I am confident with this setup.
Super easy to install! Instead of reading the paper installation instructions, I played and paused the eTrailer installation video at each step!! The videos from eTrailer are super helpful!!!
Easy install and it only took 30 minutes. Only issue was the extra 15 amp fuse that came with the harness connector was different from the 30 amp in the engine bay. The 15 amp was longer on the prongs that plug in.
Easy to install fits and works perfectl y.
Great rack and easy to put together!
This wire harness is easy to install, straight forward and does what it’s supposed to do. I do recommend this. It has all the right connectors and is superior to the lower priced ones.
Plug and play, it could not have been easier, went together like a dream, and everything worker perfectly. Your shop how to videos are excellent also, so much clearer than the paper how to pictures.
DIDN'T HAVE TO READ THE DIRECTIONS after watching the E Trailer video. I connected the clips to the correct colors temporarily grounded the wiring harness and all lights checked out on my meter in about 12 minutes. I did spend 15 additional minutes extending the ground wire to find a perfect ground location and some additional time hiding the wires and installing many wire ties. Very easy install thanks to E Trailer videos. Very fast shipment as well.
I am so impressed, I called Emily M. at etrailer customer service on Thursday Oct. 22 and ordered a hitch for our Nissan Murano. It was delivered to our home in Fl. on Oct 23. WOW what service.
It took me only one hour to unpack the hitch and install it. Did it myself.
Thank you Emily and etrailer for the great service!!!
Now on to the wiring harness
I purchased a Draw-tite receiver hitch and the trailer wiring kit for my 2017 Murano. I was very impressed with these products as to the simplicity of the installation of both items. Very top shelf equipment. I will definitely be purchasing more equipment from etrailer. Thanks for making it so easy. Skip R.
The product was great and very easy to install. We went step by step with the installation video you privide online. The only thing was the double stick tape was missing from the box so had to run to store in middle of installation and trailer lights not working. Think it might be bulbs so going to replace them.
Going to call customer svc about the 15 amp fuse that was provided to replace the 30 amp in fuse box. The 15amp one provided has longer prongs than the ones in the fuse box.
Ordered my hitch and wiring harness on a Tuesday and my order was delivered on Thursday, looks good! Watched the install video, should be easy and wiring video looked good also! Thanks
I Bought the hitch and wiring harness for my 2015 Nissan Murano and installed it my self . It was quick and easy . Went up just as the video showed . I used a floor jack with a 2x4 to raised it up to install. I'm towing a boat and motor cycle trailer. Dealer wants $600.00 for it all and they install it . If your handy you can do it . Video for wiring harness need to show more. I would like to see a better picture of where the trailer plug goes on the hitch. The 4 way plug I zip tied to the hitch. I like neatness. It needs a bracket the it can be attached to. And as for the plug with the black wire that put juice to the 4way. I think it needs to show where the wire is located on the wiring Harness to put the 2 ends together. But over all this is as easy as it can get. I would recommended this. B+
Great product,easy to hook up wiring,no splicing,took maybe 30 for complete install of hitch and wiring.Customer support is top tier!
I installed the hitch soon after getting it. easy enough thru the threaded inserts on my Murano had rusted a bit so I had to retap them to get the bolts in.
Finally put it to use a couple of months ago for a 2000 mile plus round trip to Austin pulling my small 6x4 trailer.
Performance was okay. There was more play in the hitch receiver/ballmount as compared to the Reese hitch I put on Tahoe about 16 years ago. I had bough a new ball mount for the Murano given its different height off the ground and noticed the play right away. tried the Tahoe ballmount and same thing. Tolerances I guess but more play than I am used to.
Need to reconsider a etrailer hitch maybe go back to reese when I replace my Tahoe with something else next year. I install them myself as Dealers charge too much for their packages
Hope this helps
Timely delivery. Perfect fit for my 2017 Murano. Connection instructions for the wiring harness were easy to follow. Very satisfied.
After watching the installation video the wiring harness was easy to install.
Finding the correct harness for my vehicle was easy on the website. Installation was also straight-forward after following the helpful video provided by etrailer. The harness worked as expected once I got a clean ground contact to bare metal. My initial install attempt used a threaded mounting hole on my frame that had been painted, which was enough to prevent the electrical connection. Would definitely buy from trailer again.
Very happy with the hitch that I purchased from etrailer.com. Fit nicely, easy install. Pulled the trailer I have with ease. I was concerned about wiring in the lights, but that went well also. I encouraged a family member to purchase from etrailer.com also and they are happy as well. I will certainly purchase from them again in the need arises
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Mastering Hair Restoration: Your Ultimate Guide to Hair Transplant in Abu Dhabi
Are you considering a hair transplant in Abu Dhabi and seeking insider knowledge? This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about the process, benefits, and expert insights into achieving natural-looking results. Discover why Abu Dhabi is a premier destination for hair restoration and how to navigate this transformative journey with confidence.
Why Choose Hair Transplantation in Abu Dhabi?
Leading Expertise in Hair Restoration
Abu Dhabi boasts renowned specialists in hair transplant surgery who are globally recognized for their expertise and innovation. These experts employ advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technology to deliver superior results tailored to individual needs.
Advanced Techniques for Natural Results
Clinics in Abu Dhabi offer cutting-edge techniques such as follicular unit extraction (FUE) and robotic-assisted transplantation. These methods ensure precise graft placement, minimal scarring, and faster recovery times, setting a new standard in hair restoration excellence.
Personalized Care and Patient Experience
Choosing Abu Dhabi for your hair transplant means benefiting from personalized care and attention throughout your journey. From initial consultation to post-operative care, experienced surgeons prioritize patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction.
Navigating the Hair Transplant Experience
Initial Consultation: Mapping Your Path to Hair Restoration
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with a specialized hair transplant surgeon. During this session, your hair loss history, scalp condition, and aesthetic goals are thoroughly evaluated. The surgeon designs a customized treatment plan to achieve optimal results.
Procedure Day: Precision and Expertise
On the day of your hair transplant in Abu Dhabi procedure, expect meticulous attention to detail and precision. Local anesthesia ensures comfort during the process. Depending on the technique chosen, donor hair follicles are carefully harvested and transplanted into balding or thinning areas to restore natural hair growth.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Following the procedure, you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions to promote healing and encourage new hair growth. Mild swelling and discomfort may occur initially but typically resolve within a few days. Regular follow-up appointments monitor your progress and ensure the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Transplants
1. Who is a suitable candidate for a hair transplant?
Ideal candidates have stable hair loss patterns, sufficient donor hair, and realistic expectations. Surgeons assess candidacy based on scalp condition, hair density, and overall health during the consultation.
2. What are the different types of hair transplant techniques available?
Common techniques include FUE (follicular unit extraction) and FUT (follicular unit transplantation). FUE is preferred for minimal scarring and quicker recovery, while FUT may be recommended for larger graft requirements.
3. Is a hair transplant procedure painful?
Local anesthesia ensures minimal discomfort during the procedure. Post-surgery, any discomfort can be managed with prescribed medications.
4. How long does it take to see results from a hair transplant?
Initial growth can be seen within a few months, with noticeable improvement typically within 6 to 12 months as transplanted hair grows and thickens naturally.
5. What factors influence the cost of a hair transplant in Abu Dhabi?
Costs vary based on the technique chosen, number of grafts required, and clinic reputation. It’s advisable to discuss pricing during your consultation to understand the total investment.


