Short autobiographies in pdf

Samoyeds: If you love these dogs then you're in the right place

2010.11.29 18:17 bsteinfeld Samoyeds: If you love these dogs then you're in the right place

A community dedicated to the wonderful Samoyed dogs. Post anything related to Samoyeds just please read the rules before posting!
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2008.11.18 15:20 Anarcho-Capitalism: A free and voluntary society leads to more liberty and opportunity for everyone.

Welcome to /Anarcho_Capitalism, a place to discuss free market capitalist anarchism and related topics, and share things that would be of interest to Anarcho-Capitalists.
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2008.10.07 23:12 The officially unofficial subreddit for all things VMware.

Read the rules before posting! A community dedicated to discussion of VMware products and services.
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2024.05.21 10:13 dasilentstorm Tooling for RAG and Chunking Experiments

When dealing with RAG, or information retrieval in general, extraction and chunking along with indexing are the most relevant sliders to fine tune the process and therefore the retrieval quality.
Are there tools available to experiment with different extraction and chunking methods? I know there's like 1000 No-Code UIs to create a Chat-Bot, but the RAG part is mostly just a black box that says "drop your PDF here".
I'm thinking about features like
Basically everything that happens before passing the context to the LLM. Doesn't have to be super fancy, but is there anything better than just creating a bunch of Jupyter Notebooks and running benchmarks?
submitted by dasilentstorm to datascience [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 07:20 zaddar1 waterslipt/ a furball/ widening ripples

beauty
which i have now
fades so quick
i can’t even grasp it
actors and actresses
statues looking at you
only the garb changes
one of the strongest emerging social trends that arise as a consequence of increased longevity is a necessity to think about slowing cognitive decline in the over 50’s which means attention to diet and supplements, exercise , general fitness and "wear and tear", alcohol and drug consumption
my feeling is we are going to see sharp divides between subcultures in this respect and a lot of individual variation
also, a lot of the public health advice and cultural opinions are wrong minded or ill-informed, you have to do your own research and experimentation
a way of looking at the covid public health debacle (which continues despite the cardiovascular and cancer risks of boosters) was to trade off a reduced death rate in the elderly for an increased vaccine injury problem for the young
a verse by touzi on #3 of master fushan’s sixteen themes translated by suru
the death within life
birds clench the falling blossoms before the emerald cliffs, every word responds to conditions, spreading throughout — they ask of coming west, pointing to the cypress in the yard, but how could the passage through the lush mountain peaks be shut ?
活中死。鳥銜華落碧嵓前。對境皆言到處傳。人問西來指庭柏。豈關蒼翠嶺頭穿。
my reply:
what cannot be shut
is always open
but to avoid the common herd
it is disguised
why write things people understand ?
they just make your life a misery with their missionizing of a contrary view
to confuse them is better
they can’t target you
no "master"
except the claim
fantasies about reality
seek a center
its doesn’t exist
non-existence or otherwise
ed. zen is full of fake claims to authority by the appellation of "zen master", same with any religion and its "pooh-bahs"
that’s the trouble with writing
its lasts forever
so
necessarily
you are writing forever
i am appreciating the philosopher gilles deleuze more
the untranslated portion at the end goes
so you understand, when you have such an idea, the important is not to know whether it is true or false
the question is to know if it is important, if it is interesting, and if it is beautiful
and it is the same in science, it is the same in philosophy, you know
waterslipt
a furball
widening ripples on
the smooth surface
of a reflective river
a platypus
ed. i was having lunch at a clearing on the bank of the mersey river near the eastern end of bridle track road, the day was amazingly clear and windless and the river smooth and i noticed a platypus working its way feeding on the bottom to surface occasionally for breath then go back down again
this morning i serendipitously put on a shirt and trousers that "matched", i have always been sceptical of the concept, but since there are clothes that don’t match, there must be those that do match, though what constitutes the female sense of this, i still cannot fathom
the abdication of the duke of windsor was in fact a surface effect of a deeper political struggle, would britain become a client state of germany or would it resist ?
the outcome was not as obvious as you might think
taking actors as real
and a set as reality
is it any wonder
the dissembling mess
collapses ?
the circle of the contemporary
rubbish generating more rubbish
stay there at your own risk
sharing the same road for a while
but later
looking at the forks and branches
i realise
we are apart
inscribed on the tower at veneration monastery
in cold spring, a hundred-foot tower
i climb up alone, and then back down alone
who can manage such distances of the heart ?
david hinton
classical chinese poetry
the poet is tu mu (803 to 853 a.d.) with a bio on page 378 of the "classical chinese poetry" pdf link
definitely medieval with the mention of a functional tower
an interesting thing about frieda hughes is she did not have her mother’s talent, of course neither did ted
there is just a remarkable depth to sylvia plath’s work and this was despite all the obstacles, what genetic quirk created her or would , if her parents had more children, they have a similar talent ?
this prosaic world
because its written in prose of course
its not a poetic world
because its not written in poetry
if you take away the "zen master" or saint or prophet as an authority figure, what do you then have ?
Regulus replies:
People acceptant of the existent reality
my reply:
the monk asked zen master regulus "what is required to be enlightened" ?
zen master regulus replied "be accepting of existing reality"
the monk was left speechless
lee smolin doesn’t like jonathon oppemheim’s stochastic gravity approach
its interesting to watch lee talk with the constant gesticulatory body movements, almost tourette's, but he is using them to think, they are part of his cognition process
how simple is the world ?
its not that simple
and certainly not as simple as the way we view it to be
insight
takes you back
and obviates
some future lives
the brain
is
a
quantum
machine
words in a story
believable or unbelievable ?
don’t
be
fooled
.
words in a story
believable or unbelievable ?
don’t be fooled
so much knowledge
everywhere
each branch opens up exponentially
drowning in detail
its pursuer
i guess i have got so interested in hearts because of hunting and looking at them, in one animal, it beat for minutes cut out from the body; never seen any that had human like aging diseases
i think as a society we have lost touch with our own raw "viscerality", i hunt for my own meat; the killing, butchering and eating does bring one back in touch with that, the commonality with our homonin history
heart and lungs animation
the number of people who have no understanding of what even moderate levels of drinking does to their lives and long term health
you have won the existential lottery where the odds are so small of winning, no number covers it and to chip away at brain function with drugs and alcohol like that . . .
you want to experiment with doing some translation yourself with google and you will realise how its possible to construct almost any sense out of the chinese, its actually not meaningful to do any commentary without going back to the chinese, the variance is so large, translators follow their own biases to create a narrative that suits them
“ continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the milky way ”
wordsworth’s famous poem which he wrote based on notes by his sister dorothy was in effect co-authored by her
strangers to me
thirty years of no contact
exile speaks
of unwanted distance
.
strangers to me
thirty years of no contact
exile speaks
unwanted distance
ed. looking at a photo of my sister, niece and brother in law who are all very much changed since i last saw them notions of exile are not common in western literature, but are certainly there in the chinese
lost roads
can’t be recovered
what we have travelled
always
takes us
to
a different place
i love a sotherby’s auction , vast sums spent for my entertainment, all free, it don’t get slicker, a living made from networking skills and being personable
i was about to go negative on the painting by lucy bull, but on looking further i quite like her work
you have to be careful, auctioneers like these can talk the money out of your wallet
xu qiyao’s advice to his son on being successful in CCP politics
“ the path of understanding requires objectivity and experience ”
ed. the above is my reworking of the first lines of the xinxin ming which, amongst its more "normal" translations is
“ the great way is not difficult, just avoid picking and choosing ”
the xinxin ming is an abridged version of the mind inscription
心性不生何須知見
“ reality is either itself or not. is there any point to understanding this ? ”
ed. my translation of the first line of the "mind inscription"
"don’t interrupt your enemy when he’s making a mistake" — napoleon
i think in the context of divorce , what people find difficult is the necessity of switching to the extreme mindset of being at war and all that entails because that is what is immediately required
billie and finneas o’connell discuss how they created the "what am i made for" song for the film "barbie"
“ Dr. Raszek provides insights from his participation in a comprehensive review concerning the utilization of synthetic uridines in mRNA vaccines (ed. covid) and their potential implications for cancer development
The discussion delves into the intricate mechanisms that could be at play, exploring how these synthetic components might inadvertently suppress the body's innate immune system, induce frameshifting phenomena, and contribute to the production of IgG4 antibodies, all of which could potentially influence cancer growth ”
my comment
i think we can expect an upsurge in cancers, especially amongst the elderly as a result of the misguidedly intensive "booster" campaign, though it may take a while to show
the forward momentum
of habituation
leading
to
habits
that
become
unbreakable
the fallacy of "negation"
its not this, its not that
but its what its not
negation is a stylised buddhist rhetorical technique, nāgārjuna of course and you get it in dogen, they’ll say something then walk it back through its negation
but having walked it forwards, there is a sense in which it can’t be walked back or it could not be walked forwards another way of putting it is there is no ontological unity, everything is constantly splitting apart
zen masters and the authority they carry are literary constructs
buddha is a literary construct
jesus, muhammad and moses are literary constructs
the egyptian book of the dead is a literary construct
does it bother you that your advice is so bad ?
no
the blindness of narcissism
submitted by zaddar1 to zen_mystical [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 06:02 WondershareHiPDF HiPDF has once again been honored with the High Performer badge in the PDF editor category. We're incredibly grateful for the recognition from G2 and our user community.

HiPDF has once again been honored with the High Performer badge in the PDF editor category. We're incredibly grateful for the recognition from G2 and our user community. submitted by WondershareHiPDF to u/WondershareHiPDF [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 04:45 Ok-Peach-2200 Extermination versus genocide

After reading the statement from the ICC Prosecutor and doing a little research on the difference between the crime of genocide and the crime of extermination, my assessment is that the differences are far less important than the similarities, at least in terms of egregiousness. First, here's the definition of extermination(b)%20Crime,attack%20against%20any%20civilian%20population):
Art. 7(1)(b) Crime against humanity of extermination (emphasis mine):
  1. The conduct was committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population.
  2. [Mental element, specific] The perpetrator knew that the conduct was part of or intended the conduct to be part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population
  3. The conduct took place in the context of a manifest pattern of similar conduct directed against that group or was conduct that could itself effect such destruction
  4. [Mental element for element 3] [Circumstance of context] The perpetrator was aware that the conduct took place in the context of a manifest pattern of similar conduct directed against that group or was conduct that could itself effect such destruction
  5. The perpetrator killed one or more persons, including by inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population.
  6. The conduct constituted, or took place as part of, a mass killing of members of a civilian population.
7.a. [Mental element for Element 5] [Conduct of killing]: The perpetrator meant to engage in killing of one or more persons
7.b.i. [Mental element for Element 5] [Consequence of killing] : The perpetrator meant to cause death; OR
7.b.ii. [Mental element for Element 5] [Consequence of killing]: The perpetrator was aware that death sould [sic] occur in the ordinary course of events
8.c. [Mental element for Element 6] [Circumstance of mass killing of a civilian population]: The perpetrator was aware that his/her conduct constituted, or took place as part of a mass killing of members of a civilian population
Second, here's the definition of genocide (emphasis mine):
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Third, according to paragraphs 500-503 of the judgment against Radislav Krstic by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia:
extermination distinguishes itself from the crime of genocide by the fact that the targeted population does not necessarily have any common national, ethnical, racial or religious characteristic, and that it also covers situations where “some members of a group are killed while others are spared”. For this reason, extermination may be retained when the crime is directed against an entire group of individuals even though no discriminatory intent nor intention to destroy the group as such on national, ethnical, racial or religious grounds has been demonstrated ; or where the targeted population does not share any common national, ethnical, racial or religious characteristics.
The very term “extermination” strongly suggests the commission of a massive crime, which in turn assumes a substantial degree of preparation and organisation. It should be noted, though , that “extermination” could also, theoretically, be applied to the commission of a crime which is not “widespread” but nonetheless consists in eradicating an entire population, distinguishable by some characteristic(s) not covered by the Genocide Convention, but made up of only a relatively small number of people. In other words , while extermination generally involves a large number of victims, it may be constituted even where the number of victims is limited.
Thus, it appears that the egregiousness of the two crimes are at least equal and the difference has nothing to do with the intent to kill per se so much as the intent to kill civilians regardless of their common characteristics (extermination) versus intent to kill civilians because of their common characteristics (genocide).
In short, it may well be that the ICC prosecutor chose "extermination" to avoid the Israeli argument that "Palestinians are not a real identity group," a truly vile canard that nonetheless might just work as a legal technicality to avoid accountability for absolutely horrific violence.
submitted by Ok-Peach-2200 to thedavidpakmanshow [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 04:27 Glittering_Depth_449 Roommate trying to intimidate me/set me up

Backstory, I let this random stranger move in with me with no lease just a verbal agreement under the table. He has a 4 year old daughter and a junkie baby momma/healthcare worker. He is a ex drug addict, admitted to me that he was addicted to fent. Over a year ago I used to sell small amounts of weed. He asked me for cocaine verbally his first week here in my apartment. About a year ago, he allowed me to sell his baby momma a 8th of mushrooms. I got a full time job and stopped selling weed and other drugs last summer, since then I have been getting clean money working a very dirty job changing oil. I was more like a middle man than a actual drug dealer. My roommate and I are not on good terms anymore. I took him to court for a 50b restraining order because he got violent with me over some dirty dishes and messed my wrist up smacking dish soap out of my hand. I lost in court because he claimed he stood his own ground in front of his daughter. Mind you I am a black male from NC and he is a white man from Florida. He has refused to pay rent the past two months. After I lost in court, I went to the leasing office and told them that he was living in my unit for over a year. The apartment complex told me I can't move out until he is gone. They also told me that because I am a good tenant and I pay the rent that they will not evict me. They only asked that I give them a good Google review. The leasing office told me to tell him that they know he's there and lie that they are going to kick us both out. They basically told me to try and scare him to get him to leave. I gave him a 10 day notice to pay or leave and I have also given him a 7 day notice from the day rent is due that his lease/verbal agreement through me is being terminated. He has been on a month-to-month lease through myself.
I don't want to sue him, I am simply trying to get him to leave before the eviction process starts. Legally, he has claimed residency at my home. He keeps telling me that I'm about to get locked up. He claims I stole money from him. We have been splitting the electric bill. During the months of December, January, and February he did not pay rent. He paid me back $1500 during march when we got our tax returns. During the months of DecembeJanuary our electric bill was $133 for the two months. He was short on rent and he sent me $150. I used that $150 to pay off our $133 electric bill for Dec 13th - Jan 12th. He's claiming that I stole the $150 even though I have record that I paid the bill. I let the electric bill stack up over two months because he already owed me rent for the month of December and January. I got record of the money he sent to me because he sends me money through the Zelle app. I spoke with law enforcement today if that's actually considered stealing and they said no.
Lastly, I was doing dishes one morning while his 4 year old daughter was outside in the common area, my roommate is a artist and he makes raps and produces beats. He lets her watch tv in the common area unsupervised. His daughter started undressing herself in the common area while I was doing my dishes and I didn't even notice until I finished my dishes. Now he's calling me a pedo even though I never even touched his daughter.
I don't have any narcotics or drugs in my apartment. I'm filing for his eviction in a week. Can he really set me up with the PDF allegations even though he has no proof? Or the 8th of shrooms that was sold to his baby moms with his consent over a year ago? Or with the allegations that I "stole" the money he sent me through Zelle when he was behind on rent
submitted by Glittering_Depth_449 to badroommates [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 03:50 FlubzRevenge Eisner Award Nominees are Here!

