Amplitude’s direct listing is at least the sixth this year as the IPO alternative gains traction in tech | My highlights in 20 minutes reading

Here is the article. 

Key points

• Amplitude, a maker of product analytics software, is the second direct listing for venture firm Benchmark, which has touted the approach.
• “I think we’ll see more deals within our portfolio and more generally,” said Eric Vishria, a partner at Benchmark and an Amplitude board member.
• Amplitude reported 66% revenue growth in the second quarter from a year earlier.

As vocal as Benchmark’s Bill Gurley has been about his preference for direct listings over IPOs, his venture firm has had limited success in getting its own portfolio companies to choose that route to the public market.

That may be starting to change. On Tuesday, analytics software vendor Amplitude debuted on the Nasdaq through a direct listing. Instead of raising fresh capital at a discount, the company allowed existing investors to sell shares at a market-clearing price.

Amplitude is only the second direct listing to come out of Benchmark’s portfolio. Asana, the collaboration software company led by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, was the first, a year ago.

“I think we’ll see more deals within our portfolio and more generally,” said Eric Vishria, a partner at Benchmark and an Amplitude board member.

Amplitude shares opened at $50 and rose more than 9% from there to close at $54.80, giving the company a market cap on a fully diluted basis of about $7.1 billion. Benchmark, the largest investor, owns 15% of the company, with a stake worth over $835 million at the close.

The direct listing trend began with music-streaming app Spotify in 2018. Slack followed in 2019, and Palantir and Asana were the notable names of 2020. This year, there have been at least six direct listings, including by Coinbase and Roblox, while eyeglasses company Warby Parker is also set for a direct listing this week.

Gurley has boldly advocated on TV, Twitter and his own blog for the approach, arguing that the IPO process is permanently broken and that it amounts to a handover of cheap stock from companies to Wall Street. He reiterated that sentiment in an interview Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

“As I’ve mentioned many times before, the legacy IPO process has devolved into this process where huge one-day gains are transferred from the investment banks to their trading clients,” Gurley said. “There’s a modern way to do it. You can actually use supply and demand to determine price and allocation, and that’s what the direct listing does.”

Amplitude Inc (AMPL.O) | Stock update: Amplitude valued at $5 bln after shares jump in Nasdaq debut

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Sept 28 (Reuters) - Shares of Amplitude Inc (AMPL.O) opened nearly 43% above their reference price in their Nasdaq debut on Tuesday, notching up a valuation of about $5 billion for the Benchmark-backed analytics company.

San Francisco-based Amplitude, which confidentially filed for a direct listing in July, was valued at $4 billion after raising $150 million from Sequoia Capital and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC in June.

Stock of the company opened at $50 per share, up from the reference price of $35 per share.

Amplitude provides data analytics tools that enable companies to optimize their products. Its customers include NBCUniversal, PayPal Holdings Ltd (PYPL.O), Peloton Interactive Inc (PTON.O) and Instacart.

It has benefited from the accelerated digital transformation during the pandemic, as companies seek to optimize customer experience online by using analytical tools.

It reported $72 million in revenue for the first half of the year, a 56% jump year over year, compared with a loss of $16.5 million.

The seven-year-old company chose to go public through a direct listing, an alternative to an initial public offering that has gain traction among companies after Spotify Technology SA (SPOT.N) pioneered it in 2018.

In a direct listing, companies are allowed to list on the stock market without selling shares. They set a reference price but no shares are sold in advance at that price, unlike in an IPO where shares are sold to institutional investors at a set price.

"Traditional IPOs severely under-price companies," said Spenser Skates, Amplitude Co-founder and CEO, who has been a proponent of direct listing. "There's a great window for companies to go out this year. This is about as fast as we could do it."

Investors see Amplitude's strong debut as a catalyst for other tech companies who are exploring ways to go public.

"This is a watershed moment for direct listings. I think the entire market is looking at Amplitude to see how it does, because it looks like many of the software companies that will go public in the next 12 to 18 months in terms of size, growth and not being well-known household names," said Neeraj Agrawal, partner at Battery Ventures, an early investor in Amplitude.

