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Stem Cell Therapy – Top Rated Local Stem Cell Treatment In …

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the basic building blocks of human tissue and have the ability to repair, rebuild, and rejuvenate tissues in the body. When a disease or injury strikes, stem cells respond to specific signals and set about to facilitate the healing process by stimulating your own body to repair itself.

Stem cells that come from perinatal tissue(healthy post-natal C-sections) have distinct functional properties including immunomodulation and anti-inflammation which support the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue associated with disease and injury.

There are four known types of stem cells which include:

We provide allogeneic regenerative cytokines and mesenchymal stem cells from health post-natal C-sections.

We tap into our bodys stem cell reserve daily to repair and replace damaged or diseased tissue. When the bodys reserve is limited and as it becomes depleted, the regenerative power of our body decreases and we succumb to disease and injury.

Three sources of stem cells from a patients body are used clinically which include adipose tissue (fat), bone marrow and umbilical cord matrix(Whartons Jelly).

We provide stem cell therapy for a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions for which traditional treatment offers less than optimal options. Some conditions include Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, Plantar Fasciitis and Degenerative Disc Disease

Since each condition and patient are unique, there is no guarantee of what results will be achieved or how quickly they may be observed. According to patient feedback, many patients report results in one to three months, however, it may take as long as six to nine months. Individuals interested in stem cell therapy are urged to consult with their physician before choosing investigational allogeneic umbilical cord derived regenerative medicine allografts as a treatment option.

In order to determine if you are a good candidate for a regenerative medicine treatment, you will need to complete a medical history form which will be provided by our patient advocate team. Once you complete and submit your medical history form, our medical team will review your records and determine if you are a qualified candidate for a regenerative medicine therapy.

The side effects of intra-articular injection of a regenerative medicine allograft are minimal and may include but are not limited to: infection, minor bleeding at the treatment sites and localized pain. However, these side effects typically last no longer than 24 hours.

We provide regenerative medicine allografts from healthy post-natal C-section births that provide regenerative factors and mesenchymal stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are typically associated with ethical concerns. We do not offer embryonic stem cells.

Our regenerative medicine allografts are regulated as human cell and tissue transplants, similar to skin and bone. As structural human cell and tissue products regulated under FDA CFR 1271 Part 361, our allografts do not require FDA approval, rather we are strictly regulated to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and to maintain the structural integrity of the allografts as theyre harvested from umbilical cords and transferred for musculoskeletal cushioning, protection and supplementation. These regenerative allografts are FDA regulated rather than FDA approved. The FDA is a regulatory oversight body and doesnt exercise legal authority. If an FDA regulated tissue transplant or therapy is noted as non-compliant and not corrected according to FDA guidelines, the FDA may refer a significant public health risk to the Department of Justice or a state attorney general.

Stem cell treatment is not covered by health insurance at this time.

Although stem cells are found throughout our bodies, mesenchymal stem cells can only be harvested for native (non-cultured) use from adipose, bone marrow and umbilical cord matrix. The term amniotic stem cells is an oxymoron in that amniotic fluid and matrix products dont contain stem cells. They do however contain unique cytokines and other growth factors.

Cyberpunk 2077 – reddit

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

>First of all, Hi, my name is Joan Riera and I'm a Spotify playlist curator. I'm making this post to show you this project I've been working on for many months now for this community.

>I've always been interested in cyberpunk music and aesthetic since I was a kid and invested many hours everyday discovering new music and artists sharing this aesthetic. Due to the hype I've got when I knew Cyberpunk 2077 was getting released I began to compile all the music I discovered since i was a kid until now in a playlist, which it began being just a messy personal playlist for me.

>What made me change my mind and turn that random playlist into this bigger thing that it is now was seeing that every cyberpunk playlist out there was only focusing in one or two genres mainly made of random synthwave and electronic rock music, thing that wasn't doing justice at all to the vast and unique cyberpunk universe. And then this reminded me of a post I saw in here where someone asked to the Cyberpunk 2077 developers regarding to the music of the game which their answer (for those who don't know nor remember) was:

We're marrying ''cyber'' with ''punk'' these are our two main pillars for music direction. ''Cyber centers around sonic texture of the score our sound palette is raw, dirty, synthesized, sometimes even futuristic. ''Punk'' is all about the attitude of music rebellious, ballsy and impulsive. Night City shimmers with colors and so is the music we're not limiting ourselves to one specific genre. Instead, we're drawing from all sorts of styles to craft unique mix that drives the narrative and provides additional layers of context to the story.

>SO, due to all of this, I told myself that I would try to make the best cyberpunk musical experience as possible for all the people in this sub to enjoy and this is what it has become now; a massive playlist currently consisting of 466 handpicked songs classified into 8 main sections sorted by genres each one representing a different mood and sensation resulting into +34 hr. of pure dystopian cyberpunk awesomeness. Here's how it's arranged:

>C O N N E CT_

>D I S C O N N E C T_

>All the tracks were arranged in a way so that they ''flow'' together (Example: Kaneda's Theme from Akira's Soundtrack resolving into Initate by PhaseOne both having a very tribal-esque influence).

>Between sections there's a Soundtrack / Ambient section before transitioning to the next genre, formed by some of the best cyberpunk soundtracks until now (blade runner, ghost in the shell, akira, deus ex, and many more dystopian science fiction movies, games and TV series) and futuristic ambient and synth pieces.

Original Artwork by Artur Sadlos

>Besides having every track a dramatic and dystopian feeling every single one has a couple or many of these signature cyberpunk elements to make sure it properly fits to the theme:

>Distorted / overly compressed sounds_

>Robotical sound design_

>Glitch sounds & special fx_

>Epic choirs & orchestra_

>Dramatic synths_

>Overdriven guitars_

>Technical / complex drums & percussion_

>This is all I have done until now which I wanted to show you, so if you think that you could improve it in any way please let me know your thoughts down below! I want this to fully represent this sub and community as well as possible.

>I'm thinking of adding Punk classics and more modern Rock and Metal even if they don't have a direct electronic influence since the lack of good electronic rock/metal out there (IMO) which is a vital component for the cyberpunk world. What do you think? Yes or No?

>I accept submissions as long as they have good production quality and fit well into the theme of the playlist.

>Some of the tracks are greyed out since they're not on Spotify but you can see it anyways for your interest.

>My goal is to fully complete it for the release day of Cyberpunk 2077, so you can fully enjoy it while playing it in your home.

>Playlist description on Spotify is temporary.

PD: I'll appreciate very much if you could just upvote this post for reaching as much people as possible, the last thing I would want is to make all that effort for nothing! Thank you 🙂

Cyberpunk 2077 - reddit

Comet Facts – Comets – Astronomy for Kids

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

Temperature is very irregular in outer space. The parts that are near stars are extremely hot! Think about Venus, the second closest planet to the Sun. It goes up to 462C. But the background temperature in space is about -270C super cold! Things can change states if temperatures change so much. They can go from solid, to liquid, to gas! This is actually the reason why comets have their tails!

The tail is one of the most distinctive features of a comet!

Comets may look small from a distance, but theyre actually gigantic!

See how the Kuiper belt is disc-shaped? The Oort Cloud is farther away, so gravity from the planets dont affect it as much. Thats why it envelopes the Solar System like a sphere or a cloud!

Where the comet moves in space is important for its shape! When comets are still in the far reaches of the Oort Cloud or the Kuiper Belt, theyre made up only of their nuclei. But everything changes once they move closer to the Sun! Remember a comet is mostly made out of ice.

And what happens to ice as it gets close to heat? It melts! In the case of comets, their nuclei start to sublimate, changing from ice to gas immediately. This is when the comet starts developing its other parts!

As the ice melts, the comet gains a coma. The coma is basically a giant cloud of dust and different gases that surrounds the nucleus. Comas are extremely big up to 600,000 miles across! The coma and the nucleus make up the head of the comet. A hydrogen cloud also develops around the comets head, but we cant see it with our eyes. Hydrogen clouds are even bigger than comas they can get as big as 10 Suns!

Heres an easyway to remember what a comets head is called. The coma looks kind of like the head of a comma without its tail!

The comets tail appears when it gets close to the Sun. The tail is probably the most special feature of comets!

