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While there is a plethora of videos showing how common centerfire ammunition is made, 22LR and similar rimfire ammunition has been kept relatively close to the chest. CCI had a video out a few years ago, but it disappeared from their official YouTube outlet and was not saved anywhere that I remember. The general process […]
The post 22Plinkster Sees How His Ammo is Made appeared first on The Firearm Blog.
The MySQL Document Store functionality allows developers to use a relation database with or without SQL (structured Query Language), also known as NoSQL. The example in this blog is hopefully a simple look at this new feature of MySQL. The example data used is from JSONStudio.com and is a JSON formatted data set for US zip (postal) codes (656K compressed). So download your copy of this data set and lets get to work.
Collections are tables and below we create a collection name ‘zip‘ in the test database in the Python dialect.
mysqlsh -u root -p --py test
Creating an X Session to root@localhost:33060/test
Enter password:
Default schema `test` accessible through db.
Welcome to MySQL Shell 1.0.4 Development Preview
Copyright (c) 2016, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its
affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
Type '\help', '\h' or '\?' for help.
Currently in Python mode. Use \sql to switch to SQL mode and execute queries.
mysql-py> db.createCollection("zip")
As soon as most of use create a table we want to see if it is there.
mysql-py> db.getCollections();
[
<Collection:zip>
]
mysql-py>
So it is there. But what is the underlying structure of this table. Switch to SQL dialect (or open a mysql client.
mysql> SHOW CREATE TABLE zip;
+-------+--------------------------------+
| Table | Create Table |
+-------+--------------------------------+
| zip | CREATE TABLE `zip` (
`doc` json DEFAULT NULL,
`_id` varchar(32) GENERATED ALWAYS AS (json_unquote(json_extract(`doc`,'$._id'))) STORED NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`_id`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4 |
+-------+--------------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)
mysql>
If you peeked at the zip code file you downloaded, you may have noticed that it has an _id field already. But what if your data set has no _id or you want to use another key/value pair from the data as an index? Simply use a stored generated column on the field of your choice. Remember good indexing practices still count as the underlying relational database still has to keep the infrastructure underneath up to date.
I will skip over the loading of the zip code data (I can address that in a later blog post if there is any interest. For now lets take it as a given that the data has been moved into the new collection.
So lets look for a particular zip code. For out data set the zip code corresponds with _id field.And remember that this column is a generated column using that field from the JSON document.
mysql-py> db.zip.find("_id = '76077'")
[
{
"_id": "76077",
"city": "RAINBOW",
"loc": [
-97.70652,
32.281216
],
"pop": 722,
"state": "TX"
}
]
1 document in set (0.00 sec)
mysql-py>
Lets look for the state of Texas, or TX in the JSON data. Previous we had the _ID field as a materialized column extracted from the JSON data. Now we are asking the MySQL server to read all the records and return the ones meeting the criteria. This does perform a full table scale of the data (not as efficient as as index) but, thanks to the relatively small amount of records, it does return fairly quickly.
mysql-py> db.zip.find("state = 'TX'")
.
. (Omitted)
.
{
"_id": "79935",
"city": "EL PASO",
"loc": [
-106.330258,
31.771847
],
"pop": 20465,
"state": "TX"
},
{
"_id": "79936",
"city": "EL PASO",
"loc": [
-106.30159,
31.767655
],
"pop": 52031,
"state": "TX"
}
]
1676 documents in set (0.06 sec)
mysql-py>
So now we can create a collection and search it. But what happens when we add records and especially records without our index-able key? That will be covered in another blog soon.
PlanetMySQL Voting: Vote UP / Vote DOWN
via Planet MySQL
MySQL Document Store — The NoSQL Zipcodes
Chinese legend tells of a great flood, and how Emperor Yu drove back the floodwaters, founding the Xia dynasty and giving rise to Chinese civilization. Now an international scientific collaboration has discovered the first geological evidence that such a flood may actually have happened—and the founding of the Xia dynasty may have happened hundreds of years later than historians previously thought. They describe their findings in a new paper in Science.
“Great floods occupy a central place in some of the world’s oldest stories,” the University of Washington geologist David Montgomery wrote in an accompanying commentary on the new findings. “Emperor Yu’s flood now stands as another such story potentially rooted in geologic events…. How many other ancient stories of intriguing disasters might just have more than a grain of truth to them?”
There are different versions of the Great Flood myth, handed down through oral tradition for hundreds of years before finally being written down around 1000 BC. But all feature the heroic Yu, who figured out how to dredge and channel all the flooded rivers and tributaries to control the floodwaters—a task that purportedly took decades to accomplish, even with the help of a dragon to dig channels and a giant turtle to haul mud. (Myths have their fanciful elements.) This led to him becoming emperor and establishing the Xia dynasty in China.
