Machine Learning Courses and Market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. It offers an overview of the market including its definition, applications, key drivers, key market players, key segments, and manufacturing technology. Moreover, the report is a detailed study exhibiting current market trends with an overview of future market study.

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Regions and Countries Level Analysis

Regional analysis is another highly comprehensive part of the research and analysis study of the global Machine Learning Courses and market presented in the report. This section sheds light on the sales growth of different regional and country-level Machine Learning Courses and markets. For the historical and forecast period 2015 to 2026, it provides detailed and accurate country-wise volume analysis and region-wise market size analysis of the global Machine Learning Courses and market.

The key players covered in this study

EdX

Ivy Professional School

NobleProg

Udacity

Edvancer

Udemy

Simplilearn

Jigsaw Academy

BitBootCamp

Metis

DataCamp

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No of Pages: 121

Market segmentation

Machine Learning Courses and market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2015-2026, the growth among segments provide accurate calculations and forecasts for sales by Type and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.

Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Rote Learning Learning From Instruction Learning By Deduction Learning By Analogy Explanation-Based Learning Learning From Induction

Market segment by Application, split into Data Mining Computer Vision Natural Language Processing Biometrics Recognition Search Engines Medical Diagnostics Detection Of Credit Card Fraud Securities Market Analysis DNA Sequencing

What our report offers:

Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

Market share analysis of the top industry players

Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

Market forecasts for a minimum of 9 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Global Machine Learning Courses and Market report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through analytical research, market survey and observations) and secondary research. The Machine Learning Courses and Market report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts, key vendors, business news, row material supplier, regional clients, company journals, and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.

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Table of Contents

1 Industry Overview of Machine Learning Courses and

2 Industry Chain Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

3 Manufacturing Technology of Machine Learning Courses and

4 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

5 Global Productions, Revenue and Price Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and by Regions, Manufacturers, Types and Applications

6 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Machine Learning Courses and 2014-2019

7 Consumption Volumes, Consumption Value, Import, Export and Sale Price Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and by Regions

8 Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

9 Marketing Traders or Distributor Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

10 Global and Chinese Economic Impacts on Machine Learning Courses and Industry

11 Development Trend Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

12 Contact information of Machine Learning Courses and

13 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Machine Learning Courses and

14 Conclusion of the Global Machine Learning Courses and Industry 2019 Market Research Report

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Machine Learning Courses and Market 2020: Growing Tends in Global Regions with COVID-19 Pandemic Analysis, Growth Size, Share, Types, Applications,...

The World Economic Forum and associate partner Appen are wrestling with the thorny issue of how to create artificial intelligence with a sense of ethics.

Their main area of focus is to design standards and best practices for responsible training data used in building machine learning and AI applications. It has already been a long process and continues.

A solid training data platform and management strategy is often the most critical component of launching a successful, responsible machine learning-powered product into production, said Mark Brayan, CEO of Appen in a statement. Appen has been providing training data to companies building AI for more than 20 years. In 2019, Appen created its own Crowd Code of Ethics.

The electronics industry remains in flux as constant innovation fuels market trends. FierceElectronics subscribers rely on our suite of newsletters as their must-read source for the latest news, developments and predictions impacting their world. Sign up today to get electronics news and updates delivered to your inbox and read on the go.

Ethical, diverse training data is essential to building a responsible AI system, Brayan added.

Kay Firth-Butterfield, head of AI and machine learning at WEF, said the industry needs guidelines for acquiring and using responsible training data. Companies should address questions around user permissions, privacy, security, bias, safety and how people are compensated for their work in the AI supply chain, she said.

Every business needs a plan to understand AI and deploy AI safely and ethically, she added in a video overview of Forums AI agenda. The purpose is to think about what are the big issues in AI that really require something be done in the governance area so that AI can flourish.

Were very much advocating asoft law approach, thinking about standards and guidelines rather than looking to regulation, she said.

The Forum has issued a number of white papers dating to 2018 on ethics and related topics, with a white paper on responsible limits on facial recognition issued in March.

