Monthly Archives: August 2017

New study into ‘smart drugs’ in the finance industry – Investment Magazine

Posted: August 4, 2017 at 1:23 pm

Anecdotal evidence suggests more people working in financial services are using smart drugs with the aim of boosting their professional performance. Real data is needed to understand this trend.

To that end, the Brain, Mind and Markets Laboratory at the University of Melbourne is conducting the first-ever survey of the use of smart drugs in the Australian financial services industry. The confidential and anonymous survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete online.

The research is being jointly led by Dr Carsten Murawski, Professor Peter Bossaerts and me. Murawski and Bossaerts established the Brain, Mind and Markets Laboratory in 2016 to bring together a multidisciplinary team to study financial decision-making and market behaviour.

Unique in the world, the lab brings together research in finance and economics, neuroscience and computer science to better understand not just what influences individuals to make decisions, but also how markets process information and how humans and computer algorithms influence each other in decision-making environments.

Smart drugs or nootropics refer to medications or substances used to try to improve cognitive functions. People taking them might be aiming to increase mental alertness and concentration, fight fatigue, focus attention, reduce anxiety and stress, or generally boost energy levels and wakefulness. The drugs the lab is interested in might be prescription-only medications such as Ritalin or Provigil, over-the-counter substances, such as caffeine and nicotine, or illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.

While there has been some scientific research performed in controlled conditions on how these substances influence basic cognitive tasks, these studies often show quite mixed results in terms of effects on cognition. Of further concern is that many professional industries (such as medicine and finance) require far more creative and multidimensional approaches to what are often computationally complex and intractable problems. It is still unknown if these drugs can help or hinder this kind of problem-solving.

There have been studies, both in Australia and internationally, that have surveyed the use of these drugs in populations such as university students, medical students and surgeons. However there has not yet been an investigation of their use in the highly competitive and diverse world of finance.

Our survey aims to develop a picture of how these kinds of drugs are used in different sectors of the financial industry and perceptions of their positive and negative effects. We ask what people might know about the use of smart drugs in their working environment and what kinds of effects they are thought to have. Different sectors of the financial industry require very different skill sets and approaches to problem solving, so it would be interesting to see if different drugs are more or less frequently seen in these different sectors.

As modern professional workplaces strive to increase their intensity and productivity and the popular profile of these drugs as treatments for conditions like ADHD increases, its not surprising that there is more interest in their use by healthy people. And, of course, their use raises many ethical questions on issues like competition, perceptions of fairness and of personal choice. However, these issues cannot begin to be addressed without scientific evidence of their use and effects in the workplace. This survey is one of the first steps in acquiring this evidence.

We would like to invite Investment Magazine readers to take part in this research by completing the confidential online survey. The survey has been approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee, takes only 5 to 10 minutes to complete and all responses are completely anonymous.

Dr Elizabeth Bowman is a postdoctoral fellow in decision neuroscience in the Brain, Minds and Markets Laboratory in the faculty of business and economics at the University of Melbourne. Her current research looks at how humans make decisions in conditions of risk and uncertainty.

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New study into 'smart drugs' in the finance industry - Investment Magazine

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Darker Wave duo bring house and trance names to Northampton club – Northamptonshire Telegraph

Posted: at 1:22 pm

DJs from across the world will be playing at A Darker Waves inaugural event at Club 43 in Northampton this month.

For the last two and a half years, A Darker Wave has been broadcasting a radio show based out of Daventry and streaming on Radio Flintshire, a community radio station in North Wales.

Each week, it plays the best in underground techno, tech house and deep house as well as promoting up and coming DJs and producers.

Next Saturday, Thailands Redshifter will be headlining, playing a two hour live techno DJ set.

He will be joined by rising techno DJ MonoPhaze from Italy, Frederique Rijsdijk from Holland and Shaman and Mas from the UK.

A Darker Wave DJs jacki-e and p-mac will also be playing.

Speaking about the event, the pair said: Its a free party because we want as many people as possible to come and enjoy themselves with us.

It gives everyone a chance to come down to Club 43 to see what we are about.

The headliner Redshifter from Bangkok in Thailand, co-owner of the MCHNWRKS record label.

He'll be playing his live set and it's something that's really special.

He's in the UK for a short time so we are very fortunate to have been able to get him for our first party.