Link here: https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/
BEST SHORT STORY
“Friendship Is Forever,” by Sam Maggs and Keisha Okafor, in My Little Pony 40th Celebration (IDW)
“The Kelpie,” by Becky Cloonan, in Four Gathered on Christmas Eve (Dark Horse)
“The Lady of the Lake,” by Joe S. Farrar and Guilherme Grandizolli, in BUMP: A Horror Anthology #3 (BUMP)
“Talking to a Hill,” by Larry Hancock and Michael Cherkas, in Comics for Ukraine (Zoop)
“World’s Finest, Part 1,” by Tom King and Belen Ortega, in Wonder Woman #3 (DC)
BEST SINGLE ISSUE/ONE-SHOT
Horologist, by Jared Lee and Cross (Grim Film)
Nightwing #105, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)
Star Trek: Day of Blood—Shax’s Best Day, by Ryan North and Derek Charm (IDW)
Superman 2023 Annual, by Joshua Williamson and others (DC)
Sweet Paprika: Black, White, & Pink, by Mirka Andolfo and others (Image)
BEST CONTINUING SERIES
Birds of Prey, by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Basto Romero (DC)
Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC Comics)
Shazam! by Mark Waid and Dan Mora (DC)
Transformers, by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image Skybound)
Wonder Woman, by Tom King and Daniel Sampere (DC)
BEST LIMITED SERIES
The Cull, by Kelly Thompson and Mattia De Iulis (Image)
Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons, by Frank Tieri and Inaki Miranda (IDW)
Kill Your Darlings, by Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan, and Robert Quinn (Image)
PeePee PooPoo, by Caroline Cash (Silver Sprocket)
Superman: Lost, by Christopher Priest and Carlo Pagulayan (DC)
BEST NEW SERIES
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, by Patrick Horvath (IDW) shincoal you did it! haha.
Black Cloak, by Kelly Thompson and Meredith McClaren (Image)
Local Man, by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs (Image)
Phantom Road, by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Hernández Walta (Image)
Somna: A Bedtime Story, by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay (DSTLRY)
BEST PUBLICATION FOR EARLY READERS
Bigfoot and Nessie: The Art of Getting Noticed, by Chelsea M. Campbell and Laura Knetzger (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House)
Burt the Beetle Lives Here! by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press)
Go-Go Guys, by Rowboat Watkins (Chronicle Books)
The Light Inside, by Dan Misdea (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House)
Milk and Mocha: Our Little Happiness, by Melani Sie (Andrews McMeel)
Tacos Today: El Toro & Friends, by Raúl the Third (HarperCollins/Versify)
BEST PUBLICATION FOR KIDS
Buzzing, by Samuel Sattin and Rye Hickman (Little, Brown Ink)
Mabuhay!, by Zachary Sterling (Scholastic Graphix)
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Young Readers)
Missing You, by Phellip Willian and Melissa Garabeli. translation by Fabio Ramos (Oni Press)
Saving Sunshine, by Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khan (First Second/Macmillan)
BEST PUBLICATION FOR TEENS
Blackward, by Lawrence Lindell (Drawn & Quarterly)
Danger and Other Unknown Risks, by Ryan North and Erica Henderson (Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House)
Frontera, by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo (HarperAlley)
Lights, by Brenna Thummler (Oni Press)
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story, by Sarah Myer (First Second/Macmillan)
My Girlfriend’s Child, vol. 1, by Mamoru Aoi, translation by Hana Allen (Seven Seas)
BEST HUMOR PUBLICATION
How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone, by Alex Norris (Candlewick/Walker Books)
I Was a Teenage Michael Jackson Impersonator, and Other Musical Meanderings, by Keith Knight (Keith Knight Press)
It’s Jeff: The Jeff-Verse #1, by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru (Marvel)
Macanudo: Optimism Is for the Brave, by Liniers (Fantagraphics)
The Yakuza’s Bias, by Teki Yatsuda. translation by Max Greenway (Kodansha)
BEST ANTHOLOGY
Comics for Ukraine, edited by Scott Dunbier (Zoop)
Deep Cuts, by Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark, Danilo Beyruth, and others (Image)
The Devil’s Cut, edited by Will Dennis (DSTLRY)
Marvel Age #1000, edited by Tom Brevoort (Marvel)
The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics, edited by The Kao, Min Christensen, and David Daneman (Andrews McMeel)
Swan Songs by W. Maxwell Prince and others (Image)
BEST REALITY-BASED WORK
Are You Willing to Die for the Cause? by Chris Oliveros (Drawn & Quarterly)
Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century, by Adrian Matejka and Youssef Daoudi (Liveright)
Messenger: The Legend of Muhammad Ali, by Marc Bernardin and Ron Salas (First Second/Macmillan)
Thing: Inside the Struggle for Animal Personhood, by Samuel Machado and Cynthia Sousa Machado with Steven M. Wise (Island Press)
Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller: The Man Who Created Nancy, by Bill Griffith (Abrams ComicArts)
BEST GRAPHIC MEMOIR
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam, by Thien Pham (First Second/Macmillan)
A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat (First Second/Macmillan)
In Limbo, by Deb JJ Lee (First Second/Macmillan)
Memento Mori, by Tiitu Takalo, translation by Maria Schroderus (Oni Press)
Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me About Life, Death, and Hope, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Scholastic Graphix)
The Talk, by Darrin Bell (Henry Holt)
BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM—NEW
Ashes, by Álvaro Ortiz, translation by Eva Ibarzabal (Top Shelf/IDW)
Eden II, by K. Wroten (Fantagraphics)
A Guest in the House, by Emily Carroll (First Second/Macmillan)
Parasocial, by Alex De Campi and Erica Henderson (Image)
Roaming, by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (Drawn & Quarterly)
BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM—REPRINT
Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise Treasury Edition, by Tradd Moore (Marvel)
The Good Asian, by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi (Image)
Hip Hop Family Tree: The Omnibus, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)
Orange Complete Series Box Set, by Ichigo Takano, translation by Amber Tamosaitis (Seven Seas)
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, and Nicola Scott (DC)
BEST ADAPTATION FROM ANOTHER MEDIUM
Bea Wolf, adapted by Zach Weinersmith and Boulet (First Second/Macmillan)
DRCL midnight children, vol. 1, based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by Shin’ichi Sakamoto, translation by Caleb Cook (VIZ Media)
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow over Innsmouth, adapted by Gou Tanabe, translation by Zack Davisson (Dark Horse Manga)
The Monkey King: The Complete Odyssey, adapted by Chaiko, translation by Dan Christensen (Magnetic)
Watership Down, by Richard Adams, adapted by James Sturm and Joe Sutphin (Ten Speed Graphic)
BEST U.S. EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL
Ashes, by Álvaro Ortiz, translation by Eva Ibarzabal (Top Shelf/IDW)
Blacksad, Vol 7: They All Fall Down, Part 2, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Europe Comics)
A Boy Named Rose, by Gaëlle Geniller, translation by Fabrice Sapolsky (Fairsquare Comics)
The Great Beyond, by Léa Murawiec, translation by Aleshia Jensen (Drawn & Quarterly)
Shubeik Lubeik, by Deena Mohamed (Pantheon Books/Penguin Random House)
Spa, by Erik Svetoft, translation by Melissa Bowers (Fantagraphics)
BEST U.S. EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL—ASIA
DRCL midnight children, vol. 1, based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by Shin’ichi Sakamoto, translation by Caleb Cook (VIZ Media)
Goodbye, Eri, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation by Amanda Haley (VIZ Media)
The Horizon, vol. 1, by JH, translation by ULTRAMEDIA Co. Ltd. (Yen/Ize Press)
My Picture Diary, by Fujiwara Maki, translation by Ryan Holmberg (Drawn & Quarterly)
River’s Edge, by Kyoko Okazaki, translation by Alexa Frank (Kodansha)
The Summer Hikaru Died, vol. 1, by Mokumokuren, translation by Ajani Oloye (Yen Press)
BEST ARCHIVAL COLLECTION/PROJECT—STRIPS
Dauntless Dames: High-Heeled Heroes of the Comic Strips, edited by Peter Maresca and Trina Robbins (Sunday Press/Fantagraphics)
David Wright’s Carol Day: Lance Hallam, edited by Roger Clark, Chris Killackey, and Guy Mills (Slingsby Bros, Ink!)
Popeye Sundays Vol 3: The Sea Hag and Alice the Goon, by E.C. Segar, edited by Conrad Groth and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies 1932-1935: Starring Bucky Bug and Donald Duck and Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies 1935-1939: Starring Donald Duck and Big Bad Wolf, edited by David Gerstein (Fantagraphics)
Where I’m Coming From, by Barbara Brandon-Croft, edited by Peggy Burns and Tracy Hurren (Drawn & Quarterly)
BEST ARCHIVAL COLLECTION/PROJECT—COMIC BOOKS
Adventures Into Terror: The Atlas Comics Library, vol. 1, edited by Michael J. Vassallo (Fantagraphics)
All-Negro Comics 75th Anniversary Edition, edited by Chris Robinson (Very GOOD Books)
The Ballad of Halo Jones Full Colour Omnibus, by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson, edited by Olivia Hicks (2000AD/Rebellion)
The John Severin Westerns Featuring American Eagle, edited by Michael Dean (Fantagraphics)
Michael Golden’s Marvel Stories Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
BEST WRITER
Stephen Graham Jones, Earthdivers (IDW)
Mariko Tamaki, Roaming (Drawn & Quarterly)
Tom Taylor, Nightwing, Titans (DC)
Kelly Thompson, Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn, Black White and Redder (DC); Black Cloak, The Cull (Image); It’s Jeff, Captain Marvel (Marvel)
Mark Waid, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Shazam!, World’s Finest: Teen Titans (DC)
G. Willow Wilson, Poison Ivy (DC); Hunger and the Dusk (IDW)
BEST WRITEARTIST
Emily Carroll, A Guest in the House (First Second/Macmillan)
Bill Griffith, Three Rocks (Abrams ComicArts)
Daniel Warren Johnson, Transformers (Image Skybound)
Mokumokuren, The Summer Hikaru Died, vol. 1 (Yen Press)
Zoe Thorogood, Hack/Slash: Back To School (Image)
Tillie Walden, Clementine Book Two (Image Skybound)
BEST PENCILLEINKER OR PENCILLEINKER TEAM
Jason Shawn Alexander, Detective Comics (DC); Killadelphia, with Germán Erramouspe (Image)
Tula Lotay, Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder (Comixology Originals/Best Jackett)
Inaki Miranda, Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons (IDW)
Dan Mora, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Shazam! (DC)
Chris Samnee, Fire Power (Image Skybound)
Jillian Tamaki, Roaming (Drawn & Quarterly)
BEST PAINTEMULTIMEDIA ARTIST (INTERIOR ART)
Jason Shawn Alexander, Blacula: Return of the King (Zombie Love Studios)
Chaiko, The Monkey King (Magnetic)
Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad, Vol 7: They All Fall Down, Part 2 (Europe Comics)
Liam Sharp, Nocterra: Nemesis Special (Best Jackett); Starhenge: The Dragon and the Boar (Image)
Martin Simmonds, Universal Monsters: Dracula (Image Skybound)
Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: Her Little Reapers (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)
BEST COVER ARTIST
Jen Bartel, DC Pride 2023, Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #1 (DC); Captain Marvel: Dark Tempest #1, Demon Wars: Scarlet Sin #1, Scarlet Witch #9, Sensational She-Hulk (Marvel)
Evan Cagle, Detective Comics (DC)
Jenny Frison, Alice Never After #1, BRZRKR: Fallen Empire #1, and other alternate covers (BOOM! Studios); Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #1–2, Poison Ivy #8, #12 (DC)
E. M. Gist, Expanse Dragon Tooth #1, Something Is Killing the Children #28 & #34, Wild’s End, vol 2 #4 and other alternate covers (BOOM! Studios); Amazing Spider-Man #23, Doctor Aphra #36, Moon Knight #3, Nightcrawlers #1, Wolverine #38 (Marvel)
Peach Momoko, Demon Wars: Scarlet Sin, various alternate covers (Marvel)
Dan Mora, Coda #3, Damn Them All #4, MMPR 30th Anniversary Special #1, Rare Flavours #3 and other alternate covers (BOOM! Studios); Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Outsiders #1, Poison Ivy #9, Shazam!, Titans #1 (DC)
BEST COLORING
Jordie Bellaire, Batman, Birds of Prey (DC); Dark Spaces: Hollywood Special (IDW)
Matt Hollingsworth, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, Punisher (Marvel)
Lee Loughridge, Red Zone (AWA); Edgeworld, Grammaton Punch, Nostalgia (Comixology Originals); The Devil’s Cut, Gone, Somna (DSTLRY); Star Trek (IDW); Killadelphia (Image); Hunt. Kill. Repeat. (Mad Cave)
Dave McCaig, The Sacrificers (Image), The Walking Dead Deluxe (Image Skybound)
Dean White, Conan the Barbarian (Titan Comics)
BEST LETTERING
Emily Carroll, A Guest in the House (First Second/Macmillan)
Benoit Dehan and Lauren Bowes, Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes (Titan Comics)
Bill Griffith, Three Rocks (Abrams ComicArts)
Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, The Unlikely Story of Felix and Macabber, The Witcher: Wild Animals, and others (Dark Horse); Batman: City of Madness, The Flash, Poison Ivy, and others (DC); Black Cat Social Club (Humanoids); Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (IDW); The Cull, What’s the Furthest Place from Here? (Image); and others
Richard Starkings, Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder, Canary (Comixology Originals/Best Jackett); Parliament of Rooks (Comixology); Astro City, Battle Chasers (Image); Conan the Barbarian (Titan Comics)
Rus Wooton, Monstress, The Sacrificers (Image); Fire Power, Kroma, Transformers, The Walking Dead Deluxe, Universal Monsters: Dracula, Void Rivals (Image Skybound); Hunt. Kill. Repeat., A Legacy of Violence, Nature’s Labyrinth (Mad Cave)
BEST COMICS-RELATED PERIODICAL/JOURNALISM
The Comics Journal #309; edited by Gary Groth, Kristy Valenti, and Austin English (Fantagraphics)
“The Indirect Market,” by Brandon Schatz and Danica LeBlanc, comicsbeat.com
Rob Salkowitz, for Forbes, ICv2.com, Publishers Weekly
SKTCHD, by David Harper, www.sktchd.com
SOLRAD: The Online Literary Magazine for Comics, www.solrad.co (Fieldmouse Press)
BEST COMICS-RELATED BOOK
Bryan Talbot: Father of the British Graphic Novel, by J. D. Harlock and Bryan Talbot (Brainstorm Studios)
Confabulation: An Anecdotal Autobiography, by Dave Gibbons (Dark Horse)
Flamed Out: The Underground Adventures and Comix Genius of Willy Murphy, edited by Nicki Michaels, Ted Richards, and Mark Burstein (Fantagraphics)
I Am the Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future, by Michael Molcher (Rebellion)
The Pacific Comics Companion, by Stephan Friedt and Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)
Thalamus: The Art of Dave McKean (Dark Horse)
BEST ACADEMIC/SCHOLARLY WORK
Asian Political Cartoons, by John A. Lent (University Press of Mississippi)
The Claremont Run: Subverting Gender in the X- Men, by J. Andrew Deman (University of Texas Press)
Desegregating Comics: Debating Blackness in the Golden Age of American Comics, edited by Qiana Whitted (Rutgers University Press)
If Shehrazad Drew: Critical Writings on Arab Comics, by George Khoury-Jad (Sawaf Center for Arab Comics Studies and American University of Beirut Press)
In Visible Archives: Queer and Feminist Visual Culture in the 1980s, by Margaret Galvan (University of Minnesota Press)
Super Bodies: Comic Book Illustration, Artistic Styles, and Narrative Impact, by Jeffrey A. Brown (University of Texas Press)
BEST PUBLICATION DESIGN
Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein boxed set, designed by Mike Kennedy (Magnetic)
Gratuitous Ninja, by Ronald Wimberly, designed by Chloe Scheffe (Beehive Books)
Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes, designed by Benoit Dahan andDonna Askem (Titan Comics)
Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, designed by Josh Bernstein and Rob Schwager (Z2)
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun First Stall Box Set, designed by Wendy Chan (Yen Press)
BEST WEBCOMIC
Asturias: The Origin of a Flag, by Javi de Castro, https://www.javidecastro.com/asturias-the-origin-of-a-flag
Daughter of a Thousand Faces, by Vel (Velinxi), https://tapas.io/series/daughter-of-a-thousand-faces/info (Tapas)
Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe, https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/s3-episode-226/viewer?title_no=1320&episode_no=231 (WEBTOON)
Matchmaker, vol. 6, by Cam Marshall at https://matchmakercomic.com/. (Silver Sprocket)
3rd Voice, by Evan Dahm, https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/3rd-voice/list?title_no=828919 (WEBTOON)
Unfamiliar, by Haley Newsome: https://tapas.io/series/unfamiliainfo (Tapas)
BEST DIGITAL COMIC
Blacksad, Vol 7: They All Fall Down, Part 2. by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Europe Comics)
Friday, by Ed Brubaker and Marcos Martin, vols. 7–8 (Panel Syndicate)
Parliament of Rooks, by Abigail Jill Harding (Comixology Originals)
Practical Defense Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff (delilahdirk.com)
A Witch’s Guide to Burning, by Aminder Dhaliwal (Instagram.com/aminder_d)
submitted by FlubzRevenge to graphicnovels [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 03:15 ackackruhii Socio-psych student in need of study materials

Hello I'm set to study sociology and psychology in university next year and pursue a career in human resources. I want to study ahead or have a general outline of what I can expect as a student, do any other students have any pdf files, short notes, online books or YouTube recommendations that can help?
submitted by ackackruhii to psychologystudents [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 02:50 idlechat [2024 Read-Along] Week 21, The Silmarillion - Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Coming of Men into the West (Chapter 17)

