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The parent company of Miami-based fast food giant Burger King announced Tuesday a massive merger to purchase another popular chain. Restaurant Brands International – which also owns Canadian based coffee chain Tim Hortons – announced Tuesday that they are buying Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, one of the most popular fried chicken chains in the country. The sale is expected to be final in April of this year for an estimated $1.8 billion. Burger King was founded in Jacksonville in 1953 before being purchased several years later by two owners of Miami locations, moving their headquarters to the area where it has been based ever since. Local With over 15,000 locations in 100 countries, the company was purchased in 2010 and later part of RBI when the company purchased Tim Hortons. Popeyes was founded in 1972 and has over 2,500 locations in more than 40 states and 30 countries.	https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/owners-of-miami-based-burger-king-buying-popeyes-fried-chicken-for-18-billion/31699/
The invention relates to a resource allocation method under a CoMP (Coordinated Multiple Points) transfer mode in an LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced) system. The resource allocation method comprises the following steps: finding out a point corresponding to the maximal RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) value to be taken as a servicing point through measuring RSRP of point users in all point base station in the system, taking points corresponding to RSRP which has the difference (smaller than a threshold) with the maximal RSRP as CoMP in a CoMP measuring set, so as to determine the coordination set of each user, and then adaptively selecting the RB transfer mode according to the performance of each RB under the CoMP transfer mode and the single point mode. Aiming at the CoMP transmission system, a resource scheduling algorithm is provided, and does not limit the number of the coordinated points serviced by each user, and is suitable for a selection method for coordination sets of points with overlapping coordinated sets, and is beneficial to improvement of handling capacity.
The discovery of the antiviral APOBEC3 (A3) proteins is regarded as one of the most therapeutically promising breakthroughs in HIV/AIDS molecular virology in the last decade. Several A3 proteins have the capacity to restrict HIV replication by incorporating into assembling viral particles, physically interfering with the progression of reverse transcription, and deaminating viral cDNA cytosines to uracils. The latter antiviral activity is the defining hallmark of A3-mediated restriction, explaining the genomic strand G-to-A mutations that are frequently observed in patient-derived viral sequences. Here, we will address two major questions. First, we will ask whether stable A3H haplotypes provide a barrier to HIV acquisition in instances where the transmitting virus originates from a person with an unstable A3H haplotype. Moreover, in individuals where the virus overcomes this barrier and transmission still occurs, we also ask how the virus adapts to efficiently counteract stable A3H and how this relates to disease progression. These experiments are motivated by preliminary data showing that stable A3H haplotypes potently restrict the replication of viruses with naturally occurring hypofunctional vif alleles. These studies have the potential to explain why some highly exposed individuals naturally resist viral infection. Second, we will ask whether HIV has additional mechanisms, independent of Vif, to counteract restriction by A3 proteins. This will be addressed through a series of vif-null virus adaptation experiments to restrictive pressures imposed by A3 proteins, followed by comprehensive analyses of the resulting mutations to deduce the underlying escape mechanisms. These experiments are anticipated to provide genetic portals into aspects of the restriction mechanism that are poorly understood such as A3 post-translational regulation, assembly, packaging, and encapsidation. Together, our studies on transmission could have immediate clinical implications, and our studies on Vif-independent resistance will provide novel mechanistic insights and have longer-term clinical implications as the field moves further toward the development of therapeutics such as Vif inhibitors that will be able to leverage this powerful innate immune defense system to block HIV replication and pathogenesis. HIV/AIDS is still a pandemic problem. Targeted innate immune therapies have yet to be developed against this virus. Fundamental research on the antiviral APOBEC3 enzymes will stimulate the development of innovative HIV/AIDS therapeutics that work by leveraging this innate immune defense system to extinguish virus replication.	http://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R37-AI064046-14
What is the TMJ? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side and enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control the position and movement of the jaw. What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction? People with TMJ dysfunction can experience severe pain and discomfort that can be temporary or last for many years. More women than men experience TMJ dysfunction, and it is seen most commonly in people between the ages of 20 and 40. Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include: - Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide - Limited ability to open the mouth very wide - Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position - Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) or chewing - A tired feeling in the face - Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite -- as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly - Swelling on the side of the face - May occur on one or both sides of the face Other common symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitis). How Can Chiropractic Care Help? Chiropractic care for the your TMJ joint can ease pain by correcting the misalignment between your spine and nervous system. Chiropractic can be effective at reducing your pain associated with your TMJ, either when used alone or as a complement to other treatments. This is because, rather than changing your diet or modifying your teeth; it relaxes your muscles, adjusts your joints and uses specific trigger points to accurately re-position your jaw. When done successfully, this will not only relieve your pain in the short run, but it can help prevent your TMJ pain from returning. Chiropractic treatment of the TMJ joint focuses on relieving tension in the muscles around the joints themselves, using trigger point therapy. (A trigger point is a very sensitive area made of muscle fibers. Trigger points feel like knots and may cause pain or even a twitching response when pressure is applied to them.) In some cases, misalignment of the jaw that results from improper posture or a back problem can cause your TMJ joint disorder. An approach to treating TMJ caused by misalignment in your neck and upper back is to perform chiropractic adjustments on your spinal joints in these areas. In addition, trigger point therapy is used to relieve tight muscles in the back around your spine. This reduces the amount of stress put on your jaw so that other treatments to adjust your jaw will be more effective.	https://www.tricounty-chiropractic.com/tmj-dysfunction
Q: Pulling my hair out over a 4-bit architecture, there ought to be some law here somewhere, is there? I am trying to build the most simple CPU possible. And doing it on bread boards. There is a popular movement, one of the biggest protagonists of that being a certain Ben Eater, who is a good teacher, and has a YouTube channel. UPDATE: I realize that my original question was meandering and lengthy and not really targeted well. Also that there is a question if it should be in scope of the Retrocomputing stack exchange. The question had received some very interesting variety of answers, when it was shut down, but then, based on popular interest, it was re-opened again. First to get this out of the way: this is clearly in scope of the RC stack exchange because 4 bit computing is as retro as it gets. While my angle is to create my own computer using TTL chips -- which too is as retro as it gets -- one may say hat it's not about any one commercial retro computers. While it isn't about any one, it is in a way about all of them. I am looking at 6502 block diagrams, at PDP-8 ISA and schematics, as the 4004 and TMS-1000. What I am finding is the understanding why the designers of old had built the systems the way they did. And I more and more reach a hypothesis that what the designers of old did was not by accident but because they pretty much mapped the space of what is possible. That's why I keep asking if there isn't some fundamental law here? I have digested many of the answers, and continued thinking through and wiring up the design of a 4 bit CPU, I can try to target my question better. But I won't just change it as I do not want to invalidate the excellent answers that have already been given. The issue with many of the answers is this: they are theoretical and way out of the box. However, they raise the question: why didn't the designers of old choose these approaches? That isn't to say that none of the suggested answers are something nobody had ever done successfully, but the more esoteric ideas just didn't make it in practice, and this is probably for a reason. So, for example, the Turing machine was known for a very long time, when tape was en vogue, yet nobody had marketed a Turing machine. Because it is just not practically useful! Likewise, this Brainfuck language is cool but it actually isn't practical. So let me be more clear as what we're trying to do here: von Neumann machine a "traditional" machine language imperative programming, not some other FSA or event transducer approach I find it really interesting to think a completely different approach but it's not in scope for my question here. One commenter had pointed to a fascinating forum thread at "anycpu", but the specific example is simply an FSA where each state plus new event leads to another state. It's interesting but out of scope and doing the trade-off on the side of memory, since now your instruction step has to carry the address of the next instruction step in it, every instruction becomes a jump, that's cool, but not really efficient on the memory. Sure, I can see that this works nicely for a calculator program, as I can write a YACC parser to essentially implement the standard calculator in the state automaton: reactive state -> event (key press) -> action+next state model. I can put that in hardware, yet, so could the designers of old. And still they ended up with a traditional von Neumann machine to program their calculator with. It's probably not because they didn't know any better. I guess that's my point. I will add some updates below too to sharpen more what I have found while further pulling my hair out trying to get something off the ground. Anyway, I want to build something simpler. Less wiring. So I thought I scale the word width down to 4 bit 74LS173 and the '283 adder and the legendary ALU '181, they are all 4-bit wide. I understand that the VAX 11/780 was using 8 of those 74S181 chips for the 32 bit ALU. I want everything as simple as possible but not simpler. And I am looking at the legendary TMS-1000 and Intel 4004 architectures to see how they did this, but it seems to me that then should also be simplified. By trying to simplify it all I am hitting my head against a wall and I wonder if there isn't some kind of principle law of computer architecture that blocks my way no matter what I do? Since I want everything as simple as possible: minimum number of registers minimum word width minimum number of wires and connections minimum number of chips Therefore I want the data path to be as simple as possible, the smallest number of busses. So I decided to use the PDP-8 style accumulator machine, only simpler. Only one register the accummulator AC. No "B" register. You have a loop from AC register into ALU and sourcing the other side from the one single bus. Then the result is clocked right back into the AC register. A single register. Minimize everything. The ALU out is a tiny little "bus" which does nothing other than feed back into the AC. Now the memory address is a major squeeze, it has to be wider, has to at least use 2 word addresses (not unlike most 8 bit CPUs use 16 bit addresses). Otherwise you'd just have 16 words of memory. And if your words are 4-bit wide then 16 words is really uselessly little. You might argue "but a 4 bit computer is already useless, why worry if you have only 16 memory locations?" Not so fast! A CPU is not useless if it can turn all longer word operations into sequential executions. And the TMS 1000 and Intel 4004 has one principle standard application: to build a calculator. You may say I can do a Turing machine with a single bit perhaps, but I would say the minimal CPU is one on which you can at least program a simple calculator that would allow an arbitrary-digit number addition and subtraction (and then be programmable to do multiplication). Floating point or big decimal doesn't matter. It's all in software. And to me it looks like there is an "as simple as possible but not simpler" threshold. For example, if I have to use BCD (doesn't matter, let's use full hex) I will have to process the addition of two user entered numbers with a loop. Everything needs to be looped. So now I need to have some way to make loops. How do you make a loop with a single accumulator? You have your result of the addition, now how do you decide where to store it? How do you select the next digit for your addition? Many of these simple CPU designs I have seen discussed use a Memory Address Register (MAR). This is an implicit register that is only available to microcode, you can't actually manipulate it like a register. But then I look at the Instruction Pointer (IP) and that you do address with the usual instructions like JMP. So, I figured why not make that memory address register explicit and call it a "Data Pointer" (DP). Now instead of an "store accumulator to absolute address" x I would have two instructions: "load data pointer" (LDP) with immediate value x and then "store accumulator at data pointer". This works for absolute addresses, but not for the loops that are required to do anything useful with a 4 bit machine! So, I thought let's use a counter, even and up/down counter for this data pointer register. I use a pre-settable up-counter (74LS161) already for the instruction pointer. So if I found a changing number of values in my accumulator, then I could make a loop like this for a routine that adds a fixed single digit in AC to a variable length number in memory and does that in place: LDP lsd ; load data pointer (DP) from immediate value lst (the least significant digit) BC loop ; branch on carry to loop, a no-op, with a side effect of clear carry loop: ADC ; add with carry the current value in AC STADZ ; store AC at current DP and decrement DP and zero out the AC BZ end ; branch on zero JMP loop ; jump to loop end: HLT ; end UPDATE: one commented pointed out that this "STADZ" is a weird composite instruction, but it's not unheard of at all, even the PDP-8 had such combined instructions, and it was easy for the PDP-8 since it had 12 bit wide instructions. With 4 bit op codes, we need to squeeze all features in 16 op codes, maybe have one extension code which pulls a second op-code. This could work if you imagine the numbers stored most significant digit first, no more than 16 digits, and somehow we would know the least significant digit. But there are obvious limitations with this: I cannot set an end of a loop, I can only count backwards from a starting value to zero. Even that could work, but what if I have a more realistic scenario where I add two numbers from least significant digit onward and store the result in a third location? Maybe I could invent a second data pointer, EP, then I could at least do a copy operation from DP to EP. But if I wanted to add two numbers and store them at a result I would need 3 data pointers, DP, EP, and FP. But I still can't compare these index registers for an end value, I