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Selective Mutism is characterized by a child's refusal to speak in certain situations despite their ability to speak in other situations. The most common types of Selective Mutism is when a child refuses to speak to anyone outside of their immediate family or when they are outside their home. Children with Selective Mutism often find other ways to communicate such as gesturing, pointing, or nodding.
A child who does not speak primarily due to a speech impediment or unfamiliarity with the language is not considered selectively mute. However, some children with Selective Mutism do have speech impediments.
Selective Mutism usually begins before the age of 6 but can begin later. It often becomes most problematic when a child begins school. Selective Mutism often causes severe impairment academically and socially, in that the child is unable to function in school or social situations due to their refusal to verbally communicate.
When a child refuses to speak in public, it often causes socially awkward or embarrassing situations. Parents of children with Selective Mutism understand their children's wants and needs and usually end up speaking for them. While this alleviates the social awkwardness of most situations, it also serves to reinforce their child's non-speaking behavior. Therefore, the first step in treatment is to work with parents to help them deal with the discomfort created by their child's refusal to speak and to gradually help them stop speaking for their child.
Treatment with the child involves basic behavioral techniques of implementing rewards and consequences. In session, the child is encouraged to speak and verbalizations are reinforced. Planned ignoring is used when a child tries to communicate without talking. As the child begins to talk to the therapist in session, this behavior is expanded to other areas of their life.
Selective Mutism Group - Website Link. | http://www.cbpny.com/selective-mutism.html |
The molecular lab contains equipment for DNA/RNA isolation, cloning, and sequencing, including thermal cyclers, DNA/RNA quantification/quality assessment/imaging systems, two capillary sequencers for Sanger sequencing and fingerprinting (AFLP, SSR), and equipment for NGS library preparation.
The microscope and cytogenetic labs are equipped with several high-end light and fluorescence microscopes and flow cytometers.
The equipment of the phytochemistry lab comprises HPLC (with UV/VIS-diode array, evaporative light scattering (ELSD) and fluorescence detectors), TLC, CC, and MPLC for profiling of plant extracts and for isolation of secondary metabolites, and smaller equipment for bioassays (antifungal, insecticidal properties).
Herbarium
The Herbarium of the Department is estimated to contain about 1,400.000 specimens covering all plant groups worldwide. Further details can be found in the printed version of the Index Herbariorum ed. 8 (HOLMGREN & al., 1990) and at the corresponding website
We also contribute to biodiversity information with a focus on collection management and data acquisition and digitalization of herbarium samples and living plants; establishing an international network of collections – the Virtual Herbaria; integration of data in national and international biodiversity networks, e.g., GBIF and GBIF-Austria, and “Europäisches Kulturportal”.
Genomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics core facilities
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms, advanced microscopy, specialized plant growth chambers, and other plant science resources are located at Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities (VBCF) just three tram stops from our research unit. Analytical equipment for metabolomics (e.g. to study specialized metabolites involved in plant biotic interactions) are available at University of Vienna´s Vienna Metabolomics Center. The bioinformatics & computational biology needs of the Vienna life sciences community are served by the Vienna Science Cluster. In addition, local Linux servers and NAS data back-up devices are available on-site in our research unit. | https://systematic-and-evolutionary-botany.univie.ac.at/research-facilities/ |
The utility model relates to a data measuring instrument, in particular to an electro-optical measuring instrument. An instrument for traditional Chinese medicine concentration measurement structurally comprises a light perception panel, a transparent container, herb medicine, direct light, a light source generator, a signal line, a power cord, a power supply, a central processing unit, a control panel and a display board; the central processing unit is respectively communicated with the light perception panel, the light source generator, the power supply, the control panel and the display board through the signal line and the power cord; and the transparent container is arranged between the light source generator and the light perception panel. According to the utility model, because a light perception principle is adopted, an electronic measurement technology is applied in the traditional Chinese medicine concentration measurement, the defects that the traditional Chinese medicine concentration is difficult to measure, the eye measurement error is large and the like are overcome, a novel measuring instrument is developed, and strong support is offered to the control of traditional Chinese medicine dose. | |
Q:
A sequence/queue converges Does my answer correct?
Does this queue converge to 1 ?
what i've done is telescope sum and the ive got $(\ln(n^5+n^4)-\ln(n^5+1))n$ and then ive used Euler limit and then ive got $\ln(e^1) = 1$.
Is this the correct thinking ?
A:
Your basic approach is right, but you made a small error when you added up the series. It telescopes to $$
(\ln(n^5+n^4+1)-\ln(n^5+1))n=n\ln\left(1+\frac{n^4}{n^5+1}\right)$$
When you made your error you got $$n\ln\left(1+\frac1n\right)$$ instead, so you were able to use the fact that $$\left(1+\frac1n\right)^n\rightarrow e\tag1$$
That was a good idea, but you have to do some more work in reality. The easiest way I've found is to write it as $$\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\ln\left(1+\frac1{n+n^{-4}}\right)}{1/n}$$ and use L'Hôpital's rule. One application of the rule gives the limit $1$, so the sequence converges to $e$.
We can do this without L'Hôpital's rule. When $x>0$ we have $\log(1+x)<x.$ (To see this, let $f(x)=\log(+1x)-x$ and note that $f(0)=0,\ f'(x)<0$ for $x>0$.) Therefore,$$
\lim_{n\to\infty}n\ln\left(1+\frac{n^4}{n^5+1}\right)\leq
\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n^5}{n^5+1}=1$$
In a similar way, one can see that $\log(1+x)>x-\frac{x^2}2$ for $x>0$ so that $$
\lim_{n\to\infty}n\ln\left(1+\frac{n^4}{n^5+1}\right)\geq
\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n^5}{n^5+1}-\frac n2\left(\frac{n^4}{n^5+1}\right)^2=1$$
| |
The structure in the picture on the left is called 'the gnomon of St Sulpice and it is to be found in the Church of St Sulpice, one of the largest of the churches of Paris, France. This gnomon is part of a wonderful device which, with the aid of sunlight cast through a carefully placed window measures a shadow that falls on the floor of the church, indicating when the important 'corners' of the year occur. These are the spring and autumn equinox, together with the summer and winter solstices. This device was created in the 17th century and it was said that it was used as a means to work out 'exactly' when Easter should be celebrated in each year. This suggestion is nonsense because by the 17th century there were very accurate mathematical tables to define the moveable dates of Easter. It therefore stands to reason that the yearly shadow clock of St Sulpice serves some other, more mysterious purpose. A clue to that purpose can be gleaned not only from the fact that the gnomon is in the shape of an obelisk but on account of the Sun which appears at the top of the structure, which can be seen in the inset picture. Only a few decades after the St Sulpice gnomon was designed and built, another even more ambitious but similar undertaking was rising from the soil of Washington DC.
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is the largest freestanding obelisk in the world. It soars high above the Mall in Washington DC. Its declared purpose is to celebrate the life of President and General George Washington, Father of the American Nation. In our book we tell the entire story of the Washington Monument, when it was planned, how long it took to complete and why an 'obelisk' such as this was such a fitting epitaph to the very Freemasonic George Washington. This is about as far as the story goes in the minds and knowledge of almost all Americans, but it was merely the starting point of our discoveries regarding this most remarkable and meticulously planned structure. The Washington Monument is far from being the only obelisk in the United States that was created to serve a series of very specific and yet deeply secret functions, but it is definitely the most remarkable amongst its fellow American obelisks. The specific purposes for which it was designed are as clear as crystal for anyone to see - if they can visit the Mall regularly and know what to look for. However, despite the fact that the Washington Monument positively shouts its ingenious and quite breath-taking abilities to the world, no published historian before us has ever discovered its secrets. A description of these are amongst the most incredible revelations to be found in 'America - Nation of the Goddess.'
Sacred Earth - Sacred Sky
So far in this website we have suggested that Freemasons (whether they all realize it or not) and especially members of the secretive but powerful Venus Families hold a very special reverence for the Great Goddess, who has been worshipped by humanity for countless thousands of years. However, this is only half the story. What the Venus Families revere more than anything is 'balance'. As an expression of this it would be impossible to revere a Goddess unless her presence was also balanced by that of a God. If the Great Goddess represents the Earth, then it stands to reason that the God is associated with the sky - and in particular in a symbolic sense with the Sun. In the beliefs of the Venus Families it is the 'duality' of the Earth and the Sun that is sacred. If the Sun was not present to fertilize and support the Earth with its heat and light, no life on Earth would be possible. On the other hand, if there was no planet in the solar system that could support and nourish life, the presence of the Sun would be irrelevant. In terms of all life the Earth and Sun are mutually dependent.
The 'Real' Purpose of Obelisks
Obelisks were first designed and used in Ancient Egypt but although there are still many to be seen there, and also examples that were moved from Egypt to other parts of the world, it is a fact that nobody has known for sure exactly what their purpose was meant to be. All sorts of ideas have been put forward and of course it is clear that they have a phallic dimension but until we started to look at the whole situation with new eyes, obelisks remained something of a mystery. It was the solar orb on top of the St Sulpice gnomon in Paris that gave us a clue, plus a beautiful summer morning walk along the Mall in Washington DC a few years ago. It occurred to us that at certain times, from specific locations, it would look to the observer as if the disc of the Sun was resting on the very point of any obelisk, including the Washington Monument, and so with our knowledge of astronomy and sacred geometry we set out to discover whether the Washington Monument might not simply be a structure on the landscape but actually part of a sort of 'machine' that serves a purpose. Slowly but surely the Washington Monument began to reveal its secrets to us - and we became more and more astonished at what this truly incredible structure had been designed to do. In addition we were even more surprised to learn that to a select group of people the functions of the Washington Monument are still being employed in new ways to this very day!
Magic - Elusive but at the same time Obvious
In our book we dedicated several chapters to our discussions about obelisks and in particular to the Washington Monument. We do not want to premeditate 'exactly' what we discovered until America - Nation of the Goddess is released because we want to make certain that our findings have an immediate impact on the world of both history and religion. It isn't so much that we now 'know' that pure genius went into the design of building of the Washington Monument that is such a revelation but rather that the Washington Monument does 'so much' and yet hardly anyone is aware of the fact - year in and year out. Nor is it strictly speaking the view of the solar disc sitting on the point of the Monument that is specifically important, though as you can see it is very impressive. Rather it is the shadow cast by the Washington Monument at specific times, on very particular dates and to carefully chosen targets that makes this structure absolutely unique and breathtaking in its oh so carefully manipulated simplicity. The Washington Monument represents a performer in an elaborate 'dance' involving the interactions of the Earth and the Sun. In the days before computer aided astronomy and mathematics it took pure genius to arrange things in Washington DC the way they were in order to present the staggering spectacle that takes place throughout each year. We apologize for keeping you waiting regarding the details of this performance but we are sure that when you do learn about it, you will be just as impressed as we were and still are. | https://www.nationofthegoddess.com/without-a-shadow-of-doubt.html |
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Issues New Hijri Calendar
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Aug, 2021) The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has announced that it has issued the Hijri Calendar for the year 1443 AH, which began on 10th August, 2021. The calendar is available at Al Jami’ library.
The package contains a printed calendar and a notebook. They provide crucial information on prayer times in the meridian, sunset times in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the country; major astronomical events; and details about zodiacs, seasons, related land and sea conditions and tidal movements. Additionally, it includes supplications and hadiths that guide individuals on a path to moral virtue.
Apart from providing information such as prayer times, and the times of the Suhail star rise, the calendar includes famous quotes and international days.
The new edition also contains interpretations of scientific and astronomical terms, and notes the corresponding Gregorian months, astronomical cycles, zodiac positions and their effects on humans, climate, nature and agriculture, apart from mentioning the variations in prayer timings from one region to another, as well holidays and annual events.
The content has been arranged and designed in a way that can be easily accessed and understood by people of all age groups.
The ancient astronomical system called Deirat Al-Duroor Wa Al-Tawala’a aims to impart knowledge about the UAE’s tradition and heritage, as well as revive the skills and wisdom deployed by our ancestors. The ancient system is based on dividing the days of the year in decimals into 36 sections. Each section includes 10 days known as "Dur" that relates to zodiacal and climatic conditions, allowing people to know the appropriate times for planting and harvesting, climatic variables such as winds and rain, breeding seasons of fish and appropriate times for fishing, as well as the migration of wild birds and sea birds.
Al-Duroor calculations are linked with the rise of the Suhail star. The Centre had previously formed a specialised committee to monitor and document the star because of its significance in these calculations, as well as in the study of meteorology and astronomy. All this content is included in the Hijri calendar notebook.
The content of the 1443 Hijri calendar was prepared according to scientific, religious and astronomical guidelines, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the UAE. These authorities include the National Centre of Meteorology, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Sharjahacademy of Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, the Emirates Astronomical Society, and the International Astronomical Centre (Abu Dhabi).
The information in the calendar was approved by specialised committees and teams composed of specialists in Islamic law and astronomy. The content produced is based on years of study and meetings held with scholars and researchers in Sharia and astronomy in the Islamic world. It also takes into account the latest scientific findings of advanced monitoring methods, which have been used with utmost care and accuracy.
The Centre formed teams consisting of eight committees to support this project. Many Emirati researchers and scientists contributed to the calendar project. The committees included ones on content, studies and research; design and creative production; development and creativity; content auditing; logistical support; technical support; and electronic publishing.
UrduPoint Network is the largest independent digital media house from Pakistan, catering the needs of its users since year 1997. We provide breaking news, Pakistani news, International news, Business news, Sports news, Urdu news and Live Urdu News | |
By 01baksoenak1108. Kitchen. At Wednesday, August 08th 2018, 17:21:42 PM.
Traditional kitchens typically incorporate painted cabinets with or without glass front doors, simple granite or laminate countertops, and hardwood floors. The best traditional kitchens lean on classic elements, while still allowing room for family fun or guest entertainment. Freshen up the look by mixing in modern or industrial elements, like unique lighting fixtures or boldly painted walls.
You can paint your kitchen backsplash a solid color, use a stencil, or even create the look of faux tiles using painter's tape.
The traditional kitchen allows for flexibility, but it most often relies on simple design while making way for a few bold accents. For example, a white kitchen with black granite countertops might include a standout centerpiece, like a bold red kitchen island. These design choices maintain the overall look of a traditional kitchen while adding a bit of spunk to the design.
Any content, trademark/s, or other material that might be found on this site that is not this site property remains the copyright of its respective owner/s. | http://nikeyeah.com/stunning-eco-friendly-kitchen-cabinet/black-and-white-polyethylene-slab-panel-modern-two-tone-eco-friendly-kitchen-cabinets-stainless-steel-microwave-built-in-flat-single-handle-contemporary-faucet-vinyl-hickory-flooring/ |
The Waylanders - Preview @ Gamespace
Gamespace checked out The Waylanders:
The Waylanders Hands-On Preview for PC
A promising RPG in the style of Dragon Age and Baldur’s Gate
I’ve been following the development of The Waylanders for at least a couple of years now and was eager to play it when it went into early access on Steam this week. There was reportedly a Celtic flavor that piqued my interest and I can tell you what I’ve played of the alpha build is quite promising. This is our initial impressions review of The Waylanders for PC.
There may be a slight bias here since Dragon Age is probably my favorite RPG series of all time and some Bioware staff has worked on this title. The art style is surprisingly fresh and slightly cartoonish, which puts it in contrast to games like The Witcher and Dragon Age for example. I didn’t feel lost at all during the opening character creation, thankfully; since this is the alpha build I hope more customization options will be present at launch. As is par for the course in RPGs like this, you have a robust amount of classes and races to pick from; I still can’t decide between werewolf and human for my playthrough. Trans and non-binary readers should happily note you can pick your pronouns and voice tone if you need to; I thought it was a nice, inclusive addition. All standard RPG classes (warrior, ranger, mage, rogue, healer) are also present and accounted for. | https://www.rpgwatch.com/show/newsbit?rwsiteid=1&newsbit=44293 |
I recently traveled to Madagascar, one of the world's most important countries for wildlife. Madagascar is an island (the fourth largest island in the world) located off the east coast Africa in the Indian ocean.
Madagascar is famous for its lemurs. Lemurs are primates found only on Madagascar. There are many different kinds of lemurs from the
mouse lemurs
that fit in the palm of your hand to the 20-pound
indri lemur
that sings like a whale.
Madagascar also has a number of other plants and animals (
tenrecs
,
chameleons
,
leaf-tailed geckos
, tiny
leaf chameleons
, and more) found nowhere else in the world.
The purpose of my trip to Madagascar was to visit protected areas like rainforests, photograph wildlife, and meet local people involved with environmental issues. Because Madagascar is an incredibly poor country, helping local people earn a living is an important part of saving wildlife and rainforests in the country. | https://world.mongabay.com/espanol-spanish/rhett2.html |
The following article discusses the career path of Investment Analyst. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Investment Analysts.
Job Duties
Investment analysts work as part of a group to review investment products, and potentially approve them. They may also be responsible for recommending portfolio changes to advisors, as well as focusing on other investment products, including assets, that financial advisors use on a daily basis. Furthermore, an investment analyst is likely to have to conduct research on various funds, writing an analysis or commentary, delivering presentations on various financial investment topics, supporting advisors, and supporting asset management.
Typically, these professionals are employed by large financial firms or institutions, venture capitalists, brokerages, or fund managers. Their role is highly stressful and they may work unsociable hours, particularly if they also focus on global financial markets.
Other job duties of an investment analyst are:
- To analyze and research various financial products to determine whether the industry or company is performing at maximum capability
- To work with other analysts to create investment strategies for individuals or companies
- To recommend different types of investments based on research of an industry or company
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 296,100 financial analysts in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:
- Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities: 24%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: 14%
- Credit intermediation and related activities: 13%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 12%
- Insurance carriers and related activities: 7%
How to Become
Typically, investment analysts are team players with excellent communication skills, both oral and written. They will be expected to hold a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, typically in a field such as accounting, business, or finance. It is common for them to have many years of work experience as well as for them to be certified in different financial areas. Many hold CIMA (certified investment management analyst), CAIA (chartered alternative investment analyst), or CFA (chartered financial analyst) certifications. This means that they have completed significant amounts of further education. Many, in fact, have completed a master’s degree, with the master in business administration (MBA) with a relevant concentration being the most popular.
Education Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum requirement. While a bachelor’s degree in finance is recommended, fields such as mathematics, statistics, economics, and accounting are also suitable. Licenses and certifications are also available and sometimes required by employers.
The main licensing body for the investment industry is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). If an investment analyst wishes to sell financial products, he or she will need to be licensed. To receive this license, employer sponsorship is required. This means that an analyst is not expected to already be licensed when starting in a job.
Certification is usually recommended depending on the position. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), offered by the CFA Institute, is very popular. To obtain CFA certification, an investment analyst must hold a bachelor’s degree, have four years of relevant professional experience, and pass three different examinations. They can also obtain further certification in specialty fields. Doing so will also greatly improve their advancement prospects.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective investment analysts have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Excellent analytical skills
- Great communication skills, both verbal and written, particularly in relation to report writing and holding presentations
- Computer skills, focusing on financial analysis software
- Strong decision making skills
- Detail oriented
- Excellent mathematical skills
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree
National Salary
- .
- .
- .
- Most Reported
- .
- .
- .
- .
- .
- .
Salary by State
The following section lists Investment Analyst salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, New York had the largest quoted salary of $100,767 while Missouri had the smallest quoted salary of $27,859.
|Arizona||Illinois||Missouri||Pennsylvania|
|California||Indiana||Mississippi||Tennessee|
|DC||Kansas||New Hampshire||Texas|
|Delaware||Massachusetts||New Jersey||Utah|
|Florida||Maryland||Nevada||Virginia|
|Georgia||Michigan||New York|
|Iowa||Minnesota||Ohio|
Top 20 National Employers
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Investment Analyst. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer. | https://www.businessstudent.com/careers/investment-analyst/ |
A method is suggested for estimating unknown velocities by combining their sparse measurements with observations of a tracer on a fine grid advected by the underlined velocity field. The dependence of the estimation error on a coarseness parameter and parameters of the flow in question is investigated numerically using synthetic velocity fields typical for real oceanic circulation. In an advanced version of the estimation procedure uncertainty in the transport equation forcing is modeled via a fuzzy sets approach. We also compare the method with a traditional interpolation which is in contrast to the developed procedure unable to capture the flow details.
1. Introduction
The problem of retrieving a surface circulation in the ocean from observations of tracers such as sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration has been intensively discussed for the decades [1-15] because of its great practical and theoretical importance. In general it is an ill-posed inverse problem since the current component tangent to the tracer lines never can be recovered . For that reason different additional conjectures were used to get a unique solution such as a scale separation [5-8]. In alternative approaches optimizing an appropriate cost function was suggested [3,4,13] or tracer observations were assimilated in numerical models of oceanic circulation .
If there is an independent source of information on the surface velocities such as a circulation model output then the problem can be formulated in a well-posed fashion using multi-objective optimization ideas [16-18]. The present work extends these ideas to a new set up which is of great practical importance: to estimate a surface circulation from high resolution tracer observations and sparse measurements of the surface velocity itself.
Typically, direct measurements of the surface velocities in the ocean covering a significant area cannot provide a high degree of the space resolution because of technical difficulties and high cost of such measurements. For example the distance between ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) stations in NAVOCEANO shipboard surveys (California Coastal Region) is about 18.5 km. On the other hand the space resolution of satellite observations of the sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration is much higher, 2 km or less depending on a type of radiometers. Thus, a task is to optimally combine these two kinds of data to restore the true circulation with highest possible resolution.
Here we consider a simplified formulation of the problem as follows. Assume that an unknown 2D velocity field is observed on a coarse space grid at a fixed time. Then assume that two snapshots and of a tracer field are available as well on a fine grid, where the tracer concentration is covered by
(1)
with a poorly known forcing.
The problem is to estimate the velocity field on the fine grid by optimally combining both sorts of observations.
We first discuss the problem when the forcing in (1) is completely known (Section 2). This is the case for satellite observations of sea surface temperature since they are usually accompanied with heat fluxes measurements. In Section 3 we extend the approach to a poorly known forcing modeling its uncertainty in terms of fuzzy sets. An aimed area of application is the ocean color (chlorophyll). An estimation algorithm is derived for the corresponding two-objective fuzzy optimization problem. Numerical experiments with few types of synthetic flows typical for real oceanic circulation are presented in Section 4. Brief conclusions are summed up in Section 5.
2. Velocity Estimation under Completely Known Forcing
Let us fix a space point, time moment and assume and spacing of to be small enough such that and can be accurately computed.
Denote by the velocities measured at nearest neighbors of x on the coarse grid. For the present purposes neither the number nor the configuration of the neighbors matters. To estimate the velocity at we suggest to solve the following conditional optimization problem
where are prescribed weights (matrices or scalars). A quadratic cost function is traditionally used in statistical estimation problems. In our context its advantage is that unconditional optimization of leads to a linear interpolation widely used in oceanographic research.
The solution obtained by a standard procedure of Lagrangian multiplier is given by
(2)
where
(3)
is the interpolated velocity. So, the resulting estimator consists of interpolation (the first term in (2)) and a correction according to the tracer observations (the second term).
The estimation skill for each time moment we measure by the error ratio
where
is the true velocity and the summation is carried out over all the grid points in. The relative error will be compared to the interpolation error
where
Under some idealistic assumptions it can be shown similarly to that
(4)
i.e. theoretically speaking the method would give about improvement comparing to the interpolation. In our numerical experiments with realistic flows shown below this number varies in the range 12% - 32%.
3. Unknown Forcing
Here we assume that the forcing in (1) is not known, rather some reasonable confidence interval is available. Namely, one believes that
where is a given background and is a margin depending on the location and moment as well which henceforth are fixed. The tracer gradient on the right hand side is introduced to keep the velocity dimension for.
Let us denote
then the last inequality is written as where
To describe an uncertainty in knowledge of we assume that is a fuzzy number with a membership function such that and if is outside of the interval [19,20]. To satisfy Equation (1) in condition of uncertainty about the forcing we formulate the problem of estimating as the following two-objective optimization problem
(5)
which in the traditional approach does not have a solution in contrast to the conditional optimization discussed above for the case of known forcing.
A key concept in multi-objective optimization is a Pareto optimal solution, e.g. . In plain words it is one in which any improvement of one objective function can be achieved only at the expense of another. For a formal definition see the cited paper.
To find the set of all Pareto optimal solutions for (5) introduce for the interpolated velocity (3) and assume that is even and strictly increasing on, for example is a triangle membership function.
Direct computations lead to the following parametric description of
(6)
In other words, is a segment on the straight line in the plane passing through perpendicular to the line. One of the endpoints of this segment is always coincides with given by (2) while the another one is either or depending on whether is greater or less than.
In principle, any point from could be treated as a sensible estimator of the true velocity. To single out a certain solution one can simply take the middle point of, however we suggest another way which is more consistent with fuzzy logic ideas and also allows to find out an explicit expression for the estimator. Namely, we change the set up (5) by replacing the quadratic cost function by an appropriate membership function centered at and then proceed to another fuzzy two-objective optimization problem
(7)
In simple words we try to make the solution as close as possible to the interpolated velocity at the same time maximizing the possibility that just this solution advects the tracer.
The Pareto optimal set for (7) also can be efficiently described similarly to (6) and then the unique solution can be singled out by taking its center of mass
(8)
according to fuzzy logic standard rules in aggregating information coming from different sources [19,20].
Let us parameterize as a circular cone inside the circle and zero otherwise where is a parameter characterizing uncertainties in the velocity observations. Then take as a triangle membership function defined by triplet. As a result (8) van be readily found in explicit form. Namely, denote
then (6) is expressible in form
(9)
where for
and for
with
4. Simulations
4.1. Gyre Superimposed with Eddy System
In the first series of experiments the “true” velocity field is given by the following stream function
where
is the gyre with space scale and the disturbing velocity is expressed by an oscillating regular system of eddies filling up the region
where is the amplitude and is the fixed observation time. Finally, suppose that the initial tracer distribution is given by a Gaussian bell
where R is the patch radius and is its center.
In all below experiments the region remains the same with. The fine grid defined as the set of all integer pairs is also kept constant (thus), while the step of the coarse grid is defined by where is the coarseness parameter which assumes three possible values.
4.1.1. Known Forcing
In the first experiment we assumed zero forcing for the tracer,. The estimates (2) were computed for each time moment with and then compared to the pure interpolation.
Weights in the interpolation objective function were chosen to be inversely proportional to the squared distances where x is the point in which the velocity is estimated and are vertices of the square in where lies.
An example is shown in Figure 1 for the terminal time moment under the following values of other parameters R = 10, Rb = 10, x0 = 3, y0 = 3, a = 5, k = 3, c = 8. As one can see, the estimated velocity field (first panel at the bottom) fairly captures principal features of the real velocity even for extremely high coarseness. In terms of numbers the relative estimation error is significantly less than the interpolation error such that which is well agreed with the theoretical bound (4).
We also show the gyre itself (last panel at the bottom) to illustrate that the interpolation itself captures well the large scale part of the circulation.
Results for other experiments are summarized in the following table.
From Table 1 the following conclusions can be drawn
- In all the instances the estimation error is less than the interpolation error.
- The estimation error is most sensitive to the coarseness parameter characterizing sparseness of the velocity observations.
- The least influential parameter is the patch radius.
- The estimation error decreases as eddy density decreases.
- As amplitude kept constant, the range of improvement is with the minimum value at and maximum value at.
The goal of next two experiments whose results are presented in Tables 2 and 3 was to examine high and low amplitudes.
As one can see from Table 2 a sharp rise in the eddy amplitudes (ten times) modestly increases the estimation error, while when we go back to very small amplitude the error decays by 2 - 3 times depending on the coarseness (Table 3).
4.1.2. Unknown Forcing
In the second series of experiments we tested the same model and “real” velocities with the “unknown” tracer forcing
(10)
Real velocity fieid, k = 3, a = 5, c = 8 Observed veiocity field, k = 3, a = 5, c = 8 Tracer distribution under real velocity in 3 days
Esimated velocity field, k = 3, a = 5, c = 8 Optimal Interpolation, k = 3, a = 5, c = 8 Large scale velocity field, k = 3, a = 5, c = 8
Figure 1. A gyre superimposed with a periodic eddy system: Upper panel: 1) “True” velocity; 2) Velocity observations; 3) Tracer observations. Bottom panel 1) Estimated velocity at; 2) Interpolated velocity field; 3) Large scale component of the “real” velocity days.
Table 1. Dependence of the estimation and interpolation error on the eddy density (k), observation coarseness (c) and the patch radius (R) for the fixed amplitude a = 5.
Table 2. Dependence of the estimation and interpolation error on the observation coarseness (c) and the patch radius (R) for the fixed amplitude a = 50 and eddy density k = 3.
Table 3. Dependence of the estimation and interpolation error on the observation coarseness (c) and the patch radius (R) for the fixed amplitude a = 1 and eddy density k = 3.
where is a given amplitude. The experiment conditions were the same as in the previous subsection except that the transport Equation (1) was integrated to generate tracer observations with the forcing given in (10) and the velocity estimates were obtained from the more general Equation (9) instead of (2). We underscore that in estimating the velocity field by (9) expression (10) for the forcing was not used at all. The only information on the forcing used for estimating was and.
The goal of experiments with fuzzy estimator (9) was to compare it with the estimator (2) which simply ignores the forcing uncertainty. We carried out such a comparison for two values of the parameter characterizing the forcing intensity. The results are summed up in Tables 4 and 5. The relative error of the fuzzy estimator is defined similarly to.
The main conclusions concerning an unknown forcing are as follows:
- In most of scenarios the fuzzy estimator overperforms the non-fuzzy one.
- Under high amplitude of an unknown forcing and low coarseness the simple interpolation can perform better than either of the estimators.
4.2. Coastal Flow
The goal of the last experiment Which is prensented in Figure 2 was to examine the method performance in detecting a single vortex (eddy) surrounded by a steady coastal current. The “true” velocity field is shown in the first panel at the upper row. On the next panel sparse direct velocity measurements are presented, which certainly do not allow to capture the eddy because of too low resolution. Finally, in the third panel we give tracer observations which exposing the eddy, but not sufficient to recover the whole flow.
The estimate according to the developed fuzzy algorithm is shown in the first panel of the lower row. One can see that the procedure was able to efficiently combine both kinds of the observations thereby adequately to retrieve both the eddy and background current. We compare the result with a pure interpolation (second panel) where the eddy turned out to be almost invisible. The only positive outcome of the interpolation is a fair estimate of the background flow (last panel).
In terms of numbers the improvement of the fuzzy estimate comparing to interpolation is only about, but in fact qualitatively the results are quite different.
5. Conclusions
A method is developed for estimating surface velocities on a fine grid by combining two kinds of observations:
True Observed velocity field Tracer
Estimated velocity field Optimal Interpolation Background
Figure 2. A synthetic coastal flow with an isolated eddy: Upper panel 1) “True” velocity. 1) Velocity observations; 2) Tracer observations; Bottom panel 1) Estimated velocity at t = 3 days; 2) Interpolated velocity field; 3) Large scale component of the “true” velocity.
Table 4. Comparison between the fuzzy estimator (δf), non-fuzzy (δe, Section 2), and interpolation (δi) for h = 5.
Table 5. Comparison between the fuzzy estimator (δf), non-fuzzy (δe, Section 2), and interpolation (δi) for h = 10.
velocity itself on a coarse grid and tracer on a fine grid.
The first version of the method is aimed at the known forcing in the transport equation. The corresponding estimator is nothing more but the solution of a classical conditional optimization problem with a traditional quadratic cost function. Numerical experiments were conducted with a gyre superimposed by a vortex system to investigate the method performance depending on the coarseness of velocity measurements, the number of eddies, and the gyre radius. Improvement in the estimate comparing to the pure interpolation was around 25% - 40% depending on the above parameters.
In the second version of the method designed for a poorly known forcing we model uncertainties in the forcing and velocity measurements using a fuzzy set approach. Arising a simple two-objective fuzzy optimization problem allows an explicit solution. With poorly known forcing an improvement in estimation comparing to interpolation is more modest. Moreover, for low coarseness interpolation can work even slightly better under large unknown forcing. As for comparing the fuzzy and non-fuzzy algorithm (which does not account for uncertainties in the forcing at all) the former is better in all the scenarii, even though the difference in estimation error is not much significant.
On the qualitative level the method overperforms interpolation as well for a typical coastal flow with an isolated eddy.
6. Acknowledgements
The support of the Office of Naval Research under grant N00014-11-1-0369 and NSF under grant CMG-0530893 is greatly appreciated.
REFERENCES
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- A. G. Ostrovskii and L. I. Piterbarg, “Inversion of Upper Ocean Temperature Time Series for Entrainment, Advection, and Diffusivity,” Journal of Physical Oceanography, Vol. 72, No. 1, 2000, pp. 301-315.
- W. J. Emery, A. C. Thomas, M. J. Collins,W. R. Crawford and D. L. Mackas, “An Objective Procedure to Compute Surface Advective Velocities from Sequential Infrared Satellite Images,” Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 91, No. 12, 1986, pp. 12865-12879. doi:10.1029/JC091iC11p12865
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- I. Crocker, D. Matthews, W. J. Emery and D. Baldwin, “Computing Ocean Surface Currents from Infrared and Ocean Color Imagery,” IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2007, pp. 435- 447. doi:10.1109/TGRS.2006.883461
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- A. F. Bennett, “Inverse Methods in Physical Oceanography,” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1992. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511600807
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- W. Chen, “Nonlinear Inverse Model for Velocity Estimation from Infrared Image Sequences,” International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science, Vol. 8, No. 10, 2010, pp. 958- 963.
- A. Mercatini, A. Griffa, L. Piterbarg, E. Zambianchi and M. G. Magaldi, “Estimating Surface Velocities from Satellite Data and Numerical Models: Implementation and Testing of a New Simple Method,” Ocean Modeling, Vol. 33, 2010, pp. 190-203. doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2010.01.003
- L. I. Piterbarg, “A Simple Method for Computing Velocities from Tracer Observations and a Model Output,” Applied Mathematical Modeling, Vol. 33, No. 1-2, 2009, pp. 3693-3704. doi:10.1016/j.apm.2008.12.006
- L. I. Piterbarg and L. Ivanov, “Fuzzy-logic Based Algorithm for Estimating Circulation Patterns,” Current Applied Mathematics, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2011, pp. 17-39.
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- G. Shafer, “A Mathematical Theory of Evidence,” Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1976.
- K. Deb, “Multi-Objective Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms,” Willey, Hoboken, 2001. | https://file.scirp.org/Html/2-2310080_29371.htm |
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Start Date: | https://oriontechnologies.ca/careers/ |
Since there is so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution was certainly preceded by first, second and third industrial revolutions.
Its industrial revolutions of time have concluded, the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Let's start by mentioning the industrial revolutions in order
The first industrial revolution
The first industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in America, Europe and some other countries of the world
The second industrial revolution
The emergence of the second industrial industries in 1870 and 1914, which is a growth of the existing industries at that time and the emergence and expansion of new industries such as oil, electricity and steel, and a long time in the emergence of industries dependent on and during this period the use of electric energy with a very large production period such as the internal combustion engine, telephone and photography and photography.
The third industrial revolution
The development of the industrial revolution continues the development of modern technology and the availability of digital technology in an advanced way. The latest modern developments in the third industrial revolution are communications, information technology and computers.
Fourth Industrial Revolution
It is supposed to make a difference in life, The Fourth Industrial Revolution reformer was first used in 2016 by the World Economic Forum
The fourth industrial revolution stands on the digital revolution in an integrative way, which represents new ways in which technology become neither I nor me and from all aspects of life.
What distinguishes the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the emerging technology that you will see everywhere in the field of education, health, tourism, industry, housing, cars and others.
There is a clear emergence of the adoption and introduction of development such as rocks, robotics, the Internet of things, 3D printing, biotechnology, quantum computing, autonomous vehicles and other natural life of man and society.
In his book The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Professor Klaus Schopp , founder and CEO of the World Economic Forum, describes
How this fourth revolution is fundamentally different from the previous three, which were mainly marked by technological progress. | https://sinaha.ae/en/What-do-you-know-about-the-fourth-industrial-revolution |
When I came to the United States of America over 50 years ago; the first school that I attended was; Crispus Attucks Elementary school.
I later learned that Crispus Attucks was the first American to die in the cause of freeing Americans from British control, during the 18th century.
During the next five years that I spent in the United States of America’s school system; I was never taught about the military participation of African Americans; in any of their wars or military conflicts.
So it was no surprise that I use to brag to my African American school mates; about the Maroons in Jamaica.
The Maroons had fought against the British, who wanted to enslave them.
Many of the Maroons had escaped from slavery during the time of Spanish rule; and when England took over Jamaican, the British tried to make them slaves again.
The Maroons fought the well trained British army to a standstill.
Eventually the British sign a peace treaty with the Maroons; that gave them the right to keep the territory where they lived, and their freedom.
So I would boast to my friends, saying that my ancestors in Jamaica had fought against slavery; whereas their ancestors in America did not.
I WAS WRONG
During the years that I was a member of the United States Air Force, I had the opportunity to read many books about the military record of African Americans.
Especially about what African Americans did during the American Civil War.
African Americans’ military achievements makes the Maroon wars in Jamaica, pale in comparison.
It is not even close to what African Americans soldiers did during the war that ended slavery in the United States of America.
The treaty that the Maroons signed with England only applied to their own group; the other slaves in Jamaica remained slaves.
In fact part of the agreement with Britain was that the Maroons would capture any slave who ran away from enslavement and came to their lands.
They returned these run-away slaves to the British authority, and received payment .
In contrast; African American soldiers played a significant role in ending all slavery within the United States of America.
The reason why I first titled this article: “ The plot to hide the military achievements of African Americans ……;” is because it has become very apparent to me that, there exist a plot to hide the military history of African Americans.
I have been blocked by Facebook twice in less than one month; for posting an article about the participation of African American soldiers and sailors during the American Civil War.
Read the article below: this is w hat Facebook keeps blocking me for. Tell me if you see any reason why I keep getting blocked for posting it. https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-american-civil-war/
This made me give serious though for the reason why I was blocked so many times, for this particular article.
I have posted many more provocative articles on Facebook; but the reaction from Fb for this article was surprising.
I have posted articles such as:
“Calling people of African descent ‘ black ‘ is not positive”
“Calling Caucasians ‘white people’ promotes racism”
“False teachings in religion, is the root cause of racism”
“Prophet Muhammed is the returned Christ”
“Sexually confused Human Beings (homosexuals)”
“Believing in Santa Claus as children leads to Atheism or weak religious faith as adults”
“Hypocritical love for Malcolm X”
“The wife of Confederate President , Jefferson Davis was a Mulatto (she was of African descent)
What makes a person a racist?
Can ‘black’ people be racists?
etc . etc.
But I have never been blocked so quickly for any of those articles as I have been for the one about African American soldiers during the American Civil War .
For some reason, those who control the hearts and minds of the people of the USA; don’t want Americans (especially African Americans) to know about the military achievements of African Americans.
Based upon the numerous movies and television shows , made about the wars fought in the USA; you would believe that no African Americans were ever involved in any of them.
But the opposite is true.
African Americans were in every military conflict fought in what became the USA; from the 17th century until the present.
They were involved in the French and Indian Wars
The American Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The War against Mexico
Many history books fail to give the true reason why the Mexicans became angry at the ‘Americans living in Texas’. The Mexican government was angry that these Immigrant Americans wanted to keep other human beings as slaves.
The American Civil War
The Wars against the Native Americans
The Spanish American War
The war in the Philippines
World War I
etc. etc.
But no movie has been made that showed the true participation of African Americans in these wars and military conflicts.
You may ask, ‘what about the movie Glory ?’
The movie made about the 54th Massachusetts Regiment .
Glory was really no better than the racist movie made at the beginning of the 20th century called, ‘ Birth of a Nation .’
Birth of a Nation, showed African American soldiers as being undisciplined and savage.
They showed the soldiers as being thieves and rapists.
They showed the very same things in the movie Glory .
Because many people have not studied the history of African American soldiers, they thought that Glory was a good thing.
The performances of some of the actors was good; but the overall message of the movie was extremely bad.
And many people did not catch the negative portrayal of African Americans in this movie.
The movie Glory was filled with many inaccuracies .
Two of Frederick Douglass ’ sons were in the 54 Massachusett Regiment; a fact the movie Glory failed to mention.
The 54 Mass. Regiment had some of the most intelligent African American soldiers.
It was made up of the sons of many prominent and wealthy African American families.
The majority of the men in the 54th Mass. were well educated.
It was even said by the detractors of the regiment; that they would not fight as well as the other regiments made up of slaves; because they had never been enslaved.
They would not fight with the same intensity as those who understood by personal knowledge the brutality of a slave’s life.
Those who were fighting for the freedom of their families.
During the attack on Fort Wagner these naysayers were proved wrong.
The movie Glory gave the impression that only one person in the regiment was educated and he was shown as a crying wimp .
He was nothing like the numerous intelligent soldiers who were in the 54th Mass.
FIRST SERGEANT STEPHEN SWAILS OF THE 54TH MASSACHUSETTS FIRST BLACK SOLDIER TO BE COMMISSIONED AN OFFICER IN A MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. (LC)
Second Lieutenant William H. Dupree of the 55th Massahusetts Infantry Regiment (USAMHI)
The movie Glory, also tried to ridicules the members of the 33rd USCT ( first called the 1st South Carolina Volunteers)
Click the link below to ‘read’ about this magnificent regiment from South Carolina , thanks . https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-american-civil-war/
They were the first regiment formed primarily made up of slaves.
They were formed before the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
And speaking about the Emancipation Proclamation; many Americans are not aware that:
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION DID NOT END SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
The Emancipation Proclamation did not free all the slaves in America.
It only freed slaves in the Confederate States; not in the states that supported the North.
It was done to undermine the strength of the Confederacy by removing their main source of strength; their slaves.
THE FIGHTING ABILITY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN; ENDED SLAVERY IN AMERICA; NOT THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
I believe that the reason for keeping this history hidden; is because young African American boys, would be fill with pride if they knew the military history of their ancestors.
They would know without doubt that this country, is as much their as it is for anyone one else.
They would know that their ancestor had ‘fought’ not only for the freedom from Britain; but also for the freedom of their ancestors from slavery.
AND THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO CONTROL AND MANIPULATE THE PEOPLE OF THE USA; DON’T WANT US KNOW.
They want us to believe that our ancestors were like little children; who depended on others to do everything for them
Our ancestors have made more sacrifices for this country than any other Americans.
It is one thing to be a patriot when everyone loves and respect you, and welcome you with open arms.
But to be patriotic, when the majority of your fellow citizens hate you and treat you like garbage; is the greatest mark of a true patriot.
Our patriotism have always been rejected by those who hate (and fear) us.
The painting below is of one of the most important spies in the American Revolutionary War, against Britain in the 18th century.
His name was James Amistead .
The information Mr Amistead provided, contributed to one of the major defeats suffered by Britain during the war.
He worked closely with General Lafayett of France.
When the defeated British General saw Mr Amistead standing among the Colonial forces; he was surprised.
He thought James was spying for him against the Americans :.
General Lafayette and James Amistead
Our patriotism for the United States of America, should be for OURSELVES; not to show anyone else that we love this country.
We MUST make every effort to be successful in the United States of America.
Our ancestors gave their blood , sweat and tears ; for the day when we will have the same rights as every other American citizen.
We need to remember that despite the terrible situation that our ancestors endured during the past centuries here in the so-called ‘New World;’ their achievements are unparalleled by any other group of people in the recent history of the world.
We need to be inspired by them. READ ALSO: THE FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY HERO OF WWII WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN Click below to ‘read’ the article. https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/the-first-american-hero-of-world-war-ii/ Poster from the movie ‘Sergeant Rutledge’. To me, it is the best movie made about African American soldiers out West in the 19th century. Poster from the movie ‘Sergeant Rutledge’. To me, it is the best movie made about African American soldiers out West in the 19th century. READ THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR “ African Americans must understand, that it was their ancestors who really freed their people from slavery. Their vast military contributions in this war has been purposely hidden in our books in history. Biographers Nicolay and Hay wrote that: President Lincoln took many opportunities to remind Northerners of the debt they owed to African American soldiers . And according to an historical researcher name Jerry Young : “ Abraham Lincoln said that: without these men we could have very easily lost the war .” Click below to ‘read’ the article. Thanks. https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-american-civil-war/ The Harlem Hellfighters were not just great because of their fighting ability; they were also responsible for taking Jazz music to France and then to Europe. Click below to ‘read’ the article. https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2019/01/04/the-harlem-hellfighters-who-cut-down-germans-and-gave-france-jazz-during-wwi/ For information on many of these historical photos and sketches above go to (https://http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/civil_war_series/2/sec18.htm) READ ALSO: Here is a bit of Civil War history that the majority of Americans do not know : The wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was a mulatto (she was of African descent). Read about Varina Davis here: https://chiniquy.wordpress.com/2016/02/11/confederate-presidents-wife-was-of-african-descent/ READ THE AUTO-BIOGRAPHY OF MY FIRST 13 YEARS LIVING IN AMERICA This is the story of one man’s journey to self-discovery. Like so many others, Mujahid Abdullah learned behaviors and acquired beliefs of denigration about his culture, ethnicity, and physical appearance. These beliefs came from his local surroundings as well as the wider society and would have a major effect on his entire life. Within the pages of this book, not only do we see these effects, but we see how he was able to move beyond the messages that were so deeply ingrained from childhood. This is an eye-opening story of cultural practices and family beliefs that others may keep hidden. Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1659703654/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=mujahid+abdullah&qid=1585503456&s=books&sr=1-3 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Self-Hating-Uncle-Tom-Negro-ebook/dp/B086MKYN51/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=mujahid+abdullah&qid=1585745967&s=books&sr=1-4
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Two weeks have gone by since we returned to Ladakh and our team here in Kharnakling.
Tomorrow we will leave for our first trip to the nomads in Kharnak, a small nomadic community from the Changthang Plateau, to start selecting wool for this winter.
Kharnakling is a small village which was founded more than twenty years ago. It consisted of a few small houses of nomads from Kharnak, who decided to settle down and leave the nomadic life. The difficulties they have faced such as cold winters, lack of medical facilities and education were too much to live with.
Settled nomad Jigmet in front of his house during construction.
Shepherd Tenzin in front of his flock of sheep in the mountains.
Over the course of the last 25 years Kharnakling has grown to more than 400 people, mostly from Kharnak. As a consequence, the community of Kharnak has tremendously reduced in size, with only 16 families left in 2016 with a tendency of further shrinking. It is a combination of many different factors which are forcing many families to leave the nomadic life and settle.
The difficulty of life for the nomads in Kharnak is definitely one of the strongest reasons for settling. Due to global warming, which can be felt most in regions like the Himalayas, there is less and less water for the animals to drink and the grass to grow.
The winters are less predictable. In 2012, around 40,000 animals died in the Changthang Plateau due to an extremely harsh winter. Therefore, many of the nomads ask themselves the question “why still live here? Nowadays, we are just surviving here.”
One of the settled families we work with in their living room.
One of the nomadic families we work with in their yak hair tent during summer.
The continuity of a community is always in the hands of the younger people who will carry on this tradition. However, the rapid modernization of life in Ladakh is tempting many young nomads to live in the city. Better access to health care, education for their children and a more comfortable life are often the reasons. In this case, the old people are forced to follow them, because alone at 50 or 60 years of age, one cannot take care of a big flock of animals.
The group of weavers going through the wool on an empty property next to their house.
Nomads are taking the wool of the yaks during summertime.
The children go to school and the young people who have not had access to education become drivers or guides and are especially busy in the tourist season. Walking around Kharnakling, the settlement which is around 8 kilometers from Leh, one can see the remains of the nomadic life everywhere: tents, saddlebags, the backstrap looms, clothes which have been stitched numerous times, the list goes on. It seems like only the first generation which was born in Kharnakling and has not known the nomadic life as their own, are the only ones who have completely adapted to the new lifestyle.
One friend here, a grandchild of one of the weavers is now 17 and was born in Kharnakling. We talk often, especially about the art of weaving and spinning. However, in this case, the interest to learn and carry on this art is close to zero. This is the typical development of a community which has not benefited from modernization.
Sonam Tandon, a settled nomad, weaving the traditional snambu in her home in Kharnakling.
Nomadic women weaving the traditional snambu in their home in Kharnak.
The old ways and the craft is not considered by the young people because it seems ancient to them and not something they, educated people, should learn. By working with the two communities, the settled nomads in Kharnakling and the nomads of Kharnak we hope to trigger a small change: we are currently researching on what the Kharnakling people appreciate about the city, but what they miss here. Likewise, we want to find out more about what is most needed by the nomads in Kharnak for an easier life.
It is certainly a challenge but we are determined to leave a positive impact with the people we work with. This work started as an “experiment” in 2014 and coming back for the third time this year, we are optimistic that with patience, time and endurance we can give something back to the people here. | https://www.wearekal.com/blogs/news/the-impact-of-modernization-and-climate-change-on-nomadic-life |
- was formed as a non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and thus raising human rights awareness around the world by knowing them, demanding them and defending them.
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Challenging and thought-provoking, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country.
Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.
AFHR, partnering along with 26 other NGOs, worked with TheCommunity.com and the City of West Hollywood in helping to bring further awareness of the Universal Declaratoin of Human Rights with the launch of a campaign promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at an exclusive screening of Invictus in December 2009. | https://www.fine-art-bender.com/artists-for-human-rights.html |
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About This Project
Does bias about medical diagnosis link to expectations of mental health problems for infants and their parents?
If doctors think infants will have lower skill (e.g., less able to look and to smile at parents), does that bias lead them to expect mental health problems for the infants and their parents? We want to know! We think doctors’ mindsets about a baby’s potential to do things can affect how parents feel about themselves and their baby. This idea is important to study since positive views of one’s infant with a disability are linked to better attachment and to mental health benefits for parents.
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Reno, NV. Brüka Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens and is adapted and directed for three actors by Michael Grimm. Brüka’s second show of the19th season is a story of redemption and of the power of the Christmas spirit that has become an unrivaled holiday tradition in the English-speaking world. The revival of Brüka Theatre’s original adaption of Dickens' masterpiece casts three actors, Bob Grimm, Mary Bennett and Michael Grimm, to portray more than 20 characters on a minimalist set, with an original soundtrack by Gary Kephart and Wolfgang Price. This production gives the audience the unique opportunity to experience the story with the much neglected narration of Dickens as it’s centerpiece. Much like the original theatrical storytelling that Dickens used to perform, himself, this production is a hybrid of a staged reading and a theatrical performance piece. A theatrical experience that is equivalent to cracking open an ancient tome and telling Christmas stories by the light of a yule log. It's sure to give you and your family a healthy dose of the "Christmas Spirit."