RELATED: Researchers deploy AI to detect bias in AI and humans

In January, the Forum published its AI toolkit for boards of directors with 12 modules for the impacts and potential of AI in company strategy and is currently building a toolkit for transferring those insights to CEOs and other C-suite executives.

Another focus area is on human-centered AI for human resources to create a toolkit for HR professionals that will help promote ethical human-centered use of AI. Various HR tools have been developed in recent years that rely on AI to hire and retain talent and the Forum notes that concerns have been raised about AI algorithms encoding bias and discrimination. Errors in the adoption of AI-based products can also undermine employee trust, leading to lower productivity and job satisfaction, the Forum added.

Firth-Butterfield will be a keynote speaker at Appen annual Train AI conference on October 14.

RELATED: Tech firms grapple with diversity after George Floyd protests

Continue reading here:

Focusing on ethical AI in business and government - FierceElectronics

HONG KONG, CHINA -Media OutReach- 27 August 2020 -It's been called the holy grail of finance. Is it possible to harness the promise of artificial intelligence to make money trading stocks? Many have tried with varying degrees of success. For example, BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, has said its Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms have consistently beaten portfolios managed by human stock pickers. However, a recent research study by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) reveals that the effectiveness of machine learning methods may require a second look.

The study, titled "Machine Learning versus Economic Restrictions: Evidence from Stock Return Predictability", analysed a large sample of U.S. stocks between 1987 and 2017. Using three well-established deep-learning methods, researchers were able to generate a monthly value-weighted risk-adjusted return of as much as 0.75 percent to 1.87 percent, reflecting the success of machine learning in generating a superior payoff. However, the researchers found that this performance would attenuate if the machine learning algorithms were limited to working with stocks that were relatively easy and cheap to trade.

"We find that the return predictability of deep learning methods weakens considerably in the presence of standard economic restrictions in empirical finance, such as excluding microcaps or distressed firms," says Si Cheng, Assistant Professor at CUHK Business School's Department of Finance and one of the study's authors.

Disappearing Returns

Prof. Cheng, along with her collaborators Prof. Doron Avramov at IDC Herzliya and Lior Metzker, a research student at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found the portfolio payoff declined by 62 percent when excluding microcaps -- stocks which can be difficult to trade because of their small market capitalisations, 68 percent lower when excluding non-rated firms -- stocks which do not receive Standard & Poor's long-term issuer credit rating, and 80 percent lower excluding distressed firms around credit rating downgrades.

According to the study, machine learning-based trading strategies are more profitable during periods when arbitrage becomes more difficult, such as when there is high investor sentiment, high market volatility, and low market liquidity.

One caveat of the machine-learning based strategies highlighted by the study is high transaction costs. "Machine learning methods require high turnover and taking extreme stock positions. An average investor would struggle to achieve meaningful alpha after taking transaction costs into account," she says, adding, however, that this finding did not imply that machine learning-based strategies are unprofitable for all traders.

"Instead, we show that machine learning methods studied here would struggle to achieve statistically and economically meaningful risk-adjusted performance in the presence of reasonable transaction costs. Investors thus should adjust their expectations of the potential net-of-fee performance," says Prof. Cheng.

The Future of Machine Learning

"However, our findings should not be taken as evidence against applying machine learning techniques in quantitative investing," Prof. Cheng explains. "On the contrary, machine learning-based trading strategies hold considerable promise for asset management." For instance, they have the capability to process and combine multiple weak stock trading signals into meaningful information that could form the basis for a coherent trading strategy.

Machine learning-based strategies display less downside risk and continue to generate positive payoff during crisis periods. The study found that during several major market downturns, such as the 1987 market crash, the Russian default, the burst of the tech bubble, and the recent financial crisis, the best machine-learning investment method generated a monthly value-weighted return of 3.56 percent, excluding microcaps, while the market return came in at a negative 6.91 percent during the same period.

Prof. Cheng says that the profitability of trading strategies based on identifying individual stock market anomalies -- stocks whose behaviour run counter to conventional capital market pricing theory predictions -- is primarily driven by short positions and is disappearing in recent years. However, machine-learning based strategies are more profitable in long positions and remain viable in the post-2001 period.