have to count down to zero or up to overflow only. You see where I'm getting at? There seems to be a minimum complexity that cannot be simpler! The TMS-1000 used something like my DP, called it Y register, and then an X register as a high address word. And then you have a complicated data path: We can still see the AC -> ALU -> AC loop here, but there is also a fork to that Y register. So at a minimum now I would need another register on the ALU output bus. This seems like a hard "cannot do simpler" rule? The Intel 4004 is more complicated, it has a register at the other ALU input because the ALU result goes back on the bus. And it has like a scratch pad register file, way more than the simplest possible machine. Is there any hard theoretical limit that someone has established? UPDATE: Don't get hung up on my ramblings. Look at the TMS-1000, isn't it odd that its instruction size is 8 bit wide? Why is that in a 4 bit architecture? Not because PROMS were standard 8 bit wide. I myself came up with a very easy way of using a 28C16 2 kByte EEPROM to be a 4 kWord simply by hooking the A0 address line to a 74LS257 quad 2-to-1 line selector chip, with three-state output. The reason why they ended up using the 8-bits straight is that it's a royal pain and useless to squeeze an insufficient set of 4-bit instructions and their immediate operands over the data bus if you have only 4 bits. You are working so constrained that you end up with some basic instructions like a subroutine call requiring a dozen micro-instructions just to squeeze addresses of the stack pointer to the memory and then the instruction pointer through the bus. It falls apart on every level. Everything becomes such a battle of the trade-offs. Compare that with a 32 bit wide modern RISC ISA, it's so much simpler because you have broken through these initial bottlenecks of bus width, word width, address range, to something that actually starts to work. Notice, when I increase word size it immediately relaxes the tense situation. Suddenly your instruction words get longer with 8 bit words you can have a large number of instructions already, not just 16. That way you can have more complex addressing modes. Each word if data also has more information already. You have more addresses, at least 256 words addressable with on word. Next step up would be the PDP-8 12 bit where you can begin having single-word instructions. You could not possibly do single-word instructions in 4-bit. You could fudge in 8 bit, but really only practically start in 12 bit. Now if you do 16 bit consistent word size you can almost start with a RISC like instruction set. You can put operation, source registers and destination register all in the same word (if you have only 8 registers you can do 7 bit op code, and 3 bit address each for operand 1, 2 and destination. When you reach 32 bit you can do full RISC-V architecture. Everything is relaxed then. You see what I mean? I think there is something of a theoretical threshold, a minimum word size at which you just cannot even do a Turing complete machine. Like for Turing you need to at least have a forward, backward, and a single conditional branch instruction, so you probably have to have at least a 2 bit word, don't you? This would sound like something computer scientists would have figured out: what is the absolute simplest functional instruction set architecture? UPDATE: I may not have done a good job at updating and explaining and targeting my question. The format doesn't allow for that. But I do think that if you challenge our esoteric solutions that may seem simpler, and consider if they are practical, you may find that they are not practical. And that instead these trade-off battles over word size, bus lines, number of busses, memory width vs. data width, number of registers vs. the cost of addressing registers in small opcodes, these are real struggles, that have no perfect solution, but also some sort of optimal answer which we can glean from the old architectures and finding out where they worked well and where they didn't. Where they didn't scale. I think there is a reason that we ended up with RISC-V today. A: I would tend to favour "conceptual simplicity" rather than trying to strictly minimise any physical parameter. Observe that some low-cost computers managed to get away with a 1-bit ALU while supporting reasonably wide data words, eg. the PDP-8/S and the LGP-30. They did this using a bit-serial architecture which was largely invisible to the programmer, except in the resulting performance of the machine (much slower than a parallel architecture). So processing a single machine word took several machine cycles. This was a natural fit for the LGP-30's drum memory, less so for the PDP's core memory. Historically, memory was the most complex and expensive part of a computer, so a wise designer started with the memory and built the CPU around it. Observe that the PDP-8/S cost about a third of its faster cousins, but had only a tenth of the performance, due to the poor match between its cost-minimised CPU and its standard core memory module. Observe also that the LGP-30 could perform multiplication and division with single instructions, within a single rotation of the drum, despite its relative simplicity. When your ALU and data accumulator are as small as 4 bits, you will need to use multiple such words to be able to address a usefully large memory. Usually an instruction word needs to be effectively 12 bits wide (including operands) to be useful too. But this is not historically unusual; observe that the humble 6502, a resolutely 8-bit machine, has 16-bit addresses and instructions that can be 1-3 bytes long; always an 8-bit opcode, sometimes followed by an operand. The larger and more complex instructions took more memory cycles to process than the smaller and simpler ones. Now, for conceptual simplicity, consider the following 12-bit Transport Triggered Architecture. Instruction words have no opcode, and only specify two locations to transfer data from and to. The locations are 16 12-bit registers, or the memory addresses pointed to by them, or a set of 16 ports which trigger operations in the ALU or provide results from such an operation. The 12-bit instruction word is nothing more than a pair of 6-bit specifiers, 4 of these bits indicating a register, and the remaining two choosing the register directly, the memory addressed by the register, the latter with post-increment of the register, or the port behind the register. One register should be the Program Counter, which gives you an easy way to load immediate operands (source: memory addressed by PC register with post-increment) and to jump to a new location (destination: PC register). Combining the two gives you an effective JMP instruction. You get to choose what each port does on read or write. Several of the read ports could simply be adds and subtractions of adjacent registers. Another might select between a pair of register values based on a flag internal to the ALU - such as a zero flag, a negative flag, or a carry flag. A write port might let you choose between these possibilities dynamically. This gives you the possibility of a conditional branch. That is simplicity, yet still with interesting possibilities for experimentation. Have fun! A: You could theoretically create a system with 3-bit words for the Brainfuck programming language. That language is technically Turing-complete, although quite tedious to program. It is a popular language for the Code Golf StackExchange. A processor for Brainfuck needs the following: Memory to store data. Wikipedia suggests a minimum size of 30,000 bytes, but I see no reason to make it as small as you want. A data pointer with enough bits to index into the data memory. Memory to store code. Make it just large enough to hold your programs. There are only 8 opcodes, so it only needs to be 3 bits wide: > increment the data pointer (to point to the next cell to the right). < decrement the data pointer (to point to the next cell to the left). + increment (increase by one) the byte at the data pointer. - decrement (decrease by one) the byte at the data pointer. . output the byte at the data pointer. , accept one byte of input, storing its value in the byte at the data pointer. [ if the byte at the data pointer is zero, then instead of moving the instruction pointer forward to the next command, jump it forward to the command after the matching ] command. ] if the byte at the data pointer is nonzero, then instead of moving the instruction pointer forward to the next command, jump it back to the command after the matching [ command. An instruction pointer with enough bits to index into the code memory. An input and an output device. They are supposed to be ASCII devices, but if you don't care, make them as few bits as you want. It is not a pleasant system to program (hence the foul name), but it is a minimal system. A: Amusingly, I posted about my design for a processor that's as simple as possible while still being useful over on the anycpu forums just this morning... Summarising: My design uses 14 standard chips (including a 16-bit wide ROM for the instruction data which may need to be replaced with 2x8-bit ones depending on availability). It's a very limited design, but was designed with a specific purpose in mind (running a front panel for an 8-bit system that uses a hex keypad to allow boot code entry) and is capable of that. It's somewhat simpler than your design: No jump instruction - instead, all instructions are implicitly looped infinitely, and different sections are selected using conditional execution Not using a general purpose ALU - a series of AND and XOR gates is used to add either zero or one. The value to add is selected with a mux to be either 0, 1, the carry flag, or a hardwired bit from one of the registers No memory addressing at all (other than the program counter, which is just a standard 4- or 8-bit counter) - all data are stored directly in registers (2x8-bit registers to store an address, 1x8-bit register for entered value to be stored, 4-bit scratchpad register). No instruction decoding: programs are implemented directly in a microcode-like encoding. Now, this design is not something I claim as the minimal general purpose computer: It isn't actually properly general purpose, as it is impossible to (eg) add two numbers with it. This could be rectified with a few simple additions: Adding an extra set of XOR gates at the input to the ALU would allow negating numbers; a 4-input NOR gate could be used to add a zero flag. Then incrementing until a carry occurs would allow repitition of a given number of operations. More flag bits, and a way to set or clear an arbitrary flag bit, would be necessary for more complex programs. All in all, I expect making this a true general-purpose machine (ie turing-complete modulo small memory size) could be achieved by adding around 4 standard logic chips.
The UK has become the first major economy in the world to pass a net-zero emissions law, setting an ambitious target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. The development and adoption of more energy-efficient materials is an important enabler for the UK to achieve this goal. In September 2019, the Henry Royce Institute submitted a ‘Big Idea’ to the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council on ‘Materials for the Energy Transition’. This coincided with the release of the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 2019 Report recommending a new emissions target for the UK: net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Royce community has identified four key areas in the CCC Report where materials science research is critical to enabling step-changes in greenhouse gas reduction: - Materials for low-carbon methods of hydrogen generation - Materials in photovoltaic systems - Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling Systems - Low loss electronics The scale of the UK’s Energy Transition to net-zero by 2050 is challenging. However, developments in materials and their processes are key to unlocking this transition and enabling it to occur at speed. The Materials for the Energy Transition Roadmaps will provide coherent pathways for exciting and novel research to support the government’s ambitious target. Executive Summary The UK materials community, coordinated by Royce in collaboration with the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Institute for Manufacturing (Cambridge), has come together to develop roadmaps on these four key areas, to outline opportunities for materials science to contribute to net-zero emissions targets by 2050. Between March and June 2020 members of the materials research community have explored the various materials challenges, targets, and timescales required to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 in these areas. The Executive Summary highlighting the key findings of the four roadmaps is available here. Full technical reports with detailed findings for the four roadmap topics will be published in autumn 2020. Roadmap Webinar On 15 June 2020, Royce and IOP held a road map webinar to update the materials community, policymakers and funders on the ongoing roadmapping activity. The webinar was opened by Baroness Brown of Cambridge who explored the importance of the roadmapping in light of the 2019 CCC report. Attendees then heard from four world-leading materials scientists who discussed the roadmapping in the context of the broader energy research field. The technical leads for each of the four roadmap areas then presented overviews of the key findings. Click here to view the webinar agenda. A full recording of the webinar is available as well as the individual sessions. Webinar Recordings Prof Clare Gray (Cambridge) Prof Jenny Nelson (Imperial College London) Prof Nora de Leeuw (University of Leeds) Prof Stuart Parkin (Max Planck, Halle) Roadmap Webinar Slide Deck (Full) Key findings from Technical Leads Next Steps Throughout Summer 2020 Royce will continue to work with the materials community, IOP and IfM to refine the four roadmap documents with a view to publishing the final versions in September 2020.	https://www.royce.ac.uk/materials-for-the-energy-transition/
There is no single test for dementia or the diseases that cause the symptoms of dementia. Fear of dementia Fear and stigma still surrounds dementia in Ireland. This can prevent some people seeking help or telling people about their diagnosis. It can also stop others from talking to individuals they know with dementia. This can be isolating for the person with the dementia and leads to loneliness. Some people may feel awkward or embarrassed which leads to them ignoring friends or acquaintances. Fear can be very debilitating. Fear can also cause a delay seeking help for as long as possible. Early diagnosis gives people the best chance to prepare and plan for the future, and receive treatment. With support from healthcare professionals, family and friends, people with dementia are able to lead active, fulfilling lives. Dementia is much more than just a health issue, it is a social issue. The first step... The journey towards diagnosis usually begins with a visit to your GP. This consultation is an opportunity to talk about all the symptoms that concern you. The first priority is to rule out other possible causes of your memory complaints. Blood tests, memory tests and other assessments will be done to rule out other causes. The GP may then refer you to a hospital-based consultant or memory service for a full assessment to identify the cause of your symptoms. If you are over 65, this may be a geriatric medicine specialist or a later life psychiatrist. If you are under 65 you may be referred to a neurologist – a doctor with expertise in disorders of the brain. Memory Clinic The GP or consultant may make an initial diagnosis and may also refer you to a specialist Memory Clinic. These are found around the country and specialise in diagnosing the cause of memory problems. Generally, a referral is required to attend a Memory Clinic.	https://www.understandtogether.ie/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/diagnosis/