There is so much new, good music being made by this new wave of DJs and producers that it deserves an outlet.

It's for people who love music and who want to dance to music that is emotional, that makes you think, that engages your intellect as well as your feet. It is deep, dark, rhythmic and emotional.

As well as their regular radio show, The Darker Wave duo have played at clubs across the UK and Germany.

Speaking about the origins of their name, the do added: Dark Wave was first used in the 1980s to describe a dark and melancholy variant of new wave and post-punk music and was first applied to UK musicians such as Bauhaus, Joy Division and Sisters of Mercy.

It was also used to describe artists who combined music with performance art, such as Throbbing Gristle and Cabarert Voltaire, who challenged and explored the darker and obsessive sides of the human condition.

A lot of techno takes its spirit and ethos from this music, you can hear the industrial sounds which are a staple of techno music today.

Techno is the outsider of electronic dance music, the punk of today's modern music scene.

As Dave Clarke said in his recent interview with Mixmag, Techno is edgy. Techno will challenge you......it's the real dark art."

Following the event on August 12, they will return to the venue on September 16.

Doors open at 10pm, admission is free. Admission on September 16 and into events will be 3 in advance or 5 on the door.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/adarkerwave

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Darker Wave duo bring house and trance names to Northampton club - Northamptonshire Telegraph

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In-Depth Interview With Ferry Corsten – EDM Identity

Posted: at 1:22 pm

Ferry Corsten stops by to discuss his recent performances at Tomorrowland, his new album Blueprint, and loads more!

Ferry Corsten, a name that is synonymous with trance since its infancy. The man behind world renowned projects, such as Moonman, Gouryella and System F, is responsible for what many believe to be the rise in Dutch Trance. His impact has engulfed trance for more than 20 years. We had the great honour to speak with the man himself about his double performance at Tomorrowland on Weekend 1, his new Blueprint album, upcoming projects and a few other interesting topics!

Hi there! Im doing great thanks! Its been an exciting summer for me releasing my album Blueprint and doing all my summer shows!

It was fantastic. The Trance Energy stage really brought the magic to the audience regarding production, and its always great to play for the trance crowd. I always have fun when I get to play together with Fadi at the Future Sound of Egypt stage. Just a great crew and a very appreciative crowd.

Tomorrowland has grown into such a unique concept which allow dance fans for a whimsical dance experience with their favourite DJs. Their production is unmatched by any other festival.

I definitely think so, and the fact that there are trance events around the world on the rise aside from Trance energy proves that as well.

Photo Credit: Tomorrowland

I agree. I wasnt thinking of bringing the alias back per se but noticed that I missed the emotion and melodies of trance. I wasnt really thinking of producing another Gouryella until I was working on a track in the studio one day when I realised that it had to be the next Gouryella. After that moment I havent looked back.

Back in the day, I had a lot of aliases, but that was purely because I was just producing too much music to be released by one label at that time. I feel that nowadays, people use aliases to be able to produce a specific type of sound that is meant purely for that brand. By doing this, you can disconnect yourself from the pigeon hole mentality that fans have nowadays and step out of your comfort zone without upsetting your fans who only want to hear one side of you.

Im currently working on the Gouryella 2.0 version, and its been a lot of fun. Youre absolutely right. The Gouryella show for me is all about a message that is learned and felt when watching the live experience. I hope 2.0 does that as well. Where the first live show had a few Hello World EP tracks, 2.0 will focus much more on some new stuff and elements from Blueprint.

Ive always been a huge sci-fi fan and wanted to find a way to marry my passion for this with my music. I sort of took the phrase telling a story with my album literally and decided to combine an audio book with a complimenting musical journey. The concept and the storyline were my great inspiration for making the music. Its like a sci-fi movie without the actual motion picture.

Thats a great question Ive always created music Ive liked and compiled into one body of work. Whereas with this album, I had a concept, a muse if you will that inspired me.

I think over the years as an artist Ive grown a lot on a producer level. You are right that this album has a lot of filmic influences compared to the past. And that was the whole point. Trance and film score go perfectly together and the sound scaping that film music requires, really enriches any trance production in my opinion. I do think though, that there are a number of tracks on the album that showcase my trance influences and me being a dance music producer.

Thanks. I love the track too. I think Drums a weapon plays a perfect part in the story. If you listen to the track and the emotions it conveys, you do feel the aggression and that sense of hopelessness that are playing in Lucass mind and in that part of the story.