"This could be particularly valuable for real-time trading, risk management, and long-only institutions. In addition, machine learning methods are more likely to specialise in stock picking than industry rotation," Prof. Cheng adds, referring to strategy which seeks to capitalise on the next stage of economic cycles by moving funds from one industry to the next.

The study is the first to provide large-scale evidence on the economic importance of machine learning methods, she adds.

"The collective evidence shows that most machine learning techniques face the usual challenge of cross-sectional return predictability, and the anomalous return patterns are concentrated in difficult-to-arbitrage stocks and during episodes of high limits to arbitrage," Prof. Cheng says. "Therefore, even though machine learning offers unprecedented opportunities to shape our understanding of asset pricing formulations, it is important to consider the common economic restrictions in assessing the success of newly developed methods, and confirm the external validity of machine learning models before applying them to different settings."

Reference:

Avramov, Doron and Cheng, Si and Metzker, Lior, Machine Learning versus Economic Restrictions: Evidence from Stock Return Predictability (April 5, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3450322 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3450322

This article was first published in the China Business Knowledge (CBK) website by CUHK Business School: https://bit.ly/3fX2ydr.

CUHK Business School comprises two schools -- Accountancy and Hotel and Tourism Management -- and four departments -- Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing. Established in Hong Kong in 1963, it is the first business school to offer BBA, MBA and Executive MBA programmes in the region. Today, the School offers 11 undergraduate programmes and 20 graduate programmes including MBA, EMBA, Master, MSc, MPhil and Ph.D.

In the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2020, CUHK MBA is ranked 50th. In FT's 2019 EMBA ranking, CUHK EMBA is ranked 24th in the world. CUHK Business School has the largest number of business alumni (37,000+) among universities/business schools in Hong Kong -- many of whom are key business leaders. The School currently has about 4,800 undergraduate and postgraduate students and Professor Lin Zhou is the Dean of CUHK Business School.

More information is available at http://www.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk or by connecting with CUHK Business School on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cuhkbschool

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cuhkbusinessschool

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/school/cuhkbusinessschool

WeChat: CUHKBusinessSchool

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CUHK Business School Research Looks at the Limitations of Using Artificial Intelligence to Pick Stocks - Taiwan News

Avani Hotels & Resorts, one of Asia's fastest-growing contemporary hotel brands, has announced the signing of the first Avani+ upscale resort in Vietnam.

Avani+ Ho Tram Resortwill expand Avani Hotels & Resorts' already robust development pipeline in Vietnam when it opensin the third quarter of 2023.

Currently, the brand has a total of three properties under construction in Ho Chi Minh City, Doc Let, and Cam Ranh, as well as two hotels in operation in Hai Phong and Quy Nhon.

Developed and owned by Hai Vuong Tourism Joint Stock Company, a German-Vietnamese developer with an established track record for high-end property development in Vietnam and Asia, Avani+ Ho Tram Resort is located in the serene beach town of Ho Tram in Ba Ria, Vung Tau Province, less than a two-hours' drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolitan conurbation.

Occupying a scenic beachfront site, the 200-key Avani+ Ho Tram Resort is located in an area that is a rapidly developing destination given its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, pristine wide beach, and the appeal of the action-packed Ho Tram Strip 2.5 kilometers away.

The latter is home to a convention center, Vietnam's first open table casino, shopping precinct, restaurants, bars, and a world-class 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. A new water park under development will undoubtedly add to the destination's appeal. The resort is an excellent base for day trips and half-day adventures: exploring the natural hot springs at Binh Chau, beach-hopping along the coastal road or touring fishing villages and fruit plantations.

Once completed, Avani+ Ho Tram Resort designed by leading German-Vietnamese designers Korn Architects will be the focal point of Hai Vuong Tourism's 'Sanctuary' villa development that will include a lazy river, a beach club, a conference center, and a pier. The property's 200 standard rooms and five 90-sqm bungalows will operate as a resort, while 268 one, two and three-bedroom managed residences in two towers will be available for purchase by individual homeowners and investors.