Ryan Dickson received his MS in psychology from Western Washington university with an emphasis in cognitive psychology. At Western, he studied implicit memory in addition to ethnic identity. After completing his MS, he worked in Western’s Office of Institutional Assessment, Research, and Testing as a research analyst. Ryan later completed his PhD in psychology from the University of New Hampshire with an emphasis in cognitive development. His research at UNH focused on memory across the lifespan. Dickson, R. A., Pillemer, D. B., Bruehl, E. C. (2011). The reminiscence bump for salient personal memories: Is a cultural life script required? . Memory & Cognition. Pillemer, D. B., Dickson, R. A. (2013). Adults’ memories of their own childhoods. . Trimble, J. E., Dickson, R. A. (2005). Ethnic identity. . Dickson, R. A., Pillemer, D. B., Bruehl, E. C. (2010). Examining the life script account of the reminiscence bump. . Association for Psychological Science.	https://www.waldenu.edu/about/faculty/meet-our-faculty/member-profile/ryan-dickson
Question: "Santiago in Portugal - I need to hire three new sales people this quarter - we are growing so fast. Sales people are hard to find, even harder to onboard - any tips or ideas? Book - Inked by Jeb Blount Lightning Round - Top qualities of successful sales people - what to... Jan 9, 2022 Blanche from St Petersburg Florida - We are a growing company with a product that seems to sell itself. But last year I fired my sales director and just hired a new person to take the role. I am so excited about her background, but want to get her started off on the right foot. What should her onboarding look like and... Jan 8, 2022 Title: Strategic Selling – What is it, what does it mean, and why it is so important in today's uncertain marketplace? Question - Leona from Portugal - Hi Mark and Meridith, I listen all the time - thanks so much for this podcast... So here we are kicking off 2022, and I need my team to take sales calls...	https://thriveinuncertainty.libsyn.com/2022/01
Pennsylvania law requires utility companies to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from alternative sources in future years. Proposed legislation would increase this percentage and require new carbon sequestration practices. Both the current mandate and the proposed change will make electricity more expensive for Pennsylvanians. BACKGROUND - In 2004, Pennsylvania passed the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS). AEPS requires retail energy suppliers to produce a percentage of their electricity from alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar. AEPS categorizes alternative energy by tier. There is also a separate mandate for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy. - Tier I sources include: solar thermal, wind power, low-impact hydropower, geothermal energy, biologically derived methane gas, fuel cells, biomass energy, coal mine methane, black liquor (PA only), and large-scale hydropower (certain restrictions apply). - Tier II sources include: waste coal, large-scale hydropower, municipal solid waste, integrated combined coal gasification technology, utilizing wood pulping, employing distribution generation systems, and demand-side management use. - House Bill 2405 would: 1) increase the AEPS mandate that utility companies must meet by 55%; and 2) set aside an additional 3% of Tier II sources for plants that utilize Carbon Capture and Storing technologies. Percentage of Power Produced from Alternative Energy \| \| \| \| Tier I \| \| Tier II \| \| Solar (PV) \| \| Total \| \| Current Production (2007) \| \| 1.5% \| \| 4.2% \| \| 0.0018% \| \| 5.7% \| \| 2004 AEPS Requirements (by 2021) \| \| 8.0% \| \| 10.0% \| \| 0.5% \| \| 18.0% \| \| HB 80 Requirements (by 2024) \| \| 20.0% \| \| 13.0% \| \| 3.0% \| \| 33.0% \| \| HB 2405 Requirements (by 2024) \| \| 15.0% \| \| 13.0% \| \| 3.0% \| \| 28.0% TOO EARLY TO EVALUATE IMPACT OF CURRENT AEPS - Electric utility companies still operating under generation rate caps are exempt from AEPS until January 1, 2011 (PPL’s rate caps will expire on January 1, 2010). - In May 2008, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released its latest report on the AEPS and concluded that, due to the limited data, “there should be no changes or improvements to the program at this time.” - House Bill 2405 would mandate a dramatic increase over current production levels, including a whooping 1,700% increase in solar electricity. - The PUC estimates the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kWh is over 700% more expensive than the cost of coal; wind is almost 23% more expensive than coal. Retail energy suppliers will inevitably pass the additional costs on to the consumers as they are required to use more expensive alternative sources. - - The PUC will release another study on the AEPS with current targets and recommendations to the General Assembly by 2010. RENEWABLE ENERGIES ARE DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES - Over the last 30 years, solar and wind have received about $20 billion in federal funding. - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provides annually over $20 million in grants for alternative energy projects, along with loans and grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development. - In 2008, Gov. Rendell signed the Alternative Energy Investment Act, which provides $650 million in subsidies for alternative energy and conservation projects. MANDATES INCREASE CONSUMER COSTS - As shown above, alternative energy produced only 5.7% of Pennsylvania’s power while 56% of Pennsylvania’s electricity comes from coal, requiring more electricity to come from more expensive resources will inevitably raise prices. - Initial estimates predict House Bill 2405 will increase Pennsylvania utility bills by $8 billion-$9 billion. This would equate to approximately $1,600-$1,800 per household. - Solar and wind, which are intermittent energy resources, require back-up generation when either wind levels or cloud-cover reduce production capacity. Solar PVs only operate 13% of the time; wind energy is available only 35% of the time. - It is misleading to say that wind and solar energy cost “nothing” to produce; it takes resources to construct and install turbines and panels, add new transmission lines, perform maintenance, and simultaneously require back-up energy sources. CLEAN COAL MANDATES - House Bill 2405 mandates use of Carbon Capture and Storing (CCS) as a means of producing “clean coal”. - CCS would capture most of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced when coal is used for electricity, and the CO2 would then be transported and stored. CCS technology for large scale commercial use is still in the beginning stages; and the economic and environmental impacts of it remain unclear. - Clean Coal development will get $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money. - Recent estimates indicate clean coal will cost twice the rate of coal electricity. GREEN JOBS MYTH - Supporters claim these stringent mandates will bring more private investments for green energy to Pennsylvania and stimulate the creation of “green jobs,” but numerous studies have found this assertion false. - Literature citing the creation of thousands new green jobs is often very misleading because the numbers do not take into account the jobs that are lost due to new regulations. One study found that 2.2 jobs were lost for every one green job created. - Jobs that depend on government subsidies are simply not a sustainable way to stimulate the economy. - It is estimated that if the investment tax credits for solar PV development and production tax credits for wind energy in the United States were not continued in 2009, these established industries would lose 77% of their employees. # # # The Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org) is an independent, non-profit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, PA.	https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/alternative-energy-mandates/
Whitmer presses Congress for road funding without suggesting how to pay for it Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday that increased federal investment in new roads and bridges is desperately needed but stopped short of making any suggestions about how it should be funded. “I know it’s a long-debated question,” Whitmer told members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which will be part of discussions about how best to reauthorize and pay for infrastructure projects, including whether excise taxes on fuel should be increased for the first time in decades. “I’m not here to answer the question on the federal gas tax.” With more than 40% of the state’s major roads in poor or mediocre condition, some 1,000 bridges in poor or critical condition and the average annual cost to Michigan motorists of car repairs, depreciation and wear and tear running more than $600, Whitmer said the need is great, however. “There’s no question we need a predictable, sustainable and sufficient (funding) solution,” she said. “Festering infrastructure problems only get harder to tackle and more expensive.” Whitmer, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Victoria Sheehan, New Hampshire’s transportation commissioner and president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, participated remotely in the hearing aimed at initiating discussion on infrastructure improvements while also addressing other issues, such as climate change. More:GM hopes to eliminate gas vehicles, have all-electric portfolio by 2040 More:Whitmer ignores GOP provocations, stays the course in third State of the State address With Democrats holding the White House and both chambers of Congress, it's expected that a large infrastructure improvement measure will be attempted. Whether it can overcome political differences — not just between parties but also among legislators from different regions and geographic settings — is an unsettled question. In her remarks, Whitmer recounted briefly how after running on a campaign slogan that she would “Fix the Damn Roads” in Michigan, she was unable to reach a compromise with Republican legislators on how to increase the state's gas tax to fund her plans and had to turn to “Plan B,” which involves issuing $3.5 billion in bonds to rebuild critical highways and bridges in Michigan. But with the most recent federal highway authorization expiring in September and no major infrastructure funding additions announced in recent years, it’s unclear how a sweeping new authorization can be paid for. Gas and diesel taxes were last raised in the 1990s and there is no political agreement on raising them again; meanwhile, the increased adoption of electric battery vehicles, while combating the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, will further reduce fuel purchases, decreasing tax revenues. As a result, some policymakers are calling for some way of charging drivers for the miles their vehicles travel. Others have called for increased tolls. Both face opposition from some legislators and special interest groups, however. There are also questions about how to levy a miles-traveled tax. Federal dollars typically account for a large percentage of the funds needed by states for road and bridge construction. But in recent years, as revenues from gas taxes have fallen, Congress has moved funding from its general tax receipts into the Highway Trust Fund to shore it up. Meanwhile, several lawmakers — and Whitmer — noted that more investment will be needed in electric vehicle charging stations. While few policy specifics were discussed, several senators, including the chairman, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., brought up General Motors’ goal to make its entire lineup of new light-duty vehicles be zero emission, meaning they will be powered by electricity or hydrogen fuel cells, by 2035. Carper said when he spoke to GM CEO Mary Barra last year, she told him attaining widespread adoption of electric and electric-hybrid vehicles will require ensuring they can go hundreds of miles on a charge; charging times being brought down to minutes instead of hours; and a network of charging stations be made available across the U.S. Whitmer said her administration is already working to improve a network of charging stations in Michigan and hopes tax incentives can be used to encourage drivers to adopt electric vehicles, including incentives that would encourage businesses with fleets of cars to start using them. Doing so, she said, would not only cut greenhouse gases but create jobs for automakers and those building that new infrastructure. “I’ll work with anyone who wants to build up our roads and bridges,” Whitmer said, adding that lacking significant infrastructure investment Michigan business will struggle to remain competitive. Contact Todd Spangler [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. Read more onMichigan politics and sign up for ourelections newsletter.	https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/02/24/gretchen-whitmer-roads-bridges-michigan-senate/6800379002/
Also known as “standing merfolk” or “shallows merfolk,” this is a species of merfolk that have developed the legs and bone structure that allows them to walk on the land as well as swim through the water. These merfolk tend to be slender with long legs. They have wide mouths, large eyes, and webs of skin between their fingers and toes. Their skin comes in many different colors, but are usually mottled shades of blue, green, or brown. The shallows merfolk have a broad lightly colored patch of skin along their bellies and faces, and a darker patch up their backs and along the back of their heads. Along with these broad patterns, merfolk usually have natural designs in their skin, swirls and spots of color along their bodies. Merfolk skin occasionally has some vestigial scales, but mostly feels similar to the skin of humans. There is a slight layer of oil on their skins that helps keep them moist out of the water and to move quickly in the water. Like most merfolk, the legged merfolk have large fins that run down their lower arms and legs and up their back, necks, and heads that can be flexed and extended at will. The fins on their heads look superficially similar to hair when flaccid. Merfolk erectus have a greater need for water than other races when they are away from the coasts they often drink more than others or take long baths, many simply stand outside in the rain. This connection with the water also makes them uniquely sensitive to extremes in temperature. History The progenitors of this strain of merfolk were advanced biomancers. They applied their magic to their fellow clansmen in order to alter the thick tails of their people into pairs of legs. This adaptation allowed them to expand their travel into new, dryer, territories. They spread across the sand and soil that once marked their borders, exploring their unique connection to the dry land and the deep seas. Seals are popular pets among the shallows merfolk, their ability to live both on land and sea is appealing to them and they are often raised similarly to dogs. Eventually, a unique culture arose among the merfolk that centered around the shores and the shallows. The standing merfolk built semi-permanent villages and settlements around the shores and in the water, usually around reefs. These settlements are designed not to weather storms and tides, but to be easily moved and rebuilt. Often other races have a difficult time dealing with the merfolk erectus simply out of difficulty finding where they’ve moved. The merfolk erectus retain many of the personality traits of their sea-bound cousins, they are a curious and mischievous people, and frequently make surface dwellers the butts of their jokes or investigations. Some less savory merfolk take advantage of their knowledge of the waters to lay ambushes for sailors or run them aground on reefs. Society The curious and thoughtful merfolk are natural explorers, and their ability to stand on the soil have let them wanderers across nearly the entire world, unbound of firm ties to either the land or sea. The merfolk erectus have many settlements along the shores and shallow waters, but few that remain in a permanent location. Most merfolk craft is made out of materials scavenged from the seas or shores, or traded for from land-dwelling communities. Much of their art, and tools incorporate a hodgepodge of materials and wooden parts are usually exchanged for shell, coral, or stone. Standing merfolk wear little clothing while underwater, and usually wear loose robes while on land. What armor they wear is designed to be streamlined as well as tough, or to blend with the ocean floor. Merfolk erectus are expected to be as capable on both the land and the sea, their children are raised underwater and then taught to walk at a young age. The merfolk have difficulty with the heats for forging metals, as such, they trade for most of their metal goods. Any wood they collect is carefully treated and waterproofed before it is used by the merfolk. Organized merfolk societies tend to be small clans made up of a few families living together in small villages underwater near the shores or in deep lakes, with a few larger buildings nearby on the land. They develop their underwater settlements in shallow water, preferring coral reefs or natural underwater cave systems. Anything built above the water is usually built on stilts or designed to be disassembled and rebuilt quickly. Merfolk Erectus Names Male: Agrata, Aquis, Avris, Bornet, Ceimu, Drake, Korma, Latus, Leomaris, Midus, Morgan, Namor, Nido, Orman, Pvorsa, Salas, Sedor, Talrand, Typhon, Wiggus. Female: Anosa, Ariel, Atlise, Cordula, Corselle, Halimeda, Iren, Katara, Kella, Kilmie, Korra, Marilla, Morea, Nosae, Portia, Soreen, Tassab, Ulanda, Vesta, Yisea, Zegana, Undyne. Merfolk Erectus Racial Traits \|A merfolk practicing hydromancy (Source: Magic the Gathering)\| Amphibious coastal merfolk of the shallows and the shores. Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1. Age. Merfolk Erectus reach maturity at 40 and live for almost a thousand years. Alignment. Like most merfolk, merfolk erectus tend to be neutral. Size. Merfolk Erectus stand anywhere between 5 and 7 feet tall and tend to have slender, flexible builds. Your size is Medium. Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, Your base swimming speed is 30 feet. Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Amphibious. You can breathe both air and water. Mask of the Seas. While in or near the water you can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, mud clouds, stone or other natural objects and phenomena. Merfolk Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the net, spear, and trident. Underwater Capability. Underwater combat does not impose any penalties or disadvantages on movement or weapon attacks. While underwater you have darkvision, you can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey. Slippery. You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks against being grappled and saving throws to avoid being restrained. Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Aquan.	https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Merfolk_Erectus_(5e_Race)
Expectation management in product engineering design aims at setting achievable goals for both customers and designers, while leaving room for creativity and passion. This is especially challenging in the global workplace. Using an example of a design project, the Dental Headrest project (DHR), this paper reviews how expectations were managed in a successful, collaborative project between the University of Tokushima (UT) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The goal of the project was to design an innovative mechanism for the positioning a dental chair headrest so satisfy both the needs of a patient for comfort and a clinician for flexibility and access. The design team was formed with six students from the MIT MechE’s Precision Machine Design class, while the challenge proposed by a UT team of dentists and design engineers. The team followed a deterministic design procedure inducing understating the challenge and reviewing prior art, strategy and concept generation, detailed module design and fabrication and testing, culminating in presentation and documentation. Through the process was coordinated by online communication and collaborative working spaces which ensured real-time information transfer between the continents. The conclusion was a face-to-face meeting between the two institutions. This DHR project resulted in an innovative design of headrest adjusting mechanism that was implemented in a prototype. Moreover, the students, faculty and clinicians benefitted from the experience of innovative design collaboration in a multidisciplinary, global team. Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account. Download citation file: Customize your page view by dragging and repositioning the boxes below. © 2018 ASME The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Sorry! You do not have access to this content. For assistance or to subscribe, please contact us: Sign in or create your free personal ASME account. This will give you the ability to save search results, receive TOC alerts, RSS feeds, and more.	http://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1736149
Granada is arguably one of the most worthwhile cities in Andalusia to be visited by tourists. It is a city rich in culture and history. This makes it not much different than other historical cities in Andalusia like Seville or Cordoba. But Granada stands out because of the Alhambra, without a doubt one of the top attractions for tourists in Spain. For at least two thousand five hundred years Granada has been inhabited by humans all the times. Granada was established as the center of Al-Andalus in the year 711 after the conquest by the Moors. The Muslim introduced innovative agricultural and architectural technologies and the city quickly expanded. After the fall of Cordoba the construction of the Alhambra started. There are several museums in the city with interesting information about the Al-Andalus period. Composed of many structures and overlooking the city of Granada the Alhambra is a huge medieval construction. It is split into four mayor attractions: the palace, the fortress (Alcazaba), the gardens (Generalife) and the Medina. The Alhambra is considered the last stronghold of the Muslims in Spain, before they were expelled by the Catholic Kings. The ornamental architecture and the extraordinary design of gardens and palaces reflect the splendor of the Arab civilization which governed the area during more than 700 years. The vast complex of gardens, fortresses and palaces was the home of the Nashrid sultans during several centuries. Without a doubt the Nashrid royal palace (Palacio Nazari) is the prime attraction of the monument. At nearly every turn tourist will get to see the unrivaled Muslim architecture and decoration. The oldest part of the Alhambra is the Alcazaba. From this part of the fortress visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada and the city of Granada. The lush green gardens of the Generalife full of beautiful flowers are one of the finest examples of Moorish Gardens in the whole of Spain and a memorable way to finish a visit to the Alhambra. Although the Alhambra offers a splendid view of the city of Granada, the best way to admire the Alhambra is visiting the Sacromonte or Albaicin, in particular the viewpoint called Mirador de San Nicolas. Set back against the Sierra Nevada mountain range from this viewpoint visitors can fully appreciate the spectacular location and the unique architecture of the Alhambra. The number of visitors to the Alhambra is restricted and it is recommended to book in advance in order to avoid disappointments. There are different visiting periods, so make sure to check your ticket as access to the Alhambra is only possible within the assigned period so plan your visit accordingly.	https://www.hispacar.com/car-hire/granada/alhambra/
How do you build interactive applications like Gmail and Google Maps that only require a browser? Many modern applications, whether targeted at mobile or Web scenarios, make use of sophisticated clusters of servers in “data centers” located across the world. In NETS 212, Scalable and Cloud Computing, you will learn about different tiers of cloud computing services, how to harness the power of a cluster in solving “big data” problems, and how to build scalable Web-based services. The course culminates in a final project, typically the construction of a cloud-based platform such as a Facebook-style social network. How do Facebook and Google+ do their recommendations? In making recommendations, social network recommendations take into account many factors, including how much commonality there is between potential friends, etc. A detailed breakdown of some of Facebook’s Friend Rank parameters is here However, the basis of virtually all recommendations is the notion of triadic closure, where it is observed that two people with a common friend are more likely to be friends (or potential friends). We study this notion in detail, and develop friend recommendation algorithms in NETS 150, Market and Social Systems on the Internet and in a social networks project in NETS 212, Scalable and Cloud Computing. What problems can be solved by crowd sourcing? One of the most exciting new developments is the study of how humans can aid algorithms or computer systems in solving tasks where humans are very good and machines are not — e.g., recognizing objects in video. Amazing successes have been had in areas like understanding how proteins fold (see FoldIt). Others are using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service (and its competitors) to pay people to perform small tasks. CIS 399 explores how human and computational methods can be used to solve difficult problems — including how to divide up problems, cross-validate results, and more. How can we optimally allocate goods in a market that does not allow the transfer of money? In many markets, like those for jobs, spouses, and college admissions, you can’t simply choose (and buy) the item you want — you also have to be chosen. In NETS 150 and NETS 412, we will explore how to efficiently organize such markets to make sure that resources are allocated to where they will do the most good, all while preventing any participant in the market from being able to game the system by misrepresenting his preferences. How much will shutting down a road increase traffic in the rest of the road network? In NETS 412, we will study traffic routing games in which selfish agents greedily try to optimize their own commute time, which might not necessarily optimize the overall health of the network. We will study the equilibrium traffic patterns in different networks, and observe the strange effect known as Braess Paradox, which tells us that sometimes closing down a road can actually decrease traffic elsewhere in the network, at equilibrium. How have search engines revolutionized advertising? As you will learn in NETS 150: Market and Social Systems on the Internet and NETS 412: Algorithmic Game Theory, Google, Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, Baidu, and others make money by charging advertisers whenever a search engine user clicks on an ad placed with the search results. Building on ideas from game theory and auctions, the price of the ad depends on the value of the ad to the advertiser. This value will depend on how competitive the market is, how likely people are to make a purchase after clicking on the ad, and so on. Most search engines use a particular algorithm called Generalized Second Price to choose how much to charge an advertiser: the advertiser who gets the best positioning pays the amount bid by the second-highest bidder, the advertiser who gets the second best positioning pays the amount bid by the third-highest bidder, and so on. What do computer networks, biological networks and social networks have in common? Empirical studies of very disparate networked systems such as the Internet, social networks, and biological networks indicate the presence of universal structural patterns. Researchers have then developed a variety of techniques to help us understand and predict the behavior of all these networks. In NETS 312, we study recent developments in this field, including such concepts as the small-world effect, degree distributions, clustering, network correlations, random graph models, models of network growth and preferential attachment, and dynamical processes taking place on networks. How does information propagate in Twitter’s network? Twitter can be represented as a directed social network where nodes are the users of the service and edges represent “following” relationships. In NETS 312, we provide tools to study the propagation of information over the Twitter social network. For example, we consider the set of users (i.e., nodes in the network) who mention a particular tag in some chronological order, their distribution over the network, and the presence/absence of edges between them.	https://www.nets.upenn.edu/questions-and-answers
Taiwan battles bird flu outbreaks Taiwan is stepping up efforts to battle bird flu outbreaks through various measures in a bid to prevent poultry-to-human transmission of the virus. Since discovering its first case of H5N6 in Hualien county on February 2, the H5N2, H5N6 and H5N8 strains of bird flu have spread to six cities and counties in Taiwan, prompting the killing of 210,000 chickens. In a case of H7N9 avian infection, detected in a 69-year-old Taiwanese man who returned from China last month, it was found the virus had mutated and built up a resistance to antiviral drugs, according to the Centre for Disease Control. “The mutated virus might be more lethal to birds, so disease prevention must be enhanced to prevent cases being imported from China,” said CDC deputy director-General Philip Lo. Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture has imposed a week-long ban on transporting slaughtered poultry. If a farm reports sick poultry, the council will help it slaughter all the poultry and compensate the farm for the loss. If a breeder fails to report sick poultry, the breeder will be fined.	https://www.intellasia.net/taiwan-battles-bird-flu-outbreaks-576027
Ultimately, the public option was removed from the final bill. While the United States House of Representatives passed a public option in their version of the bill, the public option was voted down in the Senate Finance Committee and the public option was never included in the final Senate bill, instead opting for state-directed health insurance exchanges. Critics of the removal of the public option accused President Obama of making an agreement to drop the public option from the final plan, but the record showed that the agreement was based on vote counts rather than backroom deals, as substantiated by the final vote in the Senate. ^ Bump, Jesse B. (19 October 2010). "The long road to universal health coverage. A century of lessons for development strategy" (PDF). Seattle: PATH. Retrieved 10 March 2013. Carrin and James have identified 1988—105 years after Bismarck's first sickness fund laws—as the date Germany achieved universal health coverage through this series of extensions to minimum benefit packages and expansions of the enrolled population. Bärnighausen and Sauerborn have quantified this long-term progressive increase in the proportion of the German population covered by public and private insurance. Their graph is reproduced below as Figure 1: German Population Enrolled in Health Insurance (%) 1885–1995. Private health care has continued parallel to the NHS, paid for largely by private insurance, but it is used by less than 8% of the population, and generally as a top-up to NHS services. There are many treatments that the private sector does not provide. For example, health insurance on pregnancy is generally not covered or covered with restricting clauses. Typical exclusions for Bupa schemes (and many other insurers) include: With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, there is no longer a limit on how much your health insurance will pay. Before Obamacare was law, health insurance policies had a lifetime maximum of $1 million, $2 million, or sometimes $5 million dollars. Someone with ongoing cancer surgeries and treatment could hit that $1 million mark easily, and then be left without health insurance unless they enrolled in an expensive, high risk insurance program. Today those barriers are gone, and individuals who need health insurance to treat chronic illnesses are able to get the care they need without worrying about hitting a maximum amount on their healthcare plan. An individual with Cerebral Palsy will likely require specialized medical services throughout his or her lifetime. The expense for