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I dig a good, original science fiction story – not the typical spaceships full of aliens landing on Earth/only Will Smith can save us story. When I read the opening chapter of A Line In The Ice, it sounded utterly fascinating, so I jumped at the chance to read and review. I was not disappointed. I was a little…caught off guard with an aspect of the book, but I’ll explain that later.
It’s present-day, and a small group of military personnel, collected from several different countries, are the front line on a tiny battlefield in Antartica, where a rift has formed allowing creatures from another world to enter ours. Day by day, this team has to patrol and pick off these creatures before enough of them can gather to spread to the rest of the world.
The story itself is fascinating, and as we find out at the end the creatures not only aren’t what they seem, but may not be the true danger. But the more fascinating aspect of the story are the characters. The author (authors actually – it’s two writing as a collaborative work under a pseudonym) developed the people even better than the settings and technologies used, which sometimes can be hard to do (science fiction tends to focus somewhat more on those than the people, and can hurt a story). The main character Charlie (female) is tough yet tender, has flaws and needs, and is someone the reader can really relate to. Lysander, the male lead, is also well thought out and described, and even the supporting cast have distinct personalities that make it easy to tell who is speaking, acting, etc.
The book editing is flawless. This is one of my biggest pet peeves – I have sort of an OCD when it comes to typos, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and so on. When I read many self-published works, those errors, even small ones, pull me out of the story. (Actually even in some traditionally published, Big 6 works I see those – Dan Brown, I’m looking at you!) If they used an editor, he or she is top notch. If they didn’t, they themselves should be commended. It’s clean, well-written, and easy to understand, with no jarring errors. As a matter of fact, only two things caught my eye – a missing space after a period/before next sentence, and one word repetition (the word ‘spare’ twice in one sentence). I’m not being nit-picky, I’m just saying the book was so clean that that’s all I saw. Well done.
But now, the caught-off-guard part, and something that, if the authors are reading this, I must strongly suggest they state clearly in the book blurb/description. A Line In The Ice has several scenes of heavy erotica. Not “she placed her hand on his strong muscled chest”, but “she wrapped her lips around his…” type of erotica. I read some of the Amazon reviews prior to reading the book, and they mention ‘a dash of romance.’ Whoa, not quite – this is not romance, by any means. I think those reviewers may have been glossing over that in order to make a clean, innocuous review, but the fact that this erotica is in the book MUST be mentioned somewhere in the description. I read the first chapter and excerpts and almost gave the book to my 14 year old son, who is a voracious advanced reader and loves scifi. Wow, can you imagine those discussions afterwards? Come to find out the authors have a background in erotica and this is their first stab at science fiction. That’s all well and good, no problem at all, but it needs to be specified, an explicit warning, before someone buys the book.
And finally, just my personal opinion as a long-time science fiction reader and fan, and now writer. I don’t think that type of erotica belongs in this type of story. The novel itself was excellent and stands on its own; those scenes really pulled me out of the book, almost like someone else wrote them and put them in later. Yes, there is a love interest between the main characters, but it could have been done in a more ‘romance’ way. And only because of that would I knock the rating down a bit.
Excellent story, very well developed characters, different setting, believable technology, and a unique premise. I’d give it a 7 out of 10 – again my only ding is for the erotica (please change the book description to reflect this!)
***
Tour Notes:
Please vote for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll for this tour. The blogger with the most votes wins a free promotional twitterview and a special winner’s badge. I want that to be me! You can vote in the poll by visiting the official Line in the Ice blog tour page and scrolling all the way to the bottom.
Learn more about this author duo by visiting their website, blog, Facebook or GoodReads pages or by connecting with them on Twitter. | http://www.steveumstead.com/book-review-a-line-in-the-ice-by-jamie-craig/ |
Take a look at what happened this year. 2020 Breeding Bird Survey Routes Available. Consultation 1.2.1. The third atlas will continue to improve our understanding of changes in the distribution of breeding birds in the state and provide the basis for more informed conservation and management of birds and their habitats. The 1966-2019 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). We also host researchers that document migrations of raptors and songbirds across MPG. Fish & Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Program, state wildlife agencies and the Canadian Wildlife Service to estimate the size of breeding waterfowl populations across North America and to evaluate habitat conditions on the breeding grounds. Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Summary The initial plan for 2020 was to undertakethree breeding bird surveys for April, May and June, and a water bird survey in July. The research team combined Breeding Bird Survey data with powerful computer models to discover changes in breeding range for 32 species of birds found in eastern North America. Robin: 9. %%EOF News Item 2020. This survey is conducted each spring by the U.S. 0 Many alternative models can be fit to the data, but most model selection procedures are not appropriate for hierarchical models. This strategic plan was developed in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders and charts the ambitious course for the BBS over the next decade (2020–30). The latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report – The Breeding Bird Survey 2019 – covering population trends for the UK’s bird species has been released today. Rush Wall Solar Park – Breeding bird surveys June 2020 Page 5 of 29 1. Goldfinch: 7. OBSERVER LOGIN Obs Number : Password : Over the last five years (2016-2020), our Virginia atlas volunteers collected hundreds of thousands of valuable breeding records throughout the Commonwealth, adding them to the project’s ever-growing eBird database. Background 1.1.1. Thursday, May 7, 2020. 1479 0 obj <>stream 13/12/2020. The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has been the cornerstone of continental bird conservation and management for hundreds of North American bird species in the United States and Canada for more than 50 years. Protecting open space for future generations. View upcoming core count dates. Go to data entry. Raptor View researchers have placed transmitters on osprey and golden eagles that use the Bitterroot Valley. These surveys are conducted using airplanes, helicopters, and ground crews, and cover over 2.0 … endstream endobj startxref A Breeding Bird Atlas occurs every 20 years in New York. The BBS is a long-term, large-scale, international bird monitoring program that started in 1966. The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides data that can be used in complex, multiscale analyses of population change, while controlling for scale‐specific nuisance factors. Welcome to the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020 results. The Birdwatch 2020 top ten. This is the primary ScienceBase page for accessing North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. We visit each point 3 times a year, once in winter and twice during the songbird breeding season. The Breeding Bird Survey has been carried out at Fingle since 2014. The Connecticut Bird Atlas will map all species found in the state during both nesting and non-nesting seasons. in association with. Wetland Bird Survey. Welcome to the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) web site. Songbird Banding- The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab, UMBEL, runs several trapping stations at MPG as part of their regional songbird monitoring program. Magpie: A look at the leader board . BTO published a new statement on COVID-19 on 6 November. Read video transcript. The RSPB were consulted on the recommended survey methodology. Proposed regulations for the 2020-21 season were based on population and habitat conditions from the 2019 breeding season and are making their way through the approval process. This field note shares photo highlights from the 2020 breeding bird point count surveys. Songbird Counts- A grid of sampling points covers MPG with 560 points. Whilst this methodology may be useful in certain ‘consultancy’ situations, the BBS primarily is intended to monitor changes in breeding birds at a large scale/population level. %PDF-1.6 %���� House sparrow: 2. COVID-19. 1) What migratory bird monitoring programs are expected to be cancelled for 2020? Project partners. However due to Covid -19 all plans had to be rethought with the April survey 2.1 Breeding bird survey work was undertaken during April and June 2020 in order to assess the breeding bird activity at the site. 1.2. BBS, which surveys population trends in 117 of the UK's common bird species, has shown that several of our most familiar resident and migrant breeding birds have declined starkly in recent years. The PGC will concentrate special effort on surveying the largest wetlands during the 2020 season. Introduction 1.1. After much careful deliberation, the U.S. Geological Survey, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Mexican National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity have decided to cancel all North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) field activities for 2020. Raptor Research- The Raptor View Research Institute monitors raptor populations on MPG and counts raptors that migrate past MPG in the spring and fall. (Photo by Jim Bredy, United States Fish and Wildlife Service) May 07, 2020 By Lynn Burkhead. Starling: 3. We’re looking for volunteers to helps us with all the other wetlands in Pennsylvania. BBS data are used widely by wildlife agencies, researchers, birders and conservation planners. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a long-term, volunteer-driven bird monitoring program conducted throughout North America. UMBEL sets up very fine nets that are nearly invisible to birds in brushy habitats. Posted on 9th September 2020 | By Helen Crabtree. The BBS project measures bird populations on an annual basis. The survey developed from and primarily depends on voluntarily contribution of Arctic researchers willing to share their observations on bird breeding performance with view of creating general picture in a cooperative effort. From 2018-2020, we will be seeking the help of birdwatchers to document the distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of birds at sites throughout the entire state. Birders of all backgrounds are invited to participate from 2020 to 2024. The Breeding Bird Survey is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common and widespread breeding birds. We record, by ear or by sight, all the birds near that point for 10 minutes. Breeding Bird Survey (British Trust for Ornithology) These publications provide detailed methodology for undertaking BTO’s Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Waterfowl Breeding Population Survey Canceled for 2020 Despite the cancellation of survey work scheduled for this month, wildlife officials say that there will be no anticipated effect on this year's duck and goose hunting seasons. 72020 Breeding Bird Protocol Survey your route from the start point to the end point, searching for breeding birds, nests, and young along the way. Spring Bird Count History. SBC was organized by Chandler Robbins, organizer of the North American Breeding Bird Survey, in 1959. A decade later the Illinois Department of Natural Resources asked Vernon Kleen to organize the first Illinois statewide SBC in the early 1970s. The BBS is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service to monitor the status and trends of North American bird populations. Great tit: 8. “The Breeding Bird Atlas is a valuable tool to help protect birds and habitat, and I encourage all New Yorkers to get outdoors safely and responsibly and participate in this year’s survey while practicing social distancing.” When complete, the atlas will provide species-specific details about distribution, maps, and illustrations. in association with . Please login with your observer number and password. BTO Breeding Bird Survey: latest news. It has been in operation for more than 50 years, monitors 700+ types of birds, and spans the continent (map at right shows sample locations in red). The UK top ten 1. We seek to understand how birds use the habitats available and how that will change as we work to create more diverse plant communities. All is quiet on the southern Alberta wetlands. Each time you survey your route, complete a Route Form and enter your data in the FSD — even if you do not observe nesting birds or young. Differences in geographic coverage among Arctic regions adversely affect a potential for synthesis from individual reports. For the first four years the survey work and reporting was carried out by Rob Macklin. Project partners. 1458 0 obj <> endobj The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) needs volunteers to assist with five 2020 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes to be surveyed one morning between May 27 and July 7.
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SNAPSHOTS is a popular adventure travel photography blog that inspires readers to travel using entertaining stories, helpful tips, stunning photography, fun videos, and engaging social media coverage.
SNAPSHOTS broadcasts Michal's first-person experiences and adventures from around the world to a loyal following of readers who enjoy his photography, advice & recommendations, motivating them to travel somewhere new on their next vacation.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he is working to set more realistic timelines.
source
Stephen Lam/Reuters
During Tesla‘s annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, CEO Elon Musk said he is trying to develop more accurate estimates for when projects will be completed.
Musk said his unrealistic expectations are a result of optimism, and that even if his companies’ projects are late, he does tend to deliver on them.
Tesla has experienced production delays for each of its four vehicles.
Elon Musk is known for setting aggressive timelines his companies can’t meet. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has developed a habit of delivering vehicles and launching rockets months or even years behind schedule.
During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, Musk said he is trying to develop more accurate estimates for when projects will be completed.
“I think I do have an issue with time,” he said. “This is something I’m trying to get better at.”
Musk said his unrealistic expectations are a result of optimism, and that even if his companies’ projects are late, he does tend to deliver on them
“I kind of say when I think it can occur, but then I’m typically optimistic about these things – but hopefully less optimistic over time. It pretty much always happens, but not exactly on the timeframe.”
Tesla has experienced production delays for each of its four vehicles. Musk has overseen the full development and production processes for three of those vehicles – the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, and Model 3 sedan – since he became the company’s chief executive in 2008.
Most recently, the company has struggled to ramp up production for the Model 3, which starts at $35,000 and is the company’s first mass-market vehicle. Since Tesla launched the Model 3 in July, the company has failed to hit its production targets for the vehicle. | |
The Mohammed VI Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – the first major museum to be built since Morocco gained independence from France in 1956 – opened its doors, showcasing modern and contemporary works by Moroccan artists. The museum has already forged partnerships with the Louvre in Paris, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
“We are honored to sign this MOU and begin collaborating with the National Foundation of Museums of the Kingdom of Morocco,” said Molly Fannon, Director of the Smithsonian’s Office of International Relations, about the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the two institutions on the occasion. “From Islamic art at our Freer and Sackler Galleries to featuring Moroccan weavers at our 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festivals, we have long been eager to share Morocco’s rich culture and traditions here in America, and we are delighted to establish a platform to explore opportunities for exchange and partnership.”
The three-floor museum took ten years to build and cost $20 million. In addition to space for permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, it houses an art and multimedia library, an education department, an auditorium, and a restaurant. Its first exhibition, entitled “1914–2014: 100 Years of Creation,” includes works by 150 Moroccan artists, illustrating the variety of Moroccan art over the past hundred years.
At the opening ceremony, Mehdi Qotbi, chairman of Morocco’s National Foundation of Museums, noted that the new museum is part of King Mohammed VI’s goal to make culture a real engine for human, social and economic development by establishing high-level cultural facilities in Morocco that encourage creativity and promote the principles of cultural democratization. | https://safarinews.katonatours.com/mohammed-vi-museum-opens-in-rabat-uganda-national-parks/ |
Vision:
Securing Wisconsin’s energy future and improving its economy and environment
Mission: The Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation promotes innovative and effective energy policies and programs that benefit Wisconsin’s citizens and businesses.
Focus on Energy empowers the people and businesses of Wisconsin to make smart energy decisions with enduring economic benefits.
Since 2001, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable resource program has stayed true to that mission statement.
On behalf of 107 Wisconsin electric and natural gas utilities, Focus on Energy’s information, resources and financial incentives benefit all Wisconsinites by implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen, or in some cases years sooner than scheduled. | https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/OEI.aspx |
Arizona reports 1,565 new coronavirus cases, 16 additional deaths
This is a regularly updated story with the latest information about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for Friday, Oct. 30.
PHOENIX – Arizona health authorities reported 1,565 new coronavirus cases and 16 additional deaths on Friday morning.
That put the state’s documented totals at 244,045 COVID-19 infections and 5,934 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Key metrics about the severity of Arizona’s pandemic have dropped dramatically from summertime peaks, but cases and hospitalizations have been trending upward this month. Deaths, however, have not seen a similar rise.
It was the fifth time this week with more than 1,000 cases in a daily report. Before this week, that level had been reached only two times in the prior five weeks.
The number of Arizona’s confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospital inpatients rose overnight to 900 on Thursday. That was 53.5% higher than Oct. 1, when it was 586, and the most since Aug. 26.
The number of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds increased to 188, 50.4% higher than Oct. 1, when it was 125, and the third most since Sept. 10.
The hospitalizations remain far under the pandemic highs of 3,517 inpatients and 970 ICU patients, both recorded July 13.
Arizona’s weekly percent positivity for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, an indicator of how much the virus is spreading in the community, is on pace for its highest level in more than two months.
It was 7% for 36,958 tests recorded this week, which would be the highest since it was 8% for the week starting Aug. 2.
For the 85,875 tests recorded last week, the positivity rate was 6%.
The rate had been as high as 20% at the end of June.
Weekly rates are based on when the samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage for recent weeks can fluctuate as labs get caught up on testing and the results are documented by the state.
The rolling seven-day average for the state health department’s newly reported cases was at 1,082 for Thursday, according to tracking by The Associated Press, the highest since Aug. 12 and more than double the figure of 480 from Oct. 1.
The seven-day average of newly reported deaths, however, is under half of what it was at the start of the month. It was 8.43 on Thursday and has been in single digits for the past six days. It was 16.43 on Oct. 1.
The seven-day averages remain well below their peaks of 3,844 cases on July 6 and 94 fatalities on July 30.
The Arizona health department’s daily reports present case, death and testing data after the state receives statistics and confirms them, which can lag by several days or more. They don’t represent the actual activity over the past 24 hours.
The hospitalization data posted each morning is reported the previous evening by the hospitals.
As cases skyrocketed in June, local governments in many parts of Arizona — including all of Maricopa County — implemented face mask requirements, and Gov. Doug Ducey issued statewide executive orders to close certain businesses and restrict restaurant occupancy.
The spread of COVID-19 slowed after those steps were taken. All of Arizona’s counties have since hit benchmarks established by the health department that allow closed businesses to reopen under capacity restrictions and other regulations.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has no impact on some people and is seriously debilitating or fatal for others. Infected people without symptoms — which include but are not limited to cough, fever and difficulty breathing — are capable of spreading the virus.
Below are Friday’s latest developments about the coronavirus pandemic from around the state, country and world:
- Mesa High School announced Friday it is transitioning from a five-day modified in-person model to only two days due to coronavirus cases and area data.
- The Navajo Nation reported 90 new coronavirus cases and three deaths, bringing the documented totals to 11,694 infections and 578 fatalities.
- The number of reported coronavirus cases has gone over 3 million in the Middle East.
For all articles, information and updates on the coronavirus from KTAR News, visit ktar.com/coronavirus.
Arizona open and hiring: If you’re looking for job openings, visit ktar.com/arizonahiring. | https://ktar.com/story/3661321/arizona-reports-1565-new-coronavirus-cases-16-additional-deaths/ |
February 2015 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode online!
Episode 54 features a look at several Megaman action figures.
Episode 53 featured a look at the fancy new Batman action figures from Mezco.
All images, format, content, and design are copyright © 1994-2018 Raving Toy Maniac. No part of these pages may be reproduced without express written consent of the Raving Toy Maniac. Licensed character names and images are copyright © their respective companies. | http://www.toymania.com/taxonomy/term/1625 |
Performative Allyship after 2020: Did Real Change Come at All?
After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, we witnessed the United States (and in fact, much of the rest of the world) experience a massive shift in consciousness regarding racial equity. Many of those who had been ignorant or unaware of the blatant racial injustice in our country for so long, finally woke up and started to fight alongside those who had been doing it already.
A huge aspect of this “great awakening” was companies and institutions both big and small taking stock of how they participated in not only racial inequity, but harms faced by other marginalized groups. This reckoning, so to speak, took many forms from simply posting a statement in solidarity on their social media platforms to hiring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (“DEIAB”) consultants to help them better understand and address their faults.
At the time, to those working in the DEIAB space and those who had fought on the front lines for so long, it seemed that maybe, just maybe that there might be some real change coming. It is now two years later and sometimes I find myself wondering, “did real change come at all?”
I work in the theatre industry full-time. A space that is supposed to be the herald of inclusivity. However, the theatre industry did not escape 2020 unscathed. After years and years of promoting inclusivity while doing the complete opposite behind closed doors, the theatre industry got called out. In response, many theatre companies, non-profit organizations and producers did exactly what the other companies and institutions did. They posted statements of solidarity on their social media platforms, added land acknowledgements and anti-racism statements to their websites, and promised to “do better” in the future.
Unfortunately, in my line of work, I have encountered far too many instances of arts organizations claiming to be progressive with anti-racism statements, DEIAB committees and task forces formed, but when they have to actually address a harm they have perpetuated, they double down on that harm. I know that this is not just in the theatre industry, but everywhere. Companies, organizations, and people have done everything they think they’re supposed to do to appear “woke” on paper. However, it’s not only about fighting against injustice when you become aware of it but also confronting how you have contributed to it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not a complete pessimist. There certainly was change made. In the past two years, I have had many productive conversations about race, gender, sexuality and other identity differences that I never expected to have. I think people across the country have had similar experiences in that regard. However, while small and incremental changes are good, they are not what many of us were hoping for. All we can do now is continue to do the work to address biases and inequities on individual, interpersonal, structural and systemic levels and hope that as many of these organizations start to get called out for their performative allyship, more change comes. | https://yphconsultingllc.com/performative-allyship-after-2020/ |
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All online orders are for delivery throughout New Zealand only, prices may vary between the online store and physical store locations.
Plants ordered on Thursday and Friday will be dispatched on the Monday following to avoid dehydration over the weekend.
Delightful perennials grown for their large, highly decorative leaves. During the warm months they produce spikes of nodding, tubular flowers. Hostas thrive in shady spots in moist, well drained soil. Perfect when planted in clumps near pools, under trees and shrubs, or in containers. Keep moist in dry weather and protect from snails and slugs,
Plant in shade/part shade
Foliage Plant
Good for Pots
Information and picture are a guide only. | https://www.oderings.co.nz/Shop/Oderings-Garden-Centres-Plants-Oderings/Perennial-Oderings-Cottage-Garden/Perennial-Oderings-garden-centre/Perennials-Hosta-Loyalist-__I.243927__C.64770__N.84 |
I always say I am an optimist with life experience, and a pessimist with hope for the future. I get anxious often and feel overwhelmed very easily, therefore I don’t always have a sunny disposition. But when I close my eyes I can imagine a better world, as well as at least ten steps to ensure we get there. I also don’t expect the worse, but plan for it regularly. That is why I usually have a plan B to Z. Just in case. I teach my kids that life is unfair and cruel, but we don’t have to be, and there is beauty in everything. Even the storm can be beautiful if you remind yourself that it also has to end. Everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. We just have to hold out until then. Being prone to anxiety, I sometimes find it difficult to think positive. Difficult but not impossible! I strongly believe that what you visualize will happen, so thinking positive makes absolute sense to me. It makes me happier, more content, more productive and creative, just all-in-all a better person. And research agrees with me!
Positive thinking. Thinking positive. Having thoughts that are not negative. Yeah, sounds easy right? For some, it is. For others, not so much. Some people are just wired to see the negative, to anticipate the worst, and to expect a no. Being an optimist does not mean that you are naïve or blind to threats, it just means that whatever you are faced with, you approach with hope and a smile on your face.
But why is this important? Why does it matter how you see the world? Because your thinking impacts your life, and thinking positive has major benefits to your health and overall wellbeing. It adds value to your life.
Not feeling very positive? Don’t worry, it can be learned like any skill.
1. Life longer, and have more fulfilled lives.
8. Handle disappointments better. Positive thinkers tend to think about solutions when faced with a problem instead of assigning blame.
10. Utilize the “Broaden and build” theory - positive emotions broaden your sense of possibilities and open your mind, which in turn allows you to build new skills and resources that can provide value in other areas of your life.
How your thoughts can improve your health and well-being is still scientifically unclear, but a working theory is that positive thinking is a key part of effective stress management, and because positive emotions allow you to find alternative solutions, you have the opportunity to build new skills. Managing your stress better means reducing the negative effects that stress has on your body and mind. And acquiring new skills allows you to pursue your passions and dreams. Positive people also tend to lead healthier lifestyles.
· Polarizing. A situation can only be classified as being good or bad, no grey areas. You are either right or wrong, perfect or a failure, nothing in between with no room for error.
· Personalizing. You see yourself as the catalyst of every situation, and blame yourself if something bad happens. For others this sounds absurd, for you it is a normal reality.
· Catastrophizing. Enlarging situations in your mind. You immediately expect the worst, and a bad event is never seen as an isolated event – rather the start of a long chain of disasters.
· Filtering. You choose to emphasize the bad, and filter out the good. Critique drives you, with compliments not really registering.
Sounds like you? Then you need to do something about it. Luckily, you can change by creating a new habit, or learning a new set of skills – positive thinking!
· Allow yourself to see the funny. Smile. Laugh. Find the absurd and funny in your daily life, especially in the difficult bits. Laughing relieves stress.
· Surround yourself with positive people. Allow them to support you, and to give the narrative of your life. It will definitely be more positive!
· Identify areas that you can change. Find your stress points, or those scenarios where you automatically feel defeated and negative. Focus on one area at a time until it has become second nature to think more positive. And remember to talk to yourself!
· Improve your lifestyle. Include physical activity, a balanced diet, and lots of water. Practice techniques of lowering your stress, and periodically check in with yourself to ensure you are still on track.
Of course it is great to “just be happy”, but that is not the real reason why we must practice positive thinking. Positive thoughts and emotions are needed to broaden your mind, to allow you to explore, giving you the skills that you will need later on in other areas of your life. Of course the decrease in stress is a great benefit, but the real value lies in the future – when you will be able to use the skills that you have acquired through smiling, and being happy. | https://www.alifeleadsimply.com/simplify/positivity-is-self-care-and-self-love |
The Space Needle was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, standing at 184 m. The tower is 42 m wide, weighs 8,660 metric tons, and is built to withstand winds of up to 320 km/h and earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude, as strong as the 1700 Cascadia earthquake.
The main stairwell has 848 steps from the basement to the top of the observation deck. At approximately 184 m, the Space Needle was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River at the time it was built by Howard S. Wright Construction Co., but is now dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, among them the Columbia Center, at 295 m. Unlike many other similar structures, such as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Space Needle is not used for broadcasting purposes.
The Space Needle features an observation deck 160 m above ground, providing views of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and various islands in Puget Sound. Visitors can reach the top of the Space Needle by elevators. It takes 41 seconds to reach the top of the elevators. On April 19, 1999, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board designated the tower a historic landmark.
A renovation of the top of the Space Needle began in the summer of 2017, to add an all-glass floor to the restaurant, and replace the observation platform windows with floor-to-ceiling glass panels to more closely match the 1962 original concept sketches, as well as upgrades and updates to the internal systems. Called the Century Project, the work was scheduled to finish by June 2018.
The space reopened in August 2018 as the Loupe, an indoor observation deck with a revolving glass floor. It takes 45 minutes for the observation deck to do a full rotation. Two sets of stairs called the Oculus Stairs were added to connect the two new additional levels. They were named after the glass oculus at the base of the stairs where the Space Needle elevators can be seen ascending and descending. A café, wine bar, more restrooms, and an additional accessibility elevator to the top observation deck were also added.
Every year on New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle celebrates with a fireworks show at midnight that is synchronized to music. | https://worldmark.world/top-100-iconic-landmarks-of-the-world-p-41-space-needle-symbol-of-seattle-city/ |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/163,181 filed Mar. 25, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.
This application generally relates to the area of optical microscopy and image analysis, and specifically to a darkfield imaging system and method for automated cell screening of cells.
Image based cell screening is used in a variety of applications including pharmaceutical drug discovery, genomics and basic research and is known by several names such as high content screening, phenotypic screening or chemical genetics. The key requirements in cell screening are that the entire screening process of image acquisition, image analysis and data management needs to be fully automated, which requires robust imaging and image analysis techniques, and that the process is as non-invasive as possible to ensure that any biological changes observed in cells are not due to any adverse effects on cells, in whole or in part, by the screening process being used. Many previous image based cell screening methods have been invasive to varying extents.
Cell screening to date has generally been done using fluorescence microscopy where specific molecules or proteins of interest in cells are tagged with fluorescent probes or proteins and the temporal or spatial location of fluorescently labelled reporter molecules imaged and analyzed. However, fluorescence based imaging methods are invasive and may give incomplete information about cells.
There are inherent limitations to using fluorescent reporters and fluorescence illumination in cell screening with respect to maintaining the integrity of the cell and the reporter, particularly when living cells are imaged. Fluorescent methods may be toxic to cells where the toxicity may result from the fluorescent tag itself being toxic to cells; from damage to the cell caused by absorption of the excitation light by the fluorescent tag; or by damage to the cell caused by absorption of excitation light by natural components of the cells. Toxicity damage may also result from the generation of oxygen radicals or other like substances. The consequence is that the long-term survival of cells may be compromised by the necessity of using fluorescent approaches.
An additional limitation of fluorescence imaging results from photobleaching. Photobleaching is used to refer to the fluorescent excitation and resultant photochemical destruction of a fluorescent molecule when under fluorescent illumination. When photobleaching of a fluorescent reporter molecule in cell screening occurs, this may complicate the observation of the fluorescent molecules, since they will eventually be destroyed by the light exposure necessary to stimulate them into fluorescing. This may be especially problematic in time-lapsed microscopy.
Previous cell screening methods also generally employ dyes that bind to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The DNA dye is excited by a different wavelength of light from that used to excite the fluorescent reporter molecules of interest. Commonly used dyes such as DAPI and Hoechst are excited at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths that damage DNA and are injurious to cells. The main purpose of the DNA dye is to help in identifying the location of the nucleus, nuclear membrane or chromosomes. The location of the nucleus, an important landmark within the cell, is then used by image processing algorithms to provide positional information about other compartments of the cell and the location of fluorescent reporter molecules in the cell. The limitation of this technique is that these DNA-binding dyes, and the UV light used to excite them, are highly toxic to living cells and therefore highly invasive.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a novel darkfield imaging system and method for automated screening of cells.
In one aspect, there is provided a label-free (reporter-free) non-invasive imaging system and method that images and analyses cells and subcellular objects by multi-spectral darkfield microscopy. Darkfield microscopy utilizes oblique illumination to enhance contrast and increase the visibility of cells and of structures within cells. Only light that is scattered by components of the cell enter the objective lens and form an image on the charge coupled device (CCD). Objects are seen as bright objects against a black background. The system includes a darkfield microscope which can operate as an inverted darkfield contrast microscope, a motorized stage, an autofocus device and a color CCD camera under the control of a processor, such as a computer processing unit (CPU). Inverted darkfield contrast microscopy refers to the inversion of darkfield images to obtain a negative image in which objects are seen as dark objects against a bright background whereby the resulting image resembles a brightfield image in appearance but has greatly improved contrast and signal to noise ratio of cells and of internal cellular structures. Autofocus refers to the use of an objective motor drive, or a piezoelectrically driven z-axis microscope stage, and autofocus apparatus or software to determine the preferred focal plane or planes in the sample for acquiring images. One advantage of the autofocus in the present disclosure is that the focal plane for imaging is determined using automated color image processing and also that the color image processing is done on darkfield or inverted darkfield images. The cell screening system and method provides multi-parametric information about cell structure including overall cell shape, interactions between cells and the structure and distribution of intracellular objects. Spatial and temporal information about objects and cells provides information about general physiological responses of cells to test stimuli such as chemical entities. The output of the system is a classification of cells, subcellular objects and cell responses based on feature vector and statistical analyses. The system and method provides non-invasive automated cell screening of living or chemically fixed cells. In another embodiment, the present dislcosure is able to detect color information in darkfield images and to use it in the segmentation and classification of objects and cell physiological states.
In another aspect, there is provided a darkfield cell screening system that employs an imaging spectrometer rather than, or in combination with, a CCD camera to identify and classify cells and objects in or on cells in a non-invasive manner. Imaging spectrometry is also referred to as hyperspectral imaging. Different cells or different objects in or on cells can present spectral information that is recognized as spectral fingerprints or spectral signatures. A topological map of identified spectral objects within the cell is created pixel by pixel. Image analysis algorithms determine the spectral signatures or spectral footprints of cells and objects using spectra acquired on a pixel by pixel basis during darkfield imaging. CCD cameras generally cover the visible through near infrared spectral range (400-1000 nm) and imaging of biological cells is generally restricted to the visible range (400-700 nm). The present disclosure may obtain spectral information at these and higher wavelengths that are not identified by previous CCD based methods. Imaging spectrometers extend the spectral range (400-2500 nm). The variable quantum efficiency of CCD cameras at different wavelengths, another limitation of CCD cameras, can also be corrected in imaging spectrometry. In the present disclosure, image spectrometry (hyperspectral imaging) can reveal previously undetected spectral information that provides a new means to segment and classify objects, and the physiological states of cells.
In another aspect, there is provided multi-spectral darkfield imaging methods and procedures that can be incorporated into a fluorescence-based cell screening system. The utility of incorporating the darkfield imaging methods and procedures is that it provides detailed multi-parametric information about the morphology, organization and distribution of cells and objects within cells that cannot be obtained using fluorescent reporters. For example, the use of toxic fluorescent DNA markers to mark the position of the nucleus for use in image processing is no longer required. The position of the cell surface and of intracellular objects can also be directly identified using multi-spectral darkfield imaging. When equipped with an imaging spectrometer, the imaging spectrometer and associated image analysis algorithms analyze both the morphology of cells using darkfield imaging and the location of fluorescent reporters detected using fluorescence imaging.
The present disclosure is directed at applying multi-spectral darkfield imaging to image cells and automated image analysis software and methods to analyze multi-spectral darkfield images. The present disclosure also uses imaging spectrometry (hyperspectral imaging) to detect new information content in darkfield images. The darkfield cell screening system and methods described here is a non-invasive system and method for use in automated cell screening. The system and methods report on cell physiology without requiring fluorescent reporters, and decreases the cost and complexity of automated cell screening platforms.
FIG. 1
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Turning to , a diagrammatic view of a darkfield cell screening system is shown. The system includes a darkfield microscope with a motorized microscope stage , an autofocus device to which a microscope objective is attached, a color charge-couple device (CCD) camera and a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) . The darkfield microscope is preferably an upright microscope although an inverted microscope can also be employed. The darkfield microscope additionally includes a light source , a darkfield condenser , a microscope head and a camera coupler . As will be understood, not all parts of the microscope are shown, however, components involved in the implementation of a system and method of automated screening of cells are shown. The CPU has connectivity with a set of databases for data storage and with a display, such as a computer monitor, for data display and visualization.
FIG. 1
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Still referring to , an imaging chamber, or cell array chip containing arrayed cells is placed on the motorized stage of the darkfield microscope for analysis. In the current embodiment, the cell array chip contains cells arrayed on a substrate glass surface in isolated samples so that multiple cells can be examined at one time.
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The cell array chip may alternatively be a lab-on-a-chip. Lab-on-a-chip refers to chips containing a network of channels and wells generally etched onto glass, such as a glass slide, or polymer chips. Microfluidics may be used to move pico liter volumes of test solutions through the microfluidic channels of the lab-on-a-chip for delivery to cells growing in the wells.
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The cell array chip may also be a standard multi-well plate containing cells, such as a 96-well or 356-well glass bottom multi-well plate. If a multi-well plate is used, the multi-well plate is preferably delivered to the motorized stage by a robotic arm (not shown) and a liquid dispenser optionally dispenses test compounds into each well of the multi-well plate.
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FIG. 1
In one embodiment, the components and operations of the darkfield cell screening system are under the control of the CPU . The microscope stage is motorized in order to shift the cell array chip to image different locations within a cell sample or well in the X-Y or radial plane, when more than one field of view or location is specified in the system, or software, and is also used to shift the position of imaging between different samples or wells of arrayed cells on the chip . The microscope stage is generally a linear-motor driven XY translation stage. The objective of the darkfield microscope is driven by objective motor drive , generally a piezoelectric drive, in order to acquire images of the same cells at different Z-planes, or axial planes, if required. An illustration of the XYZ planes is shown in for reference. Prior to imaging, the system employs motor drive and a method of autofocusing, such as via software or other methods, to predetermine the plane or planes of focus at which images will be acquired. A stack of darkfield images of cells in a representative field of view is acquired under the control of the CPU at different Z-planes or levels along the Z-plane and the most focused image in the Z-stack is calculated by a deconvolution algorithm such as those known in the art. Images of cells in all specified fields of view of arrayed cells on the chip are then acquired at this predetermined Z-plane. Alternatively, a stack of images in the Z-direction above and below this plane may be additionally acquired for use in 3D image reconstruction. Alternatively or additionally, the autofocus software may be used for every field of view when specimen height and morphology differs greatly between locations or treatment conditions.
FIG. 1
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Still referring to , objective motor drive can be substituted by a piezoelectrically driven z-axis stage mounted on microscope stage to acquire images in multiple axial planes or for use in autofocusing.
FIG. 2
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Reference is now made to , which shows a flow diagram of a method performed by the darkfield cell screening system which is preferably under the control of CPU . The system operating from CPU contains pre-specified or pre-stored horizontal positions (X-Y) and vertical planes (Z) for acquiring images in the cell array chip which has been placed on the stage . Motorized positioning of the chip in the imager is effected by CPU which drives the motorized stage of the system to move the cell array chip to different X-Y positions of the chip. Different X-Y positions can include one or a plurality of locations in any given sample or well location, and one or a plurality of samples or wells. In one or a plurality of locations on the chip and before acquiring an image for the location, CPU drives the darkfield autofocus device to pre-acquire a stack of Z-plane images. The Z-stack is analyzed by the deconvolution algorithm executing on CPU to determine the best focal plane for collecting images on the chip. The darkfield autofocus is typically done only at the first field of view to be imaged on the chip. Alternatively, darkfield autofocus device may be configured to be performed at a plurality of locations to be imaged on the chip . CPU drives darkfield image acquisition by the color CCD camera which collects RGB images of cells at predefined locations. Color CCD cameras have either three image sensors (Red, Blue and Green) or a single sensor and a Bayer color filter that delivers three broad-band color channels of red, green and blue to the single sensor. The system then performs image inversion which inverts the luminance or chrominance components or both of the acquired images. Automated image analysis includes segmentation, feature space and statistical analysis of images to identify and classify objects in the color images and is further described below. Data storage and display , including database connectivity, is based on commonly accepted data formats and includes the storage of information to the set of databases and the display of the results to the user on the computer monitor .
FIG. 3
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Reference is now made to , which shows a flow diagram detailing image processing operations of a darkfield cell screening system. The CPU which controls the operations is not shown. Image acquisition is done in RGB color using a color CCD camera. The image processing system in this embodiment is modeled after the operations of the human visual system in analyzing color scenes or images and employs a luminance-chrominance color space model. The human visual system is thought to be composed of separate pathways for the processing of luminance and chrominance components of color scenes. There may also be interactions between the pathways to provide more complex information with regard to objects, shapes and patterns. Generally, texture information is derived from the luminance component whereas chrominance gives information about similarities between objects or information that discriminates between textures. The darkfield cell screening system by analogy with the human visual system analyzes chrominance and luminance components separately or in combination to provide information that cannot be obtained using gray level image processing alone. In gray level imaging methods, only intensity determines texture. The system of this disclosure combines chrominance information with luminance information to determine different textures over a wider range of parameters.
A variety of color spaces may be employed in color image processing. Changing the color space used by the color image processing system in the present disclosure improves segmentation and classification of color objects. The most common is Red Green Blue (RGB) which is generally device-dependent. RGB is an additive color model in which red, green and blue are added up to make the final color spectrum according to the following equation, where the sum is white light:
R
x
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y
B
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()+()+()=1
Since RGB gives equal weight to each color, RGB does not mimic human color vision, which is more sensitive to green than to red or blue. Alternative color space models are also contemplated. The color of different objects may be distinguished by brightness, hue and saturation (HIS or IHS). The combination of hue and saturation gives chrominance, with the result that the color of an object can be reduced to two terms: (1) Luminance (brightness or intensity) and (2) Chrominance (hue and saturation components). Another example of a color space is the YUV encoding, where Luminance (Y) and Chrominance (UV) is derived from RGB according to the following equations:
Y=
R+
G+
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0.2990.5870.114
U=
R−
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0.5960.2750.321
V=
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0.2120.5230.311
In YUV, two signals (U and V) describe the color which, when recombined with Luminance (Y) gives the original color image. Luminance-chrominance color spaces more closely mimic human vision than RGB because they use weighed averages of the three primary colors at each pixel (green 59%, red 30%, blue 11%). Luminance histograms also keep track of the color of each pixel while RGB generally discards this information. In addition to RGB and YUV, various other color spaces and metrics are available that may also be used, including ones for which standards are being defined, such as CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) Linear RGB/Gamma RGB and other Luminance-Chrominance color spaces. The software automatically analyzes image content using alternative color space models, resulting in improved segmentation and classification of objects.
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Still referring to , the darkfield cell screening system in this embodiment employs luminance-chrominance color space and inverts the chrominance , inverts the luminance , or inverts both chrominance and luminance in acquired images to provide up to three data sources from the original RGB color image. The process of image acquisition and image inversion in this embodiment is performed because inverted luminance-chrominance darkfield images, with objects appearing as dark objects on a bright background, model human vision and are more easily interpreted by humans. Inverting the chrominance or the luminance does not alter the information content of the original luminance-chrominance image.
An aspect of the present disclosure is that the system, in an automated manner, performs image processing and analyses of the content of the inverted images in order to classify objects. Known techniques of image segmentation, feature space analysis and statistical analysis may also be used.
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Still referring to , the image processing of the inverted images includes operations such as de-noising, image enhancement or texture transformation. Segmentation of qualifying objects is performed using different combinations of color information with thresholding, Sobel edge detection, watershed separation of objects, and morphological operations such as top-hat transformation or filtering of objects according to size, shape or color. Quantification of segmented or qualified objects produces multiple measures for objects in the image. Morphological measures include, but are not limited to, object count, size, form factor, elongation, radius, area, color, intensity, luminance, coordinates, number of neighbours, inter-object distances, distance from cell nucleus or cell surface, or other measures. Quantification of segmented objects and the use of appropriate feature vectors then allows for classification of qualifying objects , including cells and intracellular or extracellular objects. Classification of objects can additionally or alternatively employ cluster analysis or can additionally or alternatively employ supervised or unsupervised learning algorithm methods. Data storage and display of the information can then be performed based on commonly accepted data formats.
FIG. 4
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Reference is now made to , which shows a drawing of two morphological states of a cell as examples of cell structures and shapes that the image processing operations would analyze and classify. The morphological states of a cell generally inter-convert depending on environmental conditions or chemical stimuli. Intracellular objects within the two cells and in include the nucleus and numerous small granules . Both cells are attached to a substrate, generally glass, and are not free-floating. In the well spread out cell on the left, granules within the cell are oriented in linear arrays. The cell on the right, in contrast, has rounded up and has a circular shape, and in this cell the granules are located centrally and surround the nucleus in a ring. As the cell screening system acquires and analyzes color images, images of cells would have color information that is used in segmentation and classification of objects such as the overall size, shape, orientation and proximity of cells and of objects within cells such the nucleus and granules.
FIG. 5
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Reference is now made to , which shows a diagrammatic view of the darkfield cell screening system equipped with an image spectrometer in accordance with another embodiment. The imaging spectrometer is located at the intermediate image plane of upright microscope , which is the main modification of the embodiment described in . Image spectrometry can be performed using several sources of photons. When used with darkfield imaging condenser , scattered photons are collected by objective , propagate back through the optical path, and are focused onto a slit or pinhole which serves as the entrance aperture of the imaging spectrometer . Light is dispersed by the spectrometer, generally by means of a prism, and detected by a backside CCD camera , generally a monochrome CCD camera. Additional imaging modalities for hyperspectral imaging are possible on the same microscope, such as brightfield, UV and fluorescence imaging, when microscopes are suitably equipped (not shown).
FIG. 6
FIG. 5
FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 3
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Reference is now made to which shows a flow diagram of a method of darkfield imaging using the darkfield cell screening system described in when the system is equipped for hyperspectral imaging. For darkfield imaging, the operations used in the embodiment are described in . Alternatively or in combination with conventional darkfield image acquisition , image spectrometry is performed at the same image plane or planes determined by darkfield autofocus . Automated image analysis here combines the feature vector and statistical analyses and classification of objects in the darkfield images, as outlined in the embodiment described in , with the spectral signatures or features of objects obtained using image spectrometry to provide a higher parameter classification of cells and objects in the field of view. Alternatively, automated image analysis may use only image spectrometry data to output cell and object classifications. After the image spectrometry , an image analysis is performed and then data stored and displayed.
In some example embodiments, there is generally provided automated components and methods to perform cell screening using darkfield microscopy.
In some example embodiments, there is generally provided automated components and methods to perform cell screening using both darkfield microscopy and hyperspectral imaging.
In some example embodiments, there is generally provided a system that automatically analyzes multi-spectral darkfield images using one or more color space models.
In one example embodiment, there is generally provided a darkfield cell screening system generally comprised of a darkfield microscope, a motorized microscope stage, an autofocus device, a color CCD camera and a CPU. There is also provided a system that controls components and processing functions of the darkfield cell screening system, generally including control of the horizontal (X-Y or radial) and vertical (Z or axial) positions of imaging, image acquisition by the camera, image processing, data storage and data visualization/presentation.
In another example embodiment, there is provided an automated image processing system in luminance-chrominance color space of the darkfield cell screening system that generally inverts the chrominance and luminance components of darkfield images acquired using the color CCD camera, analyzes the chrominance or luminance content of images, and determines the objects present in the image, the shape and location of cells, the shape and location of structures or particles within cells, and the shape and location of any anomalous objects.
In another example embodiment, there is provided an automated darkfield cell screening system with an imaging spectrometer coupled to the microscope and automated image processing means that analyzes the spectral content of images. The image processing means uses pixel by pixel spectral information to analyze the morphology, position and classification of cells and objects. When the system is also equipped for fluorescence microscopy, the image spectrometer and image processing means also analyzes the distribution of fluorescent reporters within cells.
In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the disclosure.
The above-described embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Example embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, through which like reference numerals are used to indicate similar features.
FIG. 1
is a diagram of a darkfield cell screening system in accordance with an example embodiment;
FIG. 2
is a flow chart showing the operations of the darkfield cell screening system in accordance with an example embodiment;
FIG. 3
is a flow chart showing image processing operations of the darkfield cell screening system in accordance with an example embodiment;
FIG. 4
is a drawing of two morphological states of a cell as examples of cell structures and shapes that the image processing operations of the darkfield screening system analyze and distinguish;
FIG. 5
is a diagrammatic view of the darkfield cell screening system equipped with an image spectrometer in accordance with an example embodiment; and
FIG. 6
is a flow chart showing automated procedures in cell screening employing darkfield imaging and an imaging spectrometer in accordance with an example embodiment. | |
The present invention relates to a rotary wing aircraft main rotor blade, and more particularly to a main rotor blade tip arrangement.
Rotary-wing aircraft rotor blades often include an anhedral tip section of a selected sweep, taper, and form to increase blade performance. Anhedral tip sections increase hover performance and lift capabilities of a rotary wing aircraft. Rotor blade tip sections are subjected to significant stresses/strains due to aerodynamic forces, and concomitantly experience significant structural degradation due to wear and abrasion. These aerodynamic forces may be increased upon a tip section with an anhedral form due to the loads induced thereby.
Conventional anhedral tip sections require numerous components to carry the loads induced by the anhedral form. Conventional anhedral tip sections may include two structural anhedral tip skins, two structural cores along with various non-structural components and redundant fasteners.
| |
Who knew there was a generous streak of poetry running through actuarial science?
No doubt Wallace Stevens did. My favorite American poet -- who was also an insurance executive -- would have been so pleased to hear himself quoted at last week's Living to 100 Symposium presented by the Society of Actuaries -- so fittingly held at a hotel in Disney World, land of perpetual childhood.
"Death is the mother of beauty," recited Arnold Dicke, president of New World Actuaries; "hence from her, alone, shall come fulfillment to our dreams and our desires."
An actuary is someone who consults historical tables and performs abstruse calculations to predict when we might die -- a question of pressing importance to companies that try to turn a profit from managing pensions, annuities and life insurance policies. The conference was designed to help answer an equally urgent question for actuaries: Is it realistic to expect a day when living to 100 is no longer such a big deal?
(Well, maybe in places like Sarasota, that day has already arrived.)
But the dreams and desires Dicke was talking about had nothing to do with profit, and everything to do with the question of whether mortality is what gives our lives their shape and meaning. That he was asking it at a session largely devoted to retirement planning made it all the more moving for me.
Maybe it was because I was still mulling over the compelling message of Leonard Hayflick, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He is famous in some circles for the Hayflick Limit, the idea that all living organisms carry within them a molecular clock that inevitably, eventually will stop ticking.
Hayflick was addressing claims by other scientists at the conference that there is no upper limit to how old we can be. He talked about human aging as dictated by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, using a car as his metaphor.
"There is no direct evidence," Hayflick said, "that proves that aging is dictated by a genetic process."
The Second Law, he said, dictates that "energy tends to disperse or spread out unless it is restrained. In our bodies, the restraint is the cellular structure. The function of all molecules depends on how long their precise, three-dimensional folded structures can be maintained. The tendency for molecules to lose energy can never be circumvented."
In other words, our genetic codes are no match for the tyranny of time.
"There are no instructions in the blueprints that designed your car, instructing it on how to age," Hayflick went on. "Your car is brilliant because it knows how to age all by itself. Analogously, your genome also does not contain instructions for aging, because instructions are unnecessary."
A good mechanic, he acknowledged, can keep an old car on the road, but "after how many parts are replaced does the original car no longer exist?"
A fascination with concepts like artificial life extension and "the end of aging," he said, ignores this essential question of what it means to be human.
"The present excitement of regenerative medicine has yet to come to grips with the concept of brain regeneration, which would result in loss of memory or identity," he said. Plus, "the repair and synthesis machineries are themselves composed of complex molecules. These also suffer the same fate as the molecules they repair and replace. In other words, repair shops also age."
I think Wallace Stevens would have agreed that there is a powerful beauty to be contemplated in the Hayflick Limit.
Barbara Peters Smith is the aging reporter for the Herald-Tribune, and the editor of Health+Fitness. She can be reached at 361-4936 or by email at [email protected]. Read more blogs at health.heraldtribune.com.
Time is either a tyrant, or a beautiful friend
Who knew there was a generous streak of poetry running through actuarial science? | http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20140114/time-is-either-a-tyrant-or-a-beautiful-friend |
Beatriz Williams has made a name for herself as a historical novelist with a knack for the obscured whisperings and yearnings of women’s lives, those so often absent from the historical record. (Click here for a full list of Williams's titles.) She adds to that canon with The Summer Wives, an elegiac romance and mystery that flits between three summers – 1930, 1951, and 1969 – on the small New England outpost of Winthrop Island.
In 1969, Miranda Schulyer returns to her teenage home on the island, a decaying estate known as Greyfriars, bearing a vast amount of secrets and wounds. Her arrival comes in the wake of Joseph Vargas’ escape from prison; Vargas is a local islander convicted of murdering her stepfather whom Miranda also found herself inexplicably drawn to as a girl. In both 1969 and 1951, Miranda fumbles at piecing together the yearnings of her heart and the path to her future.
Williams writes of Miranda’s journey in both timelines with a keen eye for the wounds unique to both the first flushes of teenage love and an older, deeper, more enduring ache. Miranda’s uncertainties, desires, and grief all linger just under the surface, waiting for someone to come and press her many bruises – as the reader waits, in turn, to see whether she will merely endure the pain, relish it, or push back.
Williams’ particular gift as a writer is peeling back the pages of history to breathe life into the interior lives of women — how they lived, loved, and lost within the expectations and limitations of their time. With The Summer Wives, she has perhaps crafted her most evocative and stirring novel yet. Its sense of loss, guilt, and recrimination packs a punch, but Williams also never loses a buoyant feeling of hope, a belief in a longed-for happily-ever-after of one’s own making. She weaves a spell that propels the reader forcefully into the past, crafting an intoxicating vintage atmosphere, a portrait of what may seem a more elegant time. But Williams also never falls into the trap of nostalgia, always taking care to draw back the curtain on this sparkling world to show the rottenness at its core – a rot that threatens to eat at the souls of her protagonists, lest they wrest themselves free from its influence.
Her immense talent as a writer is to usher you into a setting that feels as if it may only continue to exist, hell, maybe only ever existed, on the pages of books and the flickers of the silver screen. Once she takes you there, however, she doesn’t let you rest within it’s glittering confines, but rather exposes the costs of this world and the exacting toll it placed upon those who dared to yearn for more beyond their prescribed station and role in life. Here, this is enhanced by the fact that Miranda is a film star, playing dually with this notion of the divide between the false front women present to the world and their interior lives.
Given the novel’s circumstances – a first love potentially wrongfully imprisoned – it’s impossible not to draw comparisons to Atonement. The Summer Wives is perhaps less profound in some ways (it’s certainly less devastating), but it probes similar questions of passion, regret, and classism. Miranda and all the residents of Winthrop Island are caught in the stifling limitations of the 1950s – urged to keep up appearances as members of the more patrician families on the Island and to avoid getting too friendly with the local working class fishermen. More than anything, the novel is about learning to break free of those bonds – finding a way to live a life that’s true to oneself beyond the yoke of societal expectations.
The novel is also a compelling mystery that will keep you turning the pages to discover both the secrets of the past and the prospects of the future. Williams writes with compassion and empathy for all of her characters, beguiling you with twists and turns through the revelation of secrets that if not utterly unpredictable, are still shattering in their implications. You might see the truth coming like a large ocean wave rumbling offshore, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less when it finally crashes into shore.
With The Summer Wives, Williams has crafted a kaleidoscope of a novel – a mystery, a romance, and an utterly beguiling examination of the cost of secrets. With its pulsing period atmosphere, The Summer Wives is a startling portrait of the courage it requires to make your own second chances — and embrace them open-heartedly knowing full well they could slip through your fingers in an instant.
Summer 2019 Reading Group Indie Next List
“The Summer Wives is a sweeping story that spans several decades and details the lives of members of an island community where old money rules and the locals and summer families are not supposed to mix—but they do anyway. This is a story of secrets, power, loss, and love, with a bit of Shakespeare to round things out. I was engaged from page one and found myself reading both the print edition and listening to an audio edition in my car so I could spend every possible moment with the characters and their stories. Even the minor characters had depth beyond what I expected.”
— Myrna Mibus, Content Bookstore, Northfield, MN
Description
“The Summer Wives is an exquisitely rendered novel that tackles two of my favorite topics: love and money. The glorious setting and drama are enriched by Williams’s signature vintage touch. It’s at the top of my picks for the beach this summer.”
—Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Perfect Couple
New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams brings us the blockbuster novel of the season—an electrifying postwar fable of love, class, power, and redemption set among the inhabitants of an island off the New England coast . . .
In the summer of 1951, Miranda Schuyler arrives on elite, secretive Winthrop Island as a schoolgirl from the margins of high society, still reeling from the loss of her father in the Second World War. When her beautiful mother marries Hugh Fisher, whose summer house on Winthrop overlooks the famous lighthouse, Miranda’s catapulted into a heady new world of pedigrees and cocktails, status and swimming pools. Isobel Fisher, Miranda’s new stepsister—all long legs and world-weary bravado, engaged to a wealthy Island scion—is eager to draw Miranda into the arcane customs of Winthrop society.
But beneath the island’s patrician surface, there are really two clans: the summer families with their steadfast ways and quiet obsessions, and the working class of Portuguese fishermen and domestic workers who earn their living on the water and in the laundries of the summer houses. Uneasy among Isobel’s privileged friends, Miranda finds herself drawn to Joseph Vargas, whose father keeps the lighthouse with his mysterious wife. In summer, Joseph helps his father in the lobster boats, but in the autumn he returns to Brown University, where he’s determined to make something of himself. Since childhood, Joseph’s enjoyed an intense, complex friendship with Isobel Fisher, and as the summer winds to its end, Miranda’s caught in a catastrophe that will shatter Winthrop’s hard-won tranquility and banish Miranda from the island for nearly two decades.