Avani+ Ho Tram Resort makes good use of Vietnam's sunshine with extensive leisure facilities including two pools, a fitness center, a kids club, and a third-party destination beach club. A spacious, all-encompassing spa will offer re-energizing treatments and facials using indigenous ingredients and drawing on regional wellness traditions.

The resort's signature restaurant will serve Thai-Vietnamese seafood, while the all-day dining venue and Pantry by Avani will specialize in international cuisine and refreshments, respectively. The pool bar will be serving up tropical concoctions, mocktails and Vietnam's famous craft brews on tap.

From conferences to product launches, the development offers extensive banquet and meeting facilities that can comfortably accommodate up to 500 guests theatre-style in the state-of-the-art 684-sqm ballroom that is divisible by three. Two additional meeting rooms are ideal for board meetings, teleconferences, and more intimate events.

Due for completion in 2025, Long Thanh International Airport is located approximately 40 kilometers east of the center of Ho Chi Minh City and is a 1.5-hour drive from the resort. In addition to serving domestic and international holidaymakers, it is expected to become a vital commuter airport for business and MICE travelers.

Avani currently operates over 30 hotels and resorts in 18 countries. The brand recently debuted in Cambodia and South Korea. Avani currently has a pipeline of over 15 upcoming hotels, including recently announced projects in Doc Let - Vietnam, Koh Lanta - Thailand, and Nairobi - Kenya.

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First Avani+ Upscale Resort to Open in Vietnam - FTNnews.com

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Bettering yourself is an important part of self-growth in numerous realms of life. You must learn to grow with life as experiences change you and reinvent your outlook. This is the mentality of business entrepreneur Lailah Alese who is a businesswoman in numerous types of businesses. She has carried her mentality of self-improvement and growth to all that she does.

"I am a self-growth fanatic that strives to be the best person I can be. This desire for growth and self-mastery helps me excel in life and in business. I believe this is important because if you are not focused on bettering yourself and your business, you'll become stagnant and content, which hinders your ability to excel, reach new heights and create success." Lailah says.

Lailah has brought this mentality into every business she has started. She has worked hard and grown and succeeded throughout numerous other businesses. Starting off in the beauty industry, she branched out to try other things, which she has also accelerated at.

"I have been in the beauty industry for eight years-- that's where I started. I have an ecommerce store where I sell beauty products to beauty technicians. In October of 2019, after learning about Contract Bidding, I started a successful Commercial Cleaning Company. Aside from the contracts I already held, I was proud to be able to gain 17 Commercial Cleaning accounts in just two weeks during the Pandemic. I have an ebook that shares different methods to solidify more contracts for need-based businesses. In addition, through my Business Development Company, Blueprint Business Services, I have taught many students how to start or expand their businesses with my online course that teaches you how to win contracts in any field, city, and state as well as with local businesses and the federal government-- through bidding. Blueprint Business Services also provides a range of development services to assist with legitimizing and building your businesses credibility." Lailah explains.

Story continues

Her entrepreneurial spirit started at a young age. By age 6 and all throughout her middle and high school career, she found herself selling anything she could. She worked a few jobs before fully starting all of her businesses. She knew those previous occupations were not for her and that she belonged in the business world.

"Before going full time with entrepreneurship, I have worked for multiple small businesses doing ecommerce, operations, customer service management, and marketing. Being in these environments has taught me many valuable lessons, as well as the skills needed to thrive within business. Most importantly, I learned the most through trial and error. I am extremely happy to be able to inspire, motivate, and teach others what I've learned and excelled at over the years on my journey." Lailah recounts.

Lailah's advice when it comes to starting a successful business is to believe in yourself! The only person that holds you back from pursuing your dreams is you. Once you get over that blockage, you will be able to start a successful business and even help yourself live a better and fuller life.