a chronic disability can greatly exceed the expense for standard care an individual without the condition incurs. Cerebral Palsy results in a chronic, physical impairment, which typically involves routine doctor visits, extended hospital stays, a range of therapies, planned surgeries, drug therapy, and adaptive equipment. Depending on the level of impairment, Cerebral Palsy usually requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health care team that may include any combination of the following: pediatrician, neurologist, radiologist, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and vocational therapist. Some individuals also require the assistance of a registered dietician, a speech pathologist, ophthalmologist, urologist, and a cosmetic dentist, amongst others. Health insurance primarily protects individuals from the prohibitively high costs of surgical procedures, inpatient hospital care, and emergency attention. Though health insurance itself can become costly for a family, it is only a small fraction of the potential costs associated with unforeseen illnesses and emergencies (for example, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer or a heart attack). On the 1st of August, 2018 the DHHS issued a final rule which made federal changes to Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance (STLDI) which lengthened the maximum contract term to 364 days and renewal for up to 36 months. This new rule, in combination with the expiration of the penalty for the Individual Mandate of the Affordable Care Act, has been the subject of independent analysis. Health insurance programs allow workers and their families to take care of essential medical needs. A health plan can be one of the most important benefits provided by an employer. The Department of Labor's Health Benefits Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation ACT (COBRA) provides information on the rights and protections that are afforded to workers under COBRA. Financial Assistance Available: Most uninsured individuals will qualify for financial assistance called a Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit to help make their insurance premiums affordable. The amount of financial assistance will depend on your income and family size. Individuals with low incomes may qualify for free or very low premiums. To find out how much financial assistance you may qualify for, check out the Kaiser Family Foundation’s subsidy calculator. As the population covered by Medicare grows, its costs are projected to rise from slightly over 3 percent of GDP to over 6 percent, contributing substantially to the federal budget deficit. In 2011, Medicare was the primary payer for an estimated 15.3 million inpatient stays, representing 47.2 percent ($182.7 billion) of total aggregate inpatient hospital costs in the United States. The Affordable Care Act took some steps to reduce Medicare spending, and various other proposals are circulating to reduce it further. In-network and out-of-network providers – some plans cover different costs from in-network, versus out-of-network, providers. In-network providers are those who agree to the health insurer’s policies and procedures and typically result in less expense to the insured. Out-of-network providers are those providers that have not yet agreed fully to the health insurer’s policies and procedures. The insurer typically cover less expense or no expense at all for out-of-network providers. Health insurance plans are separated into different metal tiers based on the proportion of health care costs the insurance plan is expected to cover. Catastrophic and Bronze plans cover the smallest proportion, having the highest deductibles, copays and coinsurance. On the other end of the spectrum, Platinum plans offer the greatest amount coverage, expected to cover 90% of all costs. Hospital indemnity insurance provides a fixed daily, weekly or monthly benefit while the insured is confined in a hospital. The payment is not dependent on actual hospital charges, and is most commonly expressed as a flat dollar amount. Hospital indemnity benefits are paid in addition to any other benefits that may be available, and are typically used to pay out-of-pocket and non-covered expenses associated with the primary medical plan, and to help with additional expenses (e.g., child care) incurred while in the hospital. How to Enroll: Individuals who need coverage can fill out a single application to find out what financial assistance they are eligible for and to apply for coverage. To find your state’s Marketplace and to apply online go to www.healthcare.gov. Individuals can also call toll-free 1-800-318-2596 to apply. Those needing assistance with filling out the application can get help from trained, certified counselors; to find in-person assistance near you, contact your state’s Marketplace or visit www.healthcare.gov.	https://easyhealthcarereform.com/for-sale-medical-insurance-more-info-here.html
Ingredient: Pomegranate Bark The chief use of this bark is as an astringent in chronic diarrhoea and in dysentery, and as an injection in fluor albus. It has, also, been much used in India as a remedy for tape-worm, for which a decoction is prepared with two ounces of the fresh bark, boiled in a pint and a half of water until only three quarters of a pint remain. The worm is frequently voided after the first dose of two ounces; but the same quantity may be repeated for six or seven times in succession, at intervals of an hour. Source: A Companion To The Medicine Chest, John Savory.Filed under Ingredient \| Tags: bark, decoction, diarrhoea, dysentery, fluor albus, injection, pomegranate, tapeworm, vermifuge, worm, worms \| Comment (0) News: Forbidden fruit adds both health benefits and culinary delight “Pomegranates have been signs of fertility, rebirth and health since they were first cultivated around 2000 B.C.	https://www.oldtimeremedies.co.uk/tag/pomegranate
Using the case of the undocumented immigrant youth movement, we examine how successful political mobilization depends upon the availability and adaptation of symbolically powerful cultural schemas. Analyses of 33 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and participant observations suggest that the existence of a cultural schema of ‘coming out,’ and the undocumented immigrant youth movement’s innovative use of it, allowed movement leaders to address potential adherents’ fears of publically revealing their immigration status and promote social movement participation. In adapting this cultural schema to the needs of this new movement context, national leaders increased the resonance of ‘coming out’ by pairing it with the schema of immigrants living in ‘the shadows.’ California leaders practiced additional cultural innovation by using ‘coming out’ to refer specifically to public and risky forms of disclosure and using other language to identify safer or more private forms of disclosure. We show how talk of coming out is shaped by positionality, so that movement leaders and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals are more likely than others to speak of coming out as undocumented. This extends previous research on the importance of culture for facilitating successful political mobilization.	https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/coming-out-of-the-shadows-harnessing-a-cultural-schema-to-advance-the-Trh5f5I0lZ
The Cambridge Edition provides texts of all of D. H. Lawrence's works which are as close as can now be determined to those he would have wished to see printed. The texts are established through rigorous collation of all extant materials, from draft manuscripts to first book publication, identifying errors made by copyists, typists and printers; house-styling by printers; and censorship and bowdlerisation by publishers. The Introduction to each volume gives details of the composition history, publication and reception; the Textual Apparatus records all variants. The Explanatory notes gloss references and allusions, and document sources; the Appendixes include early versions, draft manuscript material, maps and locations essays, historical essays; some volumes have Glossaries of dialect or foreign words.	http://admin.cambridge.org/lu/academic/subjects/literature/literary-texts/series/cambridge-edition-works-d-h-lawrence
- Draft vision and target for assigned target accounts. - Conduct research on strategically prioritized areas, sectors and target accounts < within sector/ geography> to identify potential areas for business opportunities Hunting - Pro-actively identify opportunities within target accounts and answer incoming RFQs. - Map and assess stakeholders within assigned target accounts - Conduct internal + external research to identify customer’s supply chain requirements and business objectives. - Conduct opportunity assessment for identified opportunities and develop recommendation - On pursuit or cancellation based on financial attractiveness, risk and fit of customer requirements with DSC capabilities. - Identify DSC's value proposition and high level solution parameters based on customer requirements. - Develop a structured plan on how to win the opportunity (win-plan). - Identify and assess business fit of customer with DSC and develop convincing business fit presentation. - Present solution to customer demonstrating clear business value. engage in negotiations and close the deal. - Collect customer feedback after opportunity and conduct internal Post-Opportunity Review Maintaining - Maintain access to key target account stakeholders, position DSC and continuously review business opportunity potential. - Prepare, conduct and accompany handover to operations after closure, act as the customer's prime contact until handover to Operations/ Account Management is finalized Team Management/ Coordination ·Assemble input from opportunity team, prepare proposal and BCA. - Plan the sales process and coordinate the opportunity team throughout the sales process. - Collect and share knowledge and best practices (also cross-country). - Collect and review input from opportunity team (e.g. HR, IT, etc.), ensure quality and commercial standards are met. - Act as an interface between customer and DSC internal functions, collect and distribute required information Solution Designing - Analyze collected data together with functional experts (Solution Design, IT, HR, Real Estate, etc.) and support solution development.	https://www.antal.com/job/senior-manager---business-development-13828
Vietnam should prioritize official development assistance (ODA) for its financial sector so that State-owned enterprises managing important projects can access affordable financing, according to an expert with the Asian Development Bank. The first strategy is to increase the catalytic use of development assistance. “This requires a different mindset. Vietnam is no longer a low-income country, but it is also not ready to fund itself exclusively through private investment and domestic capital markets,” said Lambert. He noted that a transition period is needed where the Southeast Asian nation uses donors’ ODA to catalyze private investment that would not come otherwise. “This transition period will, however, require new tools. This includes issuing counter-guarantees to ADB and other development partners so they can use their strong international credit ratings to lower risk for projects,” he stated. Vietnam should also prioritize ODA to strengthen the financial sector, providing standby facilities or other enhancements to make it easier for State-owned enterprises tasked with major projects to access affordable financing and allowing development partners to issue dong-linked bonds to lower the cost of capital for Vietnamese borrowers. Using ODA catalytically to attract private investment closely ties into the second priority: passing a strong law on public-private partnerships (PPP). Vietnam’s legislative National Assembly has already considered a first draft of the bill and hopes to pass a second version in May. He remarked that consultations should focus on the main missing ingredients needed to attract international investment. For example, the law needs to better mitigate the risk of the demand for an infrastructure project falling short of projections. “Vietnam already does this with feed-in tariffs for power generation projects. The PPP law should afford similar protections to other sectors, particularly transport,” he stressed, adding that this can be achieved through minimum revenue guarantees or ensuring that availability payments extend automatically beyond the current ceiling of five years. Another PPP concern is governing law. The current decree governing PPPs provides more scope for using foreign laws to govern PPP contracts than the draft PPP bill. He explained that PPPs require complicated legal contracts, and investors rely on legal systems with deep case histories to interpret them. Termination risk must also be addressed. Once a project is built, investors need assurances that they will be repaid even if the Government terminates the contract. Without these changes, the new PPP law’s success is uncertain, and projects tendered in the road and other sectors are likely to receive only limited interest from foreign investors, he warned. The final strategic priority is better mobilization of domestic capital markets. The passage of the new Securities Law in November 2019 was a good step as are recent regulatory changes that encourage companies to turn to the bond market instead of banks to fund long-term obligations. He stressed that private pension funds, investment funds and insurance companies all need to mature so that there is a strong base of demand for corporate bonds. Meanwhile, the main public pension, the Social Insurance Agency, must first be able to prudently manage and then start to invest in corporate debt. Lambert suggested Vietnam establish a domestic credit rating agency and the Government actively market this investment opportunity to leading international rating agencies. These steps will help the corporate bond market to evolve, eventually creating opportunities for project bonds, particularly if credit enhancement systems are available for these instruments, according to the specialist. ADB estimated that Southeast Asia will need to invest, on average, US$210 billion in infrastructure per year through 2030. Vietnam will require a large portion of this, with the Global Infrastructure Hub estimating that the country needs to invest US$110 billion between 2021 and 2025 for infrastructure and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Based on historical trends, this leaves a projected US$22 billion funding shortfall. Lambert said the private sector has historically only funded 10% of Vietnam’s infrastructure, which means there is a lot of scope for the country to attract more investment.	https://english.vov.vn/economy/oda-should-be-used-to-improve-vietnams-financial-sector-adb-expert-410562.vov