Now, in the landmark summer of 1969, Miranda returns at last, as a renowned Shakespearean actress hiding a terrible heartbreak. On its surface, the Island remains the same—determined to keep the outside world from its shores, fiercely loyal to those who belong. But the formerly powerful Fisher family is a shadow of itself, and Joseph Vargas has recently escaped the prison where he was incarcerated for the murder of Miranda’s stepfather eighteen years earlier. What’s more, Miranda herself is no longer a naïve teenager, and she begins a fierce, inexorable quest for justice for the man she once loved . . . even if it means uncovering every last one of the secrets that bind together the families of Winthrop Island.
About the Author
Beatriz Williams is the bestselling author of thirteen novels, including Her Last Flight, The Summer Wives, and The Golden Hour, as well as All the Ways We Said Goodbye, cowritten with Lauren Willig and Karen White. A native of Seattle, she graduated from Stanford University and earned an MBA in finance from Columbia University. She lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore, where she divides her time between writing and laundry. | https://www.mcleanandeakin.com/book/9780062660350 |
As APEC approaches the end of its third decade, the global and regional, geopolitical and economic environments are beset by a mix of disruptive forces. Their collective impact is unprecedented. To uneven economic growth, a downturn in world trade and a surge in protectionist trends, must be added deep concerns about rising inequality within many societies and disenchantment over the benefits of globalization and closer integration.
Report of PECC Task Force on APEC Beyond 2020
At their meeting in Lima in 2016, APEC leaders welcomed the initiative to begin a process of reflection on an APEC post-2020 vision. In 2017 they welcomed the establishment of the APEC Vision Group to assist Senior Officials in shaping the post-2020 Vision, including through consultations with relevant stakeholders.
In 2016, at its meeting in Yangzhou, the Standing Committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council agreed to establish a task force on APEC Toward 2020 and Beyond. The task force members are:
- Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa (co-chair)
Chair, Malaysian National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Mr. Brian Lynch (co-chair)
Chair, New Zealand Committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
- Dr Liu Chenyang
Vice-Chair of the China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Mr. Sung Lee
Director, Asia Practice, PwC Australia; Executive Committee Member, Australian Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (AUSPECC)
- Dr. Charles E. Morrison
Distinguished Senior Fellow, East-West Center and former chair of PECC
- Mr Camilo Perez-Restrepo
Coordinator, Asia Pacific Studies Center, Universidad EAFIT
- Dr. Vo Tri Thanh
Chair, Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation
The task force began its work by undertaking a survey of views from experts on 1) APEC goals and policies and 2) APEC as an institution. The questionnaire consisted of 20 closed and open questions. A policy brief was written on the basis on the survey findings.\
The task force held two formal meetings:
- 26-27 March 2018 in Kuala Lumpur
- 22-23 March 2019 in Auckland
In addition to the formal meetings of the task force, numerous consultations both domestic and international have been held by PECC member committees and their related institutions.
PECC as an institution has worked closely with respective APEC chairs to organize a series of Multistakeholder Dialogues on APEC Beyond 2020 in:
Lima;
Hanoi;
Port Moresby; and
Vina Del Mar.
PECC’s task force recommends the following vision to be achieved by 2040:
“An Asia-Pacific community of open interconnected, and innovative economies cooperating to deliver opportunity, prosperity and a sustainable future to all their peoples.”
This will be achieved by:
- Robust dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and effective cooperation that build trust and committed, confident relationships among member economies;
- Strategies and initiatives to remove barriers to full economic participation by all segments of society, including women, and people living in poverty, MSMEs, and remote and rural and indigenous communities;
- Committed long term policy initiatives that promote sustainability;
- Policies to harness the positive potential and address the disruptive impact of the digital economy and other innovative technologies;
- Structural reforms that drive growth by increasing productivity and incomes through open, well-functioning, transparent and competitive markets;
- Deeper and broader connectivity across borders, facilitated by high-quality, reliable, resilient, sustainable and broadly beneficial infrastructure and well-designed and coherent regulatory approaches, and including also a strong emphasis on supply chain and people-to-people connectivity ;
- Intensified efforts to fully achieve the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment, with particular emphasis on components of the agenda where progress has been lagging.
- Strong APEC support for the multilateral trading system based on agreed values and norms reflected in updated multilateral rules, and including more effective settlement of disputes;
- High-quality trade, investment and economic partnerships among members, consistent with the values and norms of the multilateral trading system, and supporting dynamic responses to rapidly changing drivers of growth; and
- Concerted efforts in support of the eventual realization of a high-quality and comprehensive FTAAP to further advance regional economic integration.
The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.pecc.org/resources/publications/regional-cooperation-1/2608-pecc-apec-2020-vision
OBJECTIVE
The outcome of this signature project will form the basis of PECC’s input to the process of dialogue and consultation that will shape APEC’s vision and the content and nature of its work program beyond the close of the period specified in the Bogor Goals, and for some decades thereafter. The primary participants in that process are senior officials, ministers, leaders and ultimately the governments and people of APEC member economies. However, because of its tripartite composition, and its long-standing and respected engagement in issues underpinning Asia-Pacific economic development, PECC is uniquely placed to make a substantive offering to discussions and decisions about APEC’s long-term future.
BACKGROUND
From PECC’s standpoint, the opportunity to contribute through this project to the goal of refreshing and perhaps refashioning APEC, is well-timed. It is unarguable that, as APEC approaches the end of its third decade, the global and regional, geopolitical and economic environments are beset by a mix of disruptive forces. Their collective impact is without precedent in the previous thirty years of APEC’s existence. To uneven economic growth, a downturn in world trade and a surge in protectionist trends, must be added deep concerns about rising inequality within many societies and disenchantment over the benefits it has been argued all would gain from globalization and closer integration.
The defining task for APEC in this volatile context is to respond in ways that hold real meaning and demonstrate that the institution is able to move with the times. Assessing concerns about free trade and regional economic cooperation is therefore crucial. It is assumed one enduring fundamental consideration for member economies is that they will wish APEC to remain a non-negotiating and consensus-based forum. The likelihood that APEC will continue to hold that status indefinitely lends even greater weight to efforts to maintain and strengthen its role as ‘an incubator of credible and innovative ideas and proposals for the future’.
The PECC signature project will bring diagnostic rigor to answering the question inherent in an APEC stock-take: where expected deliverables have been only partially achieved to date, to what extent could this be attributed to shortcomings in policy settings? Or could under-achievement be blamed not on conceptual underpinnings but rather issues to do with faulty regime design and implementation? How might policy settings need to be adjusted in future to address the challenges posed by the combination of disruptive forces now faced by the region? In that regard, the anticipated broad-based review of APEC’s post-2020 aspirations, modus operandi and priorities, of which PECC’s input will be a significant part, should be the catalyst for enhanced region-wide and economy-specific policy settings designed to achieve more equitable and inclusive trade, economic growth and employment opportunities.
NEW GROWTH DRIVERS
It is important that PECC members agree on the parameters of the signature project, given that the scope of APEC’s mandate now extends far beyond the realization of ‘free and open trade and investment’ that lies at the heart of the Bogor Goals. It was inevitable, as Asia-Pacific economic integration proceeded, that increasing complexity would appear as ‘new generation’ issues emerged to be dealt with.
As a consequence, it has become increasingly difficult to grasp the full policy dimensions of APEC’s agenda without acknowledging the place and commercial impacts in modern economies of core aspects such as digital trade and e-commerce, competitive markets, connectivity and connectedness, disruptive technology, interrelated growth, innovation, the functioning of supply chains and production networks, regulatory coherence, and the role of the services sector. In the critically important policy field of structural and regulatory reform, what future weighting should be given to the evolution of competition policy, and to new approaches to the regulation of health, safety and the environment and to other societal objectives such as security?
The signature project will be tasked to identify the cluster of key drivers of future regional growth that is inclusive and sustainable. Present trends suggest that group of key factors will highlight, among other stimulants, the increasing significance of the digital economy, investment, services, and the impact of non-tariff measures. Acknowledging the influence of those factors in the signature project, will enhance the commercial relevance of PECC’s contribution and its appeal to the business community.
The challenge of understanding what the central features of APEC’s work streams will be in future and where they interact, is compounded because the relationship among the critical growth factors is not static. It evolves over time, and the relative importance of different elements is not fixed but fluid. That point draws attention to an important consideration about this PECC project; namely, the need to avoid the temptation of concentrating largely or solely upon the present and the known. Instead, the project will have to maintain a balanced focus between what is current, how today’s situation might respond to change forces over the decade beyond 2020, and finally attempt as realistic as possible a forecast of how the contours of the region’s economic and social landscape may have been reshaped by, say, 2045. The latter, most distant and ambitious forward projection, will seriously test the ability of member committees to envision the long-term pervasive effects of transformative technology (the ‘internet of things’) now beginning to dominate work stations and the marketplace.
The success of the project and scoping out an agenda for APEC to meet the challenges will depend on active participation by all PECC member committees. It will be essential that, when approached by the project managers or designated representative, PECC member committees are willing to give their considered assessment of how the core interests and ambitions of their host economy may reasonably be expected to evolve over the next two to three decades.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Under the joint leadership of the PECC member committees of Malaysia and New Zealand, PECC has formed a task force dedicated to this project. The group consists of people also drawn from other committees but not exclusively so. They provide a balance between relevant skills and experience acquired in academia and those derived from substantial and long-standing engagement in the policy community or regional commerce.
A questionnaire to member committees and selected individuals will deliver the essential base material for the interviews and initial findings planned in phase one of the project described below, and provide the framework for a preliminary report by the task force.
SCHEDULE
Phase One: Information Gathering and Consultations (June-December 2017)
The project ‘champions,’ MANCPEC and NZPECC, in collaboration with task force members and in liaison with the PECC Secretariat, will construct a questionnaire to be filled in by colleagues from member committees and other appropriate experts identified by PECC. It will be followed by a series of interviews conducted by electronic means with selected individuals from within and outside member committees.
Drawing on the information and insights obtained from that process, a summary of the questionnaire and interview results will be prepared and made available to member committees and selected individuals for comment. The summary of responses and the comments will serve as the basis for the draft report to be prepared as Phase two of the project.
Phase Two: Preparation, Discussion and Approval of Draft Report (January-July 2018)
Based on the further work envisaged and feedback received, the co-champions and the task force members will prepare a draft report. A coordination meeting to prepare the draft report will be held in January or February 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. The draft report will outline the process followed, and highlight principal conclusions. It will be submitted to all member committees for review and comment. The Final Report will then be completed and presented to the PECC Standing Committee for consideration and approval.
Phase Three: Presentation of Report and Stakeholder Engagement (July-November 2018)
In accordance with normal PECC practice the Final Report will be submitted to APEC SOM and Ministers. If requested, an oral presentation will be made to SOM and/or to relevant Ministers. Simultaneously, PECC member committees will submit a copy of the Final Report to their relevant domestic stakeholders, e.g. political leaders, media and the public. | https://www.pecc.org/research/apec-beyond-2020 |
“Take away the semiconductor, and all of electronics—all of it!—collapses, along with all of the world’s economies.” That’s how Nick Holonyak Jr., University of Illinois professor, IEEE Medal of Honor winner, and inventor of the red light-emitting diode, views the incalculable contribution that the integrated circuit has made to society over the last four decades.
He’s far from alone in his thinking. For IEEE Spectrum’s 40th anniversary, we asked Holonyak and 39 other leading thinkers from the science and engineering world to gaze out over the technology landscape and tell us what they see. We asked them three questions: What has been the most important technology of the last 40 years? What technology has evolved in a way that surprised you? And what technology will have the biggest impact in the coming decade? Then we invited them to hold forth about the various chapters of technological history that they themselves had witnessed and helped shape.
Nearly all the answers to our first question boiled down to just three things: the integrated circuit, the Internet, and the computer. (Some people covered their bases by naming two of these or even all three.)
And technological surprises? Many of our experts expressed amazement not so much about specific technologies but at the pace of change—whether the breakneck speed of cellphone adoption or the snail-like crawl of educational technology. Moore’s Law, which is about to celebrate its own 40th year, was credited for being an engine as well as a predictor of change, catalyzing astonishing progress in computing power and transmission speed. “I picture Moore’s Law as the drummer on a slave ship, and all of us are the rowers,” says Frank H. Levinson, chairman and CTO of Finisar Corp. “If a few stop rowing, our oars crash into others’. If we all row together, magic happens.”
In the coming decade, our tech leaders foresee daily life being saturated with information technology. Mobile services, to take one example, will know who you are, where you are, and what you need at any given moment—reading e-mail to you while you’re driving in the car, say, or scrolling text messages while you’re watching TV. It’s a future that will depend on wireless communication and computation, distributed sensing, and embedded systems—what the U.S. National Academy of Engineering’s William A. Wulf calls “smart, intercommunicating everything.”
Look to biology, we were repeatedly told. Inventor Raymond C. Kurzweil envisions blood-cell-size robots, which would provide “radical life extension...reversing atherosclerosis, getting rid of damaged cells, reversing the aging process, and repairing DNA errors.” Others mentioned engineered medicines, genetically modified plants and animals, tissue engineering, brain research—all reflecting biology’s convergence with traditional engineering disciplines. While venture capitalist (and electrical engineer) David E. Liddle maintained that EEs “rule the world,” he also noted that "we’re beginning to hear the footsteps of biochemists catching up to us.”
In the end, though, our visionaries readily admitted their fallibility when it comes to predicting technology’s wayward course. Just as a forecast from 1964 might have failed to foresee the explosion of the Internet or the longevity of Moore’s Law, this one will no doubt entirely miss some major future landmarks and overstate the criticality or inevitability of others. It’s certainly safer to take the attitude of Jack St. Clair Kilby, another IEEE Medal of Honor winner, whose co-invention of the integrated circuit sparked the current revolution. “The way that all of the electronics fields have continued to grow surprises me,” Kilby noted modestly. “I don’t think anyone can predict the future.”
On the other hand, it’s sure fun to try.
Top 40 Thinkers
- Craig R. Barrett
- David Chaum
- Heinrich von Pierer
- John J. Hopfield
- William A. Wulf
- Colin Hill
- Raymond C. Kurzweil
- Federico Capasso
- John T. Chambers
- Phaedon Avouris
- Aart J. de Geus
- Kazuo Murano
- Judy Estrin
- C. Gordon Bell
- Francine D. Berman
- George M. Whitesides
- Tsuneo Nakahara
- Frank H. Levinson
- Mark Bregman
- Lotfi A. Zadeh
- Mathukumalli Vidyasagar
- Nolan Bushnell
- Sanjay Parekh
- Mildred S. Dresselhaus
- Alan C. Kay
- Neil Gershenfeld
- Jim Blinn
- Priscilla P. Nelson
- Herwig Kogelnik
- Herve J. Gallaire
- Jack St. Clair Kilby
- Wendy Hall
- Vinton G. Cerf
- Arthur C. Clarke
- Donald Christiansen
- Tsuyosh Yamamoto
- Walden C. Rhines
- David E. Liddle
- Richard (“Rick”) Rashid
- Nick Holonyak Jr. | https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-view-from-the-top |
coatings on magnesium consisted primarily of MgO (peri-clase) with ~6% MgAl 3O 4 spinel. Moreover, both coatings apparently contain a significant proportion of amorphous Fig. 2. SEM micrograph of a section through a coating formed on an Al alloy substrate
A super-hydrophobic coating was successfully fabried on the surface of magnesium alloy AZ31 by chem. etching and surface modifiion with oxosilane. The surface morphol., compn., wetting and corrosion resistance of the coating were investigated by using SEM, XPS, contact angle measurement and electrochem. method, resp.
In this paper, a dense ceramic oxide coating, ~20 μm thick, was prepared on an Y1 magnesium alloy through microarc oxidation in a Na 3 SiO 3 –Na 2 WO 4 –KOH–Na 2 EDTA electrolytic solution.
By micro-arc oxidation (MAO), the oxide coatings were prepared on the surface of magnesium alloys in a composite electrolytic solution. The microstructures of the coating layer and the interface between coating and substrate were analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
A composite coating for corrosion protection of AM60B magnesium alloy. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2011, 205(19): 4459–4465 16 Bai K F, Zhang Y, Fu Z Y, . Fabriion of chitosan/magnesium phosphate composite coating and the in vitro
effect on the coating microstructure, thickness, roughness, porosity, hardness, and the corrosion resistance of the coated magnesium alloy. PEO coatings formed using a bipolar current mode have been reported to have a more compact structure with fewer
Magnesium and its alloys are potential biodegradable implant materials due to their attractive biological properties. But the use of magnesium is still hampered by its poor corrosion resistance in physiological fluids. In this study, a HA-containing coating was
Praseodymium-decorated graphene oxide as a corrosion inhibitor in acidic media for the magnesium AZ31 alloy N. Palaniappan * a, Ivan. S. Cole b, F. Caballero-Briones c, Balasubaramanian K. d and C. Lal e a Central University of Gujarat, 382030, India. E-mail: [email protected] b Advance Manufacturing and Fabriion Research and Innovation, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic 3100
3.1. Ca-P Bath Component Generally, the calcium phosphate conversion takes place in acid solution, which needs HCl/NaOH solution to adjust the pH of the Ca-P solution. This process is complied for the preparation of the Ca-P bath. In this study, Ca(NO 3) 2 ·4H 2 O (a nearly neutral substance) and NH 4 H 2 PO 4 (an acidic substance) were selected as coating-forming agents.
A wide variety of magnesium oxide coating options are available to you, such as magnesium oxide, iron oxide. You can also choose from electron grade, agriculture grade, and industrial grade. There are 1,042 magnesium oxide coating suppliers, mainly loed in Asia.
Most coating methods, such as anodic oxidation, polymer coating and chemical conversion coating, cannot produce satisfactory coating to be used in human body environment. Recent studies demonstrate that micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technique can produce hard, dense, wear-resistant and well-adherent oxide coatings for light metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium.
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of ''A stearic Acid/CeO2 bilayer coating on AZ31B magnesium alloy with superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties for corrosion inhibition''. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Nano NH2-reduced graphene oxide (NGO) and NGO/epoxy resin coatings were prepared, respectively. NGO/epoxy coating was successfully coated on magnesium alloy substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the composition and morphology of NGO and composite coatings.
We have developed a facile, simple, time-saving method of creating a superhydrophobic surface on a magnesium alloy by a simple immersion process at room temperature. First, a crystalline CeO 2 film was vertically formed on the magnesium alloy by immersion …
16/8/2018· Based on environmentally friendly and green manufacturing of magnesium alloys, micro-arc oxidation coatings were prepared in optimized metasilie solutions on AZ63B magnesium alloys surfaces. Effect of nickel additive on working voltage, surface morphology, thickness, hardness, composition and corrosion resistance of micro-arc oxidation coating of magnesium alloys was …
Cerium Oxide (CeO₂): Synthesis, Properties and Appliions, 211-257. Liting Guo, Changdong Gu, Jie Feng, Yongbin Guo, Yuan Jin and Jiangping Tu. (2020) Hydrophobic epoxy resin coating with ionic liquid conversion pretreatment on magnesium alloy for
3.2. Coating Thickness of PEO Coatings The effect of Al 2 O 3 sol concentration on the average thickness of PEO coatings formed on the magnesium alloy is shown in Figure 2.As seen from Figure 2, the addition of Al 2 O 3 sols into the alkaline electrolyte for the PEO process resulted in a much thicker coating…
Among them, the ZX10 magnesium alloy exhibits excellent mechanical properties. However, due to their poor corrosion resistance and insufficient mechanical properties when exposed to different aggressive environment, the engineering appliion of magnesium alloys is …
The authors present a review of their recent research work in an endeavour to interpret the influence of native oxide films on the corrosion behaviour of commercial AZ31 and AZ61 magnesium alloys or on the oxidation kinetics in air at 200°C. The tendency of some of these thin films to be sufficiently protective in mild or weak corrosive environments is examined. For obtaining oxide films with
A black ceramic coating was prepared on AZ91D magnesium alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) with reduced energy consumption in an electrolyte containing sodium silie (Na 2 SiO 3), sodium hexametaphosphate ((NaPO 3) 6), ammonium metavanadate (NH 4 VO 3) and sodium citrate (C 6 …
AZ91D magnesium alloy substrate was first pretreated in a phosphoric acid to obtain a phosphate coating, and then, the electroless ternary Ni-W-P coating was deposited using a sulfate nickel bath. The morphologies of the Ni-W-P coating were observed by using scanning electron microscope, the deposition rate of the coating was examined with the method of gravimetric analysis, and the phase
Tribological behaviors of graphene and graphene oxide as water-based lubricant additives for magnesium alloy cold rolling XIE Hong-mei 1, JIANG Bin 2,3, DAI Jia-hong 1, TANG Chang-ping 4, LI Quan 5, PAN Fu-sheng 2,3 1. College of Materials Science and 2.
Formation of Phosphate/Permanganate Conversion Coating on AZ31 Magnesium Alloy C. S. Lin,a,*,z C. Y. Lee,b W. C. Li,a Y. S. Chen,b and G. N. Fangb aDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan bDepartment of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Da-Yeh University, Changhua 515, Taiwan
20/4/2017· A non-porous coating 82 can protect the bioerodible magnesium from the therapeutic agent and also delay the bioerosion of the bioerodible magnesium alloy. The non-porous coating 82 may be titanium oxide deposited by atomic layer deposition. | https://nooitmeerzondertampons.nl/1577270038+magnesium-alloy-oxide-coating.html |
Background/Purpose: Autoantibodies (AAB) targeting self-antigens can be found in two clinically and immunologically opposing diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. While in autoimmune diseases, the immune system is hyperactivated against self-antigens, many tumors suppress the anti-tumor immune response. The therapeutic cancer vaccines PSA-Tricom (Prostvac) is designed to generate an antigen-specific tumor response in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which is in phase 3 testing. To further augment the immune response, combination therapies of Prostvac with ipilimumab are currently tested in clinical studies. Ipilimumab is an antibody that blocks the immune checkpoint molecule cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). However, treatment with ipilimumab is associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) (1). Since there are no biomarkers for predicting irAEs, we investigated AAB profiles as biomarkers associated with irAE in mCRPC patients treated with prostvac and ipilumumab combination therapy.
Methods: Serum samples from 24 mCRPC patients treated with prostvac and ipiliumab therapy were tested for the presence of serum autoantibodies against 842 preselected antigens. Candidate antigens comprise immune-related and cancer signaling pathway proteins, autoimmune disease antigens, and tumor-associated antigens (TAA). Samples were collected prior to treatment (T0 samples), at 3 and 6 month. IrAEs included rash, elevated aminotransferases, neutropenia, diarrhea, colitis and endocrine irAEs. Overall survival was also captured and correlated with AABs. Autoantibody levels were measured by Luminex FlexMap3D bead based multiplex protein arrays (2) and data were analyzed by significance analysis of microarrays (SAM), Partial least squares regression (PLS) and Pearson’s correlation.
Results: In total, 87 AABs were found that were significantly different in patients with irAEs and those without irAEs (SAM |d|>2.5; Pearson’s correlation |3|>0.35). PLS analysis revealed that AABs associated with irAEs were also associated with overall survival. Gene ontology analysis of pathways, molecular function and cellular localization revealed that AABs predicting irAEs target cancer, cell cycle, cell adhesion and apoptotic pathways. We also found elevated levels of AABs in patients who do not experience irAEs. Interestingly, these 40 AABs target proteins that are involved in inflammatory, adaptive and cellular immune response pathways or are autoimmune disease antigens.
Conclusion: AABs that target antigens involved in cancer signaling pathways are associated with irAEs following prostvac plus checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy. In contrast, AABs targeting immune response pathways were found in patients who do not develop iRAEs and may counteract the action of inflammatory molecules. Similarly, anti-cytokine AABs have been found in autoimmune diseases, were they appear to counteract the pathological effects of cytokines (3). Further studies in larger sample sets are needed to confirm these findings.
(1) Madan RA et al. 2012 Lancet Oncol 13(5):501-8
(2) Budde P et al. 2016 Lupus. 25:812–22.
(3) Cappellano G et al. 2012 Am J Clin Exp Immunol. 1(2):136-46.
Disclosure: P. Budde, ProtagenAG, 3; J. Marte, None; H. D. Zucht, Protagen AG, 3; S. Bhandari, Protagen AG, 3; M. Tuschen, Protagen AG, 3; P. Schulz-Knappe, ProtagenAG, 3; J. Gulley, None; C. Heery, Bavarian NordicI, Inc., 3; R. Madan, None; J. Schlom, None.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:Budde P, Marte J, Zucht HD, Bhandari S, Tuschen M, Schulz-Knappe P, Gulley J, Heery C, Madan R, Schlom J. Autoantibody Profiling in Prostvac and Ipilimumab Treated Prostate Cancer Patients Reveals Potential Biomarkers of Immune-Related Adverse Events [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017; 69 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/autoantibody-profiling-in-prostvac-and-ipilimumab-treated-prostate-cancer-patients-reveals-potential-biomarkers-of-immune-related-adverse-events/. Accessed September 20, 2021. | https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/autoantibody-profiling-in-prostvac-and-ipilimumab-treated-prostate-cancer-patients-reveals-potential-biomarkers-of-immune-related-adverse-events/ |
Our kindergarten program provides surroundings and a curriculum designed to develop the listening and speaking skills, imagination and social skills of the kindergarten age child. This is done through storytelling, puppet plays, the acting out of stories, songs and poetry that contain rich language and pictorial images. Through this process, listening comprehension and vocabulary are developed in the children, which is the basis for later learning and reading comprehension in the grades. The children also partake in creative free play and artistic and hands-on activities.
The Outdoor Kindergarten Home Study Program
Click here for information about our Cherry Blossom class which lives at the Golden Valley River School at 9601 Lake Natoma Drive in Orangevale. | http://www.riverschool.goldenvalleycharter.org/index.php/educational-program/kindergarten |
For the Good Times (2nd Floor Only)
For the Good Times is located beachfront with lots of parking, decks, porches and space to spread out. This information is for renting the 2nd floor only which sleeps 9 with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. If you rent only the 2nd floor, there would be no groups on the other floors. You would be the only ones in the building. The other two floors would remain locked. If you need additional space, please see For the Good Times (All Floors) which sleeps 25 with 9 bedrooms, 3 kitchens, 3.5 baths on three levels.
This property has an open floorplan, ceramic tile throughout and is perfect for entertaining. The living area opens onto a screened porch on the beach side with two swings, dining table and chairs. The screened porch opens onto a sundeck which leads to a third level observation deck with a fantastic view of the island. A second sundeck on the bay side has a privacy wall and built in seating that can also be used for sunbathing.
There is a covered concrete area on the ground level with a fish cleaning area, picnic table and boiling equipment. The propane tank is provided as a convenience, however, we do not keep it filled.
The kitchen is well equipped and has a stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots, pans, dishes and utensils.
Wireless internet is provided.
Pet Friendly – Well behaved, house-broken pets are allowed (no puppies in the chewing stage). Arrangements must be made in advance. A refundable damage deposit as well as an additional cleaning fee is required.
3 Bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Bedroom 1 has king-sized bed (sleeps 2)
Bedroom 2 has queen-sized bed (sleeps 2)
Bedrooms 3 has double/twin bunkbed (sleeps 3)
Living room has queen-sized sofa sleeper (sleeps 2)
2586 Hwy. 1 (Beachfront)
Amenities
Sleeps 9 (maximum occupancy)
Sleeps 5 (1 person per bed)
3 Bedrooms
1 full bath, 1 half bath
Pet Friendly
1 king bed (sleeps 2)
1 queen bed (sleeps 2)
1 bunkbed full/twin (sleeps 3)
1 queen sofa sleeper (sleeps 2)
Bed linens, pillows, blankets
Towels provided
Washer & Dryer
No Smoking Inside
Cable TV
Wireless Internet
Central air & heat (2 units)
Boil pot, fry pot, burner, propane
Charcoal barbecue pit
Screened porch & sun decks
Fish cleaning area
Holiday Rates
Memorial Day, July 4th, Tarpon Rodeo
$400/night (4 night minimum)
Labor Day
$400/night (3 night minimum)
Additional Fees: | https://www.grandislerentals.com/rental-properties/for-the-good-times-2nd-floor-only/ |
The “[email protected]" (ESS) Campaign” jointly organised by the Department of Health (DH) and the Education Bureau (EDB), together with the “EatSmart School Accreditation Scheme” (ESAS) which was launched under the Campaign, have gained support from the education sector over the years to create an environment conducive to healthy eating, in order to promote the healthy growth of school children.
For this year's Healthy Eating Forum, Ms Sylvia Lam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association) delivered a talk on "Sodium reduction in school lunch".
DH and EDB presented presented awards to schools which have achieved accreditation in the school year 2016/17, and the “Award for Continuous Promotion of Healthy Eating at School” to nine schools achieving the “EatSmart School” status for the third time consecutively.
Date: 4 July 2017
Number of participants: Over 260
Key issues:
- EatSmart@School Campaign Highlight Report
- Healthy Eating Forum - "Sodium reduction in school lunch". | https://school.eatsmart.gov.hk/en/template/index.asp?pid=2012&id=3485 |
How does Instagram decide what content to show each individual user? If you’ve been troubled with trying to understand this question, and demystify the Instagram algorithm, we’ve got good news for you.
As part of its creator week event, Instagram has provided a glimpse into its internal workings via a series of explainers. The first explainer is centered around the feed algorithm and how the decision-making process works.
“We want to do a better job of explaining how Instagram works. There are a lot of misconceptions out there, and we recognize that we can do more to help people understand what we do. Today, we’re sharing the first in a series of posts that will shed more light on how Instagram’s technology works and how it impacts the experiences that people have across the app.” – Instagram
Here are some of the keys points you need to know:
There is not one algorithm
“Instagram doesn’t have one algorithm that oversees what people do and don’t see on the app. We use a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each with its own purpose. We want to make the most of your time, and we believe that using technology to personalize your experience is the best way to do that.”
Due to the fact that the flow of content became too much for each user to navigate, similarly to Facebook – algorithms had to be implemented.
“By 2016, people were missing 70% of all their posts in Feed, including almost half of posts from their close connections. So we developed and introduced a Feed that ranked posts based on what you care about most.”
Key Signals
According to Instagram, it’s algorithms make use of thousands of key signals that it systems draw from. However, the main indicators across Feed and Stories are as follows:
- Information about the post
- Information about the person who posted
- Your activity
- Your history of interaction with someone
Like Facebook’s News Feed, these are the general identifiers with the key elements being the type of posts you engage with and your relationship with the creator of said posts.
If you engage with static images more often, you’ll see more images.
“In Feed, the five interactions we look at most closely are how likely you are to spend a few seconds on a post, comment on it, like it, save it, and tap on the profile photo. The more likely you are to take an action, and the more heavily we weigh that action, the higher up you’ll see the post.”
Ranking Explore
If you’ve ever used the discovery tab to find new content that you’re interested in, then the Explore algorithm is doing its job.
The Explore Algorithm focuses more on showing you other, new content that you may be interested in based on your engagement history and who you follow. | https://socialsnackbar.co.za/2021/06/15/instagrams-algorithms-explained/ |
Calantha Aïcha February 26, 2021 worksheets
To summarize: math worksheets don’t teach, teachers teach. Of course, there is a place for math worksheets. After some instruction has occurred, math worksheets can provide extended practice and support development in fluency, provided the teacher is engaged with students as they work. Teachers who are effective at grouping students can use math worksheets as a springboard for discussions, discovery, and communication. So the next time you do a search for curriculum materials, skip the worksheets. Instead, consider resources that provide interactive experiences or consider sites that provide students with challenging problems. These sites will more likely engage students, foster discussion, and build a true understanding of the purpose and joy of learning math. Lauri Susi has over 20 years experience as a classroom teacher in grades pre-k through high school. Throughout most of those years, she taught at the university level as well, and she continues to hold a university post today. Lauri has a masters degree in special education and educational technology. She is an expert in matters involving students with special needs, students who struggle, and the strategic use of technology within school districts. She has co-directed a research project on fractions software for upper-elementary students, and has co-directed the implementation of a large-scale research project on technology to teach math to second grade students. Lauri is an excellent teacher-trainer and consultant to district administrators. She lives in Orlando, Florida.
If you are looking for printable worksheets for your preschool child, the array of choices can be a little intimidating. You may just be looking for a few pages to keep your child occupied with something more constructive than yet another half hour in front of the TV, or you may feel it’s time you started helping your child learn the basic skills she or he will need for school. Whatever your motivation for looking for worksheets for preschool, there are a few points to consider before you decide which ones you want. 1. Education vs Time Filler. If your goal is to provide learning opportunities for your child, you will want more than a few pictures to color in, although this is an important skill to practice. Between the ages of 3 and 7, the so-called formative years, your child is ready and willing to learn. This is a great time to start introducing the basic skills that your child will use for the rest of their lives such as counting, reading and writing. With your help and supervision, your child can do math worksheets, alphabet worksheets and much more. If education is your goal, you may want a set of worksheets designed to teach your child all of the basic skills they will need for school.
There are other sources for worksheets also. You can find many public schools and private schools which will provide free worksheets for you if you buy textbooks from the school. Or you can usually find textbooks and workbooks at the public library, where you can also copy any worksheets that you want to use. So what kinds of worksheets should you get? Anything where you feel that your child needs further drill. We often have this notion that worksheets are just for math. This, of course, is not true. While they are excellent tools for reviewing math facts such as the multiplication tables and division facts, they are just as useful for reviewing parts of speech or the states in the union. When you’re teaching your student to write, there are a whole host of worksheets online that you can use. Many of these include clipart that will help the students learn the sounds of letters and letter combinations. There are other sheets that help the student learn to write his or her numbers. It’s helpful having printable worksheets for something like this, because parents often go through quite a few of these before the child masters writing the numbers or letters correctly.
Although preschool workbooks are popular, many parents like the convenience that is associated with printable preschool worksheets. The only problem with printable preschool worksheets is that they can use up a lot ink, especially if the selected preschool worksheets are in colored ink. To save yourself money and printer ink, you may want to search for preschool worksheets that are in black and white. If you are unable to find black and white preschool worksheets that you like, you can still go for the colored ones; however, you may want to consider adjusting your printer settings. Instead of having them print off in colored ink, you may want to adjust your settings to gray scale. This will save you a considerable amount of money and printer ink, especially in the long run. Doing this can also create an additional activity for your child, as you can have them color all the pictures themselves.
If you have read my article ”Helping Your Child With Basic Arithmetic? Stay Away From Worksheets” then you know that I am not a fan of traditional worksheets. After writing that article, I found another credible teacher who has written many ezine articles expounding on the benefits of worksheets. I decided some clarification of position is in order. The primary problem with most math worksheets is that the problems are already written out and the child need only write the answers. For learning and practicing the basic skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, it is much more beneficial for the child to write out the entire fact and say the entire fact out loud. A child will learn a multiplication fact much faster if they are writing out 6 x 8 = 48 at the same time they are saying ”six times eight is forty-eight” than if they just see 6 x 8 = ___ and only have to supply the 48.
Planning Worksheets for Kids. Before creating the worksheet for children, it is important to understand why the worksheet is being made. Is there a message to be conveyed? Can students record information that can be understood later? Is it being created to just teach a basic concept to little children? A well designed worksheet will make its objective clear. The different aspects that should influence the design of the worksheet are the age, ability and motivation of the students. A young child may not be able to write or read more than a few words. Worksheets should be created keeping these factors in mind. When you buy worksheets for your children, look for how the concept is explained. Is it pictorial or is it just a collection of words? A pictorial worksheet will hold the attention of a child more than just a combination of words. Another thing to look out for is what the pupil will need to solve the worksheets? Does the worksheet require the use of crayons? Does it require other things like a pair of scissors, glue and so on? Before you buy worksheets, make sure to check if they have been created to suit the geographical location that you reside in. The language and usage of words differs from country to country. It is no point buying a worksheet which is designed for children in the US for children residing in India. Also see if the worksheets involve just one way of teaching or multiple ways. Do the worksheets involve short assessments? Does it have some activity built in; does it involve elements from the child’s surroundings?
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© 2021 Onedayinsandiego. All rights reserved. | https://onedayinsandiego.org/75kw028en/nR52883gI/ |
Knowledge is Power in Fight Against Elder AbuseDid you know that June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day? When it comes to elder abuse in the United States, the statistics are staggering. In any given year, predators successfully target approximately 5 million seniors here. In addition to experiencing various types of...
Coronavirus & Social Distancing Activities
The Coronavirus has led to families to engage in social distancing. This will impact elders and multi-generational households. This is a list of activities for families that are appropriate for social distancing.
Caregiving: It Takes a Village“It takes a village” is an African proverb meaning it takes a village to allow a child to grow in a safe, healthy environment. That same proverb applies to providing our elders with a safe, healthy environment, even aging in place. According to the...
2020 Important Social Security, Medicare, Tax, & Medicaid Numbers
What are the income limits and Medicaid numbers for 2020. | https://sketchleylaw.com/blog/page/3/ |
We are seeking a Financial Services Intern (paid internship) for our downtown Cleveland, Ohio office in May/June, 2021. This position will assist members of various departments including Research, Institutional Consulting and Portfolio Management.
Essential Job Functions:
-
Research
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Supports research coverage for all strategies including quarterly performance and attribution assessment of investment managers
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Creates written reports for all strategies within assigned asset class
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Conducts economic and market research and analysis as needed
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Institutional Consulting
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Researches and solves client issues and address clients? investment and financial needs
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Coordinates and assists Marketing with all RFP responses
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Conducts investment research projects and analyzes/evaluates data to provide sound investment recommendations
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Coordinates and finalizes client meeting materials
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Portfolio Management
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Participates in research meetings to gain a firm understanding of investment strategies
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Develops knowledge of clients by attending team meetings, reviewing CRM notes, studying client files
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Proactively reviews investment portfolios for clients and prepares trades using Tamarac Rebalancer software
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Works on special projects regarding portfolio management and trading
Required Qualifications:
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Working toward Bachelor?s Degree or MBA in Finance
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Pursuit of the CFA® designation a plus
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Ability to work under pressure, organize and manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment where time management, attention to detail, follow-through and meeting deadlines are critical
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal
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Ability to conduct quantitative analysis with a critical eye
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Enjoy working in a team environment
Clearstead is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are Clearstead?an independent institutional and wealth advisory firm in Cleveland, Ohio.
We advise nearly 125 institutions and 550 private clients on more than $20 billion of assets. Our institutional clients include retirement funds, endowments and foundations, and healthcare organizations. Our private clients are families, individuals, and related entities.
Our firm was established in 1989 and is owned 100% by its professionals and Board of Directors. Our only source of revenue is fees paid by our clients for financial advice. We are not affiliated with any firm, nor do we receive revenue from any source that impairs our ability to provide objective advice.
Our independence assures our clients of top quality, objective service, in our investment, tax, estate, and financial advice. Our independence also helps us attract and retain top people.
Clearstead is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. | https://careercenter.bauer.uh.edu/jobs/clearstead-advisors-financial-services-intern/ |
The Block Museum of Art livestreamed the Hindi film “Badnam Basti” on Thursday, which depicts one of the first LGBTQ relationships in Indian cinematic history and was previously thought to be lost.
Based on the 1957 novel of the same name, the film, released in 1971, focuses on a love triangle between two men and a woman who are social outcasts in their society. Noted for its “adventurous editing, strong performances, neorealist style,” according to the event listing, the movie has created a name for itself in the Indian film community. But its viewing did not come easily, because, until recently, the film was presumed lost.
The Thursday screening was the last film in the Block Cinema series “Morning Will Come: Modernity in Indian Cinema,” which features Indian cinematic classics that have rarely been shown in the U.S.
The series also complements the Block’s “Modernisms” exhibit, which highlights Iranian, Turkish and Indian art from NYU’s Abby Weed Grey Collection. The Block was able to screen copies of Indian films by partnering with the Consulate General of India, Pick-Laudati Curator of Media Arts Michael Metzger and additional museum staff.
“We decided to focus on India because of a cinematic history that is really underseen in this country,” Metzger said. “These are really rare and wonderful films that we’re very privileged to have been able to show.”
Metzger said he thought of the idea for this screening when researching possible films to include in this series. He said many of the films from India that the Block received were incomplete or not in projectable condition. The Museum looked at every single film in the archive, he said, from around the eras the series covers.
When he saw the title for “Badnam Basti,” Metzger said after further research he discovered its significance as the alleged first Indian film to explore same-sex relationships. The Block hoped to rent the film in its original 35 mm print, but after inspection, determined that the film was not in projectable condition. Fortunately, they were able to make a digital copy.
“Even the director had no idea where copies of the film existed,” Metzger said. “Scholars of Indian cinema have been aware of this for a long time, but haven’t been able to see it. So we were immediately really excited to find out that this film might actually be accessible to us.”
The screening was followed by an online discussion co-hosted by Simran Bhalla, a Ph.D. candidate in screen cultures at Northwestern, and Sudhir Mahadevan, associate professor of cinema and media studies at the University of Washington.
Bhalla said this screening is likely the first time in many decades people will have a chance to see what is “almost certainly” the first Indian film that overtly depicts an LGBTQ relationship. She said she hopes people will understand the diversity of Indian cinema “beyond just Bollywood.”
The discussion touched on themes of modernity and sexuality in post-colonial India, as well as stylistic elements of the film and its role in Indian LGBTQ history. Bhalla said she believes “Badnam Basti” is a fitting and unique addition to the series, as it represents the movement of parallel cinema in India.
“India’s LGBTQ movement has been gaining ground the last couple of decades, and so I think there’s a lot of interest in this film to see this thing that we thought that we never talked about,”Bhalla said. “It’s really important to understand how we thought about sexuality, how we govern sexuality, and it’s just important for reflecting on our past.” | |
Eglantine Chauffour of Enartis Vinquiry leads training sessions for growers and winemakers on the use of BSA.
If everyone on your winegrowing and winemaking teams shares a common language, there’s less risk involved when it comes to making crucial decisions. Few would argue that the most crucial decision a winemaker faces is when to pick. Beyond establishing intentions for the style and quality of the finished wine, making confident, proactive picking decisions relies on accurately assessing levels of ripeness. This acquired skill is on that vineyard managers and winemakers typically master through trial and error as they learn to speak the same language when describing degrees of fruit maturity and other sough-after qualities.
onfidently assess fruit quality for specific wine styles and, in turn, gain more control over harvest timing decisions and production methods. | https://deborahparkerwong.com/2015/03/10/berry-sensory-analysis-a-common-language-for-describing-maturity/ |
Q:
In javascript, jQuery, or css how do I get a div or iframe to expand to fill rest of space
I have three iframes and I set the top iframe to 50px height and I set the bottom iframe to 50px, but I want the middle iframe to exand to fill the rest of the space. Is there a technique I can use to do this for any window screen size?
thanks.
example:
<iframe style="width:100%; height:50px;" src="headerstuff.asp" %></iframe>
<iframe style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="Content.asp" %></iframe> <!-- height needs to fill -->
<iframe style="width:100%; height:50px;" src="footerstuff.asp" %></iframe>
A:
For divs, this is pretty simple. I'm not sure if this will work for iframes, but your question title indicates divs are sufficient:
<div style='background:red; position:absolute; top:0; left:0; right:0; height:50px;'></div>
<div style='background:green; position:absolute; top:50px; left:0; right:0; bottom:50px;'></div>
<div style='background:blue; position:absolute; bottom:0; left:0; right:0; height:50px;'></div>
A:
<iframe id="i1" style="width:100%; height:50px;" src="headerstuff.asp" %></iframe>
<iframe id="i2" style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="Content.asp" %></iframe> <!-- height needs to fill -->
<iframe id="i3" style="width:100%; height:50px;" src="footerstuff.asp" %></iframe>
var res, ires,n1,n2,h;
n1 = $('#i1').height();
n2 =$('#i3').height();
h= $(window).height();
ires = n1+n2;
res = h-ires;
$('#i2').height(res);
| |
Computers let students travel around the world without ever leaving their desks. They can make learning easier and more fun. Our goal is to stay on the cutting edge of technology and help faculty and students enhance the educational experience through multimedia experiences.
One-to-One
Powell High School is a one-to-one school. Both teachers and students utilize technology on a daily basis,and we issue personal learning devices to facilitate its use. Online credit recovery and a few online dual-credit options are also available.
Learn more and purchase insurance for your student’s laptop on our District website.
Media Center
We believe that with diligence and access to the right tools, everybody can succeed. Our state-of-the-art media center allows students to increase their knowledge and awareness of the world while developing digital citizenship. Be sure to come in often for books, new research tools, and multimedia equipment to help you ace that next class project. | https://phs.pcsd1.org/Technology |
REVEALED: #24-19 of Gympie’s most influential of 2020
KNOWN for her determination to dig out the truth of Gympie council matters, Kathy Little Walker’s presence in the local government landscape shows no signs of slowing, and she comes in at #24 of the people of influence in this region in 2020.
As creator and chief moderator of the Gympie Regional Forum Positively Factual Facebook page, which has more than 3400 followers, the Gympie-born Mrs Walker was and continues to be an avid and vocal scrutineer of Gympie’s previous council.
Mrs Walker spent four years fighting for change at the local government level following the sacking of GRC planning officer Jill Promnitz and the clearing of GRC head of planning Mike Hartley who was accused of criminal fraud charges in 2014.
With the Forum following still growing, Mrs Walker undoubtedly has had an impact on council coverage and some may argue on the outcome of the local government election when five councillors (including mayor Mick Curran) were not returned.
A meeting of Gympie Regional Council in 2016.
Through the Forum page, Mrs Walker has forged links with the Queensland Local Government Reform Alliance (which held its AGM in Gympie in 2017) and council candidates for other regions, including Jannean Dean and Gary Duffy.
#23 JUSTIN LIPPIATT
COMING in at #23 of Gympie’s 40 most powerful and influential people of 2020 is businessman, father and husband Justin Lippiatt.
Mr Lippiatt has 25 years’ experience in retail, financial, NFP, education and more recently the manufacturing and transport sectors.
Power 40: #23 Justin Lippiatt
He is an active church goer and board member of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of Polleys Buses and Pinetech Manufacturing Pty Ltd, where he has created an empowered team culture resulting in a business turnaround including the COVID-19 period.
Passionate about business and the prospects for regional youth, he is the driving force behind the fledgling Grow Unlimited Strategy, Gympie Angels Investment Group and a Chamber of Commerce initiative to nurture and mentor local youth through a Young Tycoons program.
Mr Lippiatt recently completed his Master of International Business to add to his Master of Business Administration and Graduate Diploma in Management.
#22 TOM & LYN GRADY
THIS humble couple would be the last people giddied by being on a list of Gympie’s most influential – but their passion for their community and keen business sense means their presence and influence in the Gympie region gets things done, which is why they have come in at #22 of this year’s list.
Tom and Lyn Grady both hail from the Gympie region and have been growing their name and brand for 40 years, since they opened Tom Grady Real Estate in Monkland St in 1980, where they sold houses, farms and ran machinery auctions.
POWER 40: #22 Tom and Lyn Grady
Six years later, the Gradys added to their success when they bought Gene Barker Livestock – selling up to 40,000 head of livestock per year for many years alongside their real estate business.
Later, they included rural merchandise in their expanding business in a store in Mary St.
They now operate two top Combined Rural Traders stores on Tozer and Nash Sts, with 15 employees.
Lyn and Tom Grady at the Gympie Business Awards.
One of their passions – the Gympie District Show (which could not go ahead this year because of COVID restrictions) would not be as big or bright or may not even have a future if it wasn’t for the Gradys generous sponsorship.
It’s an event that draws up to 40,000 visitors each year.
The Gradys sponsor the spectacular fireworks shows that run each night and the competitions that go with them, as well as sponsoring every section, and feeding visiting farmers each morning.
RAINBOW Beach businessman, fisherman, drought runner and community stalwart Tony Stewart has come in at #21 in the Gympie region’s 40 Most Influential People of 2020.
The 73-year-old and Rainbow Beach resident, who worked in the fishing industry for more than 20 years, was named Gympie Citizen of the Year in 2018 and is still an active board member of the Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism Association, whose membership exceeds 50 businesses and accounts for almost every business in Rainbow Beach.
He was nominated in 2018 for a News Corp Pride of Australia Award for his tireless work helping the farming families of western Queensland and northern New South Wales hit hard by drought.
YOU BEAUTY: Tony Stewart worked in the fishing industry for more than 20 years.
His efforts in promoting, co-ordinating and shipping truckloads of support through the Rainbow Beach Droughtrunners have been incredible and had a powerful effect not just on drought affected families for the past five years, but Rainbow Beach itself, and the broader Gympie region. These continue today.
The Droughtrunners have also run huge fundraising events such as balls, and hosted children from drought affected communities for holidays on the Cooloola Coast, involving multiple stakeholders, through the Bush to Beach project.
Mr Stewart’s efforts through the Commerce and Tourism Association - which has helped the Rainbow Beach business community not only ride out the COVID-19 storm but brought in thousands of visitors and a tourism boom - and the Droughtrunners, earns him his spot on the 2020 list of the most influential.
#20 RENITA HENRY-MAY
GYMPIE blogger, teacher and mother-of-two Renita Henry-May has made her debut on Gympie’s Power 40 list this year at Number 20.
The creative and passionate businesswoman is the brains behind Foodie Mumma Ren –
a blogging brand based on recipes and a love of food with an associated website and strong Facebook following of 15,000 people from all over the world.
POWER 40: #20 Renita Henry-May
Foodie Mumma Ren was a finalist for the national 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards in the Author and People’s Choice Leadership categories.
The awards, presented by The Women’s Business School, recognise outstanding women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
As a mother of two, a wife of a FIFO electrician and a Japanese and food technology teacher by day, Renita created Foodie Mumma Ren as a way to share her love and passion for all things food.
Renita Henry-May and her family enjoy the Gympie Show.
Connecting with her fans allows Renita to connect with people from all over the world who share her passion, she said.
She takes the life-is-too-short approach to things and encourages others to the same.
“It can be challenging to be a successful business woman while raising a family and Renita gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.
“Follow your dreams and your passion.”
#19 KIM BOYTER
POWER 40: #19 Kim Boyter
IN THE words of Gympie Regional Mayor Glen Hartwig, you wouldn’t find a more passionate person than Kim Boyter in the Goomeri community.
A deserving new arrival among this year’s rankings of the region’s most influential people, the tireless volunteer and vocal community advocate is the driving force behind the iconic Goomeri Pumpkin Festival.
While the festival was among an endless list of big-ticket events cancelled by COVID-19 this year, Kim was instrumental in drawing a record crowd of about 18,000 people to the town in 2019.
And that impressive feat was on the back of the festival being awarded Gympie Regional Council’s Community Event of the Year on Australia Day last year, and the Gympie Chamber of Commerce Tourism Award at the Gympie Business Awards.
As co-ordinator Kim has her sights set on a bigger and better festival in 2021, with the countdown to May 31 well and truly underway.
Goomeri Pumpkin Festival’s Emma Schneider and Kim Boyter accept the award for Tourism Business of the Year last year at the Gympie Business Awards.
“I pretty much devote my life to it, I probably give it 20 hours a week voluntarily to maintaining our annual events calendar, it’s not just the once a year festival,” Kim said.
“It’s all about community building, resilience and building harmony to get that volunteer base up that we need. If we don’t have volunteers we have no festival.”
Through her work with the festival Kim also has a lot to do with other not-for-profit organisations like the local SES, Goomeri Lions and the Goomeri Project, where “they always have something on the go”.
Perhaps her crowning achievement this year was earning one of two Gympie Senior Citizen of the Year awards in August, recognising her outstanding dedication towards progress for Goomeri fuelled by a love of its “wide open spaces” and “family-based values”.
“I’m still trying to work out how that happened, but I’ll take that accolade,” she said.
“It’s nice to know people in the community recognise the work I do and value it, so I’m really appreciative of that support and without it I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”
This list is a subjective talking point, not a scientific guide. We welcome feedback from the public. It is about the 40 most powerful and/or influential people in the Gympie region. How strong and broad is their influence? A special committee of community leaders from various walks of life have voted on who should be on this list and in what order.
Is there someone you think should be on the list? Email your contenders to [email protected] or comment below and tell us why. | |
Are you looking for a company that cares about people's lives and health, including yours? At Olympus, we help make people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, every day. We're currently looking for a Senior Programmer Analyst to join us in our San Jose, CA office.
Let's inspire healthier lives, together.
The Senior Programmer Analyst supports the Rockwell FTPC (Datasweep) and related applications used by repair centers in San Jose, Bartlett and Toronto. In this position, the candidate works with diverse technical and business teams across regions. The incumbent will also serve as the IT representative to the repair center, and be the primary point of contact on any repair system issues or questions. He/ she participates in technical and business meetings regarding software defects and enhancements.
Job Duties
As a Sr. Programmer Analyst working on the San Jose IT team, you will be empowered and inspired to do your best work. You will contribute to our mission by a strong customer focus, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
* Track communicate coordinate train implement and maintain system (Rockwell FTPC) enhancements as required to all affected business units and end-users.
* Write system validation/verification test protocols and scriptsin support of the implementation of new systems and system updates.
* Consult with users on day-to-day application-related issues or required enhancements with regard to system maintenance and design including scheduling and tracking all resolutions.
* Support multiple projects involving the design development and implementation of complex new and existing databases and software applications.
* Tasks include but are not limited to:
* Confer with user groups to discuss and define business needs and potential solutions based on information technology.
* Evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed alternatives to meet business objectives.
* Assist with development of project plan and budget to include estimated project milestones and time allotments.
* Estimate and allocate project resources as necessary.
* Assign work appropriately to more junior level staff members.
* Review and evaluate completed work.
* Collaborate in the development of a clear set of program performance specifications to meet user needs.
* Communicate with vendor support personnel to resolve technical problems.
* Test computer programs.
* Research analyse and recommend available computer programs that may address all or part of the user's total requirements.
* Arrange for the purchase of programming tools to facilitate the project completion.
* Conduct demonstrations of completed computer programs for users to ensure that they function properly and are acceptable.
* Develop and implement tests and standards of operation to ensure that the program is functioning properly.
* Visit user sites to test programs.
* Review all documentation for completed programs completed to ensure thoroughness and accuracy.
* Develop and deliver system operation training to end users and ITS personnel to ensure maximum operational efficiency.
* Coordinate with the Database Administrator in the design use and application of files and fields in order to eliminate or minimize redundancy and to ensure accuracy and timeliness of information retained.
* Respond in a timely manner to requests for technical assistance and guidance.
* Contribute opinions and recommendations to management concerning the job performance of staff members.
* Perform all other duties as assigned.
Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
* Bachelors or equivalent experience required. Preferred areas of concentration include engineering and/or information technology.
* Working knowledge of Rockwell FTPC or similar MES software Working knowledge of Java programming.
* Working knowledge of software validation and verification.