"My advice is to believe in yourself. Believe that if you have a desire to start a particular business, understand that there is nothing holding you back but you. Not funds, not support, not a lack of knowledge-- because anything can be acquired. It is only a matter of believing in yourself and pursuing actions to find out how you can get it done. Not to mention-- if you're interested in starting a business, a great idea is a cleaning company or other similar need-based service businesses. Cleaning companies have extremely low startup costs under $500, and you can learn how to win commercial contracts as well as residential work easily. I have an ebook and a course to teach you the ins and outs. In addition, if you want to know if this is right for you or the services you provide, you can schedule a free phone consultation by going to http://www.blueprintbusinessservices.com." Lailah advises.

You can find out more about Lailah by following her on Instagram here. You can check out her business here.

CONTACT: Paula Henderson 646-736-2071 phendersonnews@gmail.com

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View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/603251/Finding-Success-By-Believing-In-Yourself-Lailah-Alese-Has-Mastered-Self-Growth-In-Order-To-Perfect-Her-Businesses

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Finding Success By Believing In Yourself: Lailah Alese Has Mastered Self Growth In Order To Perfect Her Businesses. - Yahoo Finance

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Meditate, retrace your steps or talk to a trusted friend about something that has been weighing on your mind. Assess your situation, and break away from whatever is holding you back. Get rid of what you no longer need. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Pay close attention to your relationships. Someone will disappoint you if you put too much faith in him or her. Take control, and dictate what you want to happen. If you exude confidence, you will come out on top. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Taking a risk or making an unexpected change will not go over well with the people close to you. Walk away from people who prompt you to do things you shouldn't. Truth matters; don't believe everything you hear. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Use your persuasive powers to get others to think your way. A last-minute arrangement to do something with someone you enjoy working with will help you get ahead. Generosity and thoughtfulness will pay off. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Plan to improve your surroundings or take care of unfinished chores. Set a strict budget, and do the work yourself to avoid falling behind financially. If possible, work extra hours to subsidize unexpected costs. Use your skills effectively. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Speak your mind. You may not like every response you receive, but it will help you put things in perspective and head in a direction that makes life easier. Trust and believe in your ability to excel. Romance is favored. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you shirk your responsibilities, someone will overreact and make life miserable. Take care of business, and the freedom to do something you prefer will result. If you stretch the truth, expect to be caught and questioned. Play it safe. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let your emotions dictate what you do next. Once you share your thoughts, you will have a better idea of where you stand and what's possible. Change is good, and you should welcome any opportunity that comes your way. Worry less and do more. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep moving, and do your best to avoid emotional situations that put you in a vulnerable position. Expect someone to leave you with added responsibilities. Don't evade issues; deal with matters swiftly to avoid repercussions. Say goodbye to an undependable friendship. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do what makes you happy, and enjoy the people you like being around most. How you handle personal and professional affairs will encourage you to make healthier and more productive moves. Romance is encouraged. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Remembering the past will help you avoid making the same mistake twice. Size up whatever situation you find yourself facing, and make adjustments to counter any negativity that comes your way. Focus on your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stay mellow. If you overreact or let uncertainty get to you, it will be challenging to handle the emotional fallout. Focus on what you know, what you want and how best to reach your objective. Self-improvement is favored, and romance is encouraged. 2 stars

Read the rest here:
Your stars August 25 - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Blake Lively, 33; Tim Burton, 62; Elvis Costello, 66; Sean Connery, 90.