Then Felagund, standing silent in the night-shadow of the trees, looked down into the camp, and there he beheld a strange people.
Welcome one and all again to the 2024 Read-Along and Discussion of The Silmarillion here on tolkienfans. For Week 21 (May 19-May 25), we will be exploring The Quenta Silmarillion (The History of the Silmarils) chapter 17, "Of the Coming of Men into the West ."
​
After three hundred years had passed since the arrival of the Noldor, Finrod went hunting with Maedhros and Maglor. Yet he soon grew tired of hunting, and he continued eastward to Ossiriand, where he spotted a strange light and heard unfamiliar songs.
Finrod hid himself, for he feared that Orcs had come from Angband. Yet the strange beings were not Orcs, or Dwarves, or even other Elves. They were Men who had come out of the east from Hildorien and were following a light to the west.
Waiting until they had fallen asleep, Finrod went among them, took up a harp, and began to sing. The newcomers awoke, but they did not speak, opting to listen to Finrod's songs of Aman and the Valar instead.
Finrod would remain with the Men and taught them much of what the Noldor knew. Finrod could understand their tongue, for it was descended from the same language that all Elves had once known. Men had learned it from the Avari who remained east and did not go to Valinor, as they had also learned basic crafting skills and tools.
Among them, Finrod befriended Bëor, but when Finrod asked of the origins of Men, Bëor would only say that they came west fleeing a darkness and following the light. The Eldar afterwards would say that Morgoth himself went eastwards to corrupt Men and turn them against the Eldar. They perceived a darkness in Men similar to their own. Yet Morgoth's plan was not fully successful, both due to the low numbers of Men and the threat of the Elves on Morgoth's border.
Bëor told Finrod that other groups of men would follow: Men who were called the Haladin as well as those who followed a chief named Marach. These Men spoke a different language than that of Bëor.
When the Green-elves learned of Men, they asked Finrod to tell them to either move westward or return east. This compelled Finrod to have Bëor move his people west to Estolad, an encampment on the borders of Doriath. When at last Finrod left to return to his own realm, Bëor followed him as a vassal.
The groups that Bëor spoke of would soon enter into Beleriand: the Haladin who would be known as the House of Haleth, and the house of Marach that would be later known as the House of Hador. These two houses, as well as the House of Bëor, would form the basis of the Edain, or the Elf-friends.
Many Elves such as Fingolfin gladly received Men, taking them into their lands as allies. Thus Men continued to spread across Beleriand. They would enter in via Estolad, but spread out across the realms of the Eldar. Thingol forbade Men to enter Doriath, mistrusting them. Unfortunately, it was at this time that the first division in the houses of Men began to appear, for while Morgoth was besieged, he was not idle.
Whispers would enter into the councils of Men, and in one meeting in particular, Bereg of the House of Bëor rose up and spoke against the Elves, saying that Men could go elsewhere and leave Beleriand. Another one, appearing to be a man named Amlach, stood up and even suggested the possibility that the Valar did not exist and that Morgoth was the only such being. Though Amlach himself entered in a short time later and denied saying this, it created enough of a disturbance to cause many to flee with Bereg. Though Amlach himself would go and join the fight against Morgoth. Morgoth's evil whispers thus caused some Men to flee, but many remained and joined the Elves.
His subtle designs failing to cause all men to flee, Morgoth assailed Men with force. His orcs attacked the Haladin in the lands of Caranthir. Led by Haleth, daughter of the chieften Halad who was killed by the orcs, they survived a bitter siege until Caranthir himself came forth and destroyed the Orcs. He was moved by the valour of Men and offered Haleth an alliance. She rejected him, however, and compelled her people to move westward to Estolad. She would remain chieftain of her people, and soon they would even be known to others as the People of Haleth. Eventually, she compelled many of her people to move westward again, settling in the forest of Brethil, where they eked out a hard living. Thingol grudgingly permitted this as long as they would defend the Crossings of Teiglin.
Thus it was that Men would live in Beleriand beside the Elves. Men would learn much from the Elves, and many would even learn Sindarin. In their turn, many Men would also become servants in the household of elven kings, such as Hador, who served Fingolfin and was given the lordship of Dor-lómin. Many great heroes would come from the Elf-friends, such as Beren and Túrin.
Yet, in the end, Elves were immortal, and Men were not. Though Beleriand seemed to lengthen their lives, the first generation of Men would pass away. Bëor the Old died at ninety three years of age. This was a grievous blow to the Eldar, who did not understand the Gift of Men, or their final destination after death.[1]
Of the Coming of Men into the West at The Lord of the Rings Wiki: This chapter tells of the first encounter between Men and Elves, and of their relationship. As well as the movement and settlement of Men in the West.
Chapter discussion at Entmoot TolkienTrail.
Chapter discussion at The Barrow-Downs.
Questions for the week:
  1. The chapter mentions that Finrod, when he comes on Men for the first time, that he hears singing. It then mentions that he thought they may be Orcs, but it is not their speech and he does not recognize it. Do you think that Orcs would be singing around a fire?
  2. Green-elves seemed to hardly have any outside contact except among their own. What was up with the the Green-elves, were they shy, arrogant or isolationists?
  3. The Elves of Ossiriand didn't want men living in their land because of they say men are hewers of trees and hunters of beasts. If Finrod was hunting animals and since other Elves did eat meat, are the Green-elves just being prejudice against men? Or is it that they don't want to have hunting on their land?
  4. Amlach initially goes into the council of men and denounces the Elves but later repents and says that he was not even at the meeting. Now was he actually there and hypnotized by Morgoth? Or did Morgoth possibly send someone/something else there to pretend to be him? Was it Morgoth himself in disguise as a doppelgänger? Or is there some other explanation?
​
For drafts and history of this chapter see The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals", pp. 116-117, §79-80 and pp. 123-124, §129-130; "The Later Quenta Silmarillion", Chapter 14, "Of the Coming of Men into the West", pp. 215-238.
See also: The War of the Jewels, "The Later Quenta Silmarillion", Chapter 9, "Of Men", pp. 173-180; The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Quenta Silmarillion)", Chapter 10, "Of Men and Dwarves", pp. 272-279.
For further history and analysis of this chapter, see Arda Reconstructed (by Douglas Charles Kane), pp. 156-161.
​
Be sure to have your copy of The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad on hand as you go through this chapter.
Some Tolkien-related hangouts on YouTube (relevant to this week):
The Silmarillion Reader's Guide at Tea With Tolkien.
The Silmarillion Reader's Guide by askmiddlearth on Tumblr.
Quettaparma Quenyallo (QQ) - The most extensive list of Quenya words available on the internet, by Helge Fauskanger, 1999-2013.
Tolkien Collector's Guide - Guide to Tolkien's Letters
A (Hopefully) Light Guide to the Silmarillion — Or What I Wish I’d Known Before Reading It by u/Ok_Bullfrog_8491/
The Definitive Family Tree of the Tolkien Legendarium by u/PotterGandalf117
Wikipedia - The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Announcement and Index: (Take 2) 2024 The Silmarillion and The Fall of Gondolin Read-Along
submitted by idlechat to tolkienfans [link] [comments]

2024.05.21 01:33 nomorelandfills PETA's guide to how to deal with shelters that refuse to take owner surrenders or stray surrenders from the public

PETA's guide to how to deal with shelters that refuse to take owner surrenders or stray surrenders from the public
Not a PETA fan overall, but this may be useful to someone. Or 17 million someones. Because the shelter systems of the 6 largest cities in the US are currently following managed intake policies designed to thwart and avoid pet surrenders. And over 17 million people live in those 6 metro areas.
Shelter Refusing Animals? Here's What to Do PETA
https://preview.redd.it/rzurekuwxn1d1.png?width=1053&format=png&auto=webp&s=51d18f2bd808328f6eb5d153342ce01554262379
Is your local shelter refusing animals? Shelters are supposed to be safe havens for animals who have nowhere else to go, but in an increasing number of communities across the country, good Samaritans who find strays and desperate citizens who cannot keep their animals are hearing the same responses when they try to take animals to shelters: “Sorry—we’re full,” or “We’ll have to put you on a waiting list.” Some shelters require people to make appointments, wait for months, or pay high “surrender fees,” or they drastically reduce their hours or even encourage people to leave cats on the streets, often illegally—all in a misguided attempt to keep animals out.
Why? Shelters are under extreme pressure by laypeople who are opposed to euthanasia under virtually any circumstances and at any cost. They harass and vilify shelter workers who make the difficult but compassionate decision to euthanize some animals in order to keep their doors open to every animal in need.
In response, an alarming number of shelters—in some cases, even taxpayer-funded ones—are choosing to operate like exclusive clubs or boutiques instead of refuges for animals in need. When shelters make it difficult for people to surrender animals, closing their doors and refusing to help, they leave animals with nowhere to turn. Many are abandoned on the streets, where they starve and die in agony of untreated diseases or injuries. Others remain in the hands of people who don’t want them and who may mistreat, neglect, or even kill them.
If your local shelter has adopted this harmful practice and started implementing restrictions or turning away animals, please speak up! The basic steps are simple—documenting your experiences, gathering support, and making your case—and your involvement can make a world of difference to the animals in your community who need you the most. Read on to learn how you can help, and follow the links in each section for helpful sample statements and letters.

Document Your Experience

If a shelter has refused to accept an animal from you, required you to pay a surrender fee, put you on a waiting list, or instructed you to abandon an animal, carefully document everything that happened. Take photos and video, if you can, to help make your case when you share the evidence with elected officials and the media. Be sure to document the following:
  • The name and address of the facility
  • The time and date of your call or visit
  • The name of the person you spoke with
  • What you were told (an exact quote, if possible)
  • Whether you spoke with a supervisor and, if so, what you were told
  • What happened to the animal who needed help

Gather Community Support

Collecting statements and support from others who have been negatively affected by a shelter’s policies will significantly bolster your case when you meet with officials. If you know of other people who have encountered difficulties in surrendering an animal to a shelter, interview and take written statements from them, then help them take their cases to local and state elected officials as well as to the media.
Meet with local veterinarians to explain the situation at the shelter. Veterinarians may be especially sympathetic—not only because they care about animals but also because in communities where shelters restrict intakes, veterinary offices and animal hospitals often become popular places for people to abandon animals. If you find veterinarians who seem understanding, ask them for a statement and encourage them to get involved by helping you lobby for open-admission policies at the shelter. Be sure to keep your meetings brief and respectful, as most veterinarians are extremely busy, and follow up with a handwritten thank-you note. Take the time to form lasting relationships with sympathetic veterinarians, as they may be able to help if you find an animal who is turned away from the shelter.
If you know of local businesses where stray and homeless animals congregate, ask the owners if they would be willing to sign a statement and get involved. Their concerns may have significant influence with elected officials.

Make Your Case

Once you have gathered statements and evidence, request a meeting with the shelter director by writing a polite letter. Express your support of open-admission policies, including providing euthanasia services when necessary. If the director is open to revising the shelter’s policies, wonderful! Your legwork has paid off. If not, don’t worry—you have brought this important issue to his or her attention, and you can now take your case to elected officials and the media.
If the director is unresponsive to your concerns, don’t be discouraged. If the shelter is taxpayer-funded, elected officials may view the situation more objectively and be more receptive (and able to initiate change). Your next step is to request a meeting with elected officials to express your concern that the shelter is not providing needed services.
If the shelter is taxpayer-funded, it’s also important to attend city and/or county meetings on a regular basis to express your concerns about the shelter. Most meetings allow the public to speak briefly (usually for three to five minutes) on issues of concern, so prepare and practice a short statement that you can read if given the opportunity. Be sure to include your most compelling points, including examples of your own or others’ experiences with being turned away.

Keep Speaking Up!

Changing entrenched policies can take time, so be persistent and patient. There are many simple actions that you can take to keep the issue in the forefront of citizens’ and elected officials’ minds:
  • Write letters to the editor and comment on online news articles that demonize open-admission shelters or glorify turn-away facilities.
  • Become an animal rights photographer. Go into the community and document the suffering of homeless and neglected animals (dogs hit by cars, covered with mange, or languishing on chains, cats living under sheds trying to raise a litter of kittens, etc.). Share these photos with the shelter director, elected officials, and/or the media to help demonstrate the critical need for a shelter that accepts all animals. Please also try to help any stray animals or chained dogs you see.
  • Print out PETA’s flier about the dangers of turn-away facilities and hand it out to people in front of grocery stores, or leave a stack at your dentist’s office, the gym, coffee shops, etc.fundamental need for shelters to keep their doors open to all animals (we can provide free materials).
  • Ask your state lawmakers to introduce legislation that would require “rescues” to be strictly regulated and facilities operating as taxpayer-funded shelters to accept all animals surrendered to them, as well as defining facilities that turn away animals as “adoption groups” rather than as “shelters.”
  • If your case is especially egregious (an animal died or was significantly injured as a result of being turned away), consider filing a lawsuit against the city/county/shelter on the grounds of dereliction of duty and/or cruelty to animals. You may be able to find an attorney willing to help in your case on a pro bono (free of charge) basis simply by calling local attorneys listed online.
  • Tell your friends, neighbors, and family members about the situation at your local shelter and encourage them to get involved, too!
  • Host information tables at community events. Play PETA’s videos about problems associated with turn-away policies, such as “The Betrayal of ‘No-Kill’ Sheltering,” “Turned Away: A Closer Look at ‘No-Kill,’” “How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live?” and “100 Pit Bulls in 100 Seconds,” and share PETA’s materials on these topics (we can provide them for free!).
  • Ask your local library to let you set up an information display about the fundamental need for shelters to keep their doors open to all animals (we can provide free materials).
The top 6 taxpayer-funded public shelters currently doing managed intake:
Philadelphia Animal Care & Control
Animal Care Centers of New York City
Los Angeles Animal Services (which adds a threatening kicker, nice)
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
But wait! MCACC has an additional note
https://preview.redd.it/llfapkqh0o1d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb5567f9054d4f6f06b6f61b9c1722da061e6160
So you can't surrender a cat to MCACC at all. That's - something.
Chicago Animal Care & Control
Houston's BARC shelter
submitted by nomorelandfills to PetRescueExposed [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 22:59 Applepiepack What about this Study? MB carcinogenic?

Hi y‘all
I am completely new to MB and just did some research before taking any fabric dye…
As I learned if something is too good to be true, it rarely is. So I googled and read papers for hours and really couldn‘t find a lot of side effects when dosing in an adequate range like 1-2mg/kg-bodyweight.
However I couldn‘t find any papers/researches about human trials when dozing for a longer period as some papers state that the exclude such tests as normally it‘s not used for a longer time (eg antidot / Methemoglobinemia)..
So I extended my search and came across this study from Brenda J Gehrke; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2016/204630Orig1s000PharmR.pdf
Which states the following;
Several genetic toxicology studies were conducted by NTP or the Applicant. Methylene blue was genotoxic in three assays (Ames test, in vitro sister chromatid exchange test and an in vitro chromosomal aberration test in CHO cells) and negative for micronucleus induction in animals. Based on these results, methylene blue has the potential to be carcinogenic. For acquired methemoglobinemia, carcinogenicity studies are not required due to the short term administration of the drug. However, as the studies were conducted by NTP and the reports were submitted to the NDA, they have been reviewed by Dr. Gehrke and the results discussed at the Executive Carcinogenicity Assessment Committee. Methylene blue caused pancreatic islet adenomas or carcinomas (combined) in male rats in the 2-year oral carcinogenicity study.

On page 88 and ff they go in more detail and the study is really interesting as they did a lot of tests on various blood cells/ body weight/ etc.. However, their lowest dose is 5mg/kg and I read about taking around 1-2mg/kg for humans.. but actually I am not sure now, if we just will get cancer from MB over the years..
Any researchers here to interpret the study as I am just a layman 😂
submitted by Applepiepack to methylene_blue [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 22:41 prjktmurphy How Does Monolaurin Kill Viruses?

Coconut oil contains monolaurin, which has been linked to potent antiviral and antifungal effects. But how does monolaurin kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi?
What is monolaurin?
Monolaurin is a naturally occurring compound that belongs to a class of chemicals known as monoglycerides. It’s derived from lauric acid, a medium-chain-fatty acid found abundantly in coconut oil and human breast milk. Although monolaurin can be extracted from natural sources, many dietary supplements contain chemically synthesized monolaurin, created by reacting lauric acid with glycerol or glycerin.
“Certain fatty acids and monoglycerides, including lauric acid and monolaurin, are powerful antimicrobial agents,” explains Dr. Berg. “Virgin coconut oil has been used as a medicinal food to manage and prevent viral and bacterial infections for hundreds of years.”
In addition, monolaurin is a natural preservative that can play a role in food safety. Because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties, monolaurin inhibits the growth of certain microbes linked to food-borne illnesses.
How does monolaurin work?
Monolaurin is classified as a monoglyceride, a simple lipid that readily attaches to other lipid structures, including the membrane surrounding viruses. By binding to lipid-enveloped viruses, monolaurin directly inhibits the normal functioning of viral particles. This disruption can prevent the virus from entering host cells and replicating, ultimately inhibiting its ability to spread and cause infection. In addition, monolaurin has been found to enhance the immune response against enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. These types of viruses are responsible for various infectious diseases, including respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, and some types of cancers.
Benefits of monolaurin
Monolaurin is considered a natural remedy within the realm of alternative medicine, where it’s valued for its potential antimicrobial properties and immune-supporting effects. In addition to its impressive antiviral effects, monolaurin displays potent antimicrobial properties that are effective against various other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts.