Whether or not the Great Flood actually happened has been a longstanding bone of contention among scholars. After all, the historical record may have included the story of the flood and Emperor Yu’s role in driving back the waters as propaganda to justify imperial rule. History is written by the victors. This new geological discovery is the first real evidence for such a flood taking place.
In a press conference yesterday, lead author Wu Qinglong of Peking University in Beijing described the accidental discovery of unusual sediment in the Jishi Gorge of the Yellow River. He hypothesized that it might be linked with the great flood and the founding the Xi dynasty. It was Wu who brought together the members of the collaboration, hailing from different disciplines, to find evidence to bolster that hypothesis.
According to co-author Darryl Granger, a geologist at Purdue University, they found that evidence by mapping and dating the distinctive sediments deposited downstream from Jishi Gorge. They also examined bones from skeletons of children who died in an earthquake, found at the archaeological site of Lajia. Radiocarbon analysis of the skeletons gave a date of around 1922 BC.
From this, the collaborators were able to reconstruct a sequence of likely events occurring around this time along the Yellow River. First, there was a devastating earthquake that caused a massive landslide. This dammed the Yellow River in the Jishi Gorge, located right at the edge of the Tibetan plateau. According to Granger, quake-caused landslides are quite common to this area. The resulting lake eventually spilled over the top of the dam of debris, weakening it until it collapsed catastrophically, sending a deluge of water downriver and flooding the lowlands.
The houses of that period would have been more like caves dug into windblown sediment, according to co-author David Cohen, an archaeologist at National Taiwan University, which collapsed when the earthquake hit, killing the people inside.
“We know [the earthquake] happened the same year [as the flood] because fissures in the ground caused by the earthquake are filled with flood sediment, as are pottery jars [at the site,” said Granger. “So the people killed in the quake and the flood are intimately related.” Had it been more than a year, the annual rains would have kicked in, filling those fissures and jars with finer sediment.
The flooding would have significant enough to devastate the region. In the Book of Documents, Yu describes the flooding:
“The inundating waters seemed to assail the heavens, and in their extent embraced the hills and overtopped the great mounds, so that the people were bewildered and overwhelmed.
That’s in line with the Chinese collaboration’s estimates based on their mapping and analysis of sediment the site. Granger estimated that the flood waters may have risen 38 meters (around 124 feet) above the usual river level—about one-third the height of the Empire State Building, per Cohen—with flow rates between 300,000 to 500,000 cubic meters (79 million to 132 million gallons) of water per second. “That’s equivalent to the largest flood registered on the Amazon River, and the largest known flood on Earth in the last 10,000 years,” he said. The pile of debris that dammed the river would have been somewhere between the height of the Three Gorges Dam that spans the Yangtze River and the Hoover Dam in the US.
This timeline also coincides with a major cultural transition, as the late Neolithic Era gave way to the Early Bronze Age, although Cohen describes this as more of an interesting parallel, with no evidence as yet for direct causation. There is evidence that the system of smaller chiefdoms in place before that time suddenly collapsed, and after a transitional period, larger cities, with more complex administrative structures, a writing system, and bronze manufacturing emerged around 1900 BC.
In that sense, “The story of Yu taming the flood is the story of a new political order emerging out of the chaos of the flood,” said Cohen.
[Science]
via Gizmodo
China’s Mythical Great Flood May Have Really Happened
Necessary items like your trash bins or an AC unit aren’t exactly the look and feel you want your yard to have, especially if you’re aiming for a relaxing oasis, or a well-manicured garden. Hide the unsightly stuff in your yard with this simple DIY screen.
Basically, you’re constructing a 3-sided wooden box with planks along each side to hide your items. It’s pretty simple, but it looks great. You can adjust the proportions of the fence to match the space you want to enclose. You can see what it looks like in the photo above, and the Apartment Therapy link below has a complete parts list, and step-by-step instructions. When you’re all finished, you’ll have something that looks much better than a big rubbermaid shed, or even better, won’t drive your HOA crazy. This design doesn’t include a gate, but you may want to add one for easy access to whatever you store behind the screen, or you can leave space between the screen and the wall for access.
How to Make a Simple, Modern Screen to Hide the Ugly Stuff in Your Backyard | Apartment Therapy
Image from Erin Francois.
via Lifehacker
This DIY Screen Hides Bulky AC Units, Storage, or Trash Bins in Your Yard
In America, asthma now affects 1 in 10 children between the ages of five and 14, according to the CDC. These children must spend their childhoods with an inhaler within reach at all times, to help them weather sudden, terrifying episodes of an inability to breathe. That is good for the people who make the inhalers and not so good for the children and the parents. And asthma has been on the rise since the 1960s.