* Working knowledge of Microsoft office suite.
* Minimum 5 years applications development and implementation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
* Ability to multi-task prioritize effort based on business objectives and build lasting processes to accomplish ongoing tasks.
* Strong statistical analytical and decision making skills that are quality oriented.
* Experience in coordinating activities among departments or groups.
* Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
* Able to work effectively with minimal supervision.
* Strong knowledge of development methodologies with problem solving skills.
* Must possess a high degree of personal organization and excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
We realize work isn't just a job to you.
It's a big part of your life, but not the only part. That's why we offer competitive salaries, a robust 401(k) program, annual bonus program and comprehensive medical benefits, as well as tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, parental and adoption leave, on-site services and Colleague Affinity Networks — so you can be ready for where life can take you. | https://api.careerarc.com/job-listing/olympus-jobs-senior-programmer-analyst-31501023 |
Every personal injury case has many different aspects to it, but the basic stages of a case from start to finish usually remain consistent. The accident lawyer Boca Raton that you decide to hire will be working with your best interest in mind, and will guide you through each of these stages. To give a basic understanding of how a case may progress, below are the stages typically seen in a personal injury case:
-
- Initial Intake & Pre-Suit/Pre-Litigation
This stage is the beginning of the legal process. This is when your accident lawyer Boca Raton will initially meet with you, and begin all the work of gathering the necessary facts and documentation regarding your case. The you will typically be in the process of receiving medical care at this stage, and your attorneys will begin the process of learning the true extent of your injuries.
- Demand-Pre-Suit/Pre-Litigation Settlement Negotiations
At this stage, attorneys will prepare a demand package that includes a detailed letter setting forth your claim that encompasses medical records, medical bills, photographs, police reports, incident reports, and other supporting documentation. Once the appropriate insurance carriers or claim adjusters have received and reviewed the demand package, negotiations will typically ensue in an effort to reach an amicable resolution. If these negotiations are successful, both sides can avoid going to trial and the case concludes. If an agreement between the involved parties cannot be met, then the case will likely move forward into litigation.
- Litigation/Trial Stage.
This stage is where the attorneys will file a lawsuit presenting the appropriate legal claims against the adverse party(ies). A period of discovery will begin where evidence is collected and exchanged. Depositions are also taken during the discovery stage. Ultimately, the case will be scheduled for trial. There are typically times during this stage where the parties will attempt to settle the case. If the parties do not reach an amicable resolution, the case will proceed to trial.
- Trial.
At this stage, both sides will make a formal presentation of evidence to a jury and a judge. You will likely experience jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony, expert testimony, and the presentation of physical evidence during a trial.
- Resolution & Closing Stage.
Most cases resolve when the parties reach a settlement. However, some cases proceed to verdict, and a final judgment will ultimately be entered. Once the monetary amount of the resolution is determined, your attorneys will begin the process of working to maximize your settlement. At this stage, your attorneys will take steps to try and reduce medical bills, and insurance liens. Ultimately, you will be provided a Closing Statement that reflects how the funds will be disbursed. Upon your approval and execution of the Closing Statement, the funds will typically be disbursed.
- Appeal and Post-Judgment Motions Stage (If necessary).
In some instances, an accident lawyer Boca Raton may find an issue that needs to be appealed. An appeal is typically an attempt to reverse a court decision that has had a significant adverse impact on your case.
- Initial Intake & Pre-Suit/Pre-Litigation
- If you find yourself needing legal representation because of an incident causing a personal injury, call the accident lawyer Boca Raton of Greenberg & Strelitz, P.A. at (561)361-9400 for your free initial consultation. | https://greenberginjurylaw.com/2017/10/09/stages-of-a-personal-injury-case-with-an-accident-lawyer-boca-raton/ |
Author:
Cullys Kitchen
Scale
1x
2x
3x
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup
s 10-grain hot cereal mix (I used Bobs Red Mill)
2 ½ cup
s boiling water
3 cup
s unbleached all-purpose flour – plus extra for dusting the work surface
1½ cup
s whole-wheat flour
4 tablespoon
s honey
4 tablespoon
s unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
2 ½ teaspoon
s instant yeast
1 tablespoon
table salt
½ cup
old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats
Instructions
Place cereal in the bowl of a standing mixer and pour boiling water over it; let stand, stirring occasionally, until mixture cools to 100. Do not let mixture over cool. While the mixture is cooling mix the flours together in a large bowl.
Mix in the honey, melted butter, and yeast into the cereal; stir to combine.
Using a dough hook mix on low speed adding the flour ½ cup at a time. Mix until dough forms a ball.
(1½ to 2 minutes) Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.
Add the salt and mix on medium-low speed until dough clears sides of bowl; 3 to 4 minutes. (If it does not clear sides, add 2 to 3 tablespoons additional all-purpose flour) continue mixing for 5 minutes.
Remove dough from mixer onto a lightly floured board and knead by hand until a taught ball forms. Place the dough in a lightly greased large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. (45 to 60 minutes – don’t rush this)
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and using your hands spread dough into a 9 x 12-inch rectangle and cut dough in half crosswise. Roll into loaves starting with the short side. Lightly spray the loaves with cooking spray and roll them in the oatmeal. Place loafs in 9 x 5 loaf pan lightly coated with cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for an additional 30 to 40 minutes; When finished loves should be about an inch over the top of the pans.
While the dough is rising to preheat oven to 375F.
Adjust rack to middle position and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reads 200F, remove loaves from the pans to a wire rack to cool; cool at least 3 hours before slicing.
Find it online
: | https://cullyskitchen.com/homemade-multigrain-bread-recipe/print/15377/ |
One of the most difficult and interesting moments of leadership, especially early in our career, is that moment when we realize that a problem or situation has no answer. That’s right, no answer—no correct answer.
The years of work that we’ve put in learning strategy, finance, operations, organizational processes and figuring out technology is virtually useless in this instance. Now, I’m not talking about a problem characterized by extreme, far-out scenarios—like what to do when you encounter zombies—nor am I talking about that algebraic problem where two trains are going in opposite directions at different speeds and you need to find when they will cross. Both problems seem unsolvable when presented during a high-stress situation.
In trying to solve many of these problems that cannot be solved, we conclude that we are either very smart or very inept. Even worse is when we don’t recognize that some problems are unsolvable, and as a result, tend to generate solutions that in turn create more problems.
Ultimately, it’s our ability to commit to a lifelong journey of becoming purposeful that allows us to effectively balance the day-to-day dilemmas—and unsolvable problems—that we’re faced with as leaders.
Leadership Isn’t About Problem-Solving
Becoming a leader is a process that takes time, one experience after another, learning the differences and nuances between types of problems and situations. It’s also a process of learning whether the real problem is in something that you observe or is something in your mind.
Part of becoming is learning that not every problem needs to be solved. I know, heresy. Part of becoming may be that leaders don’t solve problems; they achieve goals. Part of becoming may be that leadership cannot be taught, but must be learned.
You can begin becoming a leader at a young age. Some people are leaders as a Boy Scout or Girl Scout. Some lead academic clubs. Some go on to lead Fortune 1000 organizations or run their own nonprofit. No matter how you slice it, leadership follows a sequence that generally starts with learning how to set goals for yourself and achieving them with some sort of discipline.
When we can demonstrate reliably repeating this process, next, we move to managing a small group or team around a set of standards. Can you keep them together and help them achieve their standards or goals?
Then, we might progress into a situation where we have no expertise and we are asked to help a different group of people achieve something; maybe we do this with less than ideal circumstances—in a tight timeline with little people or money resources. Then, we’re perhaps leading a function or a division. This sequence has a lot of common elements but we each experience it differently.
And in the process, we usually figure out something each time—we progress. We progress until we finally reach that problem or situation where there is no answer. There is no solution. We go from being successful to feeling like a fraud in moments.
And we take the usual route that has worked since we were in junior high school, we go to our teacher (or boss) for tutoring. But they can’t seem to help, either. The very people that we depend on can’t assist us. We have a problem and there is no help desk. The tendency is to think that someone got the wiring of the problem wrong. The tendency is to always see the problem as “out there,” in the world around us.
Yes, We Are a Part of the Problem
Becoming a leader is the process of learning how to think about yourself as being part of the problem—in fact, part of every problem we face. It’s a process of learning how you might have inadvertently or unintentionally set in motion something that days, weeks, months, and sometimes years later comes back to confound you.
Part of becoming a leader is learning that some problems are dilemmas. You can’t solve a dilemma—you must manage it by finding middle ground. Some problems or situations require you to put your character on stage to feel the pain of others and model the way forward.
While you can learn some tools, tricks and general principles for how to “be” a leader, you won’t become an effective leader until you practice showing others the way as a matter of character and presence, repeatedly. Doing it once is not enough.
Doing it 500 times and getting feedback and improving as you go is better—and likely still not enough. Sometimes, the problem is in how you see things and believe how things work. And sometimes, the problem cannot be solved, and you lead from your most vulnerable place— showing others the way with your character and your maturity as a leader.
You Will Stumble—We All Do
Along the way, we are learning: about strategy, finance, performance management, operations and logistics; how to scale from small teams to large teams to functions to divisions to companies; and how to set goals and engage others. We are learning how to achieve, and how to decide.
The mind is capable of some amazing calculations, but can it calculate that you are the cause of the problem? Can it calculate that your presence, your ability to stand in the pain of a situation and give others hope and inspiration is what needs to happen, when all you really want to do is retreat into your office?
Sometimes, leadership is believing that you can get others to believe in themselves. Sometimes, leadership is giving up your power to others so that they can lead. And sometimes, leadership is knowing how to blend your voice and your power with others to enable a collective achievement.
Yes, leadership is about knowing and certainly about doing. But the most important and time-consuming journey to leadership is being and the path to becoming.
Women in Leadership Institute™
NOV. 1–4, 2022 | Orlando, Florida, or Virtual
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Join more than 15,000 others and subscribe to Linkage Leadership Insights: your resource for leadership development-related topics that matter to you, from the advancement of women leaders to diversity and inclusion and purposeful leadership. Plus, get all the latest Linkage news delivered to your inbox. | https://www.linkageinc.com/leadership-insights/mhannum-the-answer-is-no-answer-the-path-to-becoming-a-leader/ |
(March 22, 2021 – Williams Lake, BC) After invasive zebra mussels were found in moss balls sold for aquariums in the US and Canada, extensive checks have discovered these invasive dangerous mussels in moss balls sold in many provinces and states. The Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) is urging aquarium owners across Canada now to immediately dispose of any moss balls and properly clean their aquariums so no invasive mussels or larvae can enter Canadian waters.
“Highly dangerous invasive zebra mussels have been found this month in moss ball products sold in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, so this problem is widespread,” says Gail Wallin, Chair of the CCIS. “Every aquarium owner needs to carefully dispose of moss ball products responsibly, and should clean their aquariums with a strong solution of chlorine bleach and water to be sure no invasive species get into any water systems.”
Invasive mussels were first discovered in moss balls sold at pet stores across the US, then found in stores and home aquariums across Canada. If you find moss balls in your aquarium, the BC Conservation Officer Service advises to either:
- Place the moss ball into a sealable plastic bag and freeze for at least 24 hours, or
- Place the moss ball in boiling water for at least one full minute.
After this, place the moss ball and any of its packaging in a sealed plastic bag and dispose in the trash. Do not flush moss balls down the toilet or dispose of them in the compost. Never dump aquarium tank pets, plants or water into any residential water system or waterway.
Zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels that have infested parts of Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba and have changed fresh water ecosystems, destroyed shorelines and impacted recreational and community infrastructure. To date, there has been no reported introduction of live zebra mussels into BC lakes or waterways, but other invasive species have caused serious damage. Some of the most serious invasive species were originally sold as pets or plants for water gardens and aquariums. For example, goldfish released by pet owners have caused serious damage to lakes across Canada. For more information on preventing the spread of invasive species like these, visit DontLetItLoose.ca.
“All Canadians need to do their part to understand the effects of invasive species and prevent invasive species from spreading,” adds Wallin. “The extent of these moss balls is much wider spread than we first thought, so we encourage everyone to please speak with friends and local aquarium stores to help find other high-risk moss balls and report them immediately. It is up to all of us to take action to protect Canada’s waters and habitats by preventing the release or dumping of any aquariums.”
For more information, visit www.canadainvasives.ca.
About the Canadian Council on Invasive Species
The Canadian Council on Invasive Species works collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries to support actions and information that can help reduce the threat and impacts of invasive species. Invasive species councils, committees, and coalitions representing provinces and territories across Canada established this federal society to work together to reduce the impact of invasive species across the country.
– 30 –
Media contact: | https://canadainvasives.ca/aquarium-owners-across-canada-advised-to-take-immediate-action-invasive-mussels-found-in-aquarium-plants-in-homes-stores/ |
Fourteen rare species of coral fish commonly thought to have disappeared from Hong Kong waters have been rediscovered in the past three years, according to green groups.
But the groups also expressed concern that fewer green turtles were visiting local waters, while more Sabah giant groupers, which environmentalists believe pose a threat to local coral species, were present.
Hong Kong fish population under threat from oxygen-starved water, breakthrough study finds
According to an annual coral fish survey conducted by the Eco-Education and Resources Centre and Green Power, many species disappeared from Hong Kong in the 1990s due to overfishing and pollution.
But they say the situation has improved since 2000 in the wake of increased environmental awareness and the introduction of a closed fishing period here.
One of the most important among the 14 rediscovered species was the blackspot tuskfish, which had not been seen for almost two decades, Eco-Education director Ken Ching See-ho said. The island of Tsing Yi is named after the fish’s name in Cantonese.
Exposed: the illegal Hong Kong trade in endangered coral reef fish
Ching said the return of the species was important to the local ecosystem because it feeds on sea urchins. He said the growing population of sea urchins in the waters off Tung Ping Chau in the northeastern New Territories and Sham Wan on Lamma had affected the local seagrass bed and coral reefs.
Other rediscovered species include blue-spotted pipefish, the tasseled blenny, twin-spot butterfly ray, dusky frill-goby and double-lined tongue sole.
The groups estimate that the total number of coral fish species could reach around 360 from 350 three years ago, based on an estimation method used by the University of Hong Kong 10 years ago in a similar survey.
Mismanagement and lack of targets causing Hong Kong’s marine parks to suffer
“The more species that are found, the healthier the ocean environment is,” Ching said.
But he said the fact that green turtles had almost stopped visiting Sham Wan, the only nesting place in Hong Kong and one of the few such spots in southern China, was a concern.
The government has not recorded any nesting green turtles there since 2012.
Ching said although the government closed Sham Wan beach during the nesting season from June to October, private yachts could still enter the bay, scaring off the turtles.
He urged the government to close off the bay as well during the nesting period.
Fishy business: Hong Kong fishermen and conservationists urge crackdown on illegal trawling
He added that the number of Sabah giant grouper, a hybrid of a giant and tiger grouper known for its voracious appetite, had been increasing fast as people released them for religious reasons and natural disasters destroyed fishermen’s fishing rafts, freeing them.
He said giant groupers were kept in almost 80 per cent of rafts in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, due to its high survival rate and therefore low cost for fishermen.
“Although we can’t do much about natural disasters, we should strengthen education for religious groups to let them know how to identify the fish and then not release them,” Ching said. | http://www.cepec-tortues.fr/coral-fish-reappear-in-hong-kong-waters-but-green-turtles-vanish/ |
According to Ogawa (1978), the first 150 Japanese arrived to Hawaii in 1868, right after the end of the Edo Period, to work on the plantations and almost 100 chose to remain. Thirty years later Japanese made up the largest single ethnic group in the Island. This large minority population gradually integrated with other peoples in work and marriage on the islands and their inner life influenced Hawaiian culture broadly. In Obake Files, Grant (1996) says that the early Japanese in Hawaii “brought their ghosts that commingled and ‘intermarried’ with indigenous Hawaiian spirits and those of other races” (p. 17). It is not clear exactly what Grant means by the term ‘intermarry,’ but Japanese expressions of the supernatural could be heard in many homes on the island, not just Japanese ones.
An important element of this cultural diffusion in Hawaii was the teaching of Buddhism about different types of spirits and supernatural beings that inhabited the life after death. There were hungry ghosts (gaki), for example, who fed on leftover scraps of food. These spirits were always hungry, symbolized by their needle-thin necks and flaming red hair (a sign of protein deficiency). Ogawa (1978) writes that Buddhism was encouraged by plantation owners for self-promoting the community. He sees a role played by the plantation work community in “a network of perceptions dealing with the supernatural” (p.55).
Not only religious teachings from Buddhism but also folklore was part of every Japanese household that would spread widely as intermarriage with Hawaiian culture, which would have taken place. Nature-spirits (like the imaginary water creature called kappa) and communications with the dead were an important part of many issei experiences that were adopted widely by other Hawaiians (Ogawa, 1978). For example, the Japanese bon festival for welcoming the spirits of dead ancestors back into the home has become a prominent part of every community.
After Japanese immigrants settled, they might have followed their parents in telling their children about the existence of certain monsters who threatened those who would not obey the rules. Grant (1994) also introduces another folklore belief in immigrant culture in Hawaii, kappa.1 In Japan, kappa is a monster or an imagined troublesome creature and the belief widely distributed. The broad distribution of this creature is evidence due to the wider range of its name. Some examples are: gawappa in Kumamoto; garappa in Kagoshima; and gongo in Okayama, where immigrants came (Chiba, 1988).2 After Japanese immigrants settled, they might have started to tell children that the existence of monster to control or protect children drown in pond by telling them that kappa would drag children into pond and kill them (Grant, 1983).
The function of monster tales was so relevant in Japan. A Japanese ethnographer Kunio Yanagita (1939) describes a typical way of such a story could be used to control children in rural areas. The Japanese parents tried to prohibit their children play in hide-and-seek in evenings so they created some monsters to scare them. When children said “why?” some parents created some strange-instant names. When children refused to come home at night their parents would warn them, “ato no-ko ha mujina no-ko” (that late children must be mujina’s child” (an old saying from the island of Sado, Niigata prefecture)3 (Yanagita, 1939, p.22). According to Yanagita (1939), in order to make children hurry to their homes from the playground and not stop to talk with strangers, parents told them to beware of becoming children of mujina. The phrase, “ato no-ko ha mujina no-ko” is sentimental for me because it evokes my childhood memories. When I was still a child, about the 2nd or 3rd grade, neighborhood children and I chanted a phrase, “karasu-ga naku kara kaero (let’s go home because crows sing),” to each other in order to urge ourselves to go homes before dark. This self-regulating system in children in play might have existed in Hawaii too.
The contemporary Hawaiian mujina is a hybrid ghost created by the Asian and Hawaiian cultural encounter. It is a mixture of many ghosts and folklore stories in addition to some mysterious elements from both Japan and Hawaii, and maybe from other countries as well. Many influences migrated from the distant past in the collective memories of the Japanese and, maybe, other Asian inhabitants of the islands. They crystallized in eyewitness accounts of a faceless female with beautiful hair who is not unlike Madame Pele. These females have the same sort of power to allure and scare men. The broad images of Pele would have welcomed the spiritual female from Japan. Glen Grant is right, therefore, to name this phenomenon “intermarriage” of ghosts, but he is not right to focus so much attention on her similarity to Hearn’s mujina.
Despite the unknown origins of this particular ghost story in Honolulu, it is probably the flowering of kwaidan (ghost storytelling) in the Edo Period that provides the most fertile background for explaining the modern Hawaiian tale. The cultural practice, kwaidan, was brought to Hawaii by immigrants from Japan, maintained under Buddhist sponsorship, and spread widely through horror movies to the general populace. In other words, the story developed in the cross-cultural stream of Hawaii as a form of longing. One stream of this longing was of the Japanese in the Edo Period toward the world outside their grasp; another was of the Japanese immigrants’ in Hawaii who were homesick for their own culture in the homeland, but also willing to adopt another one based on female mysteriousness power. I assume that this blending of cultures in history in Hawaii is at the real root of the emergence of mujina in Honolulu.
A few days later I encountered Gary on a bus again. He told me that one day he saw a white male on one of the escalators at Sears in Ala Moana, coming in a hurry behind from him. He turned his body to give him a space to let him go. But next moment when he turned his face back, there was nobody. He still remembers what he wore and his specific face features. I asked him whether he saw a ghost. He was not sure since he had not checked if the man had feet or not. Then, I added a question whether it is common to believe that ghosts have no feet in Hawaii. His reply did not include any emotional hesitation, “I don’t know. That’s what my mother told me.” (personal communication, December 10, 2007).
Notes:
1. Grant (1983) describes kappa: "The kappa was an ugly, amphibious creatures about the size of a small boy of three or four years of age. The creatures’ s skin was a scaly greenish-yellow, its seaweed-like hair green and stringy." (p. 8A).
2. Mikio Chiba (1988) complied various names of kappa and other creatures throughout the nation in his dictionary of monster words.
3. On Sado, there is a famous raccoon dog legend called Don-saburou-tanuki that lent money to people (Sasama, 1994). The story also has a mujina version.
References
Aston, W.G. (trans). (1956). Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. London : George Allen & Unwin.
Chiba, M. (Ed.) (1988). Zenkoku yōkai-go jiten (The dictionary of national monster words). In Tanigawa, K. (Ed.), Yōkai: Nihon minzoku bunkashiryō shusei (Monsters: Japanese ethnographic cultural materials) (8), (pp. 393-517), Tokyo, Sanichi Shobō.
Ema, T. (1977)[Originally published in 1923]. Nihon yōkai henka-shi (The historical changes of Japanese monsters). In Ema Tsutomu chosaku-shu (Collections of Tsutomu Ema)(6), (pp. 367- 452). Tokyo: Chūō Kōronsha.
Grant, G. (1996).
-A faceless woman update. In Obake files. (pp.126-129).
-A woman in the rain. In Obake files. (pp. 58-59).
-The hitchhiker lights a cigarette at Sandy beach. In Obake files. (pp. 60-64).
Honolulu: Mutual Publishing.
Grant, G. (1994). Ghosts of a plantation camp: thousand of things sinister and dark. In Obake: Ghost stories in Hawaii (pp. 13-21). Honolulu: Mutual Publishing.
Grant, G. (1983). In search of kappa and mujina: Japanes obake in Hawaii, The Hawaiian Herald, October 21, (4), 20. (pp. 1A, 8A, 8B).
Hearn, L. (1971)[Originally published in 1907]. Mujina. In Kwaidan: Stories and studies of strange things (pp. 75-80). Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc.
Komamiya, S. (1993). Mujina ka tanuki ka (badgar or raccoon dog?). Newsletter (20) 1993, March. Saitamaken-ritsu shizenshi hakubutukan (The Saitama Natural History Museum). Retrieved from: http://www.kumagaya.or.jp/~sizensi/print/dayori/20/20_6.html
Lin, S. (1994). Dagou sou shen ji (Searching for gods). Minguo 83. Takeuchi, A. (trans).
Nagano, S. (trans). (1967). Konjaku monogatari (Konjaku tales). Tokyo: Kōdansha.
Ogawa, M, D. (1978). Their great thirst. In Kodomo no tame ni (for the sake of the children): The Japanese American Experience in Hawaii, (pp. 43-58).
Reider, N, T. (2000). The appeal of kaidan: Tales of the strange, Asian Folklore Studies, 59, 265-283.
Sasama, R. (1994). Kanekashi tanuki. In Zusetsu nihon mikakunin seibutsu jiten (Dictionary of unidentified mysterious animals with pictures) (pp. 119-120). Tokyo: Kashiwashobō, Ltd.
Yanagita, K. (1956) [Originally published in 1936] Yōkai dangi (A lecture about monsters). In Yōkai dangi, (pp. 13-38). Tokyo: Shūdō-sha. | https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2011/3/4/searching-home-of-mujina/ |
Voices of Struggle: LGBTQ and Feminist Activism in China and Beyond
We are honored to present Maizi Li as part of our CeMEAS Conversations. In our video she discusses the role of social media for queer/feminist activism in China, censorship and state control as well as the significance of China’s MeToo movement.
Our video series “Voices of Struggle: LGBTQ and Feminist Activism in China and Beyond” was filmed on the sidelines of a symposium of the same name held at the University of Göttingen on 17 April 2018. In our conversations with four of the participants (Hongwei Bao, Maizi Li, Popo Fan, Harriet Evans) we explore the complex entanglements between activism and academia in transnational perspective. What does it mean to be an engaged or activist scholar today? How should we think about the connections/separations between the two spheres of activism and academia? And how can activists and academics best combine their strengths to effect change? In what ways are deepening transnational connections re-shaping the practice of activism around the globe? Our two day event brought together leading scholars and activists to discuss these questions in relation to the development of feminism and LGBTQ activism in China and beyond.
Short Bio of Li Maizi:
Li Tingting李婷婷 (also known by her nickname Li “Maizi” 李麦子) is an activist for women’s and LGBTQ right in the PRC. Since 2012, she has become internationally known for organizing public performance art-style protests calling attention to gender equality issues. In 2012, she and two other activists walked down a shopping street in Beijing wearing a blood spattered gown to draw attention to domestic violence in China. Another action, the “Occupy Men’s Room” demonstration drew attention to the shortage of public women’s toilets by encouraging women to use men’s facilities.
On 6 March 2015 she, along with four other feminist activists, were arrested in Beijing for planning to hand out stickers on the Beijing subway raising awareness about sexual harassment on International Women’s Day. Thanks to the efforts of other Chinese feminists, “Free the Five” became an international campaign that made headlines around the world. She, along with the other members of the Feminist Five, were detained by the Public Security Bureau for 37 days.
Li previously studied public administration at Chang’An University (Xi’An) and is now studying human rights at the University of Essex in England where she continues her activist work. | https://www.cemeas.de/cemeas-conversations-li-maizi/ |
Imperial College is committed to offering staff a pay and benefits package that is equitable, fair and appropriately reflects the College’s standing as a world leading University.
The principles behind key elements of the pay and benefits package are listed below with links to further information on the various schemes in place.
Pay
Rates of Pay
The College regularly benchmarks rates of pay against relevant internal and appropriate external comparators including our international competitors for talent.
The College aims to pay mid to upper quartile rates of pay for its staff against appropriate external comparators wherever possible within its financial constraints.
The College pay scales are available to view on our Salaries webpage.
Annual Pay Review
The College’s annual pay review for all staff on local pay bargaining terms and conditions is jointly negotiated through local pay bargaining with the College Trades Unions. The review considers all elements of reward that impact on staff costs.
The award is normally paid on 1 August unless Provost's Board agrees otherwise. The College sets the award, taking into account affordability as the principle requirement but assessed against staff wage demands based on inflationary pressures. Recruitment and retention data and other sector pay awards are utilised to determine the maximum offer that can be made by the College.
The data that informs Provost's Board decision-making on the local pay offer will be subject to an annual consultation with all staff before the pay bargaining process commences.
Staff are invited to view the local pay negotiation outcomes.
Gender Pay and Equal Pay Audits
Equal Pay and Gender Pay audits are conducted annually and the findings are published.
The College undertook its first gender pay audit in 2017.
The College is committed to ensuring equal pay for all staff and to eradicating gender pay gaps. Action plans are published and progress is reviewed annually by the Provost's Board and Council.
Remuneration and Nominations Committee
The Committee is made up of four external Council members who review and approve the application of the College's pay relativity criteria for the President and the Provost, their senior staff direct reports and members of the Provost's and President's Boards.
The Committee reviews the application of the College's reward strategy on an annual basis to ensure that remuneration practices are being managed in a fair and equitable way. This review is informed by the following supporting data:
- Details of the across-the-board local pay award and any variation to benefits for all staff
- Summary information on the application of discretionary pay adjustments for all staff
- The annual equal pay audit
- The annual gender pay audit (and other specific protected pay audits as published)
- Pay ratios and relevant comparator information
- Information on numbers of staff earning a total salary of more than £100,000, with trend data on average increases for the previous five years compared to average increases for all staff over five years
- Detail of the individuals earning over £150,000 and the justification for any variation to pay (above the College across-the-board increase) reported on an individual basis and with reference to the College's pay relativity criteria applied to all staff.
Pay Relativity
The College is committed to offering a total reward package that is equitable, fair and appropriately reflects the College’s standing as a world leading university based in London. Annually the HR Division undertakes a benchmarking exercise to review the College’s salaries against the Russell Group, London Higher Education Sector, agreed relevant benchmark comparators and London market pay rates. This information is shared with the Provost’s Board which reviews the College’s approach to pay which includes the annual pay award and the criteria for the review of individual salaries.
All staff will be positively reviewed on an annual basis to ensure pay is in line with benchmark information and the contribution expected for their role. Most staff will receive the College’s annual pay award negotiated with the College’s trade unions. Any further review will be exceptional, based on the pay relativity criteria, or as a result of automatic incremental progression where applicable.
Guidance for managers on the Pay Relativity exercise is available to view.
Incremental Progression
Where the College offers incremental pay scales, automatic progression through the scale will apply unless there is a formal disciplinary or performance process underway.
Supplementary Pay Allowances
The College recognises that supplementary pay above basic rates may be required in specific cases. These may be:
- to implement a contractual element of an externally funded pay arrangement (eg NHS funded staff)
- to meet market pay inconsistencies – this will be benchmarked annually and may be withdrawn if markets change
- to support employees who are adversely affected by tax to the extent that it causes them to withdraw from active pension membership or to limit their pension savings - Pension pay supplement policy [pdf]
- to implement regular contractual overtime or shift payments
- to meet a, usually temporary, increase in responsibilities beyond the remit of the grade.
Allowances are reviewed regularly to ensure they are appropriate and equitable and that the criteria and basis for calculation is transparent.
Useful links
Grade and Promotion Reviews
Job Evaluation
All new and significantly revised job descriptions are evaluated by trained assessors, including Trade Unions representatives, using the internationally recognised Hay job evaluation meth odology.
The points allocated by the evaluators determine the job f amily level grade for the post. This is based on the requirements for the post not the exper ience or qualifications of the current postholder.
The Job Families Grading Structure is available to view.
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The College is committed to a transparent system for its promotion reviews. Criteria and timescales for reviews are published and the reviewers will respond informatively to requests for feedback on unsuccessful applications.
There is an annual process for academic staff to be reviewed for promotion against the published criteria.
Staff not covered by the academic promotions process whose job description has changed can apply to have their post evaluated using the Hay methodology. These reviews take place on a termly basis.
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Noting that the College needs to work within the financial constraints of a publicly funded organisation, it strives to offer a package of benefits, facilities and a working environment that:
- is consistent with its position as a world leading University
- contributes to high levels of employee satisfaction and
- reflects the College as an employer of choice.
The College benchmarks its provisions against other organisations publicly recognised as go od places to work.
Recognition of Achievement
Outside of financial remuneration, the College encourages line managers and principal investigators to give informal recognition of excellent work and positive feedback on success. The College co-ordinates a range of central awards that recognise the achievement of staff across a number of different areas. | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/human-resources/salaries-terms-and-conditions/principles-of-pay-and-recognition/ |
Coyote Dreams, the third book of the Walker Papers, is a solid story with a tighter and better-paced plot than the previous book in the series, Thunderbird Falls. It's far more cohesive and I think it's the best of the first three books.
Without a doubt, C.E. Murphy's greatest strength in this series in particular is fantastic character development. I may not always like Joanne Walker (Siobhan Walkingstick) or the choices she makes, but I still love her as a character. She's so delightfully human, flawed and sometimes petty, petulant, and frustrating. She's also got one of the most amusing internal monologues I've ever read and her sarcastic and biting wit drives the action of the plot. The first person narrative is a perfect vehicle for her character.
Supported by the familiar and spectacular secondary characters - her boss Captain Michael Morrison and her pseudo-paternal influence and robust septuagenarian cab diver Gary in particular - Murphy's Coyote Dreams shines brightest during the continuing development of those interpersonal relationships. And some of my favorite reading ever are any scenes between Joanne and Morrison. Murphy has been absolutely brilliant during every single step of their tense and reluctant relationship.
I believe that the three books, Urban Shaman, Thunderbird Falls, and Coyote Dreams would've been complete as a trilogy - there was satisfying arc of character development and a plot theme that came full circle. That being said, I'm thrilled that the Walker Papers has been continued, and look forward to book four, Walking Dead (The Walker Papers, Book 4).
I will admit to being a bit wary of staying with the Walker Paper novels after reading Thunderbird Falls.
Hey, Brasil. The series has some ups and downs, but I can't help but read them. I do enjoy the characters a lot. Coyote Dreams was much better than Thunderbird Falls, which was probably my least favorite in the series so far, and the last book I read was great. | http://www.one-good-book.com/coyote-dreams.html |
Tracy’s philosophy is a direct reflection of her diverse wealth of knowledge and wisdom, accessed from her own personal life experiences, spiritual transformational, and personal growth journey.
Being the fifth born of 11 children paved the way for Tracy’s passion in understanding the “order of things.” An inquisitive child, she was forever investigating how things worked and fit together in their particular order. She is insatiable in her spiritual excavation and discoveries, only to ask again - What is true? What is the yearning behind the pain? What is the “medicine” and gifts that the world is waiting to receive from us? How is it that we attract whom we attract? Why is it that one person is pulled apart by certain life experiences and another hardly daunted by them? Why do we behave in ways we know don’t serve us? What does it mean to be awake? On and on …
She holds dear the motto, “We always know.” We always know what we are yearning for, what we are here to do, what our essence and passions are. We have forgotten, having been derailed by the difficulties we have experienced in our lives. Tracy honors her role as compassionate witness, skilled guide, and loving reflector, as we journey back home to ourselves. She believes we bring unique gifts, or original medicine, into this world, and it is vital to our thriving and to our contribution to the world that we awaken to them.
Tracy is deeply grateful for her own gifts of vision, insight, spiritual union, and willingness, which allow her to go to the necessary depth. She honors her role as witness and guide as she facilitates people through their healing journey.
About Tracy’s Style:
Tracy Hawes uses an intuitive, nature-based, spiritual approach in her coaching as she mentors you through life transition and healing, into a more fulfilling and satisfyingly holistic way of living.
Whether working with men, women, or mixed groups, Tracy embodies the gift of loving compassion as she skillfully guides her clients through their healing journey. Blending her skills as an expressive therapist, integrative body worker, nutrition and wellness mentor, as well as a spiritually intuitive facilitator, Tracy helps her clients go beneath the surface level in healing. Tracy utilizes the art of inquiry, non-violent communication, and active listening, which she combines with her spirit-based practices. This allows for clean, clear, and open dialogue – and dialogue is always the starting place. She believes that being heard, appreciated, seen, and compassionately loved is often the missing key to allowing us to unlock our sacred gifts. She helps clients unlock their sacred gifts; actualize their path, guiding them, from where they are to where they want to be. Working with Tracy is a dynamic process, in which you are an active participant in your own growth and journey. In collaboration with you, she prepares a unique program that will bring you to the best place for you to soar, aligning your heart, soul, and life with your gifts.
Tracy’s coaching sessions are best over a longer period of time, although she is delighted to take a short walk in exploration with you. She offers series of packages from 3 months to 12 months, and she works with couples, individuals, and teens. She work’s with clients either in person, phone, or Skype (Google Chat, Face Time, or Skype).
To contact Tracy about her services, please email her: [email protected] or [email protected] to schedule your initial consultation. Please be sure to put Coaching Inquiry in the subject line.
Training and Experience:
- BS/BFA, dual degree in Expressive Therapies (Movement, Music, and Art) and Psychology / University of Massachusetts.
- Wellness Consultant and Coach / Institute of Integrative Nutrition
- Nationally Certified Muscular Therapist / The Muscular Therapy Institute in Boston, MA.
- FIT1 Facilitator / Women Within International
- Facilitator / Celebration of Being – Celebration of Women and Nobleman Trainings
- Current studies in Positive Psychology under Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D. / Harvard University, and Family Constellations under Dan Booth Cohen
- Deeksha Blessing Giver – R. Markman / Oneness University
- African Dagara Ritual Healing - Sobonfu Somé
- Community as Healer – L Mark, Ph.D. | https://www.tracyhawes.com/ |
1. Introduction
===============
Chalcones have been recently the subject of great interest due to their interesting pharmacological activities, including antioxidant \[[@B1-molecules-18-02683],[@B2-molecules-18-02683]\], antibacterial \[[@B3-molecules-18-02683]\], antileishmanial \[[@B4-molecules-18-02683]\], anticancer \[[@B5-molecules-18-02683]\], antiangiogenic \[[@B6-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-infective, anti-inflammatory \[[@B7-molecules-18-02683]\], antifungal \[[@B8-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-malarial \[[@B9-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-tumor \[[@B10-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-protozoal \[[@B11-molecules-18-02683]\] and cytotoxic properties \[[@B12-molecules-18-02683]\]. Many pyrazole derivatives are reported to have a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory \[[@B13-molecules-18-02683]\], antifungal \[[@B14-molecules-18-02683]\], antiviral \[[@B15-molecules-18-02683]\], cytotoxic \[[@B12-molecules-18-02683]\], A3 adenosine receptor antagonists \[[@B16-molecules-18-02683]\], antioxidant \[[@B13-molecules-18-02683]\], antihypertensive \[[@B17-molecules-18-02683]\], tranquilizing, muscle relaxant, psychoanaleptic, hypnotic, ulcerogenic, antidepressant, antibacterial and analgesic effects \[[@B18-molecules-18-02683]\]. Pharmacologically-interesting heterocyclic systems like pyrazolines have been widely studied owing to their pharmacological activities, which include anti-tumor \[[@B19-molecules-18-02683],[@B20-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-inflammatory \[[@B21-molecules-18-02683],[@B22-molecules-18-02683],[@B23-molecules-18-02683],[@B24-molecules-18-02683],[@B25-molecules-18-02683],[@B26-molecules-18-02683],[@B27-molecules-18-02683],[@B28-molecules-18-02683],[@B29-molecules-18-02683],[@B30-molecules-18-02683],[@B31-molecules-18-02683],[@B32-molecules-18-02683]\], anti-parasitary \[[@B33-molecules-18-02683]\], anticonvulsant \[[@B34-molecules-18-02683]\], antimicrobial \[[@B35-molecules-18-02683],[@B36-molecules-18-02683],[@B37-molecules-18-02683],[@B38-molecules-18-02683],[@B39-molecules-18-02683]\], antinociceptives \[[@B40-molecules-18-02683]\], antimalarial \[[@B41-molecules-18-02683]\], nitric oxide synthase inhibitory, associated with diseases such as Alzheimer, Huntington, and inflammatory arthritis \[[@B42-molecules-18-02683]\], antidepressant \[[@B43-molecules-18-02683],[@B44-molecules-18-02683]\], anticancer \[[@B45-molecules-18-02683],[@B46-molecules-18-02683],[@B47-molecules-18-02683]\], antibacterial \[[@B48-molecules-18-02683]\], antitubercular, analgesic \[[@B49-molecules-18-02683]\], antiviral \[[@B46-molecules-18-02683]\], antioxidant \[[@B50-molecules-18-02683]\], antiamoebic \[[@B51-molecules-18-02683],[@B52-molecules-18-02683],[@B53-molecules-18-02683]\], cytotoxic \[[@B53-molecules-18-02683]\], antidiabetic \[[@B20-molecules-18-02683]\], antifungal \[[@B54-molecules-18-02683],[@B55-molecules-18-02683]\], antinociceptive \[[@B56-molecules-18-02683]\], antimycobacterial \[[@B57-molecules-18-02683]\], antihepatotoxic \[[@B58-molecules-18-02683]\] and pesticidal properties \[[@B59-molecules-18-02683]\].
Substituted 2-pyrazolines have been synthesized from *α,β*-unsaturated ketones and hydrazine hydrate with acetic/formic acid in ethanol/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) \[[@B60-molecules-18-02683]\], hydrazine in dimethyl formamide (DMF) or acetic acid \[[@B46-molecules-18-02683]\], nicotinic acid hydrazide in *n*-butanol \[[@B41-molecules-18-02683]\], phenyl hydrazine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium acetate \[[@B39-molecules-18-02683]\], hydrazine hydrate in ethanol and DMF \[[@B25-molecules-18-02683]\], and phenyl hydrazine in the presence of hot pyridine \[[@B27-molecules-18-02683]\]. Some new substituted 2-pyrazoline derivatives bearing benzenesulfonamide moieties \[[@B21-molecules-18-02683],[@B22-molecules-18-02683],[@B23-molecules-18-02683],[@B26-molecules-18-02683]\] were synthesized by condensing appropriate chalcones with 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride. In view of these observations and in continuation of our research programme on the synthesis of five-membered heterocyclic compounds \[[@B61-molecules-18-02683],[@B62-molecules-18-02683],[@B63-molecules-18-02683],[@B64-molecules-18-02683],[@B65-molecules-18-02683],[@B66-molecules-18-02683]\], we report herein the synthesis of some new pyrazoline and pyrazole derivatives bearing an indoline and quinoxaline moiety, which have been found to possess an interesting profile of antimicrobial activity.
2. Results and Discussion
=========================
2.1. Chemistry
--------------
### 2.1.1. Preparation of the Chalcones **2--4**
The chalcones **2**--**4** were prepared as starting material to obtain the desired pyrazoline and pyrazole derivatives. The sequence leading to the title compounds is outlined in [Scheme 1](#molecules-18-02683-f001){ref-type="scheme"}. The desired compounds were prepared by the reaction of 6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1**\') \[[@B67-molecules-18-02683]\] with different acetophenones (*p*-bromo-, *p*-chloro-, or *p*-methoxyacetophenones) in aqueous ethanolic KOH in good yield ([Scheme 1](#molecules-18-02683-f001){ref-type="scheme"}). Their ^1^H-NMR spectra showed the -CH=CH- protons as a multiplet in the 7.52--7.63 ppm range for compound **3**, and two doublet peaks at 7.54, 7.60 and 7.48, 7.60 ppm with coupling constants of 15.3 Hz for compounds **2** and **4**, respectively. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum of prototypical compound **2** showed the two carbonyl carbons at 187.8 and 192.7 ppm.
### 2.1.2. Synthesis of Pyrazoline Derivatives **5--9** and Isoxazoline Derivatives **10--12**
The compounds **2**--**4** were converted into the corresponding 3-(aryl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazole-1-carbothioamides **5**--**7** by treatment with thiosemicarbazide ([Scheme 1](#molecules-18-02683-f001){ref-type="scheme"}).
{#molecules-18-02683-f001}
Their ^1^H-NMR spectra showed multiplets within the 3.33--4.82 range corresponding to H~4~, H~4\'~ of the pyrazoline ring, where a multiplet at 6.92--6.98 ppm is observed for compound **7** corresponding to H~5~. A doublet of doublets at 6.73--6.88 corresponding to H~5~ of the pyrazoline ring was observed for compounds **5** and **6**, respectively. In addition to a broad signal corresponding to the exchangeable NH~2~ protons was observed in the 7.25--8.01 ppm range. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum of compound **6** chosen as a prototype showed C=S and C=O peaks at 180.0 and 204.6 ppm, respectively. Reaction of compounds **2** and **3** with hydrazinum chloride gave rise to 2-(3-(aryl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-ones **8** and **9** ([Scheme 1](#molecules-18-02683-f001){ref-type="scheme"}). In their ^1^H-NMR spectra, the appearance of signals in the ranges 3.33--3.75 and 5.49--6.70 ppm corresponding to (H~4~, H~4\'~) and H~5~ of the pyrazoline ring respectively was observed. The product of compound **4** with hydrazinium chloride could not be separated in a pure form. The 2-(3-(aryl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-*1H*-indol-4(5H)-ones **10**--**12** were synthesized by cyclization of **2**--**4** in presence of hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Their ^1^H-NMR spectra showed three signals within the ranges 3.34--4.22 and 5.55--6.52 ppm corresponding to the (H~4~, H~4\'~) and H~5~ of the pyrazoline ring, respectively. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum of compound **11** selected as a prototype showed the carbonyl carbon at 193.7 ppm.
### 2.1.3. Synthesis of Benzenesulfonamide Derivatives **13--21**
Reaction of the prepared chalcones **2**--**4** with 4-hydrazinyl benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride afforded 4-(3-(aryl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides **13**--**15** ([Scheme 2](#molecules-18-02683-f002){ref-type="scheme"}).
{#molecules-18-02683-f002}
Their ^1^H-NMR spectra showed three signals at 3.15--3.40, 3.36--4.00, and 4.80--5.56 ppm corresponding to the H~4~, H~4\'~ , and H~5~ of the pyrazoline ring. In addition a broad singlet was observed in the 6.63--7.35 ppm range corresponding to the NH~2~ protons. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum of compound **15** as a prototype showed C=O at 193.8 ppm. On the other hand, the reaction of pyrazolines **13**--**15** with bromine in acetic acid \[[@B68-molecules-18-02683]\] at room temperature in order to obtain the pyrazoles, afforded the corresponding substituted 4-(4-bromo-3-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives **16**--**18**, respectively in 79--84% yield.
Furthermore, the prepared compound **17** was treated with phenyl isothiocyanate to furnish 4-(4-bromo-3-aryl-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)-*N*-(phenyl-carbamothioyl)benzene sulfonamide **19** in 76.8% yield ([Scheme 2](#molecules-18-02683-f002){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed three broad singlets at 8.62, 9.76, and 11.11 ppm corresponding to three NH protons.
The prepared substituted benzenesulfonamides **13** and **14** were allowed to react with phenyl isothiocyanate to correspondingly furnish 4-(3-(aryl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)-*N*-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzenesulfonamides **20** and **21** ([Scheme 2](#molecules-18-02683-f002){ref-type="scheme"}). Their ^1^H-NMR spectra showed D~2~O exchangeable signals at the ranges 9.00--9.15, 10.54--10.60, and 11.03--11.08 ppm, corresponding to three NH protons.
### 2.1.4. Synthesis of \[1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5-*N*-(phenylcarbamothioyl) Ethanoic Acid Hydrazide Derivatives **30**, **31** and 3-Methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one Derivatives **34**, **35**
Reaction of indoline-2,3-dione (**1**\'\') \[[@B69-molecules-18-02683],[@B70-molecules-18-02683]\] with thiosemicarbazide gave rise to 5*H*-\[1,2,4\] triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indole-3-thiol (**22**) \[[@B70-molecules-18-02683]\] ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The ^1^H-NMR spectrum showed two broad singlets exchangeable with D~2~O at 12.43 and 14.54 ppm, corresponding to the two NH protons, which confirm the structure of **22**. The ^13^C-NMR also confirmed the structure of **22** with a peak at 179.5 corresponding to the C=S group. Treatment of the thiol derivative **22** with hydrazine hydrate afforded 3-hydrazinyl-*5H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indole (**24**) \[[@B70-molecules-18-02683]\] in 92.6% yield ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed two broad singlets at 4.31 and 8.54 ppm corresponding to NH~2~ and NH protons of hydrazine chain, in addition to a broad singlet at 11.82 ppm corresponding to the indole ring NH.
The reaction of **24** with diethyl malonate gave rise to the corresponding ester **26**. The proton NMR spectrum showed a triplet signal at 1.16 ppm corresponding to the CH~3~ protons, and a quartet signal at 4.31 ppm corresponding to CH~2~ of the ester moiety, and a singlet signal at 4.12 corresponding to CH~2~ protons. Reaction of the ester **26** with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding 5-ethanoic hydrazide **28** ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). From the proton NMR spectrum the disappearance of CH~3~ and CH~2~ protons of the ester chain can be observed. Treatment of the prepared hydrazide **28** with phenyl isothiocyanate afforded the corresponding 5-*N*-(phenylcarbamothioyl)ethanoic acid hydrazide **30** in 80.1% yield ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). Its structure was confirmed by ^1^H-NMR, ^13^C-NMR spectra, and elemental analysis. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed C=S and C=O carbons at 168.7 and 189.4 ppm respectively (see Experimental part).
On the other hand, treatment of the prepared hydrazine derivative **24** with ethyl acetoacetate in acetic acid afforded 1-(*5H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**32**) ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum of this compound showed the CH~3~ protons as a singlet at 1.80 ppm, and the CH~2~ protons as a singlet at 2.43 ppm. 1-(*5H*-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**34**) was prepared from the previous pyrazoline-5-one derivative **32** by its reaction with acetone ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed two methyl protons as a singlet at 1.87 ppm.
Cyclization of quinoxaline-2,3(1*H*,4*H*)-dione (**1**\'\'\') with thiosemicarbazide afforded 5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxaline-3-thiol (**23**) in good yield ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). Its proton NMR spectrum showed two broad singlets, exchangeable with D~2~O, at 11.88 and 14.50 ppm, corresponding to the three NH protons, which confirm the structure of **23**. Treatment of this thiol derivative **23** with hydrazine hydrate gave 3-hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxaline (**25**, [Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). Its proton NMR spectrum showed NH~2~ protons as a broad singlet signal at 4.55 ppm, in addition to three NH protons, see Experimental part. Treatment of the prepared hydrazine derivative **25** with diethyl malonate gave rise to the corresponding ester **27** ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed the ester protons (CH~3~, CH~2~) as a triplet and a quartet signals at 1.09 and 4.09 ppm, respectively, in addition to CH~2~ protons at 4.66 ppm as a singlet signal.
![Synthesis of \[1,2,4\]triazolo\[3,4-*c*\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]-5-*N*-(phenylcarbamothioyl) ethanoic acid hydrazide derivatives **30**, **31** and 3-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one derivatives **34**, **35**.](molecules-18-02683-g003){#molecules-18-02683-f003}
Reaction of the ester **27** with hydrazine hydrate leads to the corresponding 5-ethanoic hydrazide **29**. The proton NMR spectrum showed the disappearance of CH~3~ and CH~2~ protons of the ester chain, and NH and NH~2~ protons at 8.90 and 9.61 ppm were observed as a two broad singlets. Its ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed the carbonyl carbon at 168.4 ppm. Treatment of the prepared hydrazide **29** with phenyl isothiocyanate leads to corresponding 5-*N*-(phenylcarbamothioyl) ethanoic acid hydrazide **31** ([Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). Its structure was also confirmed by ^1^H-NMR, and elemental analysis.
Reaction of the hydrazine derivative **25** with ethyl acetoacetate in acetic acid afforded 1-(5,10-dihyro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-methyl-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**33**, [Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed the CH~3~ protons at position 3 of the pyrazoline ring as a singlet signal at 2.29 ppm, and the CH~2~ protons (H~4~) of the pyrazoline ring as a singlet signal at 2.92 ppm, with the disappearance of the peak corresponding to NH~2~ protons. ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed the carbonyl carbon at 170.0 ppm. Reaction of the prepared pyrazoline-5-one **33** with acetone gave rise to 1-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**35**, [Scheme 3](#molecules-18-02683-f003){ref-type="scheme"}). Its proton NMR spectrum showed three methyl groups at 2.30, 2.42, and 2.93 ppm.
### 2.1.5. Synthesis of Schiff's Bases **36**, **37**, 4-Oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)thiazolidin-4-one (**38**), Benzohydrazide Derivative **39**, 1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]-5,10-dihydro \[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\] quinoxaline (**40**), and Pyrazole Derivatives **41--44**
Condensation of hydrazine derivative **24** with 6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1**\') afforded the corresponding Schiff\'s base **36** ([Scheme 4](#molecules-18-02683-f004){ref-type="scheme"}). Its proton NMR spectrum showed the disappearance of the NH~2~ signal, and a singlet signal corresponding to a CH=N proton at 8.03 ppm was observed. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed the carbonyl carbon at 192.6 ppm. Treatment of the prepared compound **36** with thioglycolic acid in dry benzene gave rise to corresponding 3-(5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)-2-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl) thiazolidin-4-one (**38**, [Scheme 4](#molecules-18-02683-f004){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed the CH~2~ (H~5~, H~5\'~) protons of the thiazolidine ring at 3.35--3.49 ppm as a multiplet and the CH proton of thiazolidine ring (H~2~) as a singlet signal at 7.93 ppm.
![Synthesis of Schiff's bases **36**, **37**, 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)thiazolidin-4-one (**38**), benzohydrazide derivative **39**, 1,2,4\]triazolo\[3,4-*c*\]-5,10-dihydro \[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\] quinoxaline (**40**), and pyrazole derivatives **41**--**44**.](molecules-18-02683-g004){#molecules-18-02683-f004}
Condensation of the hydrazine derivative **25** with 6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1**\') furnished to the corresponding Schiff\'s base **37** in 86.6% yield ([Scheme 4](#molecules-18-02683-f004){ref-type="scheme"}). Its proton NMR spectrum showed the CH=N proton as a singlet at 9.45 ppm. Condensation of **37** with benzoyl hydrazine afforded the corresponding *N\'*-2-((2-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-ylidene)benzohydrazide (**39**). Its ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed the C=O group at 162.7 ppm. On the other hand, oxidative cyclization of Schiff\'s base **37** with acetic anhydride afforded the cyclized compound **40** ([Scheme 4](#molecules-18-02683-f004){ref-type="scheme"}). The proton NMR spectrum showed the disappearance of CH=N proton. We expected to obtain the acetylated product, but the ^1^H-NMR spectrum confirmed the structure of the cyclized compound **40**as shown, with an exchangeable peak corresponding to three NH protons being observed at 12.23 ppm, and no peak observed corresponding to the acetyl methyl group. Oxidative cyclization of 3-hydrazinyl-5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indole (**24**) with 2-(3-(4-bromophenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one (**2**) afforded 2-(1-(5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-1*H*-pyrazol-5-yl)-(6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4 (5*H*)-one (**41**) in 80.8% yield. The proton NMR spectrum showed the CH proton of pyrazole ring as a singlet signal at 6.12 ppm. The ^13^C-NMR spectrum showed C=O carbon 190.8 at ppm.
{#molecules-18-02683-f005}
On the other hand, the hydrazine derivative **25** was allowed to react with the prepared chalcones **2**--**4** to correspondingly furnish 2-(3-(aryl)-1-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-1*H*-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-ones **42**--**44**, respectively ([Scheme 4](#molecules-18-02683-f004){ref-type="scheme"}). Their proton NMR spectra showed the CH protons of the pyrazole ring (H~4~) and indole ring (H~3~) at 6.80 and 6.91, 6.90 and 7.27 and 6.78 and 6.85, ppm respectively. The ^13^C-NMR spectra of compounds **42**--**44** showed the C=O of the indole ring at 192.8--193.3 ppm. According to the charge distribution determined using ChemDraw Ultra, the N~1~ nitrogen atom has a better nucleophile character compared to the N~3~ nitrogen atom, which is in accordance with the proposed structure of compound **40** ([Scheme 5](#molecules-18-02683-f005){ref-type="scheme"}).