Background: Uncontrolled studies show fatigue, anorexia, depression, and mortality are associated with low testosterone in men with cancer. Testosterone replacement improves quality of life and diminishes fatigue in patients with non-cancer conditions. The primary objective was to evaluate the... - TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT, AFFECT, AND APPEARANCE: SLIGHT EFFECTS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS. DABBS JR., JAMES M.; CATE, KELLY; BROWER, ANGELA; EMERY, CHERYL; LEANDER, PONTUS; ZACHARY, MEREDITH // Social Behavior & Personality: an international journal;2003, Vol. 31 Issue 4, p387 In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled experiment, 64 women and 26 men applied testosterone and placebo skin creams during two five- to seven-day periods. Subjects provided serum samples for testosterone assay, completed a daily affect measure, wrote projective stories, recorded random... - Blinding: an essential component in decreasing risk of bias in experimental designs. Forbes, Dorothy // Evidence Based Nursing;Jul2013, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p70 The article presents questions and answers related to medical research on topics including what blinding during a research meant; the need for incorporate blinding; and how to implement blinding. - NO EFFECT OF CORDYCEPS SINENSIS SUPPLEMENTATION ON TESTOSTERONE LEVEL AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS FOR RESISTANCE TRAINING. Hsu, C. C.; Lin, Y. A.; Su, B.; Li, J. H.; Huang, H. Y.; Hsu, M. C. // Biology of Sport;2011, Vol. 28 Issue 2, p107 The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of oral Cordyceps sinensis supplementation combined with resistance training in young male adults. A group of 16 subjects were randomly allocated to two groups (double blind) to receive either Cordyceps sinensis (CS; 2.4 g/day; n = 8) or a... - Blinded by Double Blind. Stokes, Douglas M. // Skeptic;2009, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p20 A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article concerning the need for double-blind procedures in evaluating claims of the paranormal by James Randi that was published in the previous issue. - CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomized Trials. Zhao-xiang Bian; Hong-cai Shang // Annals of Internal Medicine;2/15/2011, Vol. 154 Issue 4, p290 A letter to the editor is presented regarding the decision appeared on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement not to advocate the reporting of the rate succession of blind experiment. - Aspirin and venous thromboembolism. // Neurology Alert;Jul2012 Pharmacology Watch, p2 The article discusses a double-blind study that showed that aspirin may be protective in patients who have had an unprovoked thromboembolism (VTE) to prevent recurrence after they finish oral anticoagulant therapy. - Risk of death with ARB use higher in blinded vs unblinded trials. // Reactions Weekly;7/31/2010, Issue 1312, p2 The article discusses research study done on risk of death with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) use in blinded versus unblinded trials, presented at the 20th European Meeting on Hypertension. - Building Sight. McClelland, Stephen // Quintessence International;Jan1981, Vol. 12 Issue 1, p56 An excerpt on a research to help the blind through electrical impulses by Stephen McClelland is presented.	http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/44453979/testosterone-depression-hypogonadal-men
What are the possibilities of targeting DNA polmerases with pharmaceutical agents in cancer therapies. Rawls JA theory of justice. The difference between 2 and 3 may thus be the difference between this tiny fraction and all of the Space research paper of this history. By "dismally" we mean that it enables the realization of but a small part of the value that could otherwise have been realized. Freitas RANanomedicine volume I: The second one was Sputnik 2. But when the rocket is in midair, it is in an unsustainable, transitory state: There are many reasons that space exploration should continue. Space exploration should continue because it could help solve many problems on Earth, such as overpopulation and lack of resources. Healthcare Is health care ready for the routine screening of patient DNA. There would arguably be no morally relevant beings there to enjoy the wealth. This event is included in registration where indicated. This factor often dominates in low-probability, high-consequence risks — especially those involving poorly understood natural phenomena, complex social dynamics, or new technology, or that are difficult to assess for other reasons. Existential risk and normative uncertainty Whereas the first two classes of existential risk human extinction and permanent stagnation are specified by purely descriptive criteria, the second two flawed realization and subsequent ruination are defined normatively. And mature technology would allow the harvesting through space colonization of far more of these resources than is possible with technology whose reach is limited to Earth and its immediate neighborhood. Fukuyama FOur posthuman future: X Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: Obviously the values of the last three parameters are debatable, but the astronomical size of the conclusion is little affected by a few orders-of-magnitude change. The first successful orbital launch was of the Soviet uncrewed Sputnik 1 "Satellite 1" mission on 4 October A software mind can experience a certain amount of subjective time by running on a slow computer for a long period of sidereal time or, equivalently, by running for a brief period of sidereal time on a fast computer. If benefiting humanity by increasing existential safety achieves expected good on a scale many orders of magnitude greater than that of alternative contributions, we would do well to focus on this most efficient philanthropy. By "irremediably" we mean that it cannot feasibly be subsequently put right. The findings — support for the U. In particular, given certain assumptions, the problem of making the right decision simplifies to that of following the maxipok principle. An initial analysis left side gives a small probability of a disaster black stripe. Given the limited information then available, it might not have been unreasonable for contemporary observers to assign a significant probability to the end being nigh. What is gene therapy?. Despite the increasing role of private companies in space exploration, most believe NASA's role is still vital for the future. Welcome to the SSRN Home Page. SSRN´s eLibrary providesresearch papers fromresearchers across 30 disciplines. You can subscribe to our newsletter here. How to Format a Research Paper. There are a number of sources you can turn to for research paper examples and, depending on your field of study, a plethora of potential high quality topics exist to pull your subject matter from. WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SPACE CAMP ®?. Space Camp is located in Huntsville, Ala., where America's space program was born. Huntsville is home to the second largest research park in the United States and the fourth largest in the world. The COSPAR publication Advances in Space Research (ASR) is an open journal covering all areas of space research including: space studies of the Earth's surface, meteorology, climate, the Earth-Moon system, planets and small bodies of the solar system, upper atmospheres, ionospheres and magnetospheres.	https://peciqewucyjej.elonghornsales.com/space-research-paper-42463wb.html
12th South East Mathematical Physics Seminar, City, University of London, May 23 2018. Transport in Strongly Correlated Systems, International Institute of Physics, Natal (Brazil), Jul 16-Aug 1, 2018. Entanglement in Quantum Systems, Galileo Galilei Institute, Florence (Italy), May 21 -- Jul 13, 2018. Quantum Paths Programme, Erwin Schrödinger Institute, Vienna (Austria), April 9 – June 8, 2018. Cargese Summer School on Exact Methods in Low Dimensional Statistical Physics, Corsica, France, 2017. Quantum Matter, Workshop held at the Pedro Pascual Science Centre of Benasque, Spain, 2016. Scientific program on Conformal Field Theories and Renormalization Group Flows in Dimensions d>2, Galileo Galilei Institute, Florence (May, 2016). EUCLID Mid-term review, York (UK) 2005.	https://olallacastroalvaredo.weebly.com/conferences.html
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The site specific behavior pertains to the fluctuations of the surface parameters like the temperature, wind, rain, bottom type like muddy, sandy, rocky, salinity based on closeness to river mouth, the biological sound based on the habitat.6 Thus, the site-specific impact, relates to both the underwater propagation characteristics and the ambient noise at the receiver location.7,8 The shallow water sonar operations have to deal with higher ambient noise as well as random fluctuations in the propagation properties. The initial deep water studies undertaken by the NATO and the WARSAW countries covered the temperate or polar regions due to the conflicts being limited in those geographic locations. Temperate/polar locations are characterised by refraction of sound around the sound axis while propagating underwater from one location to the other.9 The depth of the sound axis varies from 50 metres in case of the polar region to 2,000 metres in tropical waters closer to the Equator. This variation of the depth of the sound axis from the polar region to the tropical region translates to hypsometrically deep waters in the tropical waters behaving as shallow waters acoustically, resulting in multiple interaction of the sonar signal with the surface and the bottom.10 The vast coastline and the massive study requirements cannot be addressed by the R&D organisations alone… The tropical waters are further characterised by diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the surface parameters and the propagation characteristics present much more complexity in the tropical waters rather than the temperate/polar regions. Thus detailed understanding of the propagation characteristics and their inter-dependence on the medium characteristics needs to be enhanced to ensure optimum sonar performance. The ambient noise sources in the coastal waters apart from having higher intensity also present site-specific behavior.11 Furthermore, the abundance of marine life in the tropical littoral waters increases the dominance of biological components of the ambient noise as a result of the use of acoustic signals by these marine creatures for communication, foraging and breeding.12 One marine creature that stands out in terms of its dominant contribution to the ambient noise levels in the spectral band of sonar operations is the Snapping Shrimp that is known to generate very high intensity sound to intimidate its prey.13 Thus, it is imperative that we develop a detailed understanding of the characteristics of the Snapping Shrimp acoustic signals with respect to the sonar spectrum and generate an underwater map of the Snapping Shrimp beds to facilitate enhanced sonar performance for effective ASW deployment. The characterisation has to account for the propagation properties in the IOR and then evaluate the impact on sonar performance. Snapping Shrimp Noise The two principal genera of noise producing Snapping Shrimps are Crangon (Alpheus) and Synalpheus. These species (about three centimetres in length) are far different from commercial shrimps that are noiseless. They possess enlarged claws which produce a vigorous snap when closed. They are found in large colonies and there is typically a continuous succession of snaps which causes an intense crackling noise resembling the burning of dry twigs. The crackle merges into sizzle or a hiss as we move away from the shrimp bed. As the third largest body of water on the Earth, the Indian Ocean is an important resource… The habitat of the Snapping Shrimps can be characterised as enumerated below: (a) Temperature: The distribution is certainly governed by water temperature more significantly in terms of duration of temperature at the bottom of the sea. Certain critical periods of life cycle such as spawning and larval development appear to require a considerable period of warmer temperatures, near or above 11º C. Typically 15ºC at the bottom of the sea is considered suitable. (b) Geographical Distribution: The species are reported to be prevalent in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Available literature on sound measurements from latitude 9º S to 33º N indicate about the same levels over shrimp beds irrespective of the latitude. (c) Depth: While most species of Snapping Shrimp genre have been reported to be found within 0-55 m water depth, density crackling has been reported to be higher in shallower waters. These conditions are satisfied in some 70 per cent of the world’s near shore, within a band of some 400 of the Equator. (d) Bottom: They are known to be bottom living species that seek concealment in holes provided by coral, stones, shell, calcareous algae and other solid objects. However, they have been found in other bottom types as well. The geo-strategic scenario compels India to play a very critical role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)… The Shrimps emit sharp pulses caused by the rapid closing of an asymmetrically-large claw, simultaneously ejecting a jet of water. The narrow pulse (3-8 ms) ensures a broadband frequency content while the peak amplitude (typically 150 dB re 1mPa2 @ 1m) is substantial to mask any sonar receiver. The collective cacophony of a colony of such Shrimps can easily exceed wind induced ambient noise sources by 10-15 dB, even at 15 m/s wind speed.14 The average spectral band of Snapping Shrimp noise is presented in Fig. 4. At low frequencies, below 2 kHz, the noise produced by Snapping Shrimps is negligible except at very low sea state (close to zero). The shrimp crackle is predominant and nearly constant in the frequency band 2-15 kHz, measured by a non-directional hydrophone. The noise produced by Snapping Shrimps is continuous and independent of hydrophone depth. There appears to be no pronounced seasonal variation and little diurnal variation, the level during the night hours being only a few dB higher than during the day time. The Snapping Shrimp noise is predictable as (a) The noise producing shrimps are widely distributed within their geographic range. (b) They are confined predominantly to specific water depths and bottom types. (c) The population is stable. (d) The noise produced is continuous and of uniform characteristics. While the importance of Snapping Shrimp in ambient noise production has long been realised and there have been several recent descriptions of individual shrimp acoustics15 there is still very little information about their collective behaviour. If Snapping Shrimp are as loud and ubiquitous as reports indicate, acoustical oceanographers need to know much more about the ensemble statistical characteristics in order to better reject the noise or even to exploit it in active and passive system processing. The peculiarities of the IOR need to be understood with extensive study efforts including biological sound and the propagation characteristics that can impact signal behaviour and way ahead formulated that can ensure consistent and reliable sonar performance in the tropical littoral waters of the IOR. The push for a ‘blue water’ navy entails that the two categories of platforms – aircraft carriers and submarines, are high valued and critical assets… Way Ahead The sonar deployment in the tropical littorals of the IOR presents very critical challenges and demands substantial efforts to map the propagation and ambient noise characteristics of the deployment location to mitigate the random fluctuations. In the warm tropical and sub-tropical waters, the Snapping Shrimps manifest as the most dominant source of ambient noise in the typical sonar Frequency Band from 2 to 15 kHz. The unique propagation characteristics of the IOR further complicate the Snapping Shrimp noise being received at the sonar front end to attempt any mitigation. The challenge is to understand and model the properties of shrimp noise along with the propagation properties to reduce its impact on sonar and underwater acoustic telemetry systems. An important aspect that merits attention is that the exclusive characteristic of the Snapping Shrimp noise at the sonar receiver can be used as an advantage. The fact that the precise knowledge of the Snapping Shrimp noise along with the propagation properties at the location is critical for the optimum performance of the sonar can be strategically used against our adversaries by denying them that advantage. Only our sonar deployed for surveillance or underwater weapons with precise inputs will be able to perform effectively in these waters. Abundant availability of Snapping Shrimps (Crangon (Alpheus) and Synalpheus) are reported in the warm waters of the tropical regions.16 Authors have reported dominance of Snapping Shrimp noise in warm waters at varied locations across the globe and confirmed their findings with real ambient noise data recording and analysis.17 The three sites, evaluated by the authors are San Diego (California), Haifa (Israel) and Singapore. The data was recorded using portable DAT recorders from a small boat. The analysis presents a comparison of ambient noise spectrum with the Wenz curves for deep waters.18 The above study19 is a classic example of academic involvement in field experiment very critically required to cover distance across the vast Indian coastline spread over 7,500 km. The achievement in this case has been the design and development of the hardware and algorithms for such a