This Christmas Carol revival opens Friday, December 9, 2011 and plays for 10 total performances December 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 2011 with a December18 matinee at 2 PM. Enjoy a post show opening night champagne reception. The shows run Thursdays through Saturdays with evening shows at 8:00 pm with two Wednesday night shows during the run. The Sunday matinee on December 6 is followed by a talkback with the company and audience. The doors open a half an hour before curtain time. | http://www.bruka.org/shows/2011/11/3/charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol.html |
Presented by:
The Empowerment Alliance
December 3rd, 2021
And we’re back!
In case you missed it during the lead up to Thanksgiving, West Virginia’s treasurer, Riley Moore is pushing back against the “growing economic boycott of traditional energy production industries by U.S. financial institutions.” Treasurer Moore launched a coalition of 15 state treasurers (or equivalent state financial officers) asking “financial institutions to award financing based on an unbiased, non-political basis.” Note, the coalition is not asking for special treatment for the energy industry, they are simply asking for financial institutions to be unbiased in their assessments.
This bold action to defend the jobs and livelihoods of hard working Americans is a common sense approach that will benefit the whole country by defending against the Biden Administration’s pressure on the banking industry to cut off investments to legally operating U.S. businesses. Treasurer Moore went on to say, “the overarching objective of our actions will be the same — to protect our states’ economies, jobs, and energy independence from these unwarranted attacks on our critical industries.”
The Bottom Line: In the name of affordable energy, WV State Treasurer Riley Moore is leading the charge against Biden’s pressure on Wall St. to cut ties with the oil and gas industry.
The recent price drop at the pump — driven by market worries about the Omicron variant — may be brief. Last week, President Biden’s Department of the Interior released a report recommending “to limit areas available for energy development and raise costs for oil and gas companies to drill on public land and water.” As anyone with a little common sense would know, increasing the cost-to-operate for the energy industry only makes supply more expensive which will inevitably be passed on to consumers by way of higher prices.
The administration has been relentless in its efforts to dismantle America’s energy independence by cancelling pipeline development, placing a moratorium on lease sales and restricting access to natural resources. These short-sighted actions have made access to affordable energy less certain and have added to inflationary pressures across the economy. The impacts are being felt across the country, especially among families who are already facing tough decisions as their bills continue to rise month after month. Americans simply can’t afford this ever-growing Biden Bill.
The Bottom Line: Just as gasoline prices are beginning to decrease (even if artificial), the Biden Administration calls for raising fees on oil producers. The logic just doesn’t make sense.
This week, in response to the Biden Administration’s release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Senator Barasso (R-WY) and nearly a dozen other senators introduced a piece of legislation that, “prohibits the secretary of Energy from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until the secretary of the Interior issues a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters.”
Senator Barasso stated, “Before tapping the Reserve for political reasons, our bill requires the administration to issue a plan to boost federal oil and natural gas production. The Strategic Production Response Act provides a real solution to the Biden administration’s reckless policies. America is stronger and safer when we are energy independent.” (emphasis added)
Senator Daines (R-MT) continued, “These desperate moves are not the solution—investing in American energy production is, which includes oil and gas. Instead of tapping into emergency reserves, we need to boost domestic production.”
The Bottom Line: Before tapping into the emergency supply of oil, we should use all available (domestic) tools at our disposal, right? Senator Barasso’s legislation would make sure that rational approach is applied in the future.
Average gasoline prices inched down by a couple cents over the past week, from $3.39 to $3.37, prompting this gem of a tweet from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Let’s all be grateful for our 2 cents in savings! (Even though we were paying $2.15 for a gallon at this time a year ago.) Unbelievable. | https://empoweringamerica.org/common-sense-energy-the-dcccs-gas-lighting/ |
The present invention relates to an electrical power distribution system for a fuel cell vehicle.
One type of fuel cell vehicle of the past was a hybrid fuel cell vehicle having a fuel cell system with a fuel-reformer and a battery.
In a fuel cell vehicle of this type, the fuel-reformer is usually formed by a fuel reformer and a combustor, reformed gas from the fuel reformer and air from a compressor being used by the fuel cell to generate electrical power, excessively generated electrical power and regeneratively generated electrical power from the motor being stored in the battery. In this system, in response to operation of the acceleration pedal by the driver, electrical power is distributed from the fuel cell and the battery to the motor, the fuel reformer, the combustor, and the compressor, for example, via an electrical power adjuster.
In the above case, when the driver sets the ignition key to on to start up the fuel cell vehicle, because reformed gas is not generated for a period of several minutes to several tens of minutes after the fuel reformer is started, it is not possible for the fuel cell to generate electrical power. Therefore, the power for the motor is taken from the battery.
Thereafter, at the point at which the fuel reformer starts to generate a standard amount of reformed gas that is usable in the fuel cell, electrical generation is started. Because the temperature of the fuel cell has not yet increased at this point, however, it is not possible to generate the rated amount of electrical power.
Subsequently, as electrical power generation continues, heat generated internally in the fuel cell causes a rise in temperature, making it possible to generate the rated amount of electrical power.
In a fuel cell vehicle system of the past, however, a large amount of electrical power was required to start the fuel reformer and reform fuel.
More specifically, in order to start the fuel reformer and reform fuel, because the heat generated by the combustor is re-used in vaporizing the fuel and absorbed in the fuel reforming reaction, there is a need to start the combustor as well. To start the fuel reformer that performs a chemical reaction, it is necessary to reach a prescribed temperature, for example approximately 300xc2x0 C. in the case of steam reforming, thereby requiring a large amount of energy, which is difficult to supply from only a battery.
For this reason, the thermal energy generated when the methanol fuel is combusted is used to raise the temperature of the fuel reformer. When this is done, however, the catalyst experiences meltdown at the high temperatures that occur. Given this situation, in order to achieve combustion at an appropriately high temperature, it is necessary to supply a large amount of air using a compressor, thereby increasing the amount of electrical power required.
In vaporizing the methanol, it is necessary at the startup stage to use an electrical vaporizer, and because of the large latent heat of methanol, the amount of electrical power required for this is large. Additionally, an electrical heater (catalyst heater) is required to bring the temperature to the minimum temperature for ignition of the catalyst, and this also requires a large amount of electrical power.
Thus, the amount of electrical power required for starting a fuel reforming system is extremely large, this being approximately equivalent to the amount of electrical power consumed in operating the fuel cell vehicle over a flat terrain at a high speed. Under these conditions, if the electrical power and capacity of the battery is sufficient to cover the added amount of electrical power required to start up the fuel cell system in addition to the standard amount of energy required for operating the electrical vehicle, during the period until it becomes possible to generate the standard amount of reformed gas usable in the fuel cell, it is possible to supply sufficient power from the battery.
However, a situation can be envisioned in which it is not possible for space and cost considerations to mount in the vehicle both fuel cell system including a fuel reforming system and such a large-capacity battery. Thus, limitation of the battery container size is inevitable, thereby making it difficult to supply sufficient electrical power to run the motor before it is possible to generate the standard amount of reformed gas for use in the fuel cell.
Thus, in a fuel cell vehicle system of the past, in the period of several minutes to several tens of minutes up until the point at which it is possible for the fuel reforming system to generate sufficient reformed gas for use by the fuel cell, a large amount of electrical power is required to start the fuel reforming system, and hence the fuel cell system as a whole. This made it impossible to obtain sufficient electrical power from the battery to run the motor, making it impossible to achieve sufficient running performance.
Accordingly, in view of the above-described problems with the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical power distribution system for a fuel cell vehicle capable of achieving sufficient running performance during startup of the fuel reforming system.
An aspect of the present invention to achieve the object is an electrical power distribution system for a fuel cell vehicle, comprising a fuel reformer generating reformed gas from fuel, an air supply source supplying air, a fuel cell generating electrical power from the reformed gas and the air, a battery storing electrical power generated by the fuel cell and discharging electrical power, and an electrical motor providing drive to the vehicle by electrical power supplied from the fuel cell and the battery, wherein the electrical power distribution system is operative in response to operation of an accelerator for distribution of electrical power from the fuel cell and the battery to the fuel reformer, the air supply source, and the motor, and further comprises an operation detector detecting a kick-down operation of an accelerator pedal, and a controller which in the case of a kick-down operation being detected during startup of the fuel reforming system, including the fuel reformer and the air supply source, performs control so as to limit the electrical power required for startup of the fuel reforming system and increase the amount of electrical power distributed to the motor.
In this aspect the present invention, by detecting the kick-down operation of the accelerator pedal, it is possible to limit the electrical power required for starting and increase the power distributed to the motor, thereby giving priority to the motor, and achieving sufficient running performance during the startup of the fuel reforming system.
| |
Nitrogen is fundamental to all life forms and is a critical component of photosynthesis and amino acid production in plants. Nitrogen is also one of the most limiting of nutrients for plant growth[@b1]. One mechanism that has evolved in angiosperms in response to environments in which nitrogen is limiting is symbiosis with actinorhizal (*Frankia*)[@b2][@b3] or rhizobial[@b4][@b5] bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen (N~2~)[@b2]. Both actinorhizal and rhizobial bacteria convert atmospheric N~2~ into ammonium (NH~4~) in the process of nitrogen-fixation, which takes place in the root nodules, organs on the plant roots that house the nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Despite the benefits to plants that are associated with nitrogen-fixing symbioses, only about 2.5% of angiosperm families are able to form these symbioses[@b6]. Of these families, 25 genera from Betulaceae, Casuarinaceae, Coriariaceae, Datiscaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Myricaceae, Rhamnaceae, and Rosaceae are actinorhizal ([Table S1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"})[@b2][@b3] and most of the 730 genera of Fabaceae (legumes) and *Parasponia* of Cannabaceae are rhizobial[@b4][@b5].
Molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that families of nodulating plants, together with 18 families of non-nodulating plants, are confined to a single large nitrogen-fixing clade[@b6][@b7][@b8][@b9]. The close relationships among nitrogen-fixing plant families provide evidence of a single origin of the "predisposition" for root-nodule symbioses with the possibility of recurrent losses or recurrent gains of nitrogen-fixing symbioses in the nitrogen-fixing clade[@b6]. Based on a phylogeny of 3,467 angiosperm species, Werner *et al.*[@b10] further confirmed a single origin of the precursor to symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (the predisposition for nitrogen fixation), followed by multiple gains of symbioses (see ref. [@b6]). The eight actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing families are so diverse that they were considered distantly related in conventional taxonomic systems[@b11][@b12]. Subsequent analyses using improved phylogenetic trees suggested that within the actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages there were a minimum of six gains with two subsequent losses for actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses[@b13]. A further four independent gains are hypothesized by comparing the morphology of nodules from 18 actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing genera[@b3][@b14][@b15]. Doyle[@b16] has suggested that symbiotic nitrogen-fixing symbioses occurred at least eight times in actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages. However, these numbers may not be accurate, as they are based on samples of only 13 of 25 genera with actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses. Although Werner *et al.*[@b10] contributed greatly to our understanding of evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbioses, their study included only 438 of approximately 1300 genera in the nitrogen-fixing clade[@b17], and 18 of the 25 plant genera with actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses. Despite tremendous progress in our understanding of the evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbioses in angiosperms, the patterns of actinorhizal nitrogen fixation through time remain unclear to date due to limitations in the sampling strategies of past studies and the absence of a comprehensive dated phylogenetic tree for the nitrogen-fixing clade of angiosperms[@b9][@b17].
The oldest fossils of angiosperms from the nitrogen-fixing clade are of Myricaceae pollen, from the Cenomanian period of the Cretaceous, 97.5--91 Ma[@b18]. The earliest putative nodule fossil comes from mesofossil assemblages from the Santonian (\~84 Ma) of the Cretaceous[@b19]. The ancestor of the nitrogen-fixing clade evolved in the early Cretaceous (ca. 92--110 Ma)[@b9][@b17]. This evidence suggests that plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria first evolved a symbiotic relationship in the Late Cretaceous. Since the Cretaceous, the Earth's environment has been characterized by climate change and major plate tectonic events that have shaped the evolution of angiosperms[@b20][@b21]. The response of the actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants to environmental fluctuations since the Late Cretaceous also has not been established.
Here, we constructed the most comprehensive phylogeny to date of genera of angiosperms with nitrogen-fixing symbioses, basing our analysis on three plastid loci. Using molecular dating techniques we estimated the ages of the actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages and investigated potential environmental factors associated with the gain of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses in angiosperms.
Results
=======
Phylogeny of angiosperms with nitrogen-fixing symbiosis
-------------------------------------------------------
In general, the topologies and support values for the nitrogen-fixing clade inferred using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods are congruent ([Figs S1,S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). No major conflicts (nodes with bootstrap support value \>50% and posterior probability \>0.5) were detected. Twenty-four actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing genera are distributed in nine lineages (lineages 1--9; [Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}, [S1, S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}), and their likely sister groups based on our analyses are given in [Table 1](#t1){ref-type="table"}.
Age estimation
--------------
Age estimates for the nitrogen-fixing clade from penalized likelihood (PL) analysis in r8s are shown in [Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"} and from the Bayesian relaxed clock (BRC) analysis in BEAST in [Fig. S4](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. The 95% highest posterior density (HPD) of the Fabales crown age ranges from 104.0 (97.9--107.1) (PL) to 101.7 (91.6--110.6) (BRC) Ma, the Fagales from 104.1 (99.9--106.5) to 104.9 (100.0--110.1) Ma, the Cucurbitales from 86.2 (78.8--91.0) to 86.9 (71.3--103.3) Ma, and the Rosales from 106.1 (103.6--108.5) to 106.5 (100.2--112.6) Ma.
Estimated stem ages for the actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages provided by PL and BRC methods are highly consistent, as shown by the 95% HPD in [Fig. 2](#f2){ref-type="fig"} and [Table S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. Our estimates for the origin of stem group of Elaeagnaceae (lineage 7) from the PL and BRC analyses range from 91.1 (71.4--101.8) to 82.8 (64.5--97.8) Ma; Casuarinaceae (lineage 2) 90.0 (84.3--93.8) to 92.5 (88.4--97.0) Ma, Dryadoideae (lineage 6) 87.6 (68.6--93.7) to 86.1 (63.3--96.1) Ma, *Alnus* (lineage 3) 83.0 (83.0--84.3) to 85.9 (84.1--88.6) Ma, *Myrica* + *Comptonia* (lineage 1) 71.0 (61.7--95.7) to 69.8 (55.1--88.9) Ma, *Datisca* (lineage 5) 66.4 (30.6--85.8) to 42.7 (22.4--66.2) Ma, *Coriaria* (lineage 4) 65.7 (56.0--79.5) to 41.4 (10.2--79.5) Ma, Colletieae (lineage 8) 36.8 (25.2--50.0) to 31.9 (18.9--47.5) Ma, and *Ceanothus* (lineage 9) 34.1 (6.9--52.6) 24.0 to (12.2--37.8) Ma.
Discussion
==========
Our analyses, which are based on an extensive generic sampling of nitrogen-fixing angiosperms, strongly support the monophyly of the nitrogen-fixing clade. The relationships among the Cucurbitales, Fabales, Fagales, and Rosales, and the branching of the families within each order ([Fig. S1, S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}), are also in accordance with the results of previous studies[@b7][@b8][@b9][@b13]. The actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages are distributed in Rosales, Cucurbitales, and Fagales, whereas the rhizobial nitrogen-fixing lineages are limited to Fabaceae and *Parasponia* of Cannabaceae ([Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}). The nodule structure of actinorhizal nodules markedly differs from that of legume nodules (resembling a root vs. a shoot; [Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"})[@b2]. The infection threads of *Parasponia* are similar to those of some early diverging legumes e.g., *Andira* and *Chamaecrista*[@b2].
PL and BRC methods resulted in similar time estimates for the major lineages of the nitrogen-fixing clade ([Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}, [S4](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The crown ages of the four orders are in accordance with the results of previous studies ([Table S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}) and the two methods generated highly consistent results for the ages of the nine actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages except lineages 4 and 5 ([Fig. 2](#f2){ref-type="fig"}). The BRC analysis indicates that lineages 4 (Coriariaceae) and 5 (Datiscaceae) occurred during the Paleogene, whereas the PL analysis results in a late Cretaceous time for each. Yokoyama *et al.*[@b22], based on molecular-based estimates, suggested a late Cretaceous origin of Coriariaceae, and the extant Datiscaceae also date to the late Cretaceous[@b23][@b24]. The 95% HPDs resulting from our two analyses also overlapped for the lineages 4 and 5. Thus, we consider that Coriariaceae and Datiscaceae originated in the late Cretaceous. The stem ages of lineages 1, 2, and 3 fall in the late Cretaceous, in accordance with the results of Xiang *et al.*[@b25], and the stem age of lineage 6 agrees with the results of Chin *et al.*[@b26]. The stem age of lineage 7 agrees with a number of analyses (e.g., Bell *et al.*[@b17]; Magallón *et al.*[@b27]). The stem ages of lineages 8 and 9 agree with the results of Richardson *et al.*[@b28]. A comparison of time estimates of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages is shown in [Table S2](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. The congruence among these studies enhances the reliability of our divergence date estimates for the origin of the actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages.
According to our analyses, the oldest actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineage diverged from its extant sister in the Late Cretaceous (PL: 71.4--101.8 Ma; BRC: 64.5--97.8 Ma), and the earliest nodule fossil dates to the Santonian (83.6--86.3 Ma)[@b19]. These results support the hypothesis that the symbiosis between angiosperms and actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing bacteria may have originated in the Late Cretaceous[@b16]. The inferred credibility intervals of the estimated times of divergence indicate that the rise of extant actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages occurred during two periods. The first appearance of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages was during the Late Cretaceous, when seven extant actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages originated (lineages 1--7), and the second appearance was during the Eocene (lineages 8--9).
During the late Cretaceous, the global climate was relatively warm with a surface temperature 3--5 °C warmer than today[@b29][@b30][@b31][@b32][@b33], and atmospheric CO~2~ levels were relatively high (ca. 2--4 times present atmospheric level)[@b32][@b33]. The temperature dropped about 3 °C, and atmospheric CO~2~ levels fell to 1.5 times present atmospheric level in the Paleocene (66.0--56.0 Ma)[@b29][@b30][@b31][@b32][@b33]. During the Eocene, the global surface temperature increased 3--4 °C[@b29][@b30][@b31][@b32][@b33], and atmospheric CO~2~ levels rose to about 2.5--3 times the present atmospheric level[@b32][@b33]. Previous studies have indicated that high temperature and CO~2~ levels are vital to the nitrogen-fixing process[@b34][@b35]. In *Myrica gale*, nodule vesicles are rare, and nitrogenase activity is undetectable in the perennial actinorhizal nodules during cold periods. Some research has suggested that a doubling of CO~2~ content promoted increased nitrogen as activity in alders (*Alnus glutinosa*)[@b35], plants having a nitrogen fixing symbiosis. This suggests that actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses in plants could be associated with or perhaps selected for by an increase in atmospheric CO~2~. It is noteworthy that our dated tree indicates that the evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in members of the nitrogen-fixing clade occurred at roughly the time of high temperature and high atmospheric CO~2~ levels[@b29][@b30][@b31][@b32][@b33]. This hypothesis, based on the observed correlation of the evolution of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses and elevated temperatures and increased CO~2~ levels, requires rigorous testing via future research. The gains of symbiotic actinorhizal nitrogen fixation would also likely have been strongly influenced by the environment in which the plant groups occurred. Actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants share the tendency to grow in soils where nitrogen availability is low ([Table S1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The overwhelming majority of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants are trees, shrubs, or lianas, which are often early successional pioneer species ([Table S1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Historical records that fossilized nodules belonging to an actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plant species in Elaeagnaceae were found in a typical early successional habitat[@b36] support contemporary observations. A few actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants are trees (e.g., *Alnus* and *Casuarina*); however, such species are often fast-growing and short-lived and tend not to form stable, closed communities. For example, *Alnus* has the tendency to grow in open places and play an important role in early successional habitats[@b37][@b38][@b39]. Only *Datisca* is herbaceous and inhabits rocky places along streambeds and in desert regions ([Table S1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"})[@b40]. As pioneers, these actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants can take advantage of the ecological niche presented by low nitrogen availability. In addition, the habitats of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plants are often open and have good light conditions. High light conditions can supply energy for the nitrogen-fixing process by allowing for higher rates of photosynthesis, leading to an increased production of photosynthate[@b41][@b42]. Interestingly, the green leaves of some species of alder (e.g., *Alnus glutinosa*) are retained longer than those of other temperate deciduous trees that are unable to fix nitrogen[@b43]. This longer period of retaining leaves in alders prolongs the production of photosynthate for these plants in early autumn[@b44].
Conclusions
===========
By assembling a large three-locus dataset, we produced, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive genus-level phylogeny for the nitrogen-fixing clade to date. Our phylogenetic tree with dense sampling of nitrogen-fixing angiosperms, including 24 of the 25 actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing genera and the majority of known rhizobial nitrogen-fixing genera so far, should be beneficial to research on the nitrogen-fixing symbioses. This phylogeny will be a useful tool for comparative biology of diverse features, including morphological and ecological diversification, physiological function, and genome evolution. Our analyses confirmed that actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing species are distributed in at least nine distinct lineages. Based on our divergence time estimates, we show that there were multiple evolutionary pulses of the gains of nitrogen-fixing symbioses through time, seven actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages evolved during the Late Cretaceous, while during the Eocene, two more actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages emerged. Furthermore, based on our divergence time estimates, we hypothesize that the gain of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses in angiosperms may have coincided with important climatic changes, such as high CO~2~, high global surface temperatures, and the availability of open habitats with high light conditions.
The hypothesis remains to be further tested by studying fossils, comparative physiology, and the genetic control of features, such as nodules, that enable nitrogen-fixing symbioses.
Materials and Methods
=====================
Taxon sampling, molecular markers, and DNA alignment
----------------------------------------------------
A total of 1,002 genera representing all families of the nitrogen-fixing clade and approximately 80% of all genera in the clade[@b45] were included in our analysis. Our sampling scheme included 24 of the 25 known actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing plant genera (the only genus missing is *Talguenea*), *Parasponia* (a non-legume that hosts rhizobial nodules), and 578 of ca. 730 genera in Fabaceae. Six species of eudicots outside of the nitrogen-fixing clade were selected as outgroups[@b9]. Three genetic markers from the plastid genome, *rbcL*, *matK*, and *trnL-F*, were used in the phylogenetic analysis. Sequence data for all taxa were obtained from GenBank. For each species, sequences generated from the same specimens were selected. For each region, if multiple sequences were available, the longest sequence was used, or, when sequences were the same length, one was randomly selected. Species names and GenBank accession numbers are listed in [Table S3](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}.
The *rbcL* sequences were aligned directly using MUSCLE with the default set at the high-accuracy parameter[@b46], and alignment was checked and adjusted manually with BioEdit v5.0.9[@b47]. For the fast-evolving *matK* and *trnL-F* regions, a two-step strategy was employed for each region to generate a high-quality alignment. The first step involved dividing sequences into clusters at the family level according to sequence length and taxonomic unit. Each sequence cluster was aligned by MUSCLE under default high-accuracy parameters and then manually adjusted. In the second step, sequence clusters were aligned with one another by employing the profile-profile alignment algorithm in MUSCLE. In the final step, manual adjustments were made to the complete alignment.
Phylogenetic analysis
---------------------
To detect sequences of questionable quality, we first conducted a phylogenetic analysis for each of the three individual data sets using ML in RAxML v7.6.6[@b48]. The GTR + I + Γ model was selected as the best-fit model, as determined by ModelTest v3.7[@b49]. The sequences of those species that were placed in problematic positions compared to other well-supported analyses (e.g., Cardoso *et al.*[@b50]; Schaefer & Renner[@b51]) were removed from the final analyses. Phylogenetic analysis for the combined data set was performed using ML in RAxML v7.6.6[@b48]. Each marker sequence of the concatenated alignment was assigned a separate GTR + I + Γ model. We ran 1,000 non-parametric bootstrap replicates to assess uncertainty in the topology and branch length estimates. The program was run on the CIPRES network (<http://www.phylo.org/>).
Molecular dating
----------------
To date the branching events within the nitrogen-fixing clade, we used a penalized likelihood method[@b52] based on the complete data set of 1,008 terminals. We used the phylogeny and branch lengths estimated from the ML analysis as inputs into r8s v1.7[@b52]. We selected 27 fossil taxa as minimum calibration points; these taxa could be confidently assigned to clades and nodes represented in our data set ([Table S4](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The root age was fixed at 125 Ma based on the earliest reported date of eudicot pollen occurrence[@b53]. To determine the variation around the ages of each node, we sampled 100 bootstrap trees, generated from the ML analysis, and approximated the 95% credibility interval for each calibration using the profile command in r8s.
For the purpose of comparison, we also estimated divergence times using a Bayesian relaxed clock method[@b54]. Due to the logistical constraints of using the BRC methodology as implemented in BEAST (a full analysis required more than 1 year to perform), we reduced our combined data set to a smaller subset, containing 232 taxa, on the basis of three criteria: (i) sampling possible sisters of nitrogen-fixing taxa, (ii) for large clades, sampling the sister lineage to the remainder of the clade, and (iii) using taxa with the longest sequence regions. Divergence times were obtained using the program BEAST v1.7.5[@b54] and the reduced data set. Parameters were set as follows: GTR + I + Γ model, estimated base frequencies, Γ categories 4, uncorrelated lognormal relaxed clock model, and the Yule speciation process. Eleven fossils were treated with the minimum age constraints within the lognormal distribution (see [Table S5](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Additionally, the fossil age of eudicot pollen[@b53] was used to constrain the root age, with a normal distribution, at a mean age of 125 Ma, and a standard deviation of one. Markov Chain Monte Carlo analyses were run for 10 billion generations. The effective sample size was ensured to be over 200, as detected by Tracer v.1.5 (<http://beast.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/tracer/>). The maximum clade credibility tree was reconstructed using TreeAnnotator 1.5.4 that are part of the BEAST package.
Additional Information
======================
**How to cite this article**: Li, H.-L. *et al.* Large-scale phylogenetic analyses reveal multiple gains of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing symbioses in angiosperms associated with climate change. *Sci. Rep.* **5**, 14023; doi: 10.1038/srep14023 (2015).
Supplementary Material {#S1}
======================
###### Supplementary Information
We sincerely thank Pamela S. Soltis and Patrick S. Herendeen for valuable comments and reading an early draft of the manuscript. This research was funded by the grants 2014CB954100, 31270268, 40830209, and 2013T2S0030.
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
**Author Contributions** W.W. and Z.-D.C. designed the study; H.-L.L., W.W. and R.-Q.L. performed the research; H.-L.L. and W.W. analyzed the data sets; H.-L.L., W.W., P.E.M., D.-Z.L., K.D.H., J.-C.X., D.E.S. and Z.-D.C. wrote the paper.
{#f1}
{ref-type="fig"}.](srep14023-f2){#f2}
###### Actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing lineages identified in this study, with recommendations for comparative studies of closely related non nitrogen-fixing taxa.
**Actinorhizal lineages** **Clear sister for comparative work?** **Bootstrap values**
--------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------
1--*Myrica* + *Comptonia* *Canacomyrica* 100%
2--Casuarinaceae Ticodendraceae + Betulaceae 100%
3--*Alnus* Remaining Betulaceae 100%
4--*Coriaria* *Corynocarpus* 100%
5--*Datisca* Tetramelaceae \<50%
6--Dryadoideae Rosoideae 70%
7--Elaeagnaceae *Barbeya* \<50%
8--Colletieae *Granitites* + *Alphitonia* \<50%
9--*Ceanothus* Pomaderreae 63%
The lineage numbers correspond to those in [Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}.
[^1]: These authors contributed equally to this work.
| |
She Said: We’ve been to RMC before, but sporadically, so this was our first experience in assessing it as writers of foods. We’d been to lunch this day, but I wanted a “movable feast,” or a second place for coffee and dessert, so we drove on over.
He Said: Yes, it’s not really a place where you can have lunch. Just coffee or some other sort of beverage, and some sort of sweet snack, a la Starbucks, but without the corporate trappings.
She Said: Well, hold up there, Ruud… I did see a food menu that mentioned quiche, so I think you can have a mild repast there.
Ambience:
She Said: I like the vibe here. It’s very light and airy, with all the natural light from the windows in the store front, the white walls and flooring. There are scattered tables, and comfy chairs for sipping, dining and hangout out.
He Said: They’ve thought a lot about the atmosphere, which is intended to be comfortable and homey. There’s a separate room for meetings or for students gathering for a study session. Clearly the place has students in mind, seeing them as a major target market in this “city of colleges.” Which means I’m really not the target market and was the oldestperson there by a few generations. And there was some hipstering going on…
Drinks & Food
She Said:I perused the menu before we left home because I’m not as well versed as I could be in coffee words. I decided that a flat white sounded like what I’d have if I were hanging out, living my best life in a pretty café. A flat white has a higher ratio of coffee to milk, and the foam is velvety and less poofy (are those coffee words?). When I arrived, I saw that I had an option of a lavender flat white, and I threw flavoring caution to the wind and went for that. I also was trying to up my carbs for the day, so I had a blueberry scone. The coffee was very good, with great texture and richness in the milk, and strong espresso that the lavender took the edge off. The scone was good, but not necessarily better than Starbucks baked goods, which I kind of expected here. I enjoyed my coffee and carbs very much, even so.
He Said: Never liked coffee. Never will. So what did they have for me? Well, I saw the hot chocolate on the menu and went for it. It was pretty tasty and creamy, with a kind of creamy logo on the top that reminded me of what the trained bartenders used to do with the foam on the top of my Guinness back when I could still drink. But I digress.
And for dessert I had a big chocolate chip cookie, which was as good as any you can get in town. It didn’t seem like some mass-produced object—of course, it could have been, but I suspect it might have come from the cookie shop in the same little shopping area that Round Mountain sits in. Anyway, it was chock full of chocolate chips in a tasty chewy cookie, and in fact was so chocolatey that I could barely taste the hot chocolate afterwards. Anyway, I’d recommend the cookie to those of you who love your chocolate chips as much as I do.
Service
She Said: Service was good. When I purchased my scone, the counter man made sure the woman who was ahead of me didn’t want it before he sold it to me as it was the last one. I appreciated that he looked out for her in a very fair way.
He Said:Yes, service was fine. You order at the counter and then go sit down, and they call out to you to pick it up when yours is ready. The cookie I could bring to the table myself.
What We Got and What We Paid: One lavender flat white, one hot chocolate, one blueberry scone and one chocolate chip cookie. All for $15.42.
Elapsed Time from Our Arrival to Food Arrival: Five minutes.
Rating:
She Said: I like the variety independent coffee houses add to not only the caffeine choices in town, but also the “third spaces” where you can sip and hangout. I’ll be back.
He Said: It’s a good place. They have a variety of teas as well if you like coffee as little as I do. You can also get Italian Cream Sodas as well as locally supplied Kambucha tea, so there’s a good variety here.
Is Round Mountain Coffee Good At What It’s Good For? Yes, if you want some of the finer things in your coffee life without too much hipstering-so-hard, this is the place for you.
Just named a finalist for the INDIE award for best Mystery novel of the year:
Jay Ruud’s most recent novel, Lost in the Quagmire: The Quest of the Grail, IS NOW a finalist for this year’s INDIE award for books by independent publishers. You can order your copy direct from the publisher (Encircle Press) at http://encirclepub.com/product/lost-in-the-quagmire/You can also order an electronic version from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/814922
When Sir Galahad arrives in Camelot to fulfill his destiny, the presence of Lancelot’s illegitimate son disturbs Queen Guinevere. But the young knight’s vision of the Holy Grail at Pentecost inspires the entire fellowship of the Round Table to rush off in quest of Christendom’s most holy relic. But as the quest gets under way, Sir Gawain and Sir Ywain are both seriously wounded, and Sir Safer and Sir Ironside are killed by a mysterious White Knight, who claims to impose rules upon the quest. And this is just the beginning. When knight after knight turns up dead or gravely wounded, sometimes at the hands of their fellow knights, Gildas and Merlin begin to suspect some sinister force behind the Grail madness, bent on nothing less than the destruction of Arthur and his table. They begin their own quest: to find the conspirator or conspirators behind the deaths of Arthur’s good knights. Is it the king’s enigmatic sister Morgan la Fay? Could it be Arthur’s own bastard Sir Mordred, hoping to seize the throne for himself? Or is it some darker, older grievance against the king that cries out for vengeance? Before Merlin and Gildas are through, they are destined to lose a number of close comrades, and Gildas finds himself finally forced to prove his worth as a potential knight, facing down an armed and mounted enemy with nothing less than the lives of Merlin and his master Sir Gareth at stake. | http://jayruud.com/round-mountain-coffee/ |
Two areas that I have been thinking about recently, which I think will form a key part of my research moving forward, are that of conflict of interest and to what extent the required skills and competencies of a DPO should be determined by the environment in which they are working.
I am going to return to the conflict of interest element when I have had an opportunity to think it through a little more and focus on the challenges for skillsets for DPOs. Recent discussions with a number of people have highlighted many issues with interpreting and applying the legislation around the role of the DPO, in particular the required competencies and whether these can be somehow scaled depending on the nature, size or processing activities.
Having also worked with food hygiene legislation for a number of years, the underpinning regulation for the hygiene of foodstuffs (Regulation EC 852/2004) introduced the requirement for both documents demonstrating compliance and the training for staff involved in the processing of food. Importantly, both of these elements are required by law to be “commensurate” to either the nature and size of the food business, or the work activities required from the person being trained. Is this something that could be used in the field of data protection in relation to the “professional qualities” and “expert knowledge” of the DPO?
The food hygiene model for skills and competencies leaves the decision as to whether an organisation has achieved the necessary balance to the regulators. The industry has also developed associated best practice to assist people with understanding and interpreting what “commensurate” will mean in the context of their own businesses and organisation. Having engaged with various discussions and debates, I think this flexibility is something that may be fundamentally missing from current interpretations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and associated domestic legislation although perhaps there is room to interpret the legislation in this way? The GDPR has much more of a risk-focused approach than previous data protection law and therefore can a DPO’s skillset be developed based on the risk associated with processing activities?
The schemes issued to date by the Spanish and French regulators would suggest not. They propose that those named as a DPO should have knowledge in certain areas and in some cases, tasks that every DPO should be able to complete, as well as a common method of assessment. You can find a comparison of both schemes by clicking the button below. What is interesting about these schemes is that, at a very simplistic level of analysis, while they cover similar topics, they appear to be set at different levels of competence. Therefore, even if we use these schemes to try to begin to understand the different topics of law that we need to be competent in as a DPO, it remains questionable as to what level those competencies need to be developed. These two schemes have attempted to ensure that if a person is a DPO, they will have certain associated skills and competencies and be able to carry out the tasks of a DPO regardless of context.
Comparing both of these schemes to the qualification frameworks there seem to be some fundamental contrasts. I have used the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) although there are schemes across Europe which can all be mapped to the European Qualifications Framework. These frameworks are based on learning outcomes and what people are able to demonstrate once they have completed a pathway of learning. There are 5 different characteristics in the SCQF that are assessed to produce a combined score for a particular learning activity.
These are:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Practice: applied knowledge, skills and understanding
- Generic cognitive skills
- Communication, ICT and numeracy skills
- Autonomy, accountability and working with others
Analysis of both schemes would need to be carried out to a much more detailed level although I have provided a few examples below to illustrate my point.
Example 1
The French scheme requires that a DPO knows “how to participate in identifying security measures that are suited to the risks and nature of the processing operations” compared to the Spanish scheme. This requires a DPO to “implement security measures that are suited to the risks and nature of processing operations”. This suggests that not only does the Spanish scheme require a higher level of knowledge about data protection, security measures (which are likely to be ICT related) and implementation of these measures, by implication there is an expected level of autonomy and/or ability to take control or manage initiatives through to completion.
Example 2
The French scheme requires that a DPO is “familiar with the documentation of data breaches”. By contrast, the Spanish scheme requires the DPO to “establish procedures to manage violations of data security, including assessing risk to the data subjects and procedures to notify supervisory authorities and data subjects”. A person’s skills and competencies are likely to need to be far more developed in a number of the 5 areas to comply with the Spanish scheme when compared to the French, particularly when considering the range of organisations that a DPO may work in.
Example 3
The final example is the data protection impact assessment (DPIA). Both schemes require DPOs to be able to determine the need to carry out a DPIA although the French scheme requires additionally only that a DPO can verify implementation and is able to provide advice on the methodology, possible outsourcing, and technical and organisational measures to be adopted. The Spanish scheme requires the DPO to be able to carry out DPIAs. Again, the level of knowledge required, particularly knowledge of the organisation in my experience, will be significantly more developed to comply with the Spanish scheme than the French.
While, as stated above, further work needs to be undertaken on all the required skills and competencies listed in the schemes, from these examples, the French scheme could be graded as level 6 (equivalent to Highers in Scotland or A levels in England) on the SCQF, compared to the Spanish scheme that is likely to be around level 10, possibly higher, which is degree level or equivalent in difficulty. There is then also the question of whether skillsets at either of these levels can be effectively measured using the technique of multiple choice questions proposed by both schemes, which is a topic for another day.
It is always worth highlighting that the Spanish scheme also lists “softer” skills required by a DPO, which will be discussed further in the next blog post.
Coming back to interpreting the legislation for DPOs, are we any further forward with a reasonable approach to take in the absence of any guidance in the UK? My own view is that context is vital and it would be extremely difficult to move forward on the basis of establishing a single competency framework that could be applied across every organisation that would allow every DPO to be “fully qualified” to work in that environment. Is this variation solely down to knowledge of the business and their operations which is recognised by the Article 29 Work Party’s guidance as an important requirement? Personally, I think this is unlikely as compliance is likely to look very different when you begin to compare organisations, whether that is private versus public, by size alone, by processing activities, or by any other factor. Consequently, you need to understand the legislation at a fairly detailed level to understand what options are available for compliance in any given circumstance. While it is unquestionably a factor, this knowledge will not solely depend upon knowledge of an organisation in my view.
Looking at this issue from a slightly different angle, every public sector organisation will require to name a DPO by law. Some public sector bodies are small (some very small) and process very little personal data, and there will be some that only process personal data relating to their own staff. Is it realistic to expect a small organisation that does not provide services to the general public (and therefore has no service user personal data) to retain a person with the same skills and knowledge to deal with all the highly complex parts of the legislation as someone, for example, in a local authority? Is there any benefit to doing this both for the organisation and protecting the rights of data subjects?
At the other end of the spectrum, does it achieve the aims of the legislation if organisations are able to process large volumes of personal data (assuming they are not involved in regular and systematic monitoring, or the processing of special category or criminal convictions or offences) without technically requiring a DPO? The ICO suggests organisations should record their decision making if a DPO is not appointed although it is difficult to see how any organisation, potentially with little collective data protection knowledge, will decide to appoint a role that is likely to incur cost without it being necessary to do so regardless of potential risks. Furthermore, without any detailed guidance on what should be considered, organisations are unlikely to be consistently making an informed decision about the appointment of a DPO.
My view is that there is a lot we could learn from the food hygiene model and if the application of required skills and competencies focussed on risk associated with processing activities it would be a much fairer system and likely to be much more beneficial to protecting the rights and freedoms of data subjects. The GDPR makes a number of references to what should be considered higher risk in relation to personal data, processing activities and data subjects, and therefore it should be plausible to develop an approach that takes this into account.
One possible alternative approach to skills development for DPOs may be to have a very small core set of competencies at a relatively low level on the qualifications frameworks that all DPOs are required to possess and maintain. This could be complemented with learning pathways to develop competencies that are relevant to specific sectors or organisations, which could be based on risk and the nature of processing activities. This is certainly something I am interested in developing further and I would be really interested to hear other people’s views and opinions on whether this would be effective and the practicalities of taking this forward. | https://dataprotectionresearch.co.uk/2019/10/27/dpo-competency-scheme/ |
Nov 29, 2017
Episode 7 introduces the area of Quality Improvement in Practice, and features Dr John Brennan, GP and member of the Quality Improvement Faculty at Royal College of Physicians in Ireland.
John provides an overview of quality improvement, highlighting its importance in clinical practice and giving some tips on how to get started in undertaking quality improvement projects in your practice.
As usual, hotlinks to resources and further reading can be found in the show notes, which you can access by tapping or swiping on the show icon on your smart device.
Please spread the word to colleagues, subscribe via your podcast player, and leave a rating or written review in iTunes or Apple podcasts – it really helps!
Feedback and suggestions:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themedicsmic
Twitter: @themedicsmic
Website: www.themedicsmic.com
Music courtesy of Boost Music: http://boostmusic.com/
Episode 7 Selected Websites & Resources (Mentioned during the show):
RCPI Quality Improvement Programmes::
https://www.rcpi.ie/quality-improvement-programmes/
W Edwards Deming Biography:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming
BMJ Editorial 2007 – Batalden and Davidoff:
http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/16/1/2:
Deming's System of Profound Knowledge:
http://ihub.scot/2020-framework-for-quality-efficiency-and-value/improve/deming-s-system-of-profound-knowledge/
UK Health Foundation:
HSE Quality Improvement Competence Guide: | https://themedicsmic.com/007-intro-to-quality-improvement |
Over the long Memorial Day weekend I spent time dividing perennials. Especially in our cold climate, spring is an ideal time to carry out this garden activity.
As I walked around my garden I noticed a number of large clumps of green and some were crowded together. I could tell there were dense root systems underneath with little room to expand. I also figured that the healthy plants had used a lot of the soil nutrients so I would need to add new soil, compost and/or soil conditioner.
I soaked the clumps a few hours before I began working. Digging up plants is stressful to the plant (and perhaps to the gardener). Saturated roots help the plant stay hydrated and make the soil easier to dig.
In one garden I dug up a one and a half foot round clump of Blue Fleabane (Erigeron ‘Azure Fairy’) and two clumps of Dianthus that were a bit smaller. To dig them up, I used a spading shovel which is narrower than the typical shovel. Usually I dig straight down six-eight inches all around and about three inches away from the clump if there is room. I then switch to a spading fork, which is sturdier than a typical pitch fork, to reach under the plant and lift it up. More roots stay attached when I use this method instead of sticking with the shovel.
I then laid the clumps on the grass (some people use a tarp) and inspected them. All three were very dense and I couldn’t break pieces away by hand. I couldn’t even divide them with sharp shovel thrusts so I cut them into pieces with a large knife. You could also try using an axe for tough clumps. It’s important to make sure each division has leaves and roots and that any dead parts are discarded. I divided the Fleabane into four parts and the Dianthus into six parts. I added a mixture of top soil and compost and replanted one of each.
I’d already chosen places for the other divisions and dug them in trying to make sure they were planted evenly with the surrounding soil. I watered all spots thoroughly and will watch them over the next few days to see if they need more water than the watering systems provides.
Other plants such as Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) and Meadow Anemone (Anemone candensis) are quick spreaders and their root systems are easy to dig and separate. You don’t need to dig an entire clump; just use a trowel to remove a portion and leave the rest alone.
Some species, such as Stella D’oro lilies (Hemerocallis stella d'oro) bloom less vigorously as clumps become large. I usually divide them when they get about 10 inches wide.
Some perennials tend to die out in the center as they spread, leaving an unattractive doughnut shape. In my garden, this happens with Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum), creeping Veronica (Veronica oltensis), and low Sedums. These three are easy to deal with as the clumps pull apart with little effort.
I usually have some winter die-off, so can replace the dead plants with new divisions. If you have a small yard you may need to share the left overs with a friend. Some cities or gardening clubs have plant exchanges. I think it’s a great idea, but I seem to be too busy tending my garden in the spring and don’t have time organizing a formal exchange.
A general rule of thumb is to divide plants when they are not blooming. I wait for early bloomers to finish blooming before dividing them. This includes Grape Hyacinths (Muscari), Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera), and Golden Banner (Thermopsis montana).
Traditionally, the time for dividing Bearded Iris is shortly after flowering. But if you have stubborn clumps that refuse to flower, then you might as well go ahead and divide them in the spring, since they likely won’t bloom this year anyway. Several gardeners I know cut about a third off the tops of the Iris leaves when transplanting. The idea is that the roots will recover sooner as they have less leaf mass to support. ). Peonies are usually divided in the fall and Oriental Poppies (Papaver oriental) after they’ve bloomed and gone dormant in July or August.
Some plants don’t divide and transplant well. These include Bleeding Heart (Cicentra spectablilis) and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). | http://www.alamosaflowers.net/news/2014-05-28-alamosa-flowers-web.htm |
Joe Montemurro, the Arsenal head coach, has become the first Women’s Super League manager to claim the lengthy coronavirus-enforced hiatus has “taken its toll” on players.
The Gunners have suffered a spate of injuries ahead of their North London derby against Totteham on Sunday with Jordan Nobbs, Kim Little, Steph Catley and Lisa Evans all nursing muscle problems. Jen Beattie has also been absent due to a calf injury, while striker Jill Roord remains sidelined with a knee injury.
“I do have a sort of feeling that professional athletes being out of the game for six months, in terms of the impact, in terms of just the moment, the decision making, the different scenarios in terms of football pressure and football environments as opposed to isolated training, has taken its toll,” said Montemurro.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do from day one was to simulate and integrate real football situations as much as we could. Was it difficult getting games? It was difficult getting big games and simulating high pressure situations because a football moment is different to replicating it in training and replicating it on your own at home. The turns are different, the ball travels differently, the grass is different, the pressure is different, so we’d just try to replicate that as much as we can.”
"The pre-season was different, definitely. Has there been an impact because there was an immediate accumulation of games? Possibly, yes. We need to look at it and be better because it's an area where we are a little bit concerned,” added Montemurro.
"We do a lot of individual strength testing and to know where their deficiencies are, whether they have calf problems. This season, for some reason, it has reared its head. Is it load management? Possibly. Is it the accumulation of games? Possibly. Is it the long pause of games and now, suddenly, there are lots of games and there is the stress of real-game situations as opposed to training at home alone? Possibly.” | |
When transitioning out of the military, it’s important to rely on more than annual analyses of the best and worst places for veterans to live, according to one retired Marine.
“If you want to leave yourself open to the best opportunities, don’t pick where you want to live first,” said Joe Crane, host of the Veteran on the Move podcast. “Leaving geographical location wide open is a much better option.”
WalletHub’s recently released annual report on the Best and Worst Places for Veterans to Live in the U.S. stated that Tampa, Florida, is the No. 1 spot. Rounding out the top five are Austin; two cities near Phoenix; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
‘Stick That First Landing’
While those cities and the ranking criteria could align with what service members are looking for post-military, Crane said it’s important to identify job prospects first — regardless of location.
The most important step for transitioning service members, according to Crane, is to “stick that first landing.” Finding a good job and becoming financially secure is critical, because the ability to pay bills and take care of one’s family drastically reduces the stress of transitioning to civilian life.
He also said the first location post-military might not be the first choice. But after settling into a new battle rhythm, service members can then focus on more geographically desirable locations for the next move.
Importance of a veteran-friendly city
After identifying potential job opportunities, Crane recommended going back to the WalletHub analysis to learn more about the cities.
“It’s easier to make a decision based on the data and information in the article,” he said, if service members already have leads on a company or job opening.
WalletHub evaluated cities based on 20 metrics in four categories: Employment, Economy, Quality of Life and Health.
Many of the metrics are military- or veteran-specific, such as the population and income growth of veterans, the veteran unemployment rate, the share of military skill-related jobs and VA health care facilities.
“Those things do matter,” Crane said. “You just need to figure out what things are important for your family.”
For some veterans, a military-friendly city is not essential, but Crane said it does make a difference.
“Usually, if there’s military near or in the town, the town understands the military, and that makes things a lot easier,” he said.
Retiring from the military
Crane also noted that military retirees have different factors to consider when choosing their first post-service location, but it depends on whether they plan to continue working or live off of their military retirement.
For retirees pursuing a civilian career, age and level of experience might offer more opportunities for high-paying jobs. But they can also work against veterans if they are deemed “overqualified.”
“It depends on the job market in that particular city,” Crane said.
Another consideration for many retiring service members is whether a state taxes military retirement. This is important, according to Crane, but “not a single issue.”
What about opportunities overseas?
The WalletHub survey covers cities in the United States, but for veterans who enjoyed OCONUS duty stations, returning overseas is a great option to explore.
“Don’t underestimate the amount of opportunity that is available overseas,” Crane said.
Available positions can range from DOD civilian jobs at US bases in Europe to contractor positions in the Middle East. These jobs can help keep elements of military life, and some overseas jobs are quite lucrative. | https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-career/finances-career-among-considerations-for-transitioning-service-members/ |
A team leader/supervisor is a first line management role, with operational/project responsibilities or responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same whatever the role. Key responsibilities are likely to include supporting, managing and developing team members, managing projects, planning and monitoring workloads and resources, delivering operational plans, resolving problems and building relationships internally and externally.
The entry requirement for this apprenticeship will be decided by each employer, but may typically be five GCSE’s at grade C or higher. | http://www.howcollege.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships/20979/team-leading-supervisor-level-3-standard/ |
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US Steel, Aluminium Tariffs Take Effect As Trading Partners Debate Options
Volume
22,
Number
11
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29 March 2018
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Global Economy
US Steel, Aluminium Tariffs Take Effect As Trading Partners Debate Options
29 March 2018
The US has confirmed which countries will be subject to temporary exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium, even as heated debate continues in multiple trade forums over what these measures will mean for those sectors and for the wider global economy. Late last week, US President Donald Trump...
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs)
South Korea, US Clinch Agreement in Principle to Update KORUS Trade Pact
29 March 2018
Seoul and Washington have reached an agreement “in principle” that would revise the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), South Korea’s trade ministry confirmed this week. The tentative agreement reportedly includes concessions from the Asian country on trade in automobiles and establishes a quota...
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs)
Preparations for Post-Brexit Trade Deals Continue with US, Australia
29 March 2018
Trade officials from the United Kingdom have been meeting with their US and Australian counterparts over the past fortnight to continue setting the stage for deeper economic ties and possible trade agreements in the post-Brexit era. The meetings come after the EU and UK clinched a “ transition deal...
Climate Change
EU Leaders Push to Update Climate Action Strategy, Eyeing Paris Agreement Implementation
29 March 2018
Leaders from the EU’s member states are looking to revamp their approach to slashing emissions of greenhouse gases and have asked the bloc’s executive branch to put forward an updated strategy by early next year. The request was made during an EU Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, held from 22-...