2.2. Pharmacological Screening
------------------------------
Four test organisms representing different groups of microorganisms were used to evaluate the bioactivity of the designed products. The utilized test organisms were: *Escherichia coli* ATCC8739, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ATCC 9027 as Gram-negative bacteria, *Staphylococcus aureus* ATCC 6538P as an example of Gram-positive bacteria, and *Candida albicans* ATCC 2091 as yeast-like fungi. The inhibition zone (IZ) and minimal inhibitory zone (MIC) results are given in [Table 1](#molecules-18-02683-t001){ref-type="table"}.
molecules-18-02683-t001_Table 1
######
*In vitro* antimicrobial activity of the test compounds and evaluation of the inhibition zone (IZ) and the minim. inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Microorganism *Escherichia coli* *Staphylococcus* *aureus* *Candida albicans* *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*
---------------------------- -------------------- --------------------------- -------------------- -------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
ampicillin 10.0 µg/disc 18 25 22 12.5 \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\--
ciprofloxacin 5.0 µg/disc 28 12.5 30 25 \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-- 38 25
clotrimazole 100.0 µg/disc \-\-\-- \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-- 40 12.5 \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\--
imipenam 10.0 µg/disc 26 \-\-\-\-- 30 \-\-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-- \-\-\-- 30 \-\-\-\-\--
2 18 200 17 200 21 200 16 200
3 19 200 17 200 24 200 18 200
4 19 200 15 200 23 200 18 200
5 19 200 15 200 23 200 19 200
6 19 200 16 200 25 200 20 200
7 18 200 13 200 21 200 16 200
8 19 200 17 200 22 200 18 200
9 18 200 16 200 24 200 18 200
10 19 200 16 200 24 200 20 200
11 19 200 18 100 23 200 19 200
12 19 200 15 200 23 200 18 200
13 18 200 19 200 23 200 18 200
14 18 200 15 200 23 200 18 200
15 18 200 16 100 22 200 19 200
16 19 200 26 **25** 27 50 20 200
17 19 200 \>**50** 100 \>**40** 50 21 100
18 19 200 20 100 23 200 19 200
19 19 200 16 100 25 **12.5** 19 200
20 18 200 16 200 26 **12.5** 18 200
21 18 200 16 200 28 50 20 200
22 19 200 16 200 25 50 18 200
23 18 200 8 200 24 200 20 200
24 18 200 16 200 23 200 20 200
25 19 200 15 200 22 200 18 200
26 19 200 13 200 23 200 19 200
27 19 200 17 200 25 200 17 200
28 19 200 17 200 23 200 18 200
29 18 200 15 200 21 200 18 200
30 19 200 17 200 26 200 16 200
31 19 200 16 200 34 **25** 20 200
32 19 200 16 200 23 200 20 200
33 19 200 17 200 24 200 18 200
34 19 200 17 200 24 200 17 200
35 19 200 16 100 23 200 19 200
36 19 200 17 200 24 200 18 200
37 17 200 15 200 22 200 18 200
38 19 200 17 200 21 200 18 200
39 19 200 17 200 22 200 16 200
40 19 200 17 200 21 200 18 200
41 18 200 13 200 21 200 16 200
42 18 200 16 200 23 200 18 200
43 18 200 17 100 24 200 19 200
44 20 200 17 100 23 200 19 200
DMF 18 13 21 16
The compounds under investigation **2**--**44** did not show any activity against the test organisms *Escherichia coli* and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. The inhibition Zone (IZ) listed in [Table 1](#molecules-18-02683-t001){ref-type="table"} showed that compound **16** has good antimicrobial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, comparable to that of ampicillin, while compound **17** has remarkable antimicrobial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus* exceeding that of ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and imipenam.. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value showed that compound **16** has good antimicrobial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, comparable to that of ciprofloxacin, while its activity is about 50% of that of ampicillin. In addition, compound **17** has an IZ against *Candida albicans*comparable to that of clotrimazole. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compound **17** against *Candida albicans*is about 25% of that clotrimazole. On the other hand, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compounds **19** and **20** against *Candida albicans*was good, and comparable to that of clotrimazole, while compound **31** has 50 % activity compared to that of clotrimazole.
3. Experimental
===============
3.1. General Methods
--------------------
Fresh solvents were used without purification. Melting points were obtained in open capillary tubes by using a MEL-Temp II melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Infrared spectra (IR) were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer 1600 series Fourier Transform instrument with the samples as KBr pellets. ^1^H-NMR and ^13^C-NMR spectra were recorded on a JEOL 500 MHz spectrometer at ambient temperature using tetramethylsilane as an internal reference. Elemental analyses were carried out by the University of Cairo Microanalytical Laboratories. The antimicrobial tests were carried out at the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University. ChemDraw-Ultra-11.0 has been used for the nomenclature of the prepared compounds.
3.2. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***2--4***
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An equimolar mixture of 6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1**\', 1.91 g, 0.01 mol) \[[@B67-molecules-18-02683]\] and the substituted acetophenone (0.01 mol) in 2% ethanolic KOH (20 mL) was stirred at room temperature (R.T.) for 5 h. The solid product was cooled, collected by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from chloroform/ethanol.
*2-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**2**). Yellow crystals; yield 3.36 g, 90.5%; m.p. 269--270 °C; IR (KBr): 1651 (C=O), 3252 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.91 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.54 (d, 1H, COCH=; *J* = 15.3 Hz), 7.60 (d, 1H, CH=; *J* = 15.3 Hz), 7.76 (d, 2H, ArH; *J =* 8.4 Hz), 7.93 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 12.14 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ:28.6, 35.7, 36.5, 52.2, 113.5, 116.7, 121.0, 127.5, 130.6, 132.4, 134.6, 137.5, 147.8, 187.8, 192.7. Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~18~BrNO~2~ (372.26): C, 61.30; H, 4.87; N, 3.76 Found: C, 61.42; H, 4.97; N, 3.53.
*2-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**3**). Yellow crystals; yield 2.99 g, 91.5%; m.p. 261--262 °C; IR (KBr): 1651 (C=O), 3250 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.91 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.52--7.63 (m, 4H, CH=CH, 2 ArH), 8.01 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 12.12 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~18~ClNO~2~ (327.80): C, 69.62; H, 5.53; N, 4.27 Found: C, 69.82; H, 5.76; N, 3.99.
*2-(3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**4**). Yellow crystals; yield 3.00 g, 93.0%; m.p. 240--241 °C; IR (KBr): 1651 (C=O), 3232 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.71 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH~3~), 6.85 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.07 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.48 (d, 1H, -COCH=; *J* = 15.3 Hz), 7.60 (d, 1H, CH=; *J* = 15.3 Hz), 8.01 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 12.03 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~21~NO~3~ (323.39): C, 74.28; H, 6.55; N, 4.33 Found: C, 74.40; H, 6.71; N, 4.11.
3.3. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***5--7***
------------------------------------------------------------------
A mixture of the appropriate 2-(3-aryl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one **2**--**4** (0.002 mol) and thiosemicarbazide (0.003 mol) was dissolved in a mixture of acetone and ethanol (30 mL), then potassium carbonate (0.004 mol) was added with vigorous stirring. Heating under reflux was performed for 14 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum, and ice-water was added to the reaction mixture. The solid product obtained was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from chloroform/ethanol.
*3-(4-Bromophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide* **5**. Buff crystals; yield 0.71 g, 80.0%; m.p. 192--193 °C; IR (KBr): 1167 (C=S), 1651 (C=O), 3134, 3232, 3436 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.13 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.39 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.80 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.86--3.89 (m, 2H, H~4,~ H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 6.73--6.88 (dd, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline; *J* = 17.4, 12.0 Hz), 6.92 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 6.97 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.6 Hz), 7.25 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 8.01 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.6 Hz), 12.05 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~21~BrN~4~OS (445.38): C, 53.94; H, 4.75; N, 12.58 Found: C, 53.70; H, 4.60; N, 12.76.
*3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide* **6**. Buff crystals; yield 0.63 g, 79.8%; m.p. 210--211 °C; IR (KBr): 1092 (C=S), 1646 (C=O), 3237, 3428 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.95 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 1.02 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.24 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.33--3.41 (m, 2H, H~4,~ H~4'~-pyrazoline), 6.80--6.88 (dd, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline; *J* = 17.4, 12.0 Hz), 7.58 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.47 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.77 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.5 Hz), 7.93 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.5 Hz), 12.00 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 29.0, 31.4, 40.4, 41.0, 52.5, 63.5, 114.4, 120.2, 125.3, 129.3, 129.5, 130.6, 136.0, 140.0, 150.49, 180.0, 204.6. Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~21~ClN~4~OS (400.92): C, 59.91; H, 5.28; N, 13.97 Found: C, 59.70; H, 5.11; N, 14.12.
*5-(6,6-Dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide* **7**. Yellow crystals; yield 0.60 g, 76.7%; m.p. 259--260 °C; IR (KBr): 1167 (C=S), 1651 (C=O), 3134, 3232, 3436 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.13 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.39 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.80 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.86--3.89 (m, 4H, H~4~-pyrazoline, OCH~3~), 4.73--4.82 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 6.92--6.98 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 7.15--7.25 (m, 5H, 4 ArH, CH-pyrrole), 8.01 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.59 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~21~H~24~N~4~O~2~S (396.51): C, 63.61; H, 6.10; N, 14.13 Found: C, 63.80; H, 6.24; N, 13.90.
3.4. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***8*** and ***9***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A mixture of 2-(3-aryl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one **2** or **3** (0.001 mol), hydrazinum chloride (0.003 mol) and anhydrous sodium acetate (0.003 mol), in ethanol (15 mL) and glacial acetic acid (5 mL) was refluxed for 8 h. The reaction mixture was poured over crushed ice. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol.
*2-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**8**). Brown crystals; yield 0.31 g, 81.3%; m.p. 210--211 °C; IR (KBr): 1641 (C=O), 3260, 3436 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.98 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.24 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.33--3.75 (m, 2H, H~4~, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 6.50--6.70 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.91 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.77 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 7.93 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 11.25 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.08 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~20~BrN~3~O (386.29): C, 59.08; H, 5.22; N, 10.88 Found: C, 59.26; H, 5.45; N, 10.65.
*2-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**9**). Buff crystals; yield 0.26 g, 78.8%; m.p. 195--196 °C; IR (KBr): 1642 (C=O), 3209, 3423 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.98 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 1.01 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.20 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.42 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.53--3.75 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 3.69--3.75 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 5.50 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.69 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.41 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 7.78 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 11.19 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.07 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~20~ClN~3~O (341.83): C, 66.76; H, 5.90; N, 12.29 Found: C, 66.53; H, 5.69; N, 12.50.
3.5. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***10--12***
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A mixture of 2-(3-aryl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-ones **2**--**4** (0.001 mol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.003 mol) and anhydrous sodium acetate (0.003 mol), in ethanol (15 mL) and glacial acetic acid (5 mL) was refluxed for 8 h. The reaction mixture was poured over crushed ice. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol.
*2-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**10**). Yellow crystals; yield 0.34 g, 90.1%; m.p. 115--116 °C; IR (KBr): 1646 (C=O), 3423 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.95 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.42 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.51 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.34--3.46 (m, 2H, H~4~, H~4\'~-isoxazoline), 6.50--6.52 (m, 1H, H~5~ isoxazoline), 6.84 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.49--7.56 (m, 4H, ArH), 11.32 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~19~BrN~2~O~2~ (387.27): C, 58.93; H, 4.95; N, 7.23 Found: C, 58.75; H, 4.86; N, 7.39.
*2-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**11**). Buff crystals; yield 0.26 g, 78.3%; m.p. 160--161 °C; IR (KBr): 1643 (C=O), 3433 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.35 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.59 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.50--3.55 (m, 1H, H~4~-isoxazoline), 3.66--3.72 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-isoxazoline), 5.66--5.70 (m, 1H, H~5~ isoxazoline), 6.81 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.51 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 7.70 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 11.97 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 27.9, 34.4, 36.6, 43.3, 55.0, 76.8, 108.1, 109.8, 128.1, 128.9, 129.4, 131.9, 135.2, 143.6, 156.5, 193.7. Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~19~ClN~2~O~2~ (342.82): C, 66.57; H, 5.59; N, 8.17 Found: C, 66.40; H, 5.35; N, 8.34.
*2-(3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**12**). Buff crystals; yield 0.27 g, 81.0%; m.p. 170--171 °C; IR (KBr): 1645 (C=O), 3427 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.98 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.46 (s, 4H, 2 CH~2~), 3.34 (s, 3H, OCH~3~), 3.46--3.63 (m, 1H, H~4~-isoxazoline), 4.08--4.22 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-isoxazoline), 5.55--5.66 (m, 1H, H~5~ isoxazoline), 6.72 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 6.98 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 6.9 Hz), 7.62 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 6.9 Hz), 11.16 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~22~N~2~O~3~ (338.40): C, 70.99; H, 6.55; N, 8.28 Found: C, 70.79; H, 6.31; N, 8.47.
3.6. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***13--15***
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A mixture of 2-(3-aryl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one **2**--**4** (0.001 mol) and 4-hydrazinylbenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (0.001 mol) in methanol (30 mL) was heated under reflux for 6 h, partially concentrated and cooled. The separated solid product was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol.
*4-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**13**). Brown crystals; yield 0.48 g, 90.2%; mp 180--181 °C; IR (KBr): 1219, 1374 (SO~2~), 1651 (C=O), 3250, 3434 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.93 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 1.01 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.50 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.66 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.15--3.22 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 3.36--3.40 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 5.53--5.56 (m, 1H, H~5~- pyrazoline), 6.43 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 6.63 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.00--7.26 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.40--7.70 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.73--7.93 (m, 2H, ArH), 8.05--8.18 (m, 2H, ArH), 11.61 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~25~H~25~BrN~4~O~3~S (541.46): C, 55.46; H, 4.65; N, 10.35 Found: C, 55.60; H, 4.87; N, 10.15.
*4-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**14**). Brown crystals; yield 0.43 g, 87.5%; m.p. 150--151 °C; IR (KBr): 1219, 1374 (SO~2~), 1651 (C=O), 3256, 3438 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.24 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.20--3.40 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 3.78--3.84 (dd, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline; *J* = 17.4, 12.0 Hz), 5.53--5.55 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.85 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.13 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 9.1 Hz), 7.34 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.43 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 9.1 Hz), 7.53 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.69 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 12.18 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~25~H~25~ClN~4~O~3~S (497.01): C, 60.41; H, 5.07; N, 11.27 Found: C, 60.66; H, 5.30; N, 11.03.
*4-(5-(6,6-Dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**15**). Buff crystals; yield 0.44 g, 91.1%; m.p. 224--225 °C; IR (KBr): 1158, 1307 (SO~2~), 1650 (C=O), 3263, 3345 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.20 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.68 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.24--3.28 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 3.34 (s, 3H, OCH~3~), 3.76--4.00 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 4.80--5.53 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.46 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.00--7.04 (m, 4H, 2 ArH, NH~2~), 7.13 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.60 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.70--7.73 (m, 2H, ArH), 11.65 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 28.7, 35.1, 40.9, 43.7, 53.6, 55.7, 60.3, 106.4, 114.7, 118.4, 119.9, 125.4, 127.6, 127.9, 130.3, 141.6, 142.3, 153.2, 160.0, 193.8. Anal. Calcd for C~26~H~28~N~4~O~4~S (492.59): C, 63.40; H, 5.73; N, 11.37 Found: C, 63.69; H, 5.90; N, 11.22.
3.7. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***16--18***
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Solid 4-(3-aryl-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide **13**--**15** (0.001 mol) was dissolved in hot acetic acid, and after cooling bromine (0.3 mL) in acetic acid (10 mL) was added dropwise with shaking, then the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at R.T. overnight. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol.
*4-(4-Bromo-3-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**16**). Buff crystals; yield 0.49 g, 79.3%; m.p. 200--201 °C; IR (KBr): 1162, 1335 (SO~2~), 1653 (C=O), 3253, 3433 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.09 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.26 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.86 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.58--3.88 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 4.80--5.00 (m, 1H, H~5~ -pyrazoline), 7.44--7.46 (m, 3H, CH-pyrrole, NH~2~), 7.71 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 7.86 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.92 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 8.07 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 9.02 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~25~H~24~Br~2~N~4~O~3~S (620.36): C, 48.40; H, 3.90; N, 9.03 Found: C, 48.80; H, 3.76; N, 8.87.
*4-(4-Bromo-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**17**). Brown crystals; yield 0.47 g, 82.4%; m.p. 129--130 °C; IR (KBr): 1163, 1315 (SO~2~), 1670 (C=O), 3068, 3385 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.16 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.27 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.47 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.13--3.73 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 3.88--4.16 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 7.56 (s, 1H, H-pyrrole), 7.63 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.80--7.85 (m, 4H, ArH), 8.00--8.10 (m, 4H, ArH), 11.06 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~25~H~24~BrClN~4~O~3~S (575.91): C, 52.14; H, 4.20; N, 9.73 Found: C, 52.25; H, 4.00; N, 9.58.
*4-(4-Bromo-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide* (**18**). Brown crystals; yield 0.48 g, 84.3%; m.p. 160--161 °C; IR (KBr): 1164, 1340 (SO~2~), 1650 (C=O), 3220, 3435 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 1.02 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.26 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.70 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.34 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.80--3.89 (m, 2H, H~4~, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.93 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = *8.4* Hz), 7.03--7.07 (m, 2H, ArH, CH-pyrrole), 7.42 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 9.1 Hz), 7.82 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 9.1 Hz), 7.87--7.93 (m, 4H, 2ArH, NH~2~), 12.25 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~26~H~27~BrN~4~O~4~S (571.49): C, 54.64; H, 4.76; N, 9.80 Found: C, 55.01; H, 4.65; N, 9.68.
3.8. 4-(4-Bromo-3-aryl-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzenesulfonamide ***(19)***
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A mixture of 4-(4-bromo-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamide (**17**, 0.005 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.01 mol) in dry acetone (100 mL) was stirred under reflux for 15 h. A solution of phenyl isothiocyanate (0.007 mol) in dry acetone was added drop by drop at this temperature, and refluxing was continued for 12 h more. The acetone was distilled under reduced pressure and the solid residue was dissolved in water, the product was isolated after acidification with 2 N HCl. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.73 g, 76.8%; m.p. 92--93 °C; IR (KBr): 1092 (C=S), 1160, 1345 (SO~2~), 1648 (C=O), 3435 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-d~6~) δ 1.19 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 1.99 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.61 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.87--4.03 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 6.90--6.92 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 7.09 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.22--7.27 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.29--7.32 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.40--7.45 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.85 (d, 2H, ArH; J = 8.4 Hz), 8.06 (d, 2H, ArH; J = 8.4 Hz), 8.62 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 9.76 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.11 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~32~H~29~BrClN~5~O~3~S~2~(711.09): C, 54.05; H, 4.11; N, 9.85 Found: C, 54.00; H, 3.96; N, 10.04.
3.9. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***20*** and ***21***
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A mixture of 4-(3-aryl-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1*H*-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide **13** and **14** (0.005 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.01 mol) in dry acetone (100 mL) was stirred with refluxing for 15 h. A solution of phenyl isothiocyanate (0.007 mol) in dry acetone was added drop by drop at this temperature, and refluxing was continued for 12 h. The acetone was distilled under reduced pressure and the solid residue was dissolved in water, the product was isolated after acidification with 2 N HCl. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and crystallized from ethanol.
*4-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzenesulfonamide* (**20**). the product was obtained as brown crystals; Yield 2.86 g, 84.6%; m.p. 210--211 °C; IR (KBr): 1089 (C=S), 1160, 1355 (SO~2~), 1646 (C=O), 3436 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.19 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.69 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.85 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.50--3.60 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 4.08--4.15 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 4.40--4.55 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 6.57 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.10--7.18 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.20--7.33 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.40--7.55 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.60--7.72 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.80--7.93(m, 2H, ArH), 7.95--8.18 (m, 2H, ArH), 8.61--8.68 (m, 2H, ArH), 9.15 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 10.54 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.03 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~32~H~30~BrN~5~O~3~S~2~ (676.65): C, 56.80; H, 4.47; N, 10.35 Found: C, 56.62; H, 4.26; N, 10.54.
*4-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzenesulfonamide* (**21**). Brown crystals; yield 2.49 g, 78.9%; m.p. 168--169 °C; IR (KBr): 1086 (C=S), 1160, 1355 (SO~2~), 1653 (C=O), 3434 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.16 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.71 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.87 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.89--4.07 (m, 1H, H~4~-pyrazoline), 4.40--4.50 (m, 1H, H~4\'~-pyrazoline), 6.90--6.94 (m, 1H, H~5~-pyrazoline), 7.02 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.11--7.23 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.40--7.43 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.90--7.94 (m, 4H, ArH), 8.66--8.73 (m, 2H, ArH), 12.41 (bs, 2H, 2NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.73 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~32~H~30~ClN~5~O~3~S~2~ (632.20): C, 60.79; H, 4.78; N, 11.08 Found: C, 60.56; H, 4.62; N, 10.87.
3.10. 5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indole-3-thiol ***(22)***
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A mixture of indoline-2,3-dione \[[@B69-molecules-18-02683],[@B70-molecules-18-02683]\] (**1**\'\', 0.1 mol), thiosemicarbazide (0.11 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.15 mol) \[[@B71-molecules-18-02683]\] were stirred in water (500 mL) for 2 h at R.T., and then refluxed for 5 h. The mixture was cooled, filtered, and the filtrate was acidified with acetic acid. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water and dried. The product was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as yellow crystals; yield 19.29 g, 95.4%; m.p. 334--335 °C; IR (KBr): 3423 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 7.27 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.37 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.55 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.92 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 12.43 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 14.54 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ:113.5, 118.1, 122.3, 123.3, 132.3, 136.1, 143.5, 149.6, 179.5. Anal. Calcd for C~9~H~6~N~4~S (202.24): C, 53.45; H, 2.99; N, 27.70 Found: C, 53.60; H, 3.23; N, 27.58.
3.11. 5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxaline-3-thiol ***(23)***
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A mixture of quinoxaline-2,3(1*H*,4*H*)-dione (**1**\'\'\', 0.01 mol), thiosemicarbazide (0.011 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.015 mol) \[[@B71-molecules-18-02683]\] was stirred in water (500 mL) for 2 h at R.T., and then refluxed for 5 h. The mixture was cooled, filtered, and the filtrate was acidified with acetic acid. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water and dried. The product was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as off white crystals; yield 1.81 g, 83.6%; m.p. \>300 °C; IR (KBr): 3160, 3440 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 7.03 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.08 (t, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 11.88 (bs, 2H, 2NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 14.50 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~9~H~7~N~5~S (217.25): C, 49.76; H, 3.25; N, 32.24 Found: C, 49.90; H, 3.40; N, 32.00.
3.12. 3-Hydrazinyl-5H-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]indole ***(24)***
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A mixture of 5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\] indole-3-thiol (**22**, 0.01 mol) \[[@B71-molecules-18-02683]\] and hydrazine hydrate (10 mL, 98%) was heated on water bath for 5 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as yellow crystals; yield 1.85 g, 92.6%; m.p. 260--261 °C; IR (KBr): 3176, 3242, 3300, 3404 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 4.31 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.24 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 7.38 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 7.44 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 8.07 (d, 1H, ArH; *J*= 7.9 Hz), 8.54 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.82 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~9~H~8~N~6~ (200.20): C, 53.99; H, 4.03 N, 41.98 Found: C, 54.10; H, 4.22; N, 41.80.
3.13. 3-Hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxaline ***(25)***
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A mixture of 5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxaline-3-thiol (**23**, 0.01 mol) and hydrazine hydrate (10 mL, 98%) \[[@B71-molecules-18-02683]\] was heated on water bath for 5 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 1.83 g, 85.2%; m.p. 255--256 °C; IR (KBr): 3176, 3237, 3271, 3300, 3402 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 4.55 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.07 (t, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.29 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 8.90 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O),11.89 (bs, 2H, 2 NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~9~H~9~N~7~ (215.21): C, 50.23; H, 4.22; N, 45.56 Found: C, 50.40; H, 4.45; N, 45.39.
3.14. Ethyl \[1,2,4\]triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5H-indole-5-ethanoate ***(26)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]indole (**24**, 0.01 mol) \[[@B70-molecules-18-02683]\] and diethyl malonate (20 mL) \[[@B72-molecules-18-02683]\] was heated 10 h. The product was filtered off, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.55g, 86.3%; m.p. 283--284 °C; IR (KBr): 1737 (C=O), 3408 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.16 (t, 3H, CH~3~-ester; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 4.12 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 4.31 (q, 2H, CH~2~-ester; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 7.20--7.26 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.36--7.38 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.60--7.65 (m, 1H, ArH), 8.00--8.10 (m, 1H, ArH), 12.18 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~14~H~12~N~6~O~2~ (296.28): C, 56.75; H, 4.08; N, 28.36 Found: C, 56.90; H, 4.24; N, 28.21.
3.15. Ethyl \[1,2,4\]triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5,10-dihydroquinoxaline-5-ethanoate ***(27)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxaline (**25**, 0.01 mol) and diethyl malonate (20 mL) \[[@B72-molecules-18-02683]\] was heated 10 h. The product was filtered off, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as brown crystals; yield 2.77 g, 89.0%; m.p. 280--281 °C; IR (KBr): 1713 (C=O), 3150, 3430 cm^−^(NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-d~6~) δ 1.09 (t, 3H, CH~3~; J = 6.9 Hz), 4.09 (q, 2H, CH~2~; J = 6.9 Hz), 4.66 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.24 (d, 1H, ArH; J = 8.4 Hz), 7.37--7.41 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.74 (d, 1H, ArH; J = 8.4 Hz), 12.10 (bs, 2H, 2 NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO-d~6~) δ: 14.4, 34.5, 62.0, 123.7, 128.5, 129.7, 145.2, 147.0, 152.1, 168.4. Anal. Calcd for C~14~H~13~N~7~O~2~ (311.30): C, 54.02; H, 4.21; N, 31.50 Found: C, 54.25; H, 4.41; N, 31.38.
3.16. \[1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5H-indole-5-ethanoic acid hydrazide ***(28)***
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A solution of ester **26** (0.01 mol) in ethanol (30 mL) and hydrazine hydrate 98% (10 mL) \[[@B72-molecules-18-02683]\] was refluxed for 6 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.15 g, 76.5%; m.p. \>300 °C, IR (KBr): 1657 (C=O), 3176, 3242, 3308, 3434 cm^−1^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 4.24 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.24--7.30 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.36--7.41 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.62--7.68 (m, 1H, ArH), 8.03--8.10 (m, 1H, ArH), 9.20 (bs, 1H, NH), 9.89 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.18 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~12~H~10~N~8~O (282.26): C, 51.06; H, 3.57; N, 39.70 Found: C, 51.20; H, 4.11; N, 39.48.
3.17. \[1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5,10-dihydroquinoxaline-5-ethanoic acid hydrazide ***(29)***
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A solution of ester **27** (0.01 mol) in ethanol (30 mL) and hydrazine hydrate 98% (10 mL) \[[@B72-molecules-18-02683]\] was refluxed for 6 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as orange crystals; yield 2.36 g, 79.6%; m.p. 250--251 °C; IR (KBr): 1675 (C=O), 3190, 3306, 3434 cm^−(^ (NH, NH~2~); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 4.34 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.24 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.38 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.44 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.87 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 8.90 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 9.61 (bs, 2H, NH~2~; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.08 (bs, 2H, 2 NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~12~H~11~N~9~O (297.28): C, 48.48; H, 3.73; N, 42.41 Found: C, 48.63; H, 3.90; N, 42.30.
3.18. \[1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5H-indole-5-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl) ethanoic acid hydrazide ***(30)***
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A mixture of acid hydrazide **28** (0.01 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.05 mol) \[[@B71-molecules-18-02683]\] in absolute ethanol (25 mL) was treated by drop wise addition of phenyl isothiocyanate (0.2 mol) in dry acetone (10 mL) .The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 12 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. The acetone was distilled under reduced pressure and the solid residue was dissolved in water, the product was isolated after acidification with 2 N HCl. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol The product was obtained as orange crystals; yield 3.34 g, 80.1%; m.p. 270--271 °C; IR (KBr): 1105 (C=S), 1651 (C=O), 3236, 3433 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 2.06 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.89--6.92 (m, 2H, ArH, NH), 7.24--7.28 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.50--7.53 (m, 4H, ArH), 9.88 (bs, 2H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.82 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 31.4, 117.5, 117.5, 117.6, 117.6, 121.7, 121.7, 122.1, 123.6, 127.2, 129.6, 129.7, 141.9, 155.0, 156.7, 178.7, 189.4. Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~15~N~9~OS (417.45): C, 54.67; H, 3.62; N, 30.20 Found: C, 54.40; H, 3.43; N, 30.42.
3.19. \[1,2,4\]Triazolo\[3,4-c\]\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]-5,10-dihydroquinoxaline-5-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)-ethanoic acid hydrazide ***(31)***
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A mixture of acid hydrazide **35** (0.001 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.005 mol) in absolute ethanol (25 mL) was treated by dropwise addition of phenyl isothiocyanate (0.02 mol) \[[@B72-molecules-18-02683]\] in dry acetone (10 mL) .The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 12 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The acetone was distilled under reduced pressure and the solid residue was dissolved in water, the product was isolated after acidification with 2 N HCl. The solid mass obtained was separated by filtration, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 0.34 g, 80.0%; m.p. 275--276 °C; IR (KBr): 1109 (C=S), 1651 (C=O), 3236, 3433 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 4.25 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.00--7.54 (m, 5H, 4ArH, NH), 7.56--8.00 (m, 7H, 5ArH, 2NH), 12.05 (m, 2H, 2NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~19~H~16~N~10~OS (432.46): C, 52.77; H, 3.73; N, 32.39 Found: C, 52.49; H, 3.53; N, 32.52.
3.20. 1-(5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one ***(32)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]indole (**24**, 0.01 mol) and ethyl acetoacetate (0.011 mol) \[[@B73-molecules-18-02683]\] in acetic acid (20 mL) was stirred with refluxing for 4 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated till dryness, the product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.47 g, 93.0%; m.p. 330--331 °C; IR (KBr): 1712 (C=O), 3128, 3438 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.80 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.43 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.45 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 7.61 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 7.72 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 8.36 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 6.7 Hz), 12.00 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~13~H~10~N~6~O (266.26): C, 58.64; H, 3.79; N, 31.56 Found: C, 58.80; H, 3.90; N, 31.43.
3.21. 1-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one ***(33)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxaline **25** **(** 0.01 mol) and ethyl acetoacetate (0.011 mol) \[[@B73-molecules-18-02683]\] in acetic acid (20 mL) was stirred with refluxing for 4 h. Evaporation till dryness, the product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.45 g, 87.2%; m.p. 239--240 °C; IR (KBr): 1693 (C=O), 3161, 3438 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 2.29 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.92 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 7.23 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.33 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.39 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.98 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 10.99 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.68 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 15.0, 43.8, 127.9, 130.7, 144.5, 152.9, 155.7, 161.8, 170.0. Anal. Calcd for C~13~H~11~N~7~O (281.27): C, 55.51; H, 3.94; N, 34.86 Found: C, 55.68; H, 4.03; N, 34.70.
3.22. 1-(5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one ***(34)***
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A solution of 1-(5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**32**, 0.01 mol) in acetone (25 mL) \[[@B73-molecules-18-02683]\] was stirred with refluxing for 20 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated till dryness, cooled. 20 mL of water was added in order to precipitate the product. The crude product was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried, and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as off white crystals; yield 2.47 g, 80.7%; m.p. 360--361 °C; IR (KBr): 1713 (C=O), 3439 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.87 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.49 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 7.44 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.62 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.71 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 8.36 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 13.08 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~16~H~14~N~6~O (306.32): C, 62.74; H, 4.61; N, 27.44 Found: C, 62.97; H, 5.03; N, 27.70.
3.23. 1-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one ***(35)***
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A solution of 1-(5,10-dihyro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-methyl-1*H*-pyrazol-5(4*H*)-one (**33**, 0.01 mol) in acetone (25 mL) \[[@B73-molecules-18-02683]\] was stirred with refluxing for 20 h. Evaporation till dryness, cooled, water was added, filter the product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried. It was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 2.66 g, 82.9%; crystals; m.p. 263--264 °C; IR (KBr): 1701 (C=O), 3202, 3433 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 2.30 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.42 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.93 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 7.00--7.05 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.35--7.39 (m, 2H, ArH), 11.88 (bs, 2H, 2 NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ:14.6, 19.2, 107.3, 115.6, 123.5, 126.1, 137.4, 153.0, 155.7, 159.5, 161.8. Anal. Calcd for C~16~H~15~N~7~O (321.34): C, 59.80; H, 4.71; N, 30.51 Found: C, 60.03; H, 4.93; N, 30.37.
3.24. 2-((2-(5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indol-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one ***(36)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indole (**24**, 0.001 mol) and 6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1**\', 0.0011 mol) was refluxed in ethanol (30 mL) for 6 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol and dried, it was recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as brown crystals; yield 0.32 g, 87.6%; m.p. 290--291 °C; IR (KBr): IR (KBr): 1652 (C=O), 3234, 3439 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.00 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.21 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.68 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.53 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.30 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 7.46 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz ), 7.51 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 8.03 (s, 1H, CH=N), 8.13 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.9 Hz), 8.34 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.52 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.89 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 28.7, 35.7, 36.6, 52.2, 108.2, 112.7, 119.4, 119.9, 120.6, 122.5, 129.4, 129.6, 136.1, 138.6, 140.3, 146.3, 148.8, 158.7, 192.6. Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~19~N~7~O (373.41): C, 64.33; H, 5.13; N, 26.26 Found: C, 64.63; H, 4.90; N, 26.30.
3.25. 2-((2-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one ***(37)***
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A mixture of 3-hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\] quinoxaline (**25**, 0.001 mol) and 6,6-dimethyl-4-*oxo*-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1*H*-indole-2-carbaldehyde (**1a**, 0.0011 mol) was refluxed in ethanol (30 mL) for 6 h. The product was collected, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as yellow crystals; yield 0.33 g, 86.6%; m.p. 155--156 °C; IR (KBr): 1651 (C=O), 3236, 3433 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 0.97 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 1.00 (s, 3H, CH~3~), 2.21 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.69 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.82 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.03--7.06 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.07--7.10 (m, 2H, ArH), 9.45 (s, 1H, CH=N), 10.34 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.16 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.91 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.11 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~20~N~8~O (388.43): C, 61.84; H, 5.19; N, 28.85 Found: C, 62.00; H, 5.31; N, 28.70.
3.26. 3-(5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indol-3-yl)-2-(6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-yl)thiazolidin-4-one ***(38)***
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A mixture of 2-((2-(5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indol-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one (**36**, 0.001 mol) and thioglycolic acid (0.0012 mol) was refluxed in dry benzene (30 mL) on water bath for 10 h, cooled and poured onto water. The reaction mixture was extracted with benzene three times, washed with sodium bicarbonate, water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, then concentrated to half its volume. The separated solid product was filtered, washed ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as buff crystals; yield 0.33 g, 77.2%; m.p. 215--216 °C; IR (KBr): 1650, 1710 (C=O), 3427 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.00 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.20 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.69 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 3.35--3.49 (m, 2H, CH~2~ --thiazol.), 6.52 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.24 (t, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 7.43--7.49 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.93 (s, 1H, H-thiazol.), 8.08 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 11.46 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.03 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~22~H~20~N~6~O~2~S (432.50): C, 61.10; H, 4.66; N, 19.43 Found: C, 61.36; H, 4.86; N, 19.21.
3.27. N\'-2-((2-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-ylidene)benzohydrazide ***(39)***
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To a solution of 2-((2-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]quinoxalin-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one (**37**, 0.001 mol) in ethanol (30 mL) was added benzoyl hydrazine (0.163 g, 0.0012 mol) and two drops of acetic acid. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 6 h, partially concentrated and cooled. The separated solid product was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as yellow crystals; yield 0.40 g, 79.7%; m.p. 175--176 °C; IR (KBr): 1644 (C=O), 3236, 3426 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.22 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.69 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.66 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.17 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 7.49--7.51 (m, 5H, ArH), 7.87--7.90 (m, 4H, ArH), 8.25 (s, 1H, CH=N), 10.56 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.55 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.63 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.00 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ: 28.8, 29.0, 35.8, 36.7, 110.6, 112.3, 120.2, 128.2, 128.3, 128.3, 128.3, 129.2, 129.2, 132.3, 132.6, 140.2, 146.6, 148. 3, 158.4, 172.7. Anal. Calcd for C~27~H~26~N~10~O (506.56): C, 64.02; H, 5.17; N, 27.65 Found: C, 63.89; H, 4.92; N, 27.80.
3.28. 3-(6,6-Dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one)-1,5-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazolo\[3,4-c\]-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxaline ***(40)***
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A mixture of 2-((2-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino*\[5,6-b\]*quinoxalin-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-*1H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one (**37**, 0.001 mol) and acetic anhydride (15 mL) was heated on a boiling water bath for 10 h. The reaction mixture was poured onto crushed ice, the precipitated product was filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethanol/chloroform. The product was obtained as brown crystals; yield 0.28 g, 73.5%; m.p. 280--281 °C; IR (KBr): 1662 (C=O), 3234, 3429 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.08 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.32 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.75 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.79 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.09--7.12 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.31 (d, 1H, ArH; *J* = 7.6 Hz), 7.38--7.42 (m, 2H, ArH), 12.23 (bs, 3H, 3NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). Anal. Calcd for C~20~H~18~N~8~O(386.41): C, 62.17; H, 4.70; N, 29.00 Found: C, 61.92; H, 4.62; N, 29.19.
3.29. 2-(1-(5H-\[1,2,4\]Triazino\[5,6-b\]indol-3-yl)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-(6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one ***(41)***
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To a solution of 2-(3-(4-bromophenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one (**2**, 0.001 mol) in ethanol (15 mL) was added 3-hydrazinyl-5*H*-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-*b*\]indole (**24**, 0.0012 mol) and acetic acid (5 mL). The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 7 h, concentrated till dryness, poured onto H~2~O (50 mL), 10% bromine water (5 mL) was added, the mixture stirred overnight, and poured onto crushed ice. The separated solid product was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol. The product was obtained as brown crystals; yield 0.44 g, 80.8%; m.p. 150--151 °C; IR (KBr): 1649 (C=O), 3439 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.35 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.67 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.12 (s, 1H, CH-pyrazole), 6.70 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.30--7.37 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.50--7.54 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.73 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 7.7 Hz), 11.35 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 11.78 (s, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ: 28.9, 33.2, 45.4, 57.8, 108.2, 111.3, 113.6, 120.8, 121.8, 122.6, 124.7, 124.9, 125.2, 125.7, 126.9, 127.6, 128.9, 132.3, 142.2, 146.6, 148.5, 150.4, 157.6, 190.8. Anal. Calcd for C~28~H~22~BrN~7~O (552.42): C, 60.88; H, 4.01; N, 17.75 Found: C, 61.00; H, 4.20; N, 17.58.
3.30. General Procedure for the Preparation of Compounds ***42--44***
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To a solution of 2-(3-aryl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1*H*-indol-4(5*H*)-one **2**--**4** (0.001 mol) in ethanol (15 mL) was added 3-hydrazinyl-5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[*5,6-b*\] quinoxaline (**25**, 0.0012 mol) and acetic acid (5 mL). The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 7 h, concentrated till dryness, poured onto H~2~O (50 mL), 10% bromine water (5 mL) was added, the mixture stirred overnight, and poured onto crushed ice. The separated solid product was filtered, washed with ethanol, dried and recrystallized from ethanol.
*2-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)-1-(5,10-dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**42**). Orange crystals; yield 0.49 g, 88.0%; m.p. 289--290 °C; IR (KBr): 1680 (C=O), 3232, 3454 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.01 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.71 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.80 (s, 1H, CH-pyrazole), 6.91 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.50--7.60 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.76 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.92 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 12.06 (m, 3H, 3NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ:.28.8, 34.5, 48.6, 49.7, 51.5, 99.1, 115.6, 122.4, 124, 125.8, 129.0, 129.8, 131.8, 138.0, 140.1, 1418, 143.9, 146.6, 151.7, 155.6, 193.3. Anal. Calcd for C~28~H~23~BrN~8~O (567.44): C, 59.27; H, 4.09; N, 19.75 Found: C, 59.15; H, 4.21; N, 19.50.
*2-(3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**43**). Brown crystals; yield 0.48 g, 82.3%; m.p. 229--230 °C; IR (KBr): 1681 (C=O), 3250, 3405 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO-*d*~6~) δ 1.00 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.71 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 6.90 (s, 1H, CH-pyrazole), 7.27 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.50--7.55 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.69--7.72 (m, 4H, ArH), 8.00--8.12 (m, 2H, ArH), 12.18 (bs, 3H, 3NH; exchangeable with D~2~O); ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ:.28.8, 39.8, 40.2, 40.6, 54.2, 64.1, 109.6, 115.8, 126.3, 129.5, 129.6, 129.6, 130.6 130.8, 137.4, 143.2, 143.7, 150.2, 155.9, 169.5, 192.8. Anal. Calcd for C~28~H~23~ClN~8~O (522.99): C, 64.30; H, 4.43; N, 21.43 Found: C, 64.26; H, 4.20; N, 21.66.
*2-(1-(5,10-Dihydro-\[1,2,4\]triazino\[5,6-b\]quinoxalin-3-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one* (**44**). Brown crystals; yield 0.45 g, 86.8%; m.p. 280--281 °C; IR (KBr): 1681 (C=O), 3151, 3436 cm^−1^ (NH); ^1^H-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ 1.02 (s, 6H, 2 CH~3~), 2.24 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.72 (s, 2H, CH~2~), 2.94 (s, 3H, OCH~3~), 6.75--6.78 (m, 1H, CH-pyrazole), 6.85 (s, 1H, CH-pyrrole), 7.06 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 7.27--7.36 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.40 (d, 2H, ArH; *J* = 8.4 Hz), 8.01--8.09 (m, 2H, ArH), 11.95 (bs, 2H, 2NH; exchangeable with D~2~O), 12.05 (bs, 1H, NH; exchangeable with D~2~O). ^13^C-NMR (DMSO*-d*~6~) δ: 28.6, 35.0, 43.1, 53.8, 56.1, 100.1, 115.6, 117.1, 117.3, 121.5, 123.5, 123.8, 126.1, 129.5, 135.2, 140.1, 144.7, 149.7, 152.3, 155.7, 160.8, 193.0. Anal. Calcd for C~29~H~26~N~8~O~2~ (518.57): C, 67.17; H, 5.05; N, 21.61 Found: C, 67.30; H, 5.18; N, 21.41.
3.31. Biological Activity Assay
-------------------------------
### 3.31.1. Inhibition Zone Measurement (IZ)
Compounds **2**--**44** were evaluated *in vitro* for antimicrobial activity against the following four organisms: *Escherichia coli* ATCC8739, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ATCC 9027 as examples of Gram-negative bacteria, *Staphylococcus aureus* ATCC 6583P as an example of Gram-positive bacteria, and *Candida albicans* ATCC 2091 as an example of a yeast-like fungus have been studied by using the Nutrient Agar (NA) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) diffusion methods \[[@B74-molecules-18-02683]\], respectively, in *N,N*-dmethylformamide as solvent. The bacteria were subcultured on Nutrient Agar medium (NA), whereas, fungi were subcultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Petri plates (150 mm × 15 mm) were prepared by pouring 60 mL of NA or SDA and allowing it to solidify. Plates were dried and 1 mL of each standardized inoculums suspension was poured and uniformly spread. The excess inoculums was drained and the inoculums was allowed to dry for 15 min. Eight equidistant wells were made in the medium using a sterile cork borer (6 mm in diameter and 75 μL of the test chemicals (1 mg/mL) diluted in DMF were placed into the wells. The plates containing bacterial and fungi species were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The tests were carried in triplicate. Ampicillin trihydrate (10.0 µg/disc), ciprofloxacin (5.0 µg/disc), impenam (10.0 µg/disc), and clotrimazole (100.0 µg/disc) were used as standard antibacterial and antifungal agents, respectively. (DMF) alone showed no inhibition zone. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The results were recorded for each tested compound as the average diameter of inhibition zones of bacterial growth around the disks in mm.
### 3.31.2. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)
MIC measurements \[[@B75-molecules-18-02683]\] were carried out for compounds that showed significant inhibition zones using the twofold serial dilution technique. The compounds **2**--**44** were prepared in a concentration range of 200, 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 µg/mL. The microdilution susceptibility test in Muller-Hinton broth (oxoid) and Sabouraud Liquid Medium (oxoid) were used for the determination of antibacterial and antifungal activity. The microorganism suspensions at 106 CFU/mL (colony forming unit/mL) were used to inoculate the prepared test compounds in the above mentioned serial dilution broth. The culture tubes were incubated at 37 °C for 24--48 h. At the end of the incubation period the growth of bacteria was observed by turbidity measurements \[[@B75-molecules-18-02683]\]. The MIC is defined as the lowest concentration that showed no bacterial growth.
4. Conclusions
==============
The objective of the present study was to synthesize and investigate the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of a new series of pyrazolines and pyrazoles in the hope of discovering new structural leads serving as antimicrobial agents. Some new pyrazoline and pyrazole derivatives have been prepared, and their physical properties were characterized. The biological activity of the compounds **2**--**44** was evaluated by the agar diffusion method against *Escherichia coli*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Staphylococcus aurous* and *Candida albicans*. None of the investigated compounds not showed any activity against the test organisms *Escherichia coli* and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*. Compound **16** has good antimicrobial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, comparable to that of ampicillin and ciprofloxacin, while compound **17** has remarkable antimicrobial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, exceeding that of ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and imipenam. In addition, compound **17** has comparable IZ against *Candida albicans* comparable to that of clotrimazole. On the other hand, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compounds **19**, **20** and **31** against *Candida albicans* indicate good antifungal activity, comparable to that of clotrimazole. Based on the preliminary results, it can be seen that all four compounds **16**, **17**, **19** and **20** showing good antimicrobial and antifungal activity have benzenesulfonamide substituents as a common structural feature.
Thanks are due to the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University for the antimicrobial measurements.
*Sample Availability*: Samples of the compounds **2--4**, **11**, **18**, **22**, **24**, **27**, **33--36**, **38**, and **40** are available from the authors.
Supplementary materials can be accessed at: <http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/3/2683/s1>.
######
Click here for additional data file.
| |
In this post: Love the serene crisp look of an all white bedroom? Check out these white bedroom ideas to help you add pops of color accents to your white bedroom decor.⇒
Not long ago this was the darkest room in the house.
Yep, it had charcoal grey walls and, given it’s placement at the center of the house with not a lot of natural light, it appeared even darker.
While I liked the drama of the deep toned walls, it was just too closed in. I knew it had to go.
(You can see the “before” pics HERE and HERE.)
Add to that an odd shape to the room (on the entry side) with lots of doors to work around and furniture placement became quite tricky. I just felt that I hadn’t gotten it right yet.
This is the room my daughter uses when she stays at our house, so we think of it as her bedroom even though she has her own apartment. Hence, it needs to function as more than a guest room with plenty of storage for her out-of-season things.
So, my approach to the refresh was two-fold: to lighten and brighten the space and to refine the furniture placement.
The first step was to tackle the wall color. I wanted the room to read white, even though it’s actually a very pale grey. We kept the grey carpet in place and added crown molding to the ceiling.
Then I selected Benjamin Moore China White PM-20 for the walls, as it had worked so well in our butler’s pantry.
The difference was staggering!
I’m sometimes still surprised at what a difference a change in paint color can make. There have been many times when I’ve put off changing the wall color, only to find I should have done it long ago when I finally get it done.
Next up was addressing the furniture placement.
It’s not so much that I moved things around than that I fine-tuned the pieces to better suit our needs. The biggest change was adding new bedside tables for better harmony and appropriate storage.
There’s no real space in the room for a large dresser, so we previously had a large chest on one side of the bed. It was too large for the corner it was in and completely threw off the balance. I’m generally very comfortable with mis-matched pieces, but the proportions of what we had were totally off.
The new nightstands are generous enough to provide ample storage, while adding a sense of evenness to the room.
I kept the little vintage desk that was in the room before and moved the gilded mirror in from the upstairs hall. While there are plenty of French-influenced pieces in here, the room retains a decidedly updated look.
Another significant change was adding my favorite laundered-linen drapery panels in fresh white, along with new drapery rods in antique gold.
While the bedding before was already white, I introduced additional textures to keep it from looking bland. The cotton pique euro shams, quilted standard shams and crochet boudoir pillow all add interest when mixed with the solid linen bedding.
The wall opposite the bed is the one that’s difficult to decorate, with a wall angled toward the door on one side and walk space needed on the other to enter the bathroom and closet.
The simple solution was a narrow chest of drawers with a smallish TV placed on the wall above. We’re fortunate to have a nice sized walk-in closet in this room, so it’s not necessary to have a lot of furniture for clothing.
With the new light room all tranquil and serene, it’s really easy to add pretty touches, like a market basket filled with peonies, looped around the door handle.
With a white or neutral room, it’s a cinch to add pops of color and I used floral bouquets to do most of the heavy lifting, with tulips, irises and roses in two colors, punctuated by mini green hydrangeas.
I also tossed in a blush pink ruffled throw and a pretty floral teacup for another note of grace.
The white backdrop is a natural canvas for showcasing the charm of accent color. Other ideas for adding bits of color to a white bedroom include:
- Art books on the nightstand
- A colorful vase on the desk
- Floral or still-life wall art
- Toss pillows on the bed or chair
- A wreath on the door or above the bed
- Natural or faux plants in a floor planter
There’s no reason to live with a dark depressing room in your home. If white is your jam, it’s a fabulous way to add cheer and uplift your home.
Then layer on the pretty with the pops of color the season offers!
White Bedroom Resource List
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Please enjoy all the other beautiful posts in today’s blog hop below!
Designthusiasm | StoneGable | On Sutton Place
Shabbyfufu | Maison de Cinq | Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Sanctuary Home Decor | Town and Country Living | Rooms for Rent
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
- French Blue and White Guest Room
- 7 Tips for Creating a Dreamy Master Bedroom Retreat
- Neutral Bedroom Ideas and Updates
- Refresh Your Home with Luxury Bed Linen Ideas
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SIDNEY — Three components of Sidney City School’s district report card were reviewed during Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting.
Curriculum Coordinator Brooke Gessler said that numerous factors impacted the district’s report card.
“Sometimes there are obstacles that impact student learning,” said Gessler. “Some of these variables we can control and others we cannot. When one factor is influences, so are multiple others.”
Factors that impact student learning, she said, can include the student’s daily schedule, class size, professional development, attendance, legislators and motivation.
Gessler focused her presentation on achievement, gap closing and K-3 literacy. These are three areas which the district needs to improve its score, she said.
“They’re not pretty numbers, but we’re going to own it,” said Gessler, of the district’s “D” in achievement (meeting 22 of 33 standards), the “F” (47.6 percent) in gap closing and the “D” (42.5 percent) in K-3 literacy.
In K-3 literacy, said Gessler, it’s the district’s responsibility to identify students as on-track or not on-track for their reading level. If a student is not on-track then he/she are placed on a reading improvement plan.
In Sidney, K-3 students are given fall benchmark tests in AIMS web, an online reading diagnostic, by Sept. 30 to determine their on/not on-track status. Third grade students take a state reading assessment in December that determines if his/her reading promotion score is met and those test results determine if he/she is on/not on-track status for third-graders. All third-graders must read at grade level or they are not promoted to the fourth grade.
The third-graders can take the state test in the spring for another chance to reach/exceed the promotion score and in reading and aim for proficient or higher.
The report card, said Gessler, takes the total number of students on-track and divides it by the total number of students not on-track to determine the percentage for the grade.
The district had 220 K-2 students not on-track for the 2015-16 school year. They will factor into the 2015-16 report card for fall 2016 on/not on-track status.
Instruction and assessment, said Gessler impacts K-3 literacy. The district, she said, is using data-driven dialogue to help improve the district’s reading score.
She met with K-4 principals on Feb. 18 to focus on the K-3 literacy data released by the state. They reviewed spreadsheets of current third-grade students on/not on-track history, AIMS web reports and K-3 literacy district building data.
“We used a strategy called Fishbone to identify the factor areas that impact K-3 literacy,” said Gessler. Those factors, she shared, include collaboration, writing and phonics first under the instruction category. In assessment, items include AIMS, missing data and state tests.
The next step, she said, will be for the K-4 administrators to have a data-driven dialogue with the K-3 teachers. They will create a Fishbone diagram and bring it to the next K-4 meeting, which is set for March 29.
A progress chart for the students, she said, tracks their reading skills and assists the teachers where the students need assistance. Title teachers are being used as literacy coaches in the classroom and also assist with before and afterschool programs.
The achievement portion of the report card deals with the students who were proficient on the state test and student performance for grades 3-12. The performance index is based on the percentage of students scoring in each level. A total of 120 points could be awarded.
Indicators are met is 80 percent of the students hit proficiency levels for grade level content test.
“These were brand new tests except for the third-grade reading,” said Gessler. “The state also increased the number of indicators from 24 to 33.
“American history students were double tested,” she said. “They were counted twice for American history and OGT social students indicator. Students in AP government were not include3d at all.”
The district’s goal, she said, it to hit all indicators and the move students higher in their levels of performance to increase the performance index.
Gap closing, she said, addresses all students’s performance in reading, math and graduation regardless of income, race, ethnicity and disability.
“Points are earned in the following ways,” said Gessler. “one, but having a higher percent proficiency than the goal and two, to improve over last year’s percentage of proficiency, and three, improvement in the percent proficiency between the previous year and current year is greater than or equal to the current year’s gap.”
The district can also earn points for every subgroup where there are at least 30 students. The maximum points is 100 points for each subgroup, she said.
Gessler said the district’s students who have the hardest time are the ones who are still learning English. There are at least seven different languages spoken by students in the district.
Gessler said the district is using an equity audit, which uses current data to determine what academics and discipline look like from a district perspective for the subgroups in the gap closing category.
“We own our data and make no excuses,” said Gessler. “Our focus needs to continue to be on teaching our standards and how to building strong, independent learners despite external factors.”
Gessler will do another presentation on the district’s report card on the March 21 meeting.