The conventional wisdom is that asthma, which is incurable, is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. To isolate the first, a team of medical researchers looked at two genetically homogenous American farming communities, the Indiana Amish and the North Dakotan Hutterites. Both originate from roughly the same region in Europe and have belief systems that involve simple diets, simple lifestyles, a rule against keeping indoor pets, and the discipline to maintain spotlessly clean homes.
Yet asthma is much more common in the Hutterites (15-20% of the population) than the Amish (just 2-4%). The researchers took blood samples from children in both communities and found that the Amish had far more robust immune systems. Why?
One thing the researchers noted is that the Amish and the Hutterites farm in distinctly different ways.
According to The New York Times (boldface ours):
The Amish live on single-family dairy farms. They do not use electricity, and use horses to pull their plows and for transportation. Their barns are close to their homes, and their children play in them.
The Hutterites have no objection to electricity and live on large, industrialized communal farms. Their cows are housed in huge barns, more like hangars, away from their homes. Children do not generally play in Hutterite barns.
The researchers began collecting dust samples from both Amish and Hutterite homes. The Amish dust was loaded with bacteria from the nearby barn and animals within them, while the Hutterite dust was not. In lab tests, they found that introducing this Amish dust to mice subsequently boosted their immune systems, as their bodies began producing the white blood cells needed to fight the bacteria off. They became, after inhaling the dust, less prone to developing asthma.
"We found exactly what we found in the children," [Researcher Dr. Donata] Vercelli said. "If we give the Amish dust, we protect the mice. If we give the Hutterite dust, we do not protect them."
…"Our jaws were hanging open," [study author Dr. Carole] Ober said. "We could not believe it."
The full study, "Innate Immunity and Asthma Risk in Amish and Hutterite Farm Children," has been released today in The New England Journal of Medicine.
In an earlier post, we looked at how Amish barn-raising is an important group activity that strengthens social bonds. Who would’ve guessed that in erecting this practical structure, they’re also unwittingly building an incubator that protects their children?
via Core77
Researchers Make Startling Discovery on What Can Prevent Asthma in Children: Barns
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You know who wins when an angry dude fights an excavator at a construction site? All of us watching the battle unfold from the sidelines, because it gives us the chance to stop and think about the excavators we’re all dealing with—metaphorically.
Maybe it’s an annoying boss. Maybe it’s big government. Maybe it’s even something personal. Whatever your excavator is, just think of this guy and remember that no challenge or obstacle is impossible to overcome. (But make sure to stop thinking of this guy before the part where Finnish police arrive and haul him away.)
[YouTube via BoingBoing]
via Gizmodo
This Guy Fighting an Excavator Is an Inspiration to Us All
This is going to be fun. I’ll be in Columbus, Ohio next week, Wednesday, August 10, and I’ll be holding a night of pitches and open mic shenanigans so bring your guitar. The event will be at O’Toole’s 4796 W Broad St, right off I-270. We’ll start at 7pm sharp with pitches so get there after work and at 8pm we’ll have an open stage with live music – I’m going to play with my friend Rick so bring your phones – and networking.
Want to pitch?
Fill out this form and I’ll pick 8 companies to pitch on stage. First prize is a table at Disrupt in SF and two other teams will receive tickets to the event.
We could also use a few sponsors for beer and what not. Get in touch if you’re interested. Also if you can think of any cool people who’d like to be judges please let me know at john@techcrunch.com.
I’ll see you all next week!
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Good people of Missouri, former Navy SEAL (and former Democrat) Eric Greitens would like to be your next Governor. Now please watch him fire off a Gatling machine gun for 20 seconds.
Greitens won the Missouri primary just days ago, positioning himself as an “outsider” who will “take aim at politics as usual.”
Greitens isn’t a single issue candidate by any means, though. He also released an ad where he shoots this gun:
In addition to Missouri voters, Greitens has also garnered the attention of conservative billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who donated $200,000 to Greitens’ campaign.
So, Eric, how are you feeling on the heels of your big win?
GIF
We bet.
[h/t @shadihamid]
via Gizmodo
GOP Gubernatorial Candidate’s Latest Ad Is Just Him Shooting a Machine Gun for 20 Seconds
Do you want some enterpreneur tips on how to keep motivated?
Being a new entrepreneur means indulging in risky gambles and having a lot of responsibilities. You fear the unknown and you wind up feeling lost. So what really keeps you going is the ongoing motivation for the achievement of your goals.
This makes one wonder that how do you stay motivated in a business?
You don’t have to be brave only in battle. It’s your job to find motivation within you and remember that you are in charge of your own life.
Lift yourself up with these motivational tips.
With so many decisions regarding your business on a daily basis, sometimes it’s best to keep things simple elsewhere.