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs)
Trilateral Trade Talks Resume Between China, Japan, and South Korea
29 March 2018
Trade negotiations between China, Japan, and South Korea resumed from 22-23 March, nearly one year after officials held their previous round. The three countries are also part of a broader effort to clinch a 16-country regional trade deal, which is vying for conclusion this year. China-Korea-Japan...
Events
29 March 2018
Coming Soon 3-5 April, Manchester, UK. WORLD SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY. This event is being organised by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and Manchester Metropolitan University. It will look at various facets of biodiversity and climate change, bringing together...
Resources
29 March 2018
INVESTMENT POLICY MONITOR, NO. 19. Published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (March 2018). This update to UNCTAD’s investment policy monitor reviews the November 2017-February 2018 period, looking at new restrictions and regulations, as well as international investment... | https://www.ictsd.org/bridges-news/bridges/issue-archive/us-steel-aluminium-tariffs-take-effect-as-trading-partners-debate |
2:The VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education introduces a memoir workshop series. The first 10-week workshop will meet on Wednesdays, August 5 through October 14 in the VCU Professional Learning Classroom at The Career and Technical Center at Hull Street, 13900 Hull Street, Midlothian. Free on-site parking is available. Learning to write memoir, literary nonfiction, is a great way to reflect on your experiences and to leave a personal legacy. Workshops offer class discussions, one-on-one coaching, and in-class writing time. Don't wait for the "right time". Start recording your early life experiences now! For more information, contact Lynn Myers at [email protected] or (804) 828-1322 or visithttp://ocpe.vcu.edu/m...
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:This evening of reflection includes a time for centering, a writing warm-up activity, a period for more in-depth journaling, a brief time for optional sharing and reflection, and a closing ritual. Facilitators: Elaine Kiziah and Ann Forburger. $5 suggested donation. Chrysalis Gathering Space, 3527 Ellwood Ave, Richmond, VA. (804) 359-0384. Learn more at www.chrysalisinstitute.org.
2:Book reading and signing with Cheryl Jackson Baker, author of Affectionately Yours: The Civil War Letters of William R. Jackson and His Wife Julia. Cheryl will discuss this collection of Civil War letters exchanged by her great-great grandparents between early-1862 and late-1866. The correspondence captures vignettes of wartime life for a Quartermaster officer in the Union army and his wife, who maintained both the family home and business. At Chop Suey Books.
2:Now on the 1st Thursday of the month! Local wordsmiths take the mic to give you a "taste" of what they do as poets, plus live jazz by Randy Burton and co. All set off by C'est Le Vin's delicious wine and tapas. Cost: no cover. At C'est Le Vin, 15 N. 17th St.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:
Writers Wednesday is a casual meet-and-greet for aspiring and published writers from all genres. Come, make connections, and get inspired to write in a friendly environment. Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Capital Ale House locations around Richmond.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:From bbgb tales for kids: "we love to see kids and adults sharing great writing, so we're teaming up with richmond young writers and art 180 to host an open mic for performers of all ages! It's free! just bring your poetry, rap, or flash fiction to share. or come with a short piece from your favorite author. please keep performances under three minutes and remember that children will be in attendance. all performers can enter a free book raffle, and there will be refreshments for all attendees! come to bbgb early to reserve a spot, or rsvp in advance by emailing [email protected]".
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Anne A. Wilson was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with a degree in ocean engineering, followed by nine years of active duty service as a Navy helicopter pilot. Following her military service, she worked for four years in the semi-conductor industry, and currently, owns a triathlon coaching business, Camelback Coaching, with her husband, now in its twelfth year of operation. She lives in Fountain Hills, Arizona with her husband and two sons. At Fountain Bookstore.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:Book reading, signing, and q&a with Diane Kiesel, author of She Can Bring Us Home: Dr. Dorothy Boulding Ferebee, Civil Rights Pioneer. Kiesel's book tells the story of Ferebee's extraordinary story of struggle and personal sacrifice to a new generation. For more on Diane, Dorothy, and the book, click here.
2: Charles F. Bryan, Jr., Ph.D. will be signing his new compilation of essays, Imperfect Past: History in a New Light. Collected from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, this is every essay published in the paper.
2:
Virginia Screenwriters and VSF Actor's Forum meets from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 .p.m. on the 4th Saturday morning of each month, except for December, at CenterStage, 600 East Grace St. VSF Members receive script critiques, plus actor table reads of their screenplay pages in process. Guests are welcome to sit in for free, but reservations are required. For further information about meetings please email: [email protected].
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Harry M. Ward presents Children of the Streets of Richmond, 1865-1920. Richmond in the late 19th century was cosmopolitan, boisterous and crime-ridden. The juvenile delinquents of Richmond were held accountable in the Police Court, presided over by Justice John Jeter Crutchfield who, though unlearned in the law, functioned like a biblical Solomon but with great showmanship. What emerges from the public record is an amusing and touching picture of what life was really like in the post–Reconstruction urban South. Harry M. Ward is a retired University of Richmond history professor and the author of 20 books. Learn more about this title . Reveille UMC summer book reviews have been a popular tradition for over 50 years. Book reviews begin with a reception in the church welcome center at 10:30 am, followed by an author talk in the chapel at 11:00 am. A book signing follows each talk.
2:February: Plotting a Hero's Journey: Fiction, Myth and Scripts. The Writing Show moves to its new location at The Firehouse Theater bringing Richmond new opportunities to learn and practice writing on the final Wednesday of the month until September. $12 for JRW members/ $15 for non-members and $5 for students. Learn more and register on our site.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:"Payne's study of the tragedy of his brother's death and the events leading up to it is unforgettable and painful to read. The power of the storytelling and the beauty of the wisdom offered make it impossible to look away. Please join me in welcoming this exceptional author. This book is very important to me. There are simply not enough good books out there on the impact one person's mental illness can have on a family."-Kelly Justice, owner of Fountain Bookstore.
2:Join River City Poets for a night of inspiring word at this fast-growing Westover Hills coffee shop! With an open mic that is quickly becoming known for nurturing new voices, this is an evening of pure poetry you don't want to miss. Plus, taZa's selection of beer & wines and fresh-made sandwiches & goodies make it easy to while away an evening taking in some new poetry.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Critically acclaimed author Robert Goolrick presents his newest book The Fall of Princes at the Fountain Bookstore. “ compelling, wholly seductive narrative voice . . . Goolrick’s stellar prose infuses this redemption story with a good deal of depth and despair, making it read like the literary version of The Wolf of Wall Street.” —Booklist. Learn more.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:Food Tasting. Talk. Signing. Community! The Fountain Bookstore hosts a special community event: "Our friends at Workman are publishing an extraordinary cookbook called GOOD & CHEAP: Eat Well on $4 a Day. For every book bought the night of the event or from our online bookstore prior to the event, one book will be donated to someone in need in the Richmond area!" Learn more.
2:Now on the 1st Thursday of the month! Local wordsmiths take the mic to give you a "taste" of what they do as poets, plus live jazz by Randy Burton and co. All set off by C'est Le Vin's delicious wine and tapas. Cost: no cover. At C'est Le Vin, 15 N. 17th St.
2:The 15th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place Saturday, September 5, 2015, at the Washington Convention Center. To mark this anniversary, as well as the 200th anniversary of the Library’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, the festival’s theme is Jefferson’s quote “I Cannot Live Without Books.” Authors already confirmed for the upcoming event include David McCullough and Walter Isaacson. Learn more.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:
Writers Wednesday is a casual meet-and-greet for aspiring and published writers from all genres. Come, make connections, and get inspired to write in a friendly environment. Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Capital Ale House locations around Richmond.
2:Join Fountain Books for an evening with Olwen Woodier, apple expert and author of The Apple Cookbook: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes. She will give a brief talk and then guests will have an apple-themed dinner with her at Camden's Dogtown Market in Manchester prepared by Chef Andy Howell. Blue Bee Cidery owner Courtney Mailey will be there as well to talk about cider and there will be an optional cider pairing with each course. Tickets and the book can be purchased through Fountain Bookstore.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:February: Plotting a Hero's Journey: Fiction, Myth and Scripts. The Writing Show moves to its new location at The Firehouse Theater bringing Richmond new opportunities to learn and practice writing on the final Wednesday of the month until September. $12 for JRW members/ $15 for non-members and $5 for students. Learn more and register on our site.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:Join River City Poets for a night of inspiring word at this fast-growing Westover Hills coffee shop! With an open mic that is quickly becoming known for nurturing new voices, this is an evening of pure poetry you don't want to miss. Plus, taZa's selection of beer & wines and fresh-made sandwiches & goodies make it easy to while away an evening taking in some new poetry.
2:
Virginia Screenwriters and VSF Actor's Forum meets from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 .p.m. on the 4th Saturday morning of each month, except for December, at CenterStage, 600 East Grace St. VSF Members receive script critiques, plus actor table reads of their screenplay pages in process. Guests are welcome to sit in for free, but reservations are required. For further information about meetings please email: [email protected].
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:Now on the 1st Thursday of the month! Local wordsmiths take the mic to give you a "taste" of what they do as poets, plus live jazz by Randy Burton and co. All set off by C'est Le Vin's delicious wine and tapas. Cost: no cover. At C'est Le Vin, 15 N. 17th St.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:Wednesday nights, 7-9PM: Write your first draft novel in 6 months. Free and open to the public. For more details see http://AgileWriters.c.... At Martin's Food Market, upstairs, 11361 Midlothian Turnpike.
2:From Agile Writers: Have a bit of Writer’s Block? Can’t concentrate at home? Studies show that being part of a think-tank can actually get those creative juices flowing! If you need some time to just sit and write, come join us this Saturday at Martins.
2:
Writers Wednesday is a casual meet-and-greet for aspiring and published writers from all genres. Come, make connections, and get inspired to write in a friendly environment. Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Capital Ale House locations around Richmond. Free to join; just pay for your food and beverages.
2:Member Pamela Webber will be signing her first novel The Wiregrass at Fountan Books. The Wiregrass is a coming of age story about an innocent young woman, Nettie, who is forced to come to grips with the evil stalking the beautiful place and people she loves. Learn more.
2:Join River City Poets for a night of inspiring word at this fast-growing Westover Hills coffee shop! With an open mic that is quickly becoming known for nurturing new voices, this is an evening of pure poetry you don't want to miss. Plus, taZa's selection of beer & wines and fresh-made sandwiches & goodies make it easy to while away an evening taking in some new poetry.
2:
Virginia Screenwriters and VSF Actor's Forum meets from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 .p.m. on the 4th Saturday morning of each month, except for December, at CenterStage, 600 East Grace St. VSF Members receive script critiques, plus actor table reads of their screenplay pages in process. Guests are welcome to sit in for free, but reservations are required. For further information about meetings please email: [email protected].
2:Now on the 1st Thursday of the month! Local wordsmiths take the mic to give you a "taste" of what they do as poets, plus live jazz by Randy Burton and co. All set off by C'est Le Vin's delicious wine and tapas. Cost: no cover. At C'est Le Vin, 15 N. 17th St.
2:
Writers Wednesday is a casual meet-and-greet for aspiring and published writers from all genres. Come, make connections, and get inspired to write in a friendly environment. Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Capital Ale House locations around Richmond. Free to join; just pay for your food and beverages.
2:Join River City Poets for a night of inspiring word at this fast-growing Westover Hills coffee shop! With an open mic that is quickly becoming known for nurturing new voices, this is an evening of pure poetry you don't want to miss. Plus, taZa's selection of beer & wines and fresh-made sandwiches & goodies make it easy to while away an evening taking in some new poetry.
2:Now on the 1st Thursday of the month! Local wordsmiths take the mic to give you a "taste" of what they do as poets, plus live jazz by Randy Burton and co. All set off by C'est Le Vin's delicious wine and tapas. Cost: no cover. At C'est Le Vin, 15 N. 17th St.
2:
Writers Wednesday is a casual meet-and-greet for aspiring and published writers from all genres. Come, make connections, and get inspired to write in a friendly environment. Held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Capital Ale House locations around Richmond. Free to join; just pay for your food and beverages.
3:"The Land of the Four Rivers is a poetry collection discussing my time as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia (2006-2008). Several poems in the collection were nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The collection won the 2013 Best Poetry Book for Peace Corps Writers." Learn more.
3:
Richmond, VA 23230 - USA
4:Friday, January 22 at 7:00 PM
5:Attending: 1
Note: James River Writers provides this listing of events for informational purposes only. Please contact the event host to confirm details and for additional information.
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The 2016 Safe Streets Boulder report provides an overview of the city’s efforts to continuously improve safety for people using all modes of travel. Transportation safety is always a priority for the city, and this report is an important tool to track collision trends by type and location, and identify mitigation strategies to reduce the number and severity of these collisions.
See the summary of key findings .
The City of Boulder's Safe Streets Report is produced by the Transportation Division, in conjunction with the Boulder Police Department and Municipal Court. Information about the collision data is provided in more detail in the report's appendices.
Boulder's fatality rate is much less than the national average and also much less than the rate for similar-sized cities in Colorado. Boulder's fatality rate from 2010 to 2013 is 1.9 percent.
An average of 60 people each year sustained serious injuries from collisions between 2009 and 2014.
An average of 3,275 collisions per year occur in Boulder.
The Safe Streets Boulder report identifies a plan of action for reducing the number and severity of collisions. The action plan outlines a comprehensive approach that includes engineering, education, enforcement and evaluation strategies.
The collision data for these metrics and for this report is obtained from the City of Boulder’s Police Department traffic accident records database. This data is primarily collected by the Police Department’s accident investigation team when a member of that team completes a Colorado Traffic Accident Report form at the time of a collision. Much of the analysis for this report was conducted in 2015 before a full set of 2015 collision data was available. Therefore, this report only includes collision data through December 2014. More detailed information about the collision data is included in the appendix.
The first Safe Streets Boulder report was published in 2012 and provided an analysis of motor vehicle collisions involving a bicyclist or pedestrian and was used to identify and implement safety improvements. The 2016 Safe Streets Boulder report has expanded the scope of the original report to include all collisions, not just those involving bicyclists and pedestrians, and establishes a baseline for tracking progress and a plan for future action to achieve traffic collision reduction goals.
Details about the community's transportation goals and an evaluation of its work to achieve them can be found in the 2016 Transportation Report on Progress .
Click the following links to go to specific sections of the report or open or download a PDF version .
Get a high-level overview of the key concepts, see the key data and read about the most important findings and the city's strategies for improving safety in the executive summary.
For more about Toward Vision Zero, how the city measures progress and ways to navigate the report, read the introduction.
How Safe are Boulder's Streets?
Learn about the state of traffic safety in Boulder, overall trends in traffic collisions from 2009 to 2014 (the most recent year data is available), and understand the first set of data points to begin measuring progress toward the TMP safety objective in the How Safe are Boulder's Streets? section.
This section describes prior and ongoing efforts to provide safe transportation facilities for all modes of travel within the city.
This section describes the Transportation Division’s new approach to reducing the number and severity of traffic collisions and includes a detailed analysis of collision data from 2012 through 2014. The findings from this analysis are used to determine mitigation strategies to address collision trends and high collision locations.
The actions in this section represent how the city will reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions, working toward the Vision Zero goal. The actions are organized in terms of engineering, education, enforcement and evaluation strategies.
An in-depth look at collision data and types, fatal collisions between 2009-14 and recent safety improvements at locations with high numbers of collisions. | https://bouldercolorado.gov/transportation/2016-safe-streets-boulder-report-summary-and-highlights |
Balance functions from Au+Au, d+Au, and p+p collisions at sqrt(sNN) = 200 GeV, STAR Collaboration, Phys. Rev. C 82, 024905 (2010).
My research focuses on studying the quark-gluon liquid at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory using the STAR detector. At RHIC, we collide gold nuclei at center-of-mass energies of up to 200 GeV per nucleon pair. At this energy, the protons and neutrons in the incident nuclei are transformed into a hot, dense, and strongly interacting liquid of quarks and gluons. This quark-gluon liquid is a nearly perfect liquid, which has nearly zero viscosity as evidenced by the comparison of flow measurements to hydrodynamic calculations. The universe is thought to have existed in this form a few microseconds after the big bang.
The main detector of STAR is its time projection chamber (TPC). This TPC can produce a full three-dimensional picture of the collision of two ultrarelativistic nuclei. A collision of two gold nuclei is shown as measured in the STAR detector. Each line in the picture corresponds to a single particle leaving the collision. Several thousand tracks are observed in this one central collision. The color of the track represents the ionization density of the track. By correlating the curvature of the track and its ionization density, the particles that created the track can be identified.
The three cornerstones of the observation of the quark-gluon liquid at RHIC are thermalization, collective flow and jet suppression. The spectra of particles emitted in gold-gold collisions can be well described by a blast-wave model incorporating a kinetic temperature and an expansion velocity. The relative number of various types of particles can be well described by a thermal model using a chemical temperature and a chemical potential. Collective flow manifests itself in terms of azimuthal anisotropies. The original anisotropy in the overlap region of the two colliding nuclei is translated into momentum correlations in the final state. Central collisions of gold nuclei also show strong jet suppression. By comparing gold-gold collisions with deuteron-gold and proton-proton collisions, RHIC experimenters were able to show that the quark-gluon liquid originates with the scattering of quark and gluons.
At the top RHIC energies, we observe a smooth transition from the quark gluon plasma to the hadrons observed in STAR. At the lowest RHIC energies, we expect a first order phase transition to occur when the quark gluon plasma hadronizes. The RHIC Beam Energy Scan is designed to provide incident energies at which the critical point may be observed. We are searching for this critical end point using correlation and fluctuation observables. Near the QCD critical point, fluctuations are expected to increase dramatically.
A central collision of two gold nuclei at 130 GeV per nucleon pair as observed in the STAR detector at RHIC. The figure is drawn looking down the beam line of RHIC. | https://www.pa.msu.edu/profile/westfall/ |
I am acutely aware of my Ankylosing Spondylitis every morning when I wake up (along with the several times I wake in the middle of the night). Waking up with AS isn’t fun.
I’ve never been a morning person, per se-- I’m always up for sleeping in and slow to rise from bed. AS has made mornings even more complicated for me. When I wake, I’m now torn between staying in bed, knowing that my pain will likely get worse, or getting out of bed to face my morning activities complicated by joint pain and stiffness.
One of the hallmark symptoms of AS is morning stiffness, especially in the spine. In fact, one of the many questions a rheumatologist will ask when AS is suspected is about morning stiffness and whether it lasts longer than 30 minutes. For many, this stiffness can last well beyond 30 minutes, and even linger for hours. In this way, joint stiffness can affect the entire morning.
What Do Mornings with Ankylosing Spondylitis Feel Like?
With AS, I find it hard to get a good start on the day. Joint pain and inflammation worsens with inactivity, which means laying in bed all night can make these symptoms exponentially worse upon waking. Some mornings are worse than others. For me, it usually depends on how much sleep I get during the night, and how ‘restful’ that sleep actually is.
When I don’t get good sleep at night, my entire body feels achy and fatigued in the morning. Waking with full-body aches usually signals a rough day ahead with increased joint pain and fatigue, possibly a flare-up. When I get a good night’s sleep (this is definitely relative, and sometimes I yearn for those restful sleeps from years ago when I wasn’t plagued by AS pain), I still wake with stiffness and pain, but that pain is often localized.
For example, when I’ve been laying on my side for too long I often wake up with intense hip pain that feels like my hip joints are being squeezed by an iron vise. This kind of pain comes with an urgency to move, but also a hesitation to move and cause more pain. On other mornings, I wake with mild-to-moderate axial pain and stiffness ranging anywhere from my neck down to my hips, and often affects the majority of my spine.
Morning stiffness is difficult to put into words, but this description captures the imagination: it “feels like I am waking up in the Tin Man’s body.” I feel that. I feel like my joints have rusted over during the night. They’ve become rigid, sore, and more difficult to flex. It’s unpleasant, to say the least.
Movement can stave off joint stiffness and increase flexibility so it’s important to find ways to keep moving, especially in the morning hours.
How to Ease Morning Stiffness
Luckily, this rigidity doesn’t last all day, and there are some remedies that may help. Here are several techniques that help me ease away moderate morning stiffness:
1. Take a Long, Hot Shower
This is an absolute must for me! I find that heat treatments help ease my joints a bit more than cold, and nothing helps my back in the morning better than the flow of hot water. On mornings when my back is extra stiff, I just stand under that water for a little bit longer. Also, I prefer hot showers over hot baths because the hard surface of the bathtub can actually inflict more pain on my lower spine than relief.
2. Practice Stretching or Yoga
Honestly, I don’t do this enough. Even a short session of yoga can help loosen stiff joints and ease away joint pain. With that said, it’s important to recognize how your body feels each morning and to choose the yoga routine that will be beneficial without causing more pain. Since AS can limit flexibility, avoid a routine that involves positions that involve too much bend or stretch, and avoid anything that’s too strenuous to start out with. The last thing you want to do is induce a flare when you’re trying to ease AS symptoms.
3. Move Around Frequently
This is something I’m constantly reminding myself of. Working an office job that involves sitting at a desk, it’s easy to get sucked into your work and become complacent. Movement can stave off joint stiffness and increase flexibility so it’s important to find ways to keep moving, especially in the morning hours. This may include taking short walks around the office every hour, or around the house, or taking the dogs outside for a few minutes. Whatever you can manage, do it, and do it often!
4. Utilize Heat Pads or Heated Blankets
If it’s one of those days that frequent movement just isn't going to happen, make sure to keep a heat pad or heated blanket handy. I always keep an extra-large heat pad on my office chair and turn it on several times throughout the day to ease away pain in my lower back. This can be useful for stiffness in the mornings too. If it’s an especially bad morning, slide that heat pad under your back while still in bed. You might also try wrapping up in a heated blanket and throwing that thing on high!
I’m still coming to terms with this particular Ankylosing Spondylitis symptom. It’s certainly a frustrating symptom because it pops up each and every morning without fail. I’m glad I’ve found some techniques that help manage it, and I hope this short read is helpful to others out there battling daily life with AS! | https://www.backcountrychronic.com/post/waking-up-with-ankylosing-spondylitis |
Eva Maria Bouillon (1997) lives and works in Bruges, Belgium.
Full HD-projection, silent, 19min, loop
In this film, the camera depicts the attendants of a mourning meal after a
funeral. The characters in this film perform small, repetitive actions and
seem to be isolated in their own thoughts. Because of this feeling of
isolation or absence, the characters themselves can appear rather lifeless,
as they mourn.
With Peggy Batsleer, Henri Bouillon, Kyra Bouillon, Miguel Escobar, Seppe Vancraywinkel, Reinout Goddyn and Chantal Vandenberghe.
One of the main questions in my work is how to tell a story. I’ve learned a lot about the previous generations in my family and I’m intrigued about how the same stories are told and repeated from different points of view. With this in mind, I am exploring how to detach the family events from personal experiences and tell them in a new way so the viewer can relate to them.
Thus, the narration is always aimed at but leaving blank spaces to free the stories from their personal details and make it possible for others to identify. These blank spaces could be an empty or white space in photos, silences in sound and the motionlessness in video shots. They all open space for interpretation and possible continuations. Collaboration with relatives and close friends – concerning their own stories – is always a starting point. But characters in my work are sometimes not identifiable, because their faces are covered or kept outside the frame. The abstract way in which certain themes are transformed into images provokes reflection and invites for further conversation. | https://www.luca-arts.be/en/node/974 |
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
LIST OF APPENDICES
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of assignee's pending application U.S. Ser. No. 09/539,667, filed on Mar. 30, 2000, entitled “System and Method for Protecting a Computer and a Network from Hostile Downloadables,” which is a continuation of assignee's patent application U.S. Ser. No. 08/964,388, filed on 6 Nov. 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,194, also entitled “System and Method for Protecting a Computer and a Network from Hostile Downloadables.”
The present invention relates to network security, and in particular to scanning of mobile content for exploits.
Conventional anti-virus software scans a computer file system by searching for byte patterns, referred to as signatures that are present within known viruses. If a virus signature is discovered within a file, the file is designated as infected.
Content that enters a computer from the Internet poses additional security threats, as such content executes upon entry into a client computer, without being saved into the computer's file system. Content such as JavaScript and VBScript is executed by an Internet browser, as soon as the content is received within a web page.
Conventional network security software also scans such mobile content by searching for heuristic virus signatures. However, in order to be as protective as possible, virus signatures for mobile content tend to be over-conservative, which results in significant over-blocking of content. Over-blocking refers to false positives; i.e., in addition to blocking of malicious content, prior art technologies also block a significant amount of content that is not malicious.
Another drawback with prior art network security software is that it is unable to recognize combined attacks, in which an exploit is split among different content streams. Yet another drawback is that prior art network security software is unable to scan content containers, such as URI within JavaScript.
All of the above drawbacks with conventional network security software are due to an inability to diagnose mobile code. Diagnosis is a daunting task, since it entails understanding incoming byte source code. The same malicious exploit can be encoded in an endless variety of ways, so it is not sufficient to look for specific signatures.
Nevertheless, in order to accurately block malicious code with minimal over-blocking, a thorough diagnosis is required.
The present invention provides a method and system for scanning content that includes mobile code, to produce a diagnostic analysis of potential exploits within the content. The present invention is preferably used within a network gateway or proxy, to protect an intranet against viruses and other malicious mobile code.
The content scanners of the present invention are referred to as adaptive rule-based (ARB) scanners. An ARB scanner is able to adapt itself dynamically to scan a specific type of content, such as inter alia JavaScript, VBScript, URI, URL and HTTP. ARB scanners differ from prior art scanners that are hard-coded for one particular type of content. In distinction, ARB scanners are data-driven, and can be enabled to scan any specific type of content by providing appropriate rule files, without the need to modify source code. Rule files are text files that describe lexical characteristics of a particular language. Rule files for a language describe character encodings, sequences of characters that form lexical constructs of the language, referred to as tokens, patterns of tokens that form syntactical constructs of program code, referred to as parsing rules, and patterns of tokens that correspond to potential exploits, referred to as analyzer rules. Rules files thus serve as adaptors, to adapt an ARB content scanner to a specific type of content.
The present invention also utilizes a novel description language for efficiently describing exploits. This description language enables an engineer to describe exploits as logical combinations of patterns of tokens.
Thus it may be appreciated that the present invention is able to diagnose incoming content. As such, the present invention achieves very accurate blocking of content, with minimal over-blocking as compared with prior art scanning technologies.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for scanning content, including identifying tokens within an incoming byte stream, the tokens being lexical constructs for a specific language, identifying patterns of tokens, generating a parse tree from the identified patterns of tokens, and identifying the presence of potential exploits within the parse tree, wherein said identifying tokens, identifying patters of tokens, and identifying the presence of potential exploits are based upon a set of rules for the specific language.
There is moreover provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for scanning content, including a tokenizer for identifying tokens within an incoming byte stream, the tokens being lexical constructs for a specific language, a parser operatively coupled to the tokenizer for identifying patterns of tokens, and generating a parse tree therefrom, and an analyzer operatively coupled to the parser for analyzing the parse tree and identifying the presence of potential exploits therewithin, wherein the tokenizer, the parser and the analyzer use a set of rules for the specific language to identify tokens, patterns and potential exploits, respectively.
There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of identifying tokens within an incoming byte stream, the tokens being lexical constructs for a specific language, identifying patterns of tokens, generating a parse tree from the identified patterns of tokens, and identifying the presence of potential exploits within the parse tree, wherein said identifying tokens, identifying patters of tokens, and identifying the presence of potential exploits are based upon a set of rules for the specific language.
There is yet further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for scanning content, including expressing an exploit in terms of patterns of tokens and rules, where tokens are lexical constructs of a specific programming language, and rules are sequences of tokens that form programmatical constructs, and parsing an incoming byte source to determine if an exploit is present therewithin, based on said expressing.
There is additionally provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for scanning content, including a parser for parsing an incoming byte source to determine if an exploit is present therewithin, based on a formal description of the exploit expressed in terms of patterns of tokens and rules, where tokens are lexical constructs of a specific programming language, and rules are sequences of tokens that form programmatical constructs.
There is moreover provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of expressing an exploit in terms of patterns of tokens and rules, where tokens are lexical constructs of a specific programming language, and rules are sequences of tokens that form programmatical constructs, and parsing an incoming byte source to determine if an exploit is present therewithin, based on said expressing.
The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a simplified block diagram of an overall gateway security system that uses an adaptive rule-based (ARB) content scanner, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a simplified block diagram of an adaptive rule-based content scanner system, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is an illustration of a simple finite state machine for detecting tokens “a” and “ab”, used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is an illustration of a simple finite state machine for a pattern, used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a simplified flowchart of operation of a parser for a specific content language within an ARB content scanner, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a simplified block diagram of a system for serializing binary instances of ARB content scanners, transmitting them to a client site, and regenerating them back into binary instances at the client site, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7
illustrates a representative hierarchy of objects created by a builder module, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Appendix A is a source listing of an ARB rule file for the JavaScript language, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention concerns scanning of content that contains mobile code, to protect an enterprise against viruses and other malicious code.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
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Reference is now made to , which is a simplified block diagram of an overall gateway security system that uses an adaptive rule-based (ARB) content scanner, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown in is a network gateway that acts as a conduit for content from the Internet entering into a corporate intranet, and for content from the corporate intranet exiting to the Internet. One of the functions of network gateway is to protect client computers within the corporate intranet from malicious mobile code originating from the Internet. Mobile code is program code that executes on a client computer. Mobile code can take many diverse forms, including inter alia JavaScript, Visual Basic script, HTML pages, as well as a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).
Mobile code can be detrimental to a client computer. Mobile code can access a client computer's operating system and file system, can open sockets for transmitting data to and from a client computer, and can tie up a client computer's processing and memory resources. Such malicious mobile code cannot be detected using conventional anti-virus scanners, which scan a computer's file system, since mobile code is able to execute as soon as it enters a client computer from the Internet, before being saved to a file.
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Many examples of malicious mobile code are known today. Portions of code that are malicious are referred to as exploits. For example, one such exploit uses JavaScript to create a window that fills an entire screen. The user is then unable to access any windows lying underneath the filler window. The following sample code shows such an exploit.
Thus it may be appreciated that the security function of network gateway is critical to a corporate intranet.
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In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, network gateway includes a content scanner , whose purpose is to scan mobile code and identify potential exploits. Content scanner receives as input content containing mobile code in the form of byte source, and generates a security profile for the content. The security profile indicates whether or not potential exploits have been discovered within the content, and, if so, provides a diagnostic list of one or more potential exploits and their respective locations within the content.
Preferably, the corporate intranet uses a security policy to decide whether or not to block incoming content based on the content's security profile. For example, a security policy may block content that may be severely malicious, say, content that accesses an operating system or a file system, and may permit content that is less malicious, such as content that can consume a user's computer screen as in the example above. The diagnostics within a content security profile are compared within the intranet security policy, and a decision is made to allow or block the content. When content is blocked, one or more alternative actions can be taken, such as replacing suspicious portions of the content with innocuous code and allowing the modified content, and sending a notification to an intranet administrator.
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Scanned content and their corresponding security profiles are preferably stored within a content cache . Preferably, network gateway checks if incoming content is already resident in cache , and, if so, bypasses content scanner . Use of cache saves content scanner the task of re-scanning the same content.
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Alternatively, a hash value of scanned content, such as an MD5 hash value, can be cached instead of caching the content itself. When content arrives at scanner , preferably its hash value is computed and checked against cached hash values. If a match is found with a cached hash value, then the content does not have to be re-scanned and its security profile can be obtained directly from cache.
Consider, for example, a complicated JavaScript file that is scanned and determined to contain a known exploit therewithin. An MD5 hash value of the entire JavaScript file can be stored in cache, together within a security profile indicating that the JavaScript file contains the known exploit. If the same JavaScript file arrives again, its hash value is computed and found to already reside in cache. Thus, it can immediately be determined that the JavaScript file contains the known exploit, without re-scanning the file.
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It may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that cache may reside at network gateway . However, it is often advantageous to place cache as close as possible to the corporate intranet, in order to transmit content to the intranet as quickly as possible. However, in order for the security profiles within cache to be up to date, it is important that network gateway notify cache whenever content scanner is updated. Updates to content scanner can occur inter alia when content scanner is expanded (i) to cover additional content languages; (ii) to cover additional exploits; or (iii) to correct for bugs.
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Preferably, when cache is notified that content scanner has been updated, cache clears its cache, so that content that was in cache is re-scanned upon arrival at network gateway .
FIG. 1
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Also, shown in is a pre-scanner that uses conventional signature technology to scan content. As mentioned hereinabove, pre-scanner can quickly determine if content is innocuous, but over-blocks on the safe side. Thus pre-scanner is useful for recognizing content that poses no security threat. Preferably, pre-scanner is a simple signature matching scanner, and processes incoming content at a rate of approximately 100 mega-bits per second. ARB scanner performs much more intensive processing than pre-scanner , and processes incoming content at a rate of approximately 1 mega-bit per second.
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In order to accelerate the scanning process, pre-scanner acts as a first-pass filter, to filter content that can be quickly recognized as innocuous. Content that is screened by pre-scanner as being potentially malicious is passed along to ARB scanner for further diagnosis. Content that is screened by pre-scanner as being innocuous bypasses ARB scanner . It is expected that pre-scanner filters 90% of incoming content, and that only 10% of the content required extensive scanning by ARB scanner . As such, the combined effect of ARB scanner and pre-scanner provides an average scanning throughout of approximately 9 mega-bits per second.
Use of security profiles, security policies and caching is described in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,194 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A COMPUTER AND A NETWORK FROM HOSTILE DOWNLOADABLES, in applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/539,667 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A COMPUTER AND A NETWORK FROM HOSTILE DOWNLOADABLES and filed on 30 Mar. 2000, and in applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/838,889 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CACHING AT SECURE GATEWAYS and filed on 3 May 2004
FIG. 2
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Reference is now made to , which is a simplified block diagram of an adaptive rule-based content scanner system , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An ARB scanner system is preferably designed as a generic architecture that is language-independent, and is customized for a specific language through use of a set of language-specific rules. Thus, a scanner system is customized for JavaScript by means of a set of JavaScript rules, and is customized for HTML by means of a set of HTML rules. In this way, each set of rules acts as an adaptor, to adapt the scanner system to a specific language. A sample rule file for JavaScript is provided in Appendix A, and is described hereinbelow.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, security violations, referred to as exploits, are described using a generic syntax, which is also language-independent. It is noted that the same generic syntax used to describe exploits is also used to describe languages. Thus, referring to Appendix A, the same syntax is used to describe the JavaScript parser rules and the analyzer exploit rules.
the ability to re-use software code for many different languages;
the ability to re-use software code for binary content and EXE files;
the ability to focus optimization efforts in one project, rather than across multiple projects; and
the ability to describe exploits using a generic syntax, which can be interpreted by any ARB scanner.
It may thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a flexible content scanning method and system, which can be adapted to any language syntax by means of a set of rules that serve to train the content scanner how to interpret the language. Such a scanning system is referred to herein as an adaptive rule-based (ARB) scanner. Advantages of an ARB scanner, include inter alia:
FIG. 2
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The system of includes three main components: a tokenizer , a parser and an analyzer . The function of tokenizer is to recognize and identify constructs, referred to as tokens, within a byte source, such as JavaScript source code. A token is generally a sequence of characters delimited on both sides by a punctuation character, such as a white space. Tokens includes inter alia language keywords, values, names for variables or functions, operators, and punctuation characters, many of which are of interest to parser and analyzer .
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Preferably, tokenizer reads bytes sequentially from a content source, and builds up the bytes until it identifies a complete token. For each complete token identified, tokenizer preferably provides both a token ID and the token sequence.
FIG. 3
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tokenizer is implemented as a finite state machine (FSM) that takes input in the form of character codes. Tokens for the language are encoded in the FSM as a sequence of transitions for appropriate character codes, as described hereinbelow with reference to . When a sequence of transitions forms a complete lexical token, a punctuation character, which normally indicates the end of a token, is expected. Upon receiving a punctuation character, the token is complete, and the tokenizer provides an appropriate ID. If a punctuation character is not received, the sequence is considered to be part of a longer sequence, and no ID is provided at this point.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
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Reference is now made to , which is an illustration of a simple finite state machine for detecting tokens “a” and “ab”, used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown in are five states, -, with labeled and directed transitions therebetween. As tokenizer reads successive characters, a transition is made from a current state to a next state accordingly. State is an entry state, where tokenizer begins. State is a generic state for punctuation. Specifically, whenever a punctuation character is encountered, a transition is made from the current state to state . The “a” token is identified whenever a transition is made from state to state . Similarly, the “ab” token is identified whenever a transition is made from state to state . A generic token, other than “a” and “ab” is identified whenever a transition is made from state to state . A punctuation token is identified whenever a transition is made out of state .
FIG. 2
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skipping character ranges that are irrelevant;
assigning special values to character codes that are irrelevant for the language structure but important for the content scanner;
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translating, such as to lowercase if the language is case-insensitive, in order to reduce input for tokenizer ;
merging several character codes, such as white spaces and line ends, into one; and
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translating sequences of raw bytes, such as trailing spaces, into a single character code.
Preferably, normalizer also handles Unicode encodings, such as UTF-8 and UTF-16.
Referring back to , tokenizer preferably includes a normalizer and a decoder . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, normalizer translates a raw input stream into a reduced set of character codes. Normalized output thus becomes the input for tokenizer . Examples of normalization rules includes, inter alia
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In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, normalizer is also implemented as a finite-state machine. Each successive input is either translated immediately according to normalization rules, or handled as part of a longer sequence. If the sequence ends unexpectedly, the bytes are preferably normalized as individual bytes, and not as part of the sequence.
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Preferably, normalizer operates in conjunction with decoder . Preferably, decoder decodes character sequences in accordance with one or more character encoding schemes, including inter alia (i) SGML entity sets, including named sets and numerical sets; (ii) URL escape encoding scheme; (iii) ECMA script escape sequences, including named sets, octal, hexadecimal and Unicode sets; and (iv) character-encoding switches.
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Preferably, decoder takes normalized input from normalizer . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, decoder is implemented as a finite-state machine. The FSM for decoder terminates when it reaches a state that produces a decoded character. If decoder fails to decode a sequence, then each character is processed by tokenizer individually, and not as part of the sequence. Preferably, a plurality of decoders can be pipelined to enable decoding of text that is encoded by one escape scheme over another, such as text encoded with a URL scheme and then encoded with ECMA script scheme inside of JavaScript strings.
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Tokenizer and normalizer are generic modules that can be adapted to process any content language, by providing a description of the content language within a rule file. Preferably, the rule file describes text characters used within the content language, and the composition of constructs of the content language, referred to as tokens. Tokens may include inter alia, an IDENT token for the name of a variable or function, various punctuation tokens, and tokens for keywords such as NEW, DELETE, FOR and IF. A sample rule file for JavaScript is provided in Appendix A, and is described hereinbelow.
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In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, parser controls the process of scanning incoming content. Preferably, parser invokes tokenizer , giving it a callback function to call when a token is ready. Tokenizer uses the callback function to pass parser the tokens it needs to parse the incoming content. Preferably, parser uses a parse tree data structure to represent scanned content. A parse tree contains a node for each token identified while parsing, and uses parsing rules to identify groups of tokens as a single pattern. Examples of parsing rules appear in Appendix A, and are described hereinbelow.
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Preferably, the parse tree generated by parser is dynamically built using a shift-and-reduce algorithm. Successive tokens provided to parser by tokenizer are positioned as siblings. When parser discovers that a parsing rule identifies of group of siblings as a single pattern, the siblings are reduced to a single parent node by positioning a new parent node, which represents the pattern, in their place, and moving them down one generation under the new parent note.
Preferably, within the parse tree, each node contains data indicating inter alia an ID number, the token or rule that the node represents, a character string name as a value for the node, and a numerical list of attributes. For example, if the node represents an IDENT token for the name of a variable, then the value of the node is the variable name; and if the node represents a rule regarding a pattern for a function signature, then the value of the node is the function name.
In addition, whenever a parsing rule is used to recognize a pattern, information about the pattern may be stored within an internal symbol table, for later use.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, parsing rules are implemented as finite-state machines. These FSMs preferably return an indicator for (i) an exact match, (ii) an indicator to continue with another sibling node, or (iii) an indicator of a mis-match that serves as an exit.
More generally, parsing rules may be implemented using a hybrid mix of matching algorithms. Thus, it may use a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) for quick identification of rule candidates, and a non-deterministic finite automaton (NFA) engine for exact evaluation of the candidate rules.
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In addition to a pattern, a parser rule optionally includes one or more actions to be performed if an exact pattern match is discovered. Actions that can be performed include inter alia creating a new node in the parse tree, as described hereinabove with respect to the shift and reduce algorithm; setting internal variables; invoking a sub-scanner , as described hereinbelow; and searching the parse tree for nodes satisfying specific conditions. By default, when the pattern within a parser rule is matched, parser automatically performs a reduce operation by creating a new node and moving token nodes underneath the new node. A rule may be assigned a NoCreate attribute, in which case the default is changed to not performing the reduction operation upon a match, unless an explicit addnode command is specified in an action for the rule.
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FIG. 2
Sub-scanner is another ARB scanner, similar to scanner illustrated in but for a different type of content. Preferably, sub-scanner is used to scan a sub-section of input being processed by scanner . Thus, if an HTML scanner encounters a script element that contains JavaScript code, then there will be a rule in the HTML scanner whose action includes invoking a JavaScript scanner. In turn, the JavaScript scanner may invoke a URI scanner. Use of sub-scanner is particularly efficient for scanning content of one type that contains content of another type embedded therein.
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Preferably, immediately after parser performs a reduce operation, it calls analyzer to check for exploits. Analyzer searches for specific patterns of content that indicate an exploit.
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Preferably, parser passes to analyzer a newly-created parsing node. Analyzer uses a set of analyzer rules to perform its analysis. An analyzer rule specifies a generic syntax pattern in the node's children that indicates a potential exploit. An analyzer rule optionally also includes one or more actions to be performed when the pattern of the rule is matched. In addition, an analyzer rule optionally includes a description of nodes for which the analyzer rule should be examined. Such a description enables analyzer to skip nodes that are not to be analyzed. Preferably, rules are provided to analyzer for each known exploit. Examples of analyzer rules appear in Appendix A, and are described hereinbelow.
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Preferably, the nodes of the parse tree also include data for analyzer rules that are matched. Specifically, if analyzer discovers that one or more analyzer rules are matched at a specific parsing tree node, then the matched rules are added to a list of matched rules stored within the node.
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An advantage of the present invention is that both parser and analyzer use a common ARB regular expression syntax. As such, a common pattern matching engine performs pattern matching for both parser and analyzer . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pattern matching engine accepts as input (i) a list of ARB regular expression elements describing a pattern of interest; and (ii) a list of nodes from the parse tree to be matched against the pattern of interest. Preferably, pattern matching engine returns as output (i) a Boolean flag indicating whether or not a pattern is matched; and (ii) if the pattern is matched, positional variables that match grouped portions of the pattern. For example, if a pattern “(IDENT) EQUALS NUMBER” is matched, then $1 is preferably set to a reference to the nodes involved in the IDENT token. That is, if a matched pattern is “(1 2 3) 4 5”, then $1 refers to the nodes , and as a single group.
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FIG. 4
(IDENT<val==“foo” & match(*):Rule1>|List <val==“bar”>) EQUALS NUMBER Specifically, the pattern of interest specifies either an IDENT token with value “foo” and that matches Rule1, or a List with value “bar”, followed by an EQUALS token and a NUMBER token.
Preferably, the ARB regular expression that is input to pattern matching engine is pre-processed in the form of a state machine for the pattern. Reference is now made to , which is an illustration of a simple finite state machine, used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for a pattern,
Reference is now made to Appendix A, which is a source listing of an ARB rule file for the JavaScript language, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The listing in Appendix A is divided into six main sections, as follows: (i) vchars, (ii) tokens, (iii) token_pairs, (iv) attribs, (v) parser_rules and (vi) analyzer_rules.
vchar vchar-name [action=string] (char|hex-num)
{
vchar-pattern*
}
The vchars section includes entries for virtual characters. Each such entry preferably conforms to the syntax
vchar nl 0x0d
{
[0x0d]+;
[0x0a]+
}
For example, the entry
converts a sequence of one or more CRs (carriage-returns) and a sequence of one or more LFs (line-feeds) to a newline meta-character.
vchar_alias vchar-name
{
hex-num
}
The vchars section also includes entries for aliases, which are names for special virtual characters. Each such entry preferably conforms to the syntax
Vchar_alias underscore
{
0x5F;
}
For example, the entry
identifies the hexadecimal number 0x5F with the name “underscore”.
token-entry* (cdata);
The tokens section includes entries for language tokens for a scanner language; namely, JavaScript for Appendix A. Each such entry preferably conforms to the syntax
LBRACE “[!left_curly_bracket!]” punct;
For example, the entry
defines identifies a punctuation token, LBRACE, as a “left_curly_bracket”, which is an alias for 0x7B as defined in the previous vchars section. Note that aliases are preferably surrounded by exclamation points.
“start” “end” [“escape-pattern] “skip-pattern”;
A CDATA token, for identifying strings or commented text, preferably conforms to the syntax
DOUBLE_QUOTE DOUBLE_QUOTE “[!backslash!][!double_quote]?”
“[{circumflex over ( )} [!backslash!][!double_quote!]]+”;
For example, the entry
identifies a string as beginning and ending with a DOUBLE-QUOTE token, as previously defined, with an escape pattern that has a “backslash” followed by zero or one “double_quote”, and a skip pattern that has one or more characters other than “backslash” and “double_quote”.
{valid | invalid} [(] token-ID | token-ID]* [)]
[(] token-ID | token-ID]* [)];
The token pairs section defines tokens that can validly appear in juxtaposition, and tokens that cannot validly appear in juxtaposition, in conformance with the language rules. Generally, when the tokenizer encounters an invalid juxtaposition, it inserts a virtual semi-colon. An entry for a token-pair preferably conforms to the syntax
invalid IF (ELSE | FOR | WHILE | DOT);
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For example, the entry
indicates that an IF token cannot validly be followed by an ELSE, FOR, WHILE or DOT token. Thus, if an IF token followed by an ELSE, FOR, WHILE, or DOT token is encountered in the input, tokenizer will insert a virtual delimiter character between them.
rule rule-name [nonode] [noanalyze] [nomatch]
{
[patterns
{
ID-pattern*;
}]
[actions
{
action*;
}]
}
The parser-rules section has entries defining rules for the parser. Such entries preferably conform to the syntax
ID<sub>1</sub>-expr ID<sub>2</sub>-expr ... ID<sub>n</sub>-expr
A pattern is a regular expression of IDs, preferably conforming to the syntax
ID
(ID [ID]*)
ID <val==val>
ID <id==rule-ID>
ID <match(n) : rule-ID>
ID <match(*) : rule-ID>
ID <match (m,n) : rule-ID>
Preferably, ID-expr is one of the following:
‘*’
zero or more occurrences
‘+’
one or more occurrences
‘?’
zero or one occurrence
‘{m}’
exactly m occurrences
‘{m,n}’
between m and n occurrences, inclusive
The modifiers ‘*’, ‘+’, ‘?’, ‘{m}’ and ‘{m,n}’ are used conventionally as follows:
(FUNCTION) (IDENT?) (List)
For example, the pattern in the rule for FuncSig
(LPAREN) ((Expr) (COMMA Expr)*)? (RPAREN)
describes a keyword “function”, followed by zero or one IDENT token, and followed by a “List”. In turn, the pattern in the rule for List
([ExprDelimTokens ExprLdelimTokens ExprLdelimRules]?
([{circumflex over ( )} ExprDelimTokens ExprLdelimTokens ExprLdelimRules
ExprExcludeRules
ExprRdelimTokens]+) [ExprDelimTokens ExprRdelimTokens]) |
([ExprStmntRules]);
describes a LPAREN token and a RPAREN token surrounding a list of zero or more Expr's separated by COMMA tokens. In turn, the pattern in the rule for Expr
describes a general definition of what qualifies as an expression, involving delimiter tokens and other rules.
this.val=$(2).val;
@(“FUNCNAME”).val=$(2).val;
An action prescribes an action to perform when a pattern is matched. For example, the action in the rule for FuncSig
assigns a value to FuncSig, which is the value of the second parameter in the pattern for FuncSig; namely, the value of the IDENT token. In addition, the action assigns this same value to an entry in a symbol table called “FUNCNAME”, as described hereinbelow. It may thus be appreciated that certain rules have values associated therewith, which are assigned by the parser as it processes the tokens.
The symbol table mentioned hereinabove is an internal table, for rules to store and access variables.
rule rule-name [nonode] [noanalyze] [nomatch]
{
[nodes
{
ID-pattern;
}]
[patterns
{
ID-pattern*;
}]
[actions
{
action*;
}]
}
The analyzer-rules section has entries defining rules for the parser. Such entries preferably conform to the syntax
(IDENT) ASSIGNMENT IDENT <val==“screen”> DOT
IDENT <val==“width”>;
FIG. 1
Patterns and actions for analyzer rules are similar to patterns and actions for parser rules. For example, the pattern
within the rule for ScrWidAssign describes a five-token pattern; namely, (i) an IDENT token, followed by (ii) an ASSIGNMENT token, followed by (iii) an IDENT token that has a value equal to “screen”, followed by (iv) a DOT token, and followed by (v) an IDENT token that has a value equal to “width”. Such a pattern indicates use of a member reference “screen.width” within an assignment statement, and corresponds to the example exploit listed above in the discussion of .
@($(1).val).attr += ATTR_SCRWID;
The action
within the ScrWidAssign rule assigns the attribute ATTR_SCRWID to the symbol table entry whose name is the value of the IDENT token on the left side of the pattern.
(IDENT) ASSIGNMENT IDENT <@(val).attr?=ATTR_WINDOW>
DOT FuncCall <val==“createPopup”> $;
Similarly, the pattern
op=window.createPopup( );
in the rule for CreatePopup1 corresponds to the command
in the example exploit above. It may thus be appreciated that exploits are often described in terms of composite pattern matches, involving logical combinations of more than one pattern.
Node patterns within analyzer rules preferably specify nodes for which an analyzer rule should be evaluated. Node patterns serve to eliminate unnecessary analyses.
FIG. 2
220
220
Referring back to , when parser finds a pattern match for a specific parser rule, it preferably creates a node in the parser tree, and places the matching nodes underneath the newly created node. Preferably, parser assigns the name of the specific rule to the name of the new node. However, if the rule has a “nonode” attribute, then such new node is not created.