Asteroids are not icy like comets. Instead, theyre made out of rock and metals

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Comet Facts - Comets - Astronomy for Kids

Jordan travel | Middle East – Lonely Planet

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

Ancient Hospitality

Jordan has a tradition of welcoming visitors: camel caravans plied the legendary Kings Highway transporting frankincense in exchange for spices while Nabataean tradesmen, Roman legionnaires, Muslim armies and zealous Crusaders all passed through the land, leaving behind impressive monuments. These monuments, including Roman amphitheatres, Crusader castles and Christian mosaics, have fascinated subsequent travellers in search of antiquity and the origins of faith. The tradition of hospitality to visitors remains to this day.

Petra, the ancient Nabataean city locked in the heart of Jordans sandstone escarpments, is the jewel in the crown of the countrys many antiquities. Ever since explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt brought news of the pink-hued necropolis back to Europe in the 19th century, the walk through the Siq to the Treasury (Petras defining monument) has impressed even the most travel weary of visitors. With sites flung over a vast rocky landscape and a mood that changes with the shifting light of dawn and dusk, this is a highlight that rewards a longer visit.

Take a ride through Wadi Rum at sunset, and it's easy to see why TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) was so drawn to this land of weathered sandstone and reddened dunes. But Jordan's desert landscapes are not confined to the southeast: they encompass a salt sea at the lowest point on earth, canyons flowing with seasonal water, oases of palm trees and explosions of springtime flowers scattered across arid hills. Minimal planning and only a modest budget is required for an adventure.

It takes tolerance to host endless waves of incomers, and Jordan has displayed that virtue amply, absorbing thousands of refugees from the Palestinian Territories, Iraq and most recently Syria. Despite contending with this and with large numbers of tourists who are often insensitive to conservative Jordanian values, rural life in particular has managed to keep continuity with the traditions of the past. While Jordan faces the challenges of modernisation and growing urbanisation, it remains one of the safest countries in which to gain an impression of the quintessential Middle East.

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Jordan travel | Middle East - Lonely Planet

Jordan International Travel Information

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

Criminal Penalties:You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

The Jordanian constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press with some restrictions. Insulting the King or members of the Royal Family may lead to detainment or imprisonment. Additionally, activities that the Jordanian government considers proselytizing to Muslims (including the distribution of religious material) are forbidden under the law and anyone undertaking these activities is subject to prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation. Please see the information below on Islam as the state religion of Jordan.

Jordanian courts may impose criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for alleged infractions that in the United States would be resolved in civil courts. The U.S. Embassy is aware of several cases involving business or financial disputes that resulted in lengthy pre-trial detention and imprisonment under local financial crimes laws.

Jordan has very strict drug laws; drug offenses fall under the umbrella of state security and adhere to a different set of criminal procedures than other offenses. Accused offenders can be detained for up to two weeks without charges; this delay can result in the Embassy not being notified about the detainment because an official arrest has not taken place. It is illegal to use and/or distribute drugs in Jordan.

Arrest Notification:If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Family Circumstances: The U.S. Embassy is aware of cases where U.S. citizens have been subject to domestic violence and abandonment by their spouses, including incidents of restrictions of movement through travel holds, loss of custody of children or forced marriage. Women and children should pay particular attention to any warning signs, including husbands or other family members withholding money or travel documents for such purposes after arrival in Jordan. Cases of domestic violence should be reported to the Family Protection Department, which is part of the national police. Travelers should also be aware that U.S. laws cannot protect U.S. citizens when they are outside of the United States.

Travel Holds: Under Jordanian law, any adult male may prevent his minor children from leaving Jordan by simply registering a hold on their travel with the Jordanian authorities. Husbands may place travel holds on their wives pursuant to a court order from a Jordanian court. Adult male relatives (uncles, brothers, grandfathers) may also petition Jordanian courts for a travel hold on their unmarried adult female relatives. Immigration officials may prevent minor children traveling with their mothers from departing Jordan without the fathers affirmative consent. This is possible even if the child or woman holds only U.S. nationality. Jordanian authorities consider disputes surrounding travel holds as private family matters, and the Embassy is limited in its ability to intervene. Travel holds may only be removed by the person who placed them or by a court. Please see the section below on Childrens Issues.

Male Military Requirement: U.S. citizen males who also hold Jordanian citizenship may be subject to laws that impose military service obligations on Jordanians. Jordanian men under age 40 are required to register for service in the Jordanian military. Those subject to registration may be prevented from leaving Jordan until exit permission is obtained from appropriate Jordanian authorities. This permission is often granted to U.S. citizens, but may take some time to obtain and may be limited to a single exit.

Dual Citizenship: The Government of Jordan considers U.S.-Jordanian dual nationals to be Jordanian citizens. Local authorities typically do not notify the U.S. Embassy of arrests, detentions, or accidents involving dual nationals. For this reason, dual nationals in particular should carry copies of their U.S. passports with them at all times so that evidence of their identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available for local authorities.

For additional information, see our information on Dual Nationality.

Customs: Jordanian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Jordan of items such as drugs, firearms, poisons, chemicals, explosives, pornographic materials, communications equipment, and antiquities, among other items. You should contact the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanin Washington, D.C., or one of the Jordanian consulates in the United States, if you seek specific information regarding customs requirements.

Please also refer to our Customs Informationpage for additional information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of States International Religious Freedom Report.

Islam is the state religion of Jordan. The Jordanian government generally does not interfere in religious practices. Some religious groups, however, cannot obtain legal recognition of their denominations. On official documents such as birth and wedding certificates, the Government of Jordan only allows affiliation with legally recognized faiths: Islam, certain Christian churches, and Judaism. Not listing an affiliated faith, or listing a faith outside those recognized by the government, is generally not permitted. Activities such as proselytizing or encouraging conversion to any faith other than Islam are prohibited. U.S. citizens have been detained, arrested, and deported for discussing or trying to engage Jordanians in discussions about religion, even if such discussions also involve other activities, such as humanitarian aid.

LGBTI Travelers: LGBTI status and/or conduct are not criminalized in Jordan; however, laws against adultery or breaches of modesty may be used against LGBTI travelers. Public displays of affection between individuals of the same sex are not considered culturally acceptable. Foreigners exhibiting such behavior or expressing themselves outside of traditional gender norms in terms of dress or appearance may face greater risk of official and societal harassment by and/or to betargets of violence. Gay and lesbian Jordanians frequently hide their sexuality, especially from family members. Family members who discover that a relative is LGBTI may target them for honor killing. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Jordan, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what is found in the United States. Outside of a few of the more upscale hotels in the capital, individuals with disabilities will find almost no accessible accommodations. Similarly there are very few accessible restaurants, shops, or historical sites. Transportation is not accessible and sidewalks and crosswalks, even in the main cities, are not accessible. Handicap-accessible toilets and bathrooms, even in major hospitals, are generally not available.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Women visiting and residing in Jordan have reported incidents of sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, and assault. The Embassy continues to receive sporadic reports regarding incidents of sexual assaults involving taxis and taxi drivers. Many of the incidents have involved verbal sexual harassment, staring, or following the victim. Some have included physical assaults. To reduce the likelihood of being victimized, women should take precautions such as avoiding travel to unfamiliar areas at night, not traveling alone, not riding in the front seat of a taxi, and consider dressing modestly when in public. We also recommend carrying a cell phone at all times. Immediately report any incidents to the Family ProtectiProtection Department, which is part of the national police and can be reached by calling 911.

Jordan International Travel Information

Best Beaches in the United States – Travelers’ Choice …

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

@A@ of @B@

@C@ of @D@

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:April - October

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:June - August

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:March - September

Best time to go:May - September

COLLAPSE LIST

Need inspiration? See more Travelers Choice Awards

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Best Beaches in the United States - Travelers' Choice ...

Best Beaches in the World – Travelers’ Choice Awards …

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

@A@ of @B@

@C@ of @D@

Best time to go:Year-round

Aruba's most beautiful beach. Private, quiet, serene, amazing!

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:June - September

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:May - October

Best time to go:April - October

Best time to go:May - October

Best time to go:July - September

Picture perfect, with crystal clear, warm waters, shade, sun and powder white sand

Best time to go:Year-round

Serene, tranquil beach, far from the madding crowd. Ideal place for meditation, sun worshiping or reading.

Best time to go:November - April

Best time to go:April - November

Best time to go:Year-round

Best time to go:May - September

Best time to go:May - October

Best time to go:June - September

Best time to go:November - May

Calm, warm waters, gently sloping sand. Very relaxing. Possibly the most beautiful beach in Asia.