Antiviral

The antiviral effects of monolaurin have been extensively researched. According to a study published in Food Research, monolaurin has demonstrated potent antiviral properties against various classes of viruses, including:
Much of this research has focused on monolaurin’s in vitro effects, meaning that it's been studied in laboratory settings rather than in living organisms. However, this data does provide valuable insights into monolaurin's antiviral potential. Interestingly, research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science found that the consumption of coconut oil, a rich source of monolaurin, supported rapid relief of COVID-19 symptoms.
The authors concluded, “This study bolsters the use of coconut oil as an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19-positive patients showing mild-to-moderate symptoms.”
Antibacterial
In addition to its antiviral properties, monolaurin has also been found to be a highly effective natural remedy to manage and prevent bacterial infections. Because monolaurin is a lipid structure, it can bind to and interact with the cell membrane of bacteria. This can puncture bacterial cell walls, leading to leaks and loss of cellular functionality, eventually triggering bacterial cell death.
Data published by the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) found that monolaurin compounds were effective at inhibiting various strains of gram-positive bacteria, a group of microbes associated with a wide range of infectious diseases. Gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and Clostridium. These harmful microbes are known for causing a wide range of infections in humans, such as pneumonia, skin infections, food poisoning, and diarrhea.
Monolaurin may also benefit oral and gastrointestinal health if used topically as a mouthwash. A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology found that a monolaurin-containing oral rinse effectively eradicated Helicobacter pylori. This bacterial strain is linked to inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, and stomach cancer.

Antifungal

Similarly to its antiviral and antibacterial activity, monolaurin can disrupt the cell membranes of fungi, which inhibits fungal growth and triggers cell death. In addition, monolaurin has been found to strengthen the immune system by enhancing the ability of immune cells to detect and destroy infectious yeast and fungal species.
Research published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin suggests that monolaurin is effective in the prevention and management of Candida albicans, a fungal species linked to oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections. Monolaurins' potent antimicrobial properties may explain why topical coconut oil application has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to manage fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.

Sources of monolaurin

Monolaurin is derived through the enzymatic conversion of lauric acid, which is naturally abundant in coconut oil and breast milk. Research published in ChemBioEng Reviews suggests that lauric acid comprises around 50 percent of the fatty acids in extra virgin coconut oil, making it one of the best dietary sources of monolaurin.
Certain fermented foods, such as yogurt and cheese, can also contain monolaurin. However, these foods typically don’t provide enough monolaurin to have significant therapeutic effects. In addition, monolaurin is available as a dietary supplement typically produced by extracting and purifying monolaurin from natural sources rich in lauric acid, such as coconut oil.

Dosage

The best monolaurin dosage depends on its intended use, your overall health status, and the specific formulation of the supplement. If you are taking monolaurin as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of microbial infections, a typical dosage ranges between 300 and 600 milligrams daily.
However, short periods of significantly higher monolaurin dosages of up to 1,800 milligrams per day may be necessary to manage acute infections. It’s also advised to start with a lower dose and gradually increase monolaurin intake to minimize the risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and sensitivities.
Although monolaurin is generally well tolerated, it can interact with certain drugs, including blood thinners. If you are taking prescription medications or have underlying health issues, it’s vital to consult a healthcare provider to discuss the use of monolaurin.
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2024.05.20 22:09 happyhourfm OOG Radio Public Writing Contest (with cash prize)

Hey all! My name's Justin, and I'm a host on a local segment called Happy Hour FM, which is broadcast on OOG radio. In collaboration with literary association Flanor, we are hosting a short story writing contest. The writer of the winning story (as judged by Flanor) will win 100 Euros, a 2-person cocktail tasting, and be invited onto the show.
RULES:
Anyone who lives in the Groningen area can participate. For more info and updates check our instagram "@happyhourfm". Good luck and have fun!
submitted by happyhourfm to Groningen [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 21:18 ModernMuse It’s time to clarify California Senate Bill 478, aka the “Hidden Fee Statute.” I’ve included the link to the law itself, but maybe more importantly for consumers, I’ve cut/pasted the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ directly from the California Dept of Justice, office of the Attorney General.

Straight outta the California Legislature, here is the text of SB 478. .
There’s so much misinformation about what this bill includes and doesn’t include. I’ve read comments ranging from such unreliable sources as what ChatGPT says about it to how the owner of Che Fico says it works. Below is the FAQ about the bill, direct from the office of the California Attorney General, Rob Bonta:
———-
Beginning July 1, 2024, the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478, makes it illegal for businesses to advertise or list a price for a good or service that does not include all required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs. SB 478 is a price transparency bill. The statute does not change what price a business can charge or what may be included in that cost. The law simply requires that the price listed include all mandatory charges.
Put simply, the price a Californian sees should be the price they pay.
In order to help businesses comply with this new law, and to offer consumers guidance about what they can expect, the Attorney General’s Office is releasing a set of FAQs. The law is found at Section 1770(a)(29) of the California Civil Code.
What is the purpose of this law? The law is “intended to specifically prohibit drip pricing, which involves advertising a price that is less than the actual price that a consumer will have to pay for a good or service.” Advertising or listing a price that is less than what a consumer will eventually be charged is a form of deceptive advertising that also violates existing state and federal law. Truthful price advertising and listing helps businesses compete fairly on price and allows consumers to make accurate price comparisons.
What does the new law require? The law requires honest pricing. It prohibits businesses from “[a]dvertising, displaying, or offering a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees or charges” other than government- imposed taxes or fees or reasonable shipping costs. The text of the law can be found at section 1770(a) (29) of the California Civil Code.
What can a business exclude from the advertised price under this law? The listed or advertised price does not need to include taxes and/or fees that the government imposes on the transaction, such as sales tax. In addition, the listed or advertised price does not need to include reasonable shipping costs for physical goods.
Which businesses need to follow this law? The law applies to the sale or lease of most goods and services that are for a consumer’s personal use. For example, it applies to event tickets, short-term rentals, hotels, restaurants, and food delivery, just to name a few prominent industries. The law does not apply to the purchase or lease of goods or services for commercial use, or to certain other specified transactions and industries that are already subject to other laws governing pricing.
Does the law limit how much a business can charge for a good or service? No. SB 478 is a transparency law – not a price control law. A business is generally free to charge whatever amount it wants for a good or service, to provide a subsequent breakdown of the various fees or charges that are included in its listed or advertised price, and to tell the consumer about those fees and charges. But the posted price must include all amounts that the consumer will be required to pay.
Does the new law limit what types of fees a business can charge? No. A business is generally free to charge however much it wants and can then provide a breakdown of the various fees that are included in its listed or advertised price. But the posted price must include the full amount that a consumer must pay for that good or service.
Can a business exclude shipping and handling charges from its advertised price? A business can exclude shipping charges, but not handling charges. In the words of the statute, a business can exclude from its advertised price “[p]ostage or carriage charges that will be reasonably and actually incurred to ship the physical good to the consumer.” Like any other mandatory fee or charge, a handling charge must be included in the advertised price.
Do fees for optional services or features need to be included in the advertised price? No. Fees for optional services or features do not need to be included in the advertised price.
What about separate fees like late fees for equipment rentals, charges for smoking in a hotel room, or similar charges? Are those prohibited? The law requires mandatory fees to be included in advertised prices. Fees that are contingent on certain later conduct by a consumer, such as a fee for returning rented equipment after the deadline to do so, or charges for smoking in a non-smoking hotel room, are not mandatory and do not need to be included in the advertised price.
Can a business comply with this law by disclosing additional required fees before a consumer finalizes a transaction? No. The price listed to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay.
Can a business comply with this law by advertising a price that is less than what a consumer will actually have to pay, but disclosing that additional fees will be added? No. The price advertised to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay.
Can a business comply with this law by listing or advertising one price and separately stating that an additional percentage fee will apply? No. The price listed or advertised to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay.
Can a business comply with this law by advertising the total price for a good or service and separately noting that the total price includes certain fees and charges? Yes. The price advertised to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay. But the law does not limit a merchant’s ability to include fees or charges in that total price, or to tell consumers that its prices include those fees or charges.
Does this law prohibit a business from advertising one price and adding a variable service fee later in the transaction? Yes. The price listed or advertised to the consumer must be the full price that the consumer is required to pay.
What if a business doesn’t know how much it will charge a customer? If a business chooses to list a price for a good or service, the advertised price must be the entire amount the consumer will have to pay, not including any fees for optional services or features, taxes, or shipping charges. Businesses that do not know how much they will charge a customer at the beginning of a transaction should wait to display a price until they know how much they will charge. Businesses should be aware that other state and federal laws prohibit certain forms of price discrimination.
How can a food-delivery platform advertise its delivery price? Food delivery platforms are subject to special requirements under Business and Professions Code section 22598 et seq. when they list the prices charged by a restaurant from which they deliver food, and this law does not change those requirements. But when the food delivery platform advertises the price of the delivery service that it provides, it must advertise the full, all-in price of the delivery service.
Are fees associated with delivery of food and other items ordered directly from a restaurant considered to be “mandatory fees or charges,” such that those fees would need to be included in the advertised or displayed price of the food and other items? No, fees for the delivery of food ordered directly from a restaurant do not need to be included in the advertised price of the food or other items ordered because those fees are for the separate service of delivery. The price of delivery must be the full, all-in price of the delivery service.
Can a business exclude from the advertised or listed price mandatory charges that will be used to pay business costs, such as security, rent, or salary, healthcare insurance or benefits to employees (e.g., “Healthy SF mandate”)? No. The listed or advertised price must include all mandatory charges except for reasonable shipping costs for physical goods and taxes and/or fees that the government imposes on the transaction, such as sales tax. A business is free to provide a subsequent breakdown of the business’s intended use of the various fees.
What about tips or gratuities left voluntarily by customers? This law does not affect tips or gratuities left by customers, since they are not mandatory. These voluntary payments to workers are governed by other laws, including Labor Code section 350. For more information see this FAQ from the California Labor Commissioner.
What about mandatory fees charged by restaurants? If a restaurant charges a mandatory fee, it must be included in the displayed price. Under the law, a restaurant cannot charge an additional surcharge on top of the price listed. Gratuity payments that are not voluntary must be included in the list price.
Does DOJ expect that its initial enforcement of this law will focus on existing fees that are paid directly and entirely by a restaurant to its workers, such as an automatic gratuity? No. There are many factors that we consider when making enforcement decisions, but we do not expect that our initial enforcement efforts will focus on existing fees that are paid directly and entirely by a restaurant to its workers, such as an automatic gratuity. However, businesses may be liable in private actions.
Does a business that offers discounts or coupons, or charges a customer less than the advertised or listed price, violate this law? No. A business that offers discounts or otherwise charges a customer a price that is less than the advertised price has not violated this law. The law just prohibits advertising a price that is less than what the customer will have to pay for a good or service.
Can businesses still advertise discounts – for example, “half price after 4pm”? Yes. SB 478 prohibits advertising a price that is less than what a consumer will have to pay for a good or service. Advertisements that mention discounts – but that do not list a price – do not violate the law. However, other California laws prohibit advertising that is false or misleading, so businesses that advertise discounts must do so carefully and honestly.
Is the resale of goods, such as event tickets, on an online platform subject to the law? Yes. SB 478 prohibits advertising a price that is less than what a consumer will have to pay for a good or service. It applies equally to online and brick-and-mortar businesses, as well as to the resale of event tickets and other goods and services.
Isn’t it helpful for a business to inform consumers about the components of a price, such as by noting why price increases have been implemented? Businesses are free to explain how they set their prices or to subsequently itemize the charges that make up the total price that they charge customers. However, the price they advertise or display must be the total price that customers will have to pay for the good or service. Knowing the price of a good of service is essential to competition, and displaying a price that is less than what the customer will actually be charged is deceptive.
Source
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2024.05.20 21:08 Alarmed_Bed9827 Preparations for the T+1 Shift

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-19/new-t-1-rule-is-speeding-up-settlement-time-and-wall-street-is-worried
Who will this affect the most?
What are the opportunities/challenges?
Any thoughts?
When US markets reopen next Tuesday after the long weekend, everything will likely seem normal. It’s only after the close and in the following days that any cracks are expected to appear.A spike in the number of failed trades, operational glitches and additional costs are among industry fears as the trading process for American securities accelerates, with the time allowed to complete every transaction halved to a single day.Spurred on by the original meme-stock frenzy, the Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing the shift to reduce the chance of something going wrong between when a trade is executed and when it’s settled. But the switch to what’s known as T+1 comes with risks of its own.

Foreign Investments in US Markets Eclipse $25 Trillion

Overseas holdings have soared amid US stock outperformance
01020$ 30 T200320042005'062007'082009'102011'122013'142015'162017'182019'20202120222023Source: US Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve BoardInternational investors — who hold about $27 trillion in American markets — face a system in which the usual method of funding a US trade takes longer than they actually have to execute the deal. Unheralded parts of the trading process like affirmation (confirming details), fixing errors, and recalling securities out on loan must happen at least twice as fast. Global funds face a mismatch where cash flowing in and out moves at a different speed to the assets they have to buy and sell.And it all faces an immediate stress test as some of the world’s major indexes rebalance or reveal planned reconstitutions before the end of this month.“All hands will be on deck,” said Michele Pitts, Citigroup Inc.’s global head of custody data for securities services, noting the likelihood of increased trade fails across the industry. “There will be a significant uptick in settlement risks for the first several weeks.”About the ‘T+1’ Rule Making US Stocks Settle in a Day: QuickTake

‘Lot of Anxiety’

Under current rules, anyone purchasing a US stock has two days between hitting the “buy” button and actually having to deliver money for the trade, while the seller has the same time to supply the share. This lengthy settlement period in such a large and sophisticated market is what remains from the days when transactions were manual and investors had up to a week to complete them.An undated image of a financial clearing house in New York. Stock trades were historically manual, which required a much longer settlement time.Source: Ilbusca/Digital Vision Vectors/Getty ImagesThat’s been whittled away over the years, and new SEC rules will slash the settlement time again on May 28 to one day. Across Wall Street and beyond, major banks, asset managers and an assortment of specialized service firms are bracing for the fallout.At JPMorgan Chase & Co., internal modeling shows about a quarter of the currency trades it processes for clients are set to be impacted. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is putting clients through a “T+1 simulator” to identify those with potential issues.Institutions including Societe Generale SA, Citi, HSBC Holdings Plc, UBS Asset Management, Baillie Gifford and more say they’re either moving staff, reorganizing shifts or building new systems — and in some cases all three — in preparation for the switch.“There’s a lot of anxiety even just around the technology and the actual way by which settlement will take place,” Amy Hong, head of market structure and strategic partnerships for global banking and markets at Goldman Sachs Group, told the Bloomberg Sell-Side Leaders Forum this month. “There are going to be some mismatches around funding, there are going to be some FX-related issues that we’re going to need to work out.”The world of finance and investment can be famously averse to change, with doomsayers dependably appearing whenever new rules are proposed. Yet in the case of T+1, the concerns go beyond one or two market Cassandras.Just 9% of sell-side firms polled by Coalition Greenwich in April and May said they expect the T+1 switch to go smoothly, with 38% warning that buy-side managers are unprepared, and 28% believing trading platforms aren’t fully ready. Almost a fifth anticipate a large disruption with “many or severe issues.”The consensus view is that trade failures — when either a seller doesn’t deliver securities or a buyer fails to produce payment — are about to rise. The question is how large and persistent that uptick will be.Settlement failures are generally a tiny feature of the modern market, usually stemming from technical issues or human error. They can result in regulatory punishment, loss of capital tied up in the trade, and even — in very rare instances when the transaction is large enough — the collapse of parties in the deal.The T+1 regime increases the chance of failures because the compressed timeframe risks making errors more likely, while at the same time reducing the opportunity to correct them. Most crucially, it makes it harder for buyers and sellers to ensure their funds and securities are ready.The $7.5 trillion-a-day foreign-exchange market is a flashpoint of the shift, because currency trades typically settle on a T+2 basis. An overseas investor buying a US stock will soon need to either have dollars ready or find them within a day in an arena where it can take two.