Reach the writer at 937-538-4822; follow her on Twitter @MelSpeicherSDN. Follow the SDN on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SidneyDailyNews. | https://www.sidneydailynews.com/news/education/16388/curriculum-coordinator-reviews-scs-report-card |
Equipping all nodes of a large optical network with full conversion capability is prohibitively costly. To improve performance at reduced cost, sparse converter placement algorithms are used to select a subset of nodes for full-conversion deployment. Further cost reduction can be obtained by deploying only limited conversion capability in the selected nodes. In this paper, we present a limited wavelength converters placement algorithm based on the k-Minimum Dominating Set (k-MDS) concept. We propose three different cost effective optical switch designs using the technologically feasible non-tunable optical multiplexers. These three switch designs are Flexible Node-Sharing, Strict Node-Sharing and Static Mapping. Compared to the full search heuristic of O(N 3) complexity based on ranking nodes by blocking percentages, our algorithm on one hand has a better time complexity O(ℛ.N 2) - ℛ is the number of disjoint sets provided by k-MDS; and on the other hand avoids the local minimum problem. The performance benefit of our algorithm is demonstrated by network simulation with the U.S Long Haul topology having 28 nodes (ℛ is 5). From the optical network management point of view, our results also show that the limited conversion capability can achieve performance very close to that of the full conversion capability; while not only decreasing the optical switch cost but also enhancing its fault tolerance.
Publication Date
12-1-2003
Publication Title
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume
5247
Number of Pages
185-195
Document Type
Article; Proceedings Paper
Personal Identifier
scopus
DOI Link
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.509993
Copyright Status
Unknown
Socpus ID
1642432848 (Scopus)
Source API URL
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/1642432848
STARS Citation
El Houmaidi, Mounire; Bassiouni, Mostafa; and Li, Guifang, "Algorithm For Placement Of Limited Wavelength Conversion In Wdm Optical Networks" (2003). Scopus Export 2000s. 1419. | https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scopus2000/1419/ |
At Central Coast Salmon Enhancement, we have a constantly growing to-do list. However, as a small nonprofit, we have limited staff and limited time. That’s why we’re incredibly thankful for the Watershed Stewards Program (WSP), an organization that assists communities with habitat restoration for salmonids. We have two WSP members working with us for the next 10 and a half months, and we’re thrilled that they’ve joined us to help restore our watershed creek and steelhead trout habitat.
WSP is an AmeriCorps service program for young people that’s a part of the California Conservation Corps. Every year, the program places about 50 members at different natural resource organizations, where they help with a variety of projects.
Lauren Malinis and Khaalid Abdullah joined our team in October. They’ll be conducting service projects, leading environmental educational curricula at local schools, and collecting data in the field — work that will greatly help our research and outreach efforts. It’s a win-win situation: the members receive valuable work and community outreach experience while the surrounding community and habitats benefit from their efforts.
Lauren is excited about gaining work experience. She said she’s trying to get into grad school, studying either marine science or fisheries, and that the WSP program will help her pay for that.
Khaalid said he gets satisfaction out of knowing he’s benefitting California’s natural resources. “It’s an opportunity to be active in the world and give people knowledge about water conditions in our state. Physically getting the job done satisfies me, knowing I’m doing whatever I can to help the state of California,” he said.
Are you ready to help keep the Watershed Stewards Program alive at CCSE? So far we have raised $4,000 of our goal of $8,000.
Click here to give – no amount is too small. We are genuinely thankful for your generous support. | https://creeklands.org/2016-11-22-the-watershed-stewards-program-a-win-win-for-our-community/ |
In May of 2016, a seemingly normal Quebec teen created a mass media frenzy. This 15-year-old boy, William Gadoury, claimed that he had discovered a lost Mayan city using only Google Earth and a chart of the stars. After some quick research and collaboration with Dr Armand La Rocque, from the University of New Brunswick, and Daniel De Lisle, from the Canadian Space Agency, people decided that there may be some weight to his discovery. However, after many extremely heated discussions and specialist research, everyone is now asking, “could it all just be coincidence?”
William Gadoury came up with a theory that the Mayans built their towns and structures in line with certain star constellations. After some quick bedroom research, he found that in most cases, Mayan cities did indeed line up with the major constellations. Following on with this theory, he quickly noticed that there was one city missing.
In an excited attempt to further his research, this 15-year-old scientist decided to source satellite images from the Canadian Space Agency, in an attempt to pinpoint the exact location of this ‘missing Mayan city’. William then matched up his findings to Google Earth, and suddenly discovered the site where the constellation suggested the final city should be.
K’aak Chi
The Mayan city is thought to be in the middle of an extremely dense jungle in the Yucatan peninsula, and has been named K’aak Chi, or Mouth of Fire by William himself. Upon closer inspection by Dr Armand La Rocque and Daniel De Lisle, a squared structure could be seen under the dense vegetation in this exact spot. Could this be the city of K’aak Chi?
At its time of discovery, everyone was convinced by the structure’s shape and size, and the media took the story and ran with it. For months, this was an unquestioned discovery of a lost Mayan city, scientific papers were published, and William was set to speak at the Brazilian International Science fair in 2017. However, as the story got more attention from the public, it also got more attention from the specialists in the field of astrology and natural history. These people were not so convinced.
An interesting Western fantasy
The first part of William’s discovery to be questioned was the basis of his entire theory, his idea that the Mayans aligned their cities with star constellations. Anthony Aveni, an astronomer and anthropologist known as the “father of Archaeoastronomy” pointed out that following a map of modern constellations is “an interesting Western fantasy… we tend to look at these modern star maps and see things in the way we might see patterns in clouds”. Meaning that you cannot scale a civilisation on earth to the relatively immeasurable cosmos. The level of precision William is claiming just doesn’t exist. Sarah Zhang from Wired also pointed out that the modern day constellations may not even match up with those which the Mayans would have used. The Mayans may have clustered together completely different stars to form their constellations than we do today.
All of this may beg the question, so why is there a square structure there? Well, experts such as Thomas Garrison, an anthropologist at the University of Southern California-Dornsife, said that there is definitely a rectangular feature with secondary vegetation growth, but that this could signify an old field or farm that has been fallow for around 10- 15 years. Geoffrey E. Braswell, an archaeologist who has spent most of his life researching these areas in the Yucatan, seconded Garrison’s statement by claiming that the image in question simply shows a small field with weeds, which may have been fallow or active marijuana fields. He stated that the area William had discovered is not known to house any pyramids, and that there is no archaeological site there.
So, although the scientific community admire William Gadoury’s creativity and drive in the world of science, they are not convinced that his theory stands. William however, has gone on to receive an invitation to participate in this year’s European Union Contest for Young Scientists and has won a gold medal at the Canadian Science Fair for his project on K’aak Chi.
Is the discovering of the K’aak Chi a mistake or scientific marvel? Explore Mexico and find the answer. Chimu Adventures offers amazing tours to Mexico. Click here to contact us. | https://www.chimuadventures.com/blog/2017/03/mayan-city-kaak-chi/ |
Empowering Colorado's health care providers
It’s always a good idea for our health care industry to prioritize increasing access to medical services. But during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing today, reducing regulations and expanding access to critical care becomes not only prudent, but crucial.
Over the course of this crisis, we have learned a painful lesson: All too often our health care system stands in the way of doctors and nurses helping patients.
Instead of doubling down on a bureaucratic approach that creates unnecessary barriers to quality care, we ought to reimagine what health care could look like in this country.
In Colorado, we are realizing this goal by making telehealth more accessible across the state.
During the height of the pandemic, it became increasingly important to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus while still allowing patients to consult with their providers when medical needs arose.
To ensure that patients could meet with the doctor or nurse of their choice from the safety of their own homes, our state legislature just passed Senate Bill 20-212, a bipartisan bill that relaxes outdated restrictions on telemedicine.
This bill also expands the kinds of services health care providers can deliver to Medicaid patients through telehealth to include physical therapy, occupational therapy, hospice care, home health care, and pediatric behavioral health care.
“It’s a win-win situation for patients because there are things you could talk about while sitting in your own home, at your own comfort level, that really do affect your health, that you might not say when you go to a clinic or doctor’s office in person,” said state Rep. Matt Soper, a lead sponsor of the legislation. “That part I think is something that could help with not just physical recovery, but also the mental health component.”
By opening Colorado’s existing telehealth system to innovation, providers are empowered to do what they do best — help people live safer, healthier lives. We urge Gov. Jared Polis to sign this important piece of legislation into law.
But this is just a preview of what it would mean to reimagine health care.
The Mercatus Center’s 2020 edition of the Health Care Openness and Access Project looked closely at how each state regulates an individual’s access to care, and ranked each accordingly. Colorado came in at No. 1, with the fewest restrictions on health-care access.
Colorado is lucky to have fewer health-care restrictions in place than other states. But there is still more that can be done
As it stands today, licensed health-care practitioners from other states are prohibited from practicing freely in Colorado. However, at the beginning of the pandemic, Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies, under the direction of Gov. Polis, enacted a temporary order that relaxed this restriction, allowing practitioners to freely practice across state lines
By making this temporary change permanent, Colorado can increase the availability of medical professionals able to provide care, increasing access to health services across the board.
As we continue to navigate this health emergency, physicians’ assistants should be allowed to practice without physician supervision. Likewise, nurse practitioners should be able to prescribe medications without completing 1,000 hours of physician-supervised practice.
This will empower these health care professionals to utilize the full scope of their medical training and deliver more care.
COVID-19 has challenged our health care system as it never has been challenged before. But this crisis has given us the opportunity to make necessary changes that will help us navigate not only this crisis, but future crises as well.
Jesse Mallory is state director for Americans for Prosperity-Colorado.
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These days employees are spending more and more time in the office, in fact, most white collar Americans work well more than 40 hours a week. However, increased hours does not always mean increased efficiency.
How can you effectively improve the efficiency of your employees and save time? Here are 6 simple ideas to help you do just that.
#1 Creativity and Accountability
My experience with employee efficiency is somewhat unique due to my workforce being almost completely virtual. As such, efficiency can be a challenge, so I use a number of practices to ensure that my employees are productive. In contrast to many traditional workforces, I really believe in being as hands-off as possible; allowing everyone that works for me to do things at their own pace. This gives my employees a sense of freedom, which I believe is important for creativity and success.
When someone new joins my team, I arrange a goal-setting meeting via phone during which we discuss what they believe they’re accountable for, what their responsibilities are, their idea of good behavior, and what their main goals are regarding the position. I then do the same to ensure our visions for the position align. I find this really helps employees to feel motivated in working to the best of their abilities because we've taken the time to discuss what excellent work looks like, as well as their future opportunities within the company.
Contributors: Ameet Khabra from Hop Skip Media
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Self motivation is more efficient than someone standing over your work.
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Self-motivation is the key, I agree with you! And in case you needed some tips how to increase it, you can find them here: https://kanbantool.com/blog/a-few-motivation-hacks-we-all-need
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Right on! Love this approach
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Super cool! Sounds like you read the One Minute Manager.
#2 Real-time case studies
One of the most effective ways that I have tested over the years is real-time case studies. In its most basic version, you have the employee do 2 similar tasks: one the way they think they should be doing it and one with tools or SOP's that allows them to do it faster and more accurate. Majority of the time the employee almost instantaneously have an epiphany and seek to optimize all possible tasks.
Contributors: Kamyar Shah from KamyarShah
#3 Be Flexible
Gretchen Rubin’s groundbreaking work on “tendencies” reveals that we are motivated in different ways. Knowing your employees' style is key to understanding what will motivate people. You may have employees that will do best with a lot of accountability, while others want to be trusted to execute with minimal interaction. There is no one-size-fits-all, so the one thing that you need to have to become a good manager is FLEXIBILITY.
Contributors: Claudia Luiz from ClaudiaLuiz
#4 Make them more happy
McKinsey reports that productivity improves by 20-25% in organizations with connected employees, Gallup reports that Employees who exercise their strengths on a daily basis are 8% more productive and 6x more likely to be engaged also that teams with high employee engagement rates are 21% more productive and have 28% less internal theft than those with low engagement, also that employees who are engaged are 27% more likely to report “excellent” performance and that companies that increase their number of talented managers and double the rate of engaged employees achieve, on average, 147% higher earnings per share than their competition.
Tower Watson report that 57% of employees who said they were very stressed at work felt less productive and disengaged, while only 10% of low-stress employees reported feeling this way. Cornerstone reports that work overload decreases productivity by 68% in employees who feel they don’t have enough hours in the day to complete their tasks. All in all happy employees equals productive employees.
Contributors: James Dodkins from ROCKSTAR CX
#5 Ask your employees for ideas
Most employees love it when you show that you value their expertise highly and asking them for feedback is a great way to do that. You can use techniques such as active questioning to ask what they find to be most tedious, time-consuming or pointless parts of their jobs, then let me or at least help them automate or eliminate some of those activities. This will make them much more effective not only by making the job itself more efficient but also by making the employees more motivated.
Contributors: Jesse Nieminen from Viima
#6 Let your employees set their own goals
Many employees find goals set for them by the management to actually be demotivating. Often the goals can be unrealistic or they might, for example, be more dependent on external factors than the success of the person doing the work. The key is to find the right balance of freedom and control. An obvious solution is to let your employees set their own goals. Some employees might find this slightly intimidating at first, but most will learn to love this as it empowers them to be responsible for their own success, thus motivating them to work more efficiently to reach ever higher goals. As a team leader, it’s simply your job to make sure that:
- the goals are aligned with the higher-level objectives of the team and the organization at large
- the goals are ambitious enough to constantly challenge the employee.
Contributors: Jesse Nieminen from Viima
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post! | https://www.fupping.com/zakparker/2018/09/10/increase-the-efficiency-of-your-employees-with-these-6-simple-tricks/ |
Prevalence; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Traditional Medicine.
TCM approaches commonly used for OA include nutritional supplements (such as avocado-soybean unsaponifiables, green-lipped mussels, vitamins, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methylsulphonylmethane), herbal medicine (such as devil’s claw, ginger, phytodolor, and willow bark), homeopathy, acupuncture, mind-body therapy, manipulative therapy, leech therapy, electromagnets, and movement therapy.9,10 Although TCM therapies are often considered to be innocuous, some can be harmful. For example, the herbal remedy devil’s claw, which some OA patients use to help alleviate pain and stiffness, has been found to have serious side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms and bleeding (though these problems are uncommon). Drug interactions have been documented between devil’s claw and anticoagulants, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), digoxin, and antihistamines (including famotidine). Other reported side effects include rashes, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems.11,12 Another herb used in the treatment of OA is Duhuo Jisheng Wan, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
It has been shown to cause side effects, such as raised blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, and constipation.12,13 Another problem is that reliance on TCM remedies for chronic illness may indirectly lead to a delay in obtaining appropriate treatments. Some patients return to conventional treatment after developing disease-related complications.
Despite the wealth of global data on OA, few studies have been conducted regarding the prevalence of knee OA and the factors associated with the condition in Asia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of TCM approaches and the factors associated with their use in patients with knee OA in Malaysia. Understanding the frequency of TCM use in knee OA is imperative when searching for ways to educate patients and enhance the patient-doctor relationship. Improved comprehension of TCM use will help doctors be more understanding and patient-centered in their treatment approaches, particularly where counseling sessions regarding the proper use of TCM in the stream of conventional medicine are concerned.
This cross-sectional study included 214 patients with knee OA and was conducted from May 2013 to October 2013 at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
A universal sampling method was applied, whereby patients with knee OA attending their regular primary care outpatient clinic follow-ups were screened for the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. If they met all the criteria, they were recruited into the study. The sample size was calculated using the single proportion formula, based on a study conducted in the US with a 47% prevalence of TCM use for knee OA patients.8 Taking the precision of 0.07 with 95% confidence interval (CI), the minimum required sample size was 194. However, after considering a nonresponse rate of 10%, the required sample size was 214.
The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of knee OA, based on the American College of Rheumatology’s clinical diagnosis definition (pain in the knee on most days of the previous month, accompanied by at least three of the following: age of at least 50 years, morning stiffness for less than 30 minutes, crepitus on active movement, bony tenderness, bony enlargement, and a lack of palpable warmth). Patients who had undergone knee surgery previously or who may have other conditions (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, gout/pseudogout, or septic arthritis) were excluded from the study.
The study was approved for ethical clearance by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USMKK/PPP/JEPeM/[261.4.92.20]).
All data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) The sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were tabulated for descriptive statistics to determine the mean, standard deviation (SD), and percentage figures. Figures that were severely skewed or that indicated kurtosis (the duration of the OA, pain scores, functional scores, and total WOMAC scores) were transformed into natural logarithm (Ln).
Table 1: Sociodemographic characteristic of respondents.
Simple logistic regression was used to select variables for further analysis. All variables with p-values of < 0.250 in the univariable analysis and all clinically significant variables were included in the multiple logistic regression analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was estimated with a 95% CI. The final model was then presented with an adjusted OR, a 95% CI, Wald statistics, and p-values. The level of significance was set as a p-value < 0.050.
A total of 214 patients with knee OA participated in the study [Table 1]. The mean age was 60.8±9.2 years old. The sample consisted of 142 females (66.4%) and 72 males (33.6%). The majority of the patients were Malays (n = 184; 85.9%). Most of the respondents were married (n = 180; 84.1%), employed (n = 116; 54.2%), and had a household income of less than RM1000 (n = 96; 44.9%).
Table 2 gives the clinical characteristics of the participants. The majority of the patients had a chronic medical illness (n = 172; 80.4%). The median duration of knee OA was 3.0±3.0 years. Most of the patients had used painkillers for knee pain in the past month (n = 159; 74.3%). The median figures for the total WOMAC score, the pain scale, and the physical function scale were 505±633, 91.50±110, and 365.5±479, respectively.
Table 2: Clinical characteristics of respondents.
#Recent use of analgesics in the past one month.
OA: osteoarthritis; IQR: interquartile range; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index.
The proportion of patients in our sample who used TCM for knee OA was 57.9% (n = 124). Topical ointment was the most popular TCM modality (n = 96; 44.8%), followed by massage (n = 43; 20.0%), and oral herbs (n = 32; 14.9%).
In the logistic modeling, after controlling for confounders (including age, employment, family income, and education level) only gender, duration of knee OA, and the severity of the knee pain (total WOMAC score) were found to be significantly associated with TCM use for knee OA [Table 3].
The multiple logistic regression analysis [Table 3] indicated that men are 2.47-times more likely to use TCM for knee OA (95% CI: 1.28–4.77, p-value = 0.007) than women, after adjusting for the duration and severity of the knee pain. In addition, a person with a 1-unit increase in the Ln pain score was 2.56-times more likely to use TCM for knee OA (95% CI: 1.71–3.86, p-value < 0.001) when adjusted for gender and duration of OA. In other words, a person with a pain score that increased by 10% has nearly 40-times greater odds of TCM use for knee OA (95% CI: 9.98–214.49, p-value < 0.001) when adjusted for gender and duration. A person with a 1-year increase in the duration of OA was 1.51-times more likely to use TCM (95% CI: 1.03–2.23, p-value = 0.035), after adjusting for gender and knee pain severity.
Table 3: Multiple logistic regression final model of factors associated with traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) usage for knee osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 214).
aForward and backward LR multiple logistic regression model applied.
*Ln transformed due to severe skewness and kurtosis.
Multicollinearity and interaction term were checked and not found.
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; WOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index.
The variation in prevalence may be attributable to a number of factors, including differences in study populations. Most of our respondents were elderly (mean age: 60.8 years), and the majority had comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease (80.4%). Some participants utilized TCM because of local and cultural beliefs that TCM is more effective and less harmful than conventional medicine, as it is obtained from plants and thus contains natural materials. In addition, those with comorbidities may be attracted to TCM by persuasive sellers, some of whom claim their drugs have curative powers.
Differences in TCM definitions may explain the varied levels of TCM use across existing studies. We included a wider array of TCM approaches than some other researchers, including topical ointment, Islamic medical practices (ruqyah), traditional Malay therapies (e.g., cupping and massage), and energy therapies (e.g., raoha and color vibration therapy).9,21 Differences in the cultural and religious acceptability of traditional and alternative treatments throughout the region may also play a role, as may the availability and affordability of TCM remedies.
Gender, the duration of knee OA, and the severity of knee pain were all significantly associated with the use of TCM for knee OA. Males had 2.47 higher odds of using TCM than females. This was surprising given that most previous studies found that females are more likely to use TCM.20,21 One possible reason for this is that men have more buying power in Malay society and are able to make more buying decisions than women. The majority of female respondents in this study were housewives without a regular income. Hasan et al,24 found a similar result in their study of patients with chronic medical illnesses, in which 54.1% of male patients used TCM (although correlation analysis showed that there was no significant association between gender and TCM use).
The duration of knee OA was significantly associated with TCM use in this study. Rao et al,7 research into the prevalence of TCM in 232 patients attending six different rheumatology clinics in Indiana, US, found that the use of three or more different types of TCM was more common in patients with a longer disease duration (13.6 years vs. 9.1 years, p-value = 0.020). This finding is in line with the nature of OA, which is chronic, progressive, painful, incurable, and associated with deformity and morbidity in its later stages. These factors may trigger patients to seek alternative methods of pain control.
We investigated a wide range of TCM methods of knee OA treatment, some of which have not been investigated in research of Western populations. However, certain limitations may have influenced the study findings. Firstly, the study population was small and might not reflect the exact makeup of the wider population of patients with knee OA in Malaysia. The use of universal or convenience sampling may have introduced bias since the source population did not have an equal chance of being chosen to participate. In addition, this study was conducted in a part of Malaysia where the majority of the population is Malay Muslim, and the pattern of TCM use may not reflect the use of TCM across the country.
The prevalence of TCM use was high in this study and in accordance with the estimates made by the WHO. Being male, a longer disease duration, and a higher pain score were associated with TCM use. The most commonly used TCM remedies were topical ointment, massage, and herbs. Clinicians ought to be acquainted with the common TCM approaches patients use, and further assessments should be made with regard to the specific factors that contribute to the use of TCM by knee OA patients. More studies should be performed to investigate the adverse effects associated with TCM use as this information would be useful for patients when making decisions about treatment options.
1. McAlindon TE, Cooper C, Kirwan JR, Dieppe PA. Determinants of disability in osteoarthritis of the knee. Ann Rheum Dis 1993 Apr;52(4):258-262.
2. Murray CJ, Lopez AD, editors. The global burden of disease. A comprehensive assessment of mortality and disability from diseases, injuries, and risk factors in 1990 and projected to 2020. Cambridge (MA): Harvard School of Public Health on behalf of the World Health Organization and The World Bank; 1996.
3. AL Saleh J, EL Sayed M, Monsef N, Darwish E. The prevalence and the determinants of musculoskeletal diseases in Emiratis attending primary health care clinics in Dubai. Oman Medical Journal 2016 Mar;31(2):117-123.
4. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Management of Osteoarthritis. 2nd ed. Kuala Lumpur: MoH; 2013.
5. Ahmed S, Anuntiyo J, Malemud CJ, Haqqi TM. Biological basis for the use of botanicals in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2005 Sep;2(3):301-308.
6. Ernst E. Usage of complementary therapies in rheumatology: a systematic review. Clin Rheumatol 1998;17(4):301-305.
7. Rao JK, Kroenke K, Mihaliak KA, Grambow SC, Weinberger M. Rheumatology patients’ use of complementary therapies: results from a one-year longitudinal study. Arthritis Rheum 2003 Oct;49(5):619-625.
8. Lapane KL, Sands MR, Yang S, McAlindon TE, Eaton CB. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with radiographic-confirmed knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2012 Jan;20(1):22-28.
9. Jordan KM, Sawyer S, Coakley P, Smith HE, Cooper C, Arden NK. The use of conventional and complementary treatments for knee osteoarthritis in the community. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2004 Mar;43(3):381-384.
10. Ernst E. Musculoskeletal conditions and complementary/alternative medicine. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2004 Aug;18(4):539-556.
11. Brien S, Lewith GT, McGregor G. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety. J Altern Complement Med 2006 Dec;12(10):981-993.
12. Complementary and alternative medicines report. Arthritis Research UK. 2012.
13. Teekachunhatean S, Kunanusorn P, Rojanasthien N, Sananpanich K, Pojchamarnwiputh S, Lhieochaiphunt S, et al. Chinese herbal recipe versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN70292892]. BMC Complement Altern Med 2004 Dec;4:19-27.
14. Bausell RB, Lee WL, Berman BM. Demographic and health-related correlates to visits to complementary and alternative medical providers. Med Care 2001 Feb;39(2):190-196.
15. Palinkas LA, Kabongo ML; San Diego Unified Practice Research in Family Medicine Network. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by primary care patients. A SURF*NET study. J Fam Pract 2000 Dec;49(12):1121-1130.
16. Al-Windi A. Determinants of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use. Complement Ther Med 2004 Jun-Sep;12(2-3):99-111.
17. Ministry of Health Malaysia. A Handbook of traditional and complementary medicine program in Malaysia. 2011.
18. Ontario W, McMaster UO. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). American College of Rheumatology. Update 2015.
19. World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy: 2002- 2005. 2002.
20. Herman CJ, Allen P, Hunt WC, Prasad A, Brady TJ. Use of complementary therapies among primary care clinic patients with arthritis. Prev Chronic Dis 2004 Oct;1(4):A12.
21. Zochling J, March L, Lapsley H, Cross M, Tribe K, Brooks P. Use of complementary medicines for osteoarthritis–a prospective study. Ann Rheum Dis 2004 May;63(5):549-554.
22. National health program. Alternative medicine use by rheumatology patients in a universal health care setting. J Rheumatology 1994 Jan;21(1):148-152.
23. Jong MC, van de Vijver L, Busch M, Fritsma J, Seldenrijk R. Integration of complementary and alternative medicine in primary care: What do patients want? Article in press. Patient Educ Couns 2012;89(3):417-422.
24. Hasan SS, Ahmed SI, Bukhari NI, Loon WC. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with chronic diseases at outpatient clinics. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2009 Aug;15(3):152-157.
25. Yang S, Dubé CE, Eaton CB, McAlindon TE, Lapane KL. Longitudinal use of complementary and alternative medicine among older adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis. Clin Ther 2013 Nov;35(11):1690-1702.
26. Conaghan PG, Peloso PM, Everett SV, Rajagopalan S, Black CM, Mavros P, et al. Inadequate pain relief and large functional loss among patients with knee osteoarthritis: evidence from a prospective multinational longitudinal study of osteoarthritis real-world therapies. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015 Feb;54(2):270-277.
27. Ganz DA, Chang JT, Roth CP, Guan M, Kamberg CJ, Niu F, et al. Quality of osteoarthritis care for community-dwelling older adults. Arthritis Rheum 2006 Apr;55(2):241-247.
28. Marks RM, Sachar EJ. Undertreatment of medical inpatients with narcotic analgesics. Ann Intern Med 1973 Feb;78(2):173-181. | http://www.omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=2100 |
The largest, oldest, and most populous city in Australia, Sydney lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Known as Harbour City, this vibrant global metropolis is teeming with culture, fashion, design, and gorgeous scenery.
A unique sail-like design makes the Sydney Opera House one of the most famous Australian icons. Take a tour inside or view it from a dinner cruise. Another impressive landmark is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, an essential component of the Sydney skyline. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Customs House Library are also nearby. For a retail fix, nothing beats Paddington’s Oxford Street and adjoining William Street, where you can pick up pieces from local designers along with curiosities from local boutiques.
Equally awe-inspiring are Sydney’s famous beaches. The Coogee to Bondi walk, known as the city’s best walking route, showcases gorgeous homes and picture-perfect panoramic views. The Royal National Park, with its rain forests and spectacular coastline, is a popular destination for surfers and cyclists. | https://www.hawaiianairlines.com.au/destinations/asia-and-south-pacific/sydney |
NSCDC: Collaboration Among Security Agencies Will Help Prevent Insecurity
According to Ahmed Audi, commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), collaboration among security agencies will help Nigeria avoid insecurity.
Audi, speaking in Ilorin on Saturday, emphasized the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to devise measures for enhancing Nigeria’s internal security architecture and keeping the country safe and secure.
He claims that one of the problems impeding a successful war against banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping is a lack of cooperation.
“It is high time we dropped the toga of service supremacy and replaced it with a more reliable template for a more cordial relationship among all stakeholders involved in the fight against insecurity, this will help to restore the confidence of Nigerians in all security and law enforcement agencies,” he said.
To win the fight against the nation’s insecurity, he urged for the creation of a “robust, concise, and reliable intelligence-based fusion center.”
The construction of the crime fusion center, according to the commandant general, will enhance law enforcement agencies in sharing resources, expertise, and information. | |
Many audio recordings are made in noisy environments. The presence of noise in audio recordings reduces their enjoyability and their intelligibility. Noise reduction algorithms are used to suppress background noise and improve the perceptual quality and intelligibility of audio recordings. Spectral attenuation is a common technique for removing noise from audio signals. Spectral attenuation involves applying a function of an estimate of the magnitude or power spectrum of the noise to the magnitude or power spectrum of the recorded audio signal. Another common noise reduction method involves minimizing the mean square error of the time domain reconstruction of an estimate of the audio recording for the case of zero-mean additive noise.
In general, these noise reduction methods tend to work well for audio signals that have high signal-to-noise ratios and low noise variability, but they tend to work poorly for audio signals that have low signal-to-noise ratios and high noise variability. What is needed is a noise reduction approach that yields good noise reduction results even when the audio signals have low signal-to-noise ratios and the noise content has high variability.
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The Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS Directive), which aims to create a common level of network and information systems security within the EU, was first adopted by the European Parliament's plenary last year. Representing the first EU-wide rules on cybersecurity for the energy, transport and water sectors, the Directive has important implications for utilities and, more specifically, those managing the electrical grid.
"A utility cannot simply shut down or isolate its systems during or following a breach...In the event of an attack, the primary concern for utilities is almost always ‘is the system still running and can we manage the breach without interrupting supply?".
Despite the UK leaving the European Union, we think it is highly likely that the NIS Directive will be incorporated into UK law, which would follow the approach taken with GDPR. Besides, whatever your stance on European politics, the Directive presents changes in behaviour that are worth fostering. Given the government's creation of the new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the principles of NIS align with their stated position of protecting critical national infrastructure.
A key part of the Directive mandates specific incident warnings and reporting obligations by companies. When the NIS Directive becomes law, which is expected to happen in 2018, utilities will have to share details of certain security breaches and incidents under new criteria and will no longer be free to selectively report to regulators.
While it might not have felt like a priority to date, there is little time left until the mandate comes into force. It's crucial that utilities act now to prioritise action, proactively knowledge-share across the industry and hire the right talent to ensure they are ready for the challenges - and opportunities - ahead.
The ability for utilities to provide a reliable power supply is fundamental. Cyber attacks on utilities, especially those that threaten the performance of the grid, can have very damaging effects for a region or country. For example, the 2015 incident in Ukraine - the first cyber attack of its kind to cause a mass power outage - cut the lights to 225,000 homes in the western part of the country. There is also evidence that this was followed up by a repeat attack in late 2016.
Yet, despite the quite literally gloomy consequences of cyber attacks, it seems that many utilities are not yet prepared. A report by EY found that only 11% of utilities surveyed agreed their current information security measures adequately met their organisation's needs. A concerning 60% stated that they were running no or, at best, informal threat assessments. Only 15% of those senior management staff responsible for cyber security had direct reporting lines to their board.
With the very real threat of widespread disruption in the wake of a cyber attack, and more legislation as a result, organisations must ensure that security teams have direct access to decision makers. That access is both about prevention and protection, as well ensuring the mobilisation and focus of the right people in times of crisis.
Cyber attacks on any critical infrastructure will typically make for events shrouded in mystery, with breaches - either successful or attempted - often going unreported. This seriously limits the opportunity to share lessons learned. Moreover, this industry-wide behaviour makes utilities even more vulnerable to attackers.
The NIS Directive will enforce best practice information and ‘lessons learnt' sharing. That does not mean, however, that utilities need, or should, wait to start sharing; quite the contrary. Time is of the essence, and utilities should look to develop collaboration groups drawing on partners, government teams, community networks and industry vendors to elicit lessons and share ideas.
Some such groups do exist and we need to do all we can to encourage them. As an industry, we also need to be particularly mindful of sharing information across the breadth of the supply chain, working with those teams that operate in collaboration with utilities.
By sharing different cyber prevention strategies and challenges, utilities stand a better chance of limiting the impact of hackers. In our experience, this is an opportunity worth purusing.
Defending the utility grid needs the right technology, processes and, above all, people. The additional driver of NIS will only make the difficult task of recruiting harder, as utilities seek staff who understand how they work and how they are different from many other industries.
A utility cannot simply shut down or isolate its systems during or following a breach in the same way that other organisations would do. In the event of an attack, the primary concern for utilities is almost always ‘is the system still running and can we manage the breach without interrupting supply?'.
As a result, utilities should not just hire defenders. We see a need to bring a number of talent to the fore, including IT experts and engineers but, above all, security experts with utility backgrounds. These professionals understand operations related to running the grid, as well as the complex underlying systems.
The NIS Directive has the potential to go a long way in counteracting the rising risk of cyber based disruption to the grid and minimising its impact. But the industry will need to move swiftly to shift mindsets and change practices if the mandate is to be effective. Attackers are frighteningly agile and, as potential targets, we need to be as well.
There is no doubt that cyber-attacks on energy companies and infrastructure have increased in scope and severity over the past decade. Ben Hargreaves provides an overview of this important subject area and looks at what can be done to keep energy networks secure.
Energy firms could be fined up to £17 million if they fail to have robust safeguards in place against cyber attacks.
As new cyber threats evolve and increase for energy networks, Alex Campbell explains why taking preventative measures no longer constitutes a reasonable cybersecurity strategy for network operators. | https://networks.online/gphsn/comment/1000540/nis-directive-utility-security-priority |
Community Development & Growing Democracy Series, Part 1: What is community development?
By Hannah Lebovits, Assistant Professor at University of Texas, Arlington (and former Growing Democracy project manager)
Community development is the process by which individuals and organizations work together to resolve community-wide issues that require collective efforts, despite varying personal interests.
In the United States, community development rose to prominence in the 1960’s, the era of urban renewal. Newly diverse cities had faced decades of disinvestment- having lost massive amounts of resources due to the continued development of suburban areas- and were given plans for physical revitalization. Rather than divert more value to cities, these historical community development efforts typically came at a cost for low-income and Black communities- many of which saw their neighborhoods destroyed to make way for physical redesigns.
Today, the term has been applied more broadly to include changes to the built environment of a city or neighborhood as well as efforts to organize social groups to achieve common goals.
Though the subject matter seems very broad, community development is actually a defined field/discipline. There are degrees and certifications that one can acquire in the area as well as associations for community development professionals. As a discipline, community development theory and work is framed through efforts to promote social justice, human rights, empowerment, participatory democracy, and other similar themes.
Community development practitioners, who often work for public and nonprofit agencies, tend to look to incorporate these frames in their work. Scholars who research and measure community development apply similar framing to their efforts, often testing whether these goals can be achieved and how.
Many OECD countries prioritize community development efforts through direct federal support and indirect assistance to regions and cities. In the United States, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs provide funding to states, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations for a variety of efforts including inclusive housing, neighborhood revitalization, disaster recovery, and economic opportunities for low-income individuals.
Some of this funding might be intended for specific uses while other dollars can be widely utilized for a number of different projects. Community development professionals often assist nonprofits and local/regional governments in determining how and when to use these grants.
Community development is an ever moving target- a long-term goal with short-term objectives. Regardless of the specific project, however, community development efforts should endeavor to maximize voice and representation from historically marginalized groups within the decision making and implementation processes. Development with community is the ultimate focus, not simply development for community. | https://growingdemocracyoh.org/cd-growing-democracy-pt1/ |
The finding comes from an examination of posts labeled controversial on social news aggregation site Reddit.
Dept. of Energy awards $4.15M to Argonne National Lab to support work with industry
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Zero-dimensional molecular sieve membranes enhance gas separation selectivity
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A novel method for the rapid repair of peripheral nerve injuries
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Dynamic heart model mimics hemodynamic loads, advances engineered heart tissue technology
Efforts to understand cardiac disease progression and develop therapeutic tissues that can repair the human heart are just a few areas of focus for the Feinberg research group at Carnegie Mellon University. The group’s latest dynamic model, created in partnership…
Take two: Integrating neuronal perspectives for richer results
Every brain function, from standing up to deciding what to have for dinner, involves neurons interacting. Studies focused on neuronal interactions extend across domains in neuroscience, primarily using the approaches of spike count correlation or dimensionality reduction. Pioneering research from…
Nanostructures enable record high-harmonic generation
ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell researchers have developed nanostructures that enable record-breaking conversion of laser pulses into high-harmonic generation, paving the way for new scientific tools for high-resolution imaging and studying physical processes that occur at the scale of an attosecond…
Glass sponges have properties for the design of ships, planes and skyscrapers
Published in the journal Nature the first-ever simulation of the deep-sea Venus flower sponge and how it responds to and influences the flow of nearby water.
“Magic-angle” trilayer graphene may be a rare, magnet-proof superconductor
New findings might help inform the design of more powerful MRI machines or robust quantum computers.
How a unique sponge ‘goes with the flow’ could improve man-made structures
Collaborative project taps one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers to reveal the water-bending skills of the Venus basket sponge. Insights could have implications for man-made craft and structures
Team streamlines neural networks to be more adept at computing on encrypted data
BROOKLYN, New York, Wednesday, July 21, 2021 – This week, at the 38th International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML 21), researchers at the NYU Center for Cyber Security at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are revealing new insights into…
New framework applies machine learning to atomistic modeling
Method could lead to more accurate predictions of how new materials behave at the atomic scale
Origami comes to life with new shape-changing materials
Imagine opening up a book of nature photos only to see a kaleidoscope of graceful butterflies flutter out from the page. Such fanciful storybooks might soon be possible thanks to the work of a team of designers and engineers at…
Prof. Jong-Hyeok Yoon receives the “Best Regular Paper Award” at IEEE CICC 2021
Recognized for its research outcome related to PIM-based AI processor using TSMC’s multi-bit RRAM
New algorithm may help autonomous vehicles navigate narrow, crowded streets
CMU research could help solve last mile delivery challenges
Solar cells: Layer of three crystals produces a thousand times more power
The photovoltaic effect of ferroelectric crystals can be increased by a factor of 1,000 if three different materials are arranged periodically in a lattice. This has been revealed in a study by researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). They…
A machine learning breakthrough: using satellite images to improve human lives
Berkeley-based project could support action worldwide on climate, health and poverty
New technology shows promise in detecting, blocking grid cyberattacks
Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory and New Mexico-based Visgence Inc. have designed and demonstrated a technology that can block cyberattacks from impacting the nation’s electric power grid. During a recent live demonstration at INL’s Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex, the…
Study: Wireless radiation exposure for children is set too high
Levels should be hundreds of times lower than current federal limits
Machine learning models to help photovoltaic systems find their place in the sun
Scientists develop algorithms that predict the output of solar cells, easing their integration into existing power grids
Recovering DNA from challenging forensic evidence in forensic genomics
New Rochelle, NY, July 19, 2021–Duct tape and items retrieved from the water are common pieces of evidence in forensic cases. A new study evaluates the recovery of DNA from folded duct tape that has been submerged in ocean water…
Neural model seeks ‘inappropriateness’ to reduce chatbot awkwardness
Researchers from Skoltech and their colleagues from Mobile TeleSystems have introduced the notion of inappropriate text messages and released a neural model capable of detecting them, along with a large collection of such messages for further research. Among the potential…
Mind and matter: Modeling the human brain with machine learning
Researchers from Japan construct a human brain model using a machine learning-based optimization of required user information
Enabling the ‘Imagination’ of Artificial Intelligence
Imagine an orange cat. Now, imagine the same cat, but with coal-black fur. Now, imagine the cat strutting along the Great Wall of China. Doing this, a quick series of neuron activations in your brain will come up with variations of the picture presented, based on your previous knowledge of the world.
Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations Are the New Frontiers in COVID-19 Drug Trials
Researchers are using computer models to simulate COVID-19 infections on a cellular level – the basic structural level of the human body. | https://sciencenewsnet.in/tag/technology-engineering-computer-science/ |
ABOUT / SERVICES
My principal focus as a spiritual director is rooted in cura personalis, by sharing what I have learned over the years in studying the writings of contemporary scholars, the saints, and documents of the Church as it relates to developing and forming one's spiritual life for loving service in becoming a contemplative action.
May my years of clinical experience in practice from serving patients within a foundation of ongoing studies in evidence-based well-care and in spiritual care that is focused on the Ignatian tradition, offer you the support you are looking for.
As this site initially was developed to be just a place to download handouts for the university students in spiritual direction, it grew slowly into much more for my other clients and retreatants which you see today.
I do hope you will find new ways or reminders to refresh and care for your soul.
Blessings to you and all you love,
Karen
In-Person or Virtual: Phone/FaceTime/WhatsApp/Zoom
IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
One-on-one Direction
IGNATIAN DIRECTED RETREATS
One-on-one or Group
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5 Day Retreat - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (5 Sessions)
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4 Week Retreat - Contemplation in the Traditions ( 4 Sessions)
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6 Week Retreat - The Ignatian Way ( 6 Sessions)
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10 Week Ignatian Encounter: Prayer & the Spiritual Exercises (8-12 Sessions)
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30 Day Retreat in the Every Day (5 Sessions)
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The Spiritual Exercises - 19th Annotation (15-30 Sessions)
DIRECTION FEES
Direction stipend fee is per session
Sliding scale for those on disability
INTEGRATIVE SERVICES
One-on-one Health Counseling
CT only
One-on-one Wellness Coaching
INTEGRATIVE FEES
Health Counseling and Coaching based upon services
Sliding scale for those on disability
The Journey of Developing the Catholic Model of Integrative Care
KAREN SHIELDS WRIGHT, MS, DC, DM
Ignatian Spiritual Director/Clinician
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Karen Shields Wright received her advanced certificate training (2003) in spiritual direction at Fordham University's Graduate School of Religion after receiving her MS in Christian Spirituality. Previously she received her Doctor of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College, where she has practiced full time caring for thousands of patients with neuro-muscular-skeletal conditions in her community and volunteering abroad. After retiring from full-time practice she served her community as a chaplain at Greenwich Hospital Yale-New Haven Health, providing spiritual care for patients and programs for staff.
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Currently, she ministers as a spiritual director and mentor to colleagues with the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University since 2017 and in her private practice (ministering100% virtually for the past 8 years).
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As a life-long learner, she continues her CME and CE credentialling, in addition to studying research on the integration of spirituality in health, neuroscience and the spiritual brain, and topics in psychology, theology, and philosophy.
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She is a Dame in the Order of Malta, an international Catholic lay/religious organization, on its Palliative Care Committee, and as a member of Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation focused on evangelizing with Catholic Social Teachings (CST) to business leaders, she has presented and written on the subject of CST and lay spirituality.
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Dr. Shields Wright is married to Dmitri Wright as a Knight in the Order, a fine artist. She continues to take great delight in her children and grandson, in addition to her extended family, friends, patients, and clients. | https://www.ignatiantradition.com/about-services |
The use of ultrasound imaging of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver in subjects with low back pain.
Randomized controlled trial among patients with low back pain (LBP). (1) Determine the reliability of real-time ultrasound imaging for assessing activation of the lateral abdominal muscles; (2) characterize the extent to which the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) results in preferential activation of the transverse abdominis (TrA); and (3) determine if ultrasound biofeedback improves short-term performance of the ADIM in patients with LBP. Ultrasound imaging is reportedly useful for measuring and training patients to preferentially activate the TrA muscle. However, research to support these claims is limited. Thirty patients with LBP referred for lumbar stabilization training were randomized to receive either traditional training (n = 15) or traditional training with biofeedback (n = 15). Ultrasound imaging was used to measure changes in thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles. Differences in preferential changes in muscle thickness of the TrA between groups and across time were assessed using analysis of variance. Intrarater reliability measuring lateral abdominal muscle thickness exceeded 0.93. On average, patients in both groups demonstrated a 2-fold increase in the thickness of the TrA during the ADIM. Performance of the ADIM did not differ between the groups. These data provide construct validity for the notion that the ADIM results in preferential activation of the TrA in patients with LBP. Although, the addition of biofeedback did not enhance the ability to perform the ADIM at a short-term follow-up, our data suggest a possible ceiling effect or an insufficient training stimulus. Further research is necessary to determine if there is a subgroup of patients with LBP who may benefit from biofeedback.
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Protein: Keep in mind that keto is high-fat, and not high-protein, so you don’t need to eat very much meat. Too much protein turns into glucose in the body, making it harder to stay in ketosis. Stick to fatty cuts of grass-fed, pasture-raised, or wild meat, and wild-caught fish. Red meats, offal/organ meats, pork, eggs (preferably pastured), fish, shellfish, and whey protein concentrate.
As of the moment, there is no industry standard as to how many calories should be consumed in a restricted ketogenic diet, but there are published studies that provide estimates. In one example, a 65-year-old woman who was suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive type of brain cancer, was put into a restricted ketogenic diet that started with water fasting and then proceeded to consuming 600 calories a day only.
Whatever the source of protein you consume, make sure they are organic grass fed and antibiotic-free, as they are generally healthier and safer for your body. In one study, researchers indicated that grass fed beef (regardless of cuts) contains more omega-3 acid and conjugated linoleic acid compared to grain-fed beef.21 As for non-meat sources of protein, try to look for organic and pesticide-free varieties.
A keto diet has shown to improve triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels most associated with arterial buildup. More specifically low-carb, high-fat diets show a dramatic increase in HDL and decrease in LDL particle concentration compared to low-fat diets.3A study in the long-term effects of a ketogenic diet shows a significant reduction in cholesterol levels, body weight, and blood glucose. Read more on keto and cholesterol >
You’re absolutely gorgeous, and I am looking forward to losing more than 40 lbs. also. I’m on my third week and feel like I hit a wall. I was waking up in the morning feeling my tummy a little flatter, some clothing a bit looser, etc. and now don’t feel like that. So, I looked up foods again, and I don’t think I was eating enough fat. Thank you for a simple version and grocery list of keto foods. It helps a lot! I hope to visit again soon and report double digit weight loss! Blessings!
Bonnie J. Brehm, Randy J. Seeley, Stephen R. Daniels, and David A. D’Alessio, “A Randomized Trial Comparing a Very Low Carbohydrate Diet and a Calorie-Restricted Low Fat Diet on Body Weight and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Healthy Women,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism: Vol 88, No 4; January 14, 2009. http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jc.2002-021480.
I have read your article and lots of other stuff on Keto, but I still don’t understand why it has to be so high in fat? I am on a calorie controlled diet which should also be pushing me into ketosis (Optifast + veges) nutritionist suggestion to go hard for a month. But after that was looking at moving to a Ketogenic diet. I am just having a hard time with understanding why it has to be high fat. Can you help me understand? Also love your writing style (particularly referencing Ace Ventura).
Probably, and there are a few reasons why, Keatley says. For starters, people usually reduce their daily caloric intake to about 1,500 calories a day because healthy fats and lean proteins make you feel fuller sooner—and for a longer period of time. And then there’s the fact that it takes more energy to process and burn fat and protein than carbs, so you're burning slightly more calories than you did before. Over time, this can lead to weight loss.
Basically, the role of exogenous ketones is to boost the amount of ketones in your body. These products do work wonders if, after a long time on a keto diet, you don’t feel energized or generally don’t feel like you are at your best. Ultimately deciding to take exogenous ketones or not comes down to how you feel on your keto diet and trying to find a product with the highest possible quality.
Over the past century, ketogenic diets have also been used to treat and even help reverse neurological disorders and cognitive impairments, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s symptoms. Research shows that cutting off glucose levels with a very low-carb diet makes your body produce ketones for fuel. This change can help to reverse neurological disorders and cognitive impairment, including inducing seizure control. The brain is able to use this alternative source of energy instead of the cellular energy pathways that aren’t functioning normally in patients with brain disorders.
For athletes, research on the keto diet highlights potential improvements in athletic performance, especially when it comes to endurance activities. An article suggests ketogenic-type diets may allow endurance athletes to rely mostly on stored fat for energy during exercise rather than having to refuel with simple carbohydrates during endurance training and competition while additionally improving recovery times. (10)
• Multiple Sclerosis: In a small 2016 study, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were put on a ketogenic diet. After six months, they reported improved quality of life, as well as physical and mental health improvements. Before doctors or researchers can make a connection between keto and MS, they need bigger sample sizes and more thorough research. Still, the preliminary findings are exciting.
On a “strict” (standard) keto diet, fats typically provides about 70 percent to 80 percent of total daily calories, protein about 15 percent to 20 percent, and carbohydrates just around 5 percent. However, a more “moderate” approach to the keto diet is also a good option for many people that can allow for an easier transition into very low-carb eating and more flexibility (more on this type of plan below).
Okay, I’ll admit I bailed just after the sriracha covered chicken costume, so maybe I missed it, but I wanted to ask: is Keto intended to be a permanent diet change? It seems very challenging, and as I was reading, I kept asking myself “How is this consistent with the concept of small sustainable changes?” Is it? I think it’s a great topic to cover, but how would you describe the relationship between the keto diet and NF philosophy regarding sustainability? Thanks!
Affiliate Disclosure: There are links on this site that can be defined as affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase something when clicking on the links that take you through to a different website. By clicking on the links, you are in no way obligated to buy.
Medical Disclaimer: The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program. | https://www.freeonlinedietreviews.com/keto-diet-for-shredding-keto-diet-menu-for-beginners-philippines.html |
The 2019 Annual General Meeting is on 20th October 2019 at 10am in the Village Hall. All club members are welcome and, as per ORC tradition, there will be cake. An agenda will be issued on this page ASAP.
During this meeting, we’ll be proposing an amended constitution and electing/confirming our 2020 committee. All adult members of the club are eligable to put themselves forward for any committee role. In the event of multiple applications, the role will either be shared (either equally or with a ‘vice’ role) or a decision will be made at the AGM by a show of hands. Applications are welcome, as there are often insufficient to fill all roles!
Proposed constitution amendments
The committee have prepared a revised constitution to better serve the club following a significant in increase in size. We’ve reviewed other club constitutions, consulted best practice and lessons learnt to date. The first order of business at the AGM will be to approve the new constitution. The updated document is available here.
Description of roles
Club Chair
The chair is responsible for leadership of the Committee, including chairing Committee meetings. The chair is responsible for ensuring that the necessary business of the Committee is carried out efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of the club and that regular and satisfactory reports are presented to the members.
The Chair should ensure that the Committee acts in accordance with the club’s constitution and and should seek advice from the Secretary in any case of uncertainty.
The Chair should ensure that the Committee exercises collective responsibility, meaning decisions are taken corporately by all members acting as a body. The Chair will encourage all members to work together effectively, contributing their skills and expertise as appropriate, and will seek to build consensus among them.
Club Vice Chair
The vice chair will substitute for the Chair as required in any of their duties (please refer to the Role Description for the Chair). To provide support and assistance to the Chair in carrying out their responsibilities and to act as a ‘sounding board’ and ‘critical friend’ to both the Chair and members of the Executive team.
Club Captain
The Club Captain is the link between the administration of the Club and the members. It is the role of the Club Captain to represent the views of the members within the Club, and contribute to the development of the Club through providing advice and guidance from the perspective of the wider club members.
The club captain also helps encourage members to take an active role in the club, as per the objectives of the club defined in the constitution.
The club captain does not need to serve as co-leader or jog leader, nor do they need to excel in terms of running. They should, however, have an abundance of enthusiasm to ensure they can fulfil the role successfully.
Head jog leader
The head jog leader ensures the co-ordination of the jog leaders in order to ensure that the club is able to offer as many sessions as necessary to meet it’s objectives without making unfair demands on the Jog Leaders. They make recommendations to the committee regarding how the number of jog leaders that are required and may nominate members serve as jog leader to the committee.
They also provide advice to jog leaders on the suitable number of members for a session and advise the cancellation of sessions in the event of extreme weather or for any other reason. In the event of a cancellation, they ensure the committee and membership are informed.
Note this role is only available to club members having completed the UK Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness course (or equivalent).
Club Secretary
The Club Secretary is responsible for ensuring meetings are effectively organised and minuted, as well as maintaining effective records and administration and for communication and correspondence with the club.
The Secretary acts as an information and reference point for the Chair and other committee members: clarifying past practice and decisions; confirming constitutional requirements; and retrieving relevant documentation.
Club Treasurer
The club treasurer is responsible for the Club’s money, both incoming and outgoing and is responsible for approving all money spent by the club and recording all money received by the club and ensuring an accurate record of these is kept. The treasurer is also responsible for preparing the annual budget for presentation at the AGM. Additionally, when a new treasurer is elected, the current treasurer provides the appropriate training to ensure a smooth handover.
Club Welfare for Senior/Junior members
The Club welfare officer has primary responsibility for managing and reporting concerns from or about members and for putting into place procedures to safeguard senior/junior members of the club. They help the committee to ensure that the atmosphere in the club is positive and provide another means of feedback from club members to the committee. They assist the committee to fulfil its safeguarding responsibilities and act as a first point of contact for concerns about any member of the club. They Implement the organisation’s reporting and recording procedures and promote the club’s best-practice guidance and/or code of conduct within the club.
In addition to the above, the welfare officer for junior members ensures the club complies with its legal responsibilities to children to whom the club has a duty of care.
Club Media
The media officer is responsible for ensuring that the club’s social media and online presence meet the requirements of the committee, including the public and private Facebook site, main website and club shop. They are responsible for ensuring that the rules set out by any social media platform used by the club are met and for ensuring the clubs public and private forums are effectively moderated. They are also responsible for providing email communication and online marketplace for the club as required by the committee and for providing an effective means of communicating with the club members and ensures the club complies with it’s GDPR requirements.
Club Merchandise
The merchandise officer is responsible for sourcing all merchandise offered by the club. They take orders and ensure that merchandise is delivered to club members in a timely manner. They also present ideas to the committee regarding additional merchandise that may be offered.
Club Membership Secretary
The membership secretary maintains a current membership list and communicates with new and potential members to offer advice or answer questions in a timely manner. They also communicate with current members to ensure annual subscriptions are paid on time and highlight any non-payment to the committee to determine the appropriate course of action.
Club Social Secretary
The club social secretary is responsible for suggesting, planning and preparing for all non-running activity offered by the club in order to meet its objectives as set out in the constitution. This includes the annual awards evening and ‘coffee and cake’. They determine and book the appropriate venue and ensure any required catering or entertainment is provided. They ensure that all events are appropriately promoted either within the club, in the community or both. They must liaise with the committee and treasurer to ensure that all planned events fit within the clubs budget.
They also provide the cake!! | https://www.orc.run/2019/12/12/committeeRoles/ |
Employment improves mental health and well-being by providing financial security, daily structure, a sense of identity and purpose, and social engagement. However, securing and sustaining employment is exceptionally challenging for vulnerable populations who experience persistent and multiple barriers, such as mental illness, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, and marginalization. Evidence-based supported employment programs, most notably individual placement and support (IPS) are becoming a more common approach for addressing the needs of these high-risk individuals. The aim of this paper is to outline the protocol for evaluating an IPS program in Vancouver’s downtown and Downtown Eastside (DTES).
