European Champions Cup Pool 2 Leinster v Castres Today: RDS, 5.30pm TV: Sky Sports 2

Chances are that some tired old cliches will be trotted out about 5.30pm today when Castres go about fulfilling their obligations against a Leinster side expected to amass at least four tries and five points.

Bad travellers. Disinterested in Europe. Both observations are true, even if they havent given the entire first-team the weekend off, but they are accusations that shouldnt be swept over the wider French landscape anymore.

Only Castres and Montpellier, both of whom lie bottom of their respective pools, approach round five of the inaugural rugby Champions Cup with the air of dead men walking. That leaves four of their compatriots very much in the mix.

Toulon, Clermont and Toulouse all sit at the summits of their respective piles while a Racing Metro side devoid of Jonathan Sextons services for now sit one point behind Northampton, but hardly for long, given they face Treviso at home tomorrow.

That European form is mirrored at home, where Castres sit second from bottom in the Top 14. Montpellier lie mid-table knowing they could also find themselves immersed in a relegation battle every bit as quick as a push for the play-offs.

So, going AWOL in Europe may be distasteful but emptying their ammo on such manoeuvres would be grounds for court martial given their circumstances and Leinster coach Matt OConnor doesnt believe that is in any way devaluing the competition.

Not really, he explained. Its the reality and the dynamics that are at play. There is no point wasting your resources when the stakes are so high in your domestic league and then youve got to make sure that you stay in the Top 14.

What is surprising about all this is that a Castres side that was good enough to win the Top 14 two seasons ago, and which lost the final to Toulon last summer, should find itself wallowing in the basement halfway into the season.

The departure of some key players has played its part in blunting their spears and undermining the foundations of success at a club that lacks the financial firepower, stadium capacity and population base of the big guns.

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OConnor pushing for a complete performance

Charleston, W.Va. A few snowflakes drift down on our hills this morning from an overcast sky that seems to promise more snow. The air is still, but very cold and the landscape seems oddly deserted. Even the cardinals have left the bird feeder and gone to roost, possibly in a warmer spot. It is a true winter day, and we also burrow back in our homes after doing the outside chores in a hasty fashion.

However, it is still a day, which the Lord hath made, and we need to rejoice and be glad in it. We have a warm home, food on the table (and sometimes under it!) and plenty of clothes to protect us from the cold. We need these winter days. When would we make the huge kettles of vegetable soup, update the family picture albums or sort out the cluttered desk drawers if we didnt have winter?

How else could we fully appreciate the miracle of spring, bringing alive again a cold, dead earth? Also, the pure, new-fallen snow, stretching across the fields in undulating waves, is lovely in its cold, austere fashion. Winter has its own beauty, with crystal, jagged icicles that form on the rock cliffs and pool into ice puddles along the ditch line.

We, as human beings, could not have sunshine in our lives all the time. What shallow, superficial people we would be! It takes adverse conditions and storms of life to build character. We are not immune to this worlds ills; its griefs and heartaches. It is in facing these things with faith in God and courage in our soul, that we grow into stronger men and women.

We would never know the depth of Gods tender compassion if we never had heartaches in this life. Without grief, we would never experience the sweet comfort and consolation that God extends to us. If our life were all sunshine, we would never have the ability or understanding to offer a helping hand to others who are suffering human woes and trials.

Just as the earth needs the different seasons, we too need the seasons of the heart to make us increase and abound in love one toward another. (1 Thessalonians 3:12) Only someone who has walked the same path can tell another person, I know exactly how you feel. I am thankful for the stormy seasons that we go through that create compassion for others who are suffering.

Mom used to tell me that when she was a kid the winters were much more severe. She said after the first snows came, the ground remained snow-covered all winter. Big Laurel Creek would freeze over with thick ice and remain that way until the spring thaw. Then the ice would break up and go out with a thundering, crunching noise that let them know that winter was on its way out. Im afraid these milder winters have spoiled us to the place where a blast of arctic air and the accompanying snowflakes are almost more than we can tolerate.

Those old-time winters produced a tough, self-reliant people who learned early how to weather lifes storms. Moms family, like many other families in those early times, has been a perfect example of hard work, honesty and integrity. People who live close to the earth seem to know the essential things of life love of God and family, their need of one another, and the ability to stand tall through the changing seasons.

***

We had a request from Frances Woods of Charleston, who is looking for the recipe for Brown Cake. Unless some older person knows of it, she says that the recipe is so old it cant be found. She would be very happy if someone has it.