Best time to go:December - May

COLLAPSE LIST

Need inspiration? See more Travelers Choice Awards

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Abolition of the ESA Work-Related Activity Component …

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

The Welfare Reform and Act 2016 legislated for the abolition of the Work-Related Activity Component (WRAC)of ESA for new claimants from 3 April 2017. This equates to a reduction of 29.05 a week for claimants in the Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG). Alongside this, the Government announced "new funding for additional support to help claimants return to work"

ESA is an "income replacement" benefitfor people who have a health condition or disability which limits their ability to work. As ofMay 2016 there were just under 2.4 million ESA claimants in Great Britain, including429,000 in the Work-Related Activity Group.

There are two forms of ESA:

Income-related ESA will eventually be replaced by Universal Credit; contributory ESA will remain as a separate benefit. The Government currently expects the introduction of Universal Credit to be fully complete by 2022.

A person must undergo a Work Capability Assessment to be eligible for ESA. There are three possible outcomes of a Work Capability Assessment:

Following the assessment, successful ESA claimants receive a standard rate plus an additional amount.

The standard rate of ESA is currently 73.10 a week, plus either:

These additions are known as the Support Component and the Work-Related Activity Component, respectively.

In Summer Budget 2015, it was announced that the Work-Related Activity Component paid to those in the WRAG would be abolished for new claims from April 2017. The equivalent element in Universal Credit will also be abolished. This will involve a reduction of 29.05 a week (2017-18 rates) and aligns the rate of payment with those claiming Jobseekers Allowance (73.10 a week). Existing claimants will not be affected, while there will be protections for those who may move into the WRAG or Universal Credit equivalent from the Support Group.

The changes were introduced to remove the financial incentives that could otherwise discourage claimants from taking steps back to work. 640 million a year of savings were initially forecast by 2020-21; this was later revised to 450 million a year.

The changes were widely criticised by disability charities. The idea that the WRAC incentivises claimants to not look for work has been particularly disputed.

The proposals were opposed by opposition parties. Amendments to retain the component (and equivalent in Universal Credit) were tabled and agreed at the Lords Report Stage of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. The Lords vote followed the publication ofa review initiated by Members of the House of Lords and supported by disability charities; the "Halving the Gap?" review. The review recommended that theGovernment should not proceed with the removal of the Work-Related ActivityComponent.

These amendmentswere overturned by the Commons. A further amendment requiring the Government to provide analysis of the impact of the changes before introducing them was also proposed by the Lords, and subsequently overturned by the Commons.

Alongside the changes to the WRAC was an announcement to provide new funding for additional support to help claimants return to work. The Government has since announced a series of measures and funding to deliver this, including 60 million per year rising to 100 million per year for practical employment support, including an additional 15 million in 2017-18 directed at the local Jobcentre PlusFlexible Support Fund, to be set asidespecifically forthose with limited capability to work.

Further detail of the additional employment support has been set out in the Government's October 2016 Green Paper, Improving Lives. This was published instead of a previously announced White Paper.

In its report on theDisability employment gap published on 31 January, the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee said that if the DWP is to press ahead with the ESA cut, it must first set out a clear plan for identifying where claimants have additional, unavoidable living costs relating to their conditions, and how it will ensure that these costs are covered. The Committee expects the Government to respond to its report before the lower rate of ESA is due to take effect in April and, if it intends to proceed with the reduction, to explain how this will not be detrimental to its target of halving the disability employment gap.

Originally posted here:

Abolition of the ESA Work-Related Activity Component ...

Ethical egoism – RationalWiki

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Danzig

Ethical egoism is the consequentialist philosophy which states that morality should be based on self-interest. It is the philosophical basis for many libertarians and (so they claim) Randroids but also got support from Thomas Hobbes.[1]. Some egoists that do not believe in the existence of ethics call themselves rational egoists, because they want to be selfish, but do not want to support metaphysical ideas like ethics and morals.

Ethical egoism is based on three arguments:

It is the polar opposite of ethical altruism, the belief that one ought to live for others, and is contrasted with utilitarianism, which is objective. Egoism is subjective, meaning that its implications and conclusions change from person to person and nothing is objectively ethical. This is interesting considering that some of the most vocal proponents of ethical egoism are so-called Objectivists.[2]

Egoism is very appealing to some because it philosophically justifies selfishness, even at the expense of others, and therefore reduces feelings of guilt after acting like a heartless jerk. Also, being a jerk is their moral equivalent of being nice and vice versa.

Ethical egoism is seen as arbitrary because it values the selfish individual more than other people and there are no objective grounds for this. Similarly racism values one race more than others arbitrarily.[1]

Contrary to many strawmen arguments, egoism does not mean that you should never act in the interest of another, even if it does not benefit you. Instead, it is acting to benefit yourself, regardless of whether it harms or benefits another. Another way of saying this is that intentions are always selfish. Results may vary, whether they are good for others or not. This is because those who selfishly refuse to help others later find others will not return favours since they received none. If some misfortune arises and the egoist now needs the unselfish help of another, and if everyone is a consistent egoist, the egoist may or may not get the help he needs. So in the interests of self-interest, an egoist must act altruistically, at least sometimes, even if intentions are only about personal gain, thus why it is a relativistic philosophy. There are three types of egoism: universal (everybody should act for their own self-benefit), personal (the egoist is an egoist, but other people can be altruistic or utilitarian), and individual (everybody acts for one individual's self-benefit, which is completely unrealistic).

Alternatively, many egoists are also Individualists, like Stirner and Nietzsche, who would say that those that require the help of others do not deserve the help of others.[3] Incidentally normal people who are not sociopaths would likely lose self respect and become less happy if they only helped others at such times[4] Ethical egoism, like all exclusively subjective philosophies, is prone to constant self-contradiction because it supports all individuals' self interests. It also can lead to conclusions such as choosing not to intervene in a crime against another. Egoists have difficulty caring about anything that does not deal with themselves, which is one reason why ethical egoism is so impractical for people who are very aware of the world. The very legitimacy of the theory is often called into question because it prevents its own adherents from taking reasonable stances on major political and social issues and cannot in itself solve these issues, without resorting to popular choice.[3]

Ethical egoism - RationalWiki

Bitmain Fires Entire Bitcoin Cash Development Team: Report

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Things appear to be far from well with Bitcoin Mining firm Bitmain as several reports indicate another round of employee layoffs at the firm. This news follows reports that the companys IPO is also dead in the water after rumors of Q3 losses running into over $700 million.

According to Blockstream CSO, Samson Mow, there are rumors swirling that the mining giant laid off its entire Copernicus team. Mow cited posts from Chinese LinkedIn published by company employees. The Copernicus team was responsible for developing the Bitcoin Cash GO client for Bitmain.

In another report, other messages indicate a far more extensive labor cutback, which could target up to half of Bitmains entire workforce. Earlier in the month, Bitcoinistreportedthat the company closed down its research division in Israel. More than 20 employees lost their jobs after the move.

Bitmain bet on Bitcoin Cash 00, a move that now appears to have backfired leading to severe losses for the company. Rumors of massive Q3 2018 losses are also castinghuge doubtsover the company financials and will likely stonewall its IPO plans.

The second half of 2018 has turned out to be a challenging one for the company. From the massive fall in BCH prices to the Bitcoin Cash hash wars, Bitmainsbitcoin mining industry monopoly could be in jeopardy.

Recently, US IT firm UnitedCorp sued Bitmain along with Kraken, Bitcoin.com, and Roger Ver for allegedly manipulating the BCH network.

Bitmain is only the latest in a series of mass layoffs in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology industry. Earlier this month, Consensys fired 100 of its employees (about 10 percent of its entire staff strength) as Ethereum price 00 plummeted from an all-time high of $1,400 in January to as low as $83 in early December. Reports even indicate that the company isnt through with its downsizing.

Others like Steemit and Ethereum mobile dApp maker Status have also significantly reduced their workforce in the past months. For many of these startups, the reason for their downsizing is directly tied to the dramatic fall in cryptocurrency prices with many experiencing drop of over 90 percent.

Oddly enough, despite the increasing layoffs, the latest figures showthat talent is still very much in demand in the space. A recent Glassdoor survey found that job openings in the cryptocurrency industry are at an 18-month high.

What do you think the situation at Bitmain reveals about the state of similar companies in the cryptocurrency scene at the moment? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Image courtesy ofTwitter (@DoveyWan and @Excellion), Shutterstock

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Bitmain Fires Entire Bitcoin Cash Development Team: Report

Save 40% on Post Human W.A.R on Steam

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Post Human W.A.R is a turn-based, tactical and psychological strategy game.