Friday Fears

From its Edinburgh headquarters over 3,200 miles from Wall Street, the £225 billion ($285 billion) investment house Baillie Gifford has relocated two traders to New York and beefed up its settlement desk to help the firm stay active after the 4 p.m. US stock close.Thanks to the T+1 shift and a 6 p.m. deadline at CLS Group (a platform at the center of the market that settles over $6 trillion of currency transactions every day), that will become a crucial period for asset managers seeking dollars to fund their US trades. But it also falls around the start of what are known as the witching hours in foreign-exchange circles because of the famous lack of liquidity.

Bid-Offer Spreads Widen at End of US Session

Liquidity thins as traders head home, complicating late currency trades
0510MonMay 6TueMay 7WedMay 8ThuMay 9FriMay 10SatMay 1110 pipsSource: Bloomberg“If you look at the bid-offer spreads, they’re generally tight throughout the day and when you get to the 5 p.m. to about 8 p.m. Eastern, they just widen out,” said Brendan Burke, a managing director at BBH. “It’s as simple as there’s less liquidity in the market because the banks aren’t staffed.”Baillie Gifford has lobbied US regulators to get banks to extend their foreign-exchange trading hours and to continue providing liquidity until at least 6 p.m. in New York, five days a week. Since moving its staff in January, the firm has been trading as if T+1 was already in force to ensure everything goes smoothly, according to Adam Conn, head of trading.Adam ConnSource: Baillie Gifford“It’s about trying to mitigate the additional operating risk which is falling on asset managers,” said Conn. There will only be a “very short window” after the US market close to resolve problems, he said.Friday afternoon is emerging as a particular area of concern, because currency markets close on weekends, meaning liquidity is typically at its lowest just before the US joins Europe and Asia in clocking off. JPMorgan’s Brijen Puri, head of global FX services, said “neither the buyside or sellside really knows what will happen” in those periods following the switch.“Once there is more data about what's happening in that time zone, that's when banks as well as asset managers may decide on providing more coverage,” Puri said. “Like you have a night desk, you may have a Friday evening desk.”The Foreign Exchange Professionals Association reckons the problem will also be acute at month- and quarter-ends and around national holidays, risking “significantly increased volatility and wider spreads.” Overseas investors acquiring US securities before a local holiday will effectively be faced with T+0 settlement.“There’s 25 to 30 days a year where there’s potentially specific challenges,” said Vincent Bonamy, head of global intermediary services at HSBC. He has organized staffing for “specific holidays on a global basis” to help clients with liquidity provision.For all the preparation, the European Fund and Asset Management Association estimates as much as $70 billion of its members’ daily currency trades may miss the CLS deadline for next-day settlement. Firms without a US presence can use workarounds including purchasing dollars in advance or outsourcing their currency trades, but all approaches come with their own additional costs and challenges.Natsumi MatsubaSource: Russell Investments“Liquidity will be a big issue,” said Natsumi Matsuba, head of FX trading and portfolio management at Russell Investments in Seattle. “It’s going to be a learning experience for everyone.”

Double Jeopardy

The move to T+1 is intended to cut risks at the broker-dealer level of the US equity market, after the 2021 meme-stock frenzy forced retail-investor platforms like Robinhood to restrict trading in certain securities. That was because the collateral they needed to post — the cash to cover trades over the two-day settlement process — threatened to exceed what they could pay amid the surge in volume.The T+1 switch should alleviate such concerns because less collateral will be needed across a single day of risk. It may also improve domestic liquidity as cash in the market will be recycled faster. But it heaps pressure on the processes required to complete each transaction.The new rules require that affirmations are finalized by 9 p.m. in New York on the date of a trade. Data from the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., which oversees post-trade functions for the bulk of American securities transactions, show that affirmation rate rose to 83.5% in April from 74.95% a month earlier.The firm says that represents “significant progress” as T+1 implementation approaches. But with only weeks to go it’s short of the DTCC’s own target for a 90% same-day affirmation rate.“It’s not actually a compression to 24 hours, but rather five hours, if you think that the market closes at 4 p.m. and you need to affirm by 9 p.m.,” said Pitts at Citi.The New York Stock Exchange on May 14. The move to T+1 is intended to cut risks to the US equity market, after the 2021 meme-stock frenzy forced retail-investor platforms to restrict trading.Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesIn preparation for the switch, the DTCC has been conducting regular tests for nine months that will continue to the end of May. This has included gauging the industry’s ability to handle a “double-settlement day” like the one that will occur next Wednesday, when transaction volumes will surge as trades from Friday (still using T+2) and next Tuesday (T+1) will need to complete at the same time.The DTCC has added staff ahead of the transition and its plan for this weekend includes “watch events,” where members of the technical and product teams closely follow transaction flow, according to Val Wotton, general manager of institutional trade processing. “We are confident in our ability to support volumes on day one,” he said.

Kinks in the Chain

The US switch to T+1 means it’s leaving other jurisdictions behind, which is a headache for many investment vehicles operating across borders. While Mexican and Canadian markets are also moving to one-day settlement next week, others including Europe remain on slower cycles.In the new system, a US investor selling an ETF should get cash for their shares within one day, but the proceeds from the sale of a fund’s underlying international stocks will likely take at least two days to arrive. And when most overseas investors buy a fund containing US stocks, the new underlying assets should be paid for in one day, even though the payment for the ETF shares may take two or more.It’s the kind of mismatch that has previously existed across various geographies, but never on this scale, and it risks adding friction and operational costs to many investment vehicles.Adding to the pressure, the T+1 switch comes just days before MSCI Inc. indexes rebalance, with corresponding funds all over the world due to reshuffle holdings at the end of next week.“It carries significant volume and stress normally on T+2, requiring massive effort from the system,” said Citi's Pitts. “If you have extra fails from T+1 on top of that rebalance, it could be chaotic.”For UBS Asset Management, it’s the “largest trading date of the year,” according to Lynn Challenger, head of trading at the $1.7 trillion manager.Lynn ChallengerSource: UBS Asset Management“We anticipate a lot more funding requirements” on rebalance day, said Challenger. He said any issues may be compounded by the fact that much of the order flow could be in the same direction. “We’re speaking to brokers to make sure the funding will be there,” he said.To prepare for T+1 more generally, Challenger said UBS Asset has trained up additional US staff so they can generate FX orders and has built a new trading process to facilitate more same-day settlement.Many financial firms have these kinds of robust transition plans in place. The Coalition Greenwich research showed most sell-side respondents were not concerned about the readiness of their own desks. Yet each is connected to others through a string of trade processes, meaning any kinks in the chain could create problems for otherwise well-prepared institutions.“The sellside thinks there will be issues, but it will be someone else’s fault,” said Jesse Forster, a senior analyst of market structure and technology at Coalition Greenwich. “We could be in for a lot of finger-pointing over the coming months.”
— With assistance from Katherine Doherty, Isabelle Lee, Carter Johnson, and Alice Gledhill
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2024.05.20 19:27 sourabhboss Infosys Certified SAP S4 HANA Logistics Procurement Professional Consultant Answers List

Last week, I successfully completed the Infosys Certified SAP S4 HANA Logistics Procurement Professional Consultant exam, and I'm thrilled to share my experience and some insights with all of you!
📝 During the exam, I encountered a variety of questions that tested my knowledge of Contents Covered on Study Materials. I'd be happy to discuss some of the questions covered and share tips for preparing for the exam.
Question -> In S/4 Hana, what is true about invoice reduction ?
Option 1 -> You must select the document type Invoice Reduction Option 2 -> System reduces the total value of invoice as per reduction amount Option 3 -> Two documents are created, an invoice and a credit memo Option 4 -> Use correction ID in the item line Correct Solution -> c
Question -> Special procurement key for subcontracting can be maintained in which record ?
Option 1 -> Material master record Option 2 -> Vendor maste record Option 3 -> Purchase Info record Option 4 -> Source list Correct Solution -> a
Question -> In S/4 Hana, which new parameter has been added for Supplier Management
Option 1 -> Evaluation Weighting and Scoring Option 2 -> Hard Facts Option 3 -> Display Scorecards Option 4 -> Soft Facts - Questionnaries Correct Solution -> d
Question -> While doing goods receipt against the PO, we can change
Option 1 -> The material Option 2 -> Quantity Option 3 -> Plant Option 4 -> The Vendor Correct Solution -> b
Question -> Material type in material master control ? (Has Multiple Ans)
Option 1 -> The type of number assignment Option 2 -> The permissible length of the material short text Option 3 -> which views can be maintained Option 4 -> Whether a material may be purchased only from certain suppliers Correct Solution -> ac
Question -> All the apps of inventory transactions are listed under which tab ?
Option 1 -> Warehouse Management Option 2 -> Warehouse Processing Option 3 -> Inventory Analytics Option 4 -> Inventory Management Overview Correct Solution -> b
Question -> What is the new transaction or fiori app to post goods receipt ?
Option 1 -> Post Goods Receipt for the Purchase Order Option 2 -> Post Goods Movement Option 3 -> Post Goods Receipt Advanced Option 4 -> Material Documents Movement Correct Solution -> a
Question -> What happens when you post a logistics invoice for a purchase order that you have received in the system?
Option 1 -> The payment is posted against open liabilities. Option 2 -> The accounting document is created. Option 3 -> The purchase order history is updated. Option 4 -> Open liabilities are evaluated. Correct Solution -> bc
If you have new questions Please feel free to add more questions in comments
for all questions latest pdf contact me @ prepfixadmin[Telegram] or visit https://infosys.prepflix.net
Also follow me on Whatsapp for infosys related updates https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFbeOvC6Zvd2rsGkb10
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2024.05.20 19:19 Agile_Credit_9760 My family's slavery lineage to Rhode Island. This involves a witch, a ghost ship, and interracial marriage at a time that you wouldn't expect it.

I have a pretty interesting story about my family's history concerning Block Island, RI.
So, I'm a direct descendant of "Long Kate" who is a 17th century woman from Germany who was aboard the Princess Augusta (The Palatine). This ship sailed from Rotterdam in 1738. There was trouble. We don't know exactly what made the ship crash and catch on fire. We know the names of two survivors. One was Short Kate and one was called Long Kate. They went by other names and variations of Kate or Kattern. Here is a link proving this from the history of block island: https://ia802805.us.archive.org/29/items/historyofblockis00live/historyofblockis00live.pdf
Kate married a black slave whose name was Newport Sands. That black slave is my 8th great grandfather and Kate is my 8th great grandmother. This is one of the few cases of interracial marriage with a black slave and a white woman. This is also one of those times where you have black children that were both from that marriage who were all listed as slaves. Such as my 7th great grandfather whose name was Benjamin "Benajah" Sands.
Here is a short video I sent to the Block Island Historical Society because much of what is known about the "Palatine Light" and Long Kate comes directly from the descendants of Long Kate (my family): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubcm64ofqjM
That video link above has my family's lineage from the Ancestry site. I had to pay for a DNA test along with 16 other family members. We connected with the other side, the slave owning side, and they helped corroborate a lot of this stuff.
I've attached pictures that I used in a video I made about this entire story. One of the pictures is a painting that shows Violet Ann Sands Hazard whose portrait is a famous piece located in a museum. It's one of the first painting depictions of a mulatto black woman.
The Sands Family through Nathaniel Littlefield (descendant of Captain William Littlefield) owned my 8th Great Grandfather, Newport Sands. The Sands, Jefferson and Stillwell families were prolific slave owners. I found wills and documentation that shows that Sarah Sands became one of the first slave abolitionists in American history. Here is a copy of her will and I want you to read through it because the names of the slaves mentioned are my relatives: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ri/washingt/history/sands3.txt#:~:text=Sands%2C%20conscious%20of%20her%20approaching,and%20all%20of%20whom%2C%20with
James Sands was the head of the Sands Family. When he died, Sarah Sands took a good bit of what he left behind. She gave two black women as slaves to a man named Samuel Niles. She is credited as being an abolitionist but she wasn't really. The history books lied about that and my family has that passed down for generations now. She didn't "free" us as much as she set time limits on how long we could be enslaved. For example, the two slave women she gave to Samuel Niles were to be freed at age 30 which means they'd be enslaved but she felt it was a nicer way to go about it. She banned the practice of child slavery in the Sands family and you can read that in her will.
"The Witch of Block Island" is Kattern. She was outraged that the Block Island residents would dare enslave her children. The story we have passed down is that she was very upset with the residents for not stopping her "Benajah" (her broken English pronouncing Benjamin") from being enslaved. So, it is written in the History of Block Island and A Historical Sketch of Block Island (both documents from the 1800s) that Kattern terrorized the citizens and was a witch.
You can read about Kattern and her witchcraft in the history of Block Island. Here is a link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cFhkjpuJLBgvDoNlQWf5O9ng3OS5V-kM/view?usp=drivesdk
Here is a quote from the History of Block Island (1877):
"Although eighty-eight years old, Mr. Sprague does not seem to have any disease preying upon his constitution, and he talks of the scenes of his childhood and youth as though they were present, visible realities. He says he heard his parents say much about " Dutch Kattern," as she was called, and that it was well understood by them that she came from the ship Palatine. He well knew Kattern 's daughter Cradle, a mulatto, as Kattern married a negro, soon after she came upon the Island. Mr. Sprague, by remembering the character commonly ascribed to " Dutch Kattern," enables us to gain some insight into the character of the traditions of the Palatine. He says she reported that the crew starved the passengers to get their money. He says she was a noted fortune-teller; that she would hide away behind a wall, or in a thicket of bushes, and there lie in a trance for hours. On returning to the house much exhausted, and being asked where she had been, she would reply that she had been home across the sea, to Holland, and then would give an account of the condition of her kindred there as she had just seen them. She lived on the Neck, and was believed to be a witch. The Islanders were afraid of her."
My family always knew who The Witch of Block Island was. Kattern was pissed off. The reason why she scared and terrorized the residents was that the residents not only treated her like an outsider but also mistreated the love of her life and her children. Block Island was the very definition of a sundown town. For the longest time, any black or native slave who was caught out after 9 PM would be whipped with 10 lashes with their shirt off. That was specifically stipulated in the law. We know because one of the slaves mentioned in the will of Sarah Sands, Mingo Sands, was whipped and we know because that's one of my relatives and the story was passed down.
I've attached a picture that explains the law in detail.
I figured I would share this. I don't live in Rhode Island but so much of my family's history is tied to Rhode Island. I think I also solved your ghost ship story. People still say they see the Palatine. If you read the history of block island you'll notice that it is mentioned that Kattern supposedly had magical powers and could make the ghost ship appear at will. The story passed down from my family is that the reason why she did it was because it was a culture shock to see her children be forced to work and her husband be mistreated. That's why she held that grudge and targeted everyone on that island despite them taking her in after the Princess Augusta (Palatine) wreck.
submitted by Agile_Credit_9760 to RhodeIsland [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 18:53 wittgensteins-boat Options Questions Safe Haven Thread May 20-26 2024

For the options questions you wanted to ask, but were afraid to. There are no stupid questions.   Fire away. This project succeeds via thoughtful sharing of knowledge. You, too, are invited to respond to these questions. This is a weekly rotation with past threads linked below.

BEFORE POSTING, PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LIST OF FREQUENT ANSWERS. .