Photo Credit: Stephen Bondio Photography

Im all about melody. Ive always started with a melody as that is what always inspires me first when making a track. The melody is the face of a track.

Thanks. Its humbling to hear this comment. I dont know where I find the inspiration to be honest. It can be anything in daily life. But in the case of Out Of The Blue and the wave of tracks that came after, it was gear. New gear that not many people had yet. So I was lucky to come up with a unique sound, and I capitalised on that. I just know that I am very lucky to be able to have a job that I love and have people appreciate what I do. I guess its comments and questions like this that keep me working and keep doing what I do.

I guess it will always be the track System F Out of the Blue It was the first track that opened major doors for me. My proudest moment in the studio was probably when I finally signed off on Blueprint. That was a real product of passion.

Im working right now on the remixes for some of the Blueprint tracks, Gouryella 2.0 as well as a few projects which I will hopefully be able to share in a few months.

I will be doing quite a few festivals, Ibiza and lots more. Its best to check outferrycorsten.comfor tour dates. Ive been busy with Blueprint and have some great remixes and edits for the show.

Thanks for supporting and believing in me guys. Without you guys, I would not be able to do what I do.

Thanks so much.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud

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TMS Global leader’s move adds to ranks of African Americans serving in international cross-cultural missions – The South Florida Times

Posted: at 1:21 pm

Rev. Richard Coleman, his wife Amanda and their four children will move to Ethiopia later this year to do missions work.

Christian Newswire

A forthcoming leadership transition at missions agency TMS Global comes at a time when it is pursuing a heightened commitment to seeing more non-whites serving in world evangelization.

After more than a decade recruiting others for service with the group, the Rev. Richard Coleman is stepping down as senior director of mobilization and candidacy to prepare for a first-hand role overseas himself.

Together with his wife, Amanda, and their four children, he plans to move later this year to Ethiopia, where he will support national and regional church leaders.

During his time with TMS Global, Rev. Coleman has been influential in the organizations growing commitment to seeing more African Americans like him, and other minorities, broadening the scope of the missions workforce.

Believing such an emphasis is crucial in fulfilling the Great Commission, the organization last year announced a new commitment to diversity, better reflecting the rich breadth of Gods church and kingdom.

It makes our message more authentic, said Coleman, who leaves his position at TMS Globals Norcross, Ga., headquarters in July to join the organizations almost 200-strong team of workers serving in a wide range of ministries. There are certain parts of the world where people have said, We will not believe this message until we hear it from the mouths of other people of color,' he said. Having that same message of hope and truth coming from another person of color can be reassuring and even add credibility to our witness.

Coleman has been committed to missions since 1998, when he went on his first short-term trip to Uganda while a student at Oral Roberts University. Upon graduation he served as the director of missions at an Atlanta megachurch before joining TMS Global in 2006, initially as manager of recruitment.

In addition to helping scores of people find their place in Gods global mission, both with TMS Global and other organizations, Coleman has taught the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course and led shortterm missions teams to various places around the globe, including Africa and Central America.

Additionally, he has also been involved in global leadership in the missions community, serving on the planning team as the global selection chair for the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering.

Colemans commitment to seeing more believers of color serving in missions was significant in TMS Globals own diversity push. That initiative has included the 2016 appointment of the Rev. Romal Tune as full-time senior adviser to TMS Global president and CEO the Rev. Max Wilkins, and the founding earlier this year of an African American Mobilization Advisory Board comprising influential leaders representing a broad range of African American churches.

Ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance International in 2014,Coleman has been encouraged to see others embrace the work of diversifying the North American sending force.

Knowing that others are stepping up helped him to step out into his own desire to serve abroad.

Knowing that African Americans made up less than 0.6 percent of the full-time sending force from America, I felt like maybe my calling was to stay behind and help change that reality, he said. But over the years I began to feel I was fulfilling a role that others could now fulfill.

Wilkins paid tribute to Colemans contributions to TMS Global and the wider missions community:

Were grateful for the way Richard has championed the need for greater diversity in missions, and having pointed the way for others, is now showing the way personally, he said. We hope we can help many others follow his example, so that as a global church we more fully embody and reflect the truth of the message we proclaim that the good news of Jesus is for everyone, everywhere.