At the dawn of our third millennium, mankind went extinct, leaving behind a deeply affected planet Earth. Ferocious mutated animals, household robots converted for warfare, and inventive monkeys in tracksuits battle it out to decide the fate of the human heritage.

At the beginning of a battle, each player composes an army and selects one secret unit among them: the Champion. The first player to kill the opposing Champion wins the game. Youre free to pick between frail or strong, flying or not, melee or ranged unit, as well as either keeping it behind your lines or exposing it to trick the enemy To each their own strategy! Youll have to read your enemys moves and avoid their bluffs to find the Champion and get rid of it... before it gets yours!

Form your armies and set off on an adventure through solo campaigns, or face off against players online. Experience a purely strategy-oriented gameplay with nothing left to chance, and filled with tactical challenges, bluffs and absurd humor.

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Save 40% on Post Human W.A.R on Steam

Washington May Become the First State to Legalize Human Composting

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

A man holds compost which someday may contain human remains

Death Reimagined

Grandma is in the garden. No, literally.

There’s something beautiful in deciding how one’s final moments should be confined to the memory of our loved ones. Advances in technology and changing mindsets seem to have people wondering why a coffin in the ground should have to be the only option of final resting place. Residents in Washington state have a brand new vision of returning to the Earth. Now a bill being sponsored in the state’s legislature could see Washington become the first state to legalize human composting.

A Tree of Me

The bill, backed by state Senator Jamie Pedersen, would allow for the “recomposition” of human remains, a process which speeds up decomposition and turns remains into a nutrient-packed soil which could be returned to families.

“People from all over the state who wrote to me are very excited about the prospect of becoming a tree or having a different alternative for themselves,” Pedersen told NBCnews.

Although “becoming a tree” and other futuristic burial ideas aren’t entirely new concepts, Washington would become the first state to allow human composting if the bill is passed. The idea isn’t just futuristic, it’s also economical. More and more Americans are turning to crowdfunding to support funeral costs, with the average funeral costing more than $7,000 in 2017, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The recomposition process in comparison is somewhat cheaper with costs expected to fall around $5,500.

Safety First

The process is very similar to traditional composting. Unembalmed human remains are placed in a composting chamber and left to decompose with organic material like woodchips or straw. Air is occasionally pulled into the chamber to help microbes speed up decomposition and in about one month all that remains is a cubic yard of compost.

A five-month study, in which six donor bodies were decomposed, was led by researcher Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Associate Professor of Sustainable and Organic Agriculture at Washington State. The study was carefully controlled to prevent spreading any harmful pathogens, a concern which led to the defeat of a similar bill sponsored by Pederson in 2017.

Carpenter-Boggs’ study concluded in August that the remains produced were safe and she plans to submit her research for publication in 2019. If the bill passes, it would take effect May 1, 2020. Until then, we can keep dreaming of “becoming trees” but Pederson’s bill could open doors to new burial alternatives and ways we can choose to have our memory honored.

More on Burial Alternatives: 7 Futuristic Things To Do With Your Body When You Die

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Washington May Become the First State to Legalize Human Composting

NASA Clears “Dream Chaser” Space Cargo Plane For Full-Scale Production

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft has been cleared by NASA for full-scale production

Space Plane

Watch out space, there’s a new commercial cargo carrier entering the race.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has been given the go ahead from NASA to begin full-scale production of it’s “Dream Chaser” commercial space cargo plane. Scheduled to make its first mission in 2020, the company announced on December 18 that it had cleared the last milestone in its Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract. Now the company is able to move ahead with the full-scale production of the carrier which will be used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

T-minus 2 Years

The Dream Chaser was originally conceptualized for NASA’s commercial crew program but ultimately sidelined by NASA in favor of designs from Boeing and SpaceX. A redesigned version of the original Dream Chaser, the cargo version includes fold-able wings and is capable of carrying 5,500 kilograms (approximately 12125 lbs) of cargo to the International Space Station and return 1,850 kilograms (approximately 4078 lbs) to Earth in a runway landing.

SNC was one of three companies, alongside SpaceX and Orbital ATK (now Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems), to receive a commercial cargo contract from NASA in 2016. The contract guarantees each corporation at least six missions to the ISS.

Various components of the full-scale Dream Chaser have already been produced and tested. At a conference last October, Steve Lindsey, Steve Lindsey, Vice President for Space Exploration Systems at SNC said he expected to be “the majority of the way through” assembly and testing of the first Dream Chaser by next October.

Commercial Space Race

High launch costs are one of the most limiting factors in commercial space operations. Increased competition between corporations is helping to reduce the cost of launches opening new doors for smaller companies.

“When those launch vehicle prices come down — which, by the way, is about 80 percent of our costs on every mission we fly — that opens up the commercial market,” said Lindsey. As both competition and innovation increase, companies will face new pressure to stake their claim among the stars.

More on Dream Chaser: United Nations Set To Launch Its First Ever Space Mission for 2021

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NASA Clears “Dream Chaser” Space Cargo Plane For Full-Scale Production

Rerouting Nerves During Amputation May Reduce Phantom Limb Pain

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Nerve cells could be rerouted to help prevent phantom limb pain

Begone Ghost

If you’ve never had to feel pain in a limb you no longer have, consider yourself lucky.

“Phantom limb pain” is a sensation of pain and muscle tension in a limb which isn’t actually attached to the body anymore. Roughly 60% to 80% of amputees feel some sort of phantom limb pain after their procedure. The effects, beyond being painful, can be outright debilitating for some people.

Now, doctors from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have discovered that a procedure originally meant to help with advanced prosthetic devices may also reduce or prevent phantom limb pain entirely.

Un-Nerving

Primary targeted muscle reinnervation or TMR, the process of rerouting nerves cut by amputation into surrounding muscle, was originally developed to help patients have better control of upper-limb prosthetics. Normally the procedure is performed month or even years after an initial amputation. By performing TMR at the time of amputation, however, doctors can tie up loose ends (so to speak) helping to prevent pain.

Over the course of three years, surgeons performed 22 TMR surgeries on below-the-knee amputees. None of the patients have developed neuromas, or pinched nerves, and six months later only 13 percent of patients reported having pain.

Attaching severed nerves “allows the body to re-establish its neural circuitry. This alleviates phantom and residual limb pain by giving those severed nerves somewhere to go and something to do,” said Dr. Ian Valerio, division chief of Burn, Wound and Trauma in Ohio State’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Sweet Relief

By making TMR surgery a normal part of amputation procedures, doctors may be able to prevent a lifetime of pain for patients and later enable them to have more precise control over prosthetic limbs. In the United States alone there are approximately 185,000 amputations annually, according the Amputee Coalition. Developments, like those made by Valerio and team, will go a long way toward helping new amputees and those who use advanced prosthetic devices.

More on Advanced Prosthetics: Electronic Skin Lets Amputees Feel Pain Through Their Prosthetics

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Rerouting Nerves During Amputation May Reduce Phantom Limb Pain

Crossroads Resource Center Finding Food in Farm Country

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Alabama

Central Alabama Region (3 counties, 2012). Partner: Central Alabama Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC). Data Summary

North Alabama (11 counties, 2011). Partner: Food Bank of North Alabama. Data Summary

Santa Rosa County Region (Florida and Alabama)(5 counties, 2006). Partner: Team Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa County Economic Development). Data Summary

Building Food Security in Alaska (entire state, 2014). By Ken Meter and Megan Phillips Goldenberg. Statewide study commissioned by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Report

Fairbanks Region (3 counties, 2013). Partner: Partner: University of AlaskaFairbanks. Data Summary

Potential Infrastructure Investments for Alaska-Grown Food (entire state, 2018). By Ken Meter and Megan Phillips Goldenberg. Prepared for the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Food Policy Council for implementing our 2014 Alaska food system assessment. Report

Coconino County (July, 2006). Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments. Data Summary

Maricopa County (2018). Building Community Connections Through Community Foods. Meter, K.; Goldenberg, M.P.; & Ross P. Prepared for Maricopa County Food Systems Council by Crossroads Resource Center.