Methods and design
This prospective quasi-experimental study of persons with persistent and multiple barriers to employment will use a mixed-methods approach for evaluating a novel IPS program. The evaluation will consist of survey packages and interviews that will capture outcomes related to employment and well-being, as well as the experiential process of receiving individualized and integrated supports through the IPS program. A mixed-methods approach is appropriate for this study as quantitative data will provide an objective assessment of program impacts on employment and well-being outcomes over time, while qualitative data will provide an in-depth understanding of continued barriers and experiences.
Discussion
The results from this evaluation will contribute evidence within a local British Columbian (BC) context that may increase access to meaningful employment for those with long-term experience of complex barriers to employment. Further, the findings will support continued improvements, and guide decision-making around practices and policy for future implementation of IPS and employment supports across BC.
Citation: Kwan A, Morris J, Barbic SP (2021) Protocol: A mixed methods evaluation of an IPS program to increase employment and well-being for people with long-term experience of complex barriers in Vancouver’s downtown and DTES. PLoS ONE 16(12): e0261415. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261415
Editor: Muhammad Shahzad Aslam, Xiamen University - Malaysia Campus: Xiamen University - Malaysia, MALAYSIA
Received: May 19, 2021; Accepted: December 2, 2021; Published: December 16, 2021
Copyright: © 2021 Kwan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funding: The authors SPB and JM received funding from the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) for this work (contract number CR146G072000582). Funding is held by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division, who are our partners responsible for implementing the supported employment program. A letter of funding from MSDPR is not available for this study as the research is one component of the larger program being implemented. The funders will not have a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Introduction
Unemployment rates in British Columbia (BC), Canada have risen from 4.7% in 2019 to 7.5% at the start of 2021 [1, 2]. Although unemployment rates have slowly started to decrease towards the end of the year (5.9%), there still remains over 160,000 people in the province struggling to secure employment . Sustained unemployment is associated with a number of negative health and social outcomes, including financial hardship, labour market detachment, social deprivation, psychological stress, mental health concerns, and mental illness [1, 4, 5]. Conversely, sustained employment can improve quality of life and satisfaction with life by providing individuals with structure, security, a sense of purpose, and opportunity for increased social support and inclusion, which collectively contribute to improved mental health and stability [4–6]. Moreover, studies consistently show that despite experiencing numerous challenges and barriers to employment, the majority of people with mental illness want to be working [7–10]. In response, supported employment programs have continued to expand throughout North America and worldwide .
Supported employment refers to the assortment of programs and services available to help people with disability secure competitive work . Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based supported employment model targeted specifically to help people with severe mental illness or disability obtain and sustain employment [12–14]. To date, IPS programs are seeing greater employment outcomes compared to traditional vocational rehabilitation across populations with varying mental illnesses, such as those experiencing depression, PTSD, psychosis, and/or schizophrenia [6, 7, 15–18]. IPS programs are also seeing greater employment outcomes across different subpopulations, such as with veterans, youth, and individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness [15, 19, 20]. In addition to improved employment outcomes for this population, there is evidence to suggest that IPS programs also benefit a variety of secondary outcomes related to quality and duration of employment . However, there is recognition that a fuller range of outcomes needs to be investigated given that those who experience mental illness are also likely to experience a range of other physical, social and socioeconomic barriers that impede the likelihood of sustainable employment.
One of the core principles of the IPS model is the intentional integration of employment services with broader mental health treatment . In Canada, the first point of contact for someone struggling with mental health problems is commonly their primary care provider . At this time, it is not typical that employment status is a priority in the primary care setting, despite the positive health and social outcomes associated with sustained employment . By integrating employment services directly within primary care, patients may receive convenient access to a variety of healthcare and social service professionals, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and mental health specialists, occupational therapists, and employment specialists, who can work collaboratively to support their overall well-being. Although this integrated approach in primary care is promising for supporting populations with mental illness, we are unaware of any research in this area, notably within the Canadian context . Opportunity exists to understand the effectiveness of IPS programs embedded within primary care to address the health, social, and employment goals of this population, including those who may experience other complex barriers such as food and housing insecurity, poverty, trauma, and low education and literacy.
In British Columbia, individuals who face a disproportionate number of barriers to employment may receive a designation by the Government as “persons with persistent and multiple barriers (PPMB).” Individuals with PPMB status have a persistent health condition, and may experience any combination of other health and social challenges including but not limited to homelessness or risk to homelessness, food insecurity, unsafe housing, and marginalisation, as well as need basic skills or language training for employment readiness . A health condition may be physical or mental, which includes any and/or a combination of depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and neurodivergence. Although the current body of evidence supporting IPS has led to an increased call in the province to provide IPS programs to help support our most vulnerable populations , how best to integrate and evaluate this service within existing health services is unknown.
Study objectives
Our overarching objective is to contribute new knowledge of IPS embedded within primary care to inform decision making, and guide practice and policy related to employment supports for vulnerable populations (e.g., individuals with PPMB status) across British Columbia. Specifically, our research aims are to:
- Assess the effectiveness of the IPS program for securing employment for individuals with PPMB status;
- Assess the impact of individualized and integrated primary care supports provided through the IPS program on health and social outcomes for individuals with PPMB status; and
- Gain an understanding of the experiential process of the IPS program from individuals accessing the program, as well as from healthcare professionals and staff involved in its implementation.
Materials and methods
This is an ongoing prospective quasi-experimental study that will run for 18 months from February 2021 to September 2022. The evaluation is designed as a mixed-methods process that will assess the impact on employment, health, and social, outcomes of the Links to Employment program provided through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division. In addition, this evaluation will investigate the implementation process of the IPS program, in order to improve program features and practices for future implementation, including anticipated program expansion. All components of this study have been approved by the University of British Columbia Behavioural Research Ethics Board (BREB) on March 17, 2021 (UBC BREB# H20-02198).
Intervention
Links to Employment is a novel supported employment program targeted at promoting the well-being of vulnerable individuals within Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, a diverse city of 2.6 million people located on Canada’s west coast. Within Vancouver’s downtown core exists a neighborhood called the Downtown Eastside (DTES), often described as a community with a complex set of social issues including high levels of substance use, homelessness, poverty, and crime . Our intervention includes those living in the DTES. Key features of the Links to Employment program include time unlimited services, access to IPS trained and trauma informed program staff embedded within a primary care team, involvement of an integrated care team that includes clinicians located within the same primary care setting, and ongoing focus on health and well-being simultaneous to vocational support. Continued consideration of environmental needs (e.g., safe housing), and mental and emotional well-being is also a critical component, given the vulnerability of the target population. By engaging a variety of professionals in a coordinated way, including a vocational counsellor, occupational therapist, job developer, case manager, and primary care providers, the program is able to provide greater integrated health services and supports to support individualized employment and health goals.
The Links to Employment program is designed to support complex populations, primarily those who currently have little to low employment readiness, throughout their entire employment journey. This remains an unmet need for a large portion of those living or accessing services in the DTES. For this population, existing vocational services (traditional) targeted to those with moderate to high employment readiness are not sufficient or effective. Fig 1 below highlights the flow of services/supports within the IPS program compared with traditional vocational services available in British Columbia, and illustrates the gap in services/supports Links to Employment is currently filling.
Sites
The Links to Employment IPS program is operating out of two central sites located within primary care settings: The Three Bridges Community Health Centre located in Vancouver’s central downtown area and the REACH Community Health Centre located adjacent to Vancouver’s DTES.
Participants
Participants are eligible for this study if they are receiving or will be receiving employment supports through the IPS program. This includes individuals currently enrolled in the program, as well as those waitlisted. As such, eligibility is primarily based on eligibility criteria being met for enrollment in the IPS program; there is no other exclusion criteria for this study. To receive a referral to the program, all individuals must be considered eligible for PPMB status by a primary care physician. That is, individuals need to currently be experiencing a number of barriers to employment that are not expected to improve in the short-term. Qualifying barriers include, but are not limited to, a persistent health condition, homelessness or risk to homelessness, the need for basic skills or language training, a criminal record, food insecurity, unsafe housing, discrimination, and marginalisation . In addition to meeting the above criteria, study participants must also be English speaking adults between the ages of 19–64 years old. Study components are only available in English.
In addition to those enrolled in the IPS program, all healthcare providers and staff involved in the implementation of the program will be invited to participate in the research by providing their feedback and experience around the implementation process.
Recruitment
To ensure consistency in recruitment, we have developed a recruitment protocol to engage clients in the IPS program for the research study. The initial introduction to the study is made through IPS program staff (vocational counsellor, occupational therapist or program manager), who provide a brief summary of the study to their clients and seek permission for them to be contacted by research staff. If clients are interested, program staff also provide a copy of the detailed study information and blank consent form. Program staff them contact the research coordinator, who will contact clients via their preferred method of communication (e.g., email, text, phone) within 1 week. All potential participants have multiple opportunities to engage with the research coordinator prior to providing their signed consent. A traditional (print) or digital signature is accepted.
Sample size
Sample size of participants will depend on the capacity of the IPS program, and client turnover within the program. Based on IPS fidelity standards , we anticipate a 30-client capacity at any given time, as well as a 30-client waitlist. We expect to engage with a subset of these groups, enrolling 10–20 participants from the program and a comparable number of those waitlisted.
Safety
Given the observational nature of this study, there are no direct risks associated with participation, as individuals will continue along their natural employment service trajectories. While some of the questions included in the assessments may trigger negative feelings or discomfort for participants, we attempt to mitigate this by providing a list of local mental health resources and contacts alongside each assessment, as well as collaborating with their broader care team, as necessary.
Data collection
Given the complexity of the study population, current COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions, and diverse nature of the research questions, a mixed-methods approach will be used for data collection. The quantitative assessments will be used to capture demographic characteristics about the population enrolled and waitlisted for the IPS program, as well as objectively measure their employment, health, and social outcomes over time. The qualitative assessments will be used to capture a more in-depth and detailed understanding of the experiential process, including program feedback, from those who received services/supports through the IPS program, as well as those involved with implementation. Drawing from multiple sources for data is a form of methodological triangulation that allows us to investigate different but complementary aspects of a phenomenon to gain a more exhausted understanding of it [27, 28]. For example, through quantitative data we may learn that a participant’s levels of anxiety has steadily decreased over time. Through the complementary qualitative data, we may learn what factors (e.g., access to mental health services, increased social network of supports, steady employment, and/or housing stability) have contributed the most to the decrease in anxiety seen.
Fig 2 below illustrates the study flowchart. Participants will be assessed at 4 points in time over the course of one year (baseline, 3-months, 9-months, & 12 months). These assessments include a combination of surveys and interviews, dependent on whether a participant is already enrolled in the IPS program and has been receiving services/supports at the start of data collection or whether a participant is just entering the IPS program. For those already enrolled in the program, a baseline interview will be conducted by the research coordinator to allow participants to reflect on their experiences to date, as well as provide estimated measures of their baseline well-being (i.e., when they first entered the program). Individuals new to the program will complete a baseline survey package consisting of 6 questionnaires that assess their general demographics, employment barriers, and health and social well-being. After baseline assessments, all participants enrolled in the study will complete the same research activities at their 3-month, 9-month, and 12-month assessments. Should a participant elect to exit the IPS program after securing employment or for any other reason, they will continue to be assessed as part of the research study, following the same trajectory of activities. Participants who elect to leave the IPS program and the research before the completion of one year will be offered the end-of-study interview to ensure capture of their experiences to date. Should a participant be loss to follow-up, we will be transparent in our data reporting and address the challenges and limitations when working with vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations in all publications, reports, and knowledge translation materials.
In addition to data collection from those who participated in the IPS program, a subset of individuals who remain on the waitlist at 12 -months will complete an assessment of their current employment and well-being. All program participants will be compensated for their time, receiving an honorarium for each research activity completed up to a total of $200.00 Canadian.
Service providers involved in the implementation of the IPS program will complete an open-ended survey. There will be no compensation for this activity.
Demographic data.
Data on socio-economic characteristics will be collected as part of the baseline assessment. This information includes but is not limited to age, sex at birth, gender, level of education, language(s) spoken, ethnicity, self-reported health condition, and current living situation.
Employment outcome.
The primary outcome of interest is the proportion of study participants who secure employment over the course of one year. In addition to this, employment quality and sustainability will be assessed through both quantitative survey questions and qualitative interview questions. Participants will be asked to provide detailed information about their employment/training (e.g., hours of work, nature of work, wage) and self-rate their employment satisfaction, as well as have the opportunity to provide their in-depth experiences and reflections around their current or past employment.
Health and social outcomes.
Secondary outcomes of interest include measures of both health and social well-being over time. The GAD-7 , PHQ-9 , C-PROM , ReQoL-10 , and SWL-5 are all established questionnaires, with established psychometrics within this population, that will be included as part of each survey package. Each questionnaire provides unique insight into the health and well-being of an individual: the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 are screeners for anxiety and depression respectively; C-PROM (30 questions) is a measure of client recovery; ReQoL-10 is a measure of quality of life specifically for people with mental health challenges; and SWL-5 is a measure of overall life satisfaction.
Qualitative data.
To complement the employment, health, and social outcome data described above, qualitative data will be collected from both 1:1 semi-structured interviews (program participants) and open-ended survey questions, including questions about how PPMB status was determined (service providers). Program participants will have the option to complete their interview in-person, over the phone, or through the video conferencing system Zoom. Service providers will complete their survey electronically. The decision to use an open-ended survey rather than conduct interviews with service providers was based on the anticipated time commitment. The selected approach allows for capture of in-depth qualitative feedback with minimum disruption to workflow. Both instruments were developed based on existing evaluations for IPS and the IPS model, and discussed across a multi-disciplinary team to ensure contextual appropriateness.
The qualitative data collected will provide a better understanding of how the IPS program was experienced and key strengths/weaknesses to its implementation, as well as continued barriers/gaps in supports. Sample questions/prompts from the interview guide for program participants include: Describe your experience with the Links employment program; what key factors or supports or needed to help you achieve your short/long-term employment goals?; what do you feel are necessary supports for maintaining employment?. Sample questions/prompts from the open-ended survey for implementation staff include: In your opinion, what key factors are needed to maximize the employment/education potential of individuals with PPMB status over the long term?; how would you describe the implementation of this IPS program?.
Data analysis
Quantitative data will be analyzed using version 4.0.2 of R software: A language and environment for statistical computing . Descriptive statistics will look at the mean (SD) or median (IQR), and frequency of demographic characteristics, and employment, health, and social outcomes. In addition, Chi-squared tests and independent-sample t-tests will be performed (sample size permitting) to compare demographic variables such as gender and employment status for those who received IPS program services/supports compared to those who did not after one year (waitlisted), and paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare health and social outcome measures for program participants. Outcome measures at each of the 3 points in time following baseline (3-, 9-, 12-month) will be compared against baseline and the previous timepoint to determine if there is a significant difference.
Qualitative data will be analyzed using version 12 of NVivo Pro . Interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed with participant consent, and thematically analyzed using an inductive approach . This will allow themes and significant ideas/concepts around barriers/facilitators and experiences to emerge from the raw data. All analysis will be performed by at least two researchers (AK, SB) to ensure consistency and minimize individual bias. The emergent codebook (node structure) will support a more deductive approach in future assessments of this program.
Discussion
There is widespread recognition and a strong body of evidence that IPS is an effective approach for improving employment outcomes for those with severe mental illness [6, 7, 15–18]. However, there is limited literature on IPS within the BC or Canadian context, and integrating this as a core service within health to support complex vulnerable populations with both their health and employment goals. The majority of supported employment studies are based in the US and Europe, where different systems and infrastructures for care exist [11, 17]. Additionally, the majority of studies have focused exclusively on those afflicted by a specific mental illness (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia, PTSD, etc.), rather than considering the broad spectrum of mental illnesses that may be present in a high-risk and vulnerable subpopulation, the context in which they receive and access services, and their personal goals and needs. This study is inclusive of any mental illness or combination of mental illnesses and considers changes in health and well-being an important indicator of employment readiness and future employment success. As such, this study includes a variety of interim outcomes not related to employment but rather employment readiness or general well-being (e.g., anxiety and depression, quality of life, satisfaction with life, community engagement and social networks, continued employment barriers). Lastly, while supported employment programs are often integrated into a variety of community settings (e.g., mental health centres, rehabilitation programs, clubhouses) , this study will evaluate an IPS program embedded within primary care settings, which we hypothesize will allow for more intentional integration of healthcare and employment teams, to work together in a systematic, person-centred, and strength-focused perspective.
There are potential limitations to this study protocol. First, the study is quasi-experimental rather than randomly controlled. Given the known needs of the population in Vancouver’s downtown and DTES, and pilot RCT work led by our team, there were ethical considerations around assigning high-risk individuals to traditional vocational services (e.g., WorkBC) that are not designed for people with severe mental illness , and proved harmful to mental well-being during an initial pilot. Second, measures of fidelity are not included as part of this evaluation as the program is newly developed and there continue to be revisions to its structure, staffing, and implementation. Given the correlation between high fidelity and employment outcomes [11, 26], fidelity reviews will be built into the evaluation process for future assessments. For the time being, our focus is on understanding the implementation process and organizational necessities for successful adoption of IPS. A number of implementation barriers that cut across the levels of government (e.g., sector fragmentation, funding), organization (e.g., lack of education about the model and leadership buy-in), and program administration (e.g., resistant to change, undertrained) have already been recognized [7, 38]. Through this study, we hope to better understand the experiences of those directly involved with the program and its delivery, to identify and address any implementation barriers that may be applicable within our local BC context.
The results of this study will be disseminated through a variety of different mediums targeted to our range of stakeholders (e.g., CMHA Research and Clinical Steering Committees, Vancouver Coastal Health, relevant Province of BC Ministries) and audiences (e.g., community/general population). Knowledge translation activities include but are not limited to academic publications and conference presentations, community and government reports, community engagement activities including World Cafés, and traditional medial/social media activities.
In conclusion, the novel findings from this research will provide insights into the impact and effectiveness of IPS embedded within primary care. This will contribute to ongoing strategies and practices for addressing the employment and well-being needs of British Columbia’s most complex and vulnerable population. Additionally, findings will be used to inform decision making and guide policy around employment supports at local, provincial, and federal levels.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division and Vancouver Coastal Health affiliated clinical sites for their ongoing partnership and support in implementing this IPS employment program.
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Panagio C. Adapting the Individual Placement and Support Employment Program for Vancouver’s Homeless Population. University of Victoria; 2016. | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0261415 |
Daniel Ethan Gliksberg started playing saxophone when he was 8 years old and he is currently studying with Kenneth Radnofsky at The New England Conservatory Preparatory School. Daniel has won several national and international music competitions including Great Composers Series, Grand Prize Virtuoso London and ENKOR. In 2019, Daniel was accepted to attended Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI). In 2020, Daniel was selected as Principal/First Chair Alto Saxophone for the Massachusetts All-State Honor Concert Band and was chosen to perform a soprano saxophone solo in Kevin Day’s Dancing Fire at the All-State Concert at Boston Symphony Hall in March 2020. Consequently, Daniel was selected for the 2020 NAfME All-National Concert Band. Daniel is currently a member of Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Sr. MYWE) and went on tour of France with the ensemble during the winter of 2020. Daniel plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones.
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Impacts of Silver Nanoparticles on a Natural Estuarine Plankton Community.
Potential effects of metal nanoparticles on aquatic organisms and food webs are hard to predict from the results of single-species tests under controlled laboratory conditions, and more realistic exposure experiments are rarely conducted. We tested whether silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) had an impact on zooplankton grazing on their prey, specifically phytoplankton and bacterioplankton populations. If Ag NPs directly reduced the abundance of prey, thereby causing the overall rate of grazing by their predators to decrease, a cascading effect on a planktonic estuarine food web would be seen. Our results show that the growth rates of both phytoplankton and bacterioplankton populations were significantly reduced by Ag NPs at concentrations of ≥500 μg L(-1). At the same time, grazing rates on these populations tended to decline with exposure to Ag NPs. Therefore, Ag NPs did not cause a cascade of effects through the food web but impacted a specific trophic level. Photosynthetic efficiency of the phytoplankton was significantly reduced at Ag NPs concentrations of ≥500 μg L(-1). These effects did not occur at relatively low concentrations of Ag that are often toxic to single species of bacteria and other organisms, suggesting that the impacts of Ag NP exposure may not be apparent at environmentally relevant concentrations due to compensatory processes at the community level.
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Misunderstandings frequently arise between migrants and specialist staff in government agencies and in schools. The new job of language and integration mediator is intended to provide a long-term solution to this problem.
The youth welfare office contacts the family of a pupil with a behavioural disorder, a woman is diagnosed as having breast cancer, a refugee tries to work through his traumatic experiences in therapy… In difficult situations, people need to talk to specialists in government agencies or medical or social institutions about their needs and possible solutions. Such dialogue is more difficult when the people who come together have different cultural backgrounds and different native languages, for example, migrants and specialist staff.
In response to this problem, a large number of local and regional projects have been developed in recent years in which bilingual and bicultural people who have experience of migration themselves are trained to become so-called language and integration mediators and who go on to work as neutral mediators at relevant institutions. During their training, they not only learn interpretation techniques, but also reflect on cultural differences in dealing with illness, gender roles, taboos and shame, learn to intervene appropriately when misunderstandings arise and to defuse conflicts.
The mediators-in-training acquire medical, psychosocial and legal knowledge and specialist knowledge about the education, health and social systems in Germany. In addition, they are familiarised with principals of professional ethics, with care structures in Germany and with the role of specialist staff in the relevant institutions. This puts them in a position not only to facilitate communication, but also to create a confidential and secure atmosphere, thereby raising the quality of dialogues. | https://more.bham.ac.uk/euro-islam/tag/welfare/page/2/ |
I started taking piano lessons at five years of age. I had a piano teacher who challenged me to work hard and overcome obstacles, such as being blind and autistic. Before my teacher worked with me, he had never taught a blind person how to play the piano. He was skilled in finding creative ways to teach me in a way that I could learn. Because I am blind, I learned to play by ear. He would record the lessons on a cassette tape, I would have to listen to it, and memorize the songs. As he was recording the music, he would announce the fingering on each note on the piano. I learned to play the piano by audio recordings and tactile learning. I had to practice the piano for an hour everyday of the week. At the end of each piano lesson cycle, I would have a recital where I would play a piece at different venues. There were times when I did a great job and there were also times when I did a poor job. I learned that playing the piano takes time, effort, and lots of memorization.
When an autistic person learns how to play an instrument, their teachers should create ways for them to learn based on their individual needs. If the person learns visually, they may benefit from learning how to read the music. If the person learns auditorily, they may benefit from listening to recordings of songs and memorization. Different people learn in different ways. I learned how to play the piano through auditory and tactile techniques.
Sometimes, teaching a person how to play an instrument can be very stressful. Sometimes it takes longer than predicted for certain people to learn an instrument. It can be hard for autistic people to play a song on an instrument if they’re not getting it right away. Students on the spectrum may have a meltdown or become very frustrated when experiencing difficulty learning a song. There are many different factors that could result in sensory overload which can exacerbate meltdowns. Working through meltdowns requires a lot of time and work from both the student and teacher.
I believe that anyone who has a love for music is more than capable of learning how to play an instrument. Playing an instrument takes a lot of practice. I want to encourage people, especially those on the spectrum, that you can confidently start learning how to play an instrument. There are many options for how to learn an instrument; you can watch YouTube videos on your electronic device, watch other people play their instruments, or teach yourself how to play an instrument anyway that you see fit.
If music is your passion and if music is what you love, I encourage you to learn how to play an instrument. Playing instruments gives you pleasure and it also helps you express any emotion, especially when you’re going through a hard time. Playing musical instruments is just one ways that people can enjoy life and have fun. Music also gives opportunities to advocate for ourselves and others on the spectrum through performances. If you love music, try to play an instrument so you can use your musical gifts to serve others.
I play the piano because I believe that music can be healing for individuals. I personally know that music is the universal language. It brings people together and speaks for them if they don’t have the words to express their emotions. I encourage you to take part in learning how to play a musical instrument so together, we can fill the air with the sweetness of music and its beautiful sound.
If you’re interested in sharing your music with others, we invite you to join us for Musical Autist Troupe or our next Empowerment Jam Session on 2/23! | http://www.themusicalautist.org/sunny-writes-learning-how-to-play-an-instrument/ |
Doctor insights on:
Varicella Medication
1
My 82 year-old grandma in China is suffering from varicella pneumonia. Is there any over-the-counter drugs I can purchase from US that would help her?
None available: Prescription acyclovir and intravenous varicella immune globulin would be my choice for treatment. OTC meds might provide comfort but help very little if at all. It is a serious condition. ...Read more
Chickenpox (Definition)
Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, chicken pox results in a blister rash that starts on the stomach, back, and face and spreads throughout the entire body. These small itchy blisters eventually scab over. Associated symptoms include itching, fatigue, malaise, and a fever. The most effective method to prevent spreading of the varicella virus is ...Read more
2
Is it bad if I eat lasgna during the final step of varicella?
I can't see why: Some people do have mouth sores with chickenpox, but I see no reason why you should limit your diet as long as you feel up to it. ...Read more
3
Varicella vaccination - is it recommended for adults?
Varicella vaccine: Yes. There is a sure way of determining one's immunity level - a varicella titer done by a blood test. Adults need 2 doses, given one month apart. I often recommend non-immune parents to get the vaccine simultaneously when their one-year-old gets it or better still, at least a month or two before their child turns one. In addition, other non-immune family members should also be vaccinated. ...Read more
4
What number of forms of varicella are there?
Only one Virus:
Varicella is also called Chicjken Pox and the virus which causes Chicken Pox is called Varicella Virus. This virus can also cause Shingles (Herpes Zoster) in patients who have had Chicken pox in the past as virus get activated and attacks a nerve to cause rash and pain of Shingles
There is only one Varicella Virus causing two diaseses in same person at different time in their life ...Read more
5
Is breastfeeding safe if you have varicella?
Odd question: You have not provided the age of the baby, which is very important. If you got varicella, baby has NO immunity to it and if a newborn may die if not closely monitored and treated. Since you were contageous before you got the rash, baby has been exposed and will break out in 10-21 days. Case severity can very tremendously and baby needs close monitoring. ...Read more
6
How does the varicella zoster spread?
Airborn/ contact: The varicella virus is passed by new active cases by droplet (cough or secretions) and by contact with debris from blisters. It is estimated that as few as 30 minutes in a room with a kid with chicken pox may spread it to susceptable persons. ...Read more
7
Difference between herpes varicella and varicella?
Confusing question: Varicella is a member of the herpes family of viruses. Its more specific name is herpes zoster. It is a cousin to but not the same as herpes simplex, the virus known to cause cold sores and genital herpes. ...Read more
8
What does it mean when varicella zoster is negative?
Hard to say: If you are referring to a blood test, it would mean there is no evidence of a prior varicella infection and no immunity. If it refers to a specimin I send to the lab for pcr it means no vz was found in the specimin. ...Read more
9
What are the signs and symptoms of chickenpox varicella?
RASH, FEVER COUGH:
A red, itchy rash, initially resembling insect bites, on your face, scalp, chest and back
small, liquid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
fever
abdominal pain or loss of appetite
mild headache
general feeling of unease and discomfort (malaise) or irritability
a dry cough
headache. ...Read more
10
How long can varicella zoster live outside of the body?
Not long: Usually 2 houers or lessGet a more detailed answer ›
11
Is it possible for the varicella rash to appear on both sides of the body at the same time?
Yes it is: Lesions generally begin on the chest or back and then spread to the face, neck, arms, and legs. Children usually run fever for several days. In addition to this, they may have a runny nose, sore throat and/or cough. ...Read more
12
I was vaccinated as a baby for varicella yet I got it when I was in russia age 8 how is that possible?
Yes: This vaccine is a modified strain of the wild varicella virus & is thought to confer lifelong immunity in 85 -90 % of kids after 1 dose. A second dose was initially recommended only to teenagers at first, but now we generally want all kids to have at least two, to pick up the stragglers with poor initial response. Long term protection is a feature of other viral vaccines. ...Read more
13
I had varicella as an adult and wondered if I am at risk for other childhood diseases, none of which I had as a child. Thank you.
Vaccinated?: If you were fully immunized as a child, you are most likely safe from contracting most other childhood diseases. That being said, a percentage of fully immunized people may not fully respond to the vaccines and still be susceptible. Your doctor can check titers to see if you are one of these people. ...Read more
14
If got the varicella shot today, will it cause any negative reactions if I did have the disease but can't remember when? Is it detrimental 2 my body?
No: You could have some mild symptoms from the immune response, but it shouldn't cause you any problems. ...Read more
15
How would you explain what a varicella zoster (shingles) is in layman's terms?
Recurrent chickenpo: When first infected with chickenpox (varicella) the virus remains alive in your nervous system for the rest of your life and for unclear reasons can recur, often in localized area of your body (on one side only). This latter rash is called zoster and a person who has never had chickenpox can "get" chickenpox from this rash, . ...Read more
16
What are the signs for chicken pox varicella?
First day...: Fever, upper respiratory symptoms. By the second day you start to see rash, which rapidly progresses from a few bumps to many, many bumps. Within the next 24 hours you have sores in three stages: bumps, fluid filled bumps called vesicles, and scabs. Intensely itchy and highly contagious. No longer contagious when all the sores are scabs and no new sores are coming. ...Read more
17
What is the cost of the varicella vaccine?
80 TO120 DOLLARS:
You have to pay the cost of the vaccine and administration fee. It can cost anywhere from 80 to120 dollars
But for Children vaccine for children programme, you can get it free from the health dept clinic and if your pediatrician participate in Vaccine for children programme you can get it free vaccine and pay a small administration fee. ...Read more
18
How long does varicella immunizations last?
20 years or mor:
We only have twenty years experience sice japan and 15 years in us.
It last at least 20 years and only times will tell. How long more it lasts. ...Read more
19
What is the main cause of varicella zoster (shingles)?
Only varicella virus: Shingles is a condition where the zoster virus emerges from hibernation in one of your nerve roots. It travels down the nerve and exits in the distribution of that nerve where it causes pain, blisters and skin sensitivity. The only way you get shingles is to have had chickenpox in the past or have received the vaccine (although less often). ...Read more
20
How does the varicella virus cause the symptoms of chickenpox?
It's quite a story!: After contaminated respiratory droplets are inhaled, the virus infects the lining of the respiratory tract or of the eye. The virus multiplies in lymph nodes near the upper respiratory tract; next, the virus stays in the blood for a few days. Then it multiplies in internal organs; it returns to the blood and infects capillaries and skin cells, causing the classic blisters. ...Read more
21
Varicella igg titer was 3.52. Anything over 1.1 is immune. Is my number normal? High?
Protective: That means you are protected against getting varicella and that is a good thing. ...Read more
22
If titer for varicella is high, does that give immunity to shingles? Means no shingles shot necessary? Thanks
Correct:
You do not need the shingles vaccine with a high varicella titer.
Shingles is the virus lying dormant and when really stressed and overall immunity low it can come out in clusters along nerve paths.
Chinese medicine and acupuncture can be wonderful u have an outbreak. ...Read more
23
What to do if I have to get two doses of varicella for my nursing program. Is it safe to get it only 5 days apart?
Varicella: Two to four weeks would be a better interval ...Read more
24
Would an adult with cvid who had varicella as a child still have igg titers to varicella? Or would they likely we low?
Low: Unless the patient is getting gammaglobulin replacement, the IgG titers to nearly everything infectious agent will be low or absent. ...Read more
25
Could I have a meningitis shot between the two varicella shots?
Yes you can: Yes you can get MAENINGITIS SHOT BETWEEN TWO VARICELLA VACCINES ...Read more
26
Varicella vaccination side effect?
See below: Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease, but side effects can include soreness or swelling at the site of the shot, fever, mild rash, or in rare cases seizures or pneumonia. A good resource for prevention recommendations and information, including links to detailed vaccine information, is an iphone/ipod/ipad app called my health checklist 2012. ...Read more
27
If my varicella titer is low do I need a vaccination?
Yes: Most people should have two doses of the varicella vaccine in childhood. If you haven't had chicken pox by the time you are an adult, you should definitely get the vaccine. Chicken pox is a more serious disease in adults- can cause pneumonia, secondary infections. Make sure your children get their varicella vaccines early- at 12 months and 4 years old usually. ...Read more
28
Lifespan of varicella zoster virus?
Lifetime: As long as you live, the virus stays with you mostly in dormant stage and occasionally flares up. ...Read more
29
How do I interpret my lab results for my varicella and rubella titres?
Up is good: Screening titers look for evidence of past infection thru the detection of antibodies to specific germs. If your titers are above a set level, it means you have good resistance & should be immune to any exposure. If low, it means you may be at risk. ...Read more
30
Could I still need varicella vaccine for cna program if? | https://www.healthtap.com/topics/varicella-medication |
A report from the National Research Council on the Safety of Dietary Supplements for Horses, Dogs and Cats is now available. The President of NASC, Bill Bookout, responds to the committee’s key observations and conclusions in a supplemental issue of the NASC Newsletter, Extra Communiqué.
To assist in making decisions about the safety of dietary supplements for horses, dogs and cats, the Food and Drug Administration requested the National Research Council (NRC) to produce a report on the safety of supplements. A committee of experts was established with two main goals: review factors to consider when evaluating the safety of any animal dietary supplement and assess the safety of three specific ingredients (lutein, evening primrose oil and garlic).
The full report will be available in December; however, a 4-page Report Brief and an Executive Summary prepared by the NRC have been released (see links to the two documents below). Articles based on these documents have appeared in trade publications. Bill Bookout, President of NASC, provides insights from a NASC perspective on the committee’s findings and recommendations in Extra Communique.
Click on these links to read the NRC Report Brief and Executive Summary, and Comments from the NASC President: | https://www.nasc.cc/news/nrc-report-on-dietary-supplements-for-horses-dogs-and-cats/ |
The release of fluid (PLASMA) from the BLOOD vessels into the tissues, facilitating the movement of key immune proteins and other molecules to the site of injury or INFECTION. Inflammation is the mechanism of the IMMUNE RESPONSE for containing and mitigating whatever damage has occurred. PROSTAGLANDINS, which mast cells release, are the primary instigators of the inflammatory response. Inflammation occurs as a coupling of increased blood circulation to the area with increased capillary permeability (the amount of fluid the capillaries allow to escape into the spaces between cells). Though inflammation accompanies infection, it does not always indicate that an infective process is under way.
Inflammation Causes
Plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, contains numerous immune elements, including antibodies, CYTOKINES, and complement factors. Swelling, which is the hallmark of inflammation, indicates that this mechanism is succeeding in getting the necessary immune elements to the site. IMMUNOGLOBULIN E (IgE) and certain of the cytokines are instrumental in the inflammation process. Inflammation typically causes swelling, pain, FEVER, and often redness of the SKIN at the site of the inflammation. When joints are inflamed, as in RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, the JOINT often feels stiff and has limited range of motion. TENDONITIS and BURSITIS are also common presentations of inflammation.
Treatment for Inflammation
Treatment for inflammation is often NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS), DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (DMARDS), or CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS, depending on the cause. When appropriate, ice to the local area provides relief from pain and helps contract the blood vessels to slow the flow of blood. The latter, in turn, reduces the amount of fluid that enters the tissues. Reducing use of the affected area facilitates HEALING and the body’s reabsorption of the excess interstitial fluid, though movement to keep the joints from stiffening is also important. PHYSICAL THERAPY, TAI CHI, YOGA, and MASSAGE THERAPY are among the methods that help maintain mobility and FLEXIBILITY. Treatment also targets the circumstance causing the inflammation whenever possible, such as any underlying injury or condition.
For further discussion of inflammation within the context of the structures and functions of the immune system, please see the overview section “The Immune System and Allergies.”
See also ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS; ANTIBODY; ANTIGEN; COMPLEMENT CASCADE; MAST CELL. | https://www.beltina.org/inflammation-in-the-body-causes-and-treatment/ |
December: Test shots with new scopes/mounts
Dec 21: TMB 80/480 Arrives!
Dec 3: AP1200 Arrives!
Nov 30: TMB 152/1200 Arrives!
This is a photo and animation (5 MB) of what threatens to become one of the largest wildfires in Santa Clara County history, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The images were captured from my house in Saratoga, roughly 35miles west of Henry Coe State Park, where the fire is centered.
While not really an astrophoto per se, the acquisition and subsequent processing of these images use the exact same process I've been using for DSLR imaging of the universe, including calibration (dark subtraction, flat fielding) and subsequent processing in IRIS and home-brewed software tools. Note, for example, the complete absence of checkerboard “pattern noise” in the background, as well as a complete lack of vignetting. In addition, Coe is one of the sites frequented by Bay Area astronomers seeking dark skies.
The animation (5 MB) is a time lapse, consisting of 410 stills taken with the DSLR, each a 6 second exposure with 5 seconds between them for mirror lockup (to avoid vibration) and for time to save the image to compact flash. Total time span is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
A higher resolution image is also available. The camera is looking almost due East in this picture, with San Jose between the camera and the fire, but off-camera to the left (North). | http://www.saratogaskies.com/image.pl?i=130 |
Whether it's a house, hotel, or dorm room, here are 5 exercises (and a video!) that require little space and money.
Mountain Climbers
Reps: Repeat for one minute.
Begin with mountain climbers to warm up. Here's how to do it:
Start in a traditional push-up starting position — shoulders over hands and weight on just your toes.
Bring your right foot forward, bending the knee and putting weight on the ball of your foot.
Swiftly switch legs, bringing the left knee forward while moving the right leg back. It feels a little like running in place in a plank position. Do this for one minute.
Sumo Squats
Reps: Two sets of 10.
Wide squats target your butt and inner thighs.
Hold your hands together in front of your chest.
Step your feet apart so there's about 20 inches between your heels.
Point your toes out slightly.
Bend your knees and elbows. Keep your shoulders over your hips and lower down so your weight is back in your heels.
Then straighten your legs and arms. This is one repetition.
Complete two sets of 10 reps.
Upside Down Plank
Reps: 10 reps, each side.
Work your arms, shoulders, and core with this push-up variation:
Come into a plank position with your legs straight and forearms resting on your mat. Your feet should be hip-width distance apart. Draw your navel toward your spine to engage your core and to avoid straining your lower back.
Keeping your torso parallel to the floor, plant your right palm on the mat as you raise your body, so your right arm is straight.
Repeat with left arm, so you're now in a straight-arm plank.
Now, move your right forearm back onto the mat and then the left, lowering yourself back down into elbow-plank position. Try to avoid swaying the torso from side to side. Repeat for a total of 10 reps, and then reverse the direction for another 10 reps.
The Walk Out
Reps: 5
Stand at the back edge of your mat and reach your arms overhead, lengthening your spine.
Keeping your back straight, bend forward, hinging at your hips to bring your hands to the mat. If your hamstrings are tight, bend your knees a bit to take tension off the muscles.
Walk your hands forward, moving into a plank, and hold each step to stretch your calves a bit.
Hold the plank for a few seconds to really wake up your core before walking your hands back toward your feet, returning to the deep forward bend.
Slowly roll up to standing, letting your head hang and keeping your neck relaxed. When your return to standing, reach your arms toward the ceiling to complete one rep.
At home video workouts
Additionally, click here is a month long at home video workout you can use, thanks to Popsugar. | https://www.women.com/alisegel/lists/no-gym-membership-no-problem-heres-easy-workouts-to-do-anywhere |
Most search results for Best Practices and Structured/Socratic Conversations are in the specialized areas of Legal Education and School Education. But two of the most interesting of the results are more broad-based, looking at the special worth of Socratic and structured conversations for two aspects of our current society: technology and political polarization.
Peter W. Cookson Jr., of the Yale Divinity School, sees the opportunity of Socratic dialogues to temper the meaning and shape the rush of information today. Joan Blades, founder of MoveOn, sees something similar in terms of the creation of Civil Discourse about community issues deeper than partisan politics. Both articles, and their proposed methods, are very thoughtful, in terms of the social needs they articulate.
Their thoughts are excerpted below, with links to their full articles:
PETER W. COOKSON Jr. — EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (ASCD journal)
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept09/vol67/num01/What-Would-Socrates-Say%C2%A2.aspx
September 2009 | Volume 67 | Number 1
Teaching for the 21st Century Pages 8-14
What Would Socrates Say?
Peter W. Cookson Jr.
When technology pairs up with Socratic inquiry, students have an opportunity to start a purposeful conversation—with the world.
My greatest fear about 21st century education is that Socrates’ humility will be turned on its head. The noted philosopher once said, “I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” My fear is that instead of knowing nothingexcept the fact of our own ignorance, we will know everything except the fact of our own ignorance. Google has given us the world at our fingertips, but speed and ubiquity are not the same as actually knowing something.
…
What Would Socrates Do?
At the beginning of the 20th century, the world’s population was 1.6 billion; at the beginning of the 21st century, it is roughly 6.6 billion. To meet the education needs of this rising tide of humanity, we must think outside the box of conventional schooling.
To start, we must overhaul and redesign the current school system. We face this great transition with both hands tied behind our collective backs if we continue to pour money, time, and effort into an outdated system of education. Mass education belongs in the era of massive armies, massive industrial complexes, and massive attempts at social control. We have lost much talent since the 19th century by enforcing stifling education routines in the name of efficiency. Current high school dropout rates clearly indicate that our standardized testing regime and outdated curriculums are wasting the potential of our youth.
If we stop thinking of schools as buildings and start thinking of learning as occurring in many different places, we will free ourselves from the conventional education model that still dominates our thinking. Socrates did not teach in a conventional classroom; his classroom was wherever he and his students found themselves. His was the first “personal learning network,” and he taught with the most enduring teaching tool of all time—the purposeful conversation. He called himself a citizen of the world because the questions he asked were universal.
Even though Socrates was a philosopher, he did not hide in an ivory tower. He used knowledge to challenge the status quo. I think Socrates would embrace the new learning era with all the energy he had. We need that same embrace today to move beyond the false dichotomies and empty arguments of our tired education disagreements and to joyously engage with the future.
JOAN BLADES –LIVING ROOM CONVERSATIONS
“Open Your ears. Open your mind. Open your home.”
http://www.livingroomconversations.org/2011/12/the-next-citizens-movement-respectful-dialogue/
The Next Citizen’s Movement — Respectful Dialogue
Posted on December 8, 2011 by Joan
By Joan Blades — On December 4, 2011, the Living Room Conversations Website went live and I co-hosted a demonstration Living Room Conversation gathering with my conservative partner Amanda Kathyrn Roman. I’m still feeling the glow. I expanded my understanding of where we might find common ground across party lines around reducing the influence of big money in politics, and people participating in the conversation expressed interest in a future Living Room Conversation about immigration. What a pleasure conversing respectfully and constructively with a small diverse group that included a Republican mayor and a Republican candidate for state elected office. Intimate, structured conversations work!
I wrote the following note to invite my guests to the Living Room Conversation which took place on December 4th. Now I’d like to invite both individuals and organizations to use the materials on our website to have a living room conversation and then tell us about it! We have so much to learn and together! This holiday season I’m dreaming of tens of thousands of Living Room Conversations happening across our nation next year.
…
As the co-founder of both MoveOn and MomsRising, I’ve had the privilege of being on the cutting edge of some profound changes in the way citizens engage in politics online and off. In 1998 it felt like we caught a tiger by the tail when MoveOn had 500,000 people sign the one sentence petition to, “Censure the President and move on to pressing issues facing the country.” In 2000, MoveOn raised over 2 million dollars in contributions for House and Senate candidates online. That was extraordinary at that time. MoveOn was part of the biggest antiwar movement in the history of the world. It still breaks my heart that the huge wave of citizen oppositions failed to stop the war in Iraq from being started. MomsRising is a new vibrant voice in the women’s movement, it already has more than a million members and works with more than 150 policy partners. Through my work with both of these organizations, I’ve come to trust the good will and common sense of average citizens more than anything.
The Living Room Conversations project leverages the common sense of average citizens, and believes that through a movement beginning with intimate local conversations, citizens from across the political spectrum just might be able to short circuit the destructive political dynamics we find ourselves trapped in. Living Room Conversations is an open source effort to share best practices for hosting small structured conversations so that people with diverse views can have constructive heartfelt conversations. We are eager to learn how to do this even better. Might a grassroots conversation movement be able to usher in a culture of respectful civil dialogue? Co-host or join a conversation to find out! | https://conversationsnewyork.com/moderator-blog/may-31-2013/ |
Recently I had a conversation after church with an Oklahoma wheat farmer and his wife. Their crop was a total failure this year. Weather conditions did not cooperate, and their crops of wheat and canola did not survive the spring snow and ice that has plagued the country, during this prolonged winter. What has inconvenienced most of us, was a disaster for them.
There they were. Both of them, in church, singing and praising God, in spite of this major setback. She said of her husband, "He has more faith than anyone I have ever known."
Some times preachers talk about taking our faith to the streets. They challenge people to be the church, not just come to church. Farmers take their faith to the fields, and pour it into the ground. They are often disappointed with the results, but they are seldom discouraged enough to quit.
I have always thought that farmers were the poster boys of faith. Dry land wheat farmers are a special breed. Year after year they place their trust in an uncertain future that can swiftly be derailed by too much sun, too little rain, unexpected hail, relentless insects, and fluctuating market prices.
Still, their passion for the harvest keeps them coming back year after year to the same piece of land, and the same process. Their diligence and dedication feed a nation and fuel the lives of people they will never meet. Their day begins before it is light. Their hours are long, and the rewards are meager, but they keep at it, regardless of the cost. That's why they call it the "heartland."
Jesus said, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into his fields." Matthew 9:37 NLT
I am learning a little more each day about the harvest that is taking place around the world. Chinese Christians are growing at a rapid rate, and the Cambodian church has shown remarkable resurgence, in the aftermath of "the killing fields" of the Khmer Rouge. The church is often made stronger by the opposition of the government, and the persecution of believers. The American church would do well to learn this lesson from the prayer book of the persecuted church.
The time has come for comfortable Christians to put on their big boy pants. They look a lot like over-hauls. Inventor, Thomas Edison is often quoted as having said, “We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work." With the current explosion of fact checkers aided by Google search, there is some doubt if he did say it, but it is no less true.
Note to self: There will come a day when we have so many fact checkers searching for truth that it will be proven that no one ever really said anything...ever. But I digress.
In Luke 11, Jesus revealed the passion of answered prayer in a parable on "importunity."
"I say to you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him..Ask and it shall be given to you." Luke 11:8-9
For the Christian, and the churches they plant, the issue is not opportunity, but IMPORTUNITY. Importunity describes the capacity of a ship to be sailed into the wind, against incredible odds, and to arrive safely at one's destination. The dilemma requires and reveals a spirit of persistence and a desperation in a sailor that drives him to overcome all odds in order to arrive at his port. To do less would mean certain death for his crew, and loss of his cargo. There is too much at stake to go with the flow, or be blown off course. The opportunity is the storm, and it calls for importunity.
E.M. Bounds put it this way, 100 years ago.
"The tenor of Christ's teachings, is to declare that men are to pray earnestly -- to pray with an earnestness that cannot be denied. Heaven has harkening ears only for the whole-hearted, and the deeply-earnest. Energy, courage, and persistent perseverance must back the prayers which heaven respects, and God hears.
All these qualities of soul, so essential to effectual praying, are brought out in the parable of the man who went to his friend for bread, at midnight. This man entered on his errand with confidence. Friendship promised him success. His plea was pressing: of a truth, he could not go back empty-handed. The flat refusal chagrined and surprised him. Here even friendship failed!
But there was something to be tried yet -- stern resolution, set, fixed determination. He would stay and press his demand until the door was opened, and the request granted. This he proceeded to do, and by dint of importunity secured what ordinary solicitation had failed to obtain."
There is growing evidence that the harvest is plentiful all around the world. The lack of it in America may be a revelation of the lack of effort in the arena of prayer. Blessed by a legacy of liberty and legal protections that have enabled the church to exist without resistance, it has resulted in congregations that have diminished in power and passion for the harvest. Pray for a new generation of leaders who will seize this opportunity for importunity.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE! | http://www.garydonmiller.com/blog/2015/3/21/the-harvest |
Root cause analysis is a systematic processor identifying root cause of problems or events and an approach for responding to them.
RCA is generic sense There is an implication than an methodology is used in the analysis.
In which one process can confirm the results of another.
In the root cause analysis is step by step process.
Root cause analysis is identify current and future needs of organization improvement.
RCA is on going process and it is useful for continuous improvement.
Identify barriers and cause of problems so that permanent solution can be found.
Develop logical approach to problem solving, using data already available in the agency.
Identify the problem, define the problem, understand the problem, corrective action, Monitor the system. These are five techniques used in the RCA.
Another techniques are used in RCA tabular and fishbone diagram or ishikawa diagram techniques.
In the fishbone there are five steps 1, People 2 Process 3 Materials 4 Machine 5 Environment.
The root cause is the core issue that is responsible for the problem generation.
There are many methods and tools are available for RCA.
SIX Methodology, 8D methodology,
It is more useful for larger problem solving in the organization. But it is not generate exact result for the project.
5why analysis is more useful in the Root cause analysis.
It s proactive approach
In the root cause analysis easily identify the failure or problem of the project. But problem will come. we can determine the problem easily.
Don’t write problem by the assumption.
This root cause analysis is helpful to increase our solving skills and also give more confident to solve future challenges.
We can take preventive action against the problem
Basic approach points: understand the issue properly
Observation of the failure
Study RCA by 5why or 1H method.
Collect the information and data.
Don’t proceed with any assumption
Don’t jump into a conclusion directly.
Focus on the real place and the real thing.
Arrive at the cause using a logical approach.
Be impartial.
Steps and sequences: Form a team, Never do it alone.
All necessary functions should be included in the team.
Observation Should start immediately on receiving the issue.
Discuss with team members for better clarity on the actual issue.
Take proof of failed project or defects. It is more useful for future projects.
Write the issue statement in specific words, short sentence.
Verify the plan behind the failure.
Make a proper plan for the project.
Link the observation points for future reference.
Five main reason for breakdowns: Basic format not maintained.
Operating condition not maintained.
Lack of skill.
Weak structure.
Previous failure not considered properly.
Prevent problems form recurring.
Reduce possible risk to personnal
Reduce rework. Save money and save time.
Increase competitive in the market.
Reduce unwanted cost and increase profit.
Root analysis is an deep process or technique for identifying the most basic to idenfy the problem..
Customer complaints or feedback is helpful to reduce the mistake and it is useful for future project.
Easily identify the human error and rectify easily.
Assign a task to right person for right project.
Tools are used in the Root cause: 5 whys, pareto analysis,flow charts, tree diagram, histogram, sipoc diagram, cause and effect diagram, design of experiments, brainstorming, fishbone diagram, tabular techniques etc.
Fishbone diagram analysis: it is known as ishikawa diagram. These tools is identify to all the roots in a retrospective approach or all of the potential effects in a prospective approach. Five types of analysis(people, machine, materials processes, environment).
4.Tabular technique is useful to prepare a checklist or table of actions related to the current processes in any organization. In the case failure, the master check list is referred to find deviation. This process is limited for simple and direct actions.
5 WHY Analysis : Why-Poor finishing, Why-Painting imperfect, Why- bubble forming, Why- Expired paint, Why- Date not checked.
Whenever new software release the project and it is not fulfill customer requirement
1. Define the problem.
2. Under stand the problem.
3. Determine the relationship between cause factors
4. Determine the root cause.
5. Implement the solution.
Root cause analysis is effective for future project. It is time save and save money. Customer satisfaction increase more. Each thing analysis is deep one so error happen is very low, It is more useful to identify the problem easily in each stage of project. It is helpful to determine the solution and implement the solution also very easily. There are more techniques are useful in this root cause analysis. Each analysis techniques is more useful to analysis the data deeply and release the project easily. This analysis is helpful to identify the project error easily but it is not guarantee to control the future error or mistake.
Root Cause Analysis
Root cause analysis is a systematic processor identifying root cause of problems or events and an approach for responding to them. | http://blog.coepd.com/root-cause-analysis-17/ |
Job Location:
Ann Arbor, MI
Plant Manager
Ann Arbor, MI We are looking to add to our team a Plant Manager who will be responsible for leading all production operations including supervision, maintenance, and quality to achieve established organizational goals.
Looking for a Plant Manager with strong experience in automotive tier1, tier 2 metal stamping based applications having strong abilities to run a medium size plant, manage the annual plant budget, monitor and continuously improve upon plant wide performance and have strong experience in plant P&L reporting
Responsibilities and Requirements:
Oversight of plant operations and leadership of production lines and work cells and related components in stamping operations
Responsible for plant wide operating budgets and performance and P&L reporting
Ensure that all production activities comply with established safety requirements, laws and regulations
Mentor and support production supervisors to develop and ensure a safe, capable and productive workforce
Set and achieve daily, monthly and yearly production plans and schedules to meet Companys goals.
Calculate, procure, implement and monitor resources (labor, material & equipment) required to achieve production plans on time in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Lead continuous improvement processes to drive improvement and reduce costs
Ensure that established quality standards and requirements are being met by all production personnel and outside process vendors
Participate with Engineering in the new product design process to facilitate manufacturability and Profit/Loss objectives.
Develop, implement, monitor and achieve operational business metrics including Profit and Loss.
Qualifications:
4 year degree in Business or Engineering
Minimum 5-7 years plant management experience in a manufacturing environment in metal stamping processes in the automotive OEM applications industry with oversight of plant operations and leadership of production lines and work cells and related components
Strong experience and understanding of plant wide operating budgets and performance and P&L reporting
Strong demonstrated leadership, team building, and advanced coaching skills
Strong demonstrated ability to motivate people, assess, and develop employee skills with abilities to communicate and solve complex business problems, influence others and facilitate the resolution
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work well with all levels of management, suppliers and customer base
Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles including Six Sigma, 5S etc
Experience with plant monitoring performance tools ( KPIs, Dashboards)
Strong understanding of metal stamping, bending, shaping, finishing, metal fabrication, joining processes, metal tube bending and polishing processes
Experience with ERP/MRP software in a production environment.
Experience with Microsoft Office software or equivalent
Please submit your resume for this Plant Manager position.
Thank you
How To Apply:
You will be directed to another website for application instructions.
See all jobs in Ann Arbor MI
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Prof.
Zhigang Zhu's expertise in human-computer interaction
and computer vision, Prof.
John
(Jizhong)
Xiao's expertise in robotic navigation, we have
expanded their research focus to developing advanced human
centric assistive systems to help people in need, e.g.
visually impaired people, to achieve
independent and quality life in familiar or unfamiliar
environments. We have collaborations with the Computer Center for
Visually Impaired People (CCVIP) at CUNY
Baruch College, the NYS Commission for the Blind
(NYSCB), New York Institute of Special
Education and
most recently NYSID and Goodwill NY/NJ
via the CREATE
program. Their feedback could help us
to develop
compact, lightweight, inexpensive devices or services to
improve the quality of life of people, particular those in
need .