Happy Birthday: Positive change is heading in your direction. Be open to suggestions, but only follow through with the ideas and plans that you feel passionate about. You are in control, so dont give the throttle to someone else. Be the one to come up with a plan and to follow through. Love, romance and success are all waiting for you; follow your heart. Your numbers are 6, 19, 25, 27, 32, 36, 41.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Meditate, retrace your steps or talk to a trusted friend about something that has been weighing on your mind. Assess your situation, and break away from whatever is holding you back. Get rid of what you no longer need. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Pay close attention to your relationships. Someone will disappoint you if you put too much faith in him or her. Take control, and dictate what you want to happen. If you exude confidence, you will come out on top. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Taking a risk or making an unexpected change will not go over well with the people close to you. Walk away from people who prompt you to do things you shouldnt. Truth matters; dont believe everything you hear. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Use your persuasive powers to get others to think your way. A last-minute arrangement to do something with someone you enjoy working with will help you get ahead. Generosity and thoughtfulness will pay off. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Plan to improve your surroundings or take care of unfinished chores. Set a strict budget, and do the work yourself to avoid falling behind financially. If possible, work extra hours to subsidize unexpected costs. Use your skills effectively. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Speak your mind. You may not like every response you receive, but it will help you put things in perspective and head in a direction that makes life easier. Trust and believe in your ability to excel. Romance is favored. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you shirk your responsibilities, someone will overreact and make life miserable. Take care of business, and the freedom to do something you prefer will result. If you stretch the truth, expect to be caught and questioned. Play it safe. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Let your emotions dictate what you do next. Once you share your thoughts, you will have a better idea of where you stand and whats possible. Change is good, and you should welcome any opportunity that comes your way. Worry less and do more. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep moving, and do your best to avoid emotional situations that put you in a vulnerable position. Expect someone to leave you with added responsibilities. Dont evade issues; deal with matters swiftly to avoid repercussions. Say goodbye to an undependable friendship. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do what makes you happy, and enjoy the people you like being around most. How you handle personal and professional affairs will encourage you to make healthier and more productive moves. Romance is encouraged. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Remembering the past will help you avoid making the same mistake twice. Size up whatever situation you find yourself facing, and make adjustments to counter any negativity that comes your way. Focus on your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stay mellow. If you overreact or let uncertainty get to you, it will be challenging to handle the emotional fallout. Focus on what you know, what you want and how best to reach your objective. Self-improvement is favored, and romance is encouraged. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are precise, opportunistic and ambitious. You are resourceful and dependable.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Horoscopes Aug. 25, 2020: Blake Lively, be open to suggestions - Vacaville Reporter

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Avoid taking on too high a financial burden or giving the impression you are capable of doing something you cannot. Take a moment to rethink your strategy and the best way to keep the peace with someone who has a different opinion. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don't let someone's flirting or poor judgment lead to a wrong decision. The more hands-on you are when making decisions, the easier it will be to control the outcome. Reassess a partnership that is not living up to its expectations. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don't let your personal life interfere with your work responsibilities. Recognize when someone is taking advantage of you. Your most significant effort and contribution will lead to advancement and a better future. Focus on getting ahead, not pleasing someone who doesn't deserve you. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A hobby or self-improvement project will push you to pursue a unique and exciting path. Reconnect with old friends, and plan a virtual reunion. Bridge the gap between your past and the present. A forgive-and-forget attitude is favored. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Finish what you start, and honor promises you make. A lifestyle change will improve a relationship you have with someone special. If you have doubts, say what's on your mind and find out where you stand. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A virtual journey will lead you in a new direction. A chance to use your skills differently will encourage partnerships that can change the way you work or do things in the future. Reconnect with someone you haven't seen in a long time. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don't overspend or let anyone take advantage of you financially. Unfinished business will leave you in an awkward position. Don't let ulterior motives lead to a problem with someone you need to work alongside. Damage control will be necessary. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use reason when dealing with people offering ultimatums, and you will find a way to get them to see things your way. A change is likely to happen quickly. Go with the flow, and the result will be better than anticipated. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Helping someone who has assisted you in the past will make you feel good. A sales pitch may entice you, but before you decide to dole out cash, consider if your budget can handle the pressure. Stick to what you can afford. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen, but don't buy into someone's plan. Concentrate on personal health and emotional well-being. The ideas you come up with will far exceed what someone is prompting you to do. Don't hesitate to do your own thing. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Being observant will keep you out of trouble and allow you to make a wise decision. Distance yourself from a situation that is causing confusion or making you feel bad. Protect your heart and your possessions. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You can repair a partnership that experienced troubled times if you are willing to accept half the blame. An exciting new interpretation on something you've always wanted to do will encourage you to take a chance. Love and romance are favored. 4 stars

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Your stars August 24 - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com

If Mike Breeden wasnt a fighter, theres no question what hed be doing instead.