Navajo County (July, 2006). Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments. Data Summary

Southern Arizona (5 counties, 2011). Partners: Community Food Bank of Tucson and Pima County Food System Alliance. Data Summary

Yavapai County (July, 2006). Partner: Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments. Data Summary

Arkansas Farm & Food Economy (2015). Partner: Heifer Project International. (Still to be released)

ArkLaTex Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, 2016). Partners: Slow Food North Louisiana and We Grow Together! Local Food & Farm Economy and Strategic Recommendations

Eastern Arkansas (8 counties, 2012). Partners: East Arkansas Enterprise Community & Heifer Project International. Data Summary

State of Arkansas (March, 2011). Partner: Heifer Project International. Data Summary

State of California, Sacramento metro area and Ventura County(2005). Partners: Roots of Change Vivid Picture Project, Ecotrust. Data Summary

Central Coast (2004) Results summarized in Finding Food in Farm Country. Partner: Community Alliance with Family Farms. Data Summary

Mendocino County (1 county, 2010). Partner: North Coast Opportunities, Inc. & Mendocino County Community Health Services Susan Sher. Data Summary

Mount Shasta / Mount Lassen Region (6 counties, 2012). Partner: California Center for Cooperative Development. Data Summary

Sacramento Metro (2004). Partner: Vivid Picture Project. Data Summary

Ventura County (1 county, 2004). Partner: Vivid Picture Project. Data Summary

Coeur dAlene Reservation Local Farm and Food Economy (1 tribal community and 2 counties, 2017).Partner: Benewah Medical and Wellness Center. Data Summary

Adams County, Colorado (2016). Partners: Logan Simpson Design Firm, Two Forks Collective, City of Brighton & County of Adams. Market Study for Adams County Special Ag District. District Plan

Boulder County (1 county, 2009). Partners: Boulder County, Colorado State University Extension. Data Summary

Denver Metropolitan Region (7 counties, 2008). Partner: Civic Results & Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission. Data Summary

Montezuma County (1 county, 2013). Partner: LiveWell Montezuma. Data Summary

San Luis Valley (2018). Three Potential Value-Added Opportunities for the San Luis Valley. Meter, K., Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the Adams State University Value-Added Committee Alamosa, Colorado.

San Luis Valley Region (6 counties, 2013). Partner: San Luis Valley partners. Data Summary

Santa Rosa County Region (Florida and Alabama) (5 counties, 2006). Partner: Team Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa County economic development). Data Summary

SarasotaCounty (1 county, 2006). Partner: Sarasota County Government. Data Summary

Atlanta Metro Region (28 counties, 2008). Partner: Emory University & Georgia Organics. Data Summary

State of Hawaii 2017). Partners: Hawaii State Department of Health, The Kohala Center, The Food Basket, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Blue Zones Project. Comprehensive food system assessment focused on low-income food access. Hawaii Food for All

Hawaii(2003). Finding Food in Farm Country. Data Summary

Maui (2003). Partner: Maui Land & Pine. PowerPoints (2)

State of Hawaii (2003). Partner: Maui Land & Pine. PowerPoints (2)

Coeur dAlene Reservation Local Farm and Food Economy (1 tribal community and 2 counties, 2017). Partner: Benewah Medical and Wellness Center. Data Summary

Greater Treasure Valley region (Idaho & Oregon) (9 counties, 2010). Partner: Treasure Valley Food Coalition & Treasure Valley Food Network. Data Summary

Nez Perce Tribe Food Sovereignty Assessment (1 tribal community and 4 Idaho counties, 2018). Partner: Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development. Nimiipuu (Nez Perce Tribe) Food Sovereignty Assessment

Central Illinois (32 counties, 2011). Partner: Edible Economy Project. Data Summary

Sangamon Region (9 counties, 2010). Partner: Illinois Stewardship Alliance. Data Summary

Southern Illinois (23 counties, 2012). Partners: FoodWorks, Connect Southern Illinois. Data Summary

Columbus Region 2015 (2 counties, 2015). Partner: Columbus Regional Health. Data Summary

Columbus Region (2 counties, 2013). Partner: Columbus Regional Health. Data Summary

Elkhart Region (8 counties, 2014). Partner: Elkhart County Foodshed Initiative. With funding from Goshen Hospital Health Care Foundation. Data Summary

Hancock County, Indiana (2015). Partners: Hoosier Harvest Market and the Indiana State Department of Health. Opportunities for Farm-to-School in Hancock County, Indiana

Northeast Indiana (2016). Partners: Manheim Solutions, Inc., and Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. Northeast Indiana Local Food Network Phase 1 Report

Southwest Indiana (7 counties, 2013). Partner: Welborn Baptist Foundation (Evansville). Snapshots of the Southwest Indiana farm & food economy. Interviews with food system leaders

Southwest Indiana (7 counties, 2013). Partner: Welborn Baptist Foundation (Evansville). Farm and Food economy report. Data Summary

State of Indiana (2012). Partner: Indiana State Department of Health. Hoosier Farmer? Emergent Food Systems in Indiana (2012)

Black Hawk region(8 counties, 2005). Partners: University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Local Foods Project Annual Meeting & Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Data Summary

Des Moines Region (6 counties, 2012). Partners: Food & You; Polk County Health Department. Data Summary

Fairfield (2007). Partner: Pathfinders RC&D. Data Summary

Golden Hills RC&D region (Southwest Iowa) (8 counties, 2006). Partners: Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Data Summary

Iowa Valley RC&D region (East Central Iowa) (6 counties, 2007). Partners: Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, Northwest Area Foundation. Data Summary

Marshall County (1 county, 2009). Partner: Prairie Rivers RC&D, Marshalltown Community College and COMIDA. Data Summary

Northeast region(2004) Partners: GROWN Locally, Northeast Iowa Farm and Food Coalition, Iowa State University Extension, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, Oneota Coop. No Data Summary published contact CRC or NIFFC for more information.

Pathfinders RC&D region (Southeast Iowa) (6 counties, 2007). Partners: Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Data Summary

Prairie Rivers RC&D region (Central Iowa) (6 counties, 2006). Partners: Prairie Rivers Resource Conservation and Development District, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Data Summary

Story County (1 county, 2010). Partner: Story County. Data Summary

Woodbury County(1 county, 2005). Partner: Woodbury County Organic Growers Conference, Woodbury County Rural Economic Development, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Data Summary

Wright County(2004) Partner: Heres 2 Our Health, Aldo Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, ALCES Foundation. No Data Summary published contact CRC or H2OH for more information.

Wright County and Northeast Iowa (2004). Results summarized in Finding Food in Farm Country. Data Summary

Kaw River Valley (2008). Partner: Kansas Rural Center, Kansas State University, The Merc Co-op. Data Summary

Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (1 county, 2017). Partners: Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas; Healthy Communities Wyandotte. Kansas City Kansas Healthy Food System Assessment

ArkLaTex Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, 2016). Partners: Slow Food North Louisiana and We Grow Together! Local Food & Farm Economy and Strategic Recommendations

Central Louisiana (9 parishes, 2013). Partner: Central Louisiana Economic Development Association. PowerPoint Presentation

Demand Survey For Community Foods with Strategies for Low-Income Access (10 parishes, 2018).Prepared for the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. Report

Building Support for Community-Based Foods in the Lakes Region of Maine (2 counties, 2016). Partners: Town of Bridgton and County of Cumberland. Report

City of Auburn (1 County) (2018). Auburns Agricultural and Resource Protection Zoning (AGRP): Consultant Recommendations. Meter, K. & Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the City of Auburn, Maine, by Crossroads Resource Center. Auburns Local Economy: Agriculture, Forestry, and Housing . Meter, K. & Goldenberg, M.P. Prepared for the City of Auburn, Maine, by Crossroads Resource Center.