Morgan Stanley advised Amplitude on the direct listing.

Lifelabs: March 10, 2018 | Age: 51 years | Cholesterol: A5.21 2.00-5.19 mmol/L

 

General Comments
Hours After Meal
			hours pc: 15.0
Hematology
WBC			4.6	4.0-10.0	10*9/L
RBC			4.44	3.50-5.00	10*12/L
Hemoglobin			123	115-155	g/L
Hematocrit			0.38	0.35-0.45	L/L
MCV			86	82-98	fl
MCH			27.7	27.5-33.5	pg
MCHC			321	300-370	g/L
RDW			13.2	11.5-14.5	%
Platelet Count			234	150-400	10*9/L
Differential
Neutrophils			2.5	2.0-7.5	10*9/L
Lymphocytes			1.7	1.0-4.0	10*9/L
Monocytes			0.3	0.1-0.8	10*9/L
Eosinophils			0.1	0.0-0.7	10*9/L
Basophils			0.0	0.0-0.2	10*9/L
Granulocytes Immature			0.0	0.0-0.1	10*9/L
Biochemical Investigation of Anemias and Iron Overload
Vitamin B12			339	153-655	pmol/L
			Interpretation: (Serum B12 Probability of symptomatic deficiency) High <111 pmol/L Moderate 111-150 pmol/L Low 150-220 pmol/L Rare >220 pmol/L Clinically significant B12 deficiency may occur with B12 levels in the normal range, particularly in elderly patients.
General Chemistry
Glucose Fasting			5.3	3.3-5.5	mmol/L
Sodium			144	135-145	mmol/L
Potassium			4.3	3.5-5.0	mmol/L
Creatinine			66	45-90	umol/L
Estimated GFR			93	>=60
			Units for eGFR are mL/min/1.73sq.m Kidney function estimate based on assumption of a stable serum creatinine concentration: diet, drugs, pregnancy, clinical state and muscle mass can affect accuracy of the estimate. Urinary ACR may assist interpretation. See www.bcguidelines.ca/pdf/ckd.pdf
Calcium			2.25	2.10-2.60	mmol/L
Alanine Aminotransferase			18	<36	U/L
Lipids
Cholesterol		A	5.21	2.00-5.19	mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol			3.18	1.50-3.40	mmol/L
			The optimal LDL cholesterol level for intermediate and high risk individuals is <= 2.00 mmol/L. If triglycerides are => 1.50 mmol/L, consider monitoring of alternate lipid targets non HDL-cholest- erol or apoB. For low risk individuals with LDL cholesterol => 5.00 mmol/L, target reduction of LDL cholesterol => 50 percent. See Can J Cardiol 2013 vol 29 pgs 151 to 167.
HDL Cholesterol			1.71	>1.19	mmol/L
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio)			3.05	<4.4
Non HDL Cholesterol			3.50		mmol/L
			Non HDL-cholesterol is calculated from total cholesterol and HDL-C and is not affected by the fasting status of the patient. The optimal non HDL-cholesterol level for intermediate and high risk individuals is <= 2.60 mmol/L. See Can J Cardiol 2013 vol 29 pgs 151 to 167.
Triglycerides			0.71	<2.21	mmol/L
Thyroid Function
TSH			1.49	0.32-5.04	mU/L
Fecal Examination
Occult Blood
			Immuno Faecal Occult Blood Date of requisition: Unknown FIT kit provided on: 10-MAR-2018

Glucose fasting | Lifelab results | More understanding life style change | 30 minutes study | Sept. 30, 2021

Glucose fasting: 