To learn more about TMS Global, visit http://www.tms-global.org.

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TMS Global leader's move adds to ranks of African Americans serving in international cross-cultural missions - The South Florida Times

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Lee County, Tupelo students return for new school year – Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Posted: at 1:21 pm

TUPELO Avari Vance, 5, arrived Thursday morning at Saltillo Primary School, tie-dye lunch box in hand, ready to learn.

Vance, a kindergartner, is one of thousands of students who returned to classes Thursday in the Lee County and Tupelo school districts.

Im excited because its my first day of school, Vance said.

Parents populated carpool lines and school parking lots for the first time since May, students entered classrooms carrying backpacks full of school supplies and teachers, who returned to work earlier this week, were ready to greet them.

Julie Sterling, first-grade teacher at Saltillo Primary, said the first day of school is not only exciting for students, but for teachers too.

Im excited and a little bit nervous, Sterling said. I cant wait to meet all my new first-graders.

At Lawhon Elementary School, Mark Enis started his first school year as principal of the school Thursday morning.

After spending time at the empty school, which underwent major renovations this summer, Enis said he was glad to see the building completed and full of students again.

Its a good feeling, Enis said of the first day of school. You always get butterflies, though, because you just want to make sure all of your Is are dotted and your Ts are crossed.

Most teachers spent the first day going over classroom rules and procedures, laying the foundation for learning to take place as the year goes on.

Lawhon third-grader Morgan Mathis said she was excited to be back at school to see her friends and learn about science. Although Mathis admits she had some jitters about the new school year, she said Thursday morning that the first day was going well.

Im feeling nervous because I havent been in Tupelo for very long, Mathis said.

Paisley Williams, 11, started seventh grade at Tupelo Middle School on Thursday.

Williams said the transition to TMS from Milam Elementary was a little overwhelming, but she was ready to make the move to a new school.

Im excited because its really different for me because I get a little more freedom than I did before, Williams said.

Besides a change of scenery, Williams said she was looking forward to meeting new people, using her new school supplies and being back in science class her favorite subject.

I love the first day of school, Williams said. Its great.

TMS teacher Amy Johnson said seeing new students, like Williams, at TMS on the first day is the best part of the school year.

Its something new with the kids coming over for Milam, its like theyre growing up, Johnson said. I like to see the new faces thats whats exciting for me.

Johnson teaches publications and productions at TMS. TMS was also renovated this summer and some teachers, including Johnson, returned from their break to a freshly painted classroom.

Students across Northeast Mississippi will return to school over the next week.

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Lee County, Tupelo students return for new school year - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

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CF Industries Could Grow From Healthy Base – TheStreet.com

Posted: at 1:20 pm

Looking for a chart/stock that hasn't doubled or tripled in the past year but has a nice-looking broad base pattern? Sure, we would all love to find that. Take a look at CF Industries Holdings Inc. (CF) , as I think it fills the bill.

In this daily bar chart of CF, below, we can see two trends over the past 12 months. First, there is a rally from August to January followed by a correction from February to early June. It looks like CF is shifting trends again since early June, and this could be a good location to probe the long side.

CF has been trading above the rising 50-day moving average line for the past month while it trades above and below the rising 200-day average. The 50-day line is not that far below the 200-day line, so we could see a bullish golden cross of these averages in the days or weeks ahead. The On-Balance-Volume (OBV) line is flat/neutral on this daily time frame but bullish on the weekly chart. From March to April to June you can see the higher momentum readings in the lower panel of this chart. Comparing the momentum movement to the price declines from March gives us a bullish divergence and another reason to be positive on CF.

In this weekly chart of CF, below, we can see how prices have traded sideways since early 2016, forming what I believe is a long-term base formation. In recent months CF has traded around the rising 40-week moving average line, and a close above it will not need much of a rally. The weekly OBV line has been rising the past four months, telling us that on this time frame buyers of CF have been more aggressive. The weekly MACD oscillator is just slightly below the zero line, but it is signaling a cover-shorts buy signal.

In this Point and Figure chart of CF, below, we can see the base formation unfolding. A rally to $32.32 will open the way for an advance to the $37-$38 area, but a trade at $38.38 will allow for more bullish price targets.

Bottom line: I would trade CF from the long side, buying strength above $30 and above $32 while risking below $26. My price targets are the $37-$38 area, followed by $45 longer term.