Lewiston + Auburn Region (Maine, 2015). Partners: Karp Resources and Grow L+A. Lewiston-Auburn Regional Food Hub Feasibility Study

Province of Manitoba (2009). Partner: Food Matters Manitoba (formerly Manitoba Food Charter). Data Summary

East Chesapeake Bay region (Maryland & Virginia)(7 counties, October, 2007). Partner: Food and Water Watch, East Chesapeake farmers. Data Summary

East Michigan Region (14 counties, 2012). Partner: East Michigan Council of Governments. Data Summary

Elkhart Region (8 counties, 2014). Partner: Partner: Elkhart County Foodshed Initiative. With funding from Goshen Hospital Health Care Foundation. Data Summary

Genesee County (1 county, 2009). Partner: Ruth Mott Foundation. Data Summary

Upper Peninsula (15 counties, 2013). Partner: U.P. Food Exchange. Data Summary

Central Upper Peninsula (6 counties, 2013). Partner: U.P. Food Exchange. Data Summary

Eastern Upper Peninsula (3 counties, 2013). Partner: U.P. Food Exchange. Data Summary

Western Upper Peninsula (6 counties, 2013). Partner: U.P. Food Exchange. Data Summary

State of Minnesota (2009). Partner: Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Prevention. Full Report

Northwest region(13 counties, 2005). Partners: Northwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, University of Minnesota. Data Summary

Scott County (1 county, 2009). Partner: Scott County. Data Summary

Southeast Minnesota regionI (Original Finding Food in Farm Country study, 2001). Partners: Experiment in Rural Cooperation, Community Design Center, & University of Minnesota. Full Report

Southeast Minnesota region II (15 counties, 2007new study with expanded region). Partners: Experiment in Rural Cooperation, University of Minnesota. Data Summary

West Central region(12 counties, 2005). Partners: West Central Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, University of Minnesota. Data Summary

Western Minnesota (10 counties 2008). Partner: Land Stewardship Project. Data Summary

Finding Food in Farm Country: Findings inSoutheast Minnesota(2001), Northwest Minnesota (2005), and West Central Minnesota (2005). Data Summary

An Overview of Mississippis Farm & Food Economy (Statewide 2014). Partner: Mississippi Food Policy Council, with funding from Winrock International. Full Report

Mississippi Delta (18 counties, 2011). Partner: Delta Fresh Food Initiative. Data Summary

Eastern Montana (2011). Partners: Community GATE & Montana Farmers Union. Data Summary

Expanded Golden Triangle (11 counties, 2017). Partners: Montana Cooperative Development Center, Montana Farmers Union, Farmers Union International. Expanded Golden Triangle (Montana) Potential Community Foods Collaborative

Golden Triangle region (2011). Partner: Montana Farmers Union. Data Summary

Southeast of Golden Triangle region (2011). Partner: Montana Farmers Union. Data Summary

Southwest Montana (7 counties, 2012). Partner: Headwaters RC&D. Data Summary

Western Montana (5 counties, 2011). Partners: Lake County Community Development Corporation, High Stakes Foundation, Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Nourish the Flathead, Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, New West. Data Summary

State of Nebraska (2010). Partner: No More Empty Pots. Data Summary

Great Falls region (New Hampshire & Vermont) (4 counties, 2010). Partner: Great Falls Food Hub. Data Summary

State of New Mexico (2007). Partner: New Mexico Acequia Association.

Arid Lowlands & Lower Rio Grande (11 counties, 2009). Partner: New Mexico Bioneers. Data Summary

Crossroads Resource Center Finding Food in Farm Country

Ethereum Price Analysis: ETH Corrects Sharply, Can It Hold …

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Key Highlights

Ethereum price corrected sharply lower after trading to new weekly highs against the US Dollar and bitcoin. ETH/USD must stay above 100 SMA to bounce back.

Yesterday, we discussed a possible upward move above $150 in ETH price against the US Dollar. The ETH/USD pair gained traction and broke the $150 and $154 resistance levels. A new weekly high was formed at $159 and later the price corrected lower sharply. It broke the $150 and $145 support levels to enter a short term bearish zone. Besides, there was a break below the 50% Fib retracement level of the last move from the $124 low to $159 high.

More importantly, yesterdays highlighted key bullish trend line was breached with support at $141 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The pair even broke the $135 and $132 support levels and traded towards the 100 hourly simple moving average. If there is a downside break below the $124 low and the 100 SMA, there could be more declines. The next stop for sellers could be $116. It represents the 1.236 Fib extension level of the last move from the $124 low to $159 high. On the upside, the price is likely to face resistance near the $132 level, above which it could test $140.

Looking at the chart, ETH price clearly trimmed gains sharply from $159-160. It seems like buyers gave up around $160 and sellers took control. Therefore, there could be another push lower to fill orders near $116 or even $108.

Hourly MACD The MACD is back in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI The RSI moved sharply below the 50 level.

Major Support Level $124

Major Resistance Level $140

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Ethereum Price Analysis: ETH Corrects Sharply, Can It Hold ...

Part 1: Ethereum vs NEO Which blockchain will provide …

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Danzig

Ethereum (ETH) and NEO are two major cryptocurrency platforms that allow developers to build and deploy automated business logic via smart contracts and enterprise-level decentralized applications (dApps). Both these platforms have been implemented using blockchain technology and can be used to launch initial coin offerings (ICOs).

In this introductory article, we will go over briefly when and by whom both the Ethereum and NEO projects were launched; the type of network consensus mechanism and tokens each of them use; the different types of smart contract development environments they provide; and other details regarding their network management. In future posts on this topic, readers can expect to learn more about how both NEO and Ethereum plan to scale their networks and the business and regulatory activities associated with both projects.

Proposed in late 2013 by Russian-Canadian programmer and writer, Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum is an open-source, public blockchain network which provides a decentralized virtual machine (EVM) that is used to execute scripts on its network of public nodes.

Meanwhile, the NEO project was initially launched by Shanghai University graduate and developer Erik Zhang and self-taught computer programmer, Da Hongfei as AntShares in 2014, before rebranding in June 2017 to its current name. NEO, like Ethereum, is also open-source and computationally universal or in other words, Turing Complete.

What this means is that both NEOs and Ethereums instruction sets are expressive enough to be considered in the same category as higher-level programming languages (such as C, C#, Java). Ethereum developers are able to program smart contracts using Solidity (a language that is somewhat similar to C and JavaScript), LLL (a functional programming language similar to LISP), and two deprecated languages: Serpent (similar to Python) and Mutan (based on the Go language designed by Googles engineers).

NEO, on the other hand, supports more commonly used languages including Java, Go, C#, Python, and Javascript. The NEO blockchain network uses a special version of Docker (a software program that creates a virtual instance of an operating system) called NeoVM that compiles computer code which then runs in a secure executable environment.

NEO uses the delegated Byzantine Fault Tolerant (dBFT) consensus mechanism which its developers claim is an improved version of proof-of-stake (PoS). At present, Ethereum is using the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm, however, the platforms development team plans to eventually shift to PoS as part of the ongoing scaling efforts for the Ethereum network

Proponents of the dBFT algorithm argue that its a superior consensus protocol because it is hard fork proof. Moreover, dBFTs advocates claim that it provides better finality (of transactions), which means that once a set of transfers have been confirmed, their associated block cannot be split. Therefore, all transactions processed on NEOs network cannot be rolled back.

Currently, the Ethereum network is arguably more prone to hard forks, with one occurring after the DAO attack. The DAO, which stands for Distributed Autonomous Organization (DAO), was created in 2016 by Ethereums developers and it was meant to be a decentralized venture capital fund for crypto-related projects. During the DAOs creation period, it raised an unexpected 12.7 million Ether, an amount worth $250 million at that time. In June 2016, a hacker discovered a vulnerability in the DAOs codebase, which allowed him to steal about 3.6 million ETH (approximately $70 million) from the DAO account.

Because of this incident, the Ethereum community was split into two groups: one wanting to hard fork the original Ethereum chain, which has now resulted in what we refer to as Ethereum (ETH), and the other network is called Ethereum Classic (ETC). The ETC chain exists today because certain members of the Ethereum community are seemingly more firm in their belief of the principle that blockchains must be immutable. This, they claim, is why they chose to stick to the same version of the Ethereum chain even after its state was said to be corrupted by the DAO attack.

Transactions on the NEO network can be conducted by using two different tokens: NEO and GAS. The maximum circulating supply of these tokens has been fixed at 100 million each. Owning indivisible NEO tokens is equivalent to what may be considered shares in traditional markets, and their holders are entitled to voting rights.

So, those who have a stake in NEO may vote on key decisions regarding the platforms ongoing development. The blockchain-based crypto networks other token, GAS, is distributed as a type of reward (or dividends) to NEO investors.

Ethereums divisible (up to 18 decimal places) native token, Ether (ETH), is used to conduct transactions on its blockchain-based network. When the Ethereum mainnet went live in late July 2015, 72 million Ether tokens had been premined which accounts for roughly 70% of total ETH in circulation, as over 28 million ETH have been created since the platforms launch. The relatively large number of ETH that has been issued has raised some concerns about whether the token will be sufficiently scarce to preserve long-term value.