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Alyce Faye Bragg column: Winter teaches us to weather life's storms

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A team of researchers at the University of Delaware's Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI) recently invented the Quantitative Carbon Detector (QCD), a new device that identifies and quantifies chemical compounds in complex mixtures such as fuels, oils, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food. This instrument will have a significant impact on the amount of time required for chemical analysis.

The center's research focuses on discovering new technologies for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals using lignocellulosic (non-food) biomass as feedstocks.

A major challenge in the catalytic conversion of biomass to fuels is the molecular transformation that requires detailed and simultaneous characterization of complex mixtures containing hundreds of chemical compounds.

"The QCD is really the holy grail of chemical analysis," says Paul J. Dauenhauer, associate professor of chemical engineering and materials science at the University of Minnesota and co-director of CCEI. "Utilizing this new technology allows us to focus our effort on catalytic science rather than tedious and expensive chemical calibrations."

Using an integrated microreactor design, multiple catalytic reactions break down complex chemical mixtures into single compounds, significantly reducing the time and effort required for characterization analyses. Microchannels that surround a built-in heating system allow for high-resolution chemical detection as well as integration of hardware and software within existing chemical analysis devices.

The research was published in the January issue of the journal Lab on a Chip, a publication of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

"A major challenge in any energy and fuels laboratory is identifying the chemicals within liquid substances," says Alex Paulsen, CCEI researcher and co-inventor. "After being identified, each compound must be quantified, and this can be a time-consuming procedure for complex mixtures. By breaking down the mixtures into single compounds, the QCD simplifies the process so we have more time to focus on research."

This new technology, Polyarc QCD, is currently being developed by Activated Research Company (ARC), a new start-up based in Minnesota. Pre-orders for the device are being accepted.

Explore further: Study sheds light on chemicals that insects use to communicate and survive

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Research team invents new chemical detector

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) January 14, 2015

Walters Golf invites avid players and the young at heart to experience the first-ever Golf Digest Think Young Play Hard Invitational from April 16 through April 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The inaugural tournament will feature two competitive rounds at Walters Golfs Bali Hai and Royal Links Golf Clubs, a four day/three night stay at The Mirage, exclusive parties and events at notable venues on the Strip, and numerous perks reserved only for players.

Consistently rated among Las Vegas best courses, both Bali Hai Golf Club and Royal Links Golf Club will serve as the backdrop for the two-person best ball tournament play. At Royal Links Golf Club, players can expect a challenging layout that is unmistakably reminiscent of the British Open rotations most legendary holes. And, a far cry from the British flair of Royal Links, Bali Hai Golf Club offers a South Pacific-inspired landscape that makes for low scores when played wisely. As players contend for the maiden trophy on Friday and Saturday, theyll also be treated to pre- and post-round game-improvement clinics, tour-level equipment fitting and long-drive exhibitions from fellow title sponsor Callaway Golf.

While golf may be the focus of the event, players are also encouraged to indulge their youthful, spirited side off the course at The Mirage. The weekend exudes Las Vegas-style vibes with private parties at The Mirage's most daring venues, including its Bare Pool Lounge and world-famous Siegfried and Roys Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Were essentially condensing the ultimate Las Vegas experience into one weekend, said Josh Hill, Vice President of Marketing at Walters Golf. The opportunity to hang with well-known DJs and world-famous celebrities and attend private, premium open bar parties does not typically present itself at your average golf tournament. And by typically, I mean never.

Partying aside, there are perks for the thrill-seeking type, too. Las Vegas Pole Position Raceway is set to close its doors for a special evening reserved exclusively for Think Young Play Hard Invitational guests, featuring a playoff-style competition on go-karts equipped to reach speeds of 45 MPH. "Pole Position Raceway is proud to be a part of this fast and furious weekend," said Brad Mark, COO at Pole Position Raceway. "We heard the best "drivers" were coming to Vegas so now we want to see if that "driving" skill will be displayed at some of the finest golf courses in the world along with the fastest go-kart track in America." The Mirages expansive casino will swap its usual table-gaming felts for those that are TYPHI-branded during the weekend, which also includes a players-only casino night after the first day of competition. Adventure lovers will relish the overhead excitement provided by Maverick Helicopters, as well as the opportunity to win one of 15 cameras from event sponsor GoPro.

With R&B vocal group Boyz II Men rumored to tee it up, the 144-person event is expected to sell out well before its April 16, 2015 debut and currently only has 30 spots still available. The $1,499 per person price includes an exclusive 30% discount on all on-site shows at The Mirage in addition to numerous other tournament and event partner offerings. For reservations and further information, visit GolfDigestInvitational.com.