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CF Industries Could Grow From Healthy Base - TheStreet.com

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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) Looks Good: Stock Jumps 7% August 04, 2017 – Zacks.com

Posted: at 1:20 pm

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF - Free Report) was a big mover last session, as the company saw its shares rise nearly 7% on the day. The move came on solid volume too with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This stock, which remained volatile and traded within the range of $27.58 $31.14 in the past one-month time frame, witnessed a sharp increase yesterday.

The move came after the company reported solid second-quarter 2017 results

The company has seen three negative estimate revisions in the past two months, while its Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has also moved lower over the same time frame, suggesting there may be trouble down the road. So make sure to keep an eye on this stock going forward, to see if this recent move higher can last.

CF Industries currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) while its Earnings ESPis positive.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus

A better-ranked stock in the Fertilizersindustry is Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.(SQM - Free Report) , which currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can seethe complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) Looks Good: Stock Jumps 7% August 04, 2017 - Zacks.com

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Mariners CF Jarrod Dyson in lineup for return to Kansas City – MyNorthwest.com

Posted: at 1:20 pm

Former Royal Jarrod Dyson gets a crack at his former team in Thursday's series opener. (AP)

Jarrod Dyson was a member of two playoff teams while playing for the Kansas City Royals, but hell be in the lineup against his old team Thursday trying to help the Mariners make up ground on the Royals in their own push for a postseason berth.

Dyson, who played in back-to-back World Series and won one with Kansas City, will hit seventh and play center field in his first game at Kauffman Stadium with a visiting team in a 5:15 game on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Mariners pitchers James Paxton, Edwin Diaz win monthly awards

The Mariners enter the big four-game series 1 1/2 games back of Kansas City for the second Wild Card spot from the American League.

Yovani Gallardo starts on the mound for Seattle against one of the Royals newest players, veteran right-hander Trevor Cahill.

Coverage begins with the pregame show at 4 on 710 ESPN Seattle. Here are the full lineups.

Mariners (55-54)

Ben Gamel, RF Jean Segura, SS Robinson Cano, 2B Nelson Cruz, DH Kyle Seager, 3B Danny Valencia, 1B Jarrod Dyson, CF Guillermo Heredia, LF Mike Zunino, C

Yovani Gallardo, RHP

Royals (55-51)

Whit Merrifield, 2B Lorenzo Cain, CF Melky Cabrera, RF Eric Hosmer, 1B Salvador Perez, C Mike Moustakas, 3B Brandon Moss, DH Alcides Escobar, SS Alex Gordon, LF

Trevor Cahill, RHP

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The Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX Trail Bike Is Just Begging You to Fly – Bicycling

Posted: at 1:20 pm


Bicycling
The Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX Trail Bike Is Just Begging You to Fly
Bicycling
As the trail bike category continues to expand, cyclists no longer have to choose between a bike that's fun to climb and jump on and one that can plow through rubble. More bikes do it all, and they're doing it all better than ever. The Canyon Spectral ...

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The Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX Trail Bike Is Just Begging You to Fly - Bicycling

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Fertilizer maker CF Industries posts 93.6 percent plunge in profit – Reuters

Posted: at 1:20 pm

(Reuters) - U.S. fertilizer producer CF Industries Holdings Inc (CF.N) reported a 93.6 percent fall in quarterly profit on Wednesday and said it expects nitrogen pricing to be challenged through 2017 and into 2018.

Fertilizer prices have faced pressure from soft crop prices and expanding U.S. nitrogen fertilizer capacity.

The average selling price for ammonia fell nearly 18 percent to $338 per ton in the second quarter, while the price of UAN (urea ammonium nitrate) dropped about 13 percent to $175 per ton.

The Deerfield, Illinois-based company's net earnings fell to $3 million, or 1 cent per share, in the quarter ended June 30, from $47 million, or 20 cents per share, a year earlier.

The company recorded a derivative loss of $18 million in the latest reported quarter.

Net sales fell marginally to $1.12 billion.

Industry peer Mosaic Co (MOS.N) on Tuesday forecast slower phosphate sales and weaker prices for the third quarter.

Shares of CF were marginally down at $28.55 in after-hours trading on Wednesday.

Reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel

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Fertilizer maker CF Industries posts 93.6 percent plunge in profit - Reuters

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