220
230
230
After performing the actions associated with the specific rule, parser preferably calls analyzer , and passes it the newly-created parser node of the parser tree. However, if the rule has a “noanalyzer” attribute, then analyzer is not called.
230
When analyzer finds a pattern match for a specific analyzer rule, it preferably adds the matched rule to the parser tree. However, if the rule has a “nomatch” attribute, then the matched rule is not added to the parser tree.
FIG. 5
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
FIG. 5
220
130
500
210
510
Reference is now made to , which is a simplified flowchart of operation of a parser for a specific content language, such as parser (), within an ARB content scanner, such as content scanner (), in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Prior to beginning the flowchart in , it is assumed that the parser has initialized a parse tree with a root node. At step , the parser calls a tokenizer, such as tokenizer , to retrieve a next token from an incoming byte stream. At step the parser adds the token retrieved by the tokenizer as a new node to a parse tree. Preferably, new nodes are added as siblings until a match with a parser rule is discovered.
Nodes within the parse tree are preferably named; i.e., they have an associated value that corresponds to a name for the node. Preferably, new nodes added as siblings are named according to the name of the token they represent.
520
500
520
530
500
540
540
At step the parser checks whether or not a pattern is matched, based on parser rules within a rule file for the specific content language. If not, then control returns to step , for processing the next token. If a match with a parser rule is discovered at step , then at step the parser checks whether or not the matched parser rule has a “nonode” attribute. If so, then control returns to step . If the matched parser rule does not have a “nonode” attribute, then at step the parser performs the matched parser rule's action. Such action can include inter alia creation of a new node, naming the new node according to the matched parser rule, and placing the matching node underneath the new node, as indicated at step . Thus it may be appreciated that nodes within the parse tree have names that correspond either to names of tokens, or names of parser rules.
550
520
560
230
At step the parser checks whether or not the matched parser rules has a “noanalyze” attribute. If so, then control returns to step . If the matched parser rules does not have a “noanalyze” attribute, then at step the parser calls an analyzer, such as analyzer , to determine if a potential exploit is present within the current parse tree. It may thus be appreciated that the analyzer is called repeatedly, while the parse tree is being dynamically built up.
570
500
580
540
580
After checking the analyzer rules, the analyzer returns its diagnostics to the parser. At step the parser checks whether or not the analyzer found a match for an analyzer rule. If not, then control returns to step . If the analyzer did find a match, then at step the parser performs the matched analyzer rule's action. Such action can include inter alia recording the analyzer rule as data associated with the current node in the parse tree; namely, the parent node that was created at step , as indicated at step .
FIG. 6
FIG. 6
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, binary class instances of ARB scanners are packaged serially, for transmission to and installation at a client site. Reference is now made to , which is a simplified block diagram of a system for serializing binary instances of ARB content scanners, transmitting them to a client site, and regenerating them back into binary instances at the client site. The workflow in begins with a set of rule files for one or more content languages. Preferably, the rule files are generated by one or more people who are familiar with the content languages.
610
620
620
A rule-to-XML convertor converts rule files from ARB syntax into XML documents, for internal use. Thereafter a builder module is invoked. Preferably, builder module generates a serialized rule data file, referred to herein as an archive file.
630
630
class arbScannerFactory
{
INT32 createScanner(const std::string& mimeType,
arbScanner** scanner);
INT32 retireScanner(arbScanner *scanner, INT32&
factoryStillActive);
Bool hasScannerType(const std::string& mimeType);
}
In turn, ARB scanner factory module is responsible for producing an ARB scanner on demand. Preferably, an ARB scanner factory module has a public interface as follows:
ARB scanner factory module is also responsible for pooling ARB scanners for later re-use.
630
640
640
ARB scanner factory module instantiates a scanner repository . Repository produces a single instance of each ARB scanner defined in the archive file. Preferably, each instance of an ARB scanner is able to initialize itself and populate itself with the requisite data.
FIG. 7
FIG. 7
620
Reference is now made to , which illustrates a representative hierarchy of objects created by builder module , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown in are four types of content scanners: a scanner for HTML content, a scanner for JavaScript content, and a scanner for URI content. An advantage of the present invention is the ability to generate such a multitude of content scanners within a unified framework.
630
620
620
After ARB scanner factory module is produced, builder module calls a serialize( ) function. As such, the serialize( ) function called by builder module causes all relevant classes to serialize themselves to the archive file recursively. Thereafter the archive file is sent to a client site.
650
After receiving the archive file, the client deserializes the archive file, and creates a global singleton object encapsulating an ARB scanner factory instance . The singleton is initialized by passing it a path to the archive file.
650
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650
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When the client downloads content from the Internet it preferably creates a pool of thread objects. Each thread object stores its ARB scanner factory instance as member data. Whenever a thread object has content to parse, it requests an appropriate ARB scanner from its ARB scanner factory object . Then, using the ARB scanner interface, the thread passes content and calls the requisite API functions to scan and process the content. Preferably, when the thread finishes scanning the content, it returns the ARB scanner instance to its ARB scanner factory , to enable pooling to ARB scanner for later re-use.
It may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that use of archive files and scanner factories enables auto-updates of scanners whenever new versions of parser and analyzer rules are generated.
FIG. 5
In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to the methods and systems described. Thus, although describes a method in which a complete diagnostic of all match analyzer rules is produced, in an alternative embodiment the method may stop as soon as a first analyzer rule is matched. The parser would produce an incomplete diagnostic, but enough of a diagnostic to determine that the scanned content contains a potential exploit.
In addition to script and text files, the present invention is also applicable to parse and analyze binary content and EXE files. Tokens can be defined for binary content. Unlike tokens for text files that are generally delimited by punctuation characters, tokens for binary content generally have different characteristics.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. | |
Andrew Jackson was born in 1767 in the Waxhaws region between North Carolina and South Carolina. A lawyer and a landowner, he became a national war hero after defeating the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Jackson was elected the seventh president of the United States in 1828.Dec 29, 2017
The Kitchen Cabinet was a term used by political opponents of President of the United States Andrew Jackson to describe his ginger group, the collection of unofficial advisors he consulted in parallel to the United States Cabinet (the "parlor cabinet") following his purge of the cabinet at the end of the Eaton affair ...
Nullification Proclamation. Andrew Jackson / drawn from life and engraved by J.B. Longacre. On December 10, 1832, President Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina that disputed a states' right to nullify a federal law. | https://www.ansaroo.com/fact/Andrew |
Professional Speaker & Lecturer,
Guy Bachmann brings history to life
"Andrew Jackson in the Raw".
Andrew Jackson the most controversial president until Donald Trump.
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an
American General and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States
from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, Jackson gained fame as a general in the
United States Army and served in both houses of Congress. As president, Jackson sought to advance
the rights of the "common man" against a "corrupt aristocracy" and to preserve the Union.
Speaking engagements can be arranged directly with Mr. Bachmann at
Phone or Text 561-634-1843
Email: [email protected]
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Governor Andrew Jackson reviewing troops during the First Seminole War
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Expert dramatized lectures focusing on Andrew Jackson, Florida history and the Seminole Wars.
Some previous lectures include: US Navy Cadets, Marine Corp and Military Strategists, Schools, libraries, various organizations and a Tour Guide for ten years at the Loxahatchee Battlefield, Also a former four year President of The Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists.
Organization memberships over the years include South Florida Archaeological Society, Florida Anthropological Society, Palm Beach Historical Society, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists. | http://apex-ephemera.com/andrewjackson/index.htm |
When your dog is swimming, how long can you safely go?
In some areas of the U.S., it’s safe to swim at least two hours without being bitten by a fish, but you may need to get to your dog’s side.
A new study from the UConn School of Veterinary Medicine suggests that for dogs that are at least 5 weeks old, a two-hour swim is a safe way to go about it.
The study was published online July 29 in the journal PLOS One and used data from a population of 641 dog owners in the United States, where dogs are considered more docile than cats.
The study involved monitoring water temperature, body temperature, and blood pressure to monitor how much fluid is in the body.
The results show that the average adult dog has a maximum swimming time of about 5 hours per day.
That’s a great amount of time for a dog to be in the water, said Dr. John Clements, the study’s lead author and the director of the Marine Life Institute at UConn.
But it’s not long enough to really see the effects of an injury or a disease.
“The longer it takes to recover from an injury, the less likely it is that an injury will recover and heal,” Clements said.
“You can’t be out in the pool for longer than two hours, and the longer you’re out in it, the more likely that your dog will get injured.”
Dogs’ swimming time is an indicator of how active their body is.
If they swim more than their bodyweight, their bodies have more fluid in them.
If their bodies are less fluid-rich, the muscles are not able to support the fluid in the muscles.
That can lead to more injury or even death in the case of severe dehydration.
“If the dog is really swimming and not exercising, it will be more difficult for the muscles to produce the fluid and they will be weaker,” Cules said.
In addition to the fact that the time to recover after a swim can vary depending on the animal, there are several other factors that can affect how much swimming time a dog should be doing.
“It’s not just the amount of water they’re swimming in that matters,” Cures said.
For example, if the animal is just swimming around, that could be good enough for them to recover.
“But if the dog swims and gets injured, it’s probably a good idea to get out and see what’s going on,” he said.
If the dog has been swimming for a long time, they might have trouble swimming enough to make it through the day.
Another factor that can play a role in determining whether a dog can swim is how active they are.
“The dogs that swim at a high level may be able to do a lot of the work, and that’s why they’re out there,” Cables said.
The most common cause of dog drownings is dehydration, which can lead a dog into the water when their body temperature drops below 98.6 degrees F. Thats when blood vessels start to constrict.
A dog’s body will stop moving, resulting in unconsciousness and a loss of consciousness.
The first sign of dehydration is a change in heart rate, which Clements described as a slow heartbeat that usually lasts for a few minutes.
If you see a dog’s heart start beating faster than normal, it is likely a sign of a heart attack.
“There’s a good chance that the heart will start to beat slower, and if it’s a heart failure, it may be because of the amount that the body is losing water,” Cores said.
It’s important to remember that the effects from dehydration are cumulative and not just one time.
For example, the time it takes a dog in a swimming pool to recover can affect the length of time they can swim, and can also influence their chances of being bitten.
“If the dogs swim for longer and longer periods of time, their body fluids may become depleted, and they may not be able go out and get water,” he added.
A common way to increase your dogs swimming time while they’re recovering is to keep the pool level and distance from them as low as possible.
A swimming pool with a clear surface and lots of open space is a good place to start.
If a dog is not swimming well, it can be a good time to increase the amount they swim in.
“We don’t want to go too high, but we do want to keep a pool level so we don’t drown them,” Coles said.
dog swimming pool, swim pants, swim spa, swimmingly, ymca swim lessons
How to Get More Swimming Pools in Your Town
When you’re looking for more swimming pools in your community, you’re going to need to look to the pool industry to fill the void.
The average swimming pool is now the fourth most popular pool type in the United States, according to the American Pool & Spa Association (APSA).
That’s because the pool market is so crowded with pool-type amenities, according the APSA, and many pools are simply not designed for swimming.
It’s the type of pool where you can go to the water and relax.
Here are 10 pools that you need to know about.
1.
The O.J. Simpson Pool, Los Angeles County, CaliforniaThe O., the former mayor of Los Angeles, was found guilty of killing an unarmed man in 1981.
The shooting was a tragic event that led to O. J. Simpson becoming an overnight sensation.
He won a whopping $2.3 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against his former city, which was the largest civil verdict ever in Los Angeles.
But that didn’t stop him from having a pool.
In 2003, O. j.
Simpson’s son, Jay, took the O. Simpson pool in his hometown of Long Beach and put up a wall, which featured a statue of O. and a pool that he called the OJ Pool.
Jay Simpson was the first person to build the Oj Simpson Pool in 1997.
The pool opened in October 2018 and is the first swimming pool in Southern California.
2.
The J.J., James, Jr. Pool, Las Vegas, NevadaThe James, J. J., and James Jr. pools are located on the Las Vegas Strip.
They have two pools in total, the J.O. Pool and J.R. Pool.
Both pools have swimming holes, but the JJ Pool has a pool area that extends all the way up to the ceiling.
The James, James Jr., Pool has five pools, the first five of which are open to the public.
The pools are open for two hours and open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
3.
The G.W. Pool in Las Vegas , Las Vegas.
G. W. Pool was opened in 2015, and its pools have been a popular choice for people looking for a quiet pool to enjoy a few hours of relaxation.
Located in a strip mall, the G. Jumps and G. Ollies pools are situated in the heart of Las Vegas’ historic downtown.
Each pool has an indoor area, and each pool has a sliding door that leads to the pools swimming area.
4.
The H.A.O.’s Pool in New Orleans, LouisianaThe H. A.O., or Hanging Up On Our Own, was originally opened in 1971.
Located near the entrance to the G-W Pool, the pool is also home to the first ever pool slide.
The second pool, H.E.H. Pool is located on top of a massive granite statue of the late President John F. Kennedy, which sits in the center of the pool.
The first pool, the H.J.’s, was opened to the general public in 1980.
The third pool, The J.’s , opened in 1990 and is located at the top of the Jolliard Courts, a popular venue for golf.
5.
The F.M.H.’spool in Fort Lauderdale, Florida The Fort Lauderdale F. M.H., or Great Lakes Pool, is one of the most popular swimming pools for the United Kingdom.
Located at the mouth of the Everglades, the F.F.M.’s is located in a beautiful area of Fort Lauderdale.
Located inside a beautiful, historic home, the pools are a great spot to relax.
The indoor pool is surrounded by a tree-lined, walk-in swimming pool area and is a popular place for couples to enjoy pool time together.
6.
The P.G.O.(Parks and Recreation) pool in Portland, Oregon The Portland P. G.-O.
is the second-largest swimming pool for the Portland area.
It was the pool for The Oregonian, The Oregon Journal, The Portland Press, and Portland’s Daily News for four seasons.
Located along the waterfront of Portland, the P.
Gs. pool features an indoor swimming area and a slide, which is ideal for people to relax at. 7.
The Coney Island Pool, New York City, New Jersey.
Coney’s is a New York-area institution and is considered by many to be the largest swimming pool.
Located on Coney Hill Park, Coney is located about three blocks from Times Square.
The area is famous for its great weather, and it was named one of New York’s most beautiful parks.
It has six pools: two indoor and two outdoor.
The outdoor pool features a walk-through water feature, while the indoor pool has the pool itself. 8. | https://mlomtk.com/tag/swim-spa/ |
Coastal Erosion is wearing away and redistributing solid elements of the shoreline as well as sediment.
In most cases, coastal erosion is caused by natural forces including waves, tidal and littoral currents, and deflation.
A substantial percentage of the Indian population, about 20% lives along the coast, and developmental activities have put tremendous pressure on the fragile coastal environment.
Current Status of Coastal Erosion
Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences informed that a sizable portion of the 6,907.18 km long Indian coastline of the mainland is under varying degrees of Coastal erosion.
Approximately 34% of the coastline is under varying degrees of erosion, 26% is accreting, and the remaining 40% is stable.
Over the years from 1990 to 2018, West Bengal experienced erosion along around 60.5% (323.07 km) of its coastline followed by Kerala (46.4%) and Tamil Nadu (42.7%).
Earlier, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) published an atlas of Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) maps for the entire Indian coastline.
Causes of Coastal Erosion
There are several causes of coastal erosion that can be a result of either natural or man-made activities. Sometimes, it is a combination of both natural and man-made factors.
Natural causes are often not possible to resist or avoid but the damage caused by man-made reasons is the result of ill-planned activities. The effects of climate change, sea-level rise and other long-term causes of erosion are still unaccounted for.
Natural Causes
Waves, winds, tides, near-shore currents, storms, sea level rise, etc. are examples of natural factors that affect coastal erosion.
Also, the natural variation in the supply of sediments to the coastline from the river can affect the erosion of the coastline.
An increasing sea level will promote shoreline setbacks.
Another factor is the subsidence occurrence. Subsidence is a regional phenomenon that reduces a region’s surface area. It has similar effects on the coastline to sea level rise.
Severe storms, tidal surges, and cyclones are examples of catastrophic events that create abnormally high sea levels and significant erosion.
Man-Made Causes
The majority of erosion that is caused by humans is a result of human interference with both the rivers’ sediment load and the natural transportation process. Coastal defence buildings, river management projects, sand and aggregate mining, oil and gas exploration (which results in long-term subsidence), and ports and harbours that affect sediment flow are examples of human activity.
Coastal Erosion Protection Measures
Coastal protection measures moderate the long-term average erosion rate of shoreline change. Nature not only erodes but also has the capacity to protect. Protection of the coastline from erosion is provided by nature in the form of a stable beach, capable of dissipating incident wave energy. Nature’s coastal protection is also demonstrated at the headlands, reefs, shores, dunes, etc.
The measure to control erosion includes non-structural and structural or their combination. A brief description of these measures is given below:
Non-structural measures
The non-structural measures try to dissipate wave energy by mirroring natural forces and preserving the coast’s natural topography. These actions are frequently referred to as soft solutions. These include:
- Artificial nourishment of beaches
- Coastal vegetation such as mangrove and palm plantation
- Sand bypassing at tidal inlets
- Dune reconstruction/rehabilitation
Structural Measures
Structural measures are also known as hard structural or engineering measures. It includes the use of physical structures constructed near the coast to prevent or restrict water from reaching the potential damage areas. These solutions influence the coastal processes to reduce the rate of coastal erosion.
The structural measures used for coastal erosion prevention include seawalls, revetment, breakwaters, off-shore groins, groynes, offshore reefs, artificial headland, etc.
Combination of the Structural and Non-Structural Measures
The combination of Structural and Non-Structural Measures to control coastal erosion gives synergetic outcomes and provides an environmentally and economically acceptable coastal protection system.
The hard solutions have a wide range of drawbacks, including the fact that they are expensive, lead to erosion, and occasionally damage the aesthetic value of the site, lowering its economic value. It should be mentioned that soft solutions are not quick fixes, they take time to work, and they only do so from a medium- to long-term perspective.
These combinations act as interim hard structures and some of the common approaches of combinations are:
- Combining beach nourishment with artificial
- Headlands or groynes
- Revegetation with temporary offshore breakwaters/ artificial reefs is commonly used.
Successful Coastal Erosion Mitigation Measures
A few success examples are:
Puducherry Beach Restoration Project, Puducherry
The Submerged Reef has been implemented by MoES and beach nourishment is implemented by Govt of Puducherry. This helped in the restoration of a 1.5 km long city beach after 30 years and helped in improving tourism and fishing activities in addition to protection of the coast during extreme cyclonic events.
Kadalur Periya Kuppam, Tamil Nadu
An Offshore submerged dyke was implemented. This helped in the protection of three fishing Villages during extreme cyclonic events and restored the lost beach that is being used for the landing of fishing boats and other fishing activities.
Shoreline Change Atlas of Indian Coast
The Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC), which was established by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (Govt. of India) suggested a coastal atlas showing data on coastal erosion derived from satellite data and protection measures implemented by all maritime states of India.
As a result, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), in coordination with Central Water Commission, launched a project titled “Shoreline Change Atlas of the Indian Coast” at the behest of the Coastal Management Directorate.
This Atlas comprises shoreline change maps prepared using satellite data for 2004-06 and 2014-16 time-frame for the entire country. The maps indicate the status of the coastal protection measures implemented by maritime States/UTs as well as the eroding, stable, and accreting coasts.
Conclusion
Sea level rise, variations in storm frequency and intensity, increases in precipitation, and warmer ocean temperatures all have an impact on coasts. In addition, when atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations rise, the seas take in more of the gas, contributing to ocean acidification. The coastal and marine ecosystems may well be significantly impacted by this increase in acidity.
We are aware that coastline erosion is a complicated and important issue for a large country like ours. Efforts are being undertaken to counter the threat of coastal erosion and protect our coastlines using both the traditional ways (using hard structures like a seawall, etc.) and also the new, innovative soft measures like dune rehabilitation. | https://www.clearias.com/coastal-erosion/ |
Arunda Sparkling Winery
Arunda, located in Mölten high above Terlan at around 1200 meters altitude, is the highest located sparkling wine cellar in Europe. This place offers perfect conditions for the maturation and storage of the sparkling wine. The basic wines Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir stem from Terlan, Überetsch and the calcareous soils of Salurn. Every year Josef Reiterer produces 130,000 bottles according to the classic method of bottle fermentation. Out of these, 3000 bottles are ARUNDA PARLEIN BIO with straw-yellow to greenish hues, rich and long-lasting perlage and fruity bouquet. | https://bioinsuedtirol.it/en/members/arunda-sparkling-winery/ |
Brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are intimately connected to form a bidirectional neurohumoral communication system. The communication between gut and brain, knows as the gut-brain axis, is so well established that the functional status of gut is always related to the condition of brain. The researches on the gut-brain axis were traditionally focused on the psychological status affecting the function of the GI tract. However, recent evidences showed that gut microbiota communicates with the brain via the gut-brain axis to modulate brain development and behavioral phenotypes. These recent fi ndings on the new role of gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis implicate that gut microbiota could associate with brain functions as well as neurological diseases via the gut-brain axis. To elucidate the role of gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis, precise identification of the composition of microbes constituting gut microbiota is an essential step. However, identifi cation of microbes constituting gut microbiota has been the main technological challenge currently due to massive amount of intestinal microbes and the diffi culties in culture of gut microbes. Current methods for identifi cation of microbes constituting gut microbiota are dependent on omics analysis methods by using advanced high tech equipment. Here, we review the association of gut microbiota with the gut-brain axis, including the pros and cons of the current high throughput methods for identifi cation of microbes constituting gut microbiota to elucidate the role of gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells that have the ability of unlimited self-renewal and can be differentiated into different cell lineages, including neural stem (NS) cells. Diverse regulatory signaling pathways of neural stem cells differentiation have been discovered, and this will be of great benefit to uncover the mechanisms of neuronal differentiation
Infl ammasome is a large protein complex activated upon cellular stress or microbial infection, which triggers maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 through caspase-1 activation. Nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3) is the most characterized infl ammasome activated by various stimuli. However, the mechanism of its activation is unclear and its exact cellular localization is still unknown. We examined the potential co-localization of NLRP3 infl ammasome with mitochondria and seven other organelles under adenosine triphosphate, nigericin or monosodium urate stimulation in mouse peritoneal macrophages using confocal microscopy approach. Our results revealed that the activated endogenous apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) pyroptosome forms in the cytoplasm and co-localizes with NLRP3 and caspase-1, but not with any of the organelles screened. This study indicates that the ASC pyroptosome universally localizes within the cytoplasm rather than with any specifi c organelles.
Group II chaperonins, which assemble as double-ring complexes, assist in the refolding of nascent peptides or denatured proteins in an ATP-dependent manner. The molecular mechanism of group II chaperonin assembly and thermal stability is yet to be elucidated. Here, we selected the group II chaperonins (cpn-α and cpn-β), also called thermosomes, from
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a member of the
The dynamic polar polymers actin filaments and microtu-bules are usually employed to provide the structural ba-sis for establishing cell polarity in most eukaryotic cells. Radially round and immotile spermatids from nematodes contain almost no actin or tubulin, but still have the abil-ity to break symmetry to extend a pseudopod and initiate the acquisition of motility powered by the dynamics of cytoskeleton composed of major sperm protein (MSP) during spermiogenesis (sperm activation). However, the signal transduction mechanism of nematode sperm activation and motility acquisition remains poorly under-stood. Here we show that Ca2+ oscillations induced by the Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ store through inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor are required for
Cell a utolysis plays important physiological roles in the life cycle of clostridial cells. Unders tanding the genetic basis of the autolysis phenomenon of pathogenic
Brassinosteroids, a group of plant steroid hormones, regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. We and other have previously solved the crystal structures of BRI1(LRR) in complex with brassinolide, the most active brassinosteroid identifi ed thus far. Although these studies provide a structural basis for the recognition of brassinolide by its receptor BRI1, it still remains poorly understood how the hormone differentiates among its conserved receptors. Here we present the crystal structure of the BRI1 homolog BRL1 in complex with brassinolide. The structure shows that subtle differences around the brassinolide binding site can generate a striking effect on its recognition by the BRI1 family of receptors. Structural comparison of BRL1 and BRI1 in their brassinolide-bound forms reveals the molecular basis for differential binding of brassinolide to its different receptors, which can be used for more effi cient design of plant growth regulators for agricultural practice. On the basis of our structural studies and others’ data, we also suggest possible mechanisms for the activation of BRI1 family receptors. | https://journal.hep.com.cn/pac/EN/volumn/volumn_384.shtml |
Aza, Zain Mutaqin and Dr., Imroatus Solikah, M. Pd. (2017) Improving Students’ Vocabulary Mastery by Using Ostensive Means (A Classroom Action Research at the Fifth Grade Students of SDIT MTA Gemolong in the 2016/2017 Academic Year). skripsi thesis, IAIN Surakarta.
Keywords : Improving, Vocabulary, Ostensive Means The objectives of this research are to know the implementation of Ostensive Means to improve studets’vocabulary in learning English at the 5th grade students of SDIT MTA Gemolong, to know the students’ vocabulary improvement using ostensive means at the 5th grade students of SDIT MTA Gemolong. The researcher used the Classroom Action Research design. It was conducted at the fifth grade students of SDIT MTA Gemolong. The data was collected by using observation, interview, and test. The researcher took observation to investigate activities during the implementation of the method. The interview was given to collect data related to the problem and solution during teaching learning process in implementing the method. The test was used to know the students’ understanding and improvement of vocabulary mastery. The result of the analysis, the researcher found that during teacing learning vocabulary by using ostensive means method, the students looked happy and enjoyed joining the teaching learning process. They also more paid attention and were being active in the class. The improvements of students’ vocabulary mastery also could be seen from their test in post-test 1 and post-test 2. The students’ mean score in post-test 1 was 72.08. Then, the students’ mean score in post-test 2 was 80.00. Based on the data found, it can be concluded that ostensive means can be applied to improve the students’ vocabulary mastery. | http://eprints.iain-surakarta.ac.id/665/ |
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic introduced several challenges and negative consequences to healthcare systems, economies, and social lives. In response to the pandemic and to control the spread of the infection, many countries enforced precautionary measures such as social distancing and lockdowns . These measures prevented the continuation of life as normal in different aspects, including work life. Thus, governments and industries all over the world adopted teleworking to continue business operations despite enforced precautionary measures and to mitigate the economic or financial consequences of the pandemic [2,3]. As a matter of fact, across the globe, an increased uptake of teleworking was observed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic [4-6].
Teleworking is an alternative work arrangement in which employees use information and communication technologies to perform their job duties in a location other than primary workplaces . Teleworking has been adopted in times of crisis, disasters, and pandemics—such as COVID-19. Teleworking during a crisis holds different meanings to employees compared to “voluntary” teleworking and it is thus important to understand how employees experience and perceive teleworking in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Studies documenting experiences and views towards teleworking mainly use self-reported data through surveys. Validated employee-reported surveys are widely administered to examine experiences and perceptions towards teleworking. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various surveys have been developed to document perceptions towards COVID-19 and teleworking. These surveys had diverse foci and purposes, such as assessing organizational readiness, the effectiveness of teleworking, the advantages and disadvantages of teleworking, qualities required for teleworking, teleworking adaptation, and experiences and perceptions towards teleworking [5,6,8-11].
In a literature search, we found that Moens et al. designed a survey questionnaire on the experiences of teleworkers as well as perceptions towards teleworking given the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey questionnaire was found to have evidence of reliability and validity in Flemish employees.
Saudi Arabia is among the countries that adopted teleworking fastest and hence was able to considerably sustain the socioeconomic conditions in the country. Nevertheless, as per our knowledge, no previous studies have documented experiences of teleworking in Arab countries. Nonetheless, the Arabic language is the official language of 30 countries and states, and is spoken by more than 400 million people, mainly in the Middle East and North Africa . To the best of our knowledge, there are no translated versions of the survey in any language. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence supporting the use of the survey for Arabic-speaking populations. The aim of the study was to adapt the survey to Arabic and determine the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the survey in a sample of the Saudi population experiencing teleworking.
METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to explore employees’ experiences and perceptions towards teleworking during COVID-19 pandemic. Convenience snowball sampling was utilized across the main geographical regions of Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was created using QuestionPro and disseminated via different social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Snapchat). The confidentiality of participants’ personal information was guaranteed, and informed consent was required before participation in the study. The data collection started during the partial curfew in the country, on June 8, 2020, and lasted for 2 weeks.
Participants
The questionnaire was administered in both Arabic and English. In total, 1417 responses were received. However, 522 individuals did not fill out the questionnaire completely. Therefore, 895 participants were included in our research. Only 415 out of the 895 chose to complete it in Arabic. Therefore, 415 participants made up our sample in this study. As shown in Supplemental Material 1, 59% of the participants were women and 41% were men. The majority of them were married (69.6%) and were between 31 years and 40 years old (41.9%). The distribution of participants from the public and private sectors were comparable, with 51% working in the public sector. Most of the participants worked in the educational sector (38.5%), while 10.4% worked in the health sector. In addition, in order to overcome selection bias, the researchers ensured that the majority of the study participants were aged between 25 years and 45 years old, reflecting the workforce of Saudi Arabia .
Study Tool
The teleworking questionnaire was developed by and used among Flemish employees. The survey consists of 2 main sections. The first section measures the impact of extended telework during the COVID-19 crisis on various life and career aspects and includes 13 items. These questions cover various aspects relating to work-life balance, career aspects, professional isolation, work performance, well-being, organizational attitude, and negative effects due to teleworking. The second section measures the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on self-view of telework and digital meetings and includes 6 items. The 6 items assess perceptions/self-view towards teleworking and the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teleworking and digital meetings. A 5-point Likert scale was used in both sections, with responses ranging from “completely disagree” (1) to “completely agree” (5).
Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process
The researchers translated the survey based on the guidelines of cultural adaptation of self-administrated measures . First, the questionnaire was translated from the original language (English T1) into Arabic by a native Arabic academic researcher (T2). Then, another expert revised the translation to validate it (T3). Next, a back translation from Arabic to English was done by an expert who did not view the original version of the questionnaire (T4). Then, a group of 4 experts reviewed both T1 and T4 for any divergence in meaning or vocabulary.
The translated questionnaire was then piloted with 5 participants. The participants were asked to complete the questionnaire and comment on any used vocabulary if it was difficult to understand and suggest any modifications, if needed. An online meeting with the 5 participants was held to hear their feedback and comments on each question. Finally, the questionnaire was entered into QuestionPro and an expert researcher proofread the questionnaire before administering it to the study participants.
Statistical Analysis
The reliability of the questionnaire responses was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. The item-total correlation was computed to determine the correlation of each item total with the scale score. The leave-one-out method measured the reliability coefficient if any item was deleted from the scale. A Cronbach’s alpha value of more than 0.7 was considered to indicate good reliability of the responses.
To check the construct validity, first exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Items with a loading of more than 0.4 were kept in the matrix. Confirmatory factor analysis was then run to further assess the factor structure. Goodness-of-fit testing was also performed to validate the model. A model was considered as having a good fit if we obtained values of root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) less than 0.08, standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) less than 0.10 and comparative fit index (CFI) and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) more than 0.90.
RESULTS
Perceived Impact of Extended Telework During the COVID-19 Crisis on Various Life and Career Aspects
The overall reliability of the scale was 73.3%. The 4 negative items (2, 3, 4, and 5) showed weak correlations with the overall scale score. If items 5, 4, 3, and 2 were deleted from the scale, the overall reliability coefficient value would increase to 77.2%, 76.2%, 75.4%, and 75.0%, respectively (Table 1).
Looking at these items, we realized that these items were negative. Therefore, we reversed their coding to 1: completely agree, 2: agree, 3: neutral, 4: disagree, and 5: completely disagree. This modification in the coding increased the reliability coefficient by 85.3%. Moreover, all items contributed well to the consistency of the responses (Table 2).
Construct validity
The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (0.864) and significant p-value from the Bartlett test demonstrated the adequacy of the data to perform factor analysis. A 3-factor solution was produced using principal axis factoring with varimax rotation. The factor loadings of all the items were more than 0.4, indicating that all variables presented a good correlation with the corresponding factor Supplemental Material 2.
In confirmatory factor analysis, the p-value from the chi-square test was significant, indicating that the model was not well-fitted. However, the RMSEA (0.072), CFI (0.947), TLI (0.918), and SRMR (0.044, which was less than 0.10) indicated good model fit (Figure 1). The unstandardized and standardized loadings, epsilon values, and covariance and correlation values are given in Supplemental Material 3 (A-C).
We further assessed convergent and discriminant validity of the factor model. Average variance extracted (AVE) was first computed using the appropriate formula and dividing the sum of square standardized loading by the number of items in each factor (Table 3). Using the threshold of an AVE of ≥0.5, it was noted that factor 2 had an AVE greater than 0.5, indicating that the items were related to each other within factor 2. Factor 1 had an AVE close to 0.5, while factor 3 had an AVE of 0.388.
Discriminant validity was assessed based on whether the square roots of the AVE values were higher than the correlation between factors. The AVE of factor 1 was less than the correlation between factor 1 and factor 2 but more than that between factor 1 and factor 3. Therefore, discriminant validity existed between factor 1 and factor 3 but not between factor 1 and factor 2. Similarly, the AVE of factor 2 was 0.745, which implied that discriminant validity existed between factor 1 and factor 3. The AVE of factor 3 was 0.623, which implied that discriminant validity existed both between factor 1 and factor 3 and between factor 2 and factor 3 (Table 3).
Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Self-view of Telework and Digital Meetings
Comprising 6 items only, this scale showed excellent consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.909). All 6 items showed high correlations with the scale score. Deleting any item would decrease the reliability coefficient (Table 4).
Construct validity
The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was 0.841, indicating that sampling was adequate to perform factor analysis. The Bartlett test of sphericity showed a significant correlation among the variables suitable for factor analysis (p<0.001). A 1-factor solution was produced using principal axis factoring. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model given in Supplemental Material 4 had excellent fit (RMSEA, 0.00; CFI, 1.0; TLI, 1; SRMR, 0.0).
DISCUSSION
The aim of the study was to adapt the teleworking questionnaire developed by Moens et al. to Arabic and to determine the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the questionnaire in a sample of the Saudi population. The results of the study indicated that the Arabic version of the teleworking questionnaire had high reliability and good validity in assessing experiences and perceptions toward teleworking. No published studies have utilized the same survey tool as this study. However, previous studies using different teleworking survey tools have reported Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.65 to 0.84 [15,16].
The sample of this study was diverse in terms of demographic variables. Of the study population, the majority were women, married, aged between 31 years and 40 years old, and held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our sample showed an almost equal representation of the private and public sectors. The sample was very similar to the Saudi labor market except in terms of gender participation in the labor market and sector employment. In the third quarter of 2020, women participation in the Saudi labor market was limited to 30%, and about 83% were employed in the private sector .
Since Arabic is the official language in many countries, creating an Arabic version of the instrument studying perception and experiences of teleworking was necessary. Our findings are comparable to any pertinent study based on the translation and validation of a questionnaire in a local context. Moens et al. carefully designed the questionnaire on the topic under consideration. We adopted 2 constructs of teleworking: (1) the perceived impact of teleworking during COVID-19 crisis on various life and career aspects and (2) the perceived impact of the COVID-19 crisis on self-view of telework and digital meetings. For the first constructs, we observed interesting findings while dealing with negative items. The reliability was good when the same Likert score was used as given in the original paper . However, the reliability coefficient increased notably when the items’ scores were reversed. Reverse coding of negative items in a set of positive items is cautiously recommended in the literature . The factor analysis also clustered these 4 negative items in 1 factor. The psychometric properties of both constructs were good. However, these findings are not comparable to any study on teleworking, as we could not find psychometric measures for instruments on this topic. However, these psychometric measures were compared with other questionnaire studying similar topics. For instance, Ta’an et al. also reported a Cronbach’s alpha value of more than 0.8 in the scales and subscales of their Arabic-translated questionnaire on workplace effectiveness. We also found excellent reliability of both constructs. The psychometric measures in their 6-factor model are comparable to those of our study in both constructs. The high CFI and TFI values and low RMSEA and SRMR values confirmed the validity of the items in the constructs. The convergent and discriminant validity of our first construct indicated that the negative items had low validity.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study to report a validated tool in Arabic to measure experiences and perceptions of teleworkers during a crisis. The availability of this validated tool is significant given that Arabic is the official language of 30 countries and states. Teleworking has been recognized as an alternative working mode during a crisis. While the validated survey examined perceptions and experiences during COVID-19, its use can be extended to capture experiences and perceptions during other crises that prevent the traditional working mode.
The study participants were limited to Saudi Arabia, which is one of the largest Arabic-speaking countries. Since this study had to be conducted in a short span of time to capture work experiences during the peak COVID-19 era. Later, the teleworking policies were relaxed, so we could not conduct test-retest reliability. Further studies would be necessary to cross-culturally validate the tool in other Arabic-speaking countries. | https://www.jpmph.org/journal/view.php?number=2255 |
A Snowball’s Chance
The snowball grew into an avalanche of sorts. His 1979 award-winning stage work Amadeus became an award-winning film. The film and its soundtrack, featuring the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields led by Sir Neville Marriner, went on to spark a Mozart revival.
Sir Peter Schaffer, the English playwright who wrote Amadeus, died on June 6th at age 90. That prompted me to take a look at the notes that accompanied the 1984 film soundtrack. For one thing, I noticed that the CD, on the Fantasy label, had the number 900-1791(that’s the year Mozart died). Anyway, Schaffer said back then that when he was approached by director Milos Foreman about filming Amadeus, he was reluctant because he intensely disliked every movie based on one of his plays. That suggests there almost was no film version.
The story was told in the same notes that 4 prominent members of the concert world were asked to submit a list of 3 conductors known for their affinity for Mozart. Neville Marriner was on the top of all 4 lists. The soundtrack provided the film audience with bits and pieces of Mozart symphonies, concertos, operas and sacred music. There was just enough of a sampling to introduce viewers to various aspects of Mozart’s musical genius. And there were plenty of Mozart recordings released back then to more than satisfy anyone’s curiosity that had been aroused by the film.
Amadeus also led to a renewed interest in the music of Antonio Salieri – the bad guy in the play and movie. Over the years, I’ve had to remind some listeners that it was a work of fiction, especially when I sensed that his portrayal had led to a distorted picture of the real life composer. Performances of Salieri’s music in recent years by the likes of Cecilia Bartoli and the London Mozart Players have helped to set the record straight. And ironically, it was Shaffer’s snowball that started all of that as well.
Even when they’re not dramatized, Mozart stories seem to be so compelling. A recording that just came into the Friends of WILL Library includes a story related by Mozart’s sister Nannerl. I passed it along just before Father’s Day, remembering some old movies in which it was suggested to children that the best gift they could give their father was a little quiet time to rest.
Nannerl wrote about a 2 to 3 month period in London during which she and Wolfgang were forbidden to touch a piano while their father was recovering from a severe throat ailment. She went on to say that to occupy himself, her then 8-year old brother composed his first symphony. Would you have expected anything less from the legendary composer? Nannerl added that she assisted him in writing it all down. Nobody has gone so far as to call it the “Shhhh” Symphony.
We’re reminded in the recording notes by the late musicologist, composer and conductor William Malloch that Mozart would write several other symphonies during the 15-month stay in London. Before that the Mozart children dazzled some very important people in places that included Munich, Brussels and Paris. In London they played for King George III on 3 different occasions. The King put young Wolfgang through some rigorous musical tests. And the child was asked to accompany the Queen in an aria she sang.
The newly acquired recording features the Prague Chamber Orchestra led by Sir Charles Mackerras (Telarc 80256). The CD has just ended something of a 25-year period of silence of sorts. Somehow, it just never made it into the Friends of WILL Library. It’s there now! It’s one of 10 CDs that Charles Mackerras made with the Prague Chamber Orchestra of the complete Mozart Symphonies. Released in 1991, it’s one of the last that they recorded, featuring the earliest of the symphonies.
Long after Amadeus had its successful run and the novelty wore off, public radio stations have continued to play Mozart’s music and to tell his stories. We’re fortunate to be one of those stations that still presents classical music on the radio. For that we’re grateful to thousands of Friends of WILL who make annual gifts of support. They help to ensure that the music will be there for listeners of all ages. With all the amazing stories and music from the young Mozart, hopefully young people in our community might be inspired by it all. By making it possible for young people to be able to hear the music and the stories, either on the radio or streaming WILL-FM online, there’s at least a chance they might be.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to make a contribution to WILL over the past year, please consider doing so by June 30th, which is the end of our fiscal year. All the money we raise by June 30th will be used for next year’s programs. You may pledge online at willpledge.org, or call 217-244-9455 with your gift. If you have made a contribution already, thank you very much! | https://will.illinois.edu/classicmornings/program/a-snowballs-chance |
A soufflé is a baked dish with a savory base combined with beaten egg whites. When baked, air bubbles in the egg whites expand, puffing the soufflé up over the top of the dish. It is a healthy alternative to many breakfast dishes if you are willing to put in in a minimal amount of time.
I tried to make this gluten-free as well as dairy-free, My mistake was I used butter instead of Ghee, if you use Ghee it will be dairy-free. They did not rise as high as they would have had I used milk, don’t let that stop you, these were excellent, they had a nice bite and were incredibly tasty.
This is my first attempt at at creating a video of the recipe (be kind) I have a lot to learn, but it is exciting to be able to do this.
LauraLovingLife
“Be present in all things and thankful for all.”Maya Angelou
“Spinach_Artichoke_Soufflé”
If you use Ghee in replacement of the butter this will be a great dairy-free as well as gluten-free soufflé
Ingredients
- Cooking Spray
1/3 cup chopped Artichoke Hearts
1 cup chopped Baby Spinach
2 tablespoons Shredded Cheese (I used Pepper Jack)
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
3/4 teaspoon Garlic
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
2 tablespoons Butter or Ghee if you will be doing Dairy Free
1/4 cup minced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons Gluten-free Flour
1 cup Oat Milk (unsweetened or flavored)
3 Large Eggs, yolks only
4 Large Egg Whites only
DirectionsPreheat oven to 375°.
Spray eight 4-ounce ramekins with cooking spray and reserve.
In a medium bowl, combine artichokes, spinach, cheese, and spices. Reserve.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
Whisk in flour until combined. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
Remove from heat and whisk in egg yolks one at a time.
Combine onion mixture with reserved vegetable and spice mixture.
In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer, whip egg whites to stiff peaks.
In 3 batches, fold the egg whites into vegetable mixture.
Divide evenly between ramekins and bake for 18-22 minutes.
Remove from oven; serve immediately. | https://lauralovinglife.org/2021/11/25/spinach-artichoke-souffle/ |
Height/Weight: That of an average human.
Affiliation: Neutral, leaning on Good
Summary: There is no cryptid more documented than the ape man. Bigfoot, Yeti, Yowie, whatever, big hairy primates are a big deal. Just ask the folks at Fouke, Arkansas.
History: In the swamps of Fouke, Arkansas, they say a missing link is afoot. It smells really bad, it doesn't like to be seen, and it's been a major nuisance by stealing livestock and occasionally lashing out at humans.
Notable Kills: Said to have jumped over a fence while holding two one-ton hogs for food.
Final Fate: Ever elusive, this creature has never been confirmed by the public to be real. It is though, and in its long life, it's saved a bunch of annoying kids, and has been reunited with its own son. Those who witnessed that one agreed that its existence best be kept secret.
Powers/Abilities: Both very strong and agile.
Weakness: Anything conventional.
Scariness Factor: 2.5-Don't provoke this thing. Okay, also don't show this thing any of your animals, or it might get hungry. Not the worst ape man, but at the same time, not one you go picking on.
Trivia: -The Fouke monster, or the Southern Sasquatch, is a true cryptid in real life, and just about everything from the original film is taken from word of mouth regarding its behavior/appearance.
-This film was originally titled, "Tracking the Fouke Monster". | https://guidetomonsters.com/html/70s/Fouke%20Monster%201972.html |
Sir William's sister, Caroline Lucretia Herschel, 1750–1848, discovered eight comets and three nebulae and from 1772 collaborated with her brother. She revised (1798) John Flamsteed's catalog of stars and arranged her brother's catalog of star clusters and nebulae, for which she received the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1828.
Bibliography
See her autobiographies ed. by M. Hoskin (2003); M. C. Herschel, Memoirs and Correspondence of Caroline Herschel (1876).
Sections in this article:
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. | http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/people/herschel-caroline-lucretia-herschel.html |
Plasma homocysteine levels in obese and non-obese subjects with or without hypertension; its relationship with oxidative stress and copper.
The relationship between plasma total Homocysteine (tHcy) and oxidative stress and plasma levels of lipids, insulin and copper levels were investigated in obese and nonobese hypertensives. Plasma tHcy levels were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma lipid peroxidation levels were measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by spectrophotometric methods. Plasma levels of copper and insulin were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and electrochemiluminescence method, respectively. Plasma tHcy, copper and insulin levels did not differ in nonobese hypertensives compared to nonobese normotensives. Plasma TBARS levels were significantly increased in nonobese hypertensives when compared to nonobese normotensives (p < 0.001). Plasma tHcy, TBARS, copper and fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in obese normotensives and hypertensives than in nonobese normotensives and hypertensives, respectively (for each comparison; p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in plasma tHcy, TBARS and copper levels between obese subjects with or without hypertension (for each comparison p < 0.01). The univariate analyses demonstrated a significant positive correlation between tHcy and TBARS (coefficient +/- SE, 0.411 +/- 0.115, p < 0.01) and copper (coefficient +/- SE, 0.425 +/- 0.135, p < 0.01) in obese subjects. In a multivariate regression analysis in obese subjects tHcy was positively correlated with TBARS (coefficient +/- SE, 0.480 +/- 0.155, p < 0.01) and copper (coefficient +/- SE, 0.486 +/- 0.140, p < 0.01). We hypothesize that in the presence of other traditional risk factors, Hcy may have a permissive role in the endothelium damage even within the normal range and this role may be related to free radical generating systems. Therefore, modest elevation of plasma Hcy may causally be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and/or cardiovascular disease.
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In an article on Livestrong, the author writes about Laura E. Berk’s suggestion that, “somewhere between ages 9 and 11 kids begin to develop gender stereotypes.” The article also mentions, “Involving them (children) in coed sports early is an opportunity to curb those notions before they start.” By involving children in co-ed sports, male and females learn to respect one another’s abilities, both while on and off the field. Some critics say that children can learn to respect their peers in other ways, such as school, or other gender specific sports. While this is true, not all activities, such as schools, have respectful environments.
The kids look up to those adults and learn things they teach them and eventually mature from what they learned from the adults or different things they did that were hard. Kids grow up by doing more challenging
Just like in the Social Leaning Theory where each gender is praised, or downgraded for their responses to how they represent themselves in their particular roles. For instance, when a little girl is paying mommy with her favorite dolls everyone thinks it’s adorable; but if a little boy was to play with dolls it was unusual and inappropriate behavior. The comparison between the two ( Sociobiology and Social Learning) is how we look beyond that looking glass by watching others, as well as how we apply what we’ve learned by examination; and travesty. Though, parents do play a significant role in to which we grow and to the influencing of what gender roles we’ll take on; others in our lives will contribute to which roles we continue to undertake as we continue to grow. “The researchers concluded that role model selection can have a positive or negative outcome on a teenager’s psychosocial development (Yancey et al., 2002 as cited in
So why is it that we shower boys with toy trucks and sporty clothes and tell our girls to wear pink dresses and play with dolls? Perhaps this is something that the children are only taught to want, not what their hearts sincerely desire. The process of parenting involves helping children out of their comfort zones and helping them explore new opportunities (Ehrensaft, 2007). In addition to all of this, parents are there in order to aid their kids in reinforcing the imperfect aspects of their life. As such, it is crucial to allow girls and boys to grow in the same environment, since this will allow them to have alike abilities.
When they are kids, they form a group for boys and a group for girls, and the two groups get close to one another but through different ways. One example of the differences is “Little girls create and maintain relationships through sharing secrets and conversation…. But bonds between boys are based less on talking, but more on doing
(1976). This book explores how fairy tales have affected the way children develop by analyzing some of the well-known fairy tales to find how the uses of magic have shaped on people, especially children, think and understand the world. Bettelheim explains that for a child to grow up to find meaning in his or her life the child must be presented to literature such as fairy tales. This book will provide arguments that fairy tales are positive impacts on children’s development.
It is the family‘s responsibility to teach children cultural values and attitudes about themselves and others. Children learn continuously from the environment that adults create (Macionis & Gerber, 2011). Religion, language, legal systems, peer groups and media also have a great effect on the socialization process. Most of these aspects are also taught at schools. Schools are the places where children interact with other members of society which makes education and schooling the second most important agent of gender
This is a shocking factor as if children are able to make preferences at such an early age, it is clear how gender stereotyping comes about. This is due to the fact that young children look up to elders who instill in a young boy or girl values and
The authors make their adopted children characters be useful to the family. This allows the authors to show the different roles adopted girls and adopted boys have. In most cases, adopted boys will be forced to work out in the field, and will be deprived of an education. In contrast, adopted girls will be asked to be of some use to the lady of the house, and they will be given an education. The authors also decide how much they want their adopted children characters to influence the dynamics of the household.
The process of learning about different sex roles from different factors of society is commonly known as socialisation. It is the responsibility of parents and others, holding equally important positions in a child’s life, to guide the child in sex-typing and identity formation with the same sex. How they behave with girls and boys helps the child develop their gender identity. Secondly, culture also instills sex stereotypes amongst children and aids in their identifying process. Gender role can vary according to the social group to which a child belongs to or associates themselves with.
Socialization is evident in the texts by Harry Gracey and Barbara Kingsolver. Both texts shed light on the basis of how the Western educational system operates their functions. Gracey’s text explains that from the prime age of four to five, most parents start their children’s education(s) in kindergarten. Gracey states kindergarten “is thought of as a year in which small children, five or six years old, are prepared socially and emotionally for the academic learning which will take place” (Larocque, 2015). A common misconception people make is believing kindergarten is a preparation year for children rather than forming the student role. | https://www.ipl.org/essay/Gender-Roles-In-The-Disney-Versions-Of-FCQBLFNUZT |
Our service may be impacted as we navigate this difficult period due to COVID affecting staffing levels. Our customer service centres are operating on reduced hours due to staff shortages.
We are developing strategies for the long-term management of our transport network that:
Improving the local transport network is a key focus of Council, as our community continues to grow. In our region, we have over 1300kms of roads – sealed and unsealed, and more than 220kms of footpaths to maintain accordingly.