About Walters Golf:

Walters Golf, a division of The Walters Group, has become one of the fastest-growing and most widely respected golf companies in the country. From its first venture into the private country club market in 1995 to todays ownership and operation of top-quality, daily fee golf courses, Walters Golf continues their commitment to quality and profitability while offering customers excellent value.

Led by businessman and avid golfer Bill Walters, Walters Golf is known in the national golf industry for developing first-class golf facilities. According to Executive Golfer, Walters is Nevadas leading golf entrepreneur who recognized the need for visitor and corporate friendly golf facilities and packages, and seized on the opportunity, investing millions in [two] magnificent properties.

In Las Vegas, the company owns and operates Royal Links Golf Club and Bali Hai Golf Club in addition to Las Vegas Golf Getaways, Las Vegas Preferred Tee Times and Cili Restaurant & Bar. For additional information, visit http://www.waltersgolf.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @WaltersGolf and interact on Facebook at facebook.com/WaltersGolf.

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Las Vegas Walters Golf to Add Exclusive Events, Entertainment and Endless Excitement to Inaugural Golf Digest Think ...

'Since 2002 more than half of Britain's dairy farms have gone out of business.' Photograph: David Levene

Britains long tradition of dairy farming has moulded the landscape. Small fields of bright green grass enclosed by hedges, the farmstead and a cottage or two that are typical of counties as distant as Cheshire and Pembroke, Cornwall and Fife, owe their existence to the family dairy farm. But the chances are that nowadays there wont be any cows in the fields. Since 2002, more than half of Britains dairy farmers have gone out of business, defeated by rock-bottom prices and rising costs. And for the past few months, even those that have survived have been caught up in another perfect storm. Britain consumes more than four-fifths of the milk it produces, but its price is dictated globally, by the cost of producing milk in, say, New Zealand or the US. The past year has seen exceptionally good milk-producing weather in every milk-producing country. Worse, it has followed a few boom years that have led to higher levels of production and then, in Europe, hit up against the cheese mountain created by Russias ban on imports. Some fear the price could fall as low as 17p a litre, triggering EU intervention.

Once again, the supermarkets are in the frame for squeezing farmers dry. There is now a groceries regulator, Christine Tacon, in charge of monitoring relations between suppliers and the supermarkets. But her remit doesnt cover the whole dairy chain. Its consumer pressure, which led to some supermarkets introducing a fixed pool of suppliers who were paid over the odds, thats driven change. Prices for this elect group are down, but they are still in profit. What is less transparent is what these supermarkets are paying for the products of processed milk the yoghurt, cheese and butter and what the knock-on effect of lower shelf prices is on farmers who are not in the pool. First Milk, the farmers co-operative that has announced it is having to delay payments for a fortnight, is one of those suppliers that does not have a contract with a big supermarket chain. No milk cheque, for farmers whove borrowed heavily, could mean the end of the road. In December, dairy farmers were going out of business at the rate of two or three a week.

A decade ago, it seemed the only future for dairy would be huge herds, thousands strong, kept shut up in barns. But its become clear that there is no one successful model for dairy farming. Small farms have learned survival strategies and the average herd size is still only about 125. They are helped because it is in the interest of the whole local farming economy to cut farmers in trouble a bit of slack. But at the end of this year, Europes dairy farmers will face their biggest challenge in a generation. Milk quotas, introduced back in the 1980s to regulate supply, will finally be removed, creating a completely free market in milk. Britain has never faced levies for overproduction, unlike our main competitors Germany, Ireland and Denmark. When quotas are off, they will increase production. Prices will fall again. Even before quotas go, some EU countries want them back. The analysts may be right: prices will bounce back. But the farmers want to know what the supermarkets are up to, and the groceries regulator should be finding out.

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The Guardian view on milk prices: dairy farmers are being driven out of business. The groceries regulator should find ...

By DAVID HALLFeb. 19, 2013, midnight

MELBOURNE swimming trio the Salty Seabathers took to the Illawarra and South Coast's ocean pools last week - and are convinced the area has the best ocean baths in Australia.

Ann Paul, Narelle Crux and Lucy Healey, from Victoria, form a group known as the Salty Seabathers. They were at Beverley Whitfield Pool at Shellharbour Village last Thursday. Picture: DYLAN ROBINSON

MELBOURNE swimming trio the Salty Seabathers took to the Illawarra and South Coast's ocean pools last week - and are convinced the area has the best ocean baths in Australia.