Breedens family is in the restaurant business. Growing up, all signs pointed to Breeden being the next member of the bloodline to follow suit.

(My family) is either running a restaurant or they own their own restaurant, Breeden recently told MMA Junkie. Id probably be doing that and Id still be pretty hefty.

During his youth, Breeden didnt have any interest in pursuing MMA greatness or any athletic greatness for that matter. He was content doing his own thing.

As a kid, I really didnt have any desire to become a fighter, Breeden said. I watched old kung fu movies and Id play around with my friends and stuff. I had no desire to become a fighter.

How hefty was Breeden? Breeden, who is currently listed as being 5-foot-11, estimates he weighed upward of 265 pounds around the time of his high school graduation.

Through his high school days, it seemed like Breeden would be going down that path until his uncle suggested he try martial arts. Breeden said he initially voiced his interest, but like many other potential hobbies he stumbled across, he didnt have the get-up-and-go to turn words into actions.

I just really didnt enjoy working out, Breeden said. You couldnt get me to run. You couldnt get me to lift. You couldnt get me to do anything if it didnt have to do with food.

Seeing his nephews lack of action, Breedens uncle dragged him into the gym. The rest was history, to which Breeden says he owes his uncle a lot. From the time he signed up for classes, Breeden focused on physical wellbeing and self-improvement a rare occurrence at that point.

As Breeden grew as a fighter, he slimmed down in weight. After one year of training, Breeden estimates he lost about 100 pounds. The tremendous weight loss is unusual by pretty much every standard. Breeden thanks his coach, whose unorthodox methods tricked him into slimming down.

How (the weight) came off was that my coach kept tricking me, Breeden said. He was like, Hey, you want to fight? Im like, Sure, I think Ill be pretty good at it. At this point I was in the low 200s. OK, well go 185. Well schedule your first fight (at middleweight). I got to 185 and then after that, Im like, Lets do this. Lets start looking for another one. Hes like, We can get you down lower. Then, I got to 170. Hes like, Nope.

Then, I got to 155 and again, hes like, Nope. At this point, I was like, Nah, nah, nah, nah. Ive been at this for so long, I need something to reward myself for all the hard work. 155 is where I ended up starting my (pro) career. He just kind of tricked me into it, I guess.

It all seems to have happened so quickly. When Breeden, now a 155-pound fighter with an 8-2 pro record, takes a step back and reflects, hes blown away. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, Breeden is astounded by the improvements hes made.

I still cant believe it because of the mindset I had back then, Breeden said. I was just happy with being big. I found something I enjoyed doing and I fell in love with: the art of MMA. When you enjoy doing something, its pretty easy to get the weight off when you stay active doing your workouts.

Its so much better. Im just way healthier.

While hes winning his battle to maintain a healthy lifestyle, he hasnt won the war. Temptations to eat tasty foods still exist as does his loving family, who is always looking out for his tastebuds.

(Even now,) its still a struggle, Breeden said. Its tough. Everybody in my family is in the restaurant business. Any time Im around them, theyre trying to feed me, Oh, youre too skinny. Lets eat. Lets eat.

On Tuesday, Breeden will fight for a UFC contract when he takes on Anthony Romero (7-0) at DWCS 30 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Having endured the long journey up until this moment, Breeden understands the importance of capitalizing. His dream is one impressive win away.

It would mean everything all the hard work over the past 10 years is paying off, Breeden said. Im showing everyone that everything is possible if you stay on your grind day in and day out. You can accomplish anything.

Inspiring others isnt what Breeden set out to do when he got off the couch and into the gym over a decade ago. However, now that the platform is there, hes willing to be someone others look up to. Its all about finding what works for each individual.

With dedication, anything is possible, Breeden said. Weve just got to find whatever works for them. Not everybodys journey is the same. Some people can get up, head to the gym, and lift some weights. They get like a runners high. I just had to find what got me going and it was martial arts. It could be boxing (or) kickboxing even lifting weights.