title: Buffett simply say hes betting oil prices go up

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Not to say Warren Buffett’s folksy observation this weekend on the US oil business is incorrect, but it gets something awfully incorrect:
Vicki does know how to separate oil from rock, and that’s an uncommon talent, valuable to her shareholders and to her country.
He is referring to Vicki Hollub, chief executive of Occidental Petroleum Corp., the oil and gas producer in which Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns a roughly 28% stake. The dispute here isn’t with Hollub’s knowledge of oil production or that this constitutes a talent. Rather, it’s the “uncommon” aspect. The history of the US shale boom, including how Buffett and Berkshire got mixed up with Hollub and Oxy, shows how widespread this particular talent is. It was the skill of turning that into profits for investors that eluded most.
Buffett’s praise of the company’s productive prowess is a throwback to the boom times that isn’t likely to persuade other investors to join him.
We are a mere six weeks or so from the five-year anniversary of Oxy locking horns with Chevron Corp. to buy Anadarko Petroleum Corp. In the end, Oxy prevailed by paying a huge premium, mostly in cash, with Berkshire providing $10 billion of crucial funding in exchange for preferred stock, which had the useful effect for Oxy’s management of avoiding a shareholder vote on the deal (see this for a recap).
It was a pyrrhic victory. Oxy made the classic mistake of overextending itself just as oil prices began falling, which accelerated the following year amid Covid-19. The deal capped a decade of excess in shale where the frenzy for separating oil from rocks saw many an investor separated from their capital.
Oxy’s total return since April 11, 2019 — just before the battle for Anadarko began — up to just before Buffett’s latest letter dropped was a princely 2.7%. The smallness of that number is obvious, but just for context, the oil sector returned about 23 times that, and the S&P 500 about 33 times as much, over the same period. Plus, at an annualized rate of 0.6%, Oxy’s common stock has returned less than one-tenth the coupon it pays on those preferreds it handed over to the Sage of Omaha’s shop.
Dreadful as Oxy’s stock performance has been during this time, even that owes much to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which boosted oil prices, as well as Buffett himself. Having helped Oxy dig itself into a hole, Berkshire began buying the stock just after that invasion began and oil began skyrocketing. Regulatory filings show a series of further purchases, generally whenever Oxy’s stock is in the upper $50s, around the strike price of the warrants Berkshire extracted as part payment for its $10 billion (the stock trades just above $60 today).
Read the full article here by Liam Denning of Bloomberg News, Advisor Perspectives