Group spokesperson and former Port Kembla woman Narelle Crux said the group's week-long odyssey highlighted things that locals probably don't realise.

"Ocean pools are such an important part of the community and landscape," Mrs Crux said.

"In fact, I think a lot of people who live on the coast don't appreciate just how lucky they are to have such a beautiful facility, often in walking distance from their homes."

She organised the salty adventure as a bit of fun and was joined by two good friends from Victoria, as well as a number of Wollongong swimmers.

They dove into two pools a day, aiming to swim at least a kilometre in each.

The group, who are on holiday in the Illawarra, are visiting every ocean bath from the northern Illawarra to Kiama and never thought they would generate such publicity.

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Pools get thumbs up

But the truth is that, as the European Cup kicks off again next weekend for its final two pool rounds, Ulster are almost certainly out of contention, while Leinster and Munster face tricky challenges to qualify in this revamped competition.

Munster are behind both Clermont Auvergne and Saracens in Pool One and play Saracens at Allianz Park next weekend before finishing with Sale at home. Ian Keatleys last-minute penalty did earn them a vital losing bonus point in the last round at Clermont, but defeat at Saracens would surely rule them out of even one of the three runners-up spots available.

Leinster have the most realistic chance of qualification. They stand equal top of Pool Two with Harlequins, and should win with a bonus point at home against uninterested Castres next weekend. But they then have to travel to Wasps on the last weekend.

Even if Leinster do scrape through, you could not see them having a home draw (Clermont, Toulon, Toulouse and Northampton look the best bets) and certainly not challenging for the title. As former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan says: Munster and Leinster arent at that level this season. The standard has increased so much that its left them behind.

How things have altered. This time last year Munster, Leinster and Ulster were all top of their pools and it stayed that way as they progressed into the knockout stages. Now money really is beginning to talk, as Saracens recent gripe, having lost last seasons final to Toulon, about the salary cap demonstrates.

To compete in both European and domestic competitions you need top-class cover in all positions, something Bath, who have not targeted Europe this season, have been addressing, most recently with their signing of Rhys Priestland to complement George Ford.

In Ireland matters are different because players are centrally contracted, even if private investors are now being used to ensure players such as Jonathan Sexton, who returns to Leinster next season, do not move abroad.

But still the lack of big names to give Toulon-like depth has made hackles rise. As another former Ireland flanker, Stephen Ferris, says: There is talk of Toulon bringing in Richie McCaw after the World Cup, while we [his former province, Ulster] are bringing in Clive Ross. No disrespect to Clive Ross, but hes been playing for Lansdowne for the last couple of seasons and is trying to make the big step up.

It is a delicate balance between home-grown player development and potential triumphs offered by hired foreign hands.

The sands are undoubtedly shifting in the general club-international power stakes, but surely Irish supporters would be happy to see Six Nations and World Cup success at the expense of reduced European achievements? I really hope so.

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Money starts to talk in Europe where French clubs' depth of talent is dominant

Updated JAN 09, 2015 10:45a ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.

Scores of professional hopefuls leave their homes during January break and wind their way toward a cricket pitch in south Florida. The ritualistic importation provides them with one last chance to make their impressions before the MLS SuperDraft. Many of them will soon realize the difficulty of the task ahead.

MLS once relied exclusively on the college system to produce young players capable of contributing at the first-team level. It made sense for a league on tenuous financial footing to lean on others to bear the cost of developing players. It required minimal investment and reaped considerable benefits. The gambit proved successful enough with dozens of players climbing through the ranks and entrenching themselves as valued performers.

Those pathways still exist, but the emergence of academy programs over the past few years altered the calculus substantially. The process of identifying potential professionals shifted to teenagers willing to apply themselves in dedicated settings and learn their trade under the guidance of MLS academy coaches. The emergence of more traditional development models allowed teams to pluck promising prospects out of their academies and sign them to the first team before or during the college years. The resources expended and the structures implemented encouraged teams to lean on themselves to stock their own squads over the long haul.

By investing significantly in academy systems across the league and spiriting away top players before they graduated college, MLS squeezed the potential opportunities afforded to players later in their growth curve. Homegrown players occupied spaces once allotted to college standouts. The subsequent left an increasingly stripped pool of players trying to fight their way through the crowd to secure a contract with resources increasingly devoted toward cultivating academy players.

The altered reality is reflected in the shrinking Generation adidas classes. MLS once used the program to import a crop of talented prospects prior to the emergence of academy setups, but it is now wielded as a more precise tool to usher a handful of players into the professional ranks.