We have developed a
cross-department joint senior design course for
undergraduate seniors in CS, CpE and EE in developing
automated and assistive technologies for smart living of
all. These include: multimodal, passive and
unobtrusive techniques for helping visually impaired people
to achieve independent travel in unfamiliar environments;
smart house systems and mobile apps for improving the
quality of life of elderly and people in need (such as with
Autism Spectrum Disorders - ASDs); and sensing technologies
for health monitoring and rehabilitation .We have obtained
multiple NSF, NYSID and VentureWell awards to carry out
basic research and to run the
cross-department joint senior design program for CS/CpE/EE
seniors. The joint
senior design program builds on our existing capstone
design course structure in CS and EE departments, but with
a new concentration on assistive
technology for people in need.
In each year, the joint senior design course is a mandated two semester sequence for senior students in both CS and EE departments. In the first semester we will offer materials on basic technologies in sensors, actuators, robotic navigation, vision algorithms, and assistive technologies by the instructors. The general materials will introduce important aspects of a business plan such as project management, intellectual property (IP), entrepreneurship. The lecture series on entrepreneurship at GSoE will be utilized where professionals are invited to share their real world experiences.
In the second semester, the student teams are expected to implement design ideas, prototype, test, and evaluate different designs. Students will also have the opportunities to perform usability study on vision impaired users in collaboration with NYSCB therefore better understanding their needs to improve the designs and to create more appropriate business plans. The prominent teams with innovative ideas/technology and good business plans will be recommended to compete for (1) Zahn Center Competitions, (2) NYSID CREATE Awards and (3) VentureWell E-TEAM Competition. The CREATE Awards will provide up to $1000 during the senior design period, and the winning teams in Zahn and E-Team will be supported to continue the effort in summer and beyond. | http://www-cs.engr.ccny.cuny.edu/~zhu/Capstone2017/Zhu-Capstone-2017-2018.html |
Q:
Excel - How to split data into train and test sets that are equally distributed
I've got a data set (in Excel) that I'm going to import into SAS to undertake some modelling.
I've got a method for randomly splitting my excel dataset (using the =RAND() function), but is there a way (at the splitting stage) to ensure the distribution of the samples is even (other than to keep randomly splitting and testing the distribution until it becomes acceptable)?
Otherwise, if this is best performed in SAS, what is the most efficient approach for testing the sample randomness?
The dataset contains 35 variables, with a mixture of binary, continuous and categorical variables.
A:
In SAS, you can just use proc surveyselect to do this.
proc surveyselect data=sashelp.cars out=cars_out outall samprate=0.7;
run;
data train test;
set cars_out;
if selected then output test;
else output train;
run;
If there is a particular variable[s] you want to make sure the Train and Test sets are balanced on, you can use either strata or control depending on exactly what sort of thing you're talking about. control will simply make an approximate attempt to even things by the control variables (it sorts by the control variable, then pulls every 3rd or whatever, so you get a sort of approximate balance; if you have 2+ control variables it snake-sorts, Asc. then Desc. etc. inside, but that reduces randomness).
If you use strata, it guarantees you the sample rate inside the strata - so if you did:
proc sort data=sashelp.cars out=cars;
by origin;
run;
proc surveyselect data=cars out=cars_out outall samprate=0.7;
strata origin;
run;
(and the final splitting data step is the same) then you'd get 70% of each separate origin pulled (which would end up being 70% of the total, of course).
Which you do depends on what you care about it being balanced by. The more things you do this with, the less balanced it is with everything else, so be cautious; it may be that a simple random sample is the best, especially if you have a good enough N.
If you don't have enough N, then you can use bootstrapping techniques, meaning you take a sample WITH replacement from that 70% and take maybe 100 of those samples, each with a higher N than your original. Then you do your test or whatever on each sample selected, and the variation in those results tells you how you're doing even if your N is not enough to do it in one pass.
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Before examining the infant, a thorough chart review should be performed.
Maternal history
- Prior pregnancies, deliveries, and associated complications
- History of siblings with congenital defects or genetic disorders
- Complications during pregnancy:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Eclampsia
- Social behaviors (tobacco use, illicit drug use, alcohol use)
- Preventative care during pregnancy:
- Adherence to routine prenatal care
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine during pregnancy
- Rhogam administration, if applicable
- Results of screening tests, including:
- Genetic screenings
- Glucose tolerance test (gestational diabetes screening)
- HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
- Urine drug screening
Infant’s birth history
- Gestational age
- Labor and delivery route and management:
- Duration of labor
- Duration of rupture of membranes
- Route of delivery
- Associated delivery complications:
- Prolonged rupture of membranes or preterm labor
- Group B streptococcal (GBS) status
- Shoulder dystocia or other malpresentations
- APGAR scores (see table below)
- Scoring system to evaluate newborns
- Performed at 1 and 5 minutes of life
- Low 5-minute APGAR scores correlate with increased cerebral palsy rates.
Vital Signs
The normal range for neonatal vital signs is unique.
- Temperature: 36.5℃–37.6℃ (97.7℉–99.5℉)
- Heart rate: 120–160/min
- Respiratory rate: 36–60/min
- Pulse oximetry: > 90%
- Blood pressure:
- Must be measured with a properly fitting, neonatal-sized blood pressure cuff
- Usually only measured if renal or cardiovascular conditions are suspected
During the perinatal period, growth parameters should be plotted daily on a growth chart.
- Length
- Weight
- Below the 10th percentile is small for gestational age (SGA).
- Above the 90th percentile is large for gestational age (LGA).
- Head circumference
- Below the 2nd percentile is considered microcephaly.
- Above the 98th percentile is considered macrocephaly.
General Exam
Physical exam findings
Physical exam findings can help confirm the gestational date (Ballard score):
The infant’s reaction to the examination is useful in assessing:
- Alertness
- Reactivity
- Tone
- Vigor
Respiratory effort
Tachypnea may indicate:
- Pulmonary dysfunction
- Transient tachypnea of the newborn
- Meconium aspiration
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary hypoplasia
- Congenital cardiac abnormalities (the 5 Ts)
- Truncus arteriosus
- Transposition of the great vessels (TGV)
- Tricuspid valve atresia
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
Skin exam
- Coloration indicates general infant health:
- Pink with slight blue discoloration to hands and feet (acrocyanosis) is normal.
- Cyanosis of the face or lips may represent poor oxygenation.
- Pallor may indicate anemia.
- Red, plethoric face may represent polycythemia.
- Jaundice is indicative of elevated bilirubin.
- Careful examination to note birthmarks and other skin findings suggestive of genetic disorders
- Benign birthmarks:
- Nevus simplex (“stork bite” or “angel’s kiss”): common salmon-colored patch, often on the forehead, eyelids, and back of the infant’s head
- Congenital dermal melanocytosis (formerly known as “Mongolian spot”): dark-blue pigmentation, usually on the lower back
- Erythema toxicum: transient 1–2 mm erythematous papules
- Potentially concerning for genetic syndromes:
- Cafe-au-lait spots: flat, pigmented lesions; > 6 spots concerning for neurofibromatosis
- Ash-leaf spots: depigmented patches of skin common in tuberous sclerosis
- Nevus flammeus (“port-wine stain”): dark-red, large, flat patch of vascular origin; can be associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome
- Benign birthmarks:
Head and Neck
Face and scalp
- Note the overall size and shape of head, paying attention to any abnormalities associated with common genetic conditions.
- Note overall symmetry of the face.
- Lacerations or ecchymosis (cephalohematoma or caput succedaneum) may be present if the infant was born via vacuum or forceps-assisted vaginal delivery.
Fontanelles
Palpate the anterior (3–6 cm in diameter) and posterior (1–1.5 cm) fontanelles:
- Normal: soft and flat
- Sunken: may indicate dehydration
- Tense or bulging: may indicate increased intracranial pressure from meningitis or hydrocephalus
Sutures
Palpate for symmetry:
- Temporary asymmetry from passage through the birth canal is normal (sutures overlap to allow passage through the birth canal).
- Persistent asymmetry may indicate craniosynostosis (early closure of the sutures leading to an abnormal head shape).
Eyes
- Note the spacing, symmetry, and positioning of the eyes.
- Hypotelorism and hypertelorism (narrowly and widely spaced eyes) are often associated with genetic disorders.
- Note the width and slant of palpebral fissures.
- Note the appearance of the sclera, conjunctive, iris, and reactivity/symmetry of the pupils.
- Check for red reflex.
- Present in all infants
- Absent in one or both eyes in:
- Retinoblastoma
- Congenital cataracts
- Retinopathy of prematurity
- Look for purulent discharge from the tear duct.
- Dacryostenosis:
- Blocked tear duct
- Relieved by gentle massage with a warm towel
- Ophthalmia neonatorum:
- Infection of the eye
- Associated with periocular swelling, conjunctival injection
- May require antimicrobials
- Dacryostenosis:
Ears
- Appearance
- Note the spacing, symmetry, and positioning of the ears.
- Low-set ears:
- Associated with multiple genetic syndromes (e.g., Down’s syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau’s syndrome)
- Helices below the imaginary plane that go through both of the child’s inner canthi
- Note any other abnormalities: abnormal rotation, pits, or skin tags → should prompt evaluation of the kidneys
- Tympanic membranes are generally not visualized during the newborn period.
- Function
- Hearing tests must be performed on all infants before one month of age, preferentially prior to discharge.
- The auditory brainstem response or the otoacoustic emissions test are utilized.
Mouth
- Look for natal teeth.
- Should be removed as they are an aspiration risk
- Often seen with Pierre-Robin sequence
- Note if the mandible and maxilla fit together correctly or if an under-/overbite is present.
- Examine the tongue and the extent of protrusion to look for ankyloglossia (“tongue-tie”).
- Visualize and palpate the palate for the presence or absence of a cleft palate.
- Palpation is important because submucosal cleft palates are not visible.
- Look for bifid or lateralized uvula as these may be a sign of cleft palate.
Nose
- Note the shape and symmetry of the nose.
- Check for choanal atresia by occluding each nostril in turn and noting any difficulty in respiration.
Neck
- Observe the neck’s range of motion.
- Congenital torticollis is a common finding due to birth trauma and is treated with physical therapy.
- Inspect and palpate the extended neck for symmetry, masses, and abnormalities.
- Medial masses may indicate a thyroglossal duct cyst.
- Lateral masses may indicate a branchial cleft cyst.
- Neck webbing and cystic hygromas are associated with Down’s and Turner syndromes.
Chest
Clavicles
- Palpate for the presence of both clavicles.
- Palpate for the presence of clavicular fractures, which may occur from trauma during childbirth.
Chest
- Inspect for chest wall symmetry, spacing of the nipples, and any visible deformations.
- Wide-set nipples may indicate Turner syndrome.
- Accessory nipples may also be observed.
- Palpate for any developed breast tissue.
- Some infants may have neonatal gynecomastia.
- Inspect for chest wall movement with each breath.
- Look for paradoxical movement of chest segments indicating paralysis of the diaphragm or diaphragmatic hernia.
- Note the respiratory rate and heart rate (measured for a full minute).
- Note if the infant’s cry is weak or vigorous.
- Note if supplemental oxygen is being delivered and by what route.
- Note any signs of respiratory distress, including:
- Tachypnea (> 60/min) or apnea
- Accessory muscle use or retractions
- Grunting or nasal flaring
Lungs
Auscultate the lung fields bilaterally.
- Ventilation will be impaired in respiratory infections (e.g., neonatal pneumonia) and obstructive processes (e.g., meconium aspiration).
- Abdominal sounds auscultated in the chest may indicate congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Heart
- Feel the chest wall for a displaced point of maximal impulse (PMI).
- Auscultate heart sounds.
- Healthy: single S1, split S2
- Murmurs may indicate congenital cardiopathies:
- Physiologic murmurs due to persistent fetal circulation are common.
- Pathological: any harsh-sounding murmur, diastolic murmur, grade 3 or higher murmur
Abdomen, Back, and Genitals
Abdomen
- General appearance: Examine for the presence of any noticeable deformities (omphalocele or gastroschisis) or abdominal distension.
- The umbilical cord stump:
- Should contain 2 arteries and 1 vein
- Should be examined for bleeding or signs of infection
- Should be examined for abdominal hernias, which must be noted and monitored for incarceration
- Palpate for the liver, which should be felt 2–3 cm below the right costal border.
- Spleen is difficult to palpate.
- Kidneys may or may not be palpated.
- Auscultate for bowel sounds.
Back
Inspect and palpate for any congenital defects of the spine.
- Note the presence of any sacral dimples or “hair tufts,” which may indicate spina bifida occulta.
- Note any skin abnormalities or birthmarks.
Genitourinary
- Girls:
- Verify the presence of the labia, urethral meatus, and vaginal opening.
- Term female infants have prominent labia majora.
- Preterm female infants have prominent labia minora.
- A small amount of vaginal discharge and bleeding associated with withdrawal from maternal estrogens is normal.
- Note any signs of virilization (fused labia, cliteromegaly).
- Check for the presence of an imperforate hymen.
- Verify the presence of the labia, urethral meatus, and vaginal opening.
- Boys:
- Penis
- The foreskin is adhered to the glans.
- Should be allowed to come loose on its own within the span of the 1st few months
- Note the location of the urethral meatus:
- Epispadias: Urethra opens on the dorsal surface of the penis.
- Hypospadias: Urethra opens ventrally on the glans or the shaft of the penis.
- Scrotum
- Look for “bifid scrotum” or signs of ambiguous genitalia.
- Palpate for both testes.
- Can sometimes be palpated in the inguinal canal
- Should descend within the first 6 months of life
- Cremasteric reflex should be elicited.
- Look for hydrocele or inguinal hernias.
- Penis
- Both genders:
- Verify patency of the anus.
- Look for “sacral dimple.”
- Any dimple that is < 2.5 cm from the anal verge and < 0.5 cm in diameter is considered normal.
- All other sacral dimples should be investigated by ultrasound for concern for spinal malformations.
Extremities
Hips
- Inspect for any visible abnormalities.
- Use Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers to assess hip stability (may indicate developmental dysplasia of the hip).
- Palpate for the femoral pulses.
Hands and feet
- Inspect for any visible abnormalities, including:
- Syndactyly or polydactyly
- Overlapping fingers (may indicate Edwards syndrome)
- A single palmar crease (may indicate Down’s syndrome)
- Look for talipes equinovarus (clubfoot).
Extremities
- Assess radial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses.
- Observe for spontaneous movement of the extremities.
- Brachial plexus injury during birth can give rise to various palsies:
- Erb’s palsy
- Due to hyperextension of the C5 to C7 spinal nerve roots
- Forearm is medially rotated, and the hand pronated (“waiter’s tip”)
- Klumpke’s palsy
- Injury to the distal portions of C8 and T1
- Paralysis of the entire arm with areflexia
- Erb’s palsy
- Brachial plexus injury during birth can give rise to various palsies:
Neurologic Exam
- General
- Tone:
- Passive tone depends on the neonate’s maturity at birth.
- Normal for an infant born at 24 weeks’ gestation to be more splayed out at rest
- A full-term infant should flex all extremities at rest.
- Tone:
- Primitive reflexes:
- Suck reflex: Touching the roof of the mouth stimulates sucking/swallowing.
- Rooting reflex: Touching the side of the neonate’s face/cheek stimulates the neonate to turn their head to the ipsilateral side.
- Palmar grasp: Stroking the palm should stimulate the neonate to grasp the hand.
- Moro reflex:
- Lift the infant gently 2–3 inches by pulling the arms.
- Carefully release the infant’s hands.
- The infant should startle, which results in arm extension followed by arm flexion.
- Deep tendon reflexes can also be evaluated.
- Cranial nerve assessment
Clinical Relevance
The following conditions can be identified or suspected through physical examination of the newborn:
- Craniosynostosis: the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, usually classified as simple or complex. Premature suture fusion can cause abnormalities in skull and brain growth.
- Meningitis: inflammation of the leptomeninges due to an infectious agent. A bulging anterior fontanelle can be a sign of neuroinfection in neonates. Infection can be suspected if other clinical signs are present, such as temperature, tachycardia, and poor feeding.
- Cleft lip and palate: a congenital defect of the lip and usually alveolus that may involve the palate. Cleft palate may also occur independently of cleft lip. Both occur when the facial structures of a fetus fail to fuse properly.
- CHARGE syndrome: a rare genetic disorder in children affecting almost all body systems due to impaired gene expression. CHARGE is an abbreviation of coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, growth retardation, genetic abnormalities, and ear abnormalities. Coloboma is a distinguishing clinical finding seen in children with CHARGE syndrome.
- Thyroglossal duct cyst: most common congenital cyst found in the midline when palpating a neonate’s neck. Thyroglossal duct cyst forms in the remnant of the thyroglossal tract.
- Branchial cleft remnants: cysts, sinuses, or skin tags along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle or near the angle of the mandible, lined primarily with stratified squamous epithelium. Cysts may also contain lymphoid follicles.
- Neonatal gynecomastia: breast hypertrophy due to androgens and estrogens secreted by the mother that enter the fetal circulation.
- Neonatal pneumonia: inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma due to infectious agents during the neonatal period.
- Meconium aspiration syndrome: respiratory distress in newborns born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
- Truncus arteriosus (TA): congenital cardiopathy characterized by the emergence of the pulmonary artery and aorta from a common trunk that overrides a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
- Transposition of the great vessels: congenital cyanotic cardiopathy characterized by the “switching” of the great arteries. There are 2 presentations: the dextro- and levo-looped forms. A pansystolic murmur can be heard in cases with a VSD. Transposition of the great vessels can present with a systolic murmur, sometimes accompanied by a trill.
- Tricuspid valve atresia (TVA): cyanotic congenital cardiopathy that consists of the lack of development of the tricuspid AV valve that presents with a holosystolic murmur.
- Tetralogy of Fallot: cyanotic congenital cardiopathy with 4 characteristic findings: overriding aorta, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Tetralogy of Fallot presents with a harsh, loud systolic murmur.
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return: rare cyanotic congenital cardiopathy that consists of the drainage of the pulmonary veins to other anatomical sites other than the left atrium. Total anomalous pulmonary venous return presents with a soft mid-systolic murmur.
- Omphalocele: an anterior abdominal wall defect in which the intestines are covered by peritoneum and amniotic membranes.
- Gastroschisis: a free (uncovered) protrusion of the intestine and/or other abdominal content through a defect located at the detachment of the umbilicus and normal skin.
- Down’s syndrome: a genetic syndrome caused by trisomy of chromosome 21; the most frequent cause of intellectual disabilities.
- Edwards syndrome: a genetic syndrome caused by trisomy of chromosome 18 with several characteristic findings, including a narrow skull, cleft palate and lip, cardiac murmurs, clenched overlapping fingers, and omphalocele.
- Patau’s syndrome: a genetic syndrome caused by the presence of the trisomy of chromosome 13. Some of the syndrome’s characteristic findings overlap with those found in Edwards syndrome.
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip: a group of clinical findings in which the head of the femur slips out of the acetabulum, causing abnormalities in the growth and development of the hip joint. | https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/physical-examination-of-the-newborn/ |
Educating students to promote change and advocacy in their school and greater communities as well as examine their own responsibilities in creating a just society.
Encountering Differences Program
Tammy Kaye, Coordinator
In response to mounting racial tensions, the Jewish Federation has launched a new student program, Encountering Differences. Modeled on our longstanding Encountering Survivors Program, the program connects students with African Americans in southeastern Connecticut to experience living history.
Through a series of small group meetings, the students learn the personal histories of these African American families, their experiences with segregation, the migration north, the desegregation and Civil Rights movements and their present lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Like Encountering Survivors, the small group meetings create opportunities for students to increase knowledge, enable understanding and develop personal connections. The program strives to help students draw lessons from current and past events, break down racial barriers, and confront hatred and prejudice.
Other programming during the 2017-18 school year featured Dr. John McKnight, Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion at Connecticut College, who presented A History of Anti-Black Racism in the US. His presentation gave the students key historical background surrounding slavery, the Civil War, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Drugs, and Black Lives Matter. He also facilitated interactive discussions examining current events in relation to steps forward or back in racial equality.
Culminating Projects and Program 2017-18
Students created projects highlighting the most impactful insights from their program experience. Students presented their projects at a culminating program at East Lyme High School attended by all program participants.
In developing their presentations, students were encouraged to think about how they can promote change and advocacy in their school and greater communities as well as examine their own responsibilities in creating a just society. Many impactful life lessons were highlighted in the student projects: the importance of educating yourself and forming your own opinions, making a difference through community involvement and social action, and the importance of resilience when approaching life’s challenges.
The Day featured the Encountering Differences pilot program in a front-page story following the culminating program. The article gave extensive detail on program goals and student experiences.
Field Trip
The students, teachers, and some program volunteers took a day trip to Harlem where they were immersed in historical and cultural experiences. The day began with a guided tour of the Apollo Theater where the students experienced the variety of musical genres brought to the theater. They got a backstage view of the spaces walked by many music legends who left their signatures on the Apollo’s walls.
An authentic soul food buffet afforded the students an opportunity to experience some new foods. Following lunch, the group toured historic Harlem visiting many sites significant to the Civil Rights movement, including The Canaan Baptist Church of Christ where pastor Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, former chief strategist to Martin Luther King Jr., brought Dr. King and Nelson Mandela to the church’s pulpit. The group also visited the site of the Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was assassinated.
Schools participating in the 2017-18 school year pilot program were East Lyme High School, Norwich Free Academy – Sachem Campus, and Plainfield High School. Program volunteers working with students included Donetta Hodge, Lonnie Braxton, and Rev. Florence Clarke. Encountering Differences is receiving significant support from the Palmer Fund, the Bodenwein Fund, and the Chelsea Groton Foundation and will run over the 2018-19 school year with additional schools. | https://www.jfec.com/encountering-differences |
Car fluid leaks can leave ugly stains on your driveway and garage. But there are ways that you can help remove – or at least mostly eliminate – the stains
If the spill is still wet, cover it with cat litter, sand, or baking soda. It will help absorb the oil before it soaks in.
Once it dries, sweep it up and then wet down the stain with water, use a stiff brush (like a scrub brush) and make a paste with baking soda and water to help clean it. Use a hose to rinse, and repeat the steps several times, then let air dry.
This post is sponsored by Westborn DCJR
How to Remove Gasoline Stains
Gas doesn’t just leave a stain, but a smell behind also.
You can take the steps above , but if that doesn’t work you can:
Mix a moisture absorbent powder such cornstarch or diatomaceous earth (you can find it at Home Depot, Lowes or a pool store usually) into a liquid trisodium phosphate cleaner to create a thick paste (be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when working with these chemicals)
Spread the paste over the stain and brush it into the concrete
Keep spreading until you have several layers, and let it dry fully.
Scrape off the paste with a putty knife, and rinse area with a hose
For older, stubborn stains, repeat the process several times.
How to Remove Oil & Transmission Fluid Stains
Transmission fluid spills or leaks usually leave a bright red stain. You can remove the stain by:
Spraying it with oven cleaner and letting it sit for 10 – 15 minutes
Then use a stiff brush to scrub it; rinse with a pressure washer if possible
If stain is still visible, repeat the process until gone. | https://allinadaysworkblog.com/how-to-remove-gas-oil-transmission-fluid-from-your-driveway/ |
Angelenos Can't Shake Auto Habits Even After Earthquake
LOS ANGELES
— THIS city's grand experiment in altering its driving habits in the wake of the earthquake is producing important changes but not the fundamental shifts in transportation patterns that some had hoped for.
True, more Angelenos are boarding trains, riding buses, and even making the ultimate southern Californian sacrifice - carpooling. But the numbers have tailed off since immediately after the temblor, and concern is rising among some experts that residents will return to their old ways, driving solo, as soon as fractured freeways are fixed.
As much as anything, the earthquake has spurred a rethinking of what should be done about L.A.'s transportation system.
Others want resources diverted to rebuilding the region's all-important highway system. Still others see the lesson somewhere in between: the need to move forward with a broad range of transportation alternatives.
``Ultimately, what I think will come out of it is a resolve to provide greater capacity in alternative modes'' of all kinds, says David Stein, a transportation planner with the Southern California Association of Governments.
That more-sweeping changes haven't been wrought by the earthquake is perhaps understandable. For one thing, the 6.8-magnitude temblor damaged but did not destroy the region's highway system. Four major thoroughfares were affected.
Since then, transportation officials have set up detours around most major choke points, though that doesn't mean people have not been inconvenienced.
Immediately after the quake, many drivers felt like they were measuring their commutes in geologic time. Even though the driving times have improved markedly since then, some still aren't sure whether to grab a briefcase or a toothbrush when they leave for work.
There is also only a limited number of alternatives. The region's major long distance commuter rail, Metrolink, is only 15 months old and still growing. It has four lines, two of which parallel highway routes damaged in the quake. These have proven invaluable to many commuters in those areas.
But people still have to get to and from the train stations, and there are only a limited number of people who work near where the lines make stops. The same goes, to a lesser extent, for the routes serviced by buses.
Finally, there is the region's legendary cultural affinity for the automobile. This isn't a city as much as an outdoor auto museum.
Yet, even within these parameters, subtle but significant changes have occurred in the month since the quake:
* Trains. About 20,000 riders are now taking Metrolink trains a day - double the number before the earthquake. Immediately after the temblor, ridership on one line increased more than 20-fold.
Long term, rail officials say they will be ``happy'' if they retain a 10 percent increase in ridership. The city's nascent subway system, of which only 4.4 miles have been completed downtown so far, has seen a jump from 14,000 riders to 17,000.
* Buses. Bus use is up 8 percent - or about 80,000 riders a day - out of a total of 1.2 million passengers.
* Carpooling. Calls coming into a local hotline that matches riders have gone up from 286 a day to over 400. An estimated 16 percent of Los Angeles's commuters carpool - the highest rate of any major US city.
Still, that means more than 80 percent drive to work alone, and, given the congestion and pollution that habit creates, the attempts to reinvent the region's transportation system will go on.
Some want to press on with building a network of subways, light rails, and other trains that is expected to cover more than 450 miles over the next 30 years. Estimated cost: as much as $163 billion. Others, however, say that is too much to put into a rail system in such a low-density region. They would rather see some of the money spent on expanding the bus system or highways.
``Auto dependency is real,'' says James Moore, an urban planner at the University of Southern California. ``When you ask people to give up their cars, you are asking them to change the quality of their lives.''
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How to Prove Damages in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Cases
Overview:
Intellectual property (IP) litigation presents a whole host of challenges for companies and attorneys especially in terms of estimating, calculating and proving patent damages.
This Live Webcast will teach attorneys, among other things, how to prove damages in patent, trademark and copyright cases, how to obtain more evidence, how to calculate and estimate IP damages and how to recognize and avoid common IP pitfalls. This is a must attend for all attorneys who need to be in the know with respect to intellectual property. The panel of thought leaders will be available to answer questions and illuminate the latest regulatory updates for participants.
Agenda:
SEGMENT 1:
S. Christian Platt, Partner ,
Paul Hastings LLP
- Successfully applying recent Federal Circuit decisions on patent damages:
- Proper application of the entire market rule. Laserdynamics v. Quanta
- Proving and calculating damages when considering a multi-component product accused of infringement. Id.
- Proving and calculating damages based on indirect infringement theories in light of the Federal Circuit’s per curiam decision in Akamai Technologies v. Limelight Networks.
- Meeting and exceeding the level of evidence needed to support a damages award in a patent case. Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc. v. Maersk Drilling USA, Inc. and Whiteserve, LLC v. Computer Packages, Inc.
- The importance of Daubert challenges: Recent case law developments shape the appropriate scope of expert testimony to be offered.
- Oracle v. Google (N.D. Cal.). With a $6 billion damages claim, this case illustrates the complexity and potential consequences of various damages theories. After the court upheld a Daubert challenge to the plaintiff’s damages expert, it appointed an independent expert. However, the court ultimately excluded that independent expert as well on other grounds.
- Apple v. Motorola (N.D. Ill.). Sitting by designation at the district court level, Judge Richard Posner dismissed the case with prejudice after excluding the damages experts for both parties. His decision focused on the need for objective comprehensive damages evidence and found that “the parties have failed to present enough evidence to create a triable issue [on damages].”
- GenProbe v. Becton Dickinson (S.D. Cal.) – The court denied a Daubert challenge to a damages expert using the Nash bargaining solution, a mathematical proof that has been used recently in calculating reasonable royalties in patent cases. Although the court recognized that other courts (such as the Oracle court) had rejected the Nash bargaining solution, the court found that the expert’s calculations were sufficiently tied to the facts of the case.
SEGMENT 2:
Shawn Fox, Partner,
McGladrey LLP
- Important Considerations in Analyzing Licensee and Licensor Licensing Agreements,
- Key Points to Consider in Non-Practicing Entity (“NPE”) License Agreements and Rate Cards
- Using the Analytical Method to calculate Reasonable Royalty
- Analyzing incremental economic benefit of the patented technology over the non-infringing alternative(s)
- Licensee’s Benefits Received
- Licensor’s Opportunity Costs
SEGMENT 3:
Aaron R. Fahrenkrog, Attorney,
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP
- What Difference Does It Make? Articulating and Developing the Benefits of the Patented Invention to Establish Damages.
- The Art of Quantification: Making Sure Your Experts Are Qualified to Quantify the Technical and Economic Benefits of the Patented Invention.
- Identifying Non-infringing Alternatives in the Prior Art and in the Present Market, and Accounting for These in the Patent Damages Analysis.
SEGMENT 4:
David Blackburn, Vice President,
NERA Economic Consulting
- How Do Copyright and Trademark Damages Differ from Patent Damages?
- Understanding and calculating actual harm
- Unjust enrichment, double-counting, and punting the burden of proof
- The importance of nexus
- Comparables: The Use and Misuse of Benchmark Royalty Rates
- What makes a benchmark a good or bad fit?
- How does one effectively argue for or against these benchmark rates? What is persuasive and what fails the smell test?
SEGMENT 5:
Daniel W. McDonald, Partner,
Merchant & Gould P.C.
- Case study on how to use recent patent damages case law to exclude a patent owner’s entire damages case, resulting in an award of $0 in damages even when infringement was found.
- Tips on presenting and fighting patent damages claims, including how to apply recent damages case law to attack inflated damages claims by NPEs (sometimes called “trolls”).
Who Should Attend:
- IP & Related Attorneys
- General Counsel
- Marketing Directors
- Brand Managers
- Marketing executives
- Advertising Professionals
- Marketing Professionals
- In-House Counsel
- Copyright Lawyers
- IP Attorneys & Consultants
- IP and Copyright Consultants
- Corporate Senior Management
S. Christian Platt is a partner in the Litigation department of Paul Hastings, where he leads the San Diego office’s intellectual property practice. Mr. Platt handles all aspects of complex intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement, trade secret and technology disputes. As a trial lawyer, Mr. Platt has successfully represented some of the world’s largest technology companies in their most complex patent disputes involving, in many instances, more than a billion dollars in potential damages. Mr. Platt routinely speaks and writes on damages issues, and received the 2011 Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing. Mr. Platt currently co-chairs the American Intellectual Property Law Association Subcommittee on Patent Damages.
S. Christian Platt is a partner in the Litigation department of Paul Hastings, where he leads the San Diego office’s …
Shawn Fox, CPA/ABV, ASA, CFA has more than 16 years of experience in managing and directing the analysis and forensic investigative efforts related to complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy litigation, valuation disputes, intellectual property infringement litigation, lost profits, commercial damages, insurance coverage disputes, and business disputes. Shawn has significant experience preparing Rule 26 expert reports, assisting counsel and clients in all phase of litigation (including case assessments, discovery, document review, damages analysis, demonstrative exhibits), and testifying as an expert witness.
He has testified on numerous matters at deposition, trial, and arbitration as an expert and has served as a court-appointed receiver. Shawn has worked on significant high stakes litigation matters for organizations in a variety of industries.
Shawn Fox, CPA/ABV, ASA, CFA has more than 16 years of experience in managing and directing the analysis and forensic …
Aaron Fahrenkrog is a trial lawyer who litigates patent cases because he enjoys learning about technology and its impact on the business of his clients and their competitors. Mr. Fahrenkrog studied chemical engineering and has a proficiency in learning complex technology in a range of areas including circuit architecture and semiconductor fabrication. He has participated in preparing damage models exceeding a billion dollars on behalf of plaintiffs and has recovered, with a team, hundreds of millions of dollars in patent litigation at a ten-to-one return on investment. He also represents patent infringement defendants and applies the same principles to minimize potential damage awards.
Aaron Fahrenkrog is a trial lawyer who litigates patent cases because he enjoys learning about technology and its impact on …
Dr. Blackburn’s areas of expertise include intellectual property, antitrust and competition policy, and econometric analysis. In his IP practice, he has conducted research and prepared expert reports for patent, trademark, and copyright infringement disputes and false and misleading advertising cases, as well as conducted analyses related to the issues of commercial success and preliminary and permanent injunctions. In his antitrust and commercial damages practices, he has assessed liability and damages in disputes related to, for example, tying, price discrimination, monopolization, and breaches of contract. He has also assessed the competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions, as well as issues relating to impact and damages in class action litigation. Dr. Blackburn has written and spoken publically on a number of these issues.
his antitrust and IP practices, Dr. Blackburn has experience critiquing damage models, and designing and providing economic analysis. His experience covers a variety of industries, including computer software, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, natural resources, industrial goods and chemicals, media, consumer products, and financial services, among others.
Dr. Blackburn’s areas of expertise include intellectual property, antitrust and competition policy, and econometric analysis. In his IP practice, he …
In addition to being a former litigation group chair and a member of Merchant & Gould’s Executive Committee, Dan McDonald is a seasoned litigator and trial lawyer, representing clients in patent litigation, copyright litigation, trademark/trade dress litigation, and trade secret litigation with an emphasis on electronics, software, and Internet issues. He has represented clients ranging from individual inventors to the British Post Office, in cases involving a broad spectrum of technologies from software, digital imaging, telecommunications, and electronics to apparel, aerospace, printing, and materials handling.
Dan has successfully blocked a patent owner’s claim for over $35 million in patent infringement damages, resulting in an award of $0 affirmed on appeal despite a finding of infringement. The patent owner had previously received over $50 million in damage awards and settlements from other accused infringers. He has obtained an “exceptional” case finding after trying a patent case to verdict, obtaining attorneys’ fees and punitive damages affirmed on appeal. He has also successfully protected a multi-million dollar unfair competition damage award to against post-trial attacks where the award exceeded the amount requested from the jury and the amount stated in expert reports. And, he secured a multi-million dollar payment from a patent owner to a client accused of infringement to settle claims of tortious interference, unfair competition, and inequitable conduct. His book, Protecting Your Company Against the New Era of Patent Infringement Suits, is available for download at amazon.com
In addition to being a former litigation group chair and a member of Merchant & Gould’s Executive Committee, Dan McDonald …
Course Level:
Intermediate
Advance Preparation:
Print and review course materials
Method of Presentation:
On-demand Webcast (CLE)
Prerequisite:
NONE
Course Code:
124374
NASBA Field of Study:
Specialized Knw and Apps
NY Category of CLE Credit:
Total Credits:
2.0 CLE
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SPEAKERS' FIRMS:
About Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings is a leading global law firm with offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. The firm is ranked second on The American Lawyer’s A-List of the most successful law firms in America. Their lawyers provide innovative legal solutions to many of the world’s top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. The firm offers a complete portfolio of services to support clients’ complex, often mission-critical needs – from structuring first-of-their-kind transactions to resolving complicated disputes to providing the savvy legal counsel that keeps business moving forward. Drawing on the firm’s dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial culture, their lawyers work across practices, offices, and borders to provide innovative, seamless legal counsel. Please visit www.paulhastings.com for more information.
Website: https://www.paulhastings.com/
About McGladrey LLP
McGladrey LLP is the largest U.S. provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, with more than 6,500 professionals and associates in 75 offices nationwide. McGladrey is a licensed CPA firm, and is a member of RSM International, the sixth largest global network of independent accounting, tax and consulting firms. For more information join our Facebook fan page at McGladrey News, follow us on Twitter @McGladrey, connect with us on LinkedIn, and/or on YouTube.
Website: https://mcgladrey.com/
About Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is a national litigation firm whose clients include Fortune 500 corporations, emerging markets companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants. The firm engages in high-stakes, complex litigation with significant bottom-line implications for its clients.
Website: https://www.rkmc.com/
About NERA Economic Consulting
NERA Economic Consulting (www.nera.com) is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges. For half a century, NERA’s economists have been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world’s leading law firms and corporations. We bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance, and litigation.
Website: https://www.nera.com/index.htm
About Merchant & Gould P.C.
Merchant & Gould has engaged exclusively in the practice of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark, copyright, unfair competition, trade secret, advertising and computer law, and related litigation including both trials and appeals, for 110 years.
With offices in Atlanta, Denver, Knoxville, Madison, Minneapolis, New York City, Seattle and Washington DC, and more than 100 practicing attorneys, the firm is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States. Typically, our attorneys are admitted to practice in the state where they reside and nearly all are admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We are consistently ranked as a top patent, trademark and copyright firm both in the U.S. and globally. We value our client relationships, and actively partner with clients to understand, build, and implement technology and intellectual property driven strategies that add bottom-line business value. The depth and breadth of our legal and technical knowledge, coupled with years of experience in helping clients create and strategically manage global intellectual property assets, uniquely positions us to be a valued member of the client team. | https://www.theknowledgegroup.org/webcasts/how-to-prove-damages-in-patent-trademark-and-copyright-cases/ |
The Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability UMACS is a new organization focusing on sustainability in higher education institutions throughout the region. Hosted by The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University in central Minnesota with support from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance UMACS serves as a networking tool information resource and conference organizer for faculty physical plant professionals campus administrators students and others seeking to place their campuses on a more sustainable footing.
________________________________________
Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Author: Suzanne Savanick Science Education Resource Center
[email protected]. Based on tool developed by Juian Daurtremont-Smith Environmental Studies Major Lewis and Clark College.
http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/campusbased/examples/greenhouseinv.html
In this course example students conduct a greenhouse gas emission inventory for their college or university. Students analyze findings and present information to the college or university community. The course is built around the Guidelines for College-Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories developed at Lewis and Clark College. The example also includes links to numerous resources on college and university projects and on climate change.________________________________________
Campus Nitrogen Budget
http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/campusbased/examples/nitrogen.html
In this example students use a tool from urban ecology the nitrogen budget to research the inputs outputs and subsystem transfers of nitrogen on the college or university campus. Through this research the nutrient budget frames campus environmental assessments with ecological metrics. Energy use is a substantial component of the campus nitrogen budget.________________________________________
National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Energy Reources
http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/Campus-Solutions.aspx?iid=4
The National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program supports college and university efforts to transform the nation's campuses into living models of an ecologically sustainable society and training a new generation of environmental leaders. The Campus Ecology website includes a wealth of information for students staff and faculty about campus sustainability including campus energy use. The energy area includes information on exemplary college energy projects and steps to how to conduct an energy audit.________________________________________
Environment and the Earth Class
serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/service/examples/USC.html
This course at the University of South Carolina is an example of a project for a large lecture class that collected data on campus energy use. Approximately 150 undergraduate students in the Environment and the Earth class at the University of South Carolina participated in a campus environmental service-learning project. The students collected data on lighting water fixtures recycling bins and trash in five academic buildings. Signs were hung in the buildings and data were collected a second time.________________________________________
Campus Climate Challenge
http://www.energyactioncoalition.org/about
The Campus Climate Challenge will engage students faculty and staff at 500 college campuses in the U.S. and Canada in a long-term campaign to eliminate global warming pollution. The Challenge will help create an online community of climate activists to share ideas find resources and strengthen the vital work that each of us is doing on our own campuses.______________________________________
Service-Learning in the Geosciences
Author: Suzanne Savanick
serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/service/index.html
This website module describes how service-learning may be incorporated in to geoscience courses. Exploring energy use at a college is a potential service-learning opportunity. Other campus service-learning projects are included as examples in the module._____________________________________
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Author: SUNY Buffalo Clyde Herreid Director
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/
This large site has information about the use of the case teaching method many example peer-reviewed cases in science assessing student learning with cases conference and workshop information teachers who use the case study method and more. Three Carleton faculty Debby Walser-Kuntz Sarah Deel and Susan Singer have published a peer-reviewed case at this site titled SNPs and snails and puppy dog tails and thats what people are made of A Case Study on Genome Privacy.______________________________________
Thinking Across Perspectives and Disciplines
Author: Matthew Miller and Veronica Boix Mansilla
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248078056_Thinking_Across_Perspectives_and_Disciplines
GoodWork Project Report Series Number 27Interdisciplinary Studies ProjectProject ZeroHarvard Graduate School of EducationMarch 2004
This article sketches out some challenges cognitive bridges and degrees of integration in group settings for interdisciplinary work that aims to be integrative. This essay grows out of actual research from the HarvardInterdisciplinary Studies Project at Project Zero based on interviews of 200 people working on exemplar interdisciplinary research and teaching. This article was an optional reading for the workshop.________________________________________
Problem-Based Learning
Author: University of Deleware
To quote this web site Problem-based learning PBL is an instructional method that challenges students to learn to learn working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real world problems. These problems are used to engage students' curiosity and initiate learning the subject matter. PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically and to find and use appropriate learning resources. This web site is a rich source of resources and problems for the pedagogical approach of problem-based learning. You can find articles books sample problems syllabi course information conferences and more.________________________________________
Campus-Based Learning
Author:Suzanne Savanick
serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/campusbased/index.html
This website module describes how faculty can use campus projects in introductory geoscience courses. The website explores the pedogogical and practical benefits of using campus examples and describes in step-by-step detail how faculty can incorporate campus projects in courses. Several example courses explore energy-related issues including: Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Environmental Assessment Course and Campus Nitrogen Budget.________________________________________
Washington State University Energy Program Library
www.energy.wsu.edu/EnergyLibrary.aspx________________________________________
Interdisciplinary Teaching: Analyzing Consensus and Conflict in Environmental Studies
Author(s): Jill Cavigilia-Harris/ James Hartley
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education Vol 5 No 4 pp 395-40. | https://serc.carleton.edu/cismi_energy/resources.html |
This is an essay written for the honours-level course “Urban Infrastructure” (APG4021F) offered at the University of Cape Town’s School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics. The essay was written in 2016. Citations are provided at the bottom of the post. Please contact me should you require further information or re-use info.
The idea of Smart Cities has permeated global discourse around contemporary city design. However, its core goals of improving the lives of denizens has been obscured as technology companies seek to manipulate the term for marketing purposes. This essay argues for an alternative approach: a human-centric way of re-looking at the idea of the “smart city”, where technology and urban design can work together for the benefit of urban life.
Introduction
The Smart City narrative represents a paradigmatic shift in contemplating the urban fabric of a city. Its language, propounded by global technology corporations, has become a sort of Orwellian doublespeak, promising tales of urban grandeur that sharply contrast with the physical reality of the built environment and its many-faceted complexity. This issue of pluralism, which lies at the core of the Smart City discourse, brings into focus the actuality of an otherwise powerful idea with the potential to reshape urban environments for the better. In this paper, the dual agenda of social and environmental sustainability and the possibility for the Smart City narrative to transcend its marketing language to address these core issues of the contemporary, developing urban landscape, will be explored. By transcending its technological agenda, and emphasising a humanist dimension at its core, leveraging a socio-technical attitude towards integrating society and technology in defining its infrastructural systems, a city can truly become “smart”.
This paper will begin by exploring the myriad definitions of the Smart City and seeking to distil these ideas into a concrete framing of the Smart City concept. Thereafter, an investigation into the technological agenda of the Smart City, which diverges from traditional notions of urban design and city planning and provides an alternative lens through which the city is perceived, will frame the most prevalent issue of the Smart City narrative: the juxtaposition of its utopian promise with the urban reality of the contemporary developing city, within the context of the global south (with particular focus on South African cities). Examples from similar contexts within the global south framework will further seek to enhance an understanding of this discourse in urban pluralism. Finally, the need for human agency in the Smart City discourse will provide the basis for developing a sociotechnical argument, using social and environmental sustainability as key factors in answering the thesis – the redefinition of the smart city with a humanist dimension at its core.
Defining the Smart City
The most prevalent issue of the Smart City narrative is one embedded in language. The powerful idea of harnessing the potential in connected digital technology – the Internet “hive mind” (Jones 2012) – in order to solve the urban issues of a city, has become obfuscated by a layer of marketing buzz-words that aim to sell this concept to a city’s management. The marketing of a “digital city” that “integrates conditions of all of its critical infrastructures […] can better optimize its resources, plan its preventive maintenance activities, and monitor security aspects while maximizing services to its citizens” (Chourabi, et al. 2012) offers a promising vision to cities, especially those in rapidly developing economies. However, this only serves to subvert the actuality of the urban issues at ground level. The introduction of smart technologies integrated with infrastructure can marginalise portions of a city’s population once a critical examination of the IT literacy and deployment of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) resources is conducted on an area. Therefore, “despite the proclaimed advantages and benefits of ICTs […] they can also increase inequalities and promote a digital divide.” (Chourabi, et al. 2012)
Thus, there is indeed a critical issue in actually defining the “smart city.” Large IT corporations such as IBM and CISCO, driven by business intention, will seek to define the concept as the strong interplay between high-end, responsive digital technology and the operational capabilities of city management, often with a notion of sustainability attached. These corporations further their capitalist agenda of the Smart City concept through the use of a (somewhat condescending) visual language:
When we look at the visual language through which the smart city is represented, it is typically with simplistic, child-like rounded edges and bright colours. The citizens the smart city claims to serve are treated like infants. (Koolhaas 2014)
Koolhaas further argues that this colourful, utopian aesthetic offers “only improvement” through “bubbles of control” that represent businesses and citizens in layered diagrams seeking to convey their interrelatedness with the technologies but still within strongly defined boundaries. There is no “possibility for transgression” – the Smart City is effectively sterilising the vibrant potential of urban life. (Koolhaas 2014) Furthermore, there is a notion that the Smart City initiative discards centuries of accumulated knowledge on urban intelligence, adopting a Futurist ideology in attempting to distance itself from the past through its yearning for this utopian future.
Therefore, we can consider that the Smart City definition, when looked at through a solely technological lens, becomes rather one-dimensional. It flattens the vibrancy of a city into a series of working parts that appear to deeply connect with the ICT technologies propounded by these corporations, but lack a definite human dimension, and the complexities resultant of that facet.
Another school of thought exists on the idea that the Smart City is “the organic integration of systems.” (Chourabi, et al. 2012) This idea proposes that there can exist an interrelationship between the myriad infrastructural systems through smart technologies; it leverages the notions of connected technologies and the urban fabric proposed by the corporate-driven approach, framing the Smart City as a post-industrial emergence. The city’s systems develop an “artificial nervous system” with an “increasingly effective combination of digital telecommunication networks (the nerves), ubiquitously embedded intelligence (the brains), sensors and tags (the sensory organs), and software (the knowledge and cognitive competence).” (Chourabi, et al. 2012)
But there exists an argument for the Smart City beyond a mere technological approach. Robert Hollands proposes a humanist emphasis, where “smart communities” emerge through an emphasis on “social learning, education and [building] social capital” (Hollands 2008), ideas that can be enabled through a more considered, bottom-up approach in delivering technologically-driven solutions. This approach contextualises the Smart City intervention, where top-down corporation-driven initiatives from the likes of IBM, CISCO and Siemens rather seek catalytic interventions that can create potential digital divides.
We can thus define the Smart City (within the context of this paper’s thesis) as a redefinition of the notion of a city, where the forces of connected technology, human, environmental and social capital coalesce in providing the institutional and infrastructural solutions that aim to deal with the complexities of rapidly-growing urban environments.
The Hidden Fabric: The Technological Agenda of Smart Cities
The infrastructure that defines the digital or Smart city diverges from traditional notions of built infrastructure. It comprises invisible networks that permeate society, enabled via technologies that are connected to each other and to the devices they power. With the recent advent of cloud computing, this notion takes on an additional layer of complexity. Now, large data centres located in remote areas, sometimes in different parts of the planet, store and give access to the critical data that is reshaping our perceptions of urban space. Geographic information related to mobile mapping (such as the Google Maps app being used on a smartphone to navigate the streets in Cape Town) is actually stored on servers in a data centre in Lenoir, North Carolina, United States (Fig. 02). Thus, the idea of a city existing in isolation, within its geographically-defined territory on a map, is being contested by this idea that invisible networks, through cloud computing and the connected Internet, extend the digital assets of a city beyond its physicality and into this digital realm. The city is effectively decentralised through these smart networks.
|Fig.02 – The Google Datacentre in Lenoir, North Carolina that powers the company’s Maps service. (http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/inside/streetview/)|
Furthermore, fibre-optic cables, large networks of undersea cables and cell towers define the physical aspects of these invisible communication networks. On the other hand, clean energy solutions in the guise of wind turbine arrays and solar farms – often in remote, rural landscapes at the periphery of urban settlements – become the new icons of this modern infrastructural network, the images that solidify an abstract idea such as sustainability.
These invisible networks – the hidden infrastructural fabric – hint at the possibilities of changing perspectives on the city. When combined with the idea of a human interaction with these networks (such as through navigation or augmented reality apps), they enable new possibilities in perceiving the notion of city. These sociotechnical interactions bring to the fore new kinds of networks that enable new ways of understanding how citizens connect, the relationships that exist, and thus they add an additional layer of complexity to the urban fabric:
For researchers in urban design, this hidden, yet very real world impacts increasingly decisively on how the spaces and fabric of the city are created and managed, and, rather than a separate domain of research, it is increasingly vital that those interested and responsible for the physical and social fabric of the city, become equally interested in this hidden fabric as well. (Hudson-Smith 2014)
Thus the need for an academic and multidisciplinary approach to the Smart City discourse is critical in attempting to contextualise and humanize an otherwise technologically-driven narrative.
Rem Koolhaas’s critique of the Smart City definition furthers this notion: architects, who were historically at the centre of city design, relinquished their centrality with the advent of the market economy in the late 1970s: “The city triumphed at the very moment that thinking about the city stopped.” (Koolhaas 2014) This vacuum was quickly filled by the Smart City narrative, and its dominance by the technology industry is thus no coincidence. However, without the fundamental values and principles of urban design and an architectonic conception of city-making, Smart Cities subvert the complexities that exist: the inequalities propounded by spatial segregation due to political regimes, the access to basic infrastructural services in poorer communities at the periphery, and the design and distribution of public transport infrastructure that can potentially contribute to more environmentally-viable infrastructural solutions. In short, the Smart City narrative that emerged in the void created by the departure of the architect from the broader discourse on urban infrastructure lacks a sociotechnical layer. The question then arises: how can Smart Cities leverage this sociotechnical layer in developing a truly inclusive urban environment?
Towards an Ideological Shift: The Humanist Dimension of Smart Cities
Mathare is a collection informal slums on the edge of Nairobi, Kenya that is home to around 200 000 residents. An innovation in the delivery of water services to this otherwise underserved area of the city represents an example of a bottom-up approach to a Smart City that benefits the most marginalised residents, succeeding where the otherwise superficial, splintering effect of the corporate-driven approach fails these sectors.
A public-private partnership between The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and Danish water engineering firm Grundfos has established water ATMs at strategic areas of the settlement (Fig. 03). These ATMs provide clean water at reasonable prices, undercutting the cartel-based operation that emerged due to the lack of water infrastructure. The system operates on smart cards provided by The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company; residents load money onto these cards, which is then converted into points, and use them at the ATMs to withdraw water into containers (Fig. 04). In effect, these interventions act as connected, modernised versions of a traditional water well.
|Fig.03 – A water ATM in Mathare, Nairobi (Wesangula, Daniel. The ATMs bringing cheap, safe water to Nairobi’s slums | Global development professionals network | The Guardian. 16 February 2016. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/feb/16/atms-cheap-safe-water-nairobis-slums (accessed May 15, 2016).)|
|Fig.04 – Smart cards allow citizens to withdraw water from the ATMs. (Wesangula, Daniel. The ATMs bringing cheap, safe water to Nairobi’s slums | Global development professionals network | The Guardian. 16 February 2016. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/feb/16/atms-cheap-safe-water-nairobis-slums (accessed May 15, 2016).)|
The financial outcome has been significant:
The daily income in a slum household in Kenya is just over a dollar, and the average home uses around 100 litres of water a week. The water vendors operating in the slum would charge Sh50 (50 cents) for a 20 litre container of water. With the introduction of the ATMs, weekly expenditure on water in Mathare has been reduced from Sh250 ($2.5) to Sh2.50 (2.5 cents). (Wesangula 2016)
Treated water is connected to the ATMs via newly laid pipes that are supplied from the city’s main reservoir, the Ndakaini Dam.
This example illustrates that a Smart City system need not be complex. A more focussed, considered intervention that directly addresses a significant sociotechnical issue within a localised context can have a far greater effect on the overall liveability of a city’s totality, rather than marginalising one faction in favour of attracting business investment by focussing on more affluent nodes.
Architects and planners, educated in a strong socially-driven approach, are able to empathise both spatially and technically when considering urban environments. Thus, by re-engaging the design professional’s knowledge in the broader Smart Cities discourse, the ability to bring a humanist dimension into the narrative exists. The theoretical understanding of urbanism can further enhance an understanding of the perils inherent in the current visioning of Smart Cities.
Indian architect Rahul Mehrotra introduces the concept of pluralism within an urban context through his analysis of the urban fabric of Indian cities. He concludes that there is a physical and visual contradiction embedded in the landscape, a resultant of the mass urbanisation in post-colonial India and the pressure this has placed on its urban infrastructure. He remarks that “…cities in India have become critical sites for negotiation between elite and subaltern cultures.” (Mehrotra 2008) This phenomenon of urban juxtaposition is not isolated to India, and its variants are found in many of the developing global south cities. The language of pluralism extends itself similarly within the Smart City narrative. The notion of “splintering urbanism” propounded by Steve Graham and Simon Marvin in their book Splintering Urbanism: Networked Infrastructures, Technological Mobilities and the Urban Condition, gives rise to the notion that the utopian agenda of top-down Smart Cities can actually produce a digital divide, propounding the already socially-fractured urban fabric of many global south cities such as those in India and South Africa.
Mehrotra defines two factions that perpetuate the urban pluralism of Indian cities: The Static City, which is the formal, planned urban environment; and the Kinetic City, the informal city that is “incomprehensible as a two-dimensional entity, […] perceived as a city in motion […] a three-dimensional construct of incremental development.” (Mehrotra 2008) This complexity and contradiction woven into the urban fabric illustrates the need for a considered approach when it comes to implementing smart solutions into pre-existing urban environments.