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Partners: Melanie Lombard, University of Sheffield; Charlotte Lemanski, University of
Cambridge; Carlos Tobar, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cali
Funders: British Academy
We are living in an era of global crisis, yet state and external responses in cities are often problematic, as the Covid pandemic revealed. Faced with disasters or conflict, top-down responses may not be sensitive to local contexts, and may worsen conditions for marginalised communities, for example through curfews or military intervention. For some communities, everyday problems such as violence, poverty, and displacement may be more significant than singular events such as natural disasters, political unrest or financial crisis. Additionally, crises are socially constructed, and how a crisis is defined or represented may privilege some forms of knowledge and experience, while ignoring others. This suggests the need to examine the underlying assumptions of crisis representations, exploring not just the effectiveness of responses, but also how crises are framed, and whose framings dominate.
In response, this project aims to explore local perspectives and experiences of diverse types of crisis in urban areas, focusing on the lived experiences of marginalised communities. It seeks to understand how crisis representations and crisis responses are related, in order to assess the effectiveness of crisis responses, and suggest improvements. It will do this using storytelling and other qualitative methods to compare representations and responses in four cities in South Africa and Colombia: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Cali and Buenaventura. The project is a collaboration involving the universities named above, and local organisations in the four cities. You are being invited to collaborate as a local organisation.
By examining the lived experiences of marginalised populations and using an innovative comparative storytelling approach, this project examines how crises are framed and responded to, as well as the very con to enhance urban crisis response effectiveness. The research utilised a mixed-methods approach, including:
Crisis Representation Project Stories from South Africa. Produced by research participants in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Watch their stories here.


title: Best of british dorset

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This month the Best of British challenge moves to Dorset and is hosted by Lavender and Lovage where the challenge is introduced with lots of inspiration for foods that are good in Dorset. I chose to base my dish on ingredients from Dorset rather than a traditional Dorset dish and so I have found some Dorset beer and bacon with which to put together a dressed up meal of Dorset Rarebit, bacon and mushrooms. A perfect autumn lunch.
There is a fascinating review of what makes a perfect rarebit which appeared as part of a series on 'perfect' renditions of favourite foods in the Guardian paper. Their recipe calls for stout and Lancashire cheese but I was very happy with my substitutions of Hall and Woodhouse brewery Badger Champion ale and a Somerset cheddar. I ventured as close to the Dorset border as I could with my choice of cheese, based on what I could actually buy easily, and the Wookey Hole cheddar worked really well.
I based my recipe loosely on the one at the end of the Guardian article. The topping is made up as a sort of sauce out of the beer, mustard, cheese, egg and butter which is poured over the bread and toasted until golden. I only had whole grain mustard and not mustard powder so I used that and I used more Champion ale and less butter than the Guardian recipe calls for. I guess I need to polish my technique a little as my 'sauce' was actually rather separated and lumpy when it went onto the muffin but once it was all bubbled up and toasted it looked rather moreish and made a perfect lunch with some Dorset Denhay dry cured bacon and fried chestnut mushrooms. The remainder of the Champion made a perfect accompaniment. Cheers!


title: Sc c6q5gx5e9o

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Solitaire necklaces date back to the earliest jewelry, with its eldest ancestors being the dangling pendants of ancient cultures. The “solitaire” gets its name from the French word for “solitary,” reinforcing the fact that it refers to a singly set stone. The discovery of diamonds 3000 years ago resulted in their incorporation in various jeweled adornment in the subsequent generations.
Initially, diamonds, lustrous even in their rough-cut state, were believed to hold magical powers, and so earlier wearers used them as a talisman or harbinger of good luck. As faceting techniques advanced, the true radiance of diamonds emerged, leading ancient cultures to believe, as we do today, that there is nothing quite as irresistible as the sparkle of a diamond.
The ultimate in refined elegance, the sophisticated diamond solitaire necklace is equal parts simplicity and statement that will complement any neckline. While the carat weight can vary, the timeless taste of the subtle sparkle inherent in a vintage diamond solitaire is beyond compare.
The “solitaire” gets its name from the French word for “solitary,” reinforcing the fact that it refers to a singly set stone
Jewelry designer Mouawad’s necklace, featuring the Incomparable diamond, was declared the world’s most expensive diamond necklace in 2013. Featuring a 407.48-carat yellow diamond suspended from an 18-karat gold branch-like chain also set with diamonds, the Incomparable was then valued at $55,000,000
The largest recorded polished white diamond was mined in South Africa in the early 20th century. Known as the Great Star or Africa, this monumental diamond totaled just over 530 carats
As the world's leading online auction marketplace, thousands of auction
houses use Invaluable to deepen relationships with millions of clients
around the world. Stay connected to the things you love with curated items
and auctions sent to your inbox.