study that could be replicated on a large scale. The unique propagation properties in the IOR will have to be factored prior to formalising the hardware and software. A comprehensive study methodology including deployment strategy, data collection protocol and analysis plan has to be formalised on a specific location as a pilot project. The IOR with its tropical littoral waters presents unique challenges for operational deployment of sonar for tactical as well as strategic purpose… The US example20 cannot be directly replicated in India as here the academic involvement in field experiments of such nature is minimal. Therefore, strategists have to evolve a way to foster partnerships between the academia and the Indian Navy. The model has to be home grown as international collaboration may not be conducive for such strategic studies as confidentiality of the data and analysis findings may be compromised. Indigenous effort has to be initiated and a sustainable program evolved. The participation of the Indian Navy is inescapable to retain the confidentiality of the data and the analysis results. A viable partnership model for such real data collection and analysis is proposed. The research consciousness of the armed services has been significant and cannot be understated. A significant number of officers with brilliant academic credentials are being spared from active service to pursue their Master’s programme in academic institutes including IITs, IISc and DIAT. The pool of officers at various academic institutes with sea-going capabilities and with their understanding of the deployment challenges of sonars and underwater systems can be utilised for such efforts. A national level programme needs to be formulated with modular approach to define multiple research problems in a hierarchical manner. The academic pursuits of the student participants have to be dovetailed with the project deliverables. Project proposals have to be jointly written by naval officers, DRDO scientists and faculties at the academic institutes to achieve the larger goal. The basic deployment strategy formulation can be undertaken by Masters-level projects by naval officers for multiple research problems. The deployment strategy and data collection protocols have to be well structured to ensure optimum utilisation of the time at sea so that real data collected can be analysed and inferences drawn for wide range of research problems subsequently. Raw data storage under matured filing system will have to be evolved supported by sophisticated retrieval software. The algorithms and hardware design could be undertaken by DRDO scientists and naval officers in the initial stages as part of a Master’s programme and can be subsequently taken up at doctorate level for more evolved investigations. The project investigators have to prioritise the research problems to be able to generate quantifiable results/deliverables at regular intervals to keep the sponsors and participants motivated. The detailed strategy for maintaining confidentiality of the data and the analysis results also need to be evolved. A detailed project document needs to be worked on with application specific formulation. The organisational structure and involvement of various stakeholders needs to be articulated and reviewed. The deliverables and the resource allocation will have to be deliberated and the project proposal approved based on the detailed project report. Conclusion Snapping Shrimp noise has been reported to manifest itself as a dominant ambient noise source in the tropical and sub-tropical littoral waters of the IOR. The unique propagation characteristics further add to the site specific behavior, thus detailed mapping of the Snapping Shrimp beds in the IOR need to be initiated. The mitigation strategy to enhance sonar performance has to be an indigenous effort. The vast coastline and the massive study requirements cannot be addressed by the R&D organisations alone, thus mass involvement is required that can be sustained only with academic participation. This massive study requirement will require vast student resources and high quality research potential available in the academia along with the infrastructure, scientific ship and the expertise available with the various R&D organisation. The Snapping Shrimp noise characteristics have been discussed in the paper with the propagation characteristics of the tropical littorals of the IOR. The challenges of the sonar operations in the IOR have been enumerated with reference to ASW deployment. The authors have attempted to put the aspect of Snapping Shrimp noise in perspective and present an approach for enhanced sonar performance. A navy-academia partnership has been proposed with participation of a pool of naval officers and DRDO scientists at various levels of R&D (postgraduate or doctorate) requirements for the study. Notes 1. Ibid 13-14. 2. G. Wenz, “Acoustic Ambient Noise in the Ocean: Spectra and Sources,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 51, 1010-1024, (1971). 3. Wagner, Daniel H., W. Charles Mylander and Thomas H. Sanders, Operations Analysis Manual, third edition, Monterey: Naval Institute Press, 1999. 4. Paul C. Etter, Underwater Acoustic Modelling and Simulation (Spon Press, Taylor and Francis Group, London and New York, third edition, 2003). 5. R. O. Nielsen, Sonar Signal Processing (Artech House, Boston, 1991). 6. Ibid 18. 7. F. B. Jenssen, William A. Kuperman, Michael B. Porter and Henrik Schmidt, Computational Ocean Acoustics (Springer-Verlag, 2000). 8. F. B. Jensen and C. M. Ferla, “Numerical Solutions of Range Dependent Benchmark Problems,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am., vol. 87, 1499-1510 (1990). 9. Ibid 13-14. 10. Ibid 18. 11. John A. Hildebrand, “Anthropogenic and Natural Sources of Ambient Noise in the Ocean”, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol 395, Pp. 5-20, 2009. 12. Richardson, W. J., Charles R. Greene Jr., Charles I. Malme, Denis H. Thomson, Marine Mammals and Noise. Academic Press, San Diego, California, 1995. 13. Ibid 9. 14. Potter, J. R., Lim, T. W. and Chitre, M., “Ambient Noise Environment In Shallow Tropical Seas And The Implications For Acoustic Sensing”, Proceedings of Oceanology International 97 Pacific Rim, Singapore, 1, pp. 191-199, 1997. 15. Au, W.W.H., “The Acoustics Of Snapping Shrimp In Kaneohe Bay”, J. Acoust. Soc Am., 1996, 99(5) Pt. 2 2533. 16. Potter, J. R. and Chitre, M., “Statistical Models For Ambient Noise Imaging In Temperate And Tropical Waters”, J. Acoustical Society of America, 100 (4), Pt 2, 2738, 1996 b. 17. Ibid 28. 18. Gordon, M. Wenz, “Acoustic Ambient Noise in the Ocean: Spectra and Sources”, J. Acoustical Society of America, 34 (12), Pp. 1936-1956, Dec 1962. 19. Ibid 28, 30, 32. 20. Ibid 9, 11.	http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/impact-of-biological-noise-on-sonar-performance-in-the-ior/2/
UTHealth considers input from research subjects to be a valuable source of information for not only enhancing the protection of subjects participating in research but also for helping to continually improve the quality of research. PROCEDURE Receiving Calls: Research subjects are provided with contact information for addressing concerns regarding their rights as a research subject in the consent document. This information directs subjects call the IRB office. The CPHS website also has the IRB contact information including CPHS hotline and CPHS email address. The person answering the call collects basic information including name of the caller, contact details, whether caller is a subject or calling on behalf of a subject, the protocol title of the research study if any, and the reason for the call. If the caller is not willing to provide personal details, the staff attending the call should not insist for these details. Questions on Participation in Research: If the caller requests more information or answers to questions such as the rights of the research subject or other information regarding participation in a research study in general, the staff attending the call should answer the subjects questions to the best of his/her ability and then record the details of the call in the feedback records. Complaints or Concerns on Specific Research: If the caller has a complaint or has concerns on a specific research project the staff attending the call should gather as much information as required on the complaint/concern. The staff attending the call should ask the caller if they are agreeable to disclosure of their name to the Principal Investigator. Review: If the complaint/concerns of the subject are not serious, IRB director will notify the Principal Investigator about the complaint/concern and ask them for an explanation and to outline corrective actions if relevant. For serious complaint/concerns which appear to be a major noncompliance on the part of the research team, the IRB director will consult with the IRB chair or the executive chairperson. The chair and IRB director will review the complaint and contact the appropriate institutional individuals and make a determination as to the next steps of action. These could include any combination of the following: - Contact the study subject to obtain further details - Contact Principal Investigator for explanation/further details - Refer for discussion at the next Full Board Meeting - Require Principal Investigator to implement corrective actions - Refer for discussion at the next Executive Committee meeting If the complaint involves possible noncompliance, it will be handled in accordance with the policy and procedure on noncompliance. The confidentiality of the subject will be maintained. Subject names will not be disclosed to the individuals involved in the complaint, unless disclosure is required to reconcile the situation (i.e. if individual wants name removed from a database or patient study pool, the disclosure of the name is required). Upon resolution of the event, the IRB director will notify the IRB and the Executive Committee at the next scheduled meeting. The IRB staff will maintain documentation of all subject calls. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS 1. 45 CFR 46 2. 21 CFR 56 3. 21 CFR 50 REFERENCES TO OTHER POLICIES 1. 101-B04 Conflict of Interest CPHS Members and Consultants. ATTACHMENTS 1. Agenda template 2. Minutes template If you find errors in this document, contact [email protected] \| \| Document Number: \| \| 101-C06 \| \| Document Name: \| \| Subject Calls \| \| Approved by: \| \| Executive Director, Research Compliance \| \| Effective: \| \| 1 Aug 2008 \| \| Revision History:	https://www.uth.edu/cphs/policies/subject-phone-calls.htm
NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) published in December a summary of more than 12,100 square kilometers of coral-reef ecosystems in U.S. states and territories in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, mapped by the National Ocean Service since 2000. This includes approximately 5,000 square kilometers of hard-bottom habitats, such as coral reef, rubble and rock, and another 7,100 square kilometers of soft-bottom habitats, such as sand and mud. The report, 'National Summary of NOAA's Shallow-water Benthic Habitat Mapping of U.S. Coral Reef Ecosystems,' details mapping methodologies and technologies developed, regional and local applications of the maps and products, and existing data gaps. NCCOS and NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Coastal Services Center partnered on this effort. The region with the largest mapped area is the Florida Reef Tract, with more than 6,000 square kilometers of mapped habitats. The next closest region is the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with 2,000 square kilometers mapped, followed by Puerto Rico and the main Hawaiian Islands. The mapping technology used includes lidar, acoustic sensors, multibeam sensors, optical imagery sensors and other remote-sensing tools. NOAA also created biogeography software: the BIOMapper, an interactive, online feature, and the Benthic Habitat Digitizer Extension, a GIS tool. The report, available at http://1.usa.gov/10EnVYS, encompasses 10 coral-reef regions, but the total area mapped represents less than half of the total potential area of coral-reef ecosystems defined by the shallow-water 30-meter depth contour. There are also vast areas of unmapped deeper reef habitats at 30 to 150 meters depth. China, Japan Advance Manned Sub Operations as US Makes Cuts Some marine biologists, such as Robert Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic wreck, advocate the use of telepresence to conduct ocean exploration, but James Cameron pointed out in Newsweek that funding cuts for manned submersibles are not necessarily translating into more funds for ROV and AUV exploration. 'No money is being freed up by these draconian cuts,' he wrote. 'Funding is being cut across the board, in the U.S., including for ROV and AUV operations, and deep-ocean science in general.' The Chinese, meanwhile, have launched what Cameron calls 'the most advanced piloted research submersible in the world,' the 7,000-meter-rated Jialong, which is rumored to have cost hundreds of millions. Also, Japan is developing a $150 million program to dive the Shinkai sub to 6,500 meters to explore trenches and hydrothermal vent sites worldwide. 'I believe the correct approach is combining the strengths of fully autonomous vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, and human-piloted vehicles, into a suite of tools to explore this vast dark territory at the bottom of the world's oceans,' Cameron wrote. 'Each type of vehicle provides important and necessary capability.' Sea Anemones Could Thrive As Ocean Acidifies Research has shown that corals and other calcifying organisms, which produce outer shells or skeletons of soluble calcium carbonate, will be corroded by ocean acidification. However, new research by the Universities of Essex and Plymouth has shown that noncalcifying relatives of corals can thrive under ocean acidification. David Suggett and Jason Hall-Spencer examined what happened to sea anemones with increasing proximity to a natural CO2 vent site on the seabed near the Italian island of Vulcano, where CO2 and pH conditions are similar to those predicted for much of the world's oceans in 50 to 100 years. The study, published in Global Change Biology, showed that while calcified organisms dissolve away, sea anemones grow larger and much more abundant with more CO2, partly because CO2 appears to increase the productivity of the symbiotic algae that live with the anemones. In effect, the CO2 provides the anemones with more energy to grow. Pacific Gooseneck Barnacle Gets Pregnant With Floating Sperm The Pacific gooseneck barnacle is the first spermcasting species of ocean-dwelling arthropods found, according to a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Male barnacles cast sperm into the water, which females use to fertilize their eggs.' Barnacles in general can self-fertilize. But the Pacific gooseneck barnacle has not been observed as self-fertilizing, yet it can reproduce outside the penis range of other nearby barnacles. Pacific gooseneck barnacles were collected from Barkley Sound, Canada, and the DNA of embryo-carrying barnacles was analyzed. Pregnant barnacles outside the range of another barnacle's penis had one genetic marker from a barnacle other than itself, which suggested the sperm came from the ocean. It is unknown exactly how the barnacles catch sperm. Self-fertilization cannot be ruled out, though. Videotaping barnacles in the wild is the next step in the research. Oahu Losing Land Mass, Will Eventually Diminish Into Ocean Oahu will flatten into a low-lying seamount in 75,000 to 1.75 million years, a study in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta found. It will keep growing via plate tectonics in the meantime. The researchers measured solids dissolved in surface and groundwater from 45 streams, and 30 springs and wells on Oahu for a total of 170 water samples, including previously reported data. They calculated the mass Oahu loses each year and found that underground freshwater springs removed more mineral material than erosion. Groundwater had three to 12 times more dissolved solids than surface water. While the younger Hawaiian Islands push the Pacific tectonic plate downward, Oahu is pushed upward. The uplift happens at a rate of 0.2 feet per 1,000 years, which presently counteracts the losses caused by groundwater removing land mass. 2014: JAN \| FEB \| MARCH \| APRIL \| MAY \| JUNE \| JULY \| AUG \| SEPT \| OCT \| NOV \| DEC 2013: JAN \| FEB \| MARCH \| APRIL \| MAY \| JUNE \| JULY \| AUG \| SEPT \| OCT \| NOV \| DEC Sea Technology is read worldwide in more than 110 countries by management, engineers, scientists and technical personnel working in industry, government and educational research institutions. Readers are involved with oceanographic research, fisheries management, offshore oil and gas exploration and production, undersea defense including antisubmarine warfare, ocean mining and commercial diving.	http://sea-technology.com/news/archives/2013/ocean_research/ocean_research0213.php