Youve just got to find the one thing you truly enjoy doing that helps you relieve stress and makes you happy. Everything will take care of itself.

Originally posted here:
Losing weight, gaining dreams: How Mike Breedens transformation turned into an MMA career - MMA Junkie

By Joe Coffey, The History Center

CEDAR RAPIDS Hidden in plain sight at 813 First Ave. SE are world-class collections of books, artifacts and art. The Iowa Masonic Library and its museums are not advertised on a sign out front. Instead, the facade says Grand Lodge of Iowa, AF & AM. It might sound off-limits to non-Masons, but the treasures inside are there for everyone.

The white Vermont-marbled edifice was dedicated in 1955, replacing the original library building that occupied the same spot. The original building was the first Mason-specific library in the world, built in 1884 and eventually replaced when its collections grew too large.

Librarian/curator Bill Krueger has given tours and guidance to Masons, historians and anyone curious enough to walk in for nearly 22 years. There are 150,000-plus volumes of literature, many of which predate the countrys founding. Among the artifacts are Babylonian tablets, a suit of samurai armor and a Civil War battle flag.

I asked Krueger to identify the five most significant items in the building, a difficult task for a historian who sees value in every scrap of paper. Heres what he said hed prioritize grabbing in the unfortunate event of a fire.

Built in the early 1900s by Cedar Rapids Mason Philip J. Sargent, this stunning marquetry table features 37,000 tiny pieces of inlay from 100 kinds of wood.

The wood is said to be from a significant collection of sources among them, the first dam built across the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, the Old Capitol Building in Iowa City, Thomas Jeffersons Monticello home in Virginia, the elm tree George Washington stood under in 1777 when taking command of the Continental Army and the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.

The functional drop-leaf table features many well-known and secretive symbols associated with Masonry.

In 1921, early in his short tenure as a Mason, Grant Wood accepted a commission to illustrate the first three Masonic degrees. Executed as an allegorical triptych, the work borrows from famous sculptures to show the creation, utility and decline of the Temple of Solomon, a story many Masonic rituals are based on.

Symbolism abounds in Woods depiction of the progression from youth to old age. The painting left Iowa for the first time last year when it appeared in a Grant Wood exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

Despite having an original 1723 copy of James Andersons seminal text of Freemason history and rituals, the library is especially proud to own a rare 1734 copy of the book reprinted by Benjamin Franklin, a Mason himself. Known as The Franklin Edition of the Constitution, the artifact was one of the main attractions in the librarys recent exhibition celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

Theodore Sutton Parvin founded the Masonic Order of Iowa and served as the states Grand Lodge master and grand secretary. In 1842, just six years after arriving as territorial governor Robert Lucas private secretary, Parvin started the Iowa Masonic Library with a $5 gold piece that yielded the librarys first batch of books, magazines and pamphlets.

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Parvin would become a District Court clerk, a district attorney and a probate judge. He literally helped shape Iowa as the states first land office registrar. He launched the first official state library as well as the Iowa State Historical Society. He also was one of the first trustees of the University of Iowa and taught natural history there for 10 years.

Known more for founding the Mormon religion than being a Mason, Joseph Smith helped found a lodge in Nauvoo, Ill., where he ran a store.

This ledger, or daybook, is the very register he was keeping at the time of his assassination by a mob in 1844 in Carthage, Ill. Hundreds of accounts of goods bought and sold are documented in what could be Smiths own handwriting.

The artifact is a snapshot of what things cost in Nauvoo from 1842 to 1844, which is why an economic historian was recently at the library poring over the artifacts many details. Mormon pilgrims from across the country also have stopped by and found familiar names in it.

Krueger described Masonry as an education-focused self-improvement society and delighted in the notion that Masons are all around doing good things without hoopla.

Theres more around us than what we actually know, Krueger said, drawing on the connection to the treasures in the Iowa Masonic Library.

See them yourself, theyre hidden but in plain sight just like Iowas Masons.

See the article here:
Explore hidden treasures of the Freemasons at Cedar Rapids Masonic Library - The Gazette