We’re currently working on the Regional Integrated Transport Strategy and the Port Macquarie Transport Network Planning, to improve the capacity for our community to get where they need to be with ease.
In June 2019, Council resolved to develop a Strategic Business Case to present options for improved accessibility, connectivity and road safety for the Port Macquarie transport network. The Strategic Business Case will include a review of route options and how these compare with, or complement possible improvements to the existing road network. This includes planned upgrades to Lake Road and Ocean Drive as, well as State-managed roads such as the Oxley Highway.
At the January 2022 Council meeting, it was resolved to discontinue any investigations, planning and funding of new roads and links within the Orbital Road Corridor that significantly or unreasonably impact residents and businesses. We will continue to prioritise individual road upgrades, duplications and links across the region to mitigate traffic congestion issues.
The project aims to improve multi-modal transport access through Port Macquarie and connections to local coastal villages and towns. We'll aim to present options that balance environmental, social and economic impacts, and take into account previous studies and community feedback. The Strategic Business Case will inform future works with the aim of improving traffic congestion throughout Port Macquarie.
This project seeks to:
The Strategic Business Case will consider long-term solutions to address our current and future traffic growth, and is essential for the economic and social vitality of our community.
A consultant has been appointed to prepare the Strategic Business Case. We should have some more information to share next year. Keep up to date on Have your Say.
Investigations into the Port Macquarie Outer Orbital Link Road Corridor commenced in 2016, and included:
Building on the findings of this investigation, an Area Wide Traffic Study was undertaken to analyse predicted traffic patterns over the next 20 years. The findings from this investigation led to a resolution in the November 2018 Council Meeting to progress the investigations for a proposed Orbital Road solution.
We began engaging with property owners, residents, and business owners within the Orbital Road investigation area, along with the broader community, to seek feedback on the final route option development. Council received feedback from 21,000 community members through numerous engagement activities.
At the June 2019 Council Meeting, Council supported community concerns regarding the need to address future traffic congestion, and noted the strong opposition to the proposed Orbital Road as the preferred viable route.
A Strategic Business Case to assess options to improve accessibility, connectivity and road safety for the Port Macquarie Transport Network is now part of Council’s future planning for an integrated transport network. For more information on the Strategic Business Case, check out the Port Macquarie Transport Network Planning tab above.
The Port Macquarie Transport Network Community Consultative Committee (PMTNCCC) provides a forum for discussion between Council and the community on issues directly relating the Port Macquarie transport network, through the development of a Strategic Business Case.
As a consultative committee, the PMTNCCC may make recommendations to Council. Council will consider the recommendations, however is under no obligation to resolve in favour of such recommendations. | https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Policies-plans-and-strategies/Plans/Integrated-transport-network-plan |
On March 31, 2015 the research project INDYCO (Integrated Dynamic Decision Support System Component for Disaster Management Systems) was successfully completed after two and a half years of project duration. INDYCO was funded by Austria (FFG) and Germany (AiF) in the transnational EraSME funding programme with a budget of about 1.5 million €.
The project consortium consisted of eleven partners from Austria and Germany.
Austrian Partners:
- Software Competence Center Hagenberg GmbH (R&D, coordinator)
- FAW – Institute for Application-Oriented Knowledge Processing, JKU Linz (R&D)
- PRISMA solutions EDV-Dienstleistungen GmbH (SME)
- FIELDWORX MOBILE SOLUTIONS GmbH (SME)
- GeoExpert Research&Planning GmbH (SME)
- riocom - Ingenieurbüro für Kulturtechnik und Wasserwirtschaft (SME)
- Upper Austrian Fire Fighting Association (Intermediär)
German Partners:
- Christian-Albrechts University Kiel (R&D)
- LIS Leitstellen-Informations-System GmbH (SME)
- VOMATEC International GmbH (SME)
- Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH (SME)
From left to right: Dr. Wolfgang Kronsteiner (OÖLFV), Dr. Thomas Ziebermayr (SCCH), Brandrat Ing. Dietmar Lehner (OÖLFV), Dr. Harald Sommer (SIEKER), Arno Tiemeier (LIS), DI Albert Schwingshandl (RIOCOM), Dipl.-Inf. Marina Tropmann-Frick (CAU), Coordinator Dr. Bernhard Freudenthaler (SCCH), DI Gerald Czech (OÖLFV), DI Clemens Liehr (RIOCOM), Dr. Hilda Kosorus (FAW), Dr. Mario Pichler (SCCH), Dr. Diethard Leber (GEOEXPERT), Hubert Reininger (FIELDWORX), Paul Schneider MSc (PRISMA); Copyright: OÖLFV
Decision Support System
In the project, a decision support system for disaster management was developed that 1) can react quickly and dynamically to changing situations during disaster events and 2) supports new disaster cases.
In order to ensure this, a situation assessment component (Continuous Situation Awareness/Assessment (CSA)) was developed, which recognizes "dangerous" situations or situation changes at an early stage and forwards corresponding notifications (warning messages, alarms) to a workflow component. The workflow component can now be used to set measures, allocate resources and assign them to the emergency services via a mobile app.
The following figure shows the situation assessment component:
In order to be able to test the software prototype in a realistic disaster scenario, a demonstration was held at the Upper Austrian Fire Fighting Association on March 17, 2015. | https://www.scch.at/en/das-news/project-indyco |
So What is Weird Fiction... Really?
8 Nov 2013
As the proliferation of podcasts like A Podcast to the Curious, the H.P. Podcraft, the Edgar Allan Poe-cast, and the Yog-Sothoth Podcast can attest, classic supernatural fiction has merged with popular culture. Only two decades ago, Lovecraftian fiction and classic horror were soundly ensconced in the fringe culture of death metal bands, role playing games, and goth reading lists. As they move into mainstream culture and enter common parlance, it might help the transition to clear up some basic definitions. Like weird fiction. What is it anyway?
"WEIRD, WIERD, WIRED..."
In the 21st century the word "weird" has lost much of its 19th century connotation. Today "weird" means odd, strange, inexplicable, or even marginally quirky. It carries with it the baggage of its slang variations "weird-o" and "weird-out" which evince social awkwardness, goofiness, or tackiness. But a quick checkup on the dictionary reveals a more sinister sensibility. Derived from Old English and Norse etymologies meaning "fate" or "destiny," "weird" is currently defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "of, relating to, or caused by ... the supernatural. Magical."
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Weird fiction -- since its rise to prominence in the 1890s -- has long been the genric depository for literature that seamlessly fits the definitions of several genres of speculative fiction. If it wasn't exactly horror or fantasy, quite possibly it could be termed weird. In fact, a basic definition of weird fiction could truthfully be a story that combines elements of fantasy and horror. A broader definition would be a story that includes and merges any number of plot devices, elements, sensibilities, and tropes of horror, science fiction, fantasy, the ghost story, supernatural fiction, mythology, mystery, or Gothic fiction. Literature that includes standards from more than one of these traditions might be considered weird.
"WHAT THE WHAT??!??"
H. P. Lovecraft has long been considered the father of the genre. In his opinion, weird fiction required a sense of alien otherliness that threatened human conventions and thwarted our ability to explain or define the source of discomfort. In his groundbreaking treatise on terror -- "Supernatural Horror in Literature" -- Lovecraft explained the genre in the following terms:
The true weird tale has something more than secret murder, bloody bones, or a sheeted form clanking chains according to rule. A certain atmosphere of breathless and unexplainable dread of outer, unknown forces must be present; and there must be a hint, expressed with a seriousness and portentousness becoming its subject, of that most terrible conception of the human brain--a malign and particular suspension or defeat of those fixed laws of Nature which are our only safeguard against the assaults of chaos and the daemons of unplumbed space.
Essentially, weird things make you double-take and ask "what the heck was that?!" When you read about them you didn't quite understand what they were, what made them tick. Unlike Stokerian vampires, whose rules were clear (blood = yum; old castle = good; cross = bad; stake = worst), the elements of weird tales were contained within the universe of their writers, and the rules that regulated them were at first incomprehensible. What the heck is going on in Poe's "Ligeia"? What the crap is Cthulhu? What the what is Helen Vaughn's deal in "The Great God Pan"? You might find out eventually, but only after being confounded.
WHO'S THE WEIRDO NOW?
Former weird fiction can be traced back to E.T.A. Hoffmann (of "Sandman" and "Nutcracker" fame) and Mary Shelley. Before them were fairy tales, myths, and tall tales. Hoffmann especially formalized folklore to make his bizarre narratives. Influenced by Hoffmann and Shelley, Poe introduced weird fiction to the Americas, where it was picked up by Fitz-James O'Brien, F. Marion Crawford, Ambrose Bierce, and Robert W. Chambers. In Great Britain the tradition reached a pinnacle of power in the 1890s where it was utilized by Oscar Wilde, Arthur Machen, Lord Dunsany, Walter de la Mare, William Hope Hodgson, M.R. James, Algernon Blackwood, and E.F. Benson. By the time Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch, and August Derleth had defined the genre, a century of fiction had already been generated, informing their literary methods, tropes, and devices.
WHAT'S SO WEIRD ABOUT IT?
To conclude, it's fitting to have two definitions for weird fiction -- one critical and one artistic.
-
CRITICAL DEFINITION: Weird fiction is a brand of speculative fiction that combines a variety of literary aesthetics from a variety of genres, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, supernatural fiction, mystery, mythology, the ghost story, and Gothic fiction.
-
ARTISTIC DEFINITION: Weird fiction is a form of story which upends human concepts of logic, rationality, and regulations -- including cliches of horror fiction -- resulting in a discombobulating feeling which threatens the security of human culture by posing otherworldly forces in malignant opposition to our conventions, expectations, and values.
And I might add a third of my own:
-
MICHAEL'S DEFINITION: Weird fiction is a type of literature that -- upon a first read -- causes the reader to ask themself "What the **** was that!?!?!?" | https://www.oldstyletales.com/single-post/2013/11/08/So-What-is-Weird-Fiction-Really |
To assist patients in altering their belief that their problems are unmanageable and beyond their control.
To inform patients about their specific condition.
To enable patients to become active problem-solvers to help them cope with their pain through the development of effective ways of responding to pain, emotion, and the environment.
To give patients a feeling of competence in the execution of positive strategies in the management of their condition from water to a land-based environment.
To help patients develop a positive attitude with regard to exercise and personal health management.
To help patients develop a program of paced activity to reduce the effects of physiological deconditioning.
To assist the patient in developing coping strategies that can be continued once contact with the clinician has been established.
To challenge and reduce patient’s fears of engaging in physical activity.
To reduce physical impairment and capitalize on recoverable function.
To increase physical activity in a safe and graded manner.
To help patients accept responsibility for increasing their functional capacity.
To promote a positive view of physical therapy in the self-management of a healthy lifestyle.
To introduce challenging functional activities to rehabilitation. | https://www.synergytherapiesofkc.com/pain-management.html |
Career awareness and career exploration are the earliest components of career education for students who are blind or visually impaired. Talking with others about the work that they do is a great way for individuals to build upon these skills. In informational interviews, students interview individuals who work in a career field of interest in order to learn what it is like to work in that field or industry. This activity is a stepping stone toward an informational interview that helps students develop an awareness of entry-level jobs in their communities. Because of the inability to visually observe, and often due to lack of exposure or experience, students with vision impairments or blindness are frequently unaware of the various job and career options in their communities. An awareness of entry-level jobs can be especially challenging. High school students with vision impairments often have the desire to work like their sighted peers who are getting weekend or summer jobs, but they don’t know where to start.
This activity helps students to learn about some of the entry-level jobs that exist in their communities and what these jobs involve. By interviewing peers who have various weekend, summer, or after-school jobs in their towns, students with vision impairments are not only building upon their social skills and making connections with peers, but also developing an understanding of why, how and where other teenagers work.
Writing or recording device
In programs for students with multiple disabilities that offer in-school work experience opportunities, asking classmates about the jobs that they do can be a way for students to learn about some of the options available to them. As staff prepare for a student to begin a work experience, staff can determine two types of work that would be appropriate. Then, ask the student to talk to classmates who are already doing those jobs, or present her with some information about each type of work. Allow her to choose between the two work options. This is a way for students with multiple disabilities to learn about different types of work, and also to exhibit self determination skills. | https://www.perkins.org/resource/career-education-interviews-about-entry-level-jobs/ |
Children are vulnerable and impressionable creatures, and therefore it is not surprising that they experience certain situations more emotionally. Where an adult steps over and forgets, the child will worry for a long time, returning again and again to an incomprehensible or unpleasant moment for him. Since young children are unable to express the full range of their emotions in words, they can begin to manifest them on a physical level. And now the child has a habit of pinching his ear, blinking often, biting his fingers. The famous doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky talks about how to treat such oddities in a child's behavior and whether it can be treated with something. Obsessive-compulsive movement syndrome in children is a problem that many face.
Obsessive-compulsive movement syndrome in children is a complex of psychoemotional disorders that arise under the influence of emotional shock, strong fear, fright, stress. The syndrome manifests itself as a series of unmotivated movements - of the same type or turning into more complex ones.
Most often, parents complain that their child suddenly began:
The manifestations of the syndrome may be different, but the disease can be talked about when the child repeats a series of movements or one movement often, especially in situations where he begins to worry or feel uncomfortable.
There are many factors that can trigger the onset of obsessive-compulsive movement syndrome:
All these manifestations may not cause any inconvenience to the child himself - unless, of course, he injures himself.
It is noteworthy that obsessive-compulsive movement syndrome is recognized by doctors as a disease, it has its own number in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the disorder is classified as neurotic, caused by stressful situations, as well as somatoform. However, doctors did not have and do not have a single standard for diagnosing this disease. In other words, the child will be diagnosed only on the basis of the parents' complaints and the symptoms they describe.
There is also no standard for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder - it all depends on a specific neurologist, who can recommend a sedative drink and visit a psychologist, or he can prescribe a whole bunch of medications, vitamins - and necessarily a rather expensive massage (of course , at his friend masseuse).
With the beginning of the new year, new trends appear in almost all areas. This also applies to the nail industry, which, despite tradition, has something new to offer every season.
In addition to strict style trends, we receive offers for fashion accessories, makeup and manicure. As for the latter, there has been a lot of new inspiration. Despite the changing trends, red manicure still fluctuates within the framework of minimalism and sophistication.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that red is still relevant, and MeghanMarkle and KateMiddleton herself chose it for their wedding. Shades of gray and cappuccino are best removed for another occasion.
Red will reign in the new season. This proposal is for brave women. Red will add femininity and character. Works best with red lipstick!
Matte and shiny nails are desirable at the same time, because this combination is the hottest trend this year. If this is not enough for you, you can enrich the texture of the nails by decorating them with sparkles, rhinestones, giving them a very fashionable "sweater" texture (reminiscent of the patterns of highlanders' sweaters - an effect that is difficult to make yourself, but available in nail salons). "Romantic" nails with flowers or vines are also welcome.
Valentine's Day is associated primarily with red. Why not get a manicure in this color? It's important to note that red nails will never go out of style. This is a timeless classic that will suit any occasion.
It is enough to paint your nails with red polish to give your styling elegance and femininity. They are also perfect for celebrating the New Year.
Red is a sign of femininity and class. We wear red clothes, shoes, bags and red nails that will never go out of style. Red nails are a classic and will suit any situation. We can wear them every day and also for other special occasions.
Red nails are a combination of class and femininity. This timeless manicure hasn't gone out of style in years!
See our suggestions both on a daily basis and for special occasions, including weddings and New Years Eve. The following ideas inspire not only red hybrid and gel nails, but homemade nail polishes at the drugstore as well.
Red is one of the most popular colors among women. No wonder it is so often present on our nails! Red manicure is timeless making it perfect for many occasions. It is a great choice not only on a daily basis, but above all for special occasions.
Many girls want a manicure that will look quite expensive in any situation, while not everyone is ready to spend significant amounts on its creation and care. For the design to look elegant, it is not necessary to decorate it with precious stones - it is enough to adhere to the basic rules, as well as choose the right style direction and take care of nails and skin.
A manicure that looks expensive doesn't always cost a lot of money. This feature made it possible to display numerous styles that at first glance seem inaccessible to most.
Before you design your nails that would look expensive, you should familiarize yourself with the main features of such a manicure. So, it is worth paying special attention to the fact that even an expensive nail art coating will have a peculiar look if it is inaccurate or poor-quality.
An elegant and expensive manicure is always distinguished by a large number of rhinestones or everyone's favorite painting. Modern trends indicate that such a design is more a sign of a lack of any taste, but in no way high cost.
Modern trends dictate a new fashion for the form of expensive manicure - the most natural look. Therefore, if a girl wants her nails to look extremely aristocratic, one should abandon the aggressive shape in favor of the almond-shaped and oval. The same rule applies to length, because of which the nails should not be unnecessarily long.
Considering that manicure will be worn every day, you should choose the most versatile style that will fit well with any look, be it an evening outfit or a sports uniform for running.
Also, do not forget about proper hand skin care, as the presence of dryness or cracks will reduce the desired effect of high cost to nothing. When choosing a decorative coating, you should give preference only to high-quality materials.
Despite the well-established opinion that a monochromatic manicure is a banal style with which you can no longer surprise anyone, current trends in the world of celebrities, models and other equally authoritative communities indicate that according to -Really expensive manicure is a style devoid of excessive color.
Each season has its own laws. Spring is a time of change and a real colorful revival. Summer, in turn, is associated with a holiday of carefree and well-deserved rest.
In addition to sunny weather, both seasons have one more thing in common - amazing colors. Are you wondering how to transfer these shades into manicure for beautiful nails in spring?
After a long and hard winter, it's time for the power of flowers! Set aside the dark hybrid nail polish you used in winter or fall. Replace them with shades of the first spring flowers!
Delicate, bleached pastels or maybe a spectacular decoration for your nails in spring? Everything is possible! In the spring, you can try really many options and compositions for trendy short nails.
How about nails in different colors? It's trendy! Each nail can be coated with a different color hybrid varnish. Choose your favorite shades and create your own composition.
One of the trends in manicure in the spring of 2020 is short nails. The nail design is created in a simple, classic color - the designers have focused on an innocent white-hygotic black color.
Long nails not for you? We have good news - short, square or almond shapes are in vogue this spring. In styles of short nails the classic prevails.
Nails with spring patterns are immortal floral motifs and delicate decorations that are suitable for all kinds of ceremonies. Do you also dream of interesting designs in everyday style and want to know what are the trendy designs for spring?
Geometric pattern against blur in the WaterGeo trend, as well as fairy-tale characters in the Pixie trend. These are the trends of manicure for the spring of 2020! See our offers and choose the version you like best.
Galaxynails is one of the leading trends. 2020 year. The base is painted in black, dark blue or purple colors, on which there are decorations, stickers, patterns related to the themes of the planets, sun, stars, etc.
It takes professional skills and the right technique to make crystal nails. Crystal nails are conquering Instagram, and their appearance is a pattern that resembles a shimmering crystal. | https://nerissaswonderland.com/nails-with-his-hands/short-nails-2021-spring |
Introduction {#S1}
============
The brain receives multisensory information from the surrounding environment every moment. This information, in close coordination and with coincident temporal patterns, will be combined to enhance perceptual clarity and reduce ambiguity about the real world ([@B7]; [@B13]; [@B3]). For example, it has been demonstrated that combining multiple senses can speed up reaction times (RTs) ([@B42]; [@B15]), facilitate learning ([@B43]), and change the qualitative sensory experience ([@B23]; [@B44]). Many studies have investigated the cross-modal effects of visual perception when a visual stimulus is accompanied by a task-irrelevant auditory signal, and the results have shown that concurrent auditory information cannot be completely ignored, and it might enhance visual perception ([@B17]; [@B28]; [@B59]).
[@B28] investigated the effects of task-irrelevant sound on visual detection using a behavioral measurement. Their results showed that the sound reduced the time uncertainty of the visual display and significantly improved the performance of visual detection, in which case, the sound was informative. When a simultaneous visual cue (a rectangle) was presented around the visual target, the visual cue indicated the timing of the visual target to the participants and rendered the sound information redundant; thus, the behavioral benefit of the sound disappeared, in which case, the sound was uninformative ([@B28]). Recently, [@B26] adopted a similar experimental design and further analyzed the neural mechanism of cross-modal integration for visual stimulus with an informative and an uninformative sound using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Their results showed that the bilateral superior temporal gyrus/middle temporal gyrus (STG/MTG) was involved in the integration of the visual stimulus with both informative and uninformative sounds, and the right lateral occipital complex (LOC) was activated more strongly by the audiovisual stimulus compared to visual input alone in the informative sound condition. The authors suggested that the right LOC was modulated by the temporal relationship within the audiovisual stimulus and formed an audiovisual memory, resulting in high-level multisensory integration---which is a process related to experience, properties of the stimulus, and task content---and enhancement of behavioral responses ([@B26]). Other studies proposed that low-level automatic integrations formed the basis of the informativity of sound ([@B47]; [@B56]; [@B17], [@B18]; [@B50]). For example, a simultaneous tone improved the detection of a dimly flashed light ([@B31]; [@B56]; [@B17], [@B18]; [@B50]), enhanced the discriminability of briefly flashed visual patterns ([@B56]), and increased the perceived luminance of light ([@B47]).
Since a concurrent sound could facilitate visual detection in an informative sound condition but not in an uninformative sound condition, we anticipated that the neural mechanism of cross-modal integration for auditory and visual stimuli would be distinct in these two conditions. Moreover, cross-modal integration may involve low-level automatic or high-level cognitive processing, or it may occur by virtue of several mechanisms ([@B31]; [@B18]; [@B59]; [@B26]). However, behavioral measurement can only provide an indirect way to explain information processing in the brain, and fMRI results can present the activation areas to obtain the neural responses indirectly. However, it cannot show the dynamic information interaction among cortical areas, which is a more efficient way to reveal the neural mechanism of audiovisual integration and reflect information processing at low- or high-level stages. Fortunately, the interaction of multisensory information that underlies audiovisual processing can be characterized in terms of changes in directed effective connectivity among activated areas ([@B11]). In the context of neuroimaging, inferences about the condition-specific change in connectivity can be made using Dynamic Causal Models (DCM) ([@B19]).
Here, we adopted fMRI data from the experiment of [@B26] about the informativity of sound, to construct effective brain networks for audiovisual integration and memory using DCM ([@B26]). We then used a Bayesian model comparison to identify the optimal models for the informative and uninformative sound conditions. In particular, we were able to identify where changes in directed coupling within the auditory and visual hierarchies were sensitive to combined audiovisual input, as compared to visual input alone. By analyzing the optimal models under informative and uninformative sound conditions, we were also able to compare the selected models to assess the hierarchical level of changes in effective connectivity induced by audiovisual integration. These results will provide insight into the neural mechanism of the informativity of sound and cross-modal integration and might be useful for the detection and prevention of neurological diseases ([@B60]; [@B61]; [@B25]).
Materials and Methods {#S2}
=====================
Participants {#S2.SS1}
------------
Fifteen volunteers (seven women, aged 22--25 years; mean age: 23.6 years) participated in the study. All participants had normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. After receiving a full explanation of the experiment and potential risks, the participants provided written informed consent according to a protocol approved by the ethics committee of the Changchun University of Science and Technology ([@B26]). All methods in our research were performed in accordance with the approved guidelines.
Procedure {#S2.SS2}
---------
The fMRI data for constructing DCM models in the present study were obtained from a study by [@B26]. Thus, here, we only summarize the experimental procedure for better understanding. A detailed description of the experimental design and parameter setting can be found in [@B26]. Horizontal and vertical Gabor gratings were used as a visual (V) stimulus; and half of the V stimuli were accompanied by a task-irrelevant sinusoidal tone, termed as the audiovisual (AV) stimulus. The experiment contained two tasks, in each of which V or AV stimuli with horizontal and vertical Gabor gratings each accounted for 50%. In task 1, a visual cue---a thin light gray frame---was presented simultaneously with the V stimulus ([Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). The additional visual cue indicated the timing of the visual target and rendered the sound uninformative. Task 2 was similar to task 1, except that the visual cue was not presented ([Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). An event-related fMRI design was adopted. The participants were required to attend to V stimuli while ignoring the sound and were instructed to press the left button of a computer mouse when the presented V stimulus was a horizontal Gabor grating and press the right button when the presented V stimulus was a vertical Gabor grating.
![The experimental paradigm design of [@B26]. The experiment comprises two tasks: V stimulus is a horizontal or vertical Gabor grating; AV stimulus is a Gabor grating and a concurrent task-irrelevant sinusoidal tone. **(A)** In task 1, a visual cue---a thin light gray frame---was presented simultaneously with the V stimulus; **(B)** task 2 was similar to task 1, except that the visual cue was not presented. V stimulus, visual stimulus; AV stimulus, audiovisual stimulus.](fncom-13-00059-g001){#F1}
Processing of fMRI Data {#S2.SS3}
-----------------------
Imaging data were analyzed using the SPM8 software package (Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, London, United Kingdom) running under Matlab 2012a (MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA, United States). Six scans at the beginning of the measurement were removed automatically from the data set. Functional data were time-corrected reference to middle slice and motion-corrected with realignment to the first image volume in the series, then normalized to standard anatomical space as defined by the Montreal Neurological Institute atlas and smoothed using an 8.0-mm full-width half-maximum Gaussian kernel.
Statistical analysis was carried out at the first level using a general linear regression model. The blood oxygen level--dependent response was modeled as the neural activity convolved with a canonical hemodynamic response function, which yielded two regressors for the "V stimulus" and "AV stimulus" in each task. After model estimation, individual contrast images for each of the 15 participants were generated for the "V stimulus" and "AV stimulus." The contrast images from the first-level analyses were then used for the second-level group statistics. One-sample *t*-tests were used to construct statistical parametric maps at the group level for "AV stimulus" contrast in tasks 1 and 2 ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}).
{#F2}
Dynamic Causal Modeling {#S2.SS4}
-----------------------
Dynamic causal modeling is a method of creating effective brain networks that can investigate audiovisual integrations in terms of changes in effective connectivity among the regions of interest (ROIs) ([@B21]). DCM treats the brain as a dynamic input-state-output system ([@B58]; [@B10]). There are three types of parameters in a DCM: (1) input parameters, which describe how much brain regions respond to experimental stimuli; (2) intrinsic parameters, which characterize effective connectivity among regions; and (3) modulatory parameters, which characterize changes in effective connectivity caused by experimental manipulation. DCM can reveal the network of effective connectivity and their context- or condition-specific changes ([@B10]).
Here, we identified the ROIs for each participant based on the activation areas for "AV stimulus" contrast. The STG/MTG is the multisensory area modulated by the properties of AV stimulus, especially temporal factors ([@B6]; [@B1]; [@B48]), and it is involved in the audiovisual integration in both the informative and uninformative sound conditions ([@B26]). The primary auditory cortex (PAC) and primary visual cortex (PVC) are generally considered to be sensory-specific regions that deal with unisensory visual and auditory information. However, some studies have suggested that even the primary cortical areas receive inputs from other unisensory areas or multisensory associative areas, exhibiting some abilities of multisensory processing ([@B41]; [@B20]; [@B35]). In order to investigate the differences in processing of audiovisual integration in informative and uninformative sound conditions, the STG/MTG, PAC, and PVC were selected as ROIs to construct the DCM models. In addition, the right LOC was reported to be involved in the formation of cross-modal associations and the congruent AV memory ([@B21]; [@B34]; [@B36]), which may relate to the informativity of sound ([@B26]). Thus, the right visual area 3 (V3) in task 2 (informative sound condition), as a part of the right LOC, was selected to explore the audiovisual memory particular in the informative sound condition along with the other three ROIs (STG/MTG, PAC, and PVC). The ROIs were centered on the coordinates with prominent activation of the areas we selected (STG/MTG, PAC, and PVC in tasks 1 and 2; right V3 in task 2), using spheres 6 mm in diameter. [Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"} shows detailed information for the ROIs selected in the present study.
######
Detailed information about the ROIs.
**Tasks** **Regions** **Coordinate left (x, y, z)** ***z*-value** **Coordinate right (x, y, z)** ***z*-value** **Brodmann area**
----------- ------------- ------------------------------- --------------- -------------------------------- --------------- -------------------
Task1 PAC −54, −20, 10 4.66 56, −24, 12 10.41 41/42
PVC −12, −102, 8 6.51 16, −100, 4 5.37 17/18
STG/MTG −49, −17, 8 4.44 60, −26, 14 8.34 21/22
Task 2 PAC −64, −28, 16 4.73 66, −14, 12 6.04 41/42
PVC −37, −86, −8 2.81 34, −82, −8 3.24 17/18
STG/MTG −50, −54, 10 7.35 42, −4, −10 11.72 21/22
V3 37, −69, −19 5.18 19
P
uncorr
\< 0.0005; extent threshold \>30 voxels. PAC, primary auditory cortex; PVC, primary visual cortex; STG/MTG, superior temporal gyrus/middle temporal gyrus; V3, visual area 3.
We investigated dynamic audiovisual interaction by constructing DCM in two parts: effective networks of audiovisual integration and audiovisual memory. First, we constructed effective networks of audiovisual integration using the three ROIs (STG/MTG, PAC, and PVC for tasks 1 and 2). These networks were used to compare the interaction of visual stimuli with informative and uninformative sounds in a traditional audiovisual integration network ([@B58]). Second, we constructed the effective network of audiovisual memory using four ROIs (STG/MTG, PAC, PVC, and V3 for task 2), focusing on the interaction of the visual input and the informative sound in right V3.
### The Effective Network of Audiovisual Integration {#S2.SS4.SSS1}
For each participant, four DCMs ([@B19]) were constructed for the left and right hemispheres, respectively. Each DCM included ipsilateral three regions of the PAC, PVC, and STG/MTG. The three ROIs were bidirectionally connected ([@B58]), with visual stimuli entering as extrinsic inputs to the PVC and AV stimulus as a modulatory factor.
[Figure 3A](#F3){ref-type="fig"} shows the four potential DCM candidates, differing with respect to condition-specific change in connectivity that was modulated by AV stimulus. Holding intrinsic and extrinsic structure constant, the DCMs manipulated this change in four ways. M1 is a typical feedforward model. It models the properties of higher-order multisensory area that receive converging inputs from lower-order unisensory areas, and it measures the influence of convergence on the responses in the multisensory area ([@B27]). M2 is a model with bidirectionally condition-specific change in connectivity between unisensory areas. One of the most intriguing properties of the cortex is that multisensory integration has already been exhibited in the primary unisensory areas ([@B5]; [@B16]). To investigate this aspect, M2 is proposed, a model specifically devoted to analyzing cross-modal interaction in unisensory areas ([@B29]), including the bidirectional condition-specific change in direct connectivity between visual and auditory neurons. M3 is a feedforward-feedback model, incorporating feedforward to a multisensory area and feedback from there to the unisensory areas ([@B54]). M4 is a model in which AV stimulus modulates all the intrinsic condition-specific changes in connectivity. The model consists of two lower-order unisensory areas and one higher-order multisensory area, reciprocally connected by feedforward and feedback projections. The lower-order unisensory areas also communicate via direct transverse condition-specific change in connectivity between them ([@B30]; [@B22]).
{#F3}
These DCMs enable us to arbitrate between two main hypotheses currently advanced in multisensory research for audiovisual integration in the informative and uninformative sound conditions. One is that cross-modal integration in lower-order unisensory areas may be mediated via recurrent loops from higher-order convergence areas ([@B37]). The other is that cross-modal integration may be mediated via transverse condition-specific change in connectivity between lower-order unisensory areas ([@B53]).
### The Effective Network of Audiovisual Memory {#S2.SS4.SSS2}
For each participant, we constructed three DCMs using the data from task 2, including the PAC, PVC, STG/MTG, and V3 in the right hemisphere. Their structures were based on the theory that the output tracts of the occipital lobe mainly consists of two bundles, that is, the descending longitudinal nerve bundles reaching the temporal lobe along the ventral pathway, and the ascending longitudinal nerve bundles selecting a pathway closer to the back of the parietal lobe, most of which reach the posterior part of the parietal lobe. The dorsal pathway starts at V1 and runs to the middle temporal regions (MT, also called V5) through V2 and V3, and then reaches the inferior parietal lobule, which means that there is a condition-specific change in connectivity between V1 and V3 for visual information transmission. Some studies have revealed that the right V3 (as a part of the right LOC) is related to the formation of congruent AV memory ([@B21]; [@B34]; [@B36]). When the sound and visual targets were presented simultaneously, there was a consistent temporal relationship between them. [@B26] considered that the activation of the right V3 was due to a short-term memory being generated by temporally congruent audiovisual stimulus. Therefore, since there was a condition-specific change in connectivity between V1 and V3, we inferred that there would also be condition-specific change in connectivity between the PAC and V3 for auditory information inputting into V3 and forming AV memory.
As shown in [Figure 4A](#F4){ref-type="fig"}, according to the possible direction of audiovisual interaction between the PAC and V3, three DCMs---M5, M6, and M7---were constructed. The difference between the three DCMs was whether there was connectivity between the PAC and V3, and whether the connectivity was unidirectional or bidirectional. Through model comparison, we can obtain the optimal model to verify one of the three hypotheses, that is, whether there is audiovisual interaction between the PAC and V3, and if so, whether the interaction is unidirectional or bidirectional.
{#F4}
Bayesian Model Comparison {#S2.SS5}
-------------------------
To determine the most likely DCM given the observed data from all participants, we implemented a fixed-effects (FFX) and a random-effects (RFX) group analysis ([@B19]). We used a posterior probability of 0.85 to identify differences for which there was strong evidence. Model comparison for M1--M4 would identify the optimal model of audiovisual integration in the informative and uninformative sound conditions. Model comparison for M5--M7 focused on the interaction between unisensory auditory and visual areas, and the formation of audiovisual congruency memory. For the optimal model, the participant-specific intrinsic, modulatory, and extrinsic effects were entered into one-sample *t*-tests using SPSS 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States). Statistical analyses with 95% confidence interval of connectivity parameters were used to quantify how simultaneous AV stimuli modulated connectivity. This allowed us to summarize consistent findings from the participant-specific DCMs using classical statistics. The classical analysis was used to provide quantitative estimates of the effect sizes, having accounted for variability among participants.
Results {#S3}
=======
We constructed effective networks of audiovisual integration and audiovisual memory, respectively. The effective networks of audiovisual integration for the data in tasks 1 and 2 were focused on comparing the dynamic interaction of visual stimulus with informative and uninformative sounds. For the effective networks of audiovisual memory, we used only the data in task 2 to explore the dynamic interaction of visual stimulus and informative sound in the right LOC, which is involved in the formation of congruent audiovisual memory.
The Effective Network of Audiovisual Integration {#S3.SS1}
------------------------------------------------
As shown in [Figure 3Ba](#F3){ref-type="fig"}, for task 1, in which the sound was uninformative, both FFX and RFX analyses revealed M3 as optimal of the four models tested (FFX analysis: posterior probability for M3 was 0.88; RFX analysis: exceedance probability for M3 was 0.43). The intrinsic and extrinsic connectivity structure and the changes of connectivity strength due to AV stimulus for the optimal model M3 appear in [Figure 3Bb](#F3){ref-type="fig"}. Not surprisingly, visual stimulus induced a positive activation in the PVC via extrinsic connectivity of visual input to the PVC with a value of 0.40 (*p* \< 0.05). The AV stimulus modulated the feedforward from the PAC to the STG/MTG and from the PVC to the STG/MTG, and the feedback from the STG/MTG to the PAC and from the STG/MTG to the PVC. In particular, the modulation of AV stimulus to the information input from the PAC to the STG/MTG (−0.01, *p* \< 0.05) and from the PVC to the STG/MTG (−0.02, *p* \< 0.05) are negative, indicating that simultaneous audiovisual stimuli inhibited the information interaction from the unisensory areas to the multisensory area, and reduced the sensitivity of multisensory area (STG/MTG) to unisensory auditory and visual inputs ([@B58]). Moreover, AV stimulus enhanced the strength of condition-specific change in connectivity from the STG/MTG to the PAC (0.02, *p* \< 0.05) and from the STG/MTG to the PVC (0.02, *p* \< 0.05), improved the effect of multisensory area on unisensory areas, and further activated the PAC and PVC.
As shown in [Figure 3Ca](#F3){ref-type="fig"}, for task 2, in which the sound was informative, both FFX and RFX analyses revealed M4 as the optimal of the four models tested (FFX analysis: posterior probability for M4 was nearly 1; RFX analysis: exceedance probability for M4 was 0.43). [Figure 3Cb](#F3){ref-type="fig"} shows the structure of optimal model M4 and the connectivity parameters of M4. The visual stimulus induced a positive activation in the PVC via the extrinsic connectivity of visual input to the PVC with the value 0.68 (*p* \< 0.01). Unlike the optimal model M3 in the uninformative sound condition, in M4, AV stimulus modulated not only the connectivity between the PAC and STG/MTG and the PVC and STG/MTG but also the bidirectional condition-specific change in the connectivity between the PAC and PVC. In particular, the modulation of AV stimulus to the information input from the PAC to the STG/MTG (−0.02, *p* \< 0.05) and from the PVC to the STG/MTG (−0.13, *p* \< 0.05) are negative, indicating that simultaneous audiovisual stimuli inhibited the information interaction from the unisensory visual and auditory areas to the multisensory area, and reduced the sensitivity of the STG/MTG to unisensory auditory and visual inputs ([@B58]). Moreover, AV stimulus enhanced the strength of bidirectional connectivity between the PAC and PVC with values 0.18 (*p* \< 0.05) and 0.08 (*p* \< 0.05), which meant that AV stimulus enhanced the audiovisual integration between unisensory areas.
The Effective Network of Audiovisual Memory {#S3.SS2}
-------------------------------------------
As shown in [Figure 4Ba](#F4){ref-type="fig"}, for task 2, both FFX and RFX analyses revealed that of the three models, M7 was optimal (FFX analysis: posterior probability was nearly 1; RFX analysis: exceedance probability was 0.92). Model comparison and parameters estimation revealed that bidirectional intrinsic connectivity between the PAC and V3 (as a part of the LOC) occurred in the right hemisphere with the value 0.026 (*p* \< 0.05) ([Figure 4Bb](#F4){ref-type="fig"}). The optimal model M7 proved that the audiovisual interaction between PAC and V3 indeed exists and provided a basis for the proposal ([@B26]) that auditory and visual information formed a short-term memory related to their temporal relationship in the right V3.
The Validity of the Optimal Model {#S3.SS3}
---------------------------------
In the candidate models M1--M4, all ROIs are bidirectionally connected with each other. Based on models M1--M4, we obtained the optimal model with bidirectional intrinsic connectivity for tasks 1 and 2. To test the validity of the intrinsic connectivity in each of the optimal models, we further constructed six models by removing one intrinsic link at a time from the optimal models. These six models were then compared with the optimal model that contains all the intrinsic links between ROIs. Specifically, for task 1, we further constructed six models, M31--M36, by removing one intrinsic connectivity at a time from the optimal model M3 ([Figure 5A](#F5){ref-type="fig"}). Similarly, for task 2, we also constructed six models, M41--M46, by removing one intrinsic connectivity at a time from the optimal model M4 ([Figure 5B](#F5){ref-type="fig"}).
{#F5}
Using FFX and RFX analyses for the Bayesian model comparison, the results showed that M3 was still the most optimal of the seven models (M3, M31--M36) tested for the uninformative sound condition ([Figure 5Ca](#F5){ref-type="fig"}), and M4 is still the most optimal of the seven models (M4, M41--M46) tested for the informative sound condition ([Figure 5Cb](#F5){ref-type="fig"}). These results reveal that intrinsic connectivity in optimal models M3 and M4 is valid and that the structure of the optimal models is reasonable; further, these optimal models can explain the audiovisual integration pattern in the uninformative and informative sound conditions.
Discussion {#S4}
==========
We have taken a slightly unusual approach to Bayesian model comparison in establishing the distinct functional structures that underlie the multisensory integration of visual stimuli with informative and uninformative sound. Usually, one would compare models in which the change in directed connectivity---under combined AV input---depended upon the informative versus uninformative nature of auditory input; in other words, we would have compared models of the data from both experiments. However, in our case, the two tasks precluded this straightforward application of Bayesian model comparison, and we elected to conduct the comparison separately for the informative and uninformative conditions. This means that we cannot provide direct evidence that informative auditory input has differential effects; however, we can assert that under informative auditory conditions, there is clear evidence for changes of a hierarchical sort (at multiple levels of the multimodal hierarchy) that was not found during uninformative integration. Meanwhile, we verified the validity of the architectures of the optimal models with regard to the intrinsic connectivity, and the results showed that our optimal models (M3 for task 1 and M4 for task 2) could effectively reflect the pattern of audiovisual integration in the uninformative and informative sound conditions. Our findings revealed distinct neural mechanism of audiovisual integration in informative and uninformative sound conditions, and also shed light on dysfunctional connectivity in neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders ([@B61]; [@B25]).
Audiovisual Integration With Uninformative Sound {#S4.SS1}
------------------------------------------------
For the uninformative sound condition in task 1, the optimal model M3 showed that AV stimuli modulated the bottom-up connectivity from the PAC to the STG/MTG and from the PVC to the STG/MTG, and the top-down connectivity from the STG/MTG to the PAC and PVC ([Figure 3B](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). A previous ERP study suggested that audiovisual information integrates in early-stage processing through an indirect pathway, in which feedforward auditory input reaches the areas of multisensory convergence and is transmitted via feedback to unisensory visual areas ([@B52]). Similarly, visual input also reaches areas of multisensory convergence, and it is transmitted via feedback to unisensory auditory areas. Moreover, a behavioral study reported that the reaction times (RTs) of visual target detection did not significantly improve when the sound was uninformative, but the hit rates (HRs) had significantly increased ([@B26]). It is generally considered that RTs are sensitive to late-stage cognitive manipulation, whereas HRs are affected by early-stage perceptual factors and reflect the degree of freedom and sensitivity of the participants to target detection ([@B32]; [@B55]). In the study of [@B26] on which our present study is based, uninformative sounds only facilitated HRs, not RTs, of visual target detection. Altogether, we suggest that the modulation of AV stimulus to the bidirectional condition-specific change in connectivity between unisensory and multisensory area in the present study reflects a low-level automatic integration in early-stage processes. An fMRI study by [@B38] showed that uninformative sound and lower-intensity visual targets integrate in primary visual and auditory cortices, and also in subcortical structures of lateral geniculate bodies (LGBs) and medial geniculate bodies (MGBs). Moreover, their analyses found enhanced effective connectivity between left LGB and ipsilateral primary visual cortex (PVC), as well as left MGB and ipsilateral Heschl's gyrus (HG). These results reveal that the integration of uninformative sound and visual stimuli may involve low-level information processing from thalamus structures (LGB/MGB) to cortical areas (PVC and HG), which supports our conclusion that concurrent task-irrelevant sound is uninformative owing to low-level automatic audiovisual integration.
Audiovisual Integration With Informative Sound {#S4.SS2}
----------------------------------------------
For the informative sound condition in task 2, model comparison showed that visual stimulus and informative sound integrate through three pathways in M4. (1) Direct interaction through the bidirectional condition-specific change in the connectivity between the PAC and PVC results in audiovisual integration ([Figure 3C](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). (2) Auditory and visual stimuli input to the STG/MTG from the PAC and PVC, respectively. The integration occurs in the multisensory area, and the feedback is projected to the unisensory areas ([Figure 3C](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). (3) Auditory stimulus interacts with visual stimulus in the right V3 region through bidirectional pathways between the PAC and right V3 ([Figure 4B](#F4){ref-type="fig"}).
Until a few decades ago, most neuroscience texts assumed that individual senses are first processed separately in unisensory areas to extract typical information for each of them, and only subsequently combined at later processing stages in multisensory association areas. This theory, often named "unisensory before multisensory" ([@B52]), is still valid in part. However, recent data, especially concerning the primary cortices, challenge this traditional view, showing that even the primary cortical areas receive inputs from other unisensory areas, multisensory associative areas or thalamus structures ([@B8]; [@B46]), and they exhibit some abilities of multisensory processing ([@B41]; [@B20]; [@B35]). Studies with fMRI and neurophysiology have accumulated a lot of evidence demonstrating the existence of multisensory integration between the lower-order unisensory regions. For example, studies referring to multisensory integration in the auditory cortex have shown that both visual and somatosensory information can influence auditory neurons ([@B41]; [@B35]; [@B24]). [@B4] observed that the receptive field in the auditory cortex of animals could be affected by a visual input; spatially coincident visual and auditory stimuli often result in a more sharply-tuned auditory receptive field. [@B46] found the early interaction of visual and auditory signals in the low-level auditory cortex, potentially mediated by crosstalk at the level of the thalamus. Several neuroanatomical studies report direct anatomical connections between subdivisions of the thalamus and auditory and other cortical areas ([@B9]; [@B8]). [@B51] demonstrated that sensory-specific thalamic nuclei might integrate different sensory stimuli and influence cortical multisensory processing by means of thalamocortical feedforward connections. Regarding the visual cortex, early studies by [@B33] reported that part of a cat's visual neurons could be affected by an auditory input. Anatomical tracing studies in monkeys have demonstrated audiovisual convergence in the primary visual cortex ([@B39]; [@B20]).
In the present study, the optimal model in the informative sound condition, M4, indicated that the audiovisual information integrates through not only the unisensory--multisensory pathways but also the unisensory-unisensory pathways, which did not exist in the uninformative sound condition (see model M3). Anatomical and physiological studies have reported that anatomical synaptic connectivity between the primary auditory and visual cortices exists, providing physiological basis for direct audiovisual interaction between unisensory areas ([@B53]). Furthermore, synapses between the primary auditory and visual cortices are plastic, and the strength of the synapses indicates the experience of establishing a relationship for audiovisual stimulus ([@B14]; [@B40]; [@B12]; [@B53]). Interestingly, [@B28] declared that the participants' "knowledge" about the relationship between a sound and a visual target is a crucial factor affecting the informativity of sound, because they found that the sound facilitates the detection of the visual target only when the participants are clearly aware of a consistent temporal association between concurrent sound and visual stimulus. In addition, some studies have shown that the activation of neurons in the unisensory areas, caused by information integration between them, determined the activation to the audiovisual stimulus in the multisensory area ([@B53]). In other words, the cross-modal integration of information between unisensory areas determined, to a large extent, the results of cross-modal information processing in the multisensory area. Therefore, we believe that the synaptic connections between the primary auditory and visual cortices reflect the participants' knowledge---or experience-dependent sensory learning---that the audiovisual information is temporally congruent, which is essential for the cross-modal facilitation of visual target detection.
Considering the condition-specific change in connectivity between the multisensory area and unisensory areas in M4, the bottom-up connectivity from the PAC to the STG/MTG and from the PVC to the STG/MTG represented the early-stage processes; however, it was hard to say whether the top-down connectivity from the STG/MTG to the PAC and PVC reflected automatic or cognitive processes in the informative sound condition. We speculate that the auditory and visual information integrate reciprocally via the recurrent network of multisensory--unisensory (PAC--STG/MTG, PVC--STG/MTG) and unisensory--unisensory (PAC-PVC) until the brain identifies a coherent percept. However, further studies are needed to confirm and elucidate these details.
Finally, the optimal model M7 revealed that there are bidirectional condition-specific changes in connectivity between the PAC and V3 in the right hemisphere. The visual stimulus and informative sound converge into the right V3, which is considered to be a region that generates audiovisual congruency traces and forms a short-term memory based on their temporal relationship ([@B26]); the formation of memory involves high-level cognitive processes, modulated by attention. Therefore, the optimal model M7 supports the conclusion mentioned above, that audiovisual integration in the informative sound condition involves high-level cognitive processes.
The Neural Mechanism of Informativity of Sound {#S4.SS3}
----------------------------------------------
Recently, more and more studies using both fMRI data analysis and computer simulations revealed that the dynamic functional connectivity and hierarchical brain networks are the vital basis for flexible functional integration in the brain ([@B25]; [@B45]; [@B57]). In our study, the optimal model of audiovisual integration changes from M3 when the sound is uninformative to M4 when the sound is informative, showing the different connectivity patterns, which reveals distinct neural mechanism of audiovisual integration in these two conditions. When the sound is uninformative, the unisensory areas process the unisensory visual and auditory information separately, while the multisensory area is responsible for processing audiovisual integration, which involves automatic low-level processing. In this condition, unisensory areas do not process multisensory information, and the activation of the unisensory areas only depends on the extrinsic unisensory stimulus and feedback from the multisensory area, instead of the influence from the other unisensory area.
One particular cognitive task may require several brain regions to participate; meanwhile, one particular brain region may be responsible for several different cognitive abilities ([@B49]; [@B45]). In this sense, each brain region processes many different patterns of connections with other regions and dynamically updates them for different tasks ([@B2]; [@B45]). Consistent with this view, when the sound is informative, the audiovisual information changes the integration not only between the unisensory and multisensory areas, but also between the unisensory areas. An effective temporal association is established between concurrent sound and visual target stimuli ([@B28]; [@B26]), enhancing the strength of the synaptic link between unisensory areas and then promoting the directed transversal effective connectivity. In this condition, the unisensory areas exhibited multisensory behaviors. Audiovisual information integrates through the two pathways mentioned above until identifying a coherent percept, involving both low-level automatic and high-level cognitive processes, of which the latter one plays a crucial role in the informativity of sound. Furthermore, the audiovisual information also changes the coupling between the right V3 and PAC to form congruent AV memory when the sound is informative, involving high-level cognitive processes.
Conclusion {#S5}
==========
In conclusion, our present DCM study showed the distinct neural mechanism of audiovisual integration with informative and uninformative sounds in a simple visual detection task. Our results revealed that the capability of unisensory auditory and visual areas for information processing changes, according to the informativity of sound, and that the audiovisual integration between unisensory areas is crucial for the informativity of sound. This study also supported the contention that informative sound is attributed to high-level cognitive processes, while uninformative sound is owing to low-level automatic processes.
Data Availability {#S6}
=================
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this manuscript will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.
Author Contributions {#S7}
====================
QL and LL designed the study. QL, YX, and XT analyzed the data. YX, QL, and MZ wrote the manuscript.
Conflict of Interest Statement {#conf1}
==============================
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
**Funding.** This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61773076, 61806025, and 31600882), and Jilin Provincial Science & Technology Department (20180519012JH and 20190302072GX).
The authors would like to thank all individuals who participated in the initial experiments from which raw data was collected.