The lesson provides learners with an opportunity to explore ways to become a hero for animals by promoting animal welfare and humane treatment of animals. Learners identify a local, state, national or international animal welfare cause and develop a personal service/advocacy plan, using the... Filter by subjects: Filter by audience: Filter by unit » issue area: find a lesson Unit: Humane Heroes: Those Who Care Enough Unit: Power to the People through Action The learners will survey local community members to see what changes they feel are needed in the community, and determine how they feel marginalized, disenfranchised and disadvantaged groups can make positive changes for the common good. Unit: Why Eat Organic? (9th Grade) The learner will develop an awareness of organic/sustainable foods as an alternative, earth-friendly way to eat. This lesson encourages the learners to evaluate their choices when they and their families purchase food products. Students identify how organic/sustainable foods contribute to their... Unit: Grow Involved 9-12 Students read To Kill a Mockingbird and discuss examples of violence. They promote the idea of doing for others by organizing a rally for nonviolence. ... In this lesson, students compare communication styles and read the Autobiography of Malcolm X. They compare the work of Malcolm X with that of Martin Luther King, Jr. Then they raise awareness of the issue of racism through a discussion forum. They plan and hold the forum in the... Unit: Volunteering - Why Is it So Important?<br>(11th Grade) The learners explore characteristics of "For-Profit" and "Not-for-Profit" businesses and organizations. They identify the role of volunteerism and research the incentives often used to attract volunteers. They will use this information to promote... Unit: Stitch in Time for the Common Good (A) Learners will understand that for profit and non-profit organizations help bring about breakthroughs in modern science/medicine. These contributions to the common good require the support of philanthropists, large and small. Unit: Food for Thought: Hunger—Around the Block, Around the World Depictions of hunger in excerpts from Jane Eyre and Oliver Twist provide concrete images of hunger as learners determine its causes and decide whether to support a change in U.S. public policy related to the issue. Unit: New Philanthropy—A Hands-On Way of Giving (The): Intro. to Philanthropy Unit (10th) Learners will analyze the “new philanthropists,” who they are, what they give, to whom they give, their personal qualities, and how they hold people and organizations accountable for their philanthropic efforts. They will consider different causes and issues which they might support.	https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/lessons-units?search_api_views_fulltext_1=Nonprofit%20Organizations%3B%20Founding%3B%20Advocacy%3B%20Public%20Policy&page=7
In 2005, the USS Ronald Reagan, a newly built US $6.2 billion aircraft carrier, sank after being hit by multiple torpedoes. Fortunately, this does not happen in actual combat, but is simulated as part of a war game between an aircraft carrier task force consisting of multiple anti-submarine escorts and on one side is the Sweden HSM Gotland, a small Swedish diesel-powered submarine with a displacement of just 1,600 tons. And the surprise is that despite carrying out many attacks on Reagan, Gotland was never discovered. This result was repeated over the course of two years of exercises, with the same scenario where enemy destroyers and nuclear attack submarines both bowed to the seemingly capable submarine. Swedish figure. Naval analyst Norman Polmar said the aircraft carrier Gotland was “circling around” the US carrier task force. Another source said that US anti-submarine experts were “dismayed” by the experience. How did Gotland evade the complex anti-submarine defenses of the USS Ronald Reagan, with a formation of many frigates and planes using countless sensors? And more importantly, how did a relatively cheap submarine, at around $100 million – roughly the cost of an F-35 stealth fighter jet today – do it? ? It should be noted that the US Navy decommissioned its last diesel submarine in 1990. HMS Gotland of Sweden, with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the background. Diesel submarines of the past were limited by their noisy, air-consuming engine operation – meaning they could only stay underwater for a few days before needing to surface. Naturally, submarines become the most vulnerable and most easily tracked when they surface, even when using a snorkel. Nuclear reactor-powered submarines, on the other hand, do not require a large air supply to operate, can run more quietly for months underwater, and they can also swim faster. However, the 61-metre Swedish Gotland-class submarine, introduced in 1996, was the first to use an Air-independent propulsion (AIP or airless propulsion) system – in this case. is the Stirling engine. A Stirling engine can charge a battery system with a capacity of 75 kilowatts for a submarine using liquid oxygen. With Stirling, a Gotland-class submarine can stay on the seabed for up to two weeks at an average speed of 10km/h, or it can expend battery power to accelerate up to 37km/h. It also comes with a conventional diesel engine used to operate on the surface, or while using a snorkel. A Stirling-powered Gotland is quieter than a nuclear-powered submarine, which uses cooling pumps and generates a lot of noise in their reactors. Not only that, the Gotland-class submarine also possesses many other features, making it more adept at evading detection. It has 27 electromagnets specifically designed to resist its own magnetic signature, allowing it to outmaneuver magnetic anomaly detectors. The hull also benefits from anti-ultrasonic coatings, while the turret is made of radar-absorbing material. The machinery inside is also covered with a rubber muffler to minimize the possibility of ultrasonic detection. In addition, Gotland is also extremely maneuverable thanks to a combination of maneuverability based on rudder and X-shaped fins, allowing it to easily maneuver near the seabed and make tight turns. HSMS Gotland in the Port of San Diego during San Diego Fleet Week, October 1, 2005. Because the submarine with its “stealth” ability had demonstrated its ability to challenge American anti-submarine ships in international exercises, the US Navy hired Gotland and its crew. for two years to conduct anti-submarine exercises. The end result convinced them that as it turned out, the undersea sensors being used were simply not capable of dealing with ships using AIP engines. However, the Gotland was only the first of many AIP-powered submarine designs, and some models have twice the time underwater. Therefore, Sweden is by no means the only country that can surpass them. China has two types of diesel submarines using Stirling engines. Fifteen Yuan-class Type 039A had previously been built in four different variants, with more than 20 planned or under construction. It also has a Type 032 Qing class ship that can stay underwater for 30 days. It is said to be the largest operational diesel submarine in the world, boasting seven vertical launch systems capable of firing cruise and ballistic missiles. Russia also launched the experimental Lada-class Saint Petersburg ship, which uses hydrogen fuel cells for power. This is an evolution of the Kilo-class submarine, a version that could be produced widely. However, sea trials showed that the engines delivered only half of the expected power and the type was not approved for production. However, in 2013, the Russian Navy announced that it would produce two heavily redesigned Lada-class submarines, the Kronstadt and Velikiye Luki, which are expected to enter service by the end of the decade. Other AIP diesel submarine producing countries include Spain, France, Japan and Germany. These countries have in turn sold them to navies around the world, including India, Israel, Pakistan and South Korea. Submarines using the AIP system have gradually evolved into larger, more powerfully armed and more expensive types over time, including the German Dolphin class and the French Scorpene class. The Indian Navy’s third Scorpene-class submarine, Karanj, at launch in Mumbai, January 31, 2018. However, the US Navy has no intention of retooling diesel submarines. They prefer to use nuclear submarines worth billions of dollars. Many would find it rather confusing that the Pentagon would opt for a more expensive weapons system over a more cost-effective alternative. However, things are not quite so simple. Diesel submarines are ideal for patrolling near coastlines. But nuclear submarines are more suitable for traveling thousands of miles, performing months-long missions across the seas from Asia to Europe. A diesel submarine could cover that distance, but then it would require frequent refueling at sea to complete a lengthy deployment. It should be noted that the famous Gotland submarine itself, was transported back to Sweden on a mobile dock, instead of making the journey on its own. Although the new AIP-equipped diesel submarines can go weeks without coming to the surface, that’s still not as good as going for months without having to “breathe”. And moreover, diesel submarines – with or without AIP – cannot maintain high speeds underwater for very long, unlike nuclear submarines. A diesel submarine will be most effective when ambushing an enemy fleet, in a location that is monitored and has pre-intelligence. However, the slow underwater speed and durability of AIP diesel submarines make them less than ideal for stalking large bodies of water. These restrictions pose no problem for diesel submarines operating relatively close to friendly bases, protecting coastal waters. But the US Navy usually doesn’t. The US Navy’s fast attack submarine USS Asheville and the 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge in the Philippine Sea. The reality, however, is that one can build or buy three or four diesel submarines worth $500 to $800 million each, for the price of a single nuclear submarine. It is an undeniable attraction. Proponents of this view argue that the United States can deploy diesel submarines to bases in allied countries without facing the political constraints caused by nuclear submarines. Moreover, advanced diesel submarines can serve as a good countermeasure against the enemy’s stealthy submarine fleet. However, the US Navy is more interested in pursuing the development of unmanned submarines. Meanwhile, China is working on long-life AIP systems using lithium-ion batteries, and France is developing a new AIP-equipped version of a large diesel submarine on a Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine. The advent of low-cost, stealthy, and long-lasting diesel submarines is another factor that puts aircraft carriers and other expensive surface warships more at risk when operating in close proximity. protected coastlines. Diesel submarines benefiting from AIP engines will serve as an effective means of coastal defense, and also cost-effectively. But whether they can create a new role for themselves in the navy operating away from home, is not really clear.	https://chubk.com/this-is-how-technology-has-helped-swedens-cheap-submarines-play-cat-and-mouse-with-the-entire-us-aircraft-carrier-fleet/
This study assesses the effectiveness of the Wisdom in Nursing program at the University of Virginia. The program's purpose is to enhance the nursing curriculum to facilitate greater mindfulness and understanding. After completing the program, students will be better equipped to combat stress and burnout compared to traditional nursing students. Creating Healthy Work Environments 2019:Innovating Healthy Clinical and Academic Environments: Optimizing Patient Outcomes and Professional Well-Being, February 22-24, 2019. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Items submitted to a conference/event were evaluated/peer-reviewed at the time of abstract submission to the event. No other peer-review was provided prior to submission to the Henderson Repository, unless otherwise noted. \|Type\|\|Poster\| \|Acquisition\|\|Proxy-submission\| \|Review Type\|\|None: Event Material, Invited Presentation\| \|Format\|\|Text-based Document\| \|Evidence Level\|\|N/A\| \|Research Approach\|\|N/A\| \|Keywords\|\|Education; \| Mindfulness; Wisdom \|Name\|\|Creating Healthy Work Environments 2019\| \|Host\|\|Sigma Theta Tau International\| \|Location\|\|New Orleans, Louisiana, USA\| \|Date\|\|2019\| All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary. Related items Showing items related by title, author, creator and subjects. - Teaching and learning compassionate care through introduction of self-care practices in a school of nursing DeGennaro, Regina M.; Zrimm, Rachael (2017-03-03)Session presented on Saturday, March 18, 2017: This poster describes an analysis of a program at a School of Nursing in which innovative workshops are provided to encourage attention to self-care and promote compassionate ... - The journey to a healthy work environment: University of Virginia School of Nursing Fontaine, Dorrie; DeGennaro, Regina M.Adapting the standards for a healthy work environment (HWE) from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the UVA School of Nursing created and is sustaining a HWE where students, faculty, and staff flourish. ... - Practical tips for successfully completing a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program Reid, Kimone R. Y.; DeGennaro, Regina M.This presentation outlines strategies that current and future Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students may use towards a successful and organized doctoral program. Clear and practical tips are included that were used by ... - Multi-modal education program to improve nurses' knowledge and confidence on delirium recognition DeGennaro, Regina M.; Choi, Min; Blevins, Cheri S.Educational programs are needed to increase knowledge and confidence of nurses for delirium recognition and should focus on an individualized learning approach, including the key role of unit delirium champion and be ... - Use of a question prompt sheet to promote patient engagement after an acute myocardial infarction Rector, Holly; DeGennaro, Regina M.Higher levels of patient engagement are associated with improved patient outcomes, but patient engagement is rarely studied in acute cardiology populations. Promotion of patient engagement during hospitalization after acute ...	https://sigma.nursingrepository.org/handle/10755/16965
Le Pelley, M.E. and Reimers, S.J. and Calvini, G. and Spears, R. and Beesley, T. and Murphy, R.A. (2010) Stereotype Formation:Biased by Association. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 139 (1). pp. 138-161. ISSN 0096-3445Full text not available from this repository. Abstract We propose that biases in attitude and stereotype formation might arise as a result of learned differences in the extent to which social groups have previously been predictive of behavioral or physical properties. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that differences in the experienced predictiveness of groups with respect to evaluatively neutral information influence the extent to which participants later form attitudes and stereotypes about those groups. In contrast, Experiment 3 shows no influence of predictiveness when using a procedure designed to emphasize the use of higher level reasoning processes, a finding consistent with the idea that the root of the predictiveness bias is not in reasoning. Experiments 4 and