Notably, the term or word Gas is also used on the Ethereum network but refers to an entirely different process (compared to NEO). Gas on Ethereum serves as an internal transaction pricing mechanism, which is used to help reduce spam on the blockchain and also to allocate resources to the networks nodes.

One of the main things that sets NEO apart from many other blockchain networks is that it focuses on complying with regulations. Although both Ethereum and NEO allow users to issue digital assets, the latter requires its network participants (individuals or organizations) to verify their identities. After NEO network users have been verified, they are assigned a unique digital identity.

In order for parties to conduct transactions on NEOs network, their identities must first be properly verified. Moreover, nodes looking to validate transactions, or engage in other activities such as bookkeeping or accounting on NEOs blockchain must also pass an identity check.

As mentioned, in future posts on Ethereum vs NEO, we will carefully examine the scaling and ongoing development efforts of both platforms. We will also look into the businesses that are associated with both projects, and challenges each blockchain network is currently facing.

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Part 1: Ethereum vs NEO Which blockchain will provide ...

Benefits of cloud computing | IBM Cloud

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Danzig

If you are considering adopting cloud technologies and practices, you will receive a ton of different guidance about the benefits you might see.

Infrastructure and workloads

Many companies position the low initial costs and pay-as-you-go attributes as a very significant cost savings. Theyll note the considerable cost of building and operating data centers and argue for avoiding that to save money. Numbers can get astronomical depending on how you calculate them.

SaaS and cloud dev platforms

A software-as-a-service provider may discuss the savings from paying for application access versus purchasing off-the-shelf software. Software providers will add those "cloud attribute" benefits to the specifics of their software. Recently, there has been more discussion regarding the savings that cloud-based platforms can offer developers.

Speed and productivity

How much is it worth to your business if you can get a new application up and running in 30 hours rather than six to nine months? Likewise, the generic "staff productivity" doesn't do justice to the capabilities that cloud dashboards, real-time statistics and active analytics can bring to reducing administration burden. How much does a person hour cost your company?

Risk exposure

I like to think of this simply. What is the impact if you are wrong?

When the negative impact to trying new things is low, meaning that the risk is low, you will try many more things. The more you attempt, the more successes you will have.

If you asked me how to benefit from adopting cloud services, my first question would be, "Which services?" Every user and every organization is going to get a different set of benefits. The most important thing I can suggest is to think across the spectrum. Evaluate the potential savings, but also think about the soft benefits: improved productivity, more speed and lowered risk.

As hockey great Wayne Gretzky observed, you will miss 100 percent of the shots that you dont take. How much of a benefit is it to take your shot?

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Benefits of cloud computing | IBM Cloud

Colonial Germ Warfare : The Colonial Williamsburg Official …

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Danzig

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by Harold B. Gill Jr.

Sir Reginald Bacon, The Life of Lord Fisherof Kilverstone, Admiral of the Fleet

British Captain Simeon Ecuyer, portrayed by Ken Treese,second from right, offered blankets infected with smallpox to the Indiansbesieging Fort Pitt. From left, interpreters ChristopherJones, Ted Boscana, Treese, and Patrick Andrews.

When armies get into desperate situations, the usual"civilized" rules of warfare often are thrown out the window. In the 1520sMachiavelli wrote: "When it is absolutely a question of the safety of one'scountry, there must be no consideration of just or unjust, of merciful orcruel, of praiseworthy or disgraceful; instead, setting aside every scruple,one must follow to the utmost any plan that will save her life and keep herliberty."

During Pontiac's uprising in 1763,the Indians besieged Fort Pitt. They burned nearby houses, forcing the inhabitantsto take refuge in the well-protected fort. The British officer in charge,Captain Simeon Ecuyer, reported to Colonel Henry Bouquet in Philadelphia thathe feared the crowded conditions would result in disease. Smallpox had alreadybroken out. On June 24, 1763, William Trent, a local trader, recorded in hisjournal that two Indian chiefs had visited the fort, urging the British toabandon the fight, but the British refused. Instead, when the Indians wereready to leave, Trent wrote: "Out of our regard for them, we gave them twoBlankets and an Handkerchief out of the Small Pox Hospital. I hope it will havethe desired effect."

English translation of Grotius on peace and war.

It is not known who conceived theplan, but there's no doubt it met with the approval of the British military inAmerica and may have been common practice. Sir Jeffery Amherst, commander ofBritish forces in North America, wrote July 7, 1763, probably unaware of theevents at Fort Pitt: "Could it not be contrived to Send the Small Pox among those Disaffected Tribes of Indians? We must,on this occasion, Use Every Stratagem in our power to Reduce them." He orderedthe extirpation of the Indians and said no prisoners should be taken. About aweek later, he wrote to Bouquet: "You will Do well to try to Innoculate theIndians by means of Blanketts as well as to try Every other method that canserve to Extirpate this Execrable Race."

Though a connection cannot beproven, a smallpox epidemic erupted in the Ohio Valley that may have been theresult of the distribution of the infected articles at Fort Pitt. Whatever itsorigins, the outbreak devastated the Indians. Such tactics appear atrocious andbarbaric to modern readers, but at the time anything was alright to use against"savages." Nor was all-out war foreign to the Indians. During Pontiac'sRebellion the Indian warriors killed about 2,000 civilian settlers and about400 soldiers. They, too, tried to "extirpate" the enemy.

The Fort Pitt incident is the best documented case ofdeliberately spreading smallpox among unsuspecting populations, but it likelywas not the first time such a stratagem was employed by military forces. Itappears that Ecuyer and Amherst proposed the same idea independently at aboutthe same time, suggesting that the practice was not unusual.

Attempts to spread sickness anddisease among enemy forces has a long history. The ancient Assyrians poisonedtheir enemy's water supply, and ancient Greeks poisoned the water supply oftheir enemy with the herb hellebore, which caused violent diarrhea. In 1340attackers used a catapult to throw dead animals over the walls of the castle ofThun L'Evque, causing such a stink that the air was so unendurable thedefenders negotiated a truce.

Engraving of Benjamin West's portrait of Henry Bouquet. - Beinecke Library, Yale

Sir Jeffrey Amherst, shown here in Joseph Blackburn's 1758painting, suggested Bouquet infect the Indians with smallpox. -Mead Gallery, Amherst

In Virginia Dr. John Pott, thephysician at Jamestown, was said to have poisoned Indians in 1623, during around of retaliation for a Powhatan uprising in which 350 English died. On May22, Captain William Tucker with twelve men went to the Potomac River to securethe release of English prisoners held by Indians. When the party arrived, itinvited the Indians' leader and his men to conclude a treaty of peace with adrink or two of sack that Pott had prepared for the occasion. The Indiansdemanded that the English interpreter take the first drink, which he did, butout of a different container. Afterward a group of Indians, including twochiefs, were walking with an English interpreter. At a given signal theinterpreter dropped to the ground and the English discharged a volley of shotinto his Indian companions. The English said that about 200 savages died ofpoison and fifty from wounds. The colonists had invited the Indian leaderOpechancanough, the mastermind of the uprising, to attend the party and weredisappointed by not finding him among the dead.

Some people had reservations aboutusing such tactics, even against savages. It was reported that Pott was "verymuch blamed" for his actions.

By the seventeenth century European military leaders werebecoming conscious of ethics in warfare, and rules to follow in "civilized war"were slowly being developed. Hugo Grotius published his codification ofaccepted rules of war in 1625. Grotius departed from the classical view, anddid not regard the entire population of the antagonist state as the enemy andsubject to enslavement or extermination. Other writers were making attempts tobetter define "enemy." Some thought distinction should be made between thosewho were part of the military force and those who were not.

The next significant work on therules of war was Emmerich de Vattel's Law of Nations, published in 1758. De Vattel thought "the enemy maybe deprived of his property and of whatever may add to his strength and put himin a position to make war," and further, "a belligerent lays waste to a countryand destroys food and provender in order that the enemy may not be able tosubsist there...Such measures are taken in order to attain the object ofthe war, but they should be used with moderation and only when necessary."

Grotius and de Vattel thoughtwomen and children, as well as the elderly and infirm, should not be consideredthe "enemy." They thought it was an improper practice to use poison weapons andto contaminate drinking water. Neither specifically condemned the intentionalspread of disease among the enemy, most likely because, with the exception ofsmallpox and syphilis, it was not known how diseases spread. What impact thesewriters and other philosophers made on the military leaders is not known, butit appears that they were aware public opinion regarded it as immoral, and theyattempted to hide evidence that they engaged in spreading disease among theenemy.