General Comments
Hours After Meal
			hours pc: 14
General Chemistry
Glucose Fasting			5.1	3.3-5.5	mmol/L
Lipids
Cholesterol		A	5.72	2.00-5.19	mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol		A	3.79	1.50-3.40	mmol/L
			The optimal LDL cholesterol level for intermediate and high risk individuals is <= 2.00 mmol/L. If triglycerides are => 1.50 mmol/L, consider monitoring of alternate lipid targets non HDL-cholest- erol or apoB. For low risk individuals with LDL cholesterol => 5.00 mmol/L, target reduction of LDL cholesterol => 50 percent. See Can J Cardiol 2013 vol 29 pgs 151 to 167.
HDL Cholesterol			1.50	>1.19	mmol/L
Chol/HDL (Risk Ratio)			3.81	<4.4
Non HDL Cholesterol			4.22		mmol/L
			Non HDL-cholesterol is calculated from total cholesterol and HDL-C and is not affected by the fasting status of the patient. The optimal non HDL-cholesterol level for intermediate and high risk individuals is <= 2.60 mmol/L. See Can J Cardiol 2013 vol 29 pgs 151 to 167.
Triglycerides			0.95	<2.21	mmol/L

Google results:

The results of a fasting test with respect to glucose levels in the body are as follows: Normal: 3.9 to 5.4 mmols/l (70 to 99 mg/dl) Prediabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance: 5.5 to 6.9 mmol/l (100 to 125 mg/dl) Diagnosis of diabetes: 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl) or above.

https://labtestsonline.org/screenings/adults-50-and-older

Risk Factors
Being overweight – having a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25 kg/m2 – is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Other risk factors related to your own health include:

• Physical inactivity
• Having high blood pressure (hypertension), meaning blood pressure 140/90 mmHg or higher or receiving therapy for hypertension
• History of cardiovascular disease
• Having a HDL-cholesterol level less than 40 mg/dL (1.00 mmol/L) and/or a triglyceride level greater than 150 mg/dL (1.70 mmol/L)
• Having a previous hemoglobin A1c test result equal to or greater than 5.7%, impaired glucose tolerance (glucose tolerance test result 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.1 mmol/L)), or impaired fasting glucose (fasting glucose level 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L))
• Having other conditions associated with insulin resistance, such as severe obesity and acanthosis nigracans

http://club.xywy.com/static/20140412/39643236.htm

问题分析：你好，胆固醇5.72也不是很高，期它血脂如果都不是很高，就可以暂时不用服药，通过食物来控制就可以了，
意见建议：建议少吃一些含胆固醇高的，脂肪高的，比如；动物内脏，肥肉等多吃蔬菜水果是可以的，鱼类是可以吃的，多喝水，总的来说要饮食清淡

问题分析：您好，根据您的描述，胆固醇检查结果5.72的话，只是稍微偏高，正常胆固醇结果是不超过5.6。轻度偏高的话，一般暂时不需要药物治疗，可以通过饮食调节一下。
意见建议：建议您一定要减少吃大鱼大肉，特别是动物内脏之类的食物，同时不吃高脂高蛋白食物，多喝水，多运动，多吃水果和蔬菜，过些天再去医院复查一下看看，谢谢。

问题分析：病情分析：血脂是指血浆中的脂蛋白，其中胆固醇与动脉粥样硬化关系密切，动脉粥样硬化又与冠心病有直些关系。所以防止高脂血症对预防冠心病有重要意义。特别是胆固醇升高危害大。目前降低血脂主要有以下方法 1药物使用，常用的药物有洛伐他丁 脂必妥等主要降低胆固醇 2注意饮食 应低盐低脂低糖饮食，
意见建议：请根据患者想要得到的帮助，提供合理化指导意见，答3适当锻炼有利于降低血脂。只要注意这几点血脂水平会降低到正常状态