..
Don't exercise your (long) options for stock! Exercising throws away extrinsic value that selling retrieves. Simply sell your (long) options, to close the position, to harvest value, for a gain or loss. Your break-even is the cost of your option when you are selling. If exercising (a call), your breakeven is the strike price plus the debit cost to enter the position. Further reading: Monday School: Exercise and Expiration are not what you think they are.
Also, generally, do not take an option to expiration, for similar reasons as above.
Key informational links • Options FAQ / Wiki: Frequent Answers to Questions • Options Toolbox Links / Wiki • Options Glossary • List of Recommended Options Books • Introduction to Options (The Options Playbook) • The complete options side-bar informational links (made visible for mobile app users.) • Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (Options Clearing Corporation) • Binary options and Fraud (Securities Exchange Commission) .
Getting started in options • Calls and puts, long and short, an introduction (Redtexture) • Options Trading Introduction for Beginners (Investing Fuse) • Options Basics (begals) • Exercise & Assignment - A Guide (ScottishTrader) • Why Options Are Rarely Exercised - Chris Butler - Project Option (18 minutes) • I just made (or lost) $___. Should I close the trade? (Redtexture) • Disclose option position details, for a useful response • OptionAlpha Trading and Options Handbook • Options Trading Concepts -- Mike & His White Board (TastyTrade)(about 120 10-minute episodes) • Am I a Pattern Day Trader? Know the Day-Trading Margin Requirements (FINRA) • How To Avoid Becoming a Pattern Day Trader (Founders Guide)
Introductory Trading Commentary    • Monday School Introductory trade planning advice (PapaCharlie9)   Strike Price    • Options Basics: How to Pick the Right Strike Price (Elvis Picardo - Investopedia)    • High Probability Options Trading Defined (Kirk DuPlessis, Option Alpha)   Breakeven    • Your break-even (at expiration) isn't as important as you think it is (PapaCharlie9)   Expiration    • Options Expiration & Assignment (Option Alpha)    • Expiration times and dates (Investopedia)   Greeks    • Options Pricing & The Greeks (Option Alpha) (30 minutes)    • Options Greeks (captut)   Trading and Strategy    • Fishing for a price: price discovery and orders    • Common mistakes and useful advice for new options traders (wiki)    • Common Intra-Day Stock Market Patterns - (Cory Mitchell - The Balance)    • The three best options strategies for earnings reports (Option Alpha)
Managing Trades • Managing long calls - a summary (Redtexture) • The diagonal call calendar spread, misnamed as the "poor man's covered call" (Redtexture) • Selected Option Positions and Trade Management (Wiki)
Why did my options lose value when the stock price moved favorably? • Options extrinsic and intrinsic value, an introduction (Redtexture)
Trade planning, risk reduction, trade size, probability and luck • Exit-first trade planning, and a risk-reduction checklist (Redtexture) • Monday School: A trade plan is more important than you think it is (PapaCharlie9) • Applying Expected Value Concepts to Option Investing (Select Options) • Risk Management, or How to Not Lose Your House (boii0708) (March 6 2021) • Trade Checklists and Guides (Option Alpha) • Planning for trades to fail. (John Carter) (at 90 seconds) • Poker Wisdom for Option Traders: The Evils of Results-Oriented Thinking (PapaCharlie9)
Minimizing Bid-Ask Spreads (high-volume options are best) • Price discovery for wide bid-ask spreads (Redtexture) • List of option activity by underlying (Market Chameleon)
Closing out a trade • Most options positions are closed before expiration (Options Playbook) • Risk to reward ratios change: a reason for early exit (Redtexture) • Guide: When to Exit Various Positions • Close positions before expiration: TSLA decline after market close (PapaCharlie9) (September 11, 2020) • 5 Tips For Exiting Trades (OptionStalker) • Why stop loss option orders are a bad idea
Options exchange operations and processes • Options Adjustments for Mergers, Stock Splits and Special dividends; Options Expiration creation; Strike Price creation; Trading Halts and Market Closings; Options Listing requirements; Collateral Rules; List of Options Exchanges; Market Makers • Options that trade until 4:15 PM (US Eastern) / 3:15 PM (US Central) -- (Tastyworks)
Brokers • USA Options Brokers (wiki) • An incomplete list of international brokers trading USA (and European) options
Miscellaneous: Volatility, Options Option Chains & Data, Economic Calendars, Futures Options • Graph of the VIX: S&P 500 volatility index (StockCharts) • Graph of VX Futures Term Structure (Trading Volatility) • A selected list of option chain & option data websites • Options on Futures (CME Group) • Selected calendars of economic reports and events
Previous weeks' Option Questions Safe Haven threads.

Complete archive: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

submitted by wittgensteins-boat to options [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 17:53 TorquedTapas1 Braindump on Office Chairs [Buying Guide] 2024

Copied this over from the wfhgearguide.com blog so you have it right here on reddit.

The 2024 WFH Office Chair Guide

See The 4 Most Popular WFH Items on Amazon

Welcome to the future of work, where comfort meets productivity in the realm of home office chairs. In this comprehensive guide, we unveil a curated selection of ergonomic marvels, designed to elevate your remote work experience to new heights.
Say goodnight to mundane discomfort and embrace the sublime fusion of style, functionality, and unparalleled support.
Get ready to transform your workspace into a sanctuary of inspiration, as we delve into the realm of innovative seating solutions that redefine the art of sitting while working.
Let’s explore the 2023 Work from Home Office Chair Guide and unlock the true potential of your remote work setup.
Table of contents

Ultime Comfort, Posture, and Productivity

When it comes to working from home, finding the perfect office chair is essential. It should prioritize ultimate comfort, promote good posture, and enhance productivity.
Spending long hours at your desk demands a high-quality chair that positively impacts your well-being and work performance. In this section, we will explore key factors to consider when selecting an office chair for your work-from-home setup.
By focusing on (1) comfort, (2) posture support, and (3) productivity features, you can create an ideal working environment that allows you to thrive.
Let’s delve into what to look for in an office chair to achieve ultimate comfort, promote good posture, and maximize productivity while working from home.

What to Look for in an Office Chair for Work from Home:

Ergonomic Design

An ergonomic office chair is designed to support your body’s natural curves and provide optimal comfort during extended periods of sitting.
Look for chairs with adjustable features, such as seat height, backrest tilt, and armrest height, to customize the chair to your individual preferences and body type.
An ergonomic design ensures that your spine remains properly aligned, reducing the risk of back pain and discomfort.

Lumbar Support

Adequate lumbar support is essential for maintaining good posture while working. Look for chairs that offer built-in lumbar support or have adjustable lumbar cushions that can be positioned to support the natural curve of your lower back. This feature helps prevent slouching and supports the proper alignment of your spine, reducing strain on your back muscles.

Comfortable Padding and Breathable Materials

Choose an office chair with sufficient padding on the seat and backrest to provide a comfortable seating experience. Look for chairs made from breathable materials, such as mesh or fabric, which allow for proper airflow and prevent excessive heat and moisture buildup during long work sessions.

Adjustable Armrests

Adjustable armrests are crucial for maintaining proper posture and reducing strain on your shoulders and neck. Look for chairs with armrests that can be adjusted in height, width, and angle, allowing you to find the most comfortable position for your arms and shoulders.

Mobility and Stability

Consider the mobility and stability of the office chair. Look for chairs with smooth-rolling casters that allow for easy movement around your workspace. Additionally, ensure that the chair has a sturdy base and provides stability, especially if you tend to move or shift positions frequently.

Productivity Features

Some office chairs come equipped with additional productivity features, such as built-in headrests, adjustable headrests, or integrated technology support. These features can enhance your work experience by providing extra comfort and convenience, allowing you to stay focused and productive.

The Best Classic Office Chairs for 2023 Curated to You

Staff Pick:

Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair

The Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair is a top-of-the-line chair designed to provide exceptional comfort and support. It features a unique pixelated support system that conforms to your body’s movements, promoting healthy circulation and reducing the risk of back pain. The chair’s breathable fabric helps regulate temperature, keeping you cool during long work hours. With its adjustable armrests, seat depth, and backrest tilt, you can easily customize it to fit your preferences and work style.

Most Popular with WFH Gear Guide Members

Steelcase Gesture Ergonomic Office Chair

The Steelcase Gesture Ergonomic Office Chair is known for its versatility and adaptability. It is designed to accommodate various sitting positions, making it ideal for individuals who tend to shift and move while working. The chair’s flexible backrest and seat pan mimic the natural movements of the body, providing optimal support and comfort. It also features adjustable armrests, allowing you to find the perfect position for typing or resting your arms. With its durable construction and high-quality materials, this chair ensures long-lasting performance.

Best Value without Sacrificing Quality:

Autofull C3 Gaming Chair

The AutoFull C3 Gaming Chair is an impressive piece of office furniture that proves to be more than just a chair. A fusion of ergonomic design and modern gaming aesthetics, this chair offers a bevy of features that are beneficial not only for gaming, but also for long periods of working from home.
The chair’s standout feature is its Excellent Ergonomic Lumbar Pillow Design. AutoFull has evidently put significant thought into the lumbar support, creating a back pillow designed in alignment with the natural curvature of the spine. It’s made of high-density native memory foam, which provides firm support while being soft enough to prevent discomfort, effectively dissipating back pressure over prolonged use.
In terms of functionalities, the AutoFull C3 is rich. The backrest can freely tilt from 90°-165°, providing plenty of flexibility to find your preferred sitting posture, whether you’re gaming, working, or taking a break. Speaking of breaks, the chair’s built-in footrest and 20° rocking function make it perfect for quick naps and fatigue relief. The armrests are equally impressive. They’re adjustable in four directions – up, down, left, and right – providing personalized arm support and helping to save space when required.
The AutoFull C3’s construction is robust, boasting an all-steel frame that’s reinforced and filled with high-density foam. Weighing 56.8 lbs, it’s 20% heavier than many other gaming chairs, adding to its overall stability. The SGS level 4 certified gas cylinder and an explosion-proof chassis further underscore the chair’s commitment to safety and durability.
Assembly is straightforward, with a PDF-format installation manual included. As per the user reviews, the process is relatively easy, but it’s recommended to follow the instructions diligently to ensure correct assembly.
AutoFull’s commitment to customer satisfaction is apparent in their offering of a 30-day unconditional return and exchange service, as well as a 36-month parts replacement or repair service. This goes a long way in assuring peace of mind for users, in case they encounter any issues with the chair.
As a popular choice among over a million users worldwide and a long-term strategic partner of top-tier leagues such as LPL/KPL, AutoFull has a strong reputation in the gaming chair market.
In terms of comfort, it scores a perfect 5 out of 5 according to customer ratings. For gaming, it ranks 4.3, while the ease of assembly and support both stand at 4.2. Although these ratings suggest that there might be some room for improvement, overall satisfaction is high.
In conclusion, the AutoFull C3 Gaming Chair, with its solid construction, ergonomic design, and multi-functional features, offers exceptional value at its price point of $249.99. Whether you’re a professional gamer or a work-from-home professional seeking comfort and support, this chair makes a compelling case for itself. Don’t forget to apply the $20 coupon for an even better deal!

Under $150 with Top Reviews

The KERDOM Ergonomic Office Chair is the best value chair we found, and from the amazon reviews, it looks like customers agree. The reason it’s a great chair for the price is that it comes with an ergonomic mesh design and includes a headrest that mimics expensive chairs like Steelcase or Herman Miller. Take a look on amazon.

Optionality and Customization:

Office Chair With Recliner

The Ergonomic Office Chair, Reclining High Back Mesh Chair from the EDX Store will do the trick. At just over $100 dollars this sits well and allows you to lounge if you are short on space.

Office Chair With Massager

Yes, it exists! And it’s awesome. We are talking about the Ergonomic Massage Office Chair with Heated, Faux Leather High Back from the Winner Store. It offers:

The Best Rolling Office Chair

If movability is important to you, we’ve found the office chair with the best rolling ability.
It’s the Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Adjustable Desk Chair with Lumbar Support and Rollerblade Wheels
BrandDuramont ColorBlack Product Dimensions26″D x 23.6″W x 42″H Size26D x 23.6W x 42H in Back StyleSolid Back
MaterialMeshItem Weight44.6 Pounds Frame MaterialAlloy SteelSeat Material TypeMesh
submitted by TorquedTapas1 to homeofficegear [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 17:41 OvertinMiss DR. AMY ESKRIDGE: The DEATH of a promising ANTI-GRAVITY researcher. Conducting anti-gravity research? You probably work in Huntsville, cease publishing after a first promising result, and are "afraid of disappearing." Sometimes, you do actually disappear.