[^1]: Edited by: Dezhong Yao, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
[^2]: Reviewed by: Rui Zhang, Zhengzhou University, China; Lianchun Yu, Lanzhou University, China
| |
Johnson, L., Levine, A., Smith, R., & Stone, S. (2010). The 2010 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium
The New Media Consortium’s annual report on emerging technologies is out. It follows previous formats in identifying six technologies over three time periods. This year the authors picked the following:
One year or less
- mobile computing
- open content
Two to three years
- electronic books
- simple augmented reality
Four to five years
- gesture-based computing
- visual data analysis
Perhaps more importantly, they identified four key trends that will drive technology adoption over the five years:
- redefinition of educators’ roles in sense-making, coaching and credentialling
- people expect to be able to work, learn, and study whenever and wherever they want to
- the technologies we use are increasingly cloud-based, and our notions of IT support are decentralized
- the work of students is increasingly seen as collaborative by nature, and there is more cross-campus collaboration between departments.
Lastly, they identified four critical challenges:
- the role of the academy — and the way we prepare students for their future lives — is changing
- new scholarly forms of authoring, publishing, and researching continue to emerge but appropriate metrics for evaluating them increasingly and far too often lag behind
- digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a key skill in every discipline and profession
- institutions increasingly focus more narrowly on key goals, as a result of shrinking budgets in the present economic climate
The first critical challenge is for me the most important. Quoting a 2007 report of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the New Media Horizon report states:
It is incumbent upon the academy to adapt teaching and learning practices to meet the needs of today’s learners; to emphasize critical inquiry and mental flexibility, and provide students with necessary tools for those tasks; to connect learners to broad social issues through civic engagement; and to encourage them to apply their learning to solve large-scale complex problems.
If you have to give priority to your reading, this opublication should be top of your list. | https://www.tonybates.ca/2010/01/23/the-horizon-2010-report-on-emerging-technologies-for-education/ |
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Mia has loved dance since a young age and began her dance journey with Dare To Shine in 2011. Mia completed her Cecchetti Ballet Advanced 1 in 2019 obtaining Honours and graduated from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in 2021. Mia is currently completing her Diploma in Dance at Sydney Dance Company in their Pre-Professional Year and is also training to obtain her Cecchetti Ballet teacher qualification. Mia is looking forward to working as a professional dancer once her studies at Sydney Dance Company are completed. | https://www.daretoshine.com.au/mia-hamilton |
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Apr 04, 2017 · The galvanized pipes installed on water lines between 1880 and 1960 were dipped in molten, naturally occurring zinc. Naturally occurring zinc is impure, so these pipes were bathed in zinc that also contained lead and other impurities.
Galvanized steel pipe is most commonly used in plumbing and other water supply applications. Black steel pipe features an all over black finish. It is commonly used in fire sprinkler systems thanks to its high heat resistance. Black steel pipe is also popular for other water transfer applications, including potable water, as well as in gas
There are 4,492 galvanized pipe water supply suppliers, mainly located in Asia. The top supplying country or region is China, which supply 100% of galvanized pipe water supply respectively. Galvanized pipe water supply products are most popular
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Nov 27, 2019 · Portal Frame is the branch of Light-weight Steel Building ,the main characteristic of the structural is Light weight , fast and effective ,using energy-saving and environmentally friendly building materials , fabricated in workshop and delivery to site for assembling ,reduce the construction time ,portal frame with the advantages of strong and durable , beautiful appearance and good quality , the column distance is arranged freely and flexibly, meet the construction Estimated Reading Time: 3 minsPre-engineered Building Systems for Metal BuildingsThe defining feature of a rigid-frame steel building is its steel backbone of I-beam main frames. Each frame is made up of two or more columns supporting a rafter that runs laterally from one side of the building to the other. Spaced at intervals between the two endwalls, the main frames bear most of the load of the building.Post-Frame Buildings vs. Steel-Frame BuildingsJul 07, 2016 · Additionally, a post-frame building maintains its strength much more effectively than a steel-frame building in the event of a fire. FACT: Wood structures stand the test of time A post-frame building from Morton Buildings features triple-laminated timber columns manufactured out of No. 1 Southern Yellow Pine. | http://www.maiiathai.es/bridge/a840768af7818da943552837.html |
Introduction:
Sometimes wall paper is just
too difficult to remove without damaging the wall.
If that is the case you have the option to just
paint over the wallpaper providing the wallpaper is
not textured and has not come unglued from the
wall. In addition, the wallpaper must be clean
before painting it. If the wall paper has come
unglued in spots, inject some glue behind the spots
to get it attached to the wall.
How to paint over wallpaper:
To prep the wallpapered wall,
clean it thoroughly with a sponge soaked in warm
water. When the wall is dry fill any small holes or
dents with spackling compound. When the spackling
is dry sand it smooth and apply a shellac based
stain-blocking primer tinted to the shade of the
paint and allow to thoroughly dry before painting.
Paint the wall using a latex
paint and a smooth roller. In most cases it will
take at least two coats of paint to cover the
wallpaper completely. If the wall paper is a dark
print, prime paint the surface first with a latex
primer. Let the primer thoroughly dry before
applying the finish coat.
If it is absolutely necessary
to remove the old wall paper use the steam method
to prevent damaging the wall. It will take several
days for the wall to dry after removing old
wallpaper with steam. Steam wallpaper removers can
be rented from most wallpaper supply stores.
Related articles: | http://diyhomeimprovementplus.com/Paint_Projects_and_Ideas/how_to_paint_over_wallpaper.html |
Mastercard and Interos aim to help global organizations strengthen operational resilience
Mastercard has announced a new partnership with the hyper-growth operational resilience company Interos.
This new offering allows organizations to proactively detect and eliminate risk across multiple areas – including cyber, financial, ESG, restrictions, geopolitical and operational – throughout their network of business and merchant relationships.
According to data, many enterprises do not have the ability to track and mitigate these risks: according to Interos research, just 11% of organizations monitor their third-party risk on a continuous basis. However, according to a study by RiskRecon, a Mastercard company, 63% of organizations say managing third-party risk is a growing priority for their organization.
Systemic Risk Assessment is the first fully automated platform using AI and ML to map, monitor and model the complex web of business relationships that power global trade. The platform features an aggregate operational resilience risk score that allows organizations to quickly evaluate companies they do business with for vulnerabilities based on multiple risk dimensions, providing timely insights that they can act on before they impact a business.
We’ve reported that Tesla will provide solar power for Bitcoin mining.
SEE ALSO: | https://payspacemagazine.com/fintech/mastercard-formed-partnership-with-interos-to-deal-with-systemic-risk-in-business-ecosystems/ |
Introduction
============
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually occurring early in life and persisting thorough the life. According to the last proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy "CP describes a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture causing activity limitation attributed to non-progressive disturbance in the developing fetal or infant brain". Motor disorders are often accompanied by disturbance of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behavior as well as by epilepsy and secondary musculoskeletal problems ([@B1]). Risk factors of CP have been investigated, and can be categorized into three groups of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal ones. Prenatal factors can be summarized as follows: male gender, exposure to toxins such as methyl mercury during gestation, iodine deficiency, low or advanced maternal age (35 years), multiparity, nulliparity, previous dead fetus, multiple gestations, inappropriate inter-pregnancy interval, fever during pregnancy, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation ([@B2]). Other related maternal factors such as irregular menstruation, epilepsy, diabetes, and thyroid disease are related to CP. It is more prevalent among those children whose siblings had suffered from CP during infancy or in the children born with assisted fertilization such as in vitro fertilization ([@B3]-[@B4]). Among perinatal factors, premature birth, abruptio placentae, low APGAR, low birth weight, intrauterine (TORCH) infections, and chorioamnionitis seem to have the most critical role ([@B5]). Post-natally, meningoencephalitis, kernicterus, intracranial bleeding, neonatal convulsion, sepsis, respiratory distress and genetic disorders can predispose the child to CP ([@B6]). Risk factors of CP have been listed differently in developing and developed countries. In Pakistan, the most prevalent cause of CP was birth asphyxia as 36% ([@B7]). Other etiologies were meningoencephalitis (34%), prematurity and low birth weight (8%), kernicterus (5.5%) and intracranial bleeding (2.5%); however, in 14% of the patients no specific reason was declared (idiopathic). In Turkey, asphyxia (39%), neonatal convulsion (34%) and kernicterus (19%) were the most prevalent causes of CP ([@B8]). A major risk factor of CP in Iran is asphyxia according to imaging studies recently available, such as MRI ([@B9]-[@B12]). On the other hand, in Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States, congenital brain malformation, fetal intrauterine infections, genetic disorders and different toxin exposures account for the reason for CP in about 75% of cases ([@B2], [@B3], [@B6]). Peri-natal causes such as birth asphyxia, hypoglycemia, kernicterus and neonatal infections occurred in 6-8% of CP cases. However, postnatal risk factors such as seizure, sepsis and respiratory distress had a less prominent role ([@B2], [@B3], [@B6]). In America and Sweden, antenatal factors causing abnormal development of the brain consisted 80% of cases, and about 10% of the patients had evidence of intra-partum and birth asphyxia ([@B3], [@B13]). There are various problems in investigating the risk factors of CP such as delayed recognition, inappropriate considering of congenital malformation as hypoxic perinatal insults, inaccessible accurate data about birth history along with disagreements among examiners. However, this study was designed to have a more precise data in order to improve health care in Iran.
Materials & Methods
===================
Overall, 200 patients aged 1-12 yr old with previously confirmed diagnosis of CP, according to international definitions ([@B1]-[@B2]), who were under routine follow up in Pediatric Neurology Clinic (affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran) from 2012 to 2013 were enrolled into the study. The sample size was determined by a statistician according to previous similar studies. The case group was compared with the age and sex matched normal control group. The inclusion criteria of the case group were age between 1 to 12 yr with non-progressive disturbance of movement and posture along with defect in sensation, perception, cognition or communication. Isolated movement disorders with no other evidence of CP, progressive neurologic disorders, metabolic disorders, and incomplete or uncertain past history were considered as the exclusion criteria. The children in the control group, sex and age matched with the case group had completely normal neurologic and physical examination and were referred to the pediatric clinic for routine checkup or common childhood infection such as diarrhea or common cold. If there was any doubt about having abnormal neurologic examination in favor of CP, they were excluded from the study. All the patients in the case and control groups were examined by one pediatric neurologist and after convincing the parents for entering the study a questionnaire was filled out about the history of the patients. In the case group, the patient's medical records were also reviewed and data about pregnancy and its complications, hospital admission, delivery or postnatal problem were extracted. After completing the questionnaires about detailed history of pre- and preinatal complications (History of asphyxia, bilirubin encephalopathy, RDS, congenital brain anomalies, meningitis, hypoglycemia, TORCH, multiple anomalies, admission due to unknown reason), special lab data or imaging (Brain MRI or CT scan) were ordered if indicated for diagnosis or management of the patients' clinical manifestations. The study was approved by Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Informed consent was taken from subjects' parents. The data of this case-control study were analyzed using SPSS software version 15 (Chicago, IL, USA). Chisquare test and t-test were used to compare the case and control groups' data. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
######
Complications during Pregnancy and Delivery in the Case Group
------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
**Complications** **Number** **Percentage**
**RDS** 12 6
**PROM** 13 6.5
**Pre-eclampsia** 6 3
**Gestational DM** 4 2
**Maternal thyroid disorder** 4 2
**Poly or oligohydraminos** 4 2
**Repeated abortions** 1 1
**Total** 45 22.5
------------------------------- ------------ ----------------
######
Distribution of Different Risk Factors in the Case and Control Groups
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Risk factors** **Case group** n (%) **Control Group**\ ***P*** **-value**
n (%)
----------------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------
**Prenatal risk factors** Order of birth First child 135(67.5 ) 134(67 ) 0.746
Second to sixth child 65(32.5 ) 66(33 )
Complication during pregnancy yes 44(22 ) 1(0.5 ) 0.000
no 156(78 ) 199(99.5)
Microcephaly at birth yes 10(5 ) 0 0.006
no 190(95 ) 200(100 )
Living place Urban 166(83 ) 135(67.5 ) 0.000
Village 33(16.5 ) 63(31.5 )
Suburban 1(0.5 ) 2(1 )
Maternal age Under 20 yrs 4(2 ) 7(3.5 ) 0.397
20-35 yrs 182(91 ) 186(93 )
Over 35 yrs 14(7 ) 7(3.5 )
Type of pregnancy Planned 181(90.5 ) 188(94 ) 0.107
Unwanted 15(7.5 ) 12(6 )
Assisted 4(2 ) 0
Birth weight Normal weight 190(95 ) 198(99 ) 0.02
IUGR 10 (5 ) 2(1 )
**Perinatatal factors** Route of delivery Normal vaginal 107(53.5 ) 152(76 ) 0.000
Abnormal vaginal 2(1 ) 0
C/S 91(45.5 ) 48(24 )
Prematurity Preterm labor 50(25 ) 18(9 ) 0.004
Term labor 150(75 ) 182(93 )
**Postnatal factors** Site of admission Neonatal emergency 84(42 ) 22(11 ) 0.000
No admission 92(46 ) 166(83 )
Neonatal intensive care unit 24(12 ) 12(6 )
Management for hyperbilirubinemia Exchange transfusion 23(12 ) 0 0.000
Phototherapy 52(26 ) 33(16.5 )
No treatment 125(63 ) 167(83.5 )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results
=======
The mean age of the case group was 2.7±2.2 (range from 1 to 12 yr) and in the control group, it was 2.2±1.7 yr. The patients of case and control groups were equally divided into 51% male and 49% female groups (P value: 0.4). Spastic CP was the most prevalent type of CP in the case group (61%). The most common form was spastic quadriplegia ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). Prenatal, perinatal and postnatal risk factors are demonstrated in [Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}. In 35% of the patients, no clear etiologic factors were revealed.
Discussion
==========
During recent years, pre- and peri-natal health care has been improved dramatically; as the result, asphyxia and other perinatal complications are no longer prevalent as previous years. However, premature and low birth weight neonates survive more. Therefore, the net incidence of CP, in fact, does not seem to be reduced but the etiologies have been changed ([@B3], [@B14]). Maternal age is one of the most important factors; age more than 35 yr and less than 20 yr is considered a risk factor for having a CP child ([@B3]). The mean maternal age in the CP group was significantly lower than that of the control group ([@B8]). In our study, there was no significant difference between three categories according to maternal age (less than 20, 20-35 years and more than 35 years), but in the case group the incidence of maternal age more than 35 yr was 2 times that of the control group; also, in Iran maternal age\>35 years was significantly associated with CP ([@B12]). So it might be concluded that extreme of maternal age is associated with greater risk of CP. Sex might be considered as a risk factor for CP ([@B2], [@B15]). In Turkey, CP was twice more prevalent in the males ([@B8]), but in our study and in North Iran ([@B12]) there was no significant difference as to sex. Jacobson in Sweden ([@B2]) reported CP to be more prevalent in high parity and nulliparity, but in this study, and North Iran ([@B12]) and Turkey ([@B8]) no association was detected between the number of pregnancy and CP. Most patients of the case and control groups in our study were the first or second child of the family, perhaps because recently most families have one or two children. CP was not significantly related to the order of birth (P value=1. 00). Like some other studies ([@B3], [@B8]), IUGR was a risk factor of CP in our study. Living in villages is supposed to be a risk factor for CP ([@B8]), but in the present study, CP had significantly higher prevalence in cities compared to village (P value: 0.00); probably appropriate health care of neonates and mothers in villages due easier access to family physician and earlier referral can account for this finding (urban family physician program was not yet carried out in our country at the time of study). Microcephaly as a risk factor for CP has an incidence of 0.56 to 2.3% at birth ([@B8], [@B14]). In this study, 5% of the patients in the case group had microcephaly, which was significant in comparison to the control group with normal head circumference. Preterm delivery is one of the most important risk factors for CP; even in neonates born in the 37th or 38th weeks of gestation, CP is more prevalent than neonates with gestational age of 40 weeks are. The incidence of preterm delivery in our study was similar to previous study ([@B16]). Premature delivery due to various complications was considered as a significant risk factor (P value=0.002). However, in Pakistan and Turkey, prematurity was not considered as an important risk factor for CP; this might be explained by lesser survival of premature neonates in these two countries ([@B7], [@B8]). Cesarean section (C/S) in this study was revealed to be twice more prevalent in the case group and is supposed to increase the risk of CP compared to normal vaginal delivery; however, in developed countries and Turkey, route of delivery was not considered as a risk factor ([@B3], [@B8]). The reason of this difference may be the fact that in our country, prolonged complicated delivery and fetal distress are among the most common indications for C/S. Better monitoring of the delivery rooms and earlier referral for C/S when indicated can prevent fetal distress and CP. Family history of CP is one of the risk factors ([@B3]) but in our study, this was not concluded. Maternal complication during pregnancy such as premature rupture of the membrane, pre-clampsia, placental abruption and thyroid disorders are important risk factors of CP ([@B3],[@B7]). In our study, premature rupture of the membrane, pre-eclampsia, thyroid disorders, maternal DM, repeated abortions and prolonged labor had a higher incidence in the case group which was statistically significant (P value=0.002). In the present study, spastic CP was the most prevalent type of CP (61%) and quadriplegic spastic CP had an incidence of 36%. Other types of CP in this study were hypotonic (28%), paraplegic (20%), hemiplegic (5%), ataxic (5%) and athetoid (4%), nearly similar to what Nazir reported in Pakistan ([@B7]). In developed countries, the most important causes of CP are prenatal risk factors in 70% of cases ([@B3], [@B17]); in our study, 10% of the cases had CP due to prenatal causes. In addition, in Turkey and Pakistan congenital CNS anomalies, TORCH, infection, and genetic syndromes were not among the prevalent etiologies of CP ([@B7], [@B8]). Asphyxia was reported in 22% of patients in the present study, 10% in developed countries ([@B3]), 40% in Turkey ([@B8]) and 36% in Pakistan ([@B7]). History of neonatal emergency room and neonatal intensive care unit admission increased the risk of CP significantly compared to no admission ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}). Bilirubin encephalopathy was detected in 11.5% of the patients in this study, 20% in Turkey ([@B8]) and 5.5% in Pakistan ([@B7]), whereas no case was reported as a possible result of this problem in developed countries ([@B3]).The patients undergoing exchange transfusion had significantly higher incidence of CP compared to the patients treated with other methods of management for hyperbilirubinemia ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}). Early discharge from hospital after delivery, late referral for neonatal jaundice, poor compliance and reliance on traditional treatment in developing countries may account for this result. Meningitis (3%) was not as prevalent as Pakistan (34%) ([@B7]) in our study. In our study, 35% of the patients in the case group had no significant birth history and no hospital admission; however, they suffered from CP and were categorized as idiopathic group (the same as 14% of cases in Pakistan) ([@B7]). Four percent of CP patients in our study had a history of hospital admission in neonatal period without any definite diagnosis. This emphasizes for better investigation of probable risk of CP by considering more detailed laboratory and if indicated genetic studies for the patients categorized in the idiopathic group. However, other differential diagnosis of CP and slowly progressive disease mimicking CP should be re-evaluated. The most prevalent associated problem with CP was mental retardation (46%), reported by Liptak et al. as 50% ([@B18]). Seizure was reported in 16% of CP patients in our study but Kulak et al. reported it as 41% ([@B19]). Hearing defect was reported in about 10% of our CP patients, nearly similar to what Pharaoh et al. reported as 12% ([@B20]). Other problems of CP patients in the present study were constipation (10%), growth delay (3%), and visual disorders (3%). In conclusion, the most important risk factors of CP were route of delivery (C/S), maternal complications in pregnancy, neonatal Jaundice, microcephaly at birth, premature birth, neonatal hospital admission, and area of living, but sex, intrauterine growth retardation, maternal age and multiparity were not associated with increased risk of CP. Most of the causes of CP are preventable perinatal risk factors. Considering the fact that, in the south of Iran, the most common cause of seizure is perinatal brain insult ([@B21]), better health care during pregnancy, delivery and postnatal period is mandatory.
The authors would like to thank Dr. Nasrin Shokrpour at Center for Development of Clinical Research of Nemazee Hospital for editorial assistance. This article is extracted from the thesis, supported by deputy dean of School of Medicine based on research project number 1782 dated 31/3/1390 and sponsored by deputy chancellor of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Authors' contribution:
======================
Dr Soroor Inaloo: Substantial contributions to the design of the work; and the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data for the work.
Dr Pegah Katibeh: Substantial contributions to the design of the work; and the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data for the work. Drafting the work and revising it critically for important intellectual content.
Dr Masroor Ghasemof: The acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data for the work
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PJ-Ref.:
This book is a prelude combining 3 of the essential paths towards remembering Allah throughout our daily lives. It contains the 99 names of Allah with description and where to find and recognise those names in Arabic in the Qur'an. The hadiths are not explanations of Allah's names, but ordinary lessons to remind us and encourage us to call upon those names in times of need and indecision.
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For books with misprints or defects, please send us a picture of the book. We will send a replacement book. | https://www.jahabersa.com.my/products/99-100-minus-1-daily-remembrances-to-call-upon-allah |
UCPS Principal Liaisons for Beginning Teacher SupportMr. Kenneth RoessWalter Bickett Education CenterDistrict Principal Liaison for the Support of Beginning TeachersDr. Wendy Gravely/ Wesley Chapel Dr. Kimberly Chinnis/ ProspectElementary Principal Liaison Elementary Principal LiaisonDr. Kevin Plue/ Forest Hills Dr. Brian Patience/ Porter Ridge MiddleHigh School Principal Liaison Middle School Principal LiaisonPrincipal Engagement. The leadership of the principal is instrumental in ensuring the success of the mentoring and induction program at the site level. Principals establish and maintain a positive school environment that supports mentor-beginning teacher interactions and targeted professional development. Principals provide clear and consistent communication to staff regarding the role of the mentor and the multiple facets of mentoring, including the essential component of confidentiality.
- Principals are involved in the selection and/or assignment and/or supervision of the mentor, as appropriate
- Principals endorse the mentor’s role
- Principals contribute to the definition and direction of the mentor’s work
- Principals provide positive working conditions for beginning teachers
- Principals clearly communicate mentor’s role to staff and provide positive context for beginning teacher work with mentor
- Principals endorse and/or support the development of a mentor role that encompasses a range of dimensions and respects the confidential role of the mentor and beginning teacher
- Principals provide time for and promote the mentor’s work with beginning teachers
- Principals endorse and/or support development of a complex, multi-faceted and confidential mentor role
- Principals are available to meet/communicate with mentors.
- Principals are knowledgeable of and demonstrate support to the full scope of the mentor’s work, including formative assessment and use of professional standards
- Principals endorse and/or support the development of a mentor role that is informed by a variety of stakeholders
- Principals communicate regularly with mentors while respecting confidentiality of the mentor role
- Principals encourage beginning teachers to share evidence of professional growth as part of the evaluation process
The BT Support Principal Liaisons work collaboratively to ensure that the role of the principal in the support of beginning teachers is transparent, intuitive, and fully embraced by the stakeholders who impact the recruitment, support and retention of beginning teachers. They serve as ambassadors, advocates, and leaders for fostering a supportive and nurturing district climate in which beginning teachers feel safe and secure to build their capacity as instructional leaders and their students' capacity as learners. | https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Page/5666 |
Businesses will very often invest in creating a high-level strategy to drive or strengthen workplace culture. Rightly so, as left undefined a culture can develop into something which undermines the pursuit of a business’ goals.
In defining their culture, a business will typically focus on areas which can be easily quantified, such as safety, innovation or profitability.
While these quantifiable aspects are vital for the survival of a business, it is equally important to address what I like to call cultural blind spots – elements of a culture which, if neglected, can have a similarly significant impact on the bottom line of a business.
Successful changes to workplace culture are driven by the leadership’s vision for the future of the business.
As such, it is essential that leaders can articulate to their employees what is expected of them, how their roles will be carried out, and what the impact will be on the business, for its customers, its employees and other stakeholders.
The leader then needs to model this behaviour through his or her own actions, and in particular how they react to the performance of others in the workplace.
Very often it is in the behaviour and actions of the business leaders that the cultural blinds spots will lurk.
Consider for example the process of determining which employee actions are rewarded and acknowledged within a business.
The aim of rewarding good employees is, of course, to motivate the workforce and improve productivity. However, I’m sure most of us will be able to recall situations where we have marvelled as to why one employee is rewarded with the merit and recognition for their actions when similar actions from another employee go completely unrecognised.
The intentions are good but the impact can be counter-productive, creating a workplace culture which makes unrewarded employees feel they are operating in a vacuum. The unintended result can be disengagement and, ultimately, reduced productivity – the complete opposite of the initial strategic aim.
Mistakes always happen in business. However, the manner in which they are handled often demonstrates another cultural blind spot.
A culture of finger-pointing and blame may be intended to improve standards but it’s surely more productive to create a culture whereby employees and leaders are open to learning from mistakes, taking these lessons on board as a guide to better management in the future.
In a business with a blame culture, people spend time covering their backs and second-guessing actions, to ensure that mistakes won’t come backbite them. It’s an approach more likely to dilute work output, with employees wasting time on covering their backs and avoiding the repercussions of errors.
I’d suggest that a better solution would be for openness and clarity that mistakes provide opportunities for the whole team to learn – not through the humiliation of the employee concerned, but by fostering a culture of communication.
Having a clear process for handling employee issues or people problems in the workplace enables all parties to feel confident in the process and manner in which a grievance will be handled.
Without HR policy and procedures in place to address people-related issues, businesses run the risk of being inconsistent and legislatively uncompliant. The outcomes are often expensive and destructive to the culture of a workplace.
Employees need to have clear expectations of the culture in their workplace, without clouding from cultural blind spots. These blind spots ultimately lead employees to ambiguity, disengagement and reduced employee productivity. That’s a cost which no business can afford. | https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/management/planning-management/the-cultural-blind-spots-that-no-business-can-afford-to-miss |
This is the one and only tell-tale sign of an eLearning course that is devoid of critical thinking exercises.
Critical thinking can be described as a mental exercise – the capability to think about complex issues or relate learning directly to experience. It improves the problem solving skills of the learner and enhances their decision making capabilities.
Corporate learning courses are required to have such mental exercises in order to improve the value of the eLearning course. Critical thinking skills are required in almost every industrial sector training programs.
Current pedagogy and andragogy research and practices are rife with critical thinking strategies in the learning environment. Educational technology, especially eLearning authoring tools provide a plethora of techniques and ideas to integrate critical thinking.
Hisham Al-Mubaid of University of Houston, penned a paper titled ‘A New Method for Promoting Critical Thinking in Online Education’ in which he discusses an effective method of embedding critical thinking strategies for developing higher order reasoning skills in the eLearning environment.
According to Al Mubaid, critical thinking can be enhanced through two components:
- Individual Component that occurs in an independent and self-paced learning environment. There are three parts in the individual critical thinking component:
- List: In the first step, a learner will have to develop a list of facts or concepts that provide a true definition of the topic in hand. The list depends on the kind of course or content the learner is being trained on.
- Evaluate: the learner evaluates the list of facts created in the first step. This includes ranking and scoring the items in the list as a means of self-evaluation.This process involves a higher level of mental activity as the learner has to get rid of any kind of bias and evaluate the items in the list in a fair manner. While the first step starts the process of conceptualization, application and understanding of the information, the second step kindles critical thinking required for evaluating the assimilated information.
- Re-structure: The third step includes revising and improving the understanding of the concept by restructuring the list as per the evaluation in the second step.This third step requires a high intellectual process where the learner improves upon his or her learning himself through the process of restructuring what he or she had first understood.
- Team-based Component that is best carried out in the peer-based and collaborative learning environment. The team-based component includes three steps:
- List: The first step here is similar to the first step of the individual component, but here the process of listing is done in groups. The students are grouped in teams and each team develops a comprehensive list of concepts or facts describing the chosen topic in the e-course content.The team collects all individual lists and creates one comprehensive list, which is the cumulative understanding of the entire group.
- Discuss: In the second step the team members proceed to evaluate the possible solutions through discussions and debates.
- Evaluate, Integrate & Restructure: In the third step, the learners collectively integrate the ideas and restructure their possible solutions based on the discussions and debates of step two.
In the individual component, especially in a self-paced eLearning environment, the learner is provided with ample opportunities to absorb information. Through traditional drill and practice exercises, knowledge is transferred and tested through quizzes.
The final step in each module is to administer an assignment that takes a relatively longer time to complete. This assignment requires the newly acquired learning to be utilized in different scenarios.
The process of listing newly learned facts is similar to summarizing the main ideas of the module. Then comes evaluating the list and selecting the appropriate idea for the scenario in the assignment.
Finally, restructuring would involve “customizing” the ideas to make it work in the given scenario. Think for example, in the healthcare field, the learner is confident about their indications of various drugs used for controlling blood pressure.
How would the learner apply this knowledge? Provide them clinical scenarios in which different patients have different conditions. The learner is required to prescribe the right drug for the patient and justify their prescriptions.
In group learning, the team-based component comes into play. Learners exchange perspectives with each other through discussion. All participants can view a scenario with a fresh perspective. This creates an in-depth learning experience through critical thinking. Discussion board activities provide opportunities for team-based critical thinking practices.
By keeping the above two components in mind while creating your next eLearning course, you can encourage critical thinking and knowledge application skills in your learners.
ELearning environments are notorious for having a series of information followed by a quiz. This practice may provide temporary satisfaction to the learner when they score well, but may prove to be detrimental when the learner tries to utilize their learning.
Critical thinking skills can be incorporated easily if the eLearning author is aware of the need to apply learning to work context. | https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2015/11/individual-and-team-based-critical-thinking-skills-in-the-elearning-environment.html |
The world in 2076: Thousands of people have settled on Mars
Daniel Bayer/Polaris /Eyevine
By Lisa Grossman
The year is 2066. The sun rises dimly in a rust-coloured sky, lighting up the hydroponic fields. In the first permanent habitat on Mars, intrepid explorers are waking up to start another 24.5-hour day.
Elon Musk thinks it’s possible. In September, the SpaceX founder unveiled his (still somewhat vague) plan for sending humans to Mars in the next decade or so, and suggested that we might have a million people living full-time on the Red Planet by the 2060s. NASA’s more conservative plan sees the first humans going there in the 2030s.
We’ll have to get moving. Before settlers can start building a life, we would need to set up everything they need to merely survive on the surface. This means launching tonnes of life-support equipment, habitats, energy-generation systems, food, and technology for extracting breathable oxygen and drinkable water from the air.
That’s a huge challenge. The shortest journey time between Earth and Mars is roughly five months, but that would only be possible around once every two years when the planets align with one another. In the most optimistic scenario, this gives us about 22 ideal launch opportunities to lay the groundwork for human settlement by 2060.
And as the recent failure of the ExoMars lander (right) shows, landing on Mars is tricky: it has enough gravity to accelerate a craft’s descent, but such a thin atmosphere that parachutes won’t slow it down enough. The heaviest thing that ever landed on Mars, the 1-tonne Curiosity rover, used a combination of parachutes, retrorockets and a daredevil dangling device called a sky crane.
Given that we don’t know
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The Gateway is for the conservation practitioner, scientist and decision-maker. Here we share the best and most up-to-date information we use to inform our work at The Nature Conservancy.
In the course of regularly grappling with resilience questions, many of which Rebecca Benner has posed, I have found three elements of ecosystem resilience that keep surfacing: stress resistance, recovery and adaptation. For coral reef resilience, we focus principally on the resistance and recovery elements in the face of thermal stress. We have yet to monitor and manage for adaptation. My answers to her questions will reflect that experience.
Why should we do resilience analyses — and do these need to do more than indicate where resilient places are? “Where” is important. It enables us to: (a) build resilient habitats into conservation planning as foundations for broader conservation planning; (b) help direct development along sustainable pathways by avoiding these resilient areas; and (c) focus management efforts on places with best potential for persistence.
Are “adaptive capacity” and “resilience” synonymous? Not fully. Resistance and recovery are central to the way we manage reefs, design MPA networks and deliver training. We monitor, measure and manage reefs to maintain status quo rather than to enhance acceptable levels of change — an arguably flawed approach in a rapidly changing world. However we define resilience, we should capture all three elements: resistance, recovery, adaptive capacity.
What do we do with resilience: build, enhance or protect it? We need to manage to restore, enhance and protect resilience. And we may well need to expand to proactive interventions that bolster the coastal protection functions of natural systems (as with oyster reefs) or change water chemistry to buffer the impacts of ocean acidification.
Should we take similar approaches in marine, terrestrial and freshwater systems? I’m comfortable advocating that we do need to enhance or build and protect resilience in all systems. In the marine world, we protect resilient areas because these provide sources of seed to repopulate the susceptible areas in times of stress. This approach surely would apply to all systems. These refugia form the core of our conservation investment, our blue chips. And Rebecca is correct: We need to build out from these or embed them into broader management frameworks, as indeed we are doing through our “reef to ridges” approach that links reef and watershed management.
Is resilience a site-specific topic and not useful as a generalized framework? Our coral reef work shows that site specificity provides the nuance and the generalized framework still remains useful. We need a larger toolbox of case studies of applications to help us adapt our approaches at different sites.
We do need to accept that resilience is a little-understood concept in which new knowledge regularly changes the way we think. This poses the question Rebecca did not ask: if there are so many unknowns, should we bother? I am not at all put off that different efforts to model climate change impacts and vulnerability yield sometimes very different results, that the indicators of resilience are constantly being modified, and that analysis of these indicators can yield different rankings depending on how they are combined. Each new attempt and each iteration of an old one yields more information to help us hone our efforts.
For now, a good approach would seem to be:
Capture the variability in resilience among habitats by including multiple replicates of all habitat types into conservation area networks and separating these widely apart to reduce the risk of any stress event taking out all protected examples of one habitat.
Choose larger areas for protection over smaller to capture a) the variability of resilience within habitats and, at the same time, b) any uncertainty and acclimation in stress response. By investing time and effort in large areas, we are more likely to capture all pieces of the different patterns that make up the mosaic of how ecosystems will respond at the local, management-scale level to such large stress events as heat stress, rainfall changes, storms and acidification.
Protect naturally resistant refugia.
Develop better field indicators for identifying resilience.
Rod Salm is the senior advisor for science and strategies in the Indo-Pacific Division of The Nature Conservancy.
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization
working around the world to protect ecologically important
lands and waters for nature and people. | https://conservationgateway.org/News/Pages/Resilience-Keeps-Us-on-the-Face-of-the-Wave.aspx |
So this is what’s at stake: Vanzo needs to show how the RED can be read into Kant’s first Critique, even if it is not expressly established as a formal distinction on which other parts of the CPR depend. Given the strategy alluded to above – that Kant introduces a distinction under the guise of different terminology – Vanzo is obliged to consider whether we encounter a “mapping” problem when Kant’s contrasts are seen in the context of the RED. He immediately concedes that there is indeed such a mapping problem (as Gary Banham had noted here). The RED is introduced in two places in the CPR – the Antinomies of Pure Reason and the History of Pure Reason. In the first case, Kant contrasts empiricism with dogmatism (not rationalism), and in the second case, Kant contrasts empiricism with “noologism” (not rationalism). The question is: whether RED can “map onto” either or both of these contrasts and thus indicate compellingly that Kant operated with the RED in mind?
As it turns out, the occurrence of the RED in the History of Pure Reason is more readily answered than in the Antinomies. Vanzo establishes both that the contrast of “empiricism” and “noologism” in the History of Pure Reason can be regarded as a version of the RED and that the contrast established here was to become a standard part of the histories of early modern philosophy. The argument in the Antinomies follows a more circuitous route. Vanzo cannot directly show that “dogmatism” and “rationalism” are interchangeable terms, all the more so since Kant’s purpose in the Antinomies is to show that neither dogmatism nor empiricism on its own is able to offer satisfactory proofs of key statements about the world. So both dogmatism and empiricism come up short, and Kant, as a later self-identifying rationalist, is clearly not about to subscribe to the dogmatic variant of metaphysical rationalism. So a problem of mapping does appear here, and it is the more serious one for the RED distinction.
Was the RED introduced by Kant? Vanzo’s final answer is, “not really”. Kant does not have the “epistemological bias” in regard to the RED, i.e. he does not overestimate the importance of the RED on epistemological grounds. Neither does Kant have the “Kantian bias”, according to which the RED is important for his project in the Critique of Pure Reason. Kant, finally, does not have the “classificatory bias” which classifies all philosophers prior to Kant into either empiricist or rationalist camps. When we consider the later Kantians, the picture is quite different. Both Reinhold and Tennemann are said to have the epistemological, the Kantian and the classificatory biases. Reinhold, I believe, did not initially have the classificatory bias, as it is not clearly in evidence in his first major work, the Essay on a New Theory of the Human Capacity for Representation (1789). By the early 1790s, however, as Vanzo shows, Reinhold appears to have derived a historiographical framework based on the RED. Reinhold’s framework appears to have been important for philosophers such as Tennemann, who by the late 1790s had begun to craft a “methodologically sophisticated history of early modern philosophy” in which the RED is amply applied to individual philosophers and where Kant takes his place as the author who successfully overcame the limits of these two schools.
In sum, Vanzo’s case for the establishment of the RED in Germany appears to ascribe great importance to the manner in which Kantian philosophy was received from the mid 1780s until the mid 1790s and how it was laid out against a background of historiographical assumptions. As happens so often, the background was to become foreground for a few brief years, and when it did so under Reinhold’s pen – this is the likely conclusion – the historiography became more important than the philosophy. Fortunately this situation has reversed itself and Kant’s philosophy has become a far more open proposition than it was taken to be in those years. This openness, in turn, makes room for different conceptualizations of the early modern period.
From Experimental Philosophy to Empiricism: 20 Theses for Discussion
Before our recent symposium, we decided to imitate our early modern heroes by preparing a set of queries or articles of inquiry. They are a list of 20 claims that we are sharing with you below. They summarize what we take to be our main claims and findings so far in our study of early modern experimental philosophy and the genesis of empiricism.
After many posts on rather specific points, hopefully our 20 theses will give you an idea of the big picture within which all the topics we blog about fit together, from Baconian natural histories and optical experiments to moral inquiries or long-forgotten historians of philosophy.
Most importantly, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you find any of our claims unconvincing, inaccurate, or plainly wrong? Do let us know in the comments!
Is there some important piece of evidence that you’d like to point our attention to? Please get in touch!
Are you working on any of these areas and you’d like to share your thoughts? We’d like to hear from you (our contacts are listed here).
Would you like to know more on some of our 20 claims? Please tell us, we might write a post on that (or see if there’s anything hidden in the archives that may satisfy your curiosity).
Here are our articles, divided into six handy categories:
General
1. The distinction between experimental and speculative philosophy (ESD) provided the most widespread terms of reference for philosophy from the 1660s until Kant.
2. The ESD emerged in England in the late 1650s, and while a practical/speculative distinction in philosophy can be traced back to Aristotle, the ESD cannot be found in the late Renaissance or the early seventeenth century.
3. The main way in which the experimental philosophy was practised from the 1660s until the 1690s was according to the Baconian method of natural history.
4. The Baconian method of natural history fell into serious decline in the 1690s and is all but absent in the eighteenth century. The Baconian method of natural history was superseded by an approach to natural philosophy that emulated Newton’s mathematical experimental philosophy.
Newton
5. The ESD is operative in Newton’s early optical papers.
6. In his early optical papers, Newton’s use of queries represents both a Baconian influence and (conversely) a break with Baconian experimental philosophy.
7. While Newton’s anti-hypothetical stance was typical of Fellows of the early Royal Society and consistent with their methodology, his mathematisation of optics and claims to absolute certainty were not.
8. The development of Newton’s method from 1672 to 1687 appears to display a shift in emphasis from experiment to mathematics.
Scotland
9. Unlike natural philosophy, where a Baconian methodology was supplanted by a Newtonian one, moral philosophers borrowed their methods from both traditions. This is revealed in the range of different approaches to moral philosophy in the Scottish Enlightenment, approaches that were all unified under the banner of experimental philosophy.
10. Two distinctive features of the texts on moral philosophy in the Scottish Enlightenment are: first, the appeal to the experimental method; and second, the explicit rejection of conjectures and unfounded hypotheses.
11. Experimental philosophy provided learned societies (like the Aberdeen Philosophical Society and the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh) with an approach to knowledge that placed an emphasis on the practical outcomes of science.
France
12. The ESD is prominent in the methodological writings of the French philosophes associated with Diderot’s Encyclopédie project, including the writings of Condillac, d’Alembert, Helvétius and Diderot himself.
Germany
13. German philosophers in the first decades of the eighteenth century knew the main works of British experimental philosophers, including Boyle, Hooke, other members of the Royal Society, Locke, Newton, and the Newtonians.
14. Christian Wolff emphasized the importance of experiments and placed limitations on the use of hypotheses. Yet unlike British experimental philosophers, Wolff held that data collection and theory building are simultaneous and interdependent and he stressed the importance of a priori principles for natural philosophy.
15. Most German philosophers between 1770 and 1790 regarded themselves as experimental philosophers (in their terms, “observational philosophers”). They regarded experimental philosophy as a tradition initiated by Bacon, extended to the study of the mind by Locke, and developed by Hume and Reid.
16. Friends and foes of Kantian and post-Kantian philosophies in the 1780s and 1790s saw them as examples of speculative philosophy, in competition with the experimental tradition.
From Experimental Philosophy to Empiricism
17. Kant coined the now-standard epistemological definitions of empiricism and rationalism, but he did not regard them as purely epistemological positions. He saw them as comprehensive philosophical options, with a core rooted in epistemology and philosophy of mind and consequences for natural philosophy, metaphysics, and ethics.
18. Karl Leonhard Reinhold was the first philosopher to outline a schema for the interpretation of early modern philosophy based (a) on the opposition between Lockean empiricism (leading to Humean scepticism) and Leibnizian rationalism, and (b) Kant’s Critical synthesis of empiricism and rationalism.
19. Wilhelm Gottlieb Tennemann was the first historian to craft a detailed, historically accurate, and methodologically sophisticated history of early modern philosophy based on Reinhold’s schema. [Possibly with the exception of Johann Gottlieb Buhle.]
20. Tennemann’s direct and indirect influence is partially responsible for the popularity of the standard narratives of early modern philosophy based on the conflict between empiricism and rationalism.
That’s it for now. Come back next Monday for Gideon Manning‘s comments on the origins of the experimental-speculative distinction.
Reinhold on Empiricism, Rationalism, and the Philosophy without Nicknames
Alberto Vanzo writes…
There is a traditional way of narrating the development of early modern philosophy. I first studied it in high school and no doubt you are familiar with it. According to this narrative, the central dispute within early modern philosophy concerned epistemological matters:
- Do we have a priori knowledge of the world?
- Do we have innate concepts?
Rationalists answered that we do, whereas empiricists denied it. Eventually came Kant, who refuted empiricists and rationalists, sentenced the end of those movements, and embodied their insights within his own transcendental philosophy.
These days, this sort of narrative is regularly attacked for overstating the importance of epistemological matters and for being biased in favour of Kant’s philosophy. Who first framed that narrative? Some say it was Kant. Yet I argued in an earlier post that this is not the case. While Kant introduces the terms “empiricism” and “rationalism”, he does not view empiricism and rationalism as purely epistemological views. Moreover, he does not take his thought to be above empiricism and rationalism. He takes himself to be a rationalist.
Karl Leonhard Reinhold first spelled out the traditional historiographical framework in works from the early 1790s (such as On the Foundation of Philosophical Knowledge and the Contributions toward Correcting the Previous Misunderstandings of Philosophers, from which I will quote). In these years, Reinhold was articulating his own system, “Elementary Philosophy”. He distinguished it from Kant’s philosophy with these words:
- The Elementary Philosophy is therefore essentially different from the Critique of Pure Reason. And the philosophy of which it is a part […] can no more be called critical than it can empirical, rationalist or sceptical. It is philosophy without nicknames.
At this point, Reinhold makes some bold historiographical claims:
- The insufficiency of empiricism brought about rationalism, and the insufficiency of the latter sustained the other in turn. Humean scepticism unveiled the insufficiency of both of theses dogmatic systems, and thus occasioned Kantian criticism. The latter overturned one-sided dogmatism and dogmatic skepticism.
How did this all happen? First came Locke’s empiricism and Leibniz’s rationalism:
- The two philosophers laid down, one in the simple representations drawn from experience and the other in innate representations […], the only foundation of philosophical knowledge possible for the empiricists [on the one hand] and the rationalists [on the other.] And while their followers were busy disagreeing about the external details and the refinements of their systems, David Hume came along
and revealed their mistake. This was believing that we are able to know mind-independent things, either on the basis of simple mental representations drawn from experience (empiricism), or by means of innate concepts and principles (rationalism).
- Hume confronted this crucial issue about the conformity of impressions to their objects; this was what everybody had taken for granted without proof before his time, and he demonstrated that no proof can be offered that is without contradiction.
Hume’s mistake was assuming, like Locke and Leibniz, that the objects that impressions must conform to be true are mind-independent or, in Kant’s terms, things in themselves. Kant rejected that “groundless assumption by proving “that objective truth is entirely possible without knowledge of things in themselves”. Reinhold’s Kant takes objective truth to be the correspondence of our mental representations with mind-dependent, phenomenal objects. On the basis of this view, Kant answered the central question of what are the extension and limits of our cognitive powers. For Reinhold, answering this question enabled Kantians to solve the disputes in the fields of ethics and natural law, and even theology.
With his account, Reinhold places Kant above and beyond empiricism and rationalism. Reinhold takes epistemological issues on the foundation and limits of knowledge to be central to the whole philosophy of early modern age. In short, Reinhold has the epistemological and Kantian biases.
It is easy to see why Reinhold’s potted history of early modern philosophy was attractive for Reinhold’s contemporaries. From a historiographical point of view, it places four works that Reinhold’s contemporaries held in great esteem (Locke’s Essay, Leibniz’s New Essays, Hume’s Treatise, and Kant’s first Critique) within a single, coherent narrative. From a philosophical point of view, Reinhold places Kantian and post-Kantian philosophies that had become increasingly popular at the summit of the development of human reason.
Reinhold’s history of early modern philosophy is very sketchy. The first historian to flesh it out in great detail was Wilhelm Gottlieb Tennemann. Next time I will tell you about him. | https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/emxphi/tag/reinhold/ |
Home » PowerPoint Templates » Project Team
The project team includes the project manager and the group of individuals, .i.e. the team, who work together on a particular project to achieve its goals and objectives. An effective team plan must clearly define roles and responsibilities, clear direction, effective collaboration and communication, and reporting structure of the project. A project team comprises employees usually belonging to different departments, performing various functions, and carrying out the task for the project. Using our customizable templates, you can showcase team members’ qualities, skills, and expertise to the clients, management, or stakeholders creatively. Highlight your team plan using our customizable team structure templates, RASCI Matrix, roles and responsibilities, agile project team structure, and many more.
You can also check out our extensive library of project management templates to showcase project activities. Read our blog to learn more about the steps for successful project planning and how to do a Project KickOff.
Team Charter Canvas
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Add-to-favs lets you build a list for inspiration and future use.
Log in now to start adding your favs. | https://slideuplift.com/powerpoint-templates/tag/project-team-powerpoint/ |
This NSW government agency is a major service provider who strives to deliver a more consistent and efficient experience within government. This government agency uses data and behavioural insights to drive improvements with government and providing services to NSW.
About the Role
- Analyse and consolidate library subscriptions, systems, information to support achievement of business objectives
- Provide plain language advice on library issues to non-library audiences
- Work with key stakeholders to define library business requirements and trends to enable informed business decisions and service level improvements and design the future library
- Guide and support library team members to identify and provide customer focused services
- Create Library policy, procedure and user guides to inform and reflect business requirements and outcomes.
- Perform gap analysis in skills, knowledge, experience and professional development needs
- Provide guidance on effective collaboration with partnerships and networks and active membership of professional bodies
About You
- A high standard of library and research practice through education and training
- Knowledge of library principles, processes, and current best practice methods
- Qualifications in Library and Information Science or a relevant discipline or industry experience.
- Experience completing a Library review within a government context.
Please note - due to the high volume of applications, only suitable candidates will be contacted. | https://www.ashdownpeople.com.au/job/library-business-analyst-930-dollars-plus-gst |
Junior Asset Data Analyst – Housing Sector working with Power BI, Excel and SQL and Tableau.
Client Details
My client is in the Public Sector and are looking for a Asset Data Analyst – Housing Sector, to join their site in the City of London remotely (every wednesday in the office) on an initial 4-month contract.
Description
The successful candidate for Asset Data Analyst – Public Sector and Government, will fulfil the following responsibilities –
- Working with Operational Heads of Service, Asset Managers & staff to deliver dynamic asset management services.
- Support the analytical services for Assets. You will carry out analytical projects to enable informed asset management decisions are made.
- Create and maintain business reporting for assets using the business intelligence Tools
- To enable the Strategy & Planning team to make informed decisions on investment and divestment of our assets by providing detailed analytics
- Yourtransferableanalytical skills will be utilised in one or many of the following projects:
- Investment Planning:
- You will manage the data in planning 3-year investment programs for the business based on the company asset standard.
- Performance reporting and analysis:
-
- Reviewing the data workflows and processes within asset services performance monitoring
- Setting up key performance indicators to monitor all asset services (including repairs, compliance, disrepairs, voids, investment etc…)
- System improvements:
- Support coordinating and facilitating the management of the systems architecture
- Work with Asset Systems Manager to identify areas of improvement for systems. Propose and manage changes to systems to support enhancement of services
Profile
To be considered for the Asset Data Analyst – Housing Sector within Public Sector and Government you will have:
- Demonstrated data analytical experience across Power BI, SQL and advanced Excel skills
- A good understanding of Asset management, particularly with investment and divestment of stock
- Housing association exposure or relevant sector is highly desirable
*POWER BI IS ESSENTIAL*
Job Offer
The successful Asset Data Analyst will have a flexible working opportunity on 4 month contract (possible extension) inside IR35, working on an hourly rate within the Public Sector and Government – every wednesday in the office.
- Investment Planning: | https://datafloq.com/jobs/asset-data-analyst-housing-sector/ |
Characterization of the stem cell state and its control by comparative global gene expression and proteomics analyses.
Changes in specific genes that result in specific diseases, concentrating on Huntington disease and premature coronary artery disease.
Mammalian development, Transcriptional regulation and epigenetics, Hepatocyte differentiation, Heart valve formation, Signal transduction, Transgenic/knockout mice, Whole genome profiling
Gene regulation, leukemic stem cell biology, basic and translational leukemia research, signal transduction, proteomics.
Stem cells, developmental control, telomere biology, self-renewal and genetic instability.