一般都知道，脂类物质主要分为两大类。脂肪（主要是甘油三酯）是人体内含量最多的脂类，是体内的一种主要能量来源；另一类叫类脂，是生物膜的基本成分，约占体重的5%，除包括磷脂、糖脂外，还有很重要的一种叫胆固醇(cholesterol)。
　　胆固醇又分为高密度胆固醇和低密度胆固醇两种，前者对心血管有保护作用，通常称之为“好胆固醇”，后者偏高，冠心病的危险性就会增加，通常称之为“坏胆固醇”。血液中胆固醇含量每单位在140~199毫克之间，是比较正常的胆固醇水平。
　　胆固醇是由甾体部分和一条长的侧链组成。人体中胆固醇的总量大约占体重的0.2%，骨质约含10毫克，骨骼肌约含100毫克，内脏多在150~250毫克之间，肝脏和皮肤含量稍高，约为300毫克。脑和神经组织中含量最高，每100克组织约含2克，其总量约占全身总量的l／4。

问题分析：你好； 总胆固醇 和甘油三酯 等偏高，容易导致动脉硬化出现高血压 或者是冠心病等疾病的
意见建议：胆固醇高 和血脂高，是可以选择低盐低脂低胆固醇，饮食多吃新鲜的蔬菜和水果等食物的， 药物是可以选择辛伐他汀片治疗的

病情分析： 胆固醇升高不一定会得高血压,但冠心病的风险会增加.轻度的升高,控制饮食,适度运动就可以了.
意见建议：中度以上的升高,要用他汀类调脂药,如辛伐他汀,阿托伐他汀,血脂康.

指导意见：胆固醇高总的来说是这样的，一是吃清淡饮食，二是要多运动，三是服用降血脂的药物，四是降低体重!，

病情分析： 根据你的描述，考虑是高血脂，症状多表现为：头晕、神疲乏力、失眠健忘、肢体麻木、胸闷、心悸等
意见建议：应调整饮食、改善生活方式，限制高脂肪食品，多吃含纤维素多的蔬菜。限制甜食，加强体力活动和体育锻炼，戒烟，少饮酒，避免过度紧张。药物可以使用洛伐他汀，辛伐他汀等。

总胆固醇数值在5.72是正常的指标，所以这个不严重不要紧。胆固醇的正常值在2.9~6.0mmol/L之间。日常就要注意自己调节好饮食，尽量的不要过度肥腻，如果是暴饮暴食，不注意运动锻炼，都有可能会造成胆固醇偏高，导致高脂血症。控制好饮食的同时，注意适当运动。

总胆固醇在5.72这个范围，基本考虑还是有血脂增高的情况出现，但是增高的程度并不是很严重，如果机体没有其他的异常情况，是可以控制饮食来进行对症处理的，一般在确定病变性质后，建议营养清淡的饮食，不建议吃一些高血脂的食物，也需要在饭后进行适当的运动来促进机体的代谢。

More reading:

http://club.xywy.com/static/20141210/57103850.htm

人大生化检查:发现总胆固醇偏高，为5.72?，低密度胆固醇也偏高，为3.78

你好，你检查的结果是胆固醇，低密度胆固醇等增高，这个说明你血脂代谢异常，应该日常控制饮食不要吃高蛋白食物，应该及时运动，这个结果还暂时不需要吃药，另外应该每年查体，如果平常喝酒应该及时戒酒，其他不要担心。

你的血脂偏高，控制饮食，不要吃油腻的食物，炒菜少放油，不要吃花生、瓜子，可以慢跑等运动，适量服用降脂药物。

胆固醇高总的来说是这样的，一是吃清淡饮食，二是要多运动，三是服用降血脂的药物，四是降低体重!，

一般都知道，脂类物质主要分为两大类。脂肪（主要是甘油三酯）是人体内含量最多的脂类，是体内的一种主要能量来源；另一类叫类脂，是生物膜的基本成分，约占体重的5%，除包括磷脂、糖脂外，还有很重要的一种叫胆固醇(cholesterol)。

　　胆固醇又分为高密度胆固醇和低密度胆固醇两种，前者对心血管有保护作用，通常称之为“好胆固醇”，后者偏高，冠心病的危险性就会增加，通常称之为“坏胆固醇”。血液中胆固醇含量每单位在140~199毫克之间，是比较正常的胆固醇水平。