This post was made in the UFOs subreddit in August of 2023. The post was quickly locked and then deleted. The account that made the post was also deleted. I managed to salvage the post through archives and recreated it as accurately as possible. There is a TLDR at the end.
Most of rUFOs has probably not heard of Dr. Amy Eskridge. You should. This post is long, but this is a rabbit hole worth going down. Amy was an amazingly promising 34-year old woman working in Huntsville, Alabama, and was one of the worlds most promising anti-gravity researchers in the public domain.
She unfortunately died on June 11, 2022.
There have been major speculative claims surrounding how exactly Amy died. I do not have any evidence to support those claims. I don't even personally find those claims believable. I do, however, suggest it might be worth taking a second look into how she died, and exactly what is going on relating to anti-gravity research Huntsville, Alabama. Ross Coulthart appears to agree. Below is my initial research into this topic.
Background facts about Amy Eskridge:
  • Amy received BS in chemistry and biology from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and then went on to receive a PhD in material science from the University of Alabama, Huntsville.
  • She was the co-founder and President of The Institute for Exotic Science, a Public Benefit Corporation international research institute, described by Amy herself as "an international research institute specializing in propulsion, quantum gravity, material science and other related fields of cutting edge technology."
  • She was the CEO and President of HoloChron Engineering, an anti-gravity startup "developing novel technologies leveraging quantum phenomenon." HoloChron's specialties are listed as: "Superconductors, Gravitomagnetism, Research and Development, Electroceramics, and High Voltage Pulsed Power."
Most notably from those points, at the time of Amy's death she had started "The Institute" which was a high-caliber research institute intending to research anti-gravity technologies in public. She notably was intentionally not working on anti-gravity as part of a "black project", or through the DOD/DARPA or even NASA (although they partnered with NASA). This was because she wanted the technology to be public, benefit all of humanity, and thought there was massive world-changing potential from a variety of promising research.
Amy's 2018 HAL5 Presentation:
When Amy was initially starting "The Institute" she gave a talk about it at the HAL5 conference. The full set of slides from her presentation are available here, and you can watch a video of her presentation in full here. It's a very interesting presentation, and makes a compelling case for anti-gravity research having some promise. There are a few key specific call-outs in this presentation that are worth noting.
  • The audience of her presentation appears to be mostly composed of aerospace research scientists, people who work at defense contractors, NASA, and the like.
  • The intent of the presentation was to make her institute known to the audience, to try to recruit them to come conduct research for her. Towards the end of her presentation she spends a lot of time detailing how she has "several billionaires" lined up, prepared to fund a wide variety of anti-gravity research in the public domain. She was using those funds to to recruit scientists to come work for her.
  • In her presentation Amy details a variety of prior anti-gravity research. She specifically notes that these researchers published initial promising anti-gravity research in the public domain, and appear to stop publishing on the subject immediately following their first promising result.
  • "Promising results always seem to disappear" (38:28)
  • Amy calls out a prior Huntsville, AL based anti-gravity researcher named Ning Li who had been publishing promising anti-gravity results in the 1990s, and then "disappeared".
  • She presents some prior researchers' work on anti-gravity, for example, noting a 2001 publication by "Torr, Vargas and Datta" that looked promising. The audience comments "I think they got some SBIRs... and then they disappeared." to which Amy responds, "yeah there's some evidence that they got some funding through a SBIR and then they kind of just fell off the map just like Ning Li did."
  • She presents a variety of other research where typically what happens is there is an initial, promising anti-gravity result published in academia, after which the researcher stops publishing on the subject entirely. There seems to be a pattern of that happening.
While notable, the commentary from the audience is more interesting than the actual presentation from Amy herself. She had a Q&A section of the presentation at the end. I have transcribed some key Q&A moments from the audience below. The audience implies the "black-world" (secret research projects) is well aware of anti-gravity, spends a ton of money researching it, and basically forces any promising results to go dark/recruits the researchers to work for the "black world." If the researcher refuses, the audience seems to think the researcher runs a real risk of "disappearing."
2018 HAL5 Presentation Audience Q&A portion:
  • Audience: (53:53) "You talked about funding, and uh, that seems to be the common denominator in all this stuff. Funding or lack of. Who is... where is there any money that you know of? Are you aware of any private money that's being spent on this? Is anyone talking to angel investors, or, that sort of stuff?"
  • Amy: (54:14) "Let me give you the down-low on the money situation. So, you've got your black budgets. That obviously is well funded. And then you've got your academic budget which is non-existent because they think it's hokey. And then you have your random billionaires, who have a hobby, and they made their money doing something else. But they're applying their money towards weird anti-gravity stuff because they want to be known for something other than what they made their money in. So there's several, there's a handful of random billionaires running around, who fund these types of things. The Churches Chicken Fried billionaire funded the Hathaway Lab. The American Best Inn and Suites billionaire, Robert Bigelow, of course is Bigelow Aerospace. There are some others that I know of."
  • Amy: (55:05) "But, we're really trying to address that problem with The Institute that we're doing, because I've seen government research, I've seen academic research, I've seen private research, and money is always the problem. The technology is never the problem. The technology is there. And the talent is there. So what we've done with the institute is we've sort of assembled some of these random people, with big budgets and a hobby, and we've said 'hey can we pool money into a big stable pot of money' so that we can have a safe well-funded sandbox for smart people to play in, and not have to worry about government election cycles affecting their budget, or tenure effecting their budget, or even when you find your billionaire sometimes the billionaire runs out of money, or loses interest, or disappears. So you can't just be dependent on one wealthy investor. You need a big pot of money that's stable, that isn't going anywhere. So that's what we're trying to do with the institute. Just fund the institute. And then pick projects that we think are promising, and then fund those. So we're kind of creating a new vehicle for funding this type of research. That's the approach I'm taking right now?"
  • Audience: (56:40) "Is there any possibility of... I know this is probably hard, if not impossible to do... but cross-over between black-world and the illuminated world? Because frequently things move from the illuminated world into the black-world. And they disappear."
  • Amy: (56:51) "Yeah. We've noticed that."
  • Audience: (56:56) "But, I mean it's to the black-worlds advantage to keep the illuminated world going, because, that acts as a spawning ground for ideas that they might not have. The black world. So, it's not necessarily to their advantage to keep it completely stagnated. And potentially, since Griffin is now at the pinnacle of the group that controls DARPA, and he has a history that goes through UAH, there would seem to be possibly some fertile ground for some conversation..."
  • Amy: (57:43) "Yeah, um, I've thought about that. The combination of the private and the public-private institution, and working with the 'blacker budget'".
  • Audience: (57:56) "A quote from Griffin. 'NASA is no longer, by any means, a research organization.'"
  • Amy: (58:04) "That is a Griffin quote."
  • Audience: (58:06) "Yeah, that is a Griffin quote."
  • Amy: (59:09) "Yeah, I imagine there are some strong opinions about Griffin in the room."
  • Stuff gets awkward in the audience at this point, and Amy moves onto talking about corporate structure and why it's structured the way it is.
  • Audience: (01:02:53) "SO WHAT ABOUT THE INNOVATOR WHO IS AFRAID OF DISAPPEARING?"
  • Amy: (01:02:57) "Well, that's a whole 'nother problem. audience laughs I think doing it in the public is better in that case. That's a different..."
  • Audience: (01:03:11) "That doesn't mean you won't disappear. Even if you do it in the public, that still don't mean the inventor won't disappear for lots of reasons."
  • Audience: (01:03:20) "Like Ning Li!"
A few takeaways from this 2018 HAL5 conference audience Q&A:
  • Both Amy and the audience imply, repeatedly, and take very seriously as if it's a "known-secret" amongst those in the know, that anti-gravity research moves from the "illuminated world" (public research) to the "black-world" (secret project) on this subject all the time, but not the opposite direction. They even reference the black world keeping the illuminated world "completely stagnant."
  • Amy implies states that the "black-budgets" in this area of research are well funded. So the government is working on this, actively. Which government organization has a headquarters in Huntsville, AL? NASA.
  • The audience states "frequently things move from the illuminated world into the black-world. And they disappear," which Amy acknowledges. This implies that the government swoops in, as soon as there is any promising research on anti-gravity, and takes it for themselves/forbids further public publication of it.
  • The audience openly asks the question about inventors of anti-gravity research getting personally "disappeared" themselves which they all seem to think is a real problem. They take it serious. The room is filled with nervous laughter. They seem to think it happens. Amy thinks working on it in public will help, the audience disagrees. What does "disappeared" mean in this context? Murdered? Forced to work for the secret project? Something else? We don't know. The audience is uneasy about it.
  • The "Griffin" they refer to I believe is Michael D. Griffin. At the time, he was the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. He previously served for the Strategic Defense Initiative, and was the Administrator of NASA from 2005-2009. Apparently, Amy and the audience are familiar with the direct quote from Griffin, stating "NASA is no longer, by any means, a research organization." If NASA is not a research organization, what is it?
  • Amy and the audience both specifically, repeatedly refer to a previous Huntsville, AL based anti-gravity researcher, Ning Li, who "disappeared" after publicly publishing promising anti-gravity research in the 1990s.
So who exactly is Ning Li?
  • Ning Li was an anti-gravity researcher living in Huntsville, AL in the 1990s. She worked at University of Alabama Huntsville, and theorized that proper use of a superconductor could produce some anti-gravitational effects.
  • A 1999 "Popular Mechanics" article was written about her. In 1999 she left UAH to form the "AC Gravity, LLC," company to continue anti-gravity research (this company still exists today). This company was awarded a $500K DOD contract in 2001, and then not much is known about it since. Publicly, Ning Li stopped publishing any further research and effectively "went dark." Nobody seemed to publicly know where she was, had heard from her... nothing. Amy even mentions this in her presentation, and nobody in the room appears to know what happened to Ning Li either.
  • There was a lot of speculation about what exactly happened to her. Some popular theories included (a) that she had been killed, (b) that she had moved to China and was researching anti-gravity for the Chinese government, (c) that she was still in Huntsville, AL, and had continued her research but only sharing her findings privately for the US government/defense industry.
  • From an article that came out in the "Huntsville Business Journal" three days ago, where a reporter contacted her surviving son, we now know the answer. The correct answer is (c) - she never left Huntsville, and worked on anti-gravitational research until she died in 2021, in Huntsville, AL.
  • Her son confirmed "Dr. Li never left the DoD and never left the country to work for the Chinese government."
  • Ning Li died in 2021 from very normal causes (nothing nefarious at all): complications relating to Alzheimer’s. Apparently Li continued to work at Redstone Arsenal every day until 2014 when Li was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on the UAH campus, which caused permanent brain damage, potentially leading to the Alzheimer’s.
  • Her son also notably commented he "noticed change in his mom after leaving UAH for the private sector. He says all the secrecy that comes with the job began to change her demeanor and behavior over the years." ... "When she was at University, she loved to publish her findings,” he recalled. “But after she got her top secret clearance, she wasn’t allowed to share anything anymore with anyone. She became much quieter. She would return from work looking worn down with her makeup messed up. It wasn’t like that when she was at the University."
  • From the sound of it, "going dark" may not have been Ning Li's choice. It's possible the DOD compelled her to work for them if she wanted to keep researching anti-gravity.
  • While I know absolutely nothing about anti-gravity technology and how it relates to superconductors, the patent for the "room temperature superconductor" LK-99 in the news this week cites a Salvatore Pais patent for a "Piezoelectricity-induced High Temperature Superconductor." Salvatore Pais is very same U.S. Navy scientist who patented the UFO anti-gravity craft and a high-frequency gravitational wave generator. You can find his patents here. Notable.
  • In the 177-page document released a week ago, there's a statement about Ning Li made by AATIP scientist Robert Baker. "AATIP scientist Robert Baker who specialized in high frequency gravitational waves (HFGW) stated he hadn’t heard from Li in “several years.” She was working on HFGWs and superconductors for the US Army at Redstone Arsenal with AC Gravity, and Baker states she “never presented them with a final report” on the contract. Baker did not know where Li went or why she didn’t finish her contract. Baker also states he is working with Fangyu Li of Chongqing University on HFGW research at this time. In 2019, Baker clarified he was on the Army’s oversight committee for Li’s contract and that Li never delivered a final report not due to nefarious reasons, but because she “didn’t quite get around to it.” Baker states he has communicated with Li since then and she “would play a role” in his current HFGW research."
2020 "The Institute" Anti-Gravity Research Publication Blocked by NASA:
Following her December, 2018 HAL5 conference presentation Dr. Amy Eskridge did in fact launch "The Institute" doing exactly what she said it would: research anti-gravitational systems. Amy stated they had recruited several scientists from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (located in Huntsville, AL). Over the next several years "The Institute" appears to have been making progress with their research, refining some work that had previously been done at NASA and other research facilities, and was potentially producing meaningful results. In September 2020, "Falcon Space" was attempting to present some of their own research at the "Estes Park" conference, and Amy Eskridge sent them a cease and desist order, claiming some of the material was not approved for release due to relations with NASA. Amy's statement about that C&D is below:
Amy Eskridge to Everyone: "Yes, I regret that I was unable to present the topic I had planned to. The theory and substantiating data I was planning to present is based on novel foundational work that was generated originally by a member of our team while a civil servant at NASA MSFC. This work has since then been further matured privately by The Institute. The foundational work done at NASA must first be approved by NASA for public release via their IP release mechanism before we can talk about our subsequent results publicly. A paper is currently under review by NASA for publication. We had hoped it would be approved in time to discuss here, but it is currently in the home stretch of publication. I expect it to be published within the next 30 days and I will be happy to distribute the publication to the group once it comes out."
Despite the claim the paper would be available within 30 days, I have not yet been able to find that paper. From the sound of it, both Amy/The Institute and Falcon Space wanted that research out in the public domain - they wanted to present it - and NASA was holding it up/preventing its release. It's not clear to me the paper was ever published, so if not, NASA must have permanently prevented it. If someone can find this paper, please do, and share it in the comments.
Amy's Untimely Death:
Not much more research came out publicly from The Institute or from Amy Eskridge following that September 2020 cease and desist until Amy died on June 11, 2022. The cause of death for Amy was not publicly disclosed, however, the same Twitter account that posted the C&D posted this tweet stating:
"We are still investigating the suspicious death of one of our former colleagues from NASA Hunstville, Amy Eskridge who was found dead from a gunshot wound last Friday. Expect a follow up and some interviews once we conclude our investigation."
That same Twitter later posts "'suspicious' has been downgraded to untimely and unexpected." and other replies on Twitter respond that Amy had been living in chronic-pain, stopped taking her pain medication, speculating the cause of death may have been a suicide.
If true, that's obviously a very sad outcome. R.I.P. Amy, and condolences to her family in all scenarios. The story would typically end there.
Franc Milburn Chimes In:
However, in September 2022, Franc Milburn, a retired UK intelligence officer, discussed on his podcast that he has been focusing his investigations into directed energy weapon use against scientists in the UAP field. These events are ongoing and have been reported to the highest levels of American defense & intelligence establishment. *Milburn personally knows a UAP/anti-grav scientist who was murdered. The directed energy weapons are responsible for Havana Syndrome; they can be deployed on trucks and are able to "fry" people through windows. * I do not believe Franc Milburn names the anti-gravity researcher he believed was killed using a directed energy weapon. When that podcast aired though, there was a Reddit post and a commentor surfaced Amy Eskridge's name at that time.
Last Week's 177-Page Document (Briefing?):
Then, in the 177-page document that came out last week containing UAP history, one of the entries references this claim as well. Note, the document claims Franc Milburn made claims about Amy specifically, when I do not believe he actually named her specifically on the podcast. Nonetheless, text of that document is included below: ​
(PUBLIC DOMAIN) - 15 June 2022 — Dr. Amy Eskridge, the 35 year old scientist & co-founder of the Institute for Exotic Science in Huntsville, dies in Huntsville, AL. Retired UK intelligence officer Franc Milburn claims she was targeted with directed energy weapons and murdered by a “private aerospace company” in the US because she was involved in the UAP conversation and working on advanced propulsion.
In 2020, Eskridge stated she was planning to present novel foundational work regarding antigravity but needed approval from NASA. In 2018, Eskridge and her father Richard Eskridge gave a talk on behalf of their company, HoloChron Engineering, a gravity modification R&D company, in which they discuss historical and current means of antigravity experiments and modern black projects allegedly developing triangle antigravity craft like the “TR3B.” Eskridge’s colleague Dick Reeves was also involved with the Institute; her brothers Michael Eskridge and Matt Eskridge were not.
Then, none other than Ross Coulthart is referenced in that same 177-page document, on the very last entry in the document. It references a statement from Ross from this past February.
(PUBLIC DOMAIN) - 28 February 2023 — Journalist Ross Coulthart states on a podcast that there are people “involved in high level physics” who worked in Huntsville, AL and disappeared. Coulthart says BAE Systems deserves a very close look because of “who they’ve taken over.”
Amy is a real anti-gravity researcher who actually died. We don't know how she died. Her death is terribly sad. I am NOT saying she was murdered. Please do not harass her family about this, I'm sure her family is still terribly saddened by her death. Frankly, the speculation in the 177 page document, apparently referring to the claim made on Franc Milburn's podcast, that she was murdered using a "directed energy weapon" seems outlandish to me. It sounds like a method that would attract a lot of attention, and if those energy weapons cause effects similar to "Havana syndrome," it would not be consistent with the "gunshot wound" style injury mentioned by her co-worker in the prior tweet. The only reason for using a method like that to murder someone would be to send a message to other researchers, making it very obvious to them what group committed the murder and to try to intimidate them not to disclose anything.
However, despite it being unlikely, it might still be worth researching Amy's cause of death more.
Huntsville, Alabama seems to be suspicious, generally:
Finally, on the general "anti-gravity" and/or UAP research happening in Huntsville, AL... just yesterday a story came out stating that Biden has declined to move the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, AL. Apparently the U.S. Air Force leadership ran a study, and determined that relocating U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, AL was the right move. The USAF notably appears to be highly involved UAP crash retrievals, as well as blocking disclosure. If they think Huntsville, AL is the right place for U.S. Space Command, that raises the question of "why?" Could it be that Huntsville, AL is the "Silicon Valley" of UAP, anti-gravity, and exotic defense research? NASA has a huge HQ there, as does almost every other aerospace defense contractor. This 2013 article refers to Huntsville, AL being a "major target" for espionage, going so far as requiring the National Classification Management Society, Defense Security Service and Lockheed Martin Space Systems to host a security conference in the city. "Huntsville is a major target for foreign nationals (spies) working to obtain classified information," FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said. Perhaps the broader Huntsville, AL economic ecosystem is a storyline worth pursuing in the near future on its own.
Ross Coulthart even stated on a podcast on July 3, 2022:
A large number of the scientists are working on what's euphemistically called 'the program' in or around Huntsville, Alabama..that city has become the focus of a very intense espionage effort by overseas spy services. It had been reported to me by not one but two sources that there've been deliberate attempts to cause injury to people who are working on the periphery of that program and there was concern that some of the people are not being adequately protected….there's a concern that basically scientists working in essentially research related to ongoing antigravitics research are suffering harassment from overseas intelligence services.
“In Huntsville, Alabama, USA there’s a very black program underway that was previously run by a Chinese-American scientist called Ning Li…there is a very active anti-gravity program…I’m told there is equally an extraordinarily aggressive and nasty Chinese counterintelligence operation underway, to try to find out as much as possible through harassment and simple things like poison. There’s an espionage battle underway as we speak.”
THATS SUCH A LONG POST!!! HERE'S YOUR TL;DR: * NASA has their Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Many other aerospace defense contractors have HQs in Huntsville, AL as well.
  • There appears to be a large number of anti-gravity research scientists in the Huntsville, AL area.
  • Those researchers appear to be almost exclusively affiliated with either NASA or defense contractors, which apparently actually spend a lot of money funding anti-gravity research, despite academia funding virtually none.
  • The U.S. Air Force wanted to move U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, AL, as recently as yesterday.
  • Of the researchers that are NOT affiliated with NASA/defense, if they happen to publicly publish promising results, they tend to "go dark" shortly thereafter, and stop public publishing anti-gravity research. This has happened several times, with several different researchers, and Amy notes those instances in a presentation.
  • It is speculated that many of those researchers are brought into the "black world" (secret projects) after publishing promising results, either by choice or by involuntarily (by force).
  • Ning Li is an example of such a researcher, who initially published through the University of Alabama, Huntsville, but then "went dark." According to her son, she did not enjoy going dark. It may not have been her choice to go dark.
  • Amy Eskridge was trying to change this "black world" system, by creating an organization to conduct anti-gravity research in the "illuminated" (not-secret) world.
  • In 2018, Amy gave a presentation on this organization, to which many of the audience members were scientists. Those scientists sounded scared/wary that they would get disappeared if they joined her in this pursuit, openly commenting on this in the Q&A.
  • Amy was blocked by NASA from disclosing her research in September 2020. NASA claimed they would allow it to come out within 30 days. It never came out.
  • Amy then died in June 2022. There is speculation it is from a gunshot wound, and that the cause of death may be suicide.
  • In September of 2022, Franc Milburn says he knows of an anti-gravity researcher in Huntsville, AL who has been murdered using a directed energy weapon. Reddit speculates he's referring to Amy Eskridge.
  • In July 2023, a 177-page document is anonymously shared by Michael Shellenberger. That document rephrases Milburn's claim, stating Amy "was targeted with directed energy weapons and murdered by a 'private aerospace company' in the US because she was involved in the UAP conversation and working on advanced propulsion."
  • That same 177-page document references Ross Coulthart stating that there are people “involved in high level physics” who worked in Huntsville, AL and disappeared. He is likely referring to Amy Eskridge or Ning Li.
  • If this post is too long for you, just watch this one segment from her HAL5 conference. The audience question/her answer is notable.
I personally find the directed energy weapon claim implausible and difficult to believe. It might, however, be worth learning more about Amy's cause of death. However, even if her cause of death was not suspicious: what on Earth (or not? hah) is happening in Huntsville, AL where all of these scientists and researchers are "afraid of disappearing?" And why do they all seem to know a LOT about anti-gravity work being done by the government?
submitted by OvertinMiss to conspiracy [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 16:44 rilian43 Upgrade / repair, so close yet so far