MLS limited the class to just seven players in each of the past two years and sliced the contingent to five this year. The smallest group in the history of the program includes the highly touted UConn forward Cyle Larin and Washington midfielder Cristian Roldan, but it also reflects the inability to entice other top prospects like Georgetown defender Joshua Yaro to leave schools for the contracts offered.

The tempered approach to spending on SuperDraft-eligible players and the uncertain labor landscape also affected the ability to tempt some of the primary senior targets. St. Louis forward Robbie Kristo opted to sign in Serie B. UCLA midfielder Leo Stolz is expected to pursue a European move, too. The defections left MLS to unveil an eight-player senior signing class without a first-team NSCAA All-America in its ranks, though the class does possess potential contributors like Notre Dame defender Nick Besler and Oregon State forward Khiry Shelton.

Several of their colleagues hope to earn their way toward a similar status with their performances this weekend. MLS teams evaluate players during the college season and reach out to contacts to gather further information, but they also rely on the Player Combine to interview potential picks off the field and take one last glimpse at them before compiling their SuperDraft boards.

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MLS Player Combine reflects changing landscape within domestic player development

Home holidays: Homes with resort-style features, such as 3 Callemonda Rise in O'Malley are great for holidays at home. Photo: Supplied

The annual summer trip to the South Coast has become a Canberra tradition and at this time of year you will see more ACT licence plates on Batemans Bay streets than NSW ones.

But for some, that getaway is not always possible and a resort-inspired lifestyle at home is an attractive option.

The swimming pool is the obvious summer solution, but there are a range of other features that will allow your home to become your own personal oasis.

Home holidays: 3 Callemonda Rise, O'Malley. Photo: Supplied

Maria Selleck Properties principal Maria Selleck says outside amenities have become just as important as indoor spaces because the outdoors becomes the centre of entertainment during the warmer months.

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"Under cover alfresco dining areas to accommodate a crowd is a must," Ms Selleck says.

"A barbecue grill is only one component. An outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, full bar, refrigerator, burners and other kitchen features are some of the features that buyers desire for alfresco entertaining areas."

Property consultant Maureen Dwyer agrees that the outdoor entertaining area is one of the most important features of any resort-style property.

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Canberra's resort style houses a holiday at home with bar, pool and spa

Experts are starting to see a real trend toward cloud convergence over the next 12 months. This prompts an important question for MSPs: When mobile, social, cloud and big data are all under the same umbrella, what happens to consumer expectations?

Unified Technology Landscape

As noted by a Dec. 23 article from Business 2 Community, these four "critical streams of technology are gradually converging into one powerful force that is making way for a huge shift in the current business landscape." This is no surprise, since mobile, cloud, big data and social media share many of the same feature sets and overlap when it comes to both form and function. A more unified technology landscape can therefore be seen as inevitable, but why is this transition happening now? In large part the move is thanks to maturing cloud technologies, since it is now possible to support social, data analytics and mobile offerings on a single cloud backbone or distribute their functions across multiple public and private clouds without impacting efficacy.

This results in a kind of ubiquity that opens up new avenues to reach consumers, gain customer insight, provide fertile ground for innovation and improve collaboration. But for MSPs serving midsize businesses, this cloud convergence also comes with a caveat: Companies will quickly start to expect more than single-channel service from providers, especially as they come to terms with a mobile-enabled, cloud-savvy workforce. So how do MSPs manage expectations in a converged world?

Already Happening

One option is to wait it out by continuing to deliver solid service in existing areas but without building in new functionality. The problem? This will not work for long. Just as consumers want simplified cloud access and real-time analytics, they expect desktop and mobile devices to work interchangeably. As a result, waiting for cloud convergence to "finish" puts MSPs behind the curve.

Managing midsize expectations requires a two-pronged approach. First, MSPs must recognize that midsize business needs can both meet and exceed enterprise requirements since many smaller companies cannot afford to pay multiple full-time IT staffs. Next, service providers must be willing to adapt in anticipation, rather than on demand. Converged cloud services provide instant access to a pool of ubiquitous functions, and scaling up in anticipation gives MSPs breathing room for the growth of midsize expectations.

Convergence is coming. Increased ease of use, however, means increasing expectations: MSPs cannot be unprepared for ubiquity.

This post was brought to you by IBM for Midsize Business. Dedicated to providing businesses with expertise, solutions and tools that are specific to small and midsized companies, the Midsize Business program provides businesses with the materials and knowledge they need to become engines of a smarter planet.

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Cloud Convergence Coming in 2015: How do MSPs Manage Expectations?