　　胆固醇是由甾体部分和一条长的侧链组成。人体中胆固醇的总量大约占体重的0.2%，骨质约含10毫克，骨骼肌约含100毫克，内脏多在150~250毫克之间，肝脏和皮肤含量稍高，约为300毫克。脑和神经组织中含量最高，每100克组织约含2克，其总量约占全身总量的l／4。

检查的结果是胆固醇低密度胆固醇等增高这个说明你血脂代谢异常应该日常控制饮食不要吃高蛋白食物应该及时运动这个结果还暂时不需要吃药另外应该每年查体如果平常喝酒应该及时戒酒其他不要担心。

首先要养成定时饮食的习惯；其次要注意饮食的荤素搭配；第三要注意早餐要吃好、吃饱，早餐摄取的能量是供应上午活动的；最后饮食与运动是相结合的，早晨吃好，中午要吃饱，晚上要吃少，吃的东西不要非常油，要吃些有营养的，按时按质、按了进餐，多吃素菜瓜果和高蛋白的食物，少吃脂肪含量高的油炸食物

Cloud Datastore 101: Overview of Google's scalable NoSQL document database (Google Cloud Next '17)

 Here is the link. 

Forbes: Shay Banon | Elastic

 

• Shay Banon is a cofounder and CEO of search engine company Elastic, which is based in Mountain View, California.
• His fortune derives from his nearly 11% stake in the company, which went public in October 2018.
• Banon helped to develop the search technology that Elastic uses and became CEO of the company in 2017.
• An Israeli citizen, Banon received his B.Sc. in Computer Science from Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.

Elasticsearch: My first 20 minutes study | Book reading: Elasticsearch: The definitive guide

Sept. 29, 2021

Elasticsearch is an open-source search engine built on top of Apache Lucene™, a full text search-engine library. Lucene is arguably the most advanced, high-performance, and fully featured search engine library in existence today—both open source and proprietary.

But Lucene is just a library. To leverage its power, you need to work in Java and to integrate Lucene directly with your application. Worse, you will likely require a degree in information retrieval to understand how it works. Lucene is very complex.

Elasticsearch is also written in Java and uses Lucene internally for all of its indexing and searching, but it aims to make full-text search easy by hiding the complexities of Lucene behind a simple, coherent, RESTful API.

However, Elasticsearch is much more than just Lucene and much more than “just” full-text search. It can also be described as follows: 

• A distributed real-time document store where every field is indexed and searchable
• A distributed search engine with real-time analytics
• Capable of scaling to hundreds of servers and petabytes of structured and unstructured data

And it packages up all this functionality into a standalone server that your application can talk to via a simple RESTful API, using a web client from your favorite programming language, or even from the command line.

Coursera: Serverless Data Processing with Dataflow Specialization | My 20 minutes study

Sept. 28, 2021

Here is the link. 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Demonstrate how Apache Beam and Cloud Dataflow work together to fulfill your organization’s data processing needs

Write pipelines and advanced components such as utility functions, schemas, and watermarks.

Perform monitoring, troubleshooting, testing and CI/CD on Dataflow pipelines.

Deploy Dataflow pipelines with reliability in mind to maximize stability for your data processing platform

It is becoming harder and harder to maintain a technology stack that can keep up with the growing demands of a data-driven business. Every Big Data practitioner is familiar with the three V’s of Big Data: volume, velocity, and variety. What if there was a scale-proof technology that was designed to meet these demands?

Enter Google Cloud Dataflow. Google Cloud Dataflow simplifies data processing by unifying batch & stream processing and providing a serverless experience that allows users to focus on analytics, not infrastructure. This specialization is intended for customers & partners that are looking to further their understanding of Dataflow to advance their data processing applications.

This specialization contains three courses:

Foundations, which explains how Apache Beam and Dataflow work together to meet your data processing needs without the risk of vendor lock-in

Develop Pipelines, which covers how you convert our business logic into data processing applications that can run on Dataflow

Operations, which reviews the most important lessons for operating a data application on Dataflow, including monitoring, troubleshooting, testing, and reliability.