A while ago as the antenna was broken off the door controller I upgraded it with an addon external unit (which also does Homelink which is a bonus). Trouble is, the new unit requires many attempts every time you want the door to open. Mostly, the motor starts and instantly stops again. It's difficult to open the door at all, and Homelink, which only sends one pulse from the car, is useless.
The original controller wants an impulse. I have verified that if I jumper across the contacts with a wire, a *very very quick* impulse works perfectly, but a longer impulse causes the stutter and failure I'm seeing. So I conclude it's not the motor, not the safety circuit, not dirty tracks. A quick short across the button terminals always works. The impulse onto the same contacts, from the external unit, mostly fails. Seems like the external unit is sending impulses that are too long. Is that possible?
This is the external unit: https://www.garage-door-remotes.co.uk/pdf/seip/seip-ekr1mcgef-4wire-installation.pdf
The main controller is marked on the circuit board TEL-ZNRG-433K and I do have a paper datasheet for it, but cannot find one online
Suggestions welcome on what to replace the external unit with. (I'm in the UK so mains power is 230v).
submitted by rilian43 to GarageDoorService [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 15:57 Meatrition Le sigh here we go again

le sigh
here we go again…
are you actually interested in this topic, or are you only interested in being an asshole to people who are here minding their own business and eating what they please? you are the one coming into this community with your ignorance and rudeness on full display. no one here gives a shit what you think or what you eat, and educating sea lions is not our job
one would think that if you’re actually interested in the research, you could spend a few minutes looking for yourself
but you’re too busy being an asshole, so here. take this few minutes’ worth of research instead. this is not all the available evidence or even the "best" evidence. it's just the first available evidence for the lazy -- what an idiot like myself can find with 5 minutes and a mote of curiosity. if you don’t like these particular studies for any reason, you know where to find google…
with regard to controlled experiments, the work of the Deol lab at UC riverside on soybean oil is pretty interesting (with the obvious limitations of animal studies)
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/07/03/widely-consumed-vegetable-oil-leads-unhealthy-gut
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2020/01/17/americas-most-widely-consumed-oil-causes-genetic-changes-brain
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/soybean-oil-may-be-more-fattening-fructose-or-coconut-oil
in other research, omega 6 was found to be the only class of fatty acids whose intake is associated with melanoma risk in people:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6035072/
corn oil also comes out looking pretty badly in terms of skin neoplasms and malignancies in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6647039/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/19098118_Relation_of_antioxidants_and_levels_of_dietary_lipid_to_epidermal_lipid_peroxidation_and_UV-Carcinogenesis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8973605/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1502263/
increased risk of metabolic syndrome among people who cook with canola and sunflower oils (but no increased risk for those cooking with olive oil or butter):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116055/
an animal study that finds canola oil increases bodyweight and alzheimer's-like symptoms:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5719422/
a study suggesting that sunflower oil induces inflammation in animals:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441046/
and another showing that dietary linoleic acid induces obesity -- while reducing linoleic acid to 1% of energy intake reversed obesity even in the context of a diet with 60% of calories coming from fat:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22334255/
a controlled study finds that a high-omega-6 diet induces cardiac necrosis, reduces mitochondrial function, and induces structural abnormalities in mitochondria in rats with diabetes. it reduces cardiolipin in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats, and dramatically increases blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin levels in control rats
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/ajpheart.00480.2004 (or see summary here https://tuckergoodrich.substack.com/p/whats-worsecarbs-or-seed-oils-understanding )
rats fed a high fat (almost 60% of total energy intake) vegetable-oil diet develop fatty livers, while those fed a similarly high fat diet based on lard do not:
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/11/5480/pdf (don't miss the shocking photo of the livers in Figure 3)
reanalysis of a 5-year double-blind RCT dietary intervention study in humans in the US shows no benefit and possible harm (in terms of death risk) from replacing saturated fats with vegetable oils high in linoleic acid
https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i1246
a 7-year dietary intervention study in cardiac patients finds increased mortality and cardiovascular disease in the group advised to replace saturated fats with safflower oil rich in omega 6:
https://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.e8707
a meta-analysis of RCTs finds that high omega 6 diets are associated with increased risk of heart attacks and death in people:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/n6-fatty-acidspecific-and-mixed-polyunsaturate-dietary-interventions-have-different-effects-on-chd-risk-a-metaanalysis-of-randomised-controlled-trials/938F3F74E18033ED061F7D8CEAB0A24A
"Higher ratio of plasma omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is associated with greater risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality"
https://elifesciences.org/articles/90132
"recent studies have found a positive association between omega-6 and breast cancer risk"
https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-10-50#ref-CR25
"a statistically significant increase in [breast cancer] risk was observed in individuals belonging to the highest quartile of n-6 fatty acid consumption (RR=1.87"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14583770/
"An increased risk of breast cancer was associated with increasing ω-6 PUFA intake in premenopausal women [OR = 1.92"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22194528/
"Women with higher intake (highest tertile) of n-6 PUFA had an increase risk for breast cancer (RR = 2.06"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20878979/
"Compared with women without atypia [a biomarker for short-term risk of breast cancer development], those with cytologic atypia... had lower omega-3:6 ratios in plasma TAGs and breast TAGs"
https://aacrjournals.org/cancerpreventionresearch/article/8/5/359/50426/Omega-3-and-Omega-6-Fatty-Acids-in-Blood-and
"a significant increased risk [of breast cancer] was observed among those with high intakes of omega-6 PUFAs"
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18636564/
"Omega-6 fats cause prostate tumors to grow twice as fast"
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2006/02/97814/omega-6-fats-cause-prostate-tumors-grow-twice-fast
highest quartile of omega-6 intake is associated with 1.98-fold relative risk of rectal cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7373878/
"high intake of ω-6 has been found to correlate with a high risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancer incidence in many animal and human studies, and the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 was suggested to be a predictor of cancer progression."
https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-boletin-medico-del-hospital-infantil-401-articulo-role-diets-rich-in-omega-3-S1665114616301423
but hey, maybe you're skeptical of the "i did my research" crowd. anyone can dig up a few studies. maybe you prefer the word of trusted academic medical institutions. cool, cool...
Mount Sinai: "a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids may promote breast cancer development."
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/omega-6-fatty-acids
Cleveland Clinic: seed oils have "no real health benefits and more than a few health risks."
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/seed-oils-are-they-actually-toxic
Brigham and Women's Hospital: "eating too many foods that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids (especially vegetable oils such as corn, safflower and cottonseed oils) appears to promote inflammation."
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/meals-and-nutrition/bwh-nutrition-and-wellness-hub/special-topics/anti-inflammatory-lifestyle
UCSF Medical Center: "Omega-6 fatty acids may stimulate growth of prostate cancer cells. These fatty acids are found in corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil and other polyunsaturated oils."
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/nutrition-and-prostate-cancer
MD Anderson Cancer Center: "Omega-6 fats are primarily in vegetable oils. Inflammation can occur if a diet is higher in omega-6 fats than omega-3. To reduce chronic inflammation and cancer risk, eat fewer omega-6 rich foods."
https://www.mdanderson.org/documents/Departments-and-Divisions/Clinical-Nutrition/Nutrition-Basics-for-Patients-and-Caregivers.pdf
Duke University Health System: limiting soybean oil "reduces the potential negative effects of too much omega-6, which is believed to contribute to the increased risk of infections and other complications"
https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/new-intravenous-lipid-nutrition-cuts-pediatric-hospitalizations-and-infections
Beth Israel Medical Center: "Some fats contain omega-6 fatty acids (e.g., soybean oil) that, in certain diseases, can worsen the inflammation and complicate the recovery process. This is currently an intense area of investigation."
https://www.bidmc.org/research/research-by-department/medicine/clinical-nutrition/food-groups-and-formulations/fat
Washington University School of Medicine: "reducing the amount of linoleic acid — a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid — in food aided children’s neurological abilities. The composition of omega-6 fatty acid thwarts production of DHA, which is essential for brain development and is associated with improved vision, heart health and immune function... Therapeutic food should be reformulated to reduce omega-6. "
https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/enhanced-therapeutic-foods-improve-cognition-in-malnourished-children/
University of Chicago Medical Center: "fried foods, soaked in oil with Omega 6 fatty acids, can be pro-inflammatory"
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/2020/septembewhat-foods-cause-or-reduce-inflammation
University of Texas Health System: "diets high in omega-6 served as a significant risk factor for inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Lowering omega-6 and increasing omega-3 greatly reduced these pain conditions. Skin levels of omega-6 lipids were strongly associated with pain levels and the need for analgesic drugs."
https://news.uthscsa.edu/western-high-fat-diet-can-cause-chronic-pain-according-to-groundbreaking-paper-by-ut-health-san-antonio-led-team/
submitted by Meatrition to StopEatingSeedOils [link] [comments]

2024.05.20 14:30 corporatemumbojumbo Just won my bond back via NCAT Here are some things I learnt

<< If you can't be bothered reading, I have my summary of tips down the bottom >>
I will post this across multiple Australia and Aus Property Subreddits but I though I'd start here as this story has a good ending and some solid advice (I hope).
Just to give you some background, my wife and I (and our 6 month old baby) moved into a rental property at the end of 2018 and stayed there until Feb 2024.
When we first moved in, the house was in a pretty average state. I mean it was "cosmetically" clean - the kind of clean you do when your In Laws are coming over. Not a proper end of lease clean. There was dust still on the walls, skirting boards and plastic curtains. Quite a few of the blinds were covered in mold. There were holes in the wall as well as un-sanded plaster.
The backyard wasn't even maintained.
Before we moved in, we had to clean it again ourselves as well as hire a cleaner. When we spoke to the agent about this, he said something along the lines of just leave it in this same condition. Now throughout the tenancy, they rarely fixed anything on time. I would have to send at least 2 emails to get things done. In many cases, issues that weren't rectified quickly caused more issues later on (like leaky shower causing moisture and eventually decaying vanities etc).
Now when we left the house at the start of this year, we hired a cleaner to do an end of inspection clean and got the strata gardeners to do a quick mow job of our small lawn.
Now when we left we did have additional holes and additional plaster on the walls as well. I'll give them that.
So the REA when he inspected, said it wasn't good enough and that we had to come and clean it. I just emailed him the inspection that I did when we moved in, but he either ignored it or didn't think it was important.
We applied to get our bond back and he rejected our application which means that we had to go to Tribunal to get our bond.
The REA wanted to get our 3200 bond as well as an additional 2000 for cleaning, gardening, fixing showers and painting.
Now I have gone to NCAT before (and won) so I was no stranger to the process. Firstly, the REA had to send as much info to me and NCAT as possible (chronology, incoming inspection, outgoing inspection, photos, etc) and then I had to respond to the REA with my detail.
He sent me an email with some things that needed to be fixed and some photos.
When I responded to him, I had a folder with 120-130 pages. 30 of which was the chronology and the rest were screenshots of emails, receipts, message screenshots, detailing everything from when we moved into when we left. I had a contents page, definitions page, title page. I'm not going to lie, it took me more time to create this document than it would have been to just clean and paint the house but I figured no matter what I did, the REA would just nitpick. And honestly, given how bad this REA was (he wasn't a bad guy per se, he was just lazy and incompetent and being First Generation Immigrant, did not really understand Australian Law), I was 99% sure he wouldn't want the matter taken to NCAT but lo and behold he did.
So after I sent him and NCAT my document, I received the date for our hearing.
On the date of the hearing we sat in front of the member and she said something along the lines of
"One of you is going to lose and one of you is going to win. My job is make you guys both unhappy. So are you willing to negotiate"
My first thought was "I didn't want to give this jackass a cent" and fortunately for me, he said he wants to claim it all.
Firstly, he didn't properly request to claim above the bond. He didn't fill the application out properly so it was limited to just the bond. Now within 5 mins of the REA conversing with the member, I knew I had won. It didn't bode well for him when the member said
"Mr , I think you have a bit of a problem"
In the end she went through each of his items 1 by 1 and dismissed every 1 of them. In short, saying that the house was in a terrible state, some of the issues were exacerbated by the REA not attending to them earlier and many of the thing that needed to be repaired were - according to the ATO - already past their expiry or depreciation period.
I got my bond back! BANG BANG.
But here's what I learnt after doing this and apologies if a lot of this is common sense. I wrote all this more to help than to farm for Karma.
  1. At your incoming inspection (before you move in), take lots and lots and lots of photos and don't just scribble some notes in the tiny boxes they provide. Send them an email detailing every issue that you spot in every room
  2. Notify the REA for every issue. In order to not to be too annoying, I tended to wait until there was at least 3-5 issues and then email them to the REA in one go. But the key thing is, make sure you notify every issue. They might seem relaxed at first, but when it comes to crunch time, they will try to ping you. Our REA said that there was oil in the air conditioner flipper and that one of the ACs didn't have a flipper. With the oil, I mentioned in our incoming inspection that the Kitchen exhaust wasn't cleaned when we moved in and the exhaust didn't go anywhere. And the flipper I didn't even notice. The reason why I say report all issues is because towards the end, I got so sick of chasing him up, I just left things to deteriorate and the REA tried to argue in the session "Why didn't you tell me these things weren't fixed properly?" BECAUSE YOU NEVER FIXED THEM PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME YOU DUMBASS AND YOU NEVER RESPONDED.
  3. Start collating your emails with the REA. So any time you send an email to the REA. Print it as PDF and save it in a folder in the cloud (don't rely on hard drives please) with the date at the start of the document name like 2019.02.01 Emailing REA re: Inspection.pdf When he responds, print it out again 2019.02.04 REA responds to email re: Inspection.
  4. Keep a separate folder with all the images that you take for inspection, issues and end of term inspections. Keep it all, clearly labelled etc. Both points 3 and 4 are more hygiene stuff so that if/when you do go to NCAT, all the grunt work is already done (and this will save you at least a day's work)
  5. Any things you fix, make sure to let them know and expense it by deducting rent (some REA get funny about this but some would welcome it)
  6. Now this is what the member at the Tribunal told my REA. THE BOND IS THE TENANT'S MONEY. It's not a slush fund. If they want the bond they have to prove - on the balance of probabilities - that they have a claim on the bond. Now my REA was trying to get me to pay $2000 to repaint his house because of a few holes and patchwork that I didn't sand properly (even though the majority of holes and patchwork was there before we moved in) and he had some photos but the photos weren't particularly good and he said "You can't tell with the photo that it needed to be sanded because it's hard to show in photos" the member responded "That's not my problem, this bond is Mr CMJ's money, and it's up to you to prove you have a claim on it, you need to take better photos". Also anything that he couldn't prove was an instant dismissal.
  7. Now here's some cool things I learnt and even though this was NSW it does still apply to rest of Australia because it's ATO law. It has to do with reasonable repairs to certain things
    1. Paint on walls has a 7-8 year lifespan. So if you have lived in the house for 5 years and the house was painted 5 years before you moved in, they can't expect you to pay to have the whole house painted. So provided you putty up and do some sanding (probably better sanding than I did) you should be oka
    2. Shower doors have a 10 year life span. If an old shower breaks, it is very difficult for them to claim money from you to fix it. In our case, the shower door had come off it's hinges and when we couldn't roll it properly. Basically if the shower is a bit crap but still usable and it's over 10 year old, the REA can not expect you to pay to have it fixed
    3. curtains have a 10 year life span. Same as above
    4. I would check the ATO or other places for all this stuff.
  8. When it comes to the creating the chronology. More is best. I put in so much detail into my chronology and additional support material and I probably only referred to 10-15% of it but it was so good to have it handy and easily accessible. Like I said I had contents page, numbered pages etc.
  9. Finally stick to the items on the case. When she asked me at the end if I had anything else to say, I did get on my soapbox a little bit about how crap he was a REA, how he didn't check smoke alarms. And the member, in a nice way told me to STFU as it was not in scope for this case.
  10. If you feel hard done by and think you can do a good job of defending your position against the landlord or REA please go for it. You can't let this mofos get away with it and I'm a landlord as well. I own a two bedroom apartment that I rent out (which is not big enough for our family of 5) and I try to look after my tenants as much as possible. There was a time that one of my REA wanted to go to NCAT for some floor damage. When I saw the floor, I thought it was so petty and told the REA to not go to NCAT and just give them their bond back. And the funny thing is that knowing what I know now, the tribunal would have laughed me off. I don't think floors last more than 10 years away. I'm with a new REA now because those other guys were useless.
Anyhow, stay safe and stay warm out there. I hope this situation gets better for my brothers and sisters but I will do all I can to fight for you all!!
submitted by corporatemumbojumbo to shitrentals [link] [comments]

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