The Smart City can furthermore instigate the urban splintering effect in its desire to develop clusters of inhabitation that are focussed on specific industries. Business-led urban development under the guise of the “Smart City” label perpetuates social inequality, for example in the creation of dedicated IT business parks or creative districts that focusses a city’s attention on superficial matters rather than the more complex urban issues of social integration. These dedicated office parks are themselves the result of technological developments that are changing the way in which citizens work: Internet-based job opportunities and the option of telecommuting (due to advents in broadband infrastructure) have led to node-based workplaces that further reduce employment opportunities for those that live on the periphery.
This issue of societal divide is prevalent within the South African context. As the country experiences economic growth post-Apartheid, the need to position its cities as lucrative investment opportunities becomes more necessary: “Achieving smart-city status is one way for a city to become ‘a global player.’” (Odendaal 2006) However, the country’s socio-economic dynamics, especially the interplay between the formal and informal in trade and property give rise to the complexities of the pluralism that Mehrotra discusses. Therefore, the integration of ICTs as a method of using the Smart City narrative needs to be carefully considered.
One way of doing this is through ICT systems in enhancing the role of city management. The next section of this paper discusses this idea in relation to Big Data and metadata further.
The integration of ICTs in South African cities is likewise met with the challenges of the country’s physical telecommunications infrastructure, and the monopoly of the primary telecoms company, Telkom. As Nancy Odendaal notes, “Internet access is nevertheless patchy; broadband availability is limited to mainly developed, central areas, while dial-up connections on the margins (in peri- urban and township areas) are frustratingly slow and generally non-existent.” (Odendaal 2006) However, the rise of mobile phones, and especially Web 2.0-inspired dynamic software solutions such as WhatsApp and other online social networks are enabling a form of invisible network with the potential to address the infrastructural issues of these periphery areas in smart technology ways.
In a 2015 study published by the Pew Research Centre on the rise of mobile phones in Africa, it was discovered that text messaging is the most common use (Fig. 07), with nine out of ten South Africans owning a mobile phone. Conversely, it was discovered that landline penetration equated to almost zero: “Landlines are simply rare on the continent. By contrast, 60% of Americans have a landline telephone in their household.” (Pew Research Center 2015) (Fig. 05 & 06)
|Fig.05 – Pew Research Center data on cell phone ownership in Africa (Pew Research Center. Cell Phones in Africa: Communication Lifeline | Pew Research Center. 15 April 2015. http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/ (accessed May 17, 2016).||Fig.06 – Statistics indicating the prominence of mobile communication technology over traditional landlines in African countries. (Pew Research Center. Cell Phones in Africa: Communication Lifeline | Pew Research Center. 15 April 2015. http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/ (accessed May 17, 2016).|
This data exposes the ubiquity of the mobile phone, and thus provides insight into the infrastructural sectors that should be carefully examined in order to support this rapid uptake of technology – that is, the investment and development in reliable telecommunications services related to cell use. Mobile phone usage can be a viable method of breaking infrastructural divides that are the legacy of colonial regimes; their ability to generate real-time data from the ground make it possible to understand the fluctuating “mood” of a city rapidly: the collective zeitgeist or “hive mind” that is generated in response to an event, in the form of trending topics and hashtags through social media services like Twitter. The next section of this paper will discuss the possibility of utilising this data – “Big Data” – in envisioning the urban landscape through a digital lens.
|Fig.07 – The most common activity on mobile phones in African countries is sending text messages. (Pew Research Center. Cell Phones in Africa: Communication Lifeline | Pew Research Center. 15 April 2015. http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/ (accessed May 17, 2016).)|
Metadata and Big Data
As Andrew Hudson-Smith notes, 90 percent of data that exists today “has been created in the last two years alone.” (Hudson-Smith 2014) 2.5 quintillion bytes of data is generated daily, mostly through interactions on social networks, but also through “sensors used to gather climate information, […] purchase transaction records, and cell phone and GPS signals.” (Hudson-Smith 2014)
At the 2012 TED conference in Long Beach, California, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, demonstrated the dynamic systems his city had implemented – systems that had revolutionised the way the city was managed. His fourth “commandment of cities” is that “a city of the future has to use technology to be present.” (Paes 2012) The Operations Centre of Rio (Fig.08), a project done in collaboration with IBM, uses smart technology to enable city officials to manage critical infrastructure. It is a dedicated mission control room located within the city that utilises networked infrastructure to provide the current status of weather, traffic, and fleet management for waste collection trucks that are fitted with GPS trackers. The data can be remote-accessed by officials from anywhere on the planet, as was demonstrated live during Paes’ TED talk.
|Fig.08 – The Operations Centre of Rio (http://www.archdaily.com/576480/rem-koolhaas-asks-are-smart-cities-condemned-to-be-stupid/54878056e58ecec7950001ab-ibm-s-smart-city-co)|
The potential for Big Data – the mass of bytes generated through these myriad sensors and social networks – in understanding how a city operates is a critical factor in the Smart Cities narrative, and one area which can only be deployed best by the top-down corporates, the proponents of the marketing-driven Smart City label, such as IBM. These companies possess the requisite technologies to parse such large datasets, and deploy the specific systems that enable the collection of such data.
Metadata refers to the miscellaneous data attached to a file; in the example of social media, it would extend the dataset to include geolocation information, time stamps, language settings, and any associated links. This metadata, attached to the central data point (for example, a single tweet), can be analysed within a larger collection of similar data points, to understand the digital landscape of a particular area within a city (Fig.09). As Hudson-Smith notes:
The smog of digital data we are emitting is growing, so with text analysis and data increasingly being tagged with our location, we are rapidly moving towards the point where we can obtain a real time view of the city. (Hudson-Smith 2014)
|Fig.09 – Visualisation of Facebook check-ins in New York City during working hours over several days. https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-data-team/visualizing-activity-on-facebook/10150884743158859)|
In a similar project to the Operations Centre of Rio, the Greater London Authority (GLA), alongside the London Data Store, prepared a website called the CityDashboard (www.citydashboard.org). This project collates and simplifies numerous data points, including live feeds of traffic, air pollution levels, citywide energy demand, river flow, and the number of public buses in circulation. (Fig. 10) The feeds are refreshed every two seconds, and enable the public to view their city as a series of colourful graphics depicting crucial information that effectively amounts to the efficiency of its urban infrastructure.
|Fig.10 – London CityDashboard (By author / http://www.citydashboard.org)|
Alongside this public-facing data service, an iPad Wall was developed for the Mayor of London’s Policy Office by the GeoSpatial Data Analysis and Simulation project “TALISMAN” (Fig.11). Comprising twelve iPads, it enables policymakers to tap a screen and access the last 24 hours of data.
|Fig.11 – The TALISMAN project’s iPad Wall for the Mayor of London’s policy office (http://bigdata.blogweb.casa.ucl.ac.uk/2013/04/18/the-ipad-video-wall/)|
Such initiatives utilise Big Data to positively impact decision making in guiding the policymakers towards those areas of a city’s infrastructure that require immediate attention. Furthermore, data points relating to energy use, for example, can provide live usage patterns, enabling operators to more efficiently redirect and distribute flows across a network. Big Data can thus be harnessed to create a more environmentally-responsive, and thus sustainable, urban environment: effectively, a city that operates more organically, dynamically adjusting itself to the needs of its citizens.
However, a darker side to the Big Data narrative is its potential for the creation of a surveillance state. As evidenced in the 2013 leak of classified National Security Agency documents by data analyst Edward Snowden, the rise of terror threats has positioned policymakers into the defensive, using data collection on citizens as an answer to ensuring national security. However, this comes at the risk of an invasion of privacy, and leads into an extensive debate on the merits and detriments of citizen monitoring by the government. Data points made available through sensors on various infrastructure within a city, as well as social networks and the increasing proliferation of smart devices (household appliances that are connected to the Internet, the so-called “Internet of Things” (Hudson-Smith 2014)) presents myriad new opportunities for data mining. These data points can create patterns of use that can not only provide the valuable data required for guiding policy in city planning (a positive attribute of the digital city), but can also be used as a weapon in controlling citizens – an aspect that goes against the very utopian idealism that the Smart City has been built upon. Snowden remarks in the 2014 documentary Citizenfour, “We are building the biggest weapon for oppression in the history of mankind.” (Snowden, Greenwald and Binney 2014)
There is no doubt that Big Data is the next frontier in the push for smarter cities. It represents the next logical step in the technological evolution that is enabled by the large corporations that inspired the Smart City notion initially. However, like the need for a humanist-centric agency in shifting the thinking around the Smart City idea, it is necessary for both policymakers and developers of the technologies enabling Big Data collection to adopt a critical approach to these systems. They need to understand the ramifications of these devices if incorrectly conceived, deployed or utilised, in undermining the fundamental constitutional rights of the citizens whose lives they are ultimately aiming to improve. Likewise, the design professionals (especially those shaping urban environments, including planners and architects) need to become better versed in this new technologically-driven approach. The discourse cannot be one-sided (either technologically-driven or humanist and urbanist driven). Designers need to understand the potentials these connected technologies have. Big Data need not only be used in determining policy decisions; designers can tap into this network and harness the information to prepare design solutions that better reflect the zeitgeist.
Conclusion
The notion of a Smart City often gives rise to images of highly technological, digital urban landscapes, visions not unlike those from science fiction films. This is in part due to the language used in selling this concept to the mayors of developing cities: a neatly-packaged product that seeks to solve the economic situation of a city in a single move. However, the discourse around such initiatives is far more nuanced, and requires a deeper, critical analysis to better understand both the impacts that a Smart City intervention can have on the existing social fabric, and the possibilities that this type of thinking can lead to, especially with regards to addressing the sociotechnical aspect of a city’s infrastructure.
By transcending the technological realm, and applying a humanist approach that is directly engaged with the actual needs of its denizens, a city can truly become “smart”. Advents in computer science and engineering are enabling new kinds of networks requiring new types of infrastructure to support them. These invisible networks are creating significant impacts on citizens, allowing them to connect with the built fabric of their cities in a manner that brings to life the abstract idea of the sociotechnical: a direct relationship between human and infrastructural technology. Through Big Data mining, city management and design professionals have the potential to understand the mood of a city and its issues with infrastructure in real-time.
The most direct method in bringing the humanist agency to this discourse is through an engagement with design professionals that have a vested interest in the built environment: architects, planners and urban designers. Their spatial knowledge and theoretical background on urban complexities can lend a much-needed, design-centred voice to Smart City visioning.
The Smart City narrative can take on a more meaningful dimension, and represent a paradigmatic shift in contemplating the contemporary metropolis, when it transcends its technological agenda and adopts a human-centric approach that is driven by the needs of the citizens it seeks to serve.
Citations
Chourabi, Hafedh, et al. “Understanding Smart Cities: An Integrative Framework.” 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. IEEE Computer Society, 2012. 2289-2297.
Jones, Orion. The Internet as Hive Mind | Big Think. 7 August 2012. http://bigthink.com/ideafeed/the-internet-as-hive-mind (accessed May 17, 2016).
Koolhaas, Rem. Rem Koolhaas Asks: Are Smart Cities Condemned to Be Stupid? | ArchDaily. 10 December 2014. http://www.archdaily.com/576480/rem-koolhaas-asks-are-smart-cities-condemned-to-be-stupid (accessed May 14, 2016).
Odendaal, Nancy. “Towards the Digital City in South Africa: Issues and Constraints.” Journal of Urban Technology (Routledge) 13, no. 3 (2006): 29-48.
Hollands, Robert G. “Will the real smart city please stand up?” City (Routledge) 12, no. 3 (November 2008): 303-320.
Wesangula, Daniel. The ATMs bringing cheap, safe water to Nairobi’s slums | Global development professionals network | The Guardian. 16 February 2016. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/feb/16/atms-cheap-safe-water-nairobis-slums (accessed May 15, 2016).
Mehrotra, Rahul. “Negotiating the Static and Kinetic Cities: The Emergent Urbanism of Mumbai.” In Other Cities, Other Worlds: Urban Imaginaries in a Globalizing Age, by Andreas Huyssen, 205-218. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2008.
Hudson-Smith, Andrew. “Smart cities, social networks and the Internet of Things.” In Explorations in Urban Design: An Urban Design Research Primer, by Matthew Carmona, 123-133. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2014.
Pew Research Center. Cell Phones in Africa: Communication Lifeline | Pew Research Center. 15 April 2015. http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/ (accessed May 17, 2016).
Paes, Eduardo. “The 4 commandments of cities.” TED2012 TED Talk. Video. Long Beach, California, 29 February 2012.
Citizenfour. Documentary. Directed by Laura Poitras. Performed by Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald and William Binney. 2014.
©2016 Rahul Dowlath. For republication, please contact me. | https://rahuldowlath.net/2017/01/23/a-humanist-approach-to-smart-cities/ |
Ending relationships is a normal human phenomenon. If you can call it quits with another human being, surely you can with a project management software like Slack. We’re always searching for a better offer, a better service, a better experience, and if you’ve found it elsewhere, it’s time to move on from Slack.
As you have decided to delete your account from Slack, I have decided to break down the steps to help you do it without any hitch. Without further ado, let’s delete that Slack account!
The Steps to Delete a Slack Account
The first thing you should know is that you can’t delete your Slack account right away. I know, but don’t fret. You first have to deactivate the account and then reach out to the primary workspace owner to request deletion on your behalf.
If you can’t reach them, there’s a second option to contact Slack yourself. That said, let’s see the processes below.
Step One: To deactivate your account (desktop):
1. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen
2. Select Profile in the menu that appears
3. Choose More option, and select Account Settings
4. Locate Deactivate Account and engage the button
5. Type your password to authorize deactivation
6. Click Yes to confirm the deactivation of your account
Once you complete this process, Slack will deactivate your account immediately. Note that you won’t have access to that workspace again unless the admin reactivates your account. Also, note that if you want to deactivate/delete your account totally from Slack, you will have to repeat this process for each workspace you belong to.
Step Two: Delete Your Profile Information
This is where you can remove your profile details and account from Slack, almost like you were never there. There are two ways to do this; see below.
Method 1: Contact the Workspace Primary Owner
After deactivating your account, you should contact the workspace admin and ask them to remove your profile. They will reach Slack on your behalf and make this request. Once this is done, your Slack account should be deleted as soon as possible.
Method 2: Contact Slack Directly
If you’re unable to get across to your workspace admin, use this second option to delete your Slack account.
Write an email to [email protected] and include relevant information to help them identify your account. This information should include your workspace URL and your Slack email address. After receiving these details, Slack will forward them to the workspace’s primary owner. The primary owner gives their consent, and Slack will delete your account.
If you don’t want to send an email, you can complete the deletion form, and the system will send your request to Slack, which will still be forwarded to the primary workspace owner.
How to Deactivate and Delete Members’ Accounts (for admins and workspace owners)
You can deactivate and delete a member’s account as an admin, workspace owner, or workspace primary owner. This is also the case for Org owners and admins in the Enterprise Grid plan. If a member is a nuisance or no longer needed in the workspace, use the steps below to remove them.
1. Click your workspace name in the top left corner of your desktop screen
2. Tap Settings & Administration in the menu and Click Manage Members
3. Tap the three dots (…) to the right side of the member you want to deactivate.
4. Click Deactivate Account.
Note that this action won’t delete the member’s profile information. To delete their account altogether, email [email protected] notifying them of your intentions. Also, include the member’s email and your workspace URL.
What You Should Know About Deleting/Deactivating Slack Accounts
You may have noticed that deleting a Slack account is not a straightforward process, and it’s also worthwhile to note the implications of deactivating or deleting an account. Let’s see.
After deactivating and subsequently deleting your account, Slack will not delete your messages and files. Slack does not consider this data profile information, so they will remain after you’re long gone. However, if your workspace allows it, you may be able to delete your messages and files before deactivating your account. Check your workspace settings for this.
What’s considered profile information? Slack will remove your profile information after the primary owner requests deletion. This information includes the following:
- Email address
- Display name
- Phone numbers
- Profile picture
- Full name
- Job title
- and Details from a custom profile field
As we mentioned earlier, your messages and files are not considered profile information. Also, any mentions of your profile name will remain undeleted.
You should also note that the primary workspace owner controls all members’ data, including all the content and profile information you submit in the workspace. When you opt to leave the workspace through deactivation, the primary owner has the prerogative to determine if your data requires deletion or not.
Another thing to note about deleting an account on Slack is that the action is final; you can’t recover the account. So you have to be sure it is what you want before sending a request to the primary workspace owners. However, You can reactivate a deactivated account. Consider this option instead if you want your account detail intact.
Closing Thoughts
There are many project management software in the market, some with better features and offerings than Slack. If you’ve found a better haven for your team, feel free to move on and deactivate/delete your Slack account if you no longer have use for it.
Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you will have no issues whatsoever. It’s even easier if you’re an admin or primary workspace owner because you don’t need anybody’s permission to delete your Slack account. | https://techloungesp.com/delete-slack-account/ |
Behind the Product Development Process
ICE alum Joy Cho (Pastry, 19) shares her experience from recipe testing to product launch.
As I took some time away after a busy holiday season to recharge and plan for the future, I thought more about creating a signature dish and finding a specialized niche. Even as a pastry chef, developing my own dessert recipe has always felt intimidating, especially taking into account the precision of baking and the difficulty of troubleshooting “in real-time.”
I was grateful to have my former chef-instructor from ICE's Pastry & Baking Arts program, Penny Stankiewicz, share some wisdom about the process.
“With recipe testing, the first thing I do is research recipes from my most trusted sources,” Chef Penny said. “I find at least three versions that have differences in them and compare those differences ... and I think about how that might impact the recipe.” She reiterated the importance of understanding the functional properties of your ingredients and how they work together. Sugar and butter, for example, affect not only the flavor but also the structure of your resulting product. “Being curious about your ingredients will lead you to learn so much and have much more success at creating your own recipes.”
Chef Penny also advised that when recipe testing, it’s most effective to change one aspect at a time in order to accurately isolate the difference it makes and proceed accordingly. “Changing too much at once will make it hard to know what is working best.” She continued, “And I keep excellent notes about my experience with it so I know what to fix.” As with any serious study of a subject, good note-taking is crucial.
Largely driven by curiosity, I wanted to create a mini bundt cake recipe and perused online recipes and ratios for a general framework. I had a vague sense that I could make a fresh and versatile take on mini bundts and that I was aiming for a moist, pleasantly dense cake with some structure, but not much else was fleshed out in my head.
My first stab at a recipe turned out neither sweet enough nor moist enough — but I had a starting point. For Version 2, I tried upping the sugar, decreasing the egg and adding sour cream in hopes of boosting the moisture and sweetness. Although Version 2 was better, it was clear the cakes could be even more moist and flavorful. My mind wandered to cake flour: Would a combination of all-purpose and cake flours contribute to a more tender crumb that still retained structure? The answer was no: Version 3’s cake turned out overly moist. I did want to keep the increased vanilla and sour cream, however.
At this point, I was feeling discouraged — with every change I made, there appeared to be something else that needed fixing and adjusting. I decided to test a Version 4 that incorporated mochiko (sweet rice flour) along with all-purpose flour and increased the amount of egg back to Version 1’s recipe to note the effect on texture while keeping the amount of sour cream and milk the same as in Version 3. Turns out, I’d hit the nail on the head. The cake was soft, almost plushy, but with distinct structure. It was light and substantial at the same time, with good flavor.
Batches of mini bundts later, I had landed on a workable recipe. Through the numerous “errors,” I became more sure of what I wanted the end product to look like. Having three built-in taste-testers in my family was a huge plus, as was framing the process as experimentation rather than a strict, deadline-based project.
I named my product Gem Cakes because dressed up in glaze, they resemble gems visually and also represent little gems of flavor. I experimented with glaze flavors like black sesame, misugaru and maple-almond, ordered packaging and labels that are both functional and aesthetic, and began to roll out marketing in preparation for orders in New York City. (Stay updated on my website and Instagram @joycho_pastry.)
After testing various glazes to go with the Gems, I actually ended up scaling back the amount of sugar in the cake recipe. The composed cake was too sweet in tandem with the glaze. Even now, I know that my base recipe, and any of my glaze recipes, are subject to adjustment. Nothing is entirely set in stone, and there is a certain beauty to that fluidity — not to mention all the glaze possibilities out there!
As I put Gem Cakes out into the world, I’m increasing the number of taste-testers who can make the product even better. I learned that sometimes the starting point is not really knowing what you want to be known for, discovering that along the way, and continuously iterating and tinkering. Recipe testing your own signature dish takes patience, time and trust in the sometimes-wonky and often-frustrating process, but it is entirely worth it and the most hands-on way to learn. I can’t wait to do it again.
Follow Joy's entrepreneurial endeavors and explore your own dessert business with a dual diploma in Pastry & Baking Arts and Restaurant & Culinary Management. | https://www.ice.edu/blog/recipe-development |
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the microfinance industry from theoretical and practical perspectives. It focuses on the specific challenges in microfinance and how it differs from retail banking. The course also looks at the rates charged to clients, the critical success factors, the track record of performance and ethical considerations that should be incorporated in the analysis of the performance of a microfinance institution. Discussions will also be on recent initiatives and future trends of the industry. | https://www.centennialcollege.ca/programs-courses/full-time/course/microfinance-for-development1/ |
The design process, which led to the creation of this home, was born and raised within a rural fabric rich in history and cultural and material references. The customers’ need was to create a completely passive house to be inserted in a rural area highly characterized by farmhouses of ancient construction. The concept developed around the appeal of rural hints, the typical double pitch of the stables and material flows like solid and red bricks, typical of the architecture of the surrounding Lombard farmhouses. The project, created by WOLF HAUS is CASACLIMA class A certified. The construction of the building, including the structure and internal finishes, took 120 days.
What makes this project one-of-a-kind?
The architecture of this house integrates perfectly with the surrounding rural and peasant environment. We used traditional construction schemes to create a minimalist architecture but at the same time strongly linked to the territory, thanks to the use of revisited spaces such as barn canopies and exposed brick cladding. Beyond this concept of aesthetic space, the house has been designed with an eye to saving energy, and the house is completely passive. | https://bigsee.eu/ruralia-arzago-dadda/ |
The Anchorage Assembly approved a law prohibiting the distribution of plastic shopping bags by retailers on Aug. 28. It is the stricter version of two drafts introduced in July, also banning retailers from providing thicker plastic bans for a fee. The ordinance will take effect on March 1, 2019.
The ban is a response to concerns about increasing plastic landfill in the city. Anchorage is following a national trend with the law. The city of Seattle already banned plastic bags six years ago. California imposed a statewide ban effective in 2016.
Kroger, the retail company that owns Fred Meyer, announced their decision to transition to reusable bags on Aug. 23.
Other Alaskan cities, such as Palmer and Wasilla, adopted more lenient plastic bag bans earlier in 2018. Retailers are still allowed to sell thicker plastic bags for small fees under those laws.
Anchorage retail sellers, however, will only be allowed to provide paper bags for a fee between 10 cents and 50 cents. Reusable bags made of woven material may be distributed without restriction.
There are certain exceptions to the ban. Customers will still be allowed to use plastic bags provided inside stores to contain a product that does not have other packaging. This includes bulk grains, nuts, meat, produce and some other goods.
The decision of the assembly was close – five voted against the ban, and six voted in favor of the ban. A motion for reconsideration of the ordinance has been moved and will be discussed in the assembly’s next meeting on Sept. 11.
UAA student Yvonne Jeschke is supportive of the stricter ban in Anchorage.
“I was so happy when I heard about the plastic bag ban in Anchorage. Other countries and states already took initiative toward a cleaner and more eco-friendly lifestyle of their citizens, so it was about time to catch up,” the physical education major said.
Jeschke is not concerned about any impact the ban might have on her. She has already been using reusable bags or backpacks to carry her groceries. The only challenge is getting used to this procedure, Jeschke said.
“I can see how some people find it challenging at first, but once you start changing your habits and just bring your own bag, it won’t cause any trouble anymore,” she said.
Violators of the bill will face a fine of $250 per violation after the second offense. Any subsequent offense will be penalized with $500 per violation.
Like other Anchorage businesses, the UAA bookstore will be affected by the law as well. The bookstore has not decided on possible alternatives for the plastic bags yet, Isabel Mead, assistant technology buyer, explained.
The most obvious solution for many students might be to carry their purchases in their school backpacks. However, the bookstore does not allow backpacks in the textbook area in the back of the store.
The bookstore’s policy allows backpacks during checkout and in all other areas, and plans for plastic bag alternatives will be finalized by the end of September. | http://www.thenorthernlight.org/anchorage-assembly-votes-in-favor-of-strict-plastic-bag-ban/ |
Interference protection, much like intrusion protection, started with the non-interference view of privacy. This view of privacy originated from the 1965 case of Griswold v. Connecticut and focused on an individual’s ability to make choices or decisions without external influence (Tavani, 2007, p. 5). One example frequented in the workplace is forcing or enforcing policy on your employees without their participation in the development process. So how do we decrease the feeling of being interfered with when it comes to digital privacy?
One of the first things you might have heard about when watching Law and Order, Live PD, or Cops is the term consent. There are several components or portions of informed consent, including:
- The competence to understand and decide
- Freedom of decision
- Disclosure of material information
- The recommendation of a plan
- Understanding the disclosure and recommendations
- Deciding in favor of a plan
- Finally, authorization of the plan (Pascalev, 2017, p. 41)
The process of gaining consent also requires individuals who are competent to consent, have consented voluntarily, a fully informed about what they are consenting too, and comprehend what they have been told (Pascalev, 2017, p. 5). Sound familiar? Doesn’t this feel like consent is a critical component of privacy?
The General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR), a regulation which many organizations are struggling to deal with, provides a unique view of consent and its role in the processing of data by employers. The GDPR says that employee consent provides the grounds to an employer for collecting, processing, or disseminating personal data for secondary use (Politou et al., 2018, p. 5). Much like the European standard, US organizations should require organizations to provide consent from employees and allow that consent to be revoked or modified. So beyond gaining sign-off on policies, how does can an organization gain consent or further decrease an employee’s sense of interference by their employer?
Employers should allow employees to participate in decisions about and exercise control of their private information! Support exists from several contemporary researchers for allowing employees to self-control information to extend the sense of privacy (Drake, 2016, p. 439; Chory, Vela, & Avtgis, 2016, p. 38). One study found that allowing your employees to participate in just one aspect of how and when monitoring of employees takes place enhances perceived autonomy and provides greater intrinsic motivation (Tomczak, Lanzo, & Aguinis, 2018, p. 257). Another study by Parham, Mooney, and Cairney (2015) finds that allowing employees to participate in security solutions development reduces the risk of lost productivity from employees by nearly 50% (p. 26)! So how do you encourage participation in the security and privacy process to increase autonomy, motivation, and productivity?
For starters, several ideas can be picked up from the privacy marketplace, which will assist in empowering employees to manage their privacy. First is the concept of privacy exchanges. Privacy exchanges are central authorities that allow individuals to set up their privacy terms, forming consent, and standardizing the process of creating and applying privacy preferences throughout organizations (Pascalev, 2017, p. 39). The concept of a privacy exchange is similar to what we see on Facebook or LinkedIn with employee self-managed access but allows one application to provide standardized consent and allows employees to make decisions on access control. One such example is Identos (https://identos.com/federated-privacy-exchange/). The idea of allowing employees to participate in privacy decisions doesn’t have to be complicated if you don’t have a large IT organization.
Another idea would be allowing employees to participate in the production of organization-wide policies. You can create employee committees comprised of individuals throughout the organization to participate in the creation and clarification of policy. This employee participation can then be advertised to show that as an employer, you are listening to your employees feedback and creating buy-in. Need proof that this works? Take a look at Chory et al. (2016), who find that employee’s that aren’t able to participate in policy and procedure development view those items as unfair and non-representative!
See you this Thursday for the final segment on information access protection! | http://richhornberger.com/index.php/digital-privacy-research-2/3-interference-protection-employees-making-choices-without-employer-interference |
I research, draft and edit reports, proposals and articles for a wide range of non-profit and private sector clients. My experience includes:
- Drafting and editing reports for UN agencies in several countries and on various topics, including poverty alleviation, refugees, sustainable tourism and urban housing. This includes working with diverse, multi-person teams, for which I negotiate divergent expectations and identify mutually acceptable solutions to produce high-quality reports.
- Providing NGO support in: formulating fundraising strategy, identifying donors, editing reports, and drafting/editing grant proposals for submission to institutional donors such as US State Department, USAID, EU and UNDP, as well as private foundations.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Economics and International Relations from Boston University, and a Master of Science in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.
Work Sample: | https://amyiswriting.com/work-with-non-profits-and-international-organizations/ |
In our online World History course, students learn to see the world today as a product of a process that began thousands of years ago when humans became a speaking, travelling, and trading species. Through historical analysis grounded in primary sources, case studies, and research, students investigate the continuity and change of human culture, governments, economic systems, and social structures.
Students build and practice historical thinking skills, learning to connect specific people, places, events and ideas to the larger trends of world history. In critical reading activities, feedback-rich instruction, and application-oriented assignments, students develop their capacity to reason chronologically, interpret and synthesize sources, identify connections between ideas, and develop well-supported historical arguments. Students write throughout the course, responding to primary sources and historical narratives through journal entries, essays and visual presentations of social studies content. In discussion activities, students respond to the position of others while staking and defending their own claim. The course’s rigorous instruction is supported with relevant materials and active learning opportunities to ensure students at all levels can master the key historical thinking skills. | https://www.apexlearningvs.com/product/world-history/ |
FIELD OF INVENTION
GENERAL: BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
LIST OF PARTS TYPICALLY FOUND IN THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to machines that run through cycles to perform a task and/or machines that must operate without failure. The present invention monitors the operation of the machine and alerts the operator if the machine has completed its cycle or has stopped.
Said invention can be used with any type of electrically operated machines.
The present invention relates to a remote alarm device for electrically powered equipment and more particularly, pertaining to signaling a person that a cycle has been completed by one of the monitored machines.
Typically an operator will load a machine to be operated through a predetermined cycle or length of time. Once a cycle has ended, the machine turns off.
Some machines are equipped with alarms or buzzers that sound once the cycle has ended. Often times these machines are located in remote areas of factories, homes, or wherever, thereby preventing the operators from hearing the buzzer or alarm. Thus, the operator is unaware that the machine cycle is completed which can be important in some instances.
What is needed is a way to notify the operator that the equipment's cycle is completed. A simple device for the operator to carry on his person while the machine is in operation that would notify him when the cycle has been completed would be an optimum solution.
The Present Invention solves the above mentioned problem by providing a device that is comprised of a current sensing mechanism coupled with a transmitter and a corresponding receiver carried by a person. Said transmitter is powered via a power sensing adapter placed between a power source and the equipment.
This apparatus is a remote alarm device for electrically powered operating equipment. Said alarm device is comprised of a current sensing device, a transmitter and remote receiver. Said transmitter is multi-channeled to accept the sensing of multiple machines (Said sensing device is not limited to a particular current or voltage and acts upon the drop of current).
Said sensing mechanism is capable of operating on a wide range of voltages. When current flow discontinues, said transmitter energizes the receiver. The Receiver System is portable and of compact design so as to be comfortable to be carried on a person. Said receiver is multiple channeled which is capable of energizing the alerting/alarming mechanisms.
In contrast to prior art, this present invention works with any electrically operated machine (s) with a multiple channeled transmitter which will accept the sensing of multiple machines, and the sensing device is not limited to a particular current or voltage and acts upon the drop of current.
The said device utilizing only the said transmitter and said receiver can be interfaced with the said machine (s) controls without the use of the current sensing devices to indicate the operational status of the said machine (s).
With regard to prior art, most of the similar devices that have to do with remote receivers are associated with washing machines or dryers. The said present invention described here, as has been stated, will work with any electrically operated machine (s). Also, the said present invention has said multiple channel transmitter and the said multiple channel receiver which gives the option of having an almost unlimited numbers of said remote receivers from different said machines or the same said machine, according to the need.
16
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,252 to Adler discloses a paging system for washers and dryers that include a remote control device, a transmitter, and some type of means of detecting end of cycle. There is mention of a plurality of function buttons on the transmitter and receiver, but there is no explanation what their functions are. This device by Adler also is described as having a function button () that relates to setting timers and time of day. This present said invention substantially departs from Adler's paging system by not have plurality of function buttons and timer buttons, or utilizing time of day. This present said invention also is much more user friendly with regards to the set-up with the connections to the machine (s), to the said transmitter, and use of the said remote receiver. The Adler system does not indicate how the transmitter is connected to the machines in order that the end of cycle could be detected. The present said invention describes and shows through the attached figures how the connections are made between the said transmitter and the said machine (s) and how the end of cycle is detected. The present said invention also is constructed so that if can be used with any electrically operated said machine (s), and not just a washer or dryer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,439 to Estes discloses a wireless remote device for indicating the status of a washing machine or dryer through the use of a current sensor, vibration sensor, or a sensor integral with the washing machine controls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,656 to Keppler discloses an appliance paging system which uses an inside the dryer duct humidity sensor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,643 to Kuroda discloses a remote management system for a number of washing machines and dryers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,375 to Kim discloses a remote control system for a washing machine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,809 to Carmichael, Jr. discloses means for monitoring the status of a number of different appliances.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the said patents discussed above do not adequately describe or illustrate a system for washers or dryers, or any other appliance or machine or machines that would signal an operator that the said machine (s) had ceased operation in a simple and user friendly design as does the said present invention.
The present said invention of a remote machine sentinel is significantly different from the prior art mentioned above in their conventional concepts and designs, and is more flexible, simpler in design, more user friendly, easier to install, and provides a simple alert signal at the cessation of operation of the said machine (s) that are monitored. The said present invention also notifies the operator when said operator is out of range of the alert signal, which differs from the aforementioned prior art.
The said present invention is easily built from normally available parts, and can be manufactured in mass easily and efficiently, with a relatively low cost with regard to materials and labor, thus making said invention economically available to the general public.
FIG. 1
4
3
To further describe the function and relationship of components, attention should be given to the following detailed description where alike numbers denote like components noted in the different figures, along with the description and explanation of each. To best describe the operation and function of the invention, attention should be given to , a frontal view of the system installed on a typical electrically operated device, where number represents a machine that is operated on 120 volt typical household current; and number represents a machine that operates on 240 volt current typically found in homes and factories (It should be noted that this device can be utilized to sense any voltage and is not limited by respective components).
1
2
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Number , in , represents a typical 120 volt electrical receptacle found in homes and factories. Number in , is a typical 240 volt receptacle found in homes and factories.
In general the system is comprised of a current sensing device, a transmitting unit, and a remote receiver.
FIG. 4
FIG. 5
To further describe the relationship between the individual components of the apparatus, attention should be given to the current sensing units best depicted in and .
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
12
13
14
10
16
is a perspective view of the 240 volt or also referred to as the “high current sensing unit.” The high current sensing unit is further described by giving attention to number , the 240 volt plug in , and number , the 240 volt interconnect cable between the plug and the current sensor, number , the 240 volt current sensor with receptacle, number , the high current sensor signal cable to the transmitter, and number , the high current sensor signal cable with twist lock connector.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
FIG. 1
33
14
To further describe the function of , the high current sensing unit, attention should be given to in conjunction with , where number , the 240 volt machine power cord with plug, is plugged into number , the 240 volt current sensor with receptacle.
12
2
12
13
14
33
3
FIGS. 1 and 4
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
To further understand the high current sensing unit, number , the 240 volt plug in , is inserted into number , the 240 volt wall receptacle of , which provides power through number , the 240 volt plug, number , the 240 volt interconnecting cable, and number , the 240 volt current sensor with receptacle, to number , the 240 volt machine power cord, which energizes number , the 240 volt controlled machine of .
FIG. 7
To further understand the benefits and features of the monitoring system it should be understood that the current sensing device is one way to determine the operational status of the machine(s), however, the transmitter/receiver devices can be interfaced with the machines controls (see ) without the use of the current sensing devices, so that the transmitter can be energized during the machine's operation, thus monitoring the status of the machine.
It should be further understood that the system is not limited to the described combination of 240 volt or 120 volt machines. Any combination of only 120 volt or 240 volt equipment (such as computers, stereos, N's, industrial machines, etc.) is also recognized by the transmitter/receiver system.
1
FIG. 1
() 120 volt wall receptacle ()
2
FIG. 1
() 240 volt wall receptacle ()
3
FIG. 1
() 240 controlled machine ()
4
FIG. 1
() 120 volt controlled machine ()
5
2
5
FIGS. 1
() 120 volt plug on low current circuit (, , and )
6
2
5
FIGS. 1
() 120 volt current sensor with receptacle (, , and )
7
FIG. 1
() 120 volt machine power cord with plug ()
8
2
5
FIGS. 1
() Low current interconnect cable between plug and current sensor (, , and )
9
2
5
FIGS. 1
() 120 volt low current sensor signal cable to transmitter (, , and )
10
2
4
FIGS. 1
() 240 volt high current sensor signal cable to transmitter (, , and )
11
2
6
FIGS. 1
() Selective detection multiple channel transmitter (, , and )
12
2
4
FIGS. 1
() 240 volt plug on high current circuit (, , and )
13
2
4
FIGS. 1
() 240 volt interconnect cable between plug and current sensor (, , and )
14
2
4
FIGS. 1
() 240 volt current sensor with receptacle (, , and )
15
5
6
FIGS. 2
() 120 volt low current sensor signal cable with twist lock connector (, , and )
16
4
6
FIGS. 2
() 240 volt high current sensor signal cable with twist lock connector (, , and )
17
FIG. 3
() Multiple channel receiver ()
18
FIG. 3
() Battery cover ()
19
FIG. 3
() Power on/off switch ()
20
FIG. 3
() Three position alert switch ()
21
FIG. 3
() Power on indicator (Green light) ()
22
FIG. 3
() Channel 1 signal receiver indicator light for the 240 volt controlled machine (Yellow blinking means signal is being received) ()
23
FIG. 3
() Channel 1 signal receiver indicator light for the 240 volt controlled machine (Red light means machine has stopped) ()
24
FIG. 3
() Channel 2 signal receiver indicator light for the 120 volt controlled machine (Yellow blinking means signal is being received) ()
25
FIG. 3
() Channel 2 signal receiver indicator light for the 120 volt controlled machine (Red light means machine has stopped) ()
26
FIG. 3
() Three position apparatus selector switch (Operator can choose to monitor the 120 volt machine, or the 240 volt machine, or both at the same time) ()
27
FIG. 6
() Channel 1 transmitter indicator light for the 240 volt controlled machine (Green light means machine is operating ()
28
FIG. 6
() Channel 2 transmitter indicator light for the 120 volt controlled machine (Green light means machine is operating ()
29
FIG. 6
() Blinking yellow light indicates that transmitter is operating) ()
30
FIG. 3
() Internal antenna ()
31
FIG. 6
() High current sensor cable receptacle on transmitter ()
32
FIG. 3
() Audio portal ()
33
FIG. 1
() 240 volt machine power cord with plug ()
34
FIG. 6
() Low current sensor cable receptacle on transmitter ()
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Description of Figures
For a further understanding of the nature, objectives, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements:
FIG. 1
Perspective view of remote cycle sensing detection device attached to machine (s).
FIG. 2
Perspective view of selective detection multiple channel transmitter with attached current sensors.
FIG. 3
Perspective view of multiple channel receiver.
FIG. 4
Perspective view of a high current sensing device.
FIG. 5
Perspective view of a low current sensing device.
FIG. 6
Perspective view of selective detection multiple channel transmitter with current sensor signal cable with twist lock connectors.
FIG. 7
Perspective view of selective detection multiple channel transmitter directly connected to the controls of the machines, thus eliminating the need for the current sensing device (s). | |
Lanthanide amido complexes incorporating amino-coordinate-lithium bridged bis(indolyl) ligands: synthesis, characterization, and catalysis for hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes and aldimines.
Two series of new lanthanide amido complexes supported by bis(indolyl) ligands with amino-coordinate-lithium as a bridge were synthesized and characterized. The interactions of [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(III)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) with 2 equiv of 3-(CyNHCH(2))C(8)H(5)NH in toluene produced the amino-coordinate-lithium bridged bis(indolyl) lanthanide amides [μ-{[η(1):η(1):η(1):η(1)-3-(CyNHCH(2))Ind](2)Li}Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)] (Cy = cyclohexyl, Ind = Indolyl, Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Dy (3), Yb (4)) in good yields. Treatment of [μ-{[η(1):η(1):η(1):η(1)-3-(CyNHCH(2))Ind](2)Li}Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)] with THF gave new lanthanide amido complexes [μ-{[η(1):η(1)-3-(CyNHCH(2))Ind](2)Li(THF)}Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)] (Ln = Eu (5), Dy (6), Yb (7)), which can be transferred to amido complexes 2, 3, and 4 by reflux the corresponding complexes in toluene. Thus, two series of rare-earth-metal amides could be reciprocally transformed easily by merely changing the solvent in the reactions. All new complexes 1-7 are fully characterized including X-ray structural determination. The catalytic activities of these new lanthanide amido complexes for hydrophosphonylation of both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and various substituted aldimines were explored. The results indicated that these complexes displayed a high catalytic activity for the C-P bond formation with employment of low catalyst loadings (0.1 mol % for aldehydes and 1 mol % for aldimines) under mild conditions. Thus, it provides a convenient way to prepare both α-hydroxy and α-amino phosphonates.
| |
When we talk about the “restorative” approach to justice, we are talking about a fundamentally different approach to justice from the one we have now. Restorative justice was born out of the belief that crime is something more than just breaking a law and that the role of the criminal justice system should be about more than catching, convicting and punishing the guilty.
International experts suggest that through most eras in most civilizations, restorative or reparative responses were the norm, in contrast to the adversarial model of justice that dominates today. These reparative approaches have re-emerged in recent years in many countries, in a movement dubbed restorative justice.
Restorative justice defines crime as real harm done to real people. It challenges us to focus our attention and our efforts on the human impacts of crime—the fear, anger, pain, disempowerment, alienation and grief that people are often left with, and on the questions of accountability, regaining control of one’s life, reparation and healing that those affected by crime need to address. Restorative justice (RJ) calls for the criminal justice system to assist the parties to identify and address the harm done by mechanisms of support, accountability and healing that do not create new harm in the process. Smart Justice recognizes that communities themselves must take this lead and should be given the resources to do so.
RJ programs come in many different forms, depending on the social traditions and preferences of each country or local jurisdiction. But their hallmark is concern for the people and relationships affected by a crime. How can we assist the victim in healing from the harm? How can we help the offender understand the impacts, accept responsibility, make amends? What is needed for the community and its members to live together again, to come to some peace?
Common RJ techniques include family group conferencing, community justice forums, sentencing circles and peacemaking circles. Worthwhile related restorative activities are victim–offender mediations that do not include the community, but still often bring about a positive and satisfactory result for the parties. RJ has been applied in Canada at every stage of the criminal justice system, from police diversion to the post-sentence (incarceration and parole) stage. Although it has been used mostly to deal with less serious crimes, it can be applied in cases of serious crimes, taking into account the more challenging interpersonal dynamics in these cases.
A growing body of research shows that RJ markedly increases the satisfaction of those affected by the conflict—especially the victim, but also the community and offenders. RJ has also been shown to reduce recidivism in many circumstances, especially when accompanied by interventions that address problem areas such as health, education, and socio-economic issues.
Concerns have been raised in some quarters about a gap between the philosophy and practice, about whether restorative programs adequately respect and address the needs of victims, about the interface between restorative programs and the criminal justice system, about its application in domestic and sexual cases, and about the impact of restorative processes on sentencing.
These issues need to be explored, but the expanding vision of restorative justice offers us new perspectives and new tools that excite those who are disenchanted and unsatisfied with our current justice processes.
Restorative justice is an evolving and expanding approach that offers the promise of a new paradigm of justice, one focused on accountability, inclusion, problem-solving and healing. | https://smartjustice.ca/smart-justice/restorative-justice/ |
Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies Call for papers for a themed issue on Revisiting the ethnographic turn in contemporary art To be published December 2013 Guest editors: An van. Dienderen - Kris Rutten - Ronald Soetaert Editorial consultant: Leora FarberCritical Arts prides itself in publishing original, readable, and theoretically cutting edge articles. For more information on the history and the orientation of the journal, as well as guidelines for authors, and legal and editorial procedures, please visit: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/rcrcauth.asp
Critical Arts is now published five times annually (moving to six from 2013) and has been accepted for coverage in the Social Sciences Citation Index and the Arts & Humanities Citation Index (ISI - Thompson- Reuters) and other indexes.
Theme:Hal Foster introduced the concept ‘The ethnographic turn of contemporary art’ in a seminal article entitled: The Artist as Ethnographer? (Foster 1995). Since the 90s an increasing wave of challenging art events occurred that shows significant similarities with anthropology and ethnography in its theorisations of cultural difference and representational practices. In this theme issue, we aim to revisit the ethnographic turn in contemporary art by focusing on practice-led research. We invite papers from theorists, artists and critics to engage critically with the ethnographic perspective in their work. Next to full research papers we also invite short statements and reflections by artists about their practice.
In the issue, we approach ethnography from a thematic and/or methodological perspective rather than looking for fixed categories for defining ‘ethnographic art’. Our aim is to further the critical work on ethnography in relation to contemporary art by specifically looking at authorship in art practices and processes, thereby offering a bottom-up perspective from artists, critics and theorists addressing the question if, why and how an ethnographic perspective is indeed at work. In these practices we are equally interested in to what extent contextualisation is relevant when dealing with the display of alterity and outsiderness. We are specifically interested in papers dealing with southern-based art practices and/or representations of self and other in relation to the north-south nexus.
Submission guidelinesDeadline for abstracts: Please send your abstracts to (Kris.Rutten /at/ UGent.be) by August 31st 2012.
Deadline for article submission: Please send your papers to (Kris.Rutten /at/ UGent.be) by December 31st 2012.
Information and instructions for authors: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/RCRC
So Why Publish in Critical Arts?Critical Arts has niched itself in terms of conceptual freshness, textured writing, and experiential analysis
which draws readers into its articles, its narrativethemes and its theoretical explorations. Articles published in Critical Arts are universal in reach while retaining a particularity of context, specificity of content and relevance of topic.
We invite articles which have the potential to influence the ways in whichdisciplines represented by cultural and media studies think about themselves in
terms of critical dialogues generated within the South-North relationship, with special reference to Africa. How do people, institutions and constituencies cope within, resist and engage this relational nexus?
* * *Journals come and go. Some stay the course. Critical Arts is one such journal. It has been published since 1980. The journal was started by a young academic novice, providing publishing opportunities for scholar-activists who did not fit the mould. Our board has matured with the journal and young bloods have replaced those who have retired. Our editorial board reflects an age, gender, ethnic, international and geographic mix, much as is found in the pages of the journal.
As editor since 1980, and as an author, I am aware of the challenges that face youngsters in getting published. New, and indeed seasoned, authors are sometimes bewildered at the way that they are sometimes treated by reviewers, editors and editorial assistants, on the assessment of articles, special issues and proposals. Young authors are faced with:
· Single-sentence dismissals of their work as being “too wordy, too long; obviously drawn from a PhD thesis.” Thus, in one sentence, many years of intensive study are disregarded, without recommendations – or even the opportunity – for revision.
· Criticism rather than critique. This is sometimes disrespectful of the author’s work, affecting their sense of self-esteem and confidence.
· Failure on the part of editors and reviewers to offer clear recommendations for revision.
· Failure to remain in contact with authors as to the status of their papers.
· A feeling of alienation when unsuccessful, thinking of themselves as interlopers, as cogs in someone else’s machine. It takes an act of will to try again.
So, how does Critical Arts conduct itself?· We work with our authors if a paper is deemed publishable, but requires revision.
· Our editors and reviewers engage arguments, rather than applying an instrumentalist check list evaluation that forgets what the author is attempting to do. Our reviewers act as readers, they are not just evaluators.
· We like to build long-term relationships with our authors.· We understand that young authors need to build their careers, and we hope that their relationship with Critical Arts will be beneficial in this regard.
· Critical Arts takes risks. Editors will sometimes over-ride negative reviews if it is thought that the article in question will create debate and feed into ongoing dialogue, thus opening up topics for discussion.
So, if you are an author, what can you further expect from Critical Arts?· Acknowledgement of your submission and correspondence within 48 hours of receipt.
· To be treated with respect whether you are a new author or an internationally known guru.
· Recognition that not every submission will be accepted; authors will have engaged in a learning experience via the evaluation process that may be arduous and challenging, but rewarding.
· If your article is accepted, you will join an illustrious complement of authors amongst whom are included two Nobel Laureates (who wrote for us when they were much younger), luminaries in the field of cultural and media studies, and emergent authors who will one day replace these. Your reputation will grow by association.
What we expect from authors: · To follow the Guide for Authors when submitting.· To have perused some Critical Arts back copies to ensure that we are the appropriate journal for the particular submission, that you have researched the topic thoroughly, and that you have familiarised yourself with previous issues if such a topical thread exists.
· To engage in a rigorous learning process.· We expect to be treated with respect and for authors to respect the time taken to secure reviews and our production schedule. | http://commlist.org/archive/all/2012-04/msg00041.html |
Some ways directors “borrow” from, or add to the conversation about, other films.
While the saying “Lesser artists borrow; great artists steal” is long-debated in its origins, it’s certainly been applied to, and even invoked by, acclaimed directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and many more. What lessons can we as film-makers take from other movies – in both what we take and the way we use it?
Pastiche
Editor Jacob T. Swinney offers a side-by-side comparison of moments in the work of director Quentin Tarantino, and the films to which they pay homage (via IndieWire):
Recommended: more on reading Tarantino through the lens of postmodernism (via The Cinema Cartography)
Add to the Conversation
“Two films can be in conversation with eachother,” says Thomas Flight, when one film isn’t “merely mimicking” another, but when it “takes another artist’s work and uses it to create… something new, has a different conclusion or experience for the viewer, or adds to the conversation”:
Further Viewing
It’s rare that we get the opportunity to compare and contrast two film versions of the same story, which were made within two years of eachother – and the lessons we get to learn from that comparison are pretty unique: | https://viewinder.com/steal/ |
The question of how to deal with a difficult client is something we address frequently with our insured lawyers. The best advice we can give is to trust your instincts and avoid getting involved with these clients in the first place. However, a difficult client is not always easy to spot before undertaking the representation. Here are some best practices to keep in mind to avoid difficult clients, prevent good clients from becoming difficult clients, and deal with those clients who are already difficult.
- Listen
The difficulty in lawyer-client relationships often comes from a disconnect between what the client expects from the lawyer and what the lawyer can do for the client. To avoid this, give the client a chance to express him/herself and listen carefully. Getting the client’s objectives down in writing in the client’s own words is also an effective way to uncover any unreasonable expectations. Address those expectations before undertaking the representation.
- Thoroughly Evaluate for Conflicts
A troubled lawyer-client relationship can quickly go from bad to worse if the client believes that the lawyer’s duty of loyalty is compromised by a conflict of interest. Gather information from the client before undertaking the representation and perform a thorough conflict check. Continue to evaluate for conflicts that may arise throughout the representation and address any conflicts promptly.
- Communicate and Document
With every client, but particularly with difficult clients, good communication is key to a successful relationship. At every stage of the representation make sure that the client understands what is happening and thoroughly document those communications. Good communication includes a clear written fee agreement, monthly status updates, and a dated file closing letter. This will not only help keep the representation on track but is also helpful if the client later makes an allegation of legal malpractice or files a grievance.
- Terminate the Representation
Ohio Professional Conduct Rule 1.16(b)(5) permits a lawyer to withdraw from representation of a client if the representation has been rendered unreasonably difficult by the client. Do not continue to represent a client who has made the representation unreasonably difficult. Do not continue to represent a client who has accused you of malpractice or unethical conduct. Do not continue to represent a client who refuses to pay you. Rarely are these problems rectified by continuing the representation.
For more detailed advice on dealing with difficult clients, see our May 2021 OBLIC Alert: Best Practices- Dealing with Difficult Clients. If you are dealing with any difficult client issues, please give us a call. We are here to help.
|Gretchen Mote, Esq
|
Director of Loss Prevention
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Co.
Direct: 614-572-0620
Email: [email protected]
|Monica Waller, Esq.
|
Senior Loss Prevention Counsel
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Co. | https://www.oblic.com/resources/oblic-news/03/16/2022/best-practices-dealing-with-difficult-clients-2/ |
When we started yoga theory several weeks ago, I came across two interesting theory under 8 limbs of yoga – Niyama: Ahimsa and Santosha.
Ahimsa is the total and complete absence of violence from one’s mind, body, and spirit. For violence, it includes physical and mental violence. Violence can be obvious, like hurting someone physically or verbally and this kind of violence is easy to “cure”. What is scarier is the violence that comes from “good intention” or “non-violent” intention that eventually lead to harm to one’s physical and/or mental health.
Santosha – contentment. It should be noted that contentment does not automatically mean overly satisfied so that one has no motivation to improve.
For me, in order to practice Ahimsa, Santosha is one of the key.
I remember that Yoga became my little obsession after I nailed several advanced poses. I went to class two to three times a day, practice whenever I could (even in the washroom during my work break – ya, I should come up with a yoga guide on how to practice yoga in the most random places – that will come later probably), and even thinking of yoga during the most unexpected situations. Sometimes, I did yoga in my mind, by coming up with strategies on how to do certain poses (yes, I am a science student). However, any obsession of any kind won’t be a good thing, and it hits me as hard as it could – I injured my left hand by trying to do firefly pose. An instructor pushed me from behind while I was trying to lift up and I fell forward and bended my left hand. I was told by the doctor not to do any activity that would put presser on my left hand, that including yoga. Did I follow the instruction? Of course not. I still carried on my daily practice despite the sharp pain on my left fingers and it came as no surprise that my hand situation never got better and it deterious. I was sad and worried that the yoga would leave me behind and all I had achieved before would all be gone.
During that emotional period, I came across an article written by one of the yoga instructors on how not to practice yoga. She had the same obsession as me until she realized that the same kind of obsession stopped her from moving on.
I realise that happened to me is the mere practice of physical asana without studying the real yoga. In a nutshell, it is a product of lack of practicing Santosh. To be very honest, during my obsession period, I was not able to focus on other things, including work, family and myself. Not able to take practicing yoga from my mind, all I did was to fulfill my self-esteem by nailing down poses, hard poses. I never took a break and appreciated my body for what it had offered. This eventually led to a non-practice of Ahimsa, as I was hurt physically and emotionally by my own will.
Look back, I have learnt so much from a short 8 months practice and been amazed by my own body so many times. I started to love myself more as yoga has added another dimension to it. Being content of what I have today through the past practice, I stopped the “violence” towards my own body and started to practice yoga and any other physical exercise moderately. That’s how I see the practice of Ahimsa through Santosha. | https://tirisulayoga.com/practice-ahimsa-santosha/ |
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