Neurogenetics, Huntington disease and other triplet repeat disorders, transgenic/knockout mice, mouse models of human neurodegenerative disease, experimental therapeutics.
Role of imprinted genes in mammalian development. Epigenetics of embryonic stem cells and germ cell lineage. Gene targeting.
Genetic, genomic and comprehensive phenotyping studies for the autism spectrum disorders, idiopathic intellectual disabilities and other complex disorders of neurodevelopmental and/or behavioral disability.
Interplay between transcription, DNA methylation and histone modifications in the germ line, early development and disease
Gene-based therapies for diseases of the brain and eye, cell-type specific MiniPomoters for rAAV delivery of gene augmentation and genome editing (CRISPR/cas9) therapies to cure mouse models of the human disease. | https://medgen.med.ubc.ca/research/medgen-research-faculty-stem-cells-gene-therapy/ |
The purpose of the West Bank Safety Committee is to increase safety and livability in the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood.
When? 1st Tuesday each month at 7 pm in the Cedar Riverside/West Bank Safety Center (1601 S 4th St).
The CRNRP Safety Committee provides an open forum for community members to connect with each other, neighborhood groups (CRNRP, West Bank Business Association, and West Bank Community Coalition), local businesses, the Minneapolis Police Department and other police and security staff from local institutions in order to review neighborhood crime statistics, share safety concerns, and discuss strategies to address those concerns.
Committee members attend monthly meetings, regularly participate in neighborhood safety walks and other initiatives, and cultivate relationships with community members and law enforcement personnel that build trust and encourage ownership and broad participation by all in safety activities. When circumstances seem necessary, the committee as a collective can take initiative to address appropriate groups in the city, neighborhood, or law enforcement on issues of concern to the community.
Safety Committee Chair: Russom Solomon, co-owner of The Red Sea.
Interested in joining the safety committee email list? Contact Sam Nichols for further information ([email protected] or 612-876-9311). | https://www.cedarriversidenrp.org/westbank_safety_committee |
This invention relstes to a metal coated diamond substrate for electronic applications, and more particularly to coatings on said diamond substrate for use as an electrical resistor.
Diamond is of high interest as a substrate material for use in integrated circuits and multi-chip modules. This is particularly true of synthetic diamond prepared by chemical vapor deposition (hereinafter "CVD diamond"); i.e., by activation of a mixture of gases including hydrogen and a hydrocarbon at low pressure, whereupon diamond is deposited on a substrate surface. By reason of its low electrical conductivity and dielectric constant, as well as its high thermal conductivity that makes it useful as a heat sink material, it is of particular interest for use in high density interconnect modules and circuits containing laser diodes, where the circuit elements are packed closely together and heat dissipation is essential.
The manufacture of such modules generally requires the deposition of connecting conductive and/or resistive metal traces on the diamond surface. Nickel-chromium alloys are of particular value for the deposition of traces of controlled resistance, chiefly by reason of their stability as well as the relatively low cost of both metals.
Resistors comprising patterned thin films of nickel-chromium alloy on a ceramic substrate have been in use for many years. A problem with such resistors that has been encountered and solved is that such alloys have a high temperature coefficient of resistance (hereinafter sometimes "TCR"); that is, their resistance changes substantially with changes in temperature. Since resistors with specific resistance levels are typically produced by varying the dimensions of a conductive trace of known resistivity, it has been necessary to lower the TCR of the nickel-chromium alloy, typically to values of at most about 5 ppm/°K. This is typically done in the case of materials employing ceramic substrates by incorporating elements such as oxygen or aluminum in the metal coating.
A further problem with nickel-chromium coatings on diamond is that adhesion to the substrate is generally poor. An adhesion of about 140-350 kg/cm² is generally required for electronics applications, and must survive high temperature processing operations performed in the creation of integrated circuits and the like.
Adhesion to diamond of many metals that readily form carbides can be improved by heat treatment at temperatures as high as 900-1000°C, often in a reducing atmosphere, which apparently causes the formation of a carbide bond coating. Chromium forms carbide; in fact, it can form three different carbides. However, the carbide preferentially formed under the aforementioned heat treatment conditions can be brittle and incapable of producing an adequate bond coating. Moreover, heating under such conditions in the presence of a large proportion of a ferrous metal such as nickel can cause graphitization of the diamond, as well as loss of any oxygen or aluminum introduced to control the TCR. Thus, the use of such alloys in combination with diamond substrates has heretofore been unsuccessful.
Tantalum nitride is also commonly used as a thin film resistor. It can be formed with a well controlled TCR, but only after passivation in air at temperatures in the range of 300-400°C. In attempts to use tantalum nitride in combination with diamond substrates, the passivation operation can convert the tantalum nitride (or tantalum carbide bond layer in contact with the diamond) to tantalum oxide, decreasing adhesion to the diamond.
a) a diamond substrate; and
b) a resistance layer comprising a deposited metal layer, which adheres to said diamond substrate, with carbon diffused into said metal layer,
Therefore, it would be desirable to create an improved metal layer, for example an alloy coating comprising nickel and chromium, on a diamond substrate. It would further be desirable to produce such coatings in the form of conductive metal traces suitable for the fabrication of thin film resistors. These goals are achieved by the present invention, namely a resistance element comprising :
wherein the resistance layer exhibits a temperature coefficient of resistance of less than 10 ppm/°K and adhesion to said diamond substrate of greater than 700 kg/cm².
Any diamond surface, single crystal or polycrystalline, may be coated with the resistance layer of this invention. However, it is most useful with polycrystalline diamond, and especially with CVD diamond. The CVD diamond may remain on the substrate on which it is deposited, but is more often removed therefrom as a sheet, which may be cut into units of the desired size and shape for use in integrated circuits.
Typically, the electrical surface resistance of uncontaminated diamond is greater than 15 MΩ/mm and its resistivity is on the order of 10¹³ Ω-cm. However, surface resistance may decrease substantially if the diamond is contaminated with other materials. Moreover, adhesion of metal traces thereto may be poor if there is carbon in graphitic form on the surface of the diamond. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly remove graphite and other contaminants prior to depositing the metal layer of the invention. This may be achieved by contacting the diamond at relatively high temperature with various strong acid mixtures. Contact with a boiling hydrochloric-hydrofluoric-nitric acid mixture to remove traces of metal, and with a boiling sulfuric-nitric acid mixture to- remove graphite, is conventional. Following cleaning, the diamond surface may be treated to promote adhesion of the metal layer, as by sputter etching or other plasma cleaning techniques.
The nickel-chromium alloys deposited to produce embodiments of the invention generally comrise about 60-90% (by weight) nickel, with the balance being chromium. The preferred alloys comprise about 75-85% nickel, with 80% being most preferred.
The nickel-chromium alloy may be deposited by conventional techniques. Sputtering is often preferred. The thickness of the alloy layer is typically about 100-5000 and preferably about 1000-5000 Å.
It is generally preferred to pattern the alloy coating, either simultaneously with the coating operation or subsequently. Simultaneous patterning by simple masking is generally employed.
Following deposition and (optionally) patterning of the alloy coating, the substrate containing said coating is heated in a non-oxidizing, non-nitride-forming atmosphere. Said atmosphere preferably contains at least one reducing gas, most often hydrogen, typically in the amount of up to about 10% by weight of total gases. Inert gases may be employed alone or in combination with said reducing gas. Illustrative inert gases are the noble gases helium, argon, neon and xenon, with argon generally being preferred by reason of its availability and relatively low cost. Nitrogen must be avoided since it will readily form nitrides with one or more of the metals under the conditions of heat treatment.
The temperature of the heat treatment is also critical for this embodiment. It must be in the range of about 750-900°C, preferably about 750-850°C and most desirably about 800°C. Employment of temperatures lower than about 750°C is ineffective, while at temperatures above about 900°C the nickel in the alloy can catalyze graphitization of the diamond surface, rendering it in part conductive and thus detracting from its effectiveness as a dielectric material.
The reasons for the effectiveness of heat treatment under the conditions of the present invention are not known with certainty. It has been found, however, that said heat treatment causes diffusion of carbon from the substrate into the metal alloy layer and of chromium toward the substrate, forming a nickel-chromium-carbon layer that bonds well to the substrate. It is also believed that chromium carbide formation and carbon dissolution in nickel, result in creation of a material having a low TCR.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by a procedure in which highly polished CVD diamond samples, about 12 mm square and 250 microns thick, were cleaned for 12 hours in a boiling mixture of equal volumes of hydrochloric, hydrofluoric and nitric acids to remove metal contaminants, and then for 4 hours in a boiling mixture of 4 volumes of sulfuric acid and 1 volume of nitric acid to remove graphitic carbon and other materials, from the surface. The surface resistance of each sample was determined after cleaning to be greater than 15 MΩ/mm, the upper limit of the resistance meter employed.
The surfaces of the samples were sputter etched for 6 minutes, after which a 3000 Å layer (as determined by weight gain and surface profilometry) of nickel-chromium alloy (80% nickel, 20% chromium) was sputtered onto the surface using a DC magnetron at 100 watts and a pressure of 8 millitorr of argon. Patterned sputtering was achieved using a Mylar polyester mask, to produce metal strips about 3.2 mm wide. As deposited, the nickel-chromium layer had an adhesion varying from about 7 to about 175 kg/cm² and a resistivity of about 1.2 x 10⁻⁴ ohm-cm. In many instances, the metal deposit would spall off the surface upon heating to 150-200°C.
The metallized substrates were heat treated at 800°C for 1 hour in contact with a gas mixture consisting of 5% (by weight) hydrogen and 95% argon, whereupon the adhesion increased to greater than 700 kg/cm². At the same time, the resistivity dropped to 6.6 x 10⁻⁵ ohm-cm. Auger analysis of the samples showed that carbon had diffused into the nickel-chromium alloy and that chromium had diffused toward the metal-diamond interface, creating conditions conducive to formation of a chromium carbide bond layer.
The samples were heated in air at 200-500°C for various periods to measure the thermal stability of the metal layer. The resistance of each sample was measured while the sample was at the elevated temperature. Those which had been heat-treated showed no loss in adhesion or change in resistivity after exposures to 450°C temperatures for periods up to 4 hours. At 500°C, an increase in resistivity was observed after 1 hour, which was shown by Auger analysis to be due to oxidation and loss of carbon from the alloy layer. | |
Stable and transient cell lines expressing recombinant targets such as monoclonal antibodies, ion channels and GPCRs are commonly used in drug screening, gene functional studies, cell line selection and safety assessment studies. The process of developing cell lines starts with transfecting selected host cells, typically CHO or HEK 293 cells, with desired plasmids, followed by screening and selection based on cell functionality, yield and/or stability. After selection, based on their application, the cell lines and/or the proteins produced by the cells are validated. As the manual screening methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone, there is a great demand for high-throughput, automated screening solutions.
Biomek workstations from Beckman Coulter provide a comprehensive suite of high-throughput automation platforms that are easily integrated to meet each critical step of your cell line development workflow. | https://www.mybeckman.co/integrated-solutions/cell-line-development/end-to-end |
NEWS: Reporting for results-based REDD+ action
A new initiative will build the capability of developing country governments globally to monitor and report on greenhouse gas emissions from forestry, so that they can ultimately speed up efforts to halt deforestation.
The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) together with the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) is launching a new initiative on Reporting for Results Based REDD+ (Editor’s note: where REDD+ stands for reducing emissions from deforestation and other forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries).
This three-year programme – termed ‘RRR+’ for short – is funded by the Government of Norway. It aims to support up to 21 tropical forest countries in their efforts to move towards systems of payment for performance in REDD+ and achieve the carbon mitigation aspirations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Specifically, the project aims to develop capacity for measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the agriculture, forestry and other land-use sectors (AFOLU).
“Training practitioners to take greenhouse gas inventories, particularly in the forestry sector, is of crucial importance to make finance flow for REDD+” said Federica Bietta, the Managing Director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations. “We are pleased to collaborate with CDKN on this important initiative.”
“Monitoring, reporting and verification are on top of the agenda for climate negotiators and decision makers the world over. Our capacity building project will help decision makers in the developing world develop these crucial skills” said Christina Elvers of CDKN.
Together CDKN and CfRN will deliver the following activities to support up to 21 tropical forest countries:
Capacity building for the development of institutional arrangements for greenhouse gas inventories: The project will provide in-country training and ad hoc support to domestic decision makers to establish institutional frameworks for GHG inventories.
Training and capacity building to improve the technical capacities of those undertaking greenhouse gas inventories: We will hold in-country training sessions within up to 21 countries, international training workshops and ad hoc technical support to country governments.
Training for the compilation of Biennial Update Reports (BURs): Support will be provided to experts of tropical forest countries to enhance participation in the UNFCCC, specifically with regards to the preparation of the technical assessments for BURs.
South-South knowledge sharing: We will share lessons learned and best practice through publications and international workshops.
Working with relevant ministries and technical staff in target countries, as well as other international organisations (e.g. UN FAO, USA EPA), the initiative aims to create a long term institutional foundation to allow countries to continue this work independently once the initiative has ended.
The ‘Reporting for Results-Based REDD+ Actions’ project launched in June 2016 and will run until May 2019.
What CDKN’s and CfRN’s leaders are saying about this initiative
Kevin Conrad, Executive Director, Coalition for Rainforest Nations: “According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change, the AFOLU [Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use] sector is responsible for just under 25% of annual anthropogenic, global greenhouse gas emissions. It also leads to loss of biodiversity and livelihoods. Developing countries need to be incentivised financially to protect their forests. CfRN has deep international experience in identifying technical gaps and training greenhouse gas measurement practitioners in developing countries to successfully address these deficits. RRR+ will continue to pave the way for this while building sustainable, long term capacity.”
Sam Bickersteth, Chief Executive, CDKN: “We are delighted to be working with our long-standing partner CfRN as well as the Government of Norway in implementing this crucial capacity building programme across 21 developing countries. For communities, investors, governments and donors reliable measurement and assessment of forests is an essential element of the commitments made at COP21 in Paris. CDKN is pleased to bring its experience in capability building to this area to accelerate action on deforestation in line with the Paris Agreement and Global Goals.”
About the organisations
Coalition for Rainforest Nations Secretariat
The Coalition for Rainforest Nations Secretariat provides diplomatic leadership through efforts across government, academia and industry to address the complex issues surrounding environmental sustainability specific to tropical rainforests. The Coalition is an intergovernmental organisation with a Secretariat in New York City. It operates as a forum to facilitate consensus among participating countries on issues related to domestic and international frameworks for rainforest management, biodiversity conservation and climate stability. The Rainforest Coalition achieves success through Capacity Building within nations by enhancing technical capacity, spearheading research, assembling world-class advisory capacity, facilitating policy development, coordinating economic and technical regulatory frameworks and overseeing implementation. As part of ‘Reporting for Results-Based REDD+ Actions’, CfRN will seek to deliver technical and institutional capacity building to assist governments to develop national Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use GHG inventory systems. Contact: Federica Bietta, [email protected]. | https://cdkn.org/2016/09/reporting-for-results-based-redd-action/?loclang=en_gb |
Building waste and debris management
This collection contains guidelines, plans, and strategies for the management of debris in the aftermath of disasters. Resources are in English.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Congressional Research Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organisation (WHO).
Please send suggestions for additional content for this Collection to [email protected].
You might find other helpful collections on Waste management or on the Environment below.
Resources on this Collection
Pages
Collections on this Collection
WASH and Health Guidelines
The "WASH and Health Guidelines" Collection compiles recent humanitarian practices on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), aiming to improve the health levels of affected populations. According to European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, "Water, sanitation and hygiene (also known as WASH) are closely connected sectors and essential for good public health. In emergency and crisis situations, providing access to clean water in sufficient quantities is paramount. Basic sanitation and hygiene education are important for a healthy living environment. [...]. Lack of access to clean water and to basic sanitation, and low hygiene standards increase the vulnerability of people to epidemic outbreaks." To learn more about this, visit: https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/humanitarian-aid/water-sanitation-hygiene_en
Environmental Sustainability: CCCM Collection
The Environmental Sustainability: CCCM Collection collates resources from CARE, EHA Connect, UNHCR, and others which discuss the relationship between CCCM and Environmental Sustainability in Humanitarian contexts. This Collection contains guidelines, fact sheets, and case studies to aid humanitarian practitioners on incorporating environmental sustainability in natural disasters and/or conflict settings. This Collection is an integral part of a wider Channel about environmental sustainability.
Post Conflict Engineering - Guidelines, Handbooks and Toolkits
This Collection is part of the 'Post-Conflict Engineering Channel' aimed at improving post-conflict shelter outcomes. It includes technical knowledge on blast impacts on buildings. In parallel, it adopts a self-recovery approach to post-conflict activities. Special thanks to Shea Chuey for research contributions on post-conflict engineering and Mbia Eloundou Boris for uploading these resources. | https://www.humanitarianlibrary.org/collection/building-waste-and-debris-management |
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology II (3)
PSY 280 Human Development: A Lifespan Perspective (3)
A study of the principles and characteristics of life-span development (birth to older adulthood) with particular
attention to physical, cognitive, psychological, moral, and faith development theories and research.
PSY 301 Research Methods in the Social Sciences (3)
This course acquaints students with experimental and non-experimental approaches and techniques used by researchers within the social sciences. In-class projects will provide hands-on experience in study design and data collection.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours in Social Sciences
PSY 302 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3)
An examination of the foundational principles and basic techniques of statistical analysis in the social sciences.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 320 Social Psychology (3)
Social psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on how humans think about, influence, and relate to one another. This course explores current research in the field of social psychology while also exploring several areas of specialization including attraction, persuasion, and prejudice.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 322 Exceptional Children (3)
An examination of the disorders and learning exceptionalities most commonly diagnosed in childhood, with a focus on how specific academic, social and cognitive difficulties and challenges affect children and adolescents in their classrooms, homes, and communities. Some attention to giftedness will be given within the context of an inclusive educational model.
Cross-listed: EDUC 322 Exceptional Children
Prerequisite(s): 6 credits of Psychology or permission of instructor
PSY 330 Theories of Personality (3)
Personality psychology is the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and functioning of differences between individuals. Why can two people react differently in the same situation? What makes up the cluster of characteristics that make you “you” as opposed to someone else? How do these differences come about? In this course, we will be studying a wide variety of approaches that psychologists have taken to examining these kinds of questions.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 336 Positive Psychology (3)
The study and analysis of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups, workplace environments, and institutions. Students will examine the many possible applications and issues involved with the psychological study of how to live well.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 340 Psychology of Sport and Exercise (3)
A study of the psychological theories and concepts influencing sport, exercise, and physical activity. Drawing upon recent research in social psychology, cognitive theory, and biopsychology, some attention will be given to more specialized topics such as motivation, goal setting, performance, anxiety, aggression, and performance intervention.
Cross-listed: KIN 340 Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 350 Cognitive Psychology (3)
This course focuses on how people perceive, learn, remember, and process information. Topics of study include, for example, cognitive neuroscience, perceptions, memory, language, and human and artificial intelligence.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 351 Psychology of Counselling (3)
This course will provide the student with theoretical knowledge and praxis in counselling psychology including exposure to various contemporary theoretical approaches. Topical treatment will be given to ethics, the nature of the counsellor-client relationship, and the development of fundamental counselling skills.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 277 Psychology of Counselling may not take this course for credit
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 379 Psychology of Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics (3)
An investigation and application of social psychological theory and methodology of a variety of topics related to the
study of greater self-awareness and interpersonal interactions. Topics of study include personality development and
style of relating, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, interpersonal communication, trust and self-disclosure,
interpersonal conflict, and influence and power in interpersonal relationships.
Note: Students with credit for PSY 279 Psychology of Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics may not take this course for credit
PSY 381 Psychology of Human Development: Children (3)
A study of the development of children to age 12. This study includes an examination of the biological, cognitive,
social, and spiritual growth of children. Topics include perception, sensory abilities, cognition, language acquisition,
attachment and social relationships, and spiritual development.
PSY 382 Psychology of Human Development: Adolescents (3)
A study of the developmental processes during adolescence. Consideration is given to such areas as physical,
cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual growth, and identity formation. Current concepts, issues, and research of
adolescent development are stressed.
PSY 383 Psychology of Human Development: Adults (3)
The study of normal psychological development from emerging adulthood through older adulthood. The study
includes such topics as theories of adulthood, methods of research, physiological development, psycho-social
development, intellectual development and learning, personality development, and faith development as well as
issues related to career development, marriage, family, and successful aging.
PSY 393 Specialized Study (3)
Offered occasionally to provide in-depth study in a topic in Psychology that is not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 401 History of Psychology (3)
An examination of the historical roots of psychology, with particular emphasis on the relationship between socio-cultural context and the emergence of key psychological theories and figures.
Cross-listed: HIS 401 History of Psychology
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 415 Abnormal Psychology (3)
A study of the most common psychopathological and behavioural disorders. In addition to discussing the etiology, symptomatology, and treatment of these disorders, this course will also examine current research and theoretical perspectives on abnormal behaviour, and how behavioural disorders evolve across the human lifespan.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology and the completion of 60 credit hours of study
PSY 430 Human Sexuality (3)
An examination of human sexual behaviour and attitudes toward sexuality. This course will examine current research with particular attention to the interrelated nature of biological, ethical, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology and the completion of 60 credit hours of study
PSY 441 Contemporary Counselling Issues (3)
This course explores relevant issues encountered when counselling within contemporary society. Divided into three
units, the course addresses ethical issues which guide the practice of counselling, counselling orientation, and some
of the more common counselling issues (e.g. addictions, family violence, grief, and sexual abuse). As available,
various helping agencies within the community are a part of the presentation.
PSY 443 Counselling and Contemporary Society (3)
An examination of counselling theory and practice and its relationship(s) to contemporary North American society, with particular emphasis on diverse and minority groups.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 351 Psychology of Counselling or permission of the instructor
PSY 448 Psychopharmacology (3)
This course will examine the pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of nosology and treatment planning. Attention will be given to the neuroscience of common affective disorders and drugs.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 450 Psychology of Religion (3)
Psychology of religion involves the application of psychological research methods and interpretive frameworks to diverse forms of religion and spirituality, encourages the incorporation of the results of such work into clinical and other applied settings, and fosters constructive dialogue and interchange between psychological study and practice on the one hand and between religious perspectives and institutions on the other. Practical applications in this course will emphasize how Christians can enter into constructive dialogue with the theoretical and empirical literature, examining psychological research from a Christian perspective, and employing, with discernment, the findings of the psychology of religion in their own faith lives.
Cross-listed: RLST 450 Psychology of Religion
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 471 Educational Psychology (3)
This course examines the application of social and psychological principles to the educative process; the role of the communicator and learner; motivation, intelligence, transfer, and measurement of learning; and the influence of cultural values and social structure upon education and educational institutions. Emphasis is also given to application of the principles of psychology to ministry.
Cross-listed: EDUC 471 Educational Psychology
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology
PSY 493 Specialized Study (3)
A seminar offered occasionally to provide in-depth study on a topic in Psychology that is not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit hours of Psychology and the completion of 60 credit hours of study
About Briercrest
Briercrest College and Seminary is a community of rigorous learning that calls students to seek the kingdom of God, to be shaped profoundly by the Scriptures, and to be formed spiritually and intellectually for lives of service.
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From 2009-2016 the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, in cooperation with The Louis Berger Group, Inc., collaborated to create a graduate internship/fellowship program that enabled Bloustein School Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) students to be considered for a comprehensive fellowship award and earn internship credit while taking on a professional experience internship at one of the leading consulting organizations in the country.
The Louis Berger Group strives to meet the needs of the communities it serves by working with clients to address current and upcoming issues related to key areas, both domestic and international. Areas of focus include environmental services, construction, transit, highways and bridges, aviation, and energy, as well as other planning, policy, and management activities. This program provided students the opportunity to complete and fund their educational experiences, and at the same time perform professional work with The Louis Berger Group under the direction of the organization’s senior level management in one of its
global offices.
To learn more about Louis Berger, visit the organization’s website at www.louisberger.com.
Andrew Balmer
A native New Yorker, Andrew Balmer has long had a passion for cities and transportation. His experience riding the city’s subway system laid the early groundwork for his interest in public transit, while his enthusiasm for cities has been informed by extensive domestic and international travel opportunities.
As an undergraduate architecture student at Columbia University, Andrew learned to appreciate the role of design in the planning realm. During that time, he also developed a deeper connection to the city he lived in by relying on a bicycle as his primary mode of transportation. As he became more attuned to matters of urban transportation planning, he began attending local community board meetings, at which he spoke publicly in favor of livable streets improvements and connected with like-minded advocates. He volunteered with Transportation Alternatives and Bike New York, conducting both editorial research and on-the-street outreach and education. Through an internship position with the Upper West Side Streets Renaissance, Andrew coordinated a comprehensive campaign to identify and gain political support for new bicycle rack sites in the neighborhood. While working on the CityBench program during an internship with the New York City Department of Transportation, he helped to coordinate the installation of street benches throughout the city.
This last internship was during a particularly exciting time for the NYC DOT, which was undertaking a wholesale rethinking of the city’s streets. As the agency installed protected bike lanes, pedestrian refuges islands, and other people-friendly amenities to the streetscape, Andrew was inspired by the power of transportation infrastructure to shape the city into a safer, healthier, and more inviting place. He is eager to embark on a career in planning that is informed by the lessons and best practices learned from the NYC DOT and from other progressive and innovative planning organizations.
Prior to attending graduate school, Andrew spent several years in the theater industry as a lighting and video technician, during which time he worked on four different touring productions that brought him (and his bicycle) to over sixty U.S. cities. He later drew upon both his theater experience and his architecture background while working as an assistant lighting designer at Focus Lighting, a New York-based architectural lighting design firm. Andrew credits these experiences with strengthening his design sensibilities, which he hopes to engage during his planning career.
Leonardo Cavalcanti
Born and raised in Goiânia, Brazil, Leonardo comes to Louis Berger as part of the Urban Renewal Program of the city of Colón, Panamá, after an entrepreneurial trajectory in his home country. With a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Universidade Federal de Goiás, Leonardo’s relationship with urban planning began during Brazil’s urban development in the 1990’s.
During his undergraduate career, Leonardo sought to end harmful real estate and infrastructure development in his hometown by applying his expertise in GIS and remote sensing to aid Goiânia’s communities. He also worked with community organizations and waste pickers’ cooperatives to ensure that development proposals accounted for environmental externalities in development sites.
In order to better understand cities in a global context, Leonardo attained two competitive scholarships to undertake academic and professional activities abroad. In the U.S. he was a Visiting Scholar through the CAPES/FIPSE Urban Planning and Sustainability Consortium, working closely with the city of San Fernando, California, to develop a community-based urban design project. In the United Kingdom, Leonardo spent one year at the University of Birmingham as a Visiting Scientist as part of the Science Without Borders Program funded by the Brazilian government.
Leonardo’s efforts culminated in the establishment of his own environmental consultancy via a business incubator program in Brazil, which focused on cost-effective solutions for municipalities with the goal of securing environmental justice in urban development. Through the use of open source software and imagery obtained via unmanned aerial vehicles, he spent three years working with local governments and state agencies to enact change and promote planning initiatives bound by strong ethical principles.
Leonardo is currently pursuing a Master’s in City and Regional Planning at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with a dual concentration in Transportation and Environmental Planning. He is also the co-chair for the International Development Interest Group (IDIG) at Rutgers University.
Luke Hansen
Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Luke Hansen was fortunate to spend much of his childhood traveling. While attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, where he majored in political science and business, Luke studied abroad in Australia. This experience intensified his passion for traveling and transformed him from a typical tourist into someone who enjoyed becoming fully immersed in local cultures. During his travels, he also began to understand how urban design and transportation systems affect the economic success of cities, and how improvements to both can generate positive gains. These experiences were extremely influential in Luke’s life and eventually led him down his current career path.
Following college, Luke attended law school at the University of North Dakota, where he received Order of the Coif distinction for finishing in the top 10% of his graduating class. He served as a judicial law clerk in Bismarck, North Dakota, before joining a law firm in Longview, Washington, as an associate attorney. Realizing he enjoyed being in the courtroom, Luke became a criminal prosecutor in Olympia, Washington, where, in addition to his duties in the traditional court system, he represented the State of Washington in Veterans Court and Drug Court. The environments of these specialty courts revealed to Luke that he prefers, and his skills would be better utilized in, a collaborative field. A move to New York offered Luke the opportunity to find such a field, while combining his love of traveling and interest in improving cities; urban planning proved to be the perfect fit.
In 2015, Luke entered the Master of City and Regional Planning program, with a concentration in Housing and Real Estate, at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. He has found urban planning, and especially real estate development, to be perfect extensions of his legal experience because laws and legal process play such an integral role in those fields. Luke plans on bringing together his urban planning and legal knowledge by utilizing small-scale development to restore neighborhoods, especially those with historic properties, so citizens will have a renewed sense of pride in their communities.
Chloe Strasser
Equally comfortable in a big city or rural area, Chloe Strasser grew up in two very different cultures –California and Southern Africa. Daily, she saw the consequences of poor urban planning decisions while living in Lusaka, Zambia, whether it was a community grappling with extreme poverty or inadequate water and sanitation, traffic congestion, lack of affordable housing, or environmental degradation.
As a teenager, she volunteered with disadvantaged children in South Africa and Zambia, witnessing firsthand the plight of vulnerable children, AIDS orphans, and the role that safe play has in psycho-social development. Her high school International Baccalaureate Independent project revolved around the matter of play and vulnerable children, designing and supervising the construction of two large playgrounds in Lusaka, Zambia so she could give back to the community she called home. Her work included hiring a construction team, designing the structures, financial budgeting, and procuring materials. Overwhelmed by seeing disadvantaged children enjoying these completed projects, Chloe began to see her calling in purpose-built infrastructure.
After graduating high school, she attending the University of California–Irvine where she received dual degrees in urban studies and public health policy. She interned in the Washington, DC office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, where she completed research for the legislative representative for international policy in areas such as hunger, women’s rights, and HIV and advocated for sustained and strengthened funding for comprehensive HIV and AIDS programs. Chloe also participated in international research on malaria incidence under the supervision of a public health faculty member, and assisted with geospatial data entry and map creation for reports to the Lutheran Malaria Program. She later joined a land entitlement agency, where she reviewed financial spread sheets, researched prospective development sites, determined property eligibility, and prepared zoning summaries.
She worked for a brief period as a grant writer for the economic development department of a city in LA county, where she conducted site surveys, worked with engineers to create project estimates, and secured funding for various projects. All of these experiences influenced her to further her technical skills and knowledge related to city planning. At the Bloustein School, she is concentrating in international planning and public health while also working towards a geographic information system (GIS) certificate. This last semester she took an independent study course where she gained the ability to plan reliable sanitation and water supply systems that utilize local resources and human capital congruent with local customs.
Channing Bickford
Channing Bickford grew up in northern Vermont where he developed a philosophy of service to the community. He attended Marlboro College in southern Vermont, studying with the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies which was followed by an independent study abroad . While in Beijing he worked with Future Generations China to plan, promote, carry out and solicit corporate donations for the “Green Long March,” a nation-wide youth conservation movement. In 2008 he graduated with honors from Marlboro College receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and concentrating in Chinese environmental development as well as green architecture.
After graduation, Channing returned to Beijing where he earned a CELTA language teaching certification and a Level 4 HSK Chinese Language Proficiency Certification. He lived in Beijing for five years, working as a language and communications instructor at various schools and companies. This ranged from teaching PhD candidates at Peking Union Medical College and foreign-bound high school students at Beijing Number 101 High School international program. In Beijing Channing continued his commitment to service, teaching at the Xin Xin Migrant School and volunteering as a photographic image technician with Operation Smile Handan mission.
In 2014 Channing left China to pursue the MCRP at the Bloustein School, where he has dual concentrations in environment and physical planning and in transportation planning. He has continued his commitment to service while at the Bloustein School, co-founding the “Spokes Education” bicycle safety program for disadvantaged youth in New Brunswick, and working to start a student-led service group to strengthen ties to the community. Channing is currently working as a ferry policy intern at the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance in New York City.
Jonathan Castaneda
Jonathan Castaneda comes to Louis Berger following a professional trajectory in government and nonprofit management, including two stints in federal executive departments and two in federal legislative offices. A first-generation American of Cuban and Colombian descent and a lifelong resident of West New York, NJ, he has been shaped by the experiences of his family, his neighbors and his community. Growing up in an environment of socioeconomic uncertainty, immigration disputes and security issues, his academic and professional aspirations to improve the quality of life and the socioeconomic opportunities for his family and his community were defined from an early age.
Jonathan graduated from Seton Hall University’s John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations with a B.S. in Diplomacy and International Relations. He focused his research on democratization and the effects of security and inequality on electoral behavior in Latin America. He later earned a Master of Public Administration with honors from the same institution, with a concentration in Leadership, Governance, and Policy.
He interned for Asociación Tepeyac de Nueva York, where he lobbied New York State legislators for passage of NY Dream Act legislation. While working toward his undergraduate degree, Jonathan assisted in the district office of U.S. Congressman Albio Sires, working with constituents, local organizations, and local officials in the district to gauge policy saliency and seek ways to efficiently provide services to the community. Shortly after, Jonathan was selected by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute as one of 14 Public Policy Fellows from around the country, and the only representative from New Jersey. There, Jonathan worked as an Export Control Policy Fellow at the Bureau of Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce with Under Secretary Hirschhorn and his dedicated team on reforming the export control system under President Obama’s Export Control Initiative. He also had the distinct opportunity to work with Senator Robert Menendez as the Hispanic Affairs Fellow, working with the Senator’s communications and legislative team on policy that had the potential to impact the 55 million Hispanic/Latinos who reside in the United States. More recently, Jonathan has complemented his full-time academic studies with the mission of locating, screening and re-housing the homeless Veteran population in Bergen and Hudson counties on behalf of North Hudson Community Action Corporation. Jonathan is pursuing his Masters in City and Regional Planning with concentrations in Transportation Planning and International/Regional Development, on track to graduating in May 2016.
Roman Titov
Born in Minsk, Belarus and raised in Brooklyn, Roman Titov embarked on the American dream upon graduating from SUNY Farmingdale with a dual bachelor’s degree in architecture and construction management. While professionally engaged in the construction contracting industry, specializing in capital infrastructure projects, including streetscapes and pedestrian improvements, Roman played a project management role on two unique contracts, Imagination Playground and Bushwick Inlet Park.
Imagination Playground is an innovative recreational park and landmark for children, which was built within the historic South Street Seaport district of Manhattan. This project featured an opening day ceremony with the former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the international magazine Time Out has selected it as one of the best playgrounds in New York City. Bushwick Inlet Park is a LEED Platinum-certified park and headquarters for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. It is located on the redeveloped industrial waterfront of Williamsburg, Brooklyn and has been branded as one of the Top Ten Green Projects for 2014 by the American Institute of Architects.
In 2012 Roman’s professional career came to an intermission upon being awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for graduate study in Canada, where he achieved a Master of Science degree in civil engineering with a specialization in project management from the University of Calgary. The decision to pursue a second graduate degree in city and regional planning was justified by a goal to ground his management, engineering, and architectural background in a growing and associated field that serves a higher social purpose.
Ai Yamanaka
Born and raised in New York, Ai was always drawn to the dynamism of cities and diverse cultures. But it wasn’t just cities—her childhood experiences of summers in the rural villages of Japan left lasting impressions of how people and communities can learn to live sustainably. Having had the opportunity to grow up in New York, study in Moscow and Maine, and live and work in Kyoto and Vancouver, she became inspired to learn more about cities’ physical infrastructure systems, particularly transportation networks and streetscapes, which determine a community’s economic viability and livability.Together with her interests in sustainable living, her studies now focus on transit-oriented development and environmental planning using GIS and data analysis.
Ai draws from a multidisciplinary background. She attended Colby College as a Posse scholar and majored in International Relations and East Asian Studies. She wrote an undergraduate senior honors thesis on the socioeconomic impacts of local food in Japan based upon her year-long study abroad experience in Kyoto. She graduated from Colby with a Leila M. Forster Leadership Award and an Honors in East Asian Studies.
Ai has experience in international sales and management. She served as a team leader for a multi-national serviced office company, where she oversaw a portfolio of nearly 10 million yen per annum with clients that included Japanese, Australian, and American businesses. In her role, she supervised a team, coordinated networking events for clients, and managed a floor of service and tenancy contracts. This past year, Ai worked for the Bloustein School’s Environmental Analysis and Communications Research Group, where she authored a report on the risks of climate change for socially vulnerable populations in New Jersey. She currently works for the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority under their Enterprise Asset Management department with the Division of Car Equipment on component serialization and database management. She has been assigned to the Paris office, where she will be working on LBG’s Port Lekki project in Nigeria.
Guadalupe Gutierrez-Escribano
A native of the Loma Hermosa (“Beautiful Bump”) section of Buenos Aires, Guadalupe Gutierrez-Escribano first understood the possibilities of urban planning following her own childhood and young adult experiences. While working with a local non-profit before her final year of college, she was shocked to discover the sheer numbers of people living in impoverished slum areas without access to clean water and food. While trying to understand how politics and increased access to education could compel change, she attended a conference at the University of Buenos Aires that set her thoughts in a new direction, discovering that first and foremost infrastructure planning—changing the city itself— was before cultural and social stagnation could be addressed. At the Bloustein School Guadalupe’s focus is in both infrastructure planning and methods. Her primary interests are in the design of transportation networks, social housing strategies, providing systems for potable water, energy and waste management, and the development of community facilities, with the understanding that the design of such would not be possible without a comprehensive analysis of the factors that impact urban areas. Her professional goal is to improve social mobility, and the resulting human and economic development, through the renovation of urban areas in impoverished regions of the developing world, primarily in Latin America. Guadalupe was assigned to the company’s Panama City office to work on the Involuntary Resettlement Project for Chan II. Panama is going through an energy crisis, which led the nation’s leaders to decide to build two dams –Chan I and Chan II –on Changuinola, the largest river in Bocas del Toro Province of Panama. Both dams will inundate a large area in the rain forest, an area where indigenous groups of the Gnabe people live. Exclusively involved in this project, Guadalupe was appointed to design the survey instrument, an algorithm to measure the communities’ vulnerability levels and relocation preferences.
Katharine Magiera
Katharine Magiera credits three specific opportunities as having profoundly shaped her perspective as a planner. While participating in a study abroad program with the Council on International Exchange (CIEE) in Tokyo, Japan she lived with a local family in central Tokyo for 6 months, where she was immersed in the culture and language on a daily basis. In addition to taking an intensive language course, she also studied international economics and modern Japanese fiction at the prestigious Sophia University. Later, As part of a 10-month senior thesis project as an undergraduate at Barnard, she became interested in working on innovative, large-scale projects in a professional setting while researching her findings on Dubai’s (United Arab Emirates) planned infrastructure and industrial developments since oil discovery in the mid-1960s. And just prior to enrolling at EJB, she left a 4-year career in the financial sector to spend time in Pompidou, France as a volunteer with Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), during which time she learned the basics of working in an agricultural environment. Having experienced traveling in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, she was fascinated with the intersection of makeshift and planned transportation infrastructure in cities with extreme density, while noting that developing cities must focus on extending and rebuilding existing transit networks to improve urban mobility to consider critical environmental, socioeconomic, and technical issues. Working for LBG’s Transport Economics Group out of the Paris office, she is involved with three projects: an infrastructure assessment in Burkina Faso, which has an uneven road system and faces additional development; a major traffic study in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR) where she is conducting an analysis on how the country’s socioeconomic situation and tourism industry have influenced current traffic conditions, and how these factors are projected to change over the next 20 years; and a project helping to map the private sector investor network in Africa.
Patrick Salemme
After graduating from Brown University with dual concentrations in economics and international relations, Patrick Salemme worked for Merrill Lynch, where he supported a top team of institutional financial advisors and worked to improve internal business processes. He later joined their Supply Chain Executive Board, where he was responsible for research project management, including development of plug-and-play tools and the publication of annual research findings in demand planning and supply chain management. Before enrolling at the Bloustein School/Rutgers Business School joint MCRP/MBA program he interned at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Watershed Management, where he helped build a mathematical model to help the DEP allocate Clean Water Act funds more efficiently, as well as with the Regional Planning and Development office of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he was able to contribute to ongoing research on macroeconomic drivers of transportation. With the knowledge that much of the world lacks the physical, institutional, and social infrastructure to empower individuals to create a future that is better for their children, his interest in economic development has crystallized into belief in the transformative power of physical infrastructure and the crucial role of private firms in making tomorrow a better place. His ultimate career aspiration is to work in a consultant role to help clients to frame and understand the service offerings that will help solve the complex problems of growth. He is currently supporting LBG’s Integrated Development Division as a Senior Analyst leading the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) portfolio. In this position, Patrick is responsible for the development of LBG’s proposal document for DMIC’s next major Request for Proposal (RFP), a 165 square kilometer greenfield mixed-use city project known as the Khushkhera-Bhiwadi-Neemrana Investment Region (KBNIR), which will incorporate extensive non-motorized transport and mass transit as well as IT infrastructure for “smart” city management.
Ruchi Shrivastava
Ruchi Shrivastava earned her architecture degree from India’s Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, during which time she interned at several architecture and construction practices in India. She went on to work with several leading architecture and construction firms in Bangalore, India, assisting senior architects in design development and creating construction documents for residential, commercial and interiors projects as well as a multinational company with global presence and a wide range of projects and services in engineering, design, procurement and construction. Working with international professionals who studied and worked on projects abroad helped her acknowledge that global exposure gives a different perspective towards design, planning, and the construction process, and that architecture, planning, and construction cannot be practiced in isolation from the other. Having a long time dream of attaining her education abroad, her goal is to specialize in transportation and environmental planning and earn a certificate in GIS in order to address the future challenges in urban context related to transportation, infrastructure and environment. Ruchi is involved in transportation and infrastructure planning projects in LBG’s Mumbai office.. She is working on the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, which is a rapid transit rail project being constructed in Navi Mumbai. She has also been involved in the Juhu Vile Parle Depot (JVPD) junction improvement project which plans to improve the JVPD junction in order to reduce traffic congestion and avert the over-crowded JVPD junction in Mumbai.
Medha Dixit
Medha Dixit grew up in the small town of Mathura, India, where engineering and medicine were the prominent areas of academic exposure. She was encouraged by her parents, both academics, to explore other areas and developed an interest in urban planning. Having traveled internationally to many places including Australia and France, Medha gained an appreciation and understanding of diverse environments as well as an interest in the differences in policies, urban environments, lifestyles and cultures affecting planning practices. Medha’s interest in
the Berger fellowship came from her desire to work in fragile, post conflict and developing nations. As part of her fellowship, she is excited for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of working in Kuwait on a Traffic Study project which will contribute greatly towards her major in transportation planning. She previously earned a bachelor of architecture and a master of urban design from India as well as a diploma in urban development from France. She is hopeful that her previous experience working as an architect, research consultant and urban designer in India, combined with the new fellowship opportunities, will further her perspective that a holistic and multidisciplinary
approach is vital to all planning and development projects within built or natural environments. With her interest in transportation planning, Medha will assist LBG officials who are working with the Kuwait Ministry of Public Works to upgrade Jahra Road and Jamal Nasser Road, the two main arterial roads leading to downtown Kuwait City.
Allison Fahey
Allison Fahey completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana University–Bloomington, where she received a bachelor of arts in Communication and Culture and a minor in Tourism Management. Having fond memories of the walkability and bikeability of Bloomington, she realized that seeing people out on the streets “out and about”provided a sense of place and community. Her choice to further her study in urban planning came following a move to California, where she again discovered the livability of the town of Coronado, a pedestrian-friendly town that encouraged a healthy and enjoyable way of life and inspired community involvement. Allison moved to the East Coast to join the Bloustein School’s MCRP program while also taking a job with Louis Berger’s proposal team, using her communications skills to help draft materials for proposals, qualification packages and client presentations. There she received an up-close-and-personal view of the technical side of urban planning and how urban planning professionals work to create livable and sustainable communities through design, rehabilitation and improvement of environments such as infrastructure, transportation corridors, utilities and housing. Allison’s goals are to encourage positive change by developing an understanding of how the facets of a community are interconnected and to help others by implementing changes that ensure a better life for all residents. While in Paris, Allison will be working alongside Louis Berger staff to improve Program Management methodology (schedules, budget follow-up, information-sharing, among others) based on her experience with U.S. transportation projects.
Rewa Marathe
Rewa Marathe is a native of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. She enrolled in the Bloustein School’s urban planning program following her work and study in architecture in Indore, India and spent five years as an undergraduate working to understand the complex nature of people and their interactions with the buildings they design and work in; she came to Bloustein with the intention of gaining a better understanding of built environments. Her interest in planning is geared toward active design for the general public, in particular furthering how the use of public transportation and urban design can promote human-powered modes of transportation that support healthier lifestyles. While at EJB she has worked with the school’s Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center on the Sustainable Communities grant project, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this capacity she has gained insight into planning processes and issues in the U.S. and in New Jersey in particular. She has also been working for Rutgers Center for Green Building, mapping occupant responses for buildings participating in Post Occupancy Building Evaluations. She brings both international architectural experience and cultural sensitivity to the planning process as well as the goal of assisting on projects that will improve a community’s physical, social, and economic infrastructure. In Qatar, Rewa will be working alongside Louis Berger staff in overseeing the continued development of Education City, which aims to combine world renowned educational institutions with social, commercial and cultural facilities and integrating the development with the historical sites in the area. With her interest in physical planning and architectural background, Education City is the ideal project for her.
Elizabeth Shulman
Elizabeth Shulman is dedicated to utilizing planning as a way to improve the world. She experienced firsthand how poverty and poor planning affected people’s lives in a six-week post-high school trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. She chose to attend the University of Southern California and work toward a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Management and Planning as a step toward reinforcing her idea that all places should be developed sustainably. After college she spent a year in Israel and the West Bank where she interned for a non-profit organization, which brought Israeli and Palestinian youth together. There she observed the lack of interest in creating a solid transportation infrastructure that would connect these two areas of conflict. While earning her master’s degree Elizabeth interned with both Morris and Passaic County through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, learning tools of how a region’s government struggles to meet the demands of its residents while trying to maintain a sustainable and environmentally responsible area. While in Paris, Elizabeth will be working alongside a team of Louis Berger port specialists to provide transaction advisory service relating to a major port privatization program in Brazil.
David Koch
David Koch’s areas of interest include transportation in the realm of rail and mass transit, post-conflict management, and natural resource management. Before his arrival at the Bloustein School, David spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Macedonia, where he was made aware of both the challenges and successes surrounding international development. He became involved in several small-scale, grant funded development projects successfully aimed at helping the local community and worked with local English teachers to improve teaching methods, curriculum implementation, and extracurricular activities in his community’s primary and secondary schools. As part of the Berger fellowship, David hopes to gain stronger understanding of the planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring involved in the creation of successful international projects that produce real benefits for the communities that they are designed to help. David will spend time in the Louis Berger Group’s Paris, France office before heading to Cameroon, where Berger is involved with construction of a deepwater port in the coastal city of Kribi. David will assist the project’s team leader to complete the port’s design review.
Matthew Kusy
Matthew Kusy has developed a passion and enthusiasm for making a difference in communities through economic development and intelligent planning. While living in Philadelphia, Matthew’s interest in planning grew through his involvement with the city’s Green 2015 Action Plan, the Central Delaware Riverfront Plan, and the Philadelphia 2035 Comprehensive Plan. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at Cornell University, Matthew had the opportunity to work on sustainable transit-oriented development projects designed to increase the quality of life for local residents and spur economic development in neighboring regions. Matthew looks to gain a better understanding of the global problems facing much of society today, and to help create planning solutions that will reduce disparities between different societal classes while reaching across global borders. With his interest in economic growth and development and physical planning, Matthew will be assisting Louis Berger Group engineers currently working with the Kuwait Ministry of Public Works to upgrade several main arterial roads feeding traffic into the downtown area of Kuwait City.
Areej Sabzwari
Areej Sabzwari is hoping to combine her undergraduate education and work experience as an architect with planning knowledge and apply both locally and internationally, using strategies that will impact not just a building but a city or a country. As a junior architect working with a firm specializing in educational facilities in the tri-state area, and previously as an intern at Madison Square Garden for the MSG Arena Transformation, she developed an attachment that was more than just the design of form but more with how a city functions as a whole. While earning her master’s degree Areej is concentrating in land use and comprehensive planning, and believes that her diverse ethnic background provides her with a unique planning perspective. Having lived in three countries, she has come to understand that planning exists in every aspect of life, and would like to become part of a project that affects the development of a city from a different perspective. In Qatar, Areej will be working with Louis Berger staff in overseeing construction of Education City, which aims to combine the development of world renowned educational institutions with social, commercial, and cultural facilities and integrating the development with the historical sites in the area. Having a passion for design and physical development, Education City is the ideal project for her.
Joshua Wilcox
Joshua Wilcox’s work monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs developed his interest in planning. Because human health is linked with the built environment, basic infrastructure issues must be addressed in order to achieve improved health outcomes. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Inhambane province in Mozambique, he learned that many patients were unable to continue treatment due to economic and infrastructure problems—long traveling distances, unpaved roads, and poor or non-existent public transportation caused patients to miss two days of work and food just to receive follow up care—highlighting the need to plan for and development critical infrastructure. Joshua has focused his studies in the area of GIS, believing that this can revolutionize spatial awareness and highlight the interplay of seemingly disparate factors such as transportation routes, income levels, and disease indices in the neighborhoods ,cities, and regions where we live and work. Joshua will be involved in the development of a feasibility study for the refurbishment, upgrading and development of sanitation and drainage systems in Mozambique and assist with the design of a low-cost sanitation implementation program, taking into account environmental and socio-economic aspects of the local communities.
David Burgy
David Burgy’s interest in the Berger Fellowship came out of a desire to help close the infrastructure gap between developed and developing countries. This gap, he believes, is responsible for much of the unhealthy and unsanitary living conditions for many people around the world. As an MCRP at the Bloustein School, he has an interest in sustainable cities, coordinated transportation systems, small-scale agriculture, and community organizing. He is also a research assistant at the Rutgers Center for Green Building, where he helps generate reports on green building strategies to inform public and private sectors about innovative solutions. David is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where he earned a BS in engineering and a BA in political science. He participated in two summer fellowships, the first performing an environmental study on the ground- and surface-water near a wastewater treatment plant in Maryland, the second conducting experiments to determine how to remove bacteria from urban stormwater runoff. He is interested in working on projects involving transportation infrasttucture expansion and water supply and sewerage planning, drawing upon his technical background to help him achieve his professional goal of assisting with sustainable infrastructure planning in developing nations. With a background in engineering and interests in transportation planning and infrastructure in the developing world, David is an ideal fit for the company’s transportation projects in Mumbai, India.