There is no proof that anyone attempted to spread diseaseamong the enemy troops during the American Revolutionary War, but there is aplenitude of circumstantial evidence. Almost from the beginning, Americanssuspected the British were trying to infect their army with smallpox. Justbefore Virginia's last royal governor, Lord Dunmore, departed from his base atNorfolk in 1776, the Virginia Gazettereported that his lordship had infected two slaves who had joined his forcesand sent them ashore in order to spread smallpox, "but it was happilyprevented."

The Virginia Gazettereported the failed smallpox plot of Lord Dunmore.

Most British troops had beeninoculated or had had the smallpox and were immune. In Europe smallpox wasendemic, almost always present. Nearly everyone had been exposed to the diseasefrom an early age, so most of the adult population had antibodies thatprotected it.

Most American soldiers, on theother hand, were susceptible. Because of less dense population, Americans oftenreached adulthood without coming into contact with the smallpox virus, and hadno immunity. Some suffered inoculation, a procedure which usually produced amilder infection, but laid low the patient for days. George Washington faced adilemma. If he ordered the general inoculation of the army, that would put mostof his troops in the hospital at the same timea certain disaster if theBritish learned of it.

Washington tried to get around theproblem by ordering all new recruits who had not experienced the disease to beinoculated before they were sent to the main army. Hospitals were set up toundertake the work. Even with his precautions, at one time about one-third ofthe army was incapacitated with either the disease or the inoculation.

When the American siege of Bostonbegan in April 1775, smallpox was epidemic among civilians there. Most Britishsoldiers had been inoculated, and the British were inoculating those troops whohad not had the disease. Washington suspected some of the civilians leaving thecity had been inoculated in hopes of spreading the disease among theContinentals. In December deserters coming to the American lines said that"several persons are to be sent out of Boston, ...that have been inoculated with the small-pox" with the intentionof spreading the infection.

Washington's aide-de-camp thoughtthe report was an "unheard-of and diabolical scheme." Washington heard thestory with disbelief. He wrote that he could "hardly give Credit to" theinformation. A week later he told John Hancock:

Chad Chadwick, as the doctor, inoculates Mike Luzzi whileDan Moore on the ground, Jay Howlett on the bed, and Sonny Tyler against thewall suffer the effects of immunization.

The information I received that theenemy intended Spreading the Small pox amongst us, I coud not Suppose themCapable ofI now must give Some Credit to it, as it has made its appearance onSeverall of those who last came out of Boston.

A Boston physician said "that hehad effectually given the distemper among those people" who were leaving thecity. Rumors and suspicions of British efforts to spread disease in theAmerican troops were persistent throughout the war.

Smallpox played a role in thefailure of American forces to capture Quebec. It was rumored that General GuyCarleton, British commander in Quebec, sent infected people to the Americancamp. Thomas Jefferson was convinced the British were responsible for illnessin the lines. He later wrote: "I have been informed by officers who were on thespot, and whom I believe myself, that this disorder was sent into our armydesignedly by the commanding officer in Quebec." After the defeat at Quebec theAmerican troops gathered at Crown Point, where John Adams found their conditiondeplorable:

Our Army at Crown Point is an objectof wretchedness to fill a humane mind with horrour; disgraced, defeated,discontented, diseased, naked, undisciplined, eaten up with vermin; no clothes,beds, blankets, no medicines; no victuals, but salt pork and flour.

George Washington ordered the inoculation of American troopsto prevent infection by the British.

Inoculation produces a milder form of the disease, makingthe patient ill for several days. Interpreter Dan Moore is the sick soldier.

In most cases the evidence againstthe British is strong, if circumstantial, yet some evidence is quite explicit.When the British sent an expedition to Virginia in 1781, General AlexanderLeslie revealed to Cornwallis his plan to spread disease among the Americans.He said that "above 700 Negroes are come down the River with the Small Pox,"whom he proposed to distribute "about the Rebell Plantations." His motive wasclear, but it is not known if he carried out his plan.

It is evident that the British hadfew qualms about the tactic of infecting the general population as well as theenemy army with smallpox. In 1777 a British officer, Robert Donkin, publishedin New York a little book entitled Military Collections and Remarks. In a footnote he offered a suggestion:

Dip arrows in matter of smallpox,and twang them at the American rebels, in order to inoculate them; This wouldsooner disband these stubborn, ignorant, enthusiastic savages, than any othercompulsive measures. Such is their dread and fear of that disorder!

Elizabeth A. Fenn, professor of history at George WashingtonUniversity, writes in her article "Biological Warfare in Eighteenth-CenturyNorth America: Beyond Jeffery Amherst" that because the Americans were referredto as "savages" Dunkin believed any means was justified to exterminate them.Such attitudes were probably often talked of, but they were not the kind ofsuggestions that should be put in writing. Someone must have believed thatDonkin had gone too far. The footnote survives in three copies of the book. Inall others, it has been removed.

What are considered acceptable military tactics at one timemay not be acceptable to later generations. Eighteenth-century warfare wasincreasingly conducted by relatively compact armies with the result of lessloss and harassment of civilians. "Laws of war" were becoming more concernedwith the protection of noncombatants as well as unnecessary suffering ofmilitary personnel. By the end of the nineteenth century efforts were beingmade to prevent the horrors of chemical warfare.

The First Hague Peace Conferenceof 1899 issued a declaration prohibiting the use of poison and materialscausing unnecessary suffering. The Geneva Protocol adopted in 1925 prohibitedthe use in war of "asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases and of all analogousliquids, materials, and devices," as well as biological methods of warfare. TheGeneva Protocol has been accepted by most countries though not always followed.A German military maxim applies; roughly translated, it says: "To get out of adesperate situation, you have to bend the rules."

Consulting editor Harold Gill contributed to the autumn 2003journal an article on colonial divorce.

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America’s Secret War: Germs & Biological Weapons – Spies, Scientists (2001)

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Danzig

Biological warfare (BW)also known as germ warfareis the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war. About the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/068...

Biological weapons (often termed "bio-weapons", "biological threat agents", or "bio-agents") are living organisms or replicating entities (viruses, which are not universally considered "alive") that reproduce or replicate within their host victims. Entomological (insect) warfare is also considered a type of biological weapon. This type of warfare is distinct from nuclear warfare and chemical warfare, which together make up NBC, the military initialism for nuclear, biological, and chemical (warfare or weapons), all of which are considered "weapons of mass destruction" (WMDs). None of these fall under the term conventional weapons which are primarily effective due to their destructive potential.

Biological weapons may be employed in various ways to gain a strategic or tactical advantage over the enemy, either by threats or by actual deployments. Like some of the chemical weapons, biological weapons may also be useful as area denial weapons. These agents may be lethal or non-lethal, and may be targeted against a single individual, a group of people, or even an entire population. They may be developed, acquired, stockpiled or deployed by nation states or by non-national groups. In the latter case, or if a nation-state uses it clandestinely, it may also be considered bioterrorism.

There is an overlap between biological warfare and chemical warfare, as the use of toxins produced by living organisms is considered under the provisions of both the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Toxins and psychochemical weapons are often referred to as midspectrum agents. Unlike bioweapons, these midspectrum agents do not reproduce in their host and are typically characterized by shorter incubation periods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biologic...

The United States biological weapons program officially began in spring 1943 on orders from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Research continued following World War II as the U.S. built up a large stockpile of biological agents and weapons. Over the course of its 27 year history, the program weaponized and stockpiled the following seven bio-agents (and pursued basic research on many more): Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) Francisella tularensis (tularemia) Brucella spp (brucellosis) Coxiella burnetii (Q-fever) Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) Botulinum toxin (botulism) Staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Throughout its history, the U.S. bioweapons program was secret. It became controversial when it was later revealed that laboratory and field testing (some of the latter using simulants on non-consenting individuals) had been common. The official policy of the United States was first to deter the use of bio-weapons against U.S. forces and secondarily to retaliate if deterrence failed. There exists no evidence that the U.S. ever used biological agents against an enemy in the field (see below for alleged uses).

In 1969, President Richard Nixon ended all offensive (i.e., non-defensive) aspects of the U.S. bio-weapons program. In 1975 the U.S. ratified both the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)international treaties outlawing biological warfare. Recent U.S. biodefense programs, however, have raised concerns that the U.S. may be pursuing research that is outlawed by the BWC.

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