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Kentucky Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Poppe Law Firm® Client
The Poppe Law Firm® was pleased to receive a unanimous opinion from the Kentucky Supreme Court yesterday reversing a Kentucky Court of Appeals opinion. The legal malpractice case was dismissed right before trial becuase the trial court determined that the client’s assignment of the proceeds from his legal malpractice case was against public policy. The Court of Appeals agreed with the trial court and affirmed the dismissal. The Poppe Law Firm® filed a motion for discretionary review to the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Only a handful of case are accepted for review by the Supreme Court of Kentucky and usually they only decide issues of first impression in Kentucky. Even fewer cases are granted oral argument. The Court granted both to the Poppe Law Firm® client. The Case was argued in June and the Court issued a lightening fast opinion in on August 26th (Court was not in session in July)
The Supreme Court agreed with the Poppe Law Firm® that an invalid assignment of proceeds does not justify dismissing a case with prejudice and, instead, as long as the real-party-in interest brings the action, the suit should be allowed to proceed. This establishes the law in Kentucky and is a great victory for our client. We are very proud of the work we have done in this case and it feels wonderful to get this result for a very deserving client.
PS. Here is a link to one of the briefs we did in the trial court. This is not one of the appeal briefs.


title: Article 1 736 en

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High spectral resolution of hyperspectral images in form of very narrow and constant within visible and infrared spectral ranges has brought the technology of remote hyperspectral measurement into spotlight in order to detect objects as well as earthly phenomena. In this field, most methods have been presented with the purpose of improving the accuracy of image classification and there have been scarce researches on target detection (TD). Supervised TD problem can be considered as a one-class classification problem between the target and non-target pixels using training data from the target class only. However, a spectral signature of the target sample obtained using field or laboratory measurements is the only training data available for TD.
A substantial number of bands lead to heavy computational costs along with Hughes Effect on hyperspectral image processing. Hence, in recent years much attention has been paid to reduction of computational complexity in the processing of hyperspectral images. In comparison to the classification field, few studies have been done on dimension reduction or band selection for target detection in hyperspectral images. A chief reason behind this is the shortage or absence of training samples of the desired target in background images. In order to solve this problem, a method is introduced based on target simulation. Recently, target simulation method has been used for creating artificial sub-pixel targets on hyperspectral images in order to investigate the performance of sub-pixel target detection (STD) algorithms. But in this paper target simulation has been used as method for optimum band selection. In this method for STD several simulated training samples, created by means of target spectrum implantation in the image.
For optimal band selection after achieving sufficient implanted targets as training data, searching strategy in hyperspectral image space is of high account. Once simulated targets are created, optimal bands are selected via Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithm. To make the optimization algorithms exploit well in search space, their cost functions must be well defined. So one of contributions of this study is defining a new cost function for optimization algorithms used for selecting optimal bands. In the next stage, based on the optimal bands selected, the Local ACE is applied on the image to obtain detection result. ACE algorithm, one of the most useful and common algorithms for detection of sub-pixel and full pixel targets. But local ACE is commonly used to detect sub-pixel targets in hyperspectral images. In this version of the ACE algorithm, instead of using the mean and covariance of the entire image, just the neighbouring window pixels are used. The output of this stage will be TD map that by applying a threshold in a detection map can determine whether the pixels are target or not. In order to evaluate and study the ability of the introduced algorithm, Target Detection Blind Test (TDBT) of Hymap dataset and Hyperion dataset from Botswana have been used. False alarm rate was used as touchstone to evaluate the results between the outputs of different methods. Compared to some PSO-based algorithms such as maximum-submaximum-ratio (MSR) and correlation coefficient (CC), an evolutionary method such as genetic algorithm (GA), and the use of full band, the proposed method was able to improve the results by 46% in all cases where it was possible to decrease false alarm for the searched target.
Sharifi hashjin S, Darvishi boloorani A, Khazai S, Abdollahi Kakroodi A. Optimum Band Selection for Target Detection in Hyperspectral Imagery based on Binary PSO . JGST 2019; 8 (3) :69-83 URL: http://jgst.issgeac.ir/article-1-736-en.html