Michael Cassidy
Michael Cassidy maintains a strong belief in actively involving community members in the planning and design of public projects. He contends that through paricipating in preliminary research, technical design, and plan implementation, community members will develop a heightened degree of self-sufficiency. Michael believes that community enrichment improves the sustainability of public efforts, and as a part of his fellowship would like to help apply the Berger Group’s commitment to involving communities in the
planning process. Michael graduated from the Rutgers University College of Engineering with a bachelors of science in civil
engineering, and obtained his professional engineering license in 2009. Since graduating from Rutgers he has focused on serving both the private and public sectors through engineering, surveying, and construction. As the assistant to the City Engineer in Union City, NJ, he has a strong background in capital improvement projects, including transportation infrastructure and recreation facilities, as well as experience in private residential, nonresidential, and mixed-use development. Michael will join Berger’s Mauritius office this summer on the expansion of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport passenger terminal.
Kristin Crandall
Kristin Crandall is a dual MCRP/MPP student at the Bloustein School, where she is focusing on community and economic development. After earning a BA in International Affairs from Lewis and Clark College in 2003, Kristin continued living in Portland, Oregon, where she spent six years working on Multnomah County’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative system reform efforts, teaching GED at Mt. Hood Community College, and collaborating on a variety of other community-
based initiatives. Experiencing many of the challenges of engaging communities in advocacy work, building public/private partnerships, and developing and implementing policies around complex urban issues inspired Kristin to pursue a graduate education in urban planning and public policy. Kristin has a strong interest in learning about effective methods of project management, outcome tracking and evaluation, and successful collaborative strategies for improving the way systems
function. Last summer, Kristin served as a Wachovia Housing Scholar with the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey where she applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills to help advance state community development policy efforts. A fluent Spanish speaker, Kristin will assist Berger’s Costa Rica team with preparation of air traffic forecasts and financial feasibility analysis models as part of LBG’s Route Promotion Project with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
Katherine Nosker
The global nature of the internship opportunity of the Berger Fellowship is of great interest to Katherine Nosker, especially as relates to projects associated with sustainability, planning, and community development. Katherine was a sociology major at The College of New Jersey, where she studiedhow and why people behave the way they do.The theoretical background of sociology provided a useful base from which to transition to the more applied field of planning. Her concentration in the community development program as part of the Bloustein School’s MCRP program stems from projects she worked on as a Research Associate at Regional Plan Association of New York, advocating for transportation equity, researching how community land trusts are taxed, and contributing to research on how to improve the functionality and capacity of the New York region’s airports. She also served in a volunteer capacity for the transportation committee and “green team” committee for South Orange, NJ, working with the parking authority to improve functionality and ridership rates of the local jitney and assisting the township’s sustainability certification in the Sustainable Jersey program. Katherine is also an intern at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at the Bloustein School, assisting with the center’s work creating performance measures for the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets policy. As part of her fellowship, Katherine is interested in working on projects related to international sustainability planning. Katherine will join the USAID-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao project in the Philippines to help supervise a large, field-based impact assessment of the Computer Literacy and Internet Connection Program.
Rebecca Gerber
Rebecca Gerber is an MCRP student at the Bloustein School, where she is focusing on housing and community development. Prior to arriving at Rutgers, she worked on economic development and neighborhood improvement projects for two Business Improvement Districts in New York City: the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc., in Lower Manhattan, and the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Rebecca also spent a year living in Jerusalem, Israel where she served as an intern for The Jerusalem Foundation, an organization that has funded many of the city’s largest infrastructure projects, cultural centers, and educational institutions.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Rebecca has always been interested in the development of cities and the diversity of urban life. She received a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College in 2003, majoring in Urban Studies with a concentration in History. After living in Manhattan and Caldwell, N.J. for several years, Rebecca has recently relocated to the Philadelphia area.
As a Louis Berger Group Fellow, Rebecca will spend the summer of 2010 living and working in Davao City, the Philippines, a rapidly developing city located on the eastern coast of Mindanao, the Philippines’ southernmost island. She will be working with the Workforce Development team of the Berger Group’s Growth Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program, which seeks to prepare under-served populations in the region for better employment opportunities. Rebecca is grateful for the opportunity to obtain valuable international planning experience in the Philippines this summer, and looks forward to developing a better understanding of the development and equity challenges currently facing Southeast Asia.
Patrick Jensen
Patrick Jensen, a first-year MCRP embodies the “Jersey Roots, Global Reach” spirit of Rutgers. Patrick was born in New Brunswick, N.J.; raised in Sayreville, N.J.; and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 2004 from Rutgers University. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Patrick spent four and a half years working for JPMorgan Chase as part of a global software development team on a website that was used by clients throughout the world.
During his time at JPMorgan Chase, Patrick worked in New York, N.Y. and Columbus, Oh. When he was not working he spent time visiting a diverse array of North American cities, which inspired him to return to school for a degree in urban planning. Since enrolling at the Bloustein School, he has focused his studies on how urban design can encourage increases in walking, cycling, and transit usage in cities and the benefits that result from increases in these economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable forms of transportation.
During his Berger internship, Patrick will be spending the summer in Mauritius, an island nation off of the east coast of Africa, where he will be doing program management work on a project to expand the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Patrick is looking forward to applying the skills and knowledge he gained in New Jersey to projects of international importance.
Steve Michejda
Steve Michejda is an MCRP student originally from Berkeley Heights, N.J. He completed a Bachelors of Arts in Metropolitan Studies through the Individualized Concentration Program at the University of Michigan. In addition to two summer internships at NJ Transit, Steve has worked at Radin Consulting, Inc. where he prepared National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for public transit projects. Following his collegiate experience he spent four years in the Washington, D.C. area as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyst at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in the US Department of Defense.
Having traveled to more than twenty countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, Steve views himself as a world citizen ready to share the vision of Berger Group and “produce a positive contribution to society.” Fascinated by how people interact with the built environment both domestically and internationally, he is focusing his studies on real estate, housing, and physical planning with the prospect of working on projects that can improve the quality of life and foster a sense of community.
Steve’s fellowship will provide him the opportunity to work in San Jose, Costa Rica on projects pertaining to airline capacity modeling, such as the Airline Route Development Project for the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT).
David Stanek
David Stanek is an MCRP focusing on international development and physical/environmental planning. In addition to being a full-time student, David currently works for the School’s Center for Urban Policy Research as a graduate associate and is a member of the Rutgers Association for Planning and Policy Students executive board.
Born and raised in Byram Township, N.J., David studied both music composition and international relations as an undergraduate at Lehigh University. Exploring his interests in international development, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked for the non-profit U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Accustomed to suburban living, it was in Washington that David discovered his appreciation for cities – the conveniences and opportunities they afford as well as the complexities and challenges they present.
In the beginning of 2008, David traveled to Mauritania where he studied Arabic for eight months. Upon returning to the U.S. (and back to New Jersey), he worked as a second grade teacher’s aide before beginning his studies at the Bloustein School.
David will work at the Berger Group’s international headquarters in Washington, D.C. on the Inma Agribusiness Program in Iraq, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Inma, which means “growth” in Arabic, is a comprehensive program aimed at improving the livelihoods of Iraqi farmers and bolstering Iraq’s agriculture industry. With this opportunity, David hopes to gain a valuable perspective on the development industry and discover the potential for forward-looking planners to serve an international constituency. | https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/graduate/prospective/funding-and-support-for-prospective-graduate-students/louis-berger-fellowship-program/ |
All Postman examples provided in these guides are set with the capability to run as a full collection or as individual endpoints. They will not simply run as soon as they are imported into Postman, however, as you will need to add some necessary parameters for authentication such as a valid VNTANA account email / password and Organization and Client / Folder slugs.
To begin, go to the collection view for the Postman collection you wish to run, and set the Global Variable url to the base url of the VNTANA Admin API: https://api-platform.vntana.com. Then, navigate to the Pre-request Script tab of the Collection, shown below, and check what variables need to be set before it can run. Note: these can also be set in the Variables tab if desired, but not all of these need to be used for each collection.
In the above example, four variables are set in the Pre-request Script which are later used by various endpoints to determine what information needs to be stored. The slugs are used to pick the Organization and Client / Folder to use for the collection. Once the globals are set, if you wish to run the collection in its entirety, you will have to ensure the Pre-request Scripts for each endpoint are not commented out and the Header parameters that are needed for the endpoint (i.e. x-auth-token) are deactivated. This will allow each endpoint to set the required data for the next endpoint. If you wish to not use the scripts at all, simply comment out or delete any Pre-request Script you encounter and manually set the values as you need them for each endpoint.
To run any collection as a full collection simply click the three dots by the collection name and select ‘Run collection’.
From here you will need to select which endpoints to run. Only select one of the Login endpoints (depending on your preference) and if you have Organization level access deselect ‘Refresh Token Client’ (for more information on User access levels view this guide).
Then, simply press ‘Run Create Tags’ and check the output. Note: running as a collection will not show the full output of any endpoints, for this you will have to run them individually and check the Response output.
Additionally, for the final endpoint of the Product creation process, in order to stream the file data through Postman you need to ensure you are passing the file as ‘binary’ data in the Body, not as ‘form-data’, and you also may need to permit Postman to upload files that are stored outside the Postman workspace (or just place the files in the Postman workspace). In order to change this setting go to File > Settings and the General Tab, scroll down to ‘Working directory’ and toggle the setting ‘Allow reading files outside working directory’. | https://www.vntana.com/resource/postman/ |
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· Relevant tertiary degree in Human Behavioural sciences or related fields
· Registered Industrial Psychologist would be an advantage
· 3+ years relevant experience in the field of organisation development and effectiveness
· Proven track record of delivering organisational effectiveness with excellent skills and experience in research, benchmarking, designing and developing frameworks, policies, tools and business metric to develop organisational structures and capabilities
· Strategic corporate thinking ability
· Manage, support and implement the OD plan successfully
· Excellent interpersonal skills
· Must be highly organized and possess effective planning skills
· Problem solving ability
· Ability to motivate and inspire others
· Relationship Ability
· Excellent written, oral communication and advocacy skills.
· Must possess strategic reporting skills
Requirements
Additional Requirements
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
· Review client organisational structures and make recommendations on capabilities and ways of working that enable innovation, collaboration, team cohesion, agility and speed of execution.
· internal and external research, benchmarking and analytics that provide appropriate insights to direct the people strategy and practices for various clients
· Work with the business to implement changes, programs and practices in such a way that the business is enabled to be accountable
· Implement Organizational Development plan and provisions for various projects
· Assist in devloping a range of organizational development activities and interventions to support structural and cultural change of clients.
· Ensure that the Organizational Development Plan supports continuous improvement
· Assist in setting and monitoring objectives aligned to the client expectations and project deliverables
· Recommend practical solutions to organizational and people development issues faced by various clients.
· Understand client/project needs to develop and implement integrated people plans, initiatives and solutions in response to deliver to scope of work.
· Assist in designing and implementing change management initiatives aligned to people strategy to improve productivity and build and drive a high-performance culture.
· Provide specialised organisational development support to implementation team and committees
· Partner with the rest of team to deliver effective, efficient, integrated and value-added OD solutions
· Partner with team in building capabilities for driving the implementation of a high performance within projects
· Actively seek to understand existing and new strategic and cultural issues and ensure the implementation of effective Organisational Development programmes and interventions to address the issues.
· Coach, advise and provide tools to leaders to successfully lead change
· Effectively use diagnostic tools and monitor results to determine the success of interventions.
· Design and develop methodologies to address OD needs of prospective clients.
· Conduct job grading using Paterson and populate reports.
· Design and update role profiles
· Using various tools and research to perform salary benchmarking exercises.
Detailed Description
To support the research, design and deliver frameworks, practices and tools to effectively deliver Organisational Development interventions to clients. These include job profile writing, job evaluations, salary benchmarking, change management and training interventions.
About the Company
Ziyana Business Consulting and Training is a fully integrated solutions provider dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service, and furnishing an enjoyable atmosphere at an acceptable price/ value relationship.
We also maintain a friendly, fair, and creative work environment, which respects diversity, ideas, and hard work. We are 100% black owned and majority black female owned. We are an accredited training provider with Services SETA being our primary SETA. We are affiliated with the SABPP as well as APSO.
Ziyana Business Consulting and Training is a people management solutions provider. Our business is people centered and solutions driven. As a solutions provider, Ziyana Business Consulting and Training goes beyond the call of duty to gain understanding of our client’s strategies, the markets in which they operate in and the skills they need to achieve their business objectives.
We assist organizations develop their employment value proposition (EVP). For SMMEs and organizations that lack HR capacity, we provide a holistic people management solution. For larger organizations, we assist the HR department with specific interventions whilst transferring skills, knowledge and experience, supported where necessary by formal training programmes. | https://www.ziyanaconsulting.co.za/jobs/od-consultant- |
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an analysis technique which allows for measurement of a mixture of chemicals at very low concentrations. The analysis is conducted in two steps: separation and detection. GC-MS is used for many applications, including illegal drug screening, doping analysis in sports, detection of pesticides in foods, and detection of explosive compounds for airport security.
Fig. 1 A GC-MS instrument (above), and (below) the same instrument (Agilent 7010 Series Triple Quadrupole GC-MS) with the oven door open to show the column, which is 60 meters long and has an inner diameter of 0.25 millimeters. The gas chromatograph is located in the right half of the instrument, and the mass spectrometer is the left half of the instrument.
Gas chromatography (GC) is a process by which chemicals are separated based on their physical and chemical properties. The sample is vaporized and injected into a long thin polymer-coated glass tube (called a GC column) with gas flowing through it. The column is stored in an oven, which allows heating of the sample to aid vaporization. As the sample vapor is carried through the column, various chemicals in the sample have a stronger tendency to “stick” to the polymer coating, and thus take longer to pass through. At the end of the column, the separated chemicals will exit the column and be detected in pulses, or chromatographic peaks.
Fig 2. A GC-MS chromatogram, showing the response of the detector over time. Each peak on the chromatogram represents an individual chemical. Peaks farther to the left are compounds that passed quickly through the column and exited earlier, while peaks to the right took longer to move through the column, and thus were detected later.
Mass spectrometry (MS) is a type of detector that can be placed at the end of a GC column to detect the chemicals after they are separated. While other detectors may detect chemicals by thermal conductivity, combustion energy, or electronegativity, MS measures compound masses. Within a mass spectrometer, chemicals are bombarded with high energy radiation until they are fragmented, or broken into smaller ions. These ions are then measured by a mass selective detector to produce a mass spectrum, which is unique for each chemical. This mass spectrum allows chemicals with different mass to be analyzed separately, even if they exit the GC column at the same time (co-elution).
Fig 3. The mass spectrum of DDT. Higher peaks indicated more abundant ion fragments, while smaller peaks are less abundant. Mass spectra for many compounds can be found for free in the NIST Chemistry Webbook online at webbook.nist.gov.
A MS detector can only measure a certain amount of ions at once. In addition, sometimes ions from unidentified chemicals in the sample can obscure parts of the mass spectrum, making it hard to identify. At the low concentrations at which environmental contaminants are often measured, even the slightest bit of such interference can present a problem. To overcome this difficulty, a technique called tandem mass spectrometry, or MS/MS, is used to provide even more selective detection. In MS/MS, one ion is selected from a chemical’s mass spectrum. This ion, the precursor ion, is bombarded with energy again to create smaller fragments known as product ions. A precursor and product ion together form a mass transition, and most compounds can be identified uniquely by measuring only two different mass transitions. This unique measurement virtually eliminates “noise” from unknown or irrelevant compounds, and thus it allows for detection at very low concentrations.
Fig 4. Separation of two co-eluting chemicals by MS/MS. The top line (black) represents the total ions measured, but the colored lines below show that there are two peaks from different chemicals. Each colored line represents a single mass transition, and two mass transitions are measured per chemical.
Why is GC-MS/MS important to this project?
The broad range of possible environmental exposures means that it is important to measure as many chemicals as possible. Using GC-MS/MS, we can measure hundreds of compounds in one analysis, allowing us to better characterize participants’ exposures. Human exposure is measured using plasma, blood, or urine samples which can contain millions of different chemicals, and thus GC-MS/MS is also preferred because only the compounds of interest are measured.
mass spectrum – a “fingerprint” created by the characteristic way a chemical breaks down when exposed to an ionization source.
co-elution – occurs when two chemicals are not sufficiently separated on the GC column and must be separated by some other means, such as mass spectrum.
precursor ion – the ion from a chemical’s mass spectrum that is chosen for further fragmentation during MS/MS.
product ion – the ion from a chemical’s mass spectrum that is chosen from the fragmentation spectrum of the precursor ion.
mass transition – a precursor ion and one of its product ions.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions. | http://tom.tchlab.org/projects/autismexposome/sidebar-approaches-GC.html |
YANGON — When Maung Okkar found boxes of old film reels that his father had left, some of the filmstrips had already become as hard as bricks and fused together. Others had not yet reached the stage of total decay, but were degrading.
“Some of the films could still be cleaned and recovered. But they would deteriorate eventually if we continued keeping them at our house,” said Maung Okkar, the 30-year-old son of Myanmar’s celebrated late director Maung Wunna, recalling the start of his interest in film preservation three years ago.
His father Maung Wunna was an award-winning filmmaker who directed many acclaimed films from the 1970s until the early 2000s. He died in 2011. Images on these film rolls are a heritage and legacy passed from father to son, and from one filmmaker to another. Cinema was a family affair as Maung Okkar’s grandfather Thadu was also a reputable director.
“I decided to keep the ones that were still in good condition at the Film Archive office in order to have a good storage enclosure,” he said.
Without knowing of the existence of such a film archive until his first visit, he thought that the office might have been keeping many old Myanmar films including his father’s. But he was told there were only a dozen black-and-white films left in the vault; the earliest one was from the 1930s and the latest one from the 1980s, and some were in danger of deteriorating. It made him realize the need to do something about these old film reels.
“But I didn’t know what to do or how to do it,” he said, adding that there were no trainings or workshops on film preservation provided by the government or private sector.
Dire Storage Conditions
Myanmar started making films in 1920 and hundreds of black-and-white films, including silent ones, were produced in the country. The period from the 1950s to the 1970s is still viewed by many as the industry’s “golden age,” with local filmmakers producing nearly 100 original films each year on average in a competitive market. However, the public, scholars and researchers cannot watch or study the golden-age films anywhere except when broadcast on MRTV, the state-run broadcasting station.
According to the official U Bhone, who is the caretaker of the Film Archive in commercial capital Yangon, there are only 12 black-and-white and 127 color films currently housed at the office. The films are copies of movies that were nominated for Academy Awards or given to the archive by production houses.
Green-painted metal containers of motion picture and newsreel films are kept on wooden shelves and stored in designated rooms under a temperature of 20°C at the Film Archive office. Some of the cans were rusty and one room was filled with an acrid odor, produced by ‘vinegar syndrome’—caused by acetate-based film degradation. Many of the film reels were exposed to water and a large portion of the collection was damaged due to the Cyclone Nargis in 2008, U Bhone told The Irrawaddy.
Humidity-controlled vaults with temperatures as cold as 0-4°C are the best environment for delaying deterioration, possibly preserving the films for hundreds of years, Maung Okkar said. Films kept at under 20°C but in high humidity may only last 20 years or less, he added.
“The images on these films are a form of heritage and history. I am very sad to see our film heritage kept in such poor conditions,” Maung Okkar told The Irrawaddy.
Film reels are damaged every year at the Film Archive office due to outdated preservation techniques. An archive vault with quality storage conditions is urgently needed, Maung Okkar said.
Preserving Film Heritage
Maung Okkar and six fellow filmmakers launched a project called Save Myanmar Film earlier this year and have been trying to raise awareness about audio-visual restoration of films and film-related materials including posters, scripts and photographs.
“Filmmakers will only be able to create better work if they have a chance to study how old films from the industry’s golden age were made,” Maung Okkar said.
Thaid Dhi, a Czech-educated cinematographer and cofounder of Myanmar’s first film festival Wathann, as well as a member of Save Myanmar Film, said that a film archive serves as a history of a country’s cinema and society, and plays a crucial role for future generations of filmmakers.
“Cinema is not just about cinema. It’s an audio-visual record that reflects the history of our society,” Thaid Dhi told The Irrawaddy, emphasizing that the current generations could learn about cultural and fashion changes throughout history in films.
“If we don’t know history, it’s difficult to shape the future,” he said.
U Myint Thein Pe, a retired director of the Ministry of Information’s Motion Picture Development Branch (previously known as the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise) and a former secretary at the then Film and Video Censorship Board, said that old films are a collective learning platform for a young generation of filmmakers to study directing, storytelling and technical methods from the industry’s older generations.
“Our country is very bad at preserving heritage. Many classic films with invaluable heritage have been lost recently,” he continued.
If old films get restored, he said, those who study filmmaking will be able to learn the different waves of Myanmar cinema over time.
While Myanmar was one of the earliest countries to produce films in Southeast Asia, it is late to preservation, as Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Singapore already have functional systems, U Myint Thein Pe said.
Restoring Film History
In partnership with the Goethe Institute, the Yangon Film School (YFS) – a Berlin-based non-profit organization that trains local filmmakers – launched an initiative to inventory and restore existing Myanmar films. YFS hired Maung Okkar to research old films. He said he identified more than 100 titles throughout the country but most of those had been converted to video formats using telecine transfer – resulting in low quality copies as opposed to theater resolution – that are being kept by MRTV.
It also restored the 1972 film Che Phawa Daw Nu Nu aka Tender Are The Feet, directed by Maung Okkar’s father Maung Wunna, to digital in 2013. The restored version of the film was premiered at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival in 2014.
A film copy of the 1953 film Yadanabon, directed by Maung Tin Maung and shown at the Karlovy Vary international film festival in Czechoslovakia in 1957, was retained by festival organizers and later kept at the country’s national archive. As per authorization of the archive and the copyrighted owners of the film, the local Wathann Film Festival was able to screen a video copy to a wider audience in 2014.
In 2015, France-based MEMORY! Cinema Association, organizer of the MEMORY! International Film Heritage Festival, began researching the remaining celluloid-based films in Myanmar and abroad for restoration and preservation projects.
The association sent Maung Okkar to Italy last year to attend a six-week FIAF Summer School program of the International Federation of Film Archives, where he learned archiving and restoration techniques—from cleaning films to treatment to digitizing.
As the association’s first project, the 1934 film Mya Ga Naing (The Emerald Jungle), directed by Maung Tin Maung who was a prominent director in Burmese cinema history, was restored at the Italian laboratory L’Immagine Ritrovata (The Image Recovered) in 2016.
Mya Ga Naing is a silent film that includes scenes of old Yangon, fashion trends of the 1930s, logging under British colonial rule, and Myanmar’s pioneering balloonist U Kyaw Yin who flew his personally-designed hot air balloon across the country. A restored version of the oldest Myanmar film still in existence, Mya Ga Naing was screened at the MEMORY! Film Festival in 2016.
If the government doesn’t start doing something, the country will not have these digital copies of old films in the future, Maung Okkar said.
National, Public Heritage
Depending on the severity of the damage, some film reels can still be partially or fully restored with manual cleaning and repair, Maung Okkar explained. But to be able to do so, there must be a proper assessment of the contents of the archive office to identify the condition of each reel, he added. Although many films have been lost, others may still exist in the private collections of production companies, possibly neglected and deteriorating.
“But no one will trust an individual like me to repair their films. That’s why we need government action,” Maung Okkar said.
Thaid Dhi agreed. He said another reason to urge the government to intervene is so that the public would have access to the collection, highlighting a possible complication over screening rights if a private institution were to do the restoration work.
The Save Myanmar Film team met with the minister of information in May and urged him to implement film preservation and restoration work. The group sought permission to initiate a detailed assessment of the collected film reels at the Film Archive office in order to help the government with the technical process. The ministry demanded a more accurate project plan with estimated costs, time and required machines needed for restoration, and it is still unclear if the ministry will even allow the assessment to be done, Maung Okkar said.
“Without doing the assessment, we can’t know what we will need for the restoration process,” he added. “If the government cannot afford machines now, we could do some of the work manually to halt the deterioration.”
“Primarily, the films need an archive vault set at an optimal temperature and with lower humidity, which is not expensive,” he stressed.
“There are techniques we could use and people who know how to do them. We need to start before it is too late,” Maung Okkar said.
“Every old film is unique and original. There is no question that they should be preserved and restored,” he said. | https://www.irrawaddy.com/features/saving-film-heritage.html |
Description: Want to make your writing lessons more engaging? Learn how to use creative, hands-on activities that hold students' attention while helping them plan their writing pieces in various genres. Incorporate best teaching practices in your lessons and motivate students to push beyond the ordinary in their writing. Explore new ideas for prewriting, drafting, editing, and publishing that will have your students excited to tell their stories.
Instructor: Adam Meesey is the Technology Coordinator for Holy Infant School in Ballwin, MO where he has also taught instructional computer
classes from PreK through 8th grade for the past 10 years. He is also the Director of Summer Programs at Forsyth School in Clayton.
Adam knows that students often use computers and tablets just for playing games or exploring on the Internet, but he is striving to
change this in his classroom. His teaching focuses on showing students how to use technological tools to better their educational
career. Adam also knows that incorporating technology in the classroom can sometimes be daunting because you need to keep a
balance of staying several steps ahead of your students while allowing them to explore on their own. He knows that if you introduce
technology to your students properly and have a plan in place, you can discover a new, fun way of teaching.
NOTE REGARDING ADAM’S CLASS: Attendees should bring a laptop or Chromebook with an up-to-date operating system and
browser. If bringing a laptop, please install the Chrome browser and update the browser to the most recent version. As many schoolissued
G-Suite for Education accounts limit access to all G-Suite for Education tools, it is highly recommended that workshop
participants use and have access to a personal G-Suite account to ensure their ability to access all G-Suite products covered in the
workshop. If using a school-issued Chromebook, please be able to login with a personal account to have access to all of the G-Suite for
Education tools
Each participant will receive a $10 voucher to use at The Teachers' Lounge. | https://www.the-teachers-lounge.com/workshop.html?uid=work5ce19a5f366be |
“No,” I replied firmly. Again. My son, almost 4 years old at the time, stomped his foot, stuck out his tongue, and began to wail. His cries grew louder and louder, his thrashing bigger and bigger. This time, thankfully, we were at home. The meltdowns in public traumatize me to the core as onlookers question my parenting and often shake their heads in disbelief at such a sweet little person’s intense volume. I wish there had been a reason for his outburst, and while technically I had said no to a second cookie, his reaction far outweighed the situation. But that’s how it goes with temper tantrums. Or so I thought. In actuality, responding to no more cookies was merely the surface of my son’s temper tantrum. Below that was so much more.
Don’t try to fix it, just listen and hear the child.
What propels a child into a tantrum might seem like a mystery, but Brendan Mahan, an educator and parent coach specializing in ADHD awareness and other childhood troubles, states, “Temper tantrums are developmentally appropriate responses to a child being overwhelmed … they’re about emotions, and specifically emotions that are stronger than the child can manage on their own.” And that is what we as parents need to remember: Where we have learned over the years to manage our emotions, our young children are still mastering those skills. That’s why almost anything and everything can set them off. Think of the things that shift your emotions into overdrive: when you’re sad, overwhelmed, or frustrated; when you lose control over a situation; when you feel hungry; or perhaps you simply have an off day. It’s the same with children. Our role as parents is to provide a safe place and de-escalate our children’s emotions when they reach extreme levels. When on the receiving end of a tantrum, it’s easy to feel embarrassed or judged. I know I do. But every parent has been there…or will be. Elisabeth Stitt, certified co-active coach and founder of Joyful Parenting Coaching, claims that parents with easy-going children might experience fewer tantrums, but no parent can avoid them completely. So remember, approach your child with love and understanding when a temper tantrum strikes. Then, utilize the tools below to diffuse the situation and collaborate with your child to effectively deal with the next tantrum—it will inevitably happen.
Find the source.
“Once the tantrum starts, it is best not to get angry. Let them know that you understand how they feel, [say] ‘I see you are feeling frustrated.’” Kathy Walsh Rothschild, the creator of parenting/child resource Peace Place for Kids, shares. “Don’t try to fix it, just listen and hear the child. Encourage them to express feelings, and it will help get to the underlying cause.” Elena Mikalsen, PhD, a clinical psychologist with expertise in parenting, lists an array of potential reasons for a child’s temper tantrum: hunger, exhaustion, frustration, worry, sadness, sensory overload, illness, pain, feeling ignored, and lacking attention (just to get the ball rolling). After a temper tantrum ends, immediately think back, and see if you can match a source with your child’s outburst.
Looking back, there is no doubt that many of my son’s tantrums were linked to two triggers—hunger and routine modification. Almost all of his tantrums happened leading up to a meal. Or if he had missed out on a protein-rich breakfast, I could almost guarantee a crash midmorning. I also noticed that on weekends when his grandparents visited, and there was extra excitement, modified naps, and more people to engage with, a tantrum might ensue. Not knowing what to expect and having his routine thrown off was no doubt a way to welcome a tantrum. If temper tantrums are peaking with your child, consider keeping a diary to truly watch and catalog their individual triggers. Then, you can work to avoid those triggers—or at least prepare yourself for an upheaval.
Increase communication and touch.
It’s never too early to talk to your children, no matter how young they are. During the tantrum, you won’t be able to reason with them. “When things are calm, talk over the reasons they had it,” Mahan says. “Maybe something was bothering them that you didn’t know about. Getting that information can help avoid future outbursts.” Each of my children have spoken later in their toddler years, but with each of them, I have learned that they understand some things far before they can articulate their feelings. By talking to them, I give them words and validation when things feel out of control. Most recently, at the close of my toddler’s tantrum over having to turn off Paw Patrol, I simply asked, “Do you need a hug to feel better?” And he nodded. Stitt encourages parents to keep a physical connection during a tantrum if the child will accept. “A hand or a hug or a lap,” she says. “If he won’t, just sit as close as he will allow.”
Stay away from certain situations.
“Avoid highly stimulating environments: places that are loud, brightly lit, full of flashing screens, etc.” Mahan says. “Basically, don’t take your kid to Buffalo Wild Wings.” Think triggers. You know your child, and you can document when tantrums occur. Then you’ll likely know when they might happen again. If certain places, people, or situations tip them off, avoid them…for everyone’s sakes.
Don’t try to stop it.
Deborah, a mom of four, has researched tantrums in order to aid her own family in more effectively managing them. “I’ve come to realize that [stopping a tantrum] is like forcing my kids to stop laughing,” she shares. And who can do that? Rather, allow the tantrum to run its course and in the midst, stay calm. Easier said than done, I know. “Because our calm helps a child calm down,” Stitt says, “it is important to stay present with a child.” Our self-regulation acts as a type of osmosis for a child mid-tantrum, and, although it might not seem like it’s helping, by breathing deep and centering ourselves, we model what we eventually expect from our child.
Don’t say no.
Imagine this: a world of all yeses! Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Mikalsen encourages parents to say yes as often as possible, or at least choose phrases that aren’t situated around the word “no.” Her ideas include: “Let me think about this,” “I would love to let you have _____ right after…,” and “I can see you really want to _____; next time we definitely can.” My own mom recently encouraged me to do this, too. “Be a yes mom,” she says. No is such a harsh, definitive word that choosing to say yes, or a yes alternative, avoids unnecessary battles.
Give them a tool box.
Liisa, a mom of two, subscribes to the tool box theory: “For each kid, we have a tool box. I have been learning that I need more help from others, and I have to acquire different tools for each kid.” What are those tools? Well, there’s quite a few. Begin with these and tailor them to your child’s age and personality:
- Deep breathing: You start and ask them to follow.
- Meditation: This is something to practice before a tantrum. Then you can be the voice of reason that quietly asks them to close their eyes and focus on their happy place when a tantrum begins to overtake.
- Sleep well: Establish routines that help avoid tantrums in the first place. “Lack of sleep leads directly to emotional dysregulation,” Mahan says. So no skipping naps or staying up past bedtime regularly!
- Find a dark, quiet place: Leaving a situation that triggers tantrums is often enough to stop the escalation.
- Allow hitting within reason: When emotions overload, sometimes a child needs a physical release. For younger children, give them a pillow to pound. For older ones, offer a punching bag.
- Eat a snack: Hunger does crazy things to a child’s system. Mikalsen encourages parents to always keep a snack on hand to curb a tantrum.
As your child’s personality develops and their vocabulary grows, converse with them outside of their tantrums about their feelings, and ask them what they feel might help. Together, you can add to the tool box over time, and reach for options when it’s needed.
An ineffective way for parents to deal with temper tantrums is to have one themselves.
Most of all, I learned from fellow moms and experts, who hear from many parents about their child’s tantrums, that effectively dealing with tantrums is more about dealing with myself than my child. Children will throw tantrums no matter what. As Mahan shared, it’s developmentally appropriate for children to cycle through a season of tantrums. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is right! They’re experiencing emotions, and we’re merely tasked with coaching them through those feelings. “An ineffective way for parents to deal with temper tantrums is to have one themselves,” Mahan implores parents. “Getting angry with and/or yelling at your kid over their temper tantrum only models bad behavior and establishes an unhealthy pattern.” So, as embarrassing and overwhelming as your child’s tantrum can be, keep yourself centered.
Finally, Stitt gives parents a bit of hope when they feel lost in the tunnel of tantrums: “Reminding yourself that tantrums peak around 4 years old and then taper off might help you stay calm until the storm has passed!” Hold strong, moms and dads, temper tantrums won’t be around forever! Then again, don’t hold your breath for your child’s fifth birthday, since every child is different. | https://www.healthyway.com/content/of-the-most-effective-ways-to-deal-with-temper-tantrums/ |
Objective: There is growing recognition that surgeons' non-technical skills are crucial in guaranteeing optimal quality and safety of patient care. However, insight in relevant attitudes underlying these behavioral skills is lacking. Hazardous attitudes potentially cause risky behavior, which can result in medical errors and adverse events. A questionnaire offering surgeons insight in their attitudinal profile is still missing and would be instrumental in risk reduction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a prototype of a reliable and valid instrument to measure hazardous attitudes among surgeons.
Design: To measure hazardous attitudes, a prototype of the Surgical Hazardous Attitudes Reflection Profile (SHARP) tool was designed using a mixed methods approach, consisting of (1) 2 focus group discussions, (2) a modified Delphi analysis, and (3) a survey followed by (4) statistical analysis of the psychometric properties. Statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation, calculation of internal consistency reliability coefficients, and interscale correlations.
Setting: Fourteen hospitals across the Netherlands were recruited to guarantee demographic variety and the inclusion of academic, tertiary, and general hospitals.
Participants: Nineteen experts participated in the 2 focus groups, and 19 in the modified Delphi study. In total, 302 surgeons (54.1%) completed the SHARP.
Results: In total, 302 surgeons (54.1%) completed the SHARP. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in 6 subscales measuring attitude towards (1) authority (α = 0.78), (2) self-performance (α = 0.69), (3) performance feedback (α = 0.61), (4) own fitness to perform (α = 0.54), (5) uncertainty (α = 0.51), and (6) planned procedures (α = 0.48).
Conclusions: This study resulted in a prototype instrument identifying 6 potential hazardous attitudes in surgeons. Attitudes towards "authority" and "self-performance" can now be validly and reliably measured. Further research is required to optimize the prototype version of the instrument and could usefully explore the plausible relations between hazardous attitudes and clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; attitudes; human factors; mixed methods; quality improvement; questionnaire; surgeons.
Copyright © 2019 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31548142/ |
Nonexperimental research is research that lacks the manipulation of an independent variable, random assignment of participants to conditions or orders of conditions, or both. An example of non-experimental research could be to investigate the potential effects of smoking by identifying a group of smokers and a group of nonsmokers and compare them for differences in their current state of health.
Experimental designs typically use random assignment, manipulation of an independent variable(s), and strict controls. An example would be comparison of a study group to a control group before and after a specific treatment= for example, comparing postop wound infection rates among those who did not have CHG shower and those who did. | https://masterwriters.net/comment-from-post-1-14/ |
The Product Development team is a close:knit group of talented engineers representing a wide range of engineering disciplines. We work together in a collaborative atmosphere and enjoy having the broad, flexible roles required . Most of all, we are passionate about delivering innovations that improve the quality of health care and the patient experience.
This is an excellent growth opportunity with significant responsibility and ownership, especially for someone interested in both engineering and project management.
This engineer will be responsible for designing electrical PCB test equipment provided to Manufacturing. They will:
Deliver elegant and efficient test fixtures and systems that safeguard product quality of our very low power RF:enabled PCBs
Define requirements and architecture for fixtures and tooling, working closely with product design engineers to measure critical product functions, working within design constraints
Manage fixture vendors and coordinate internal programming resources to ensure delivery of systems that meet design requirements, on budget and on schedule
Drive integration and troubleshooting for complex, multi:component systems
Define, execute and document system:level testing for Verification and Validation (V and V)
Characterize process risks related to test fixture usage (PFMEA)
Foster a close relationship with the Manufacturing team to develop a deep understanding of process, business and user needs (requires up to 20 travel)
About you:
This position requires an agile, multi:tasking engineer with at least 5 years of relevant experience and strong project management, communication and problem:solving skills. Minimum qualifications include:
BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or other engineering discipline comfortable reading circuit board schematics
Familiarity with Bluetooth/BLE, LTE standards and RF test a plus.
Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in cross:functional teams
Technical experience in multi:disciplinary environments, particularly Embedded systems
Strong organizational and time management instincts; able to coordinate resources to meet deadlines in the context of competing priorities and projects
Proven documentation and technical writing skills, including the ability to manage specifications, develop and maintain design documentation, and author technical reports
Aptitude for correctly spelling iRhythm in all documentation files (read: good attention to detail)
Experience with manufacturing processes and automated test fixtures.
Medical device development experience a plus
Source: Tiptopjob_Xml
Area:
long term contract role Data Validation Engineer Strong in IDQ and Data Quality Strong SQL experience. data lake,data mapping Banking experience is must
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Hello, Please go through below job description and let me know your interest Job Title* DevOps Engineer| NextGen Cloud Work Location & Reporting Address...
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Job Title: IT Security Analyst III Job Location: Remote Job Duration: 12+ Months Skill set required: Shift Responsibilities: The Security Analyst is... | https://www.findojobs.us/senior-system-engineer-mfg-tools-ID-20934415 |
Dylan D’Agate is a New York high school student and young author of the children’s environmental book, Monster in the Water: Fighting Back Against Harmful Algal Blooms. Dylan also runs Earth Blogger, a blog and video interview series where he writes about and discusses the most pressing environmental issues and explores positive actions kids (and adults) can take to combat climate change. Read our interview with Dylan below!
What drives you to protect the environment and promote environmental education?
Living on Long Island and next to a nature preserve, I have always felt deeply connected to water and the environment.
From picture books about aquatic life, to examining rocks, to visiting the Museum of Natural History in NYC, I developed a passion for science and the environment at an early age. Protecting and respecting our planet is of utmost importance to me.
Given that scientific concepts can often be complex, my goal is to teach others, especially young people, in a manner that is easily understandable and interesting.
Why did you decide to write your children’s environmental book Monster in the Water?
I wrote Monster in the Water: Fighting Back Against Harmful Algal Blooms after witnessing the damage caused by harmful algal blooms (HABs) in my local community and communities worldwide.
Given that many HABs result from human practices, my goal is to raise awareness about sustainable environmental practices and encourage young people to take action in their local communities and beyond.
Tell us about your successful environmental blog called Earth Blogger through the Sierra Club. What impact has this made?
I started the blog in September of 2020. I am very grateful to the Sierra Club for supporting my blog and interview series. My goal has been to present information in a way that is both easily understandable and appealing to readers and viewers, especially young people.
While it started as a blog, I decided to add the interview component as I felt it would be a great way to engage the audience and hopefully increase readership, viewership, and Sierra Club membership.
It is an honor to meet and speak with environmental experts from around the world. Presently, I have over 1,000 readers/viewers per post. I hope to continue to spread this very important message.
What have been the biggest challenges of advocacy work through Earth Blogger? What is most rewarding?
I would have to say that adding the interview component to Earth Blogger has probably been the biggest challenge thus far.
Interviewing some of the world’s leading environmental experts has been exciting and I feel very fortunate. This experience has been tremendously rewarding.
I enjoy meeting new people, especially those who can share their environmental expertise with others. While my goal has been to educate others, I too have learned a great deal from this experience.
Can you describe how you balance your time?
I am currently a senior in high school. Finding the right balance (i.e. school, extracurricular activities, and a social life) can be challenging, but important.
I really enjoy all of my commitments, so I rarely feel that anything is “work.” Tennis has been a great outlet for me, both as a fan and player.
What is your best advice to other students who want to launch an initiative like this?
Figure out what really matters to you and just go for it. Although it is hard work, the satisfaction in knowing you are helping to make a difference is worth every minute.
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy playing tennis, Ping-Pong, pickleball, and spending time with my friends and family. The beach is my summertime happy place.
What does the future hold for you?
Through my book and blog, I hope to continue to educate people, especially younger generations, for years to come.
Learn more about Monster in the Water. Read more Rustic Spirit stories. | https://rusticpathways.com/rustic-spirit-around-the-world/teenage-author-and-environmental-advocate |
Introduction: Since nurses, there are many difficulties in the workplace, the present study aimed to predict suicidal ideation based on the emotional dysregulation and experimental avoidance in nurses.
Methods: The present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study consisted of all nurses in Kermanshah city in 2017that were selected by cluster sampling. 220 of them were selected as the sample. The research tools included Beck's suicidal thoughts questionnaire, Gratz and Roemer's emotional dysregulation Scale, and. Experimental avoidance by Bond and colleagues questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression analysis by SPSS-22 software.
Results: The findings of the research showed that there was a significant relationship between the emotionaldysregulation and experiential avoidance with suicidal thoughts. Also, the findings indicated that predictive variables could predict 33% of changes in suicidal ideation, thus, the difficulty of adjusting the emotion with an effect coefficient of 41% and experimental avoidance, with a coefficient of effect of 29% Nasal suicidal thoughts, which were significant at the level of P < 0.001.
Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that the emotional dysregulation and experiencing the avoidance of Forecast suicidal thoughts in nurses.So it is suggested that the health authorities pay attention to this point. | http://ijnr.ir/browse.php?a_id=2042&slc_lang=en |
Meet The Animal That's Always Pregnant
If you think being pregnant for nine months is tough, then try getting pregnant all the time. That’s exactly what swamp wallabies are doing and it’s the only marsupial to ever do it.
The Animal That’s Always Pregnant
Naturally, a wide array of animals can become pregnant for a number of times during their adulthood. However, because mammals are known for looking after their young, there is usually a healthy pause after birth since the mother gives their babies some time to get nursed and reared for a brief period of time. There are, of course, other mammals that only give birth to one or two offspring in their entire lifetime.
The swamp wallaby, however, is a much different, even strange, story. Found throughout eastern Australia, these small hopping marsupials have adult females that are, surprisingly enough, almost always pregnant. This is because the animals can conceive one to two days before giving birth, and it’s actually a common behavior for them to do so, per a new paper published Monday in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Because they’re marsupials, swamp wallabies also have pouches in their bodies, where their tiny, immature babies crawl inside to get some milk. But that’s where a lot of the similarities end between other marsupials (besides looking like some sort of pseudo-kangaroo) because while kangaroos can mate and conceive just a day after birth, swamp wallabies can do it before even giving birth. In other words, the animal can get pregnant even while it’s already pregnant.
“There are a whole range of reasons why you don't want to conceive during active pregnancy. Part of that is anatomical. Most animals have one uterus, or womb; if a developing embryo is already there, there’s no room for more. Marsupials, however, have two uteruses, each with their own associated ovary and cervix,” Brandon Menzies, a study co-author and researcher at the University of Melbourne, said.
It’s certainly a unique way of reproducing, with the females getting pregnant again before giving birth, allowing them to wean the firstborn and be ready for another birth once the joey is weaned and out of the pouch, after which the mother wallaby has ovulated and mated again. | https://www.medicaldaily.com/meet-animal-thats-always-pregnant-450051 |
Kabir, Mohammad Sayeed (2022) Consuming fast fashion and sustainability: The role of self-concept, awareness and financial soundness. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield.
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Abstract
Purpose: To address the fashion industry's environmental sustainability, the study of the ideal social self-concept is a new notion. Social self-identification contributes to unsustainable consumption, and when it combines with consumers’ awareness and consumers’ purchasing power, provides a more comprehensive picture of the grounds for unsustainable fast-fashion purchase.
Design/methodology/approach: This research employs a lived experience method to understand the primary causes of fast-fashion consumption and the impediments to sustainable fashion. The research obtains its findings via semi-structured interviews with 21 fast-fashion customers and a qualitative content analysis.
Research limitations: This is an exploratory study with a small sample size and a small geographical area. However, the study provides several important findings and valuable recommendations for further research with a larger sample.
Practical implications: This study concludes that if the price differential between fast and sustainable fashion is reduced to a minimum, SF will be a huge success and more acceptable to mass customers. To compel fast-fashion merchants to raise their prices by focusing on quality and environmental security may significantly improve fashion's sustainability.
Theoretical implications/Originality/Value: This research is unique in its field since it examines customers' social, economic, and knowledge perspectives on fashion sustainability. Additionally, it develops the ideal social self-concept from a fashion sustainability viewpoint and contributes to the theory by extending the self-concept to an unsustainable consumption level. | http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/35743/ |
How do desert plants respond to variations of nitrogen and water in arid regions?
Groundwater and its nutrients sustain the deep-rooted phreatophytes. However, how phreatophyte seedlings respond to water and nutrients in topsoil before their roots reach groundwater remains unclear.
Moreover, nitrogen (N) enrichment fertilizes desert ecosystems, while drought limits the movement of soil nutrients. Little attention has been paid to the effects of their interactions on desert deep-rooted plants.
Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences systematically studied how the two phreatophyte species seedlings, Alhagi sparsifolia and Calligonum mongolicum dominating in the southern margin of the Taklimakan desert, responded to variations of nitrogen and water by simulating N deposition and water stress.
They found that N and water independently or interactively influenced photosynthesis, drought tolerance, morphological characteristics, and the distribution pattern of biomass and nutrients among organs of the two plants.
The increased N input improved the uptake of N and P by increasing root biomass of A. sparsifolia, thus adapting to drought. For C. mongolicum seedlings, the proper addition of N enhanced the resistance to water stress by improving the water use efficiency, superoxide dismutase, and nitrite reductase activities, in which soluble protein played an important role.
In general, an appropriate amount of N addition can alleviate the drought stress of desert plant seedlings. The response of desert deep-rooted plant seedlings to N enrichment and drought involves the interdependence of aboveground- and underground-part functional traits, and more biomass and nutrients are allocated to thin roots to absorb scarce resources.
These findings are helpful to further understand the water use pathways and nutrient response strategies of desert deep-rooted plant seedlings. They also provide an important scientific basis for the study of vegetation degradation mechanism and restoration technology in arid areas and the optimal management of desert ecosystems under the scenario of global climate change.
The studies were published in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and Plant Biology, respectively.
Citation:
How do desert plants respond to variations of nitrogen and water in arid regions? (2020, December 21)
retrieved 22 December 2020
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18.06.2001 Glasgow Science Centre, Exploration and Discovery
At the beginning of the design process, in particular for interactive rooms, a precise analysis of the conditions has to be performed. First of all, the scientific content, consisting of 4 themes: “Human Biology“ – “Exploring the Space“ – “Foundations of Science“ – “Exploring the River Clyde“.
For the target group “averagely gifted twelve-year olds“ we developed a central theme along the briefing, which is visualised on an initial contemplation level mainly by creating popular images in the form of scenarios. Thus, for “Exploring the Space“, a planet was created, for “Human Biology“ a sports arena, and for the “River Clyde“ a research ship.
Integrated into these scenarios were more than 100 interactive exhibits that, in their appearance, were adapted to the particular scenario. For us, interactive exhibits do not mean “pressing coloured pushbuttons“, but real interaction, i.e. the visitor is integrated into the ongoing process by his actions. Through physical perception of the exhibit, a link is established between contents and effect. Learning by the ‘conceive and touch approach’ is becoming a reality.
Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland’s must-see visitor attractions – presenting concepts of science and technology in unique and inspiring ways. Glasgow Science Centre is an independent Scottish Charity (SCO30809) the aims of which are:
• To develop and enhance awareness of educational opportunities surrounding current and future health, science and technology issues;
• To be a socially inclusive and accessible visitor Centre of Excellence;
• To extend all opportunities within the Glasgow Science Centre to as many people as possible, particularly addressing the needs of people of all ages who are socially, cognitively or physically challenged. | http://www.bueroplasz.de/design/?m=200106 |
While curriculum development has been an important part of the District’s history, with the adoption of the Iowa Core Curriculum (the Core) by the Iowa Department of Education, the focus for all curriculum work will be the Core. The District will continue to adopt and adapt any changes made at the state level to the Core.
The Superintendent or Designee, along with a professional development committee made up of teachers and administrators, will be responsible for determining the most effective method of providing professional development for the implementation of the Core. The following procedures will be a part of the professional development for the staff of the District:
- Study the domains, clusters, standards and benchmarks of the Core;
- Study the 21st Century Skills;
- Study the Characteristics of Effective Instruction;
- Identify changes in teaching to implement the Core with fidelity;
- Communicate with the public regarding the Core;
- Involve staff, parents, students, and community members in decisions made regarding the Core via the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC);
- Verify integration of local, state, and/or federal mandates (MCNS, school ‐to‐work, etc.).
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent or Designee to keep the Board apprised of the implementation of the Core in the District. | https://www.nevadacubs.org/district/school-board/policies/series-600-educational-program/602-curriculum-development/602-1-curriculum-development/ |
Preferred options and evidence for upper limb surgery for spasticity in cerebral palsy, stroke, and brain injury.
Surgical interventions for the spastic upper extremity secondary to stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral palsy aim to correct the common deformities of elbow flexion, forearm pronation, wrist and finger flexion, ulnar deviation, and thumb-in-palm deformity. After appropriate evaluation, as well as determining the goals of surgery, deformity correction can be achieved through single-event, multi-level surgery. Surgery includes a combination of soft tissue lengthening, tendon transfer, and joint stabilization procedures. Surgical treatment for shoulder adduction/internal rotation, elbow flexion, forearm pronation, wrist flexion, thumb-in-palm, and clenched fist deformities due to spasticity are discussed, and treatment outcomes are reviewed.
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