A good way to make your abilities stay sharp is if you limit your decision making in the other aspects of your life throughout the rest of your day. It can keep you motivated because then you can focus on the other tough decisions you have to make regarding your business.
Every business should have a proper and defined mission statement. A mission statement is something which describes your visions and goals, and values. Knowing where you should head towards helps to lead you in a proper direction. It’s imperative to have a pre-defined route.
Your mission statement should be a constant reminder of your need to success. You should memorize it and carry it around with you everywhere.
See Also: 5 Lesser-Known Must-Read Books For Entrepreneurs
Your mission statement is obviously useless if you don’t put forth a plan to execute it. A personal and professional plan can contain short and long term goals. Don’t adhere to it as a golden rule, as plans are always subject to change according to your circumstances.
The main purpose to have a plan is to have a proper and clear understanding in what you hope to achieve, and how you’re going to go about doing that.
The human mind is wired to respond according to incentives. So what better to provide motivation in your work?
Set rewards for yourself if you establish a goal. To avoid burning out, you should identify and reward small victories along the way to your long-term goals.
Will Curran, President of Endless Entertainment said, “By fighting the small battles. I get joy in overcoming obstacles, and by celebrating after a small win. This includes rewarding myself for a job well done. You can get overwhelmed by focusing too much on the big picture.”
Studies have shown people have shown the most amount of productivity in the first hours after waking up. This is also when some of the top startups plan their day to ensure more success.
Get to work within an hour of waking up and you’ll soon see the differences in your performance and how much you’re able to accomplish before your coffee break as well.
What makes a successful entrepreneur?
Some of the most successful people I know are those who refused to give up even when times were tough. They had perseverance and patience. One of the key things in keeping an entrepreneur motivated is their ambition and desires. The fuel they needed to achieve and flourish in their goals lay in their desires to be successful which prevented them from giving up after they failed.
It is indeed very challenging to hold on to your morale when you’re not quickly getting the success you hoped for. Surround yourself with people who motivate you. Remember, each hindrance you suffer is a lesson, not a disappointment.
According to Neil Patel, co-founder of Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics, “Running a business is like riding a roller coaster. Although it is fun and exciting, there will be times when you’ll be scared and feel powerless. During the bad times, there isn’t much you can do, other than to keep on pushing forward,”
Like I said in the previous point, keeping close to people who motivate you can do wonders. You can talk to other entrepreneurs and small business owners and look at them for support and constant inspiration. You can look to each other for feedback. It also feels better to know that there are other people going through the same challenges.
It’s also good to read success stories and the challenges faced by the other entrepreneurs when they first set out. Listen to some famous TED Talks by entrepreneurs to drive home some motivation.
See Also: How To Pay Bills & Start A Business – 5 Entrepreneurs Share Their Secrets
It’s natural to compare yourself with your competitors. By looking at their perfectly crafted business and success stories, use that as an inspiration to achieve more and be better instead of letting yourself down. It’s stupid to feel down just because someone you know is doing better than you.
Don’t let that negative energy affect you, as each person’s journey and endeavors are different. Staying positive and viewing your competition as a benchmark is much better as compared to putting yourself down and self-blaming.
Adam Martin, Founder of Laabn Social Haircare Inc. talks about looking for another enterpreneur in the same niche and then talk weekly or daily to discuss challenges, ideas, and achievements. This helps keep both this person and yourself accountable.
If you work alone, you may find it helpful to surround yourself with people on the same wavelength as you to cure that boredom and loneliness you might be feeling. Chances are high that you’ll find yourself encouraged in other aspects of life as well.
Juanita Hines, Owner of Regional Consulting talks about being around successful and inspirational people.
With all the good and bad times new business brings, remembering these tips while moving at your own particular pace will help you stay rational and positive. Always keep in mind what roused you to wind up as a business visionary, framing key connections along the way, and setting sensible objectives. It will no doubt all add to your developments and achievements.
The post 9 Tips For An Entrepreneur For Constant Motivation appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
via Dumb Little Man – Tips for Life
9 Tips For An Entrepreneur For Constant Motivation
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Tokyo-based designer Duncan Shotton takes advantage of soy sauce’s varying opaqueness to create a pair of unique sushi dishes that reveal three-dimensional optical illusions once they’re filled.
As with the designer’s previous products, Shotton has created a Kickstarter campaign, with a modest funding goal of just over $6,600 (which has already been pledged) to sell his creation.
The ceramic dishes, featuring designs inspired by artists like Oscar Reutersvärd and M.C. Escher, are only being produced in a limited run of 77 pieces each. Despite the exclusivity, they can still be pre-ordered with a pledge of about $20 to Shotton’s campaign, with delivery expected sometime in October of this year.
via Gizmodo
Optical Illusions Magically Appear When You Fill These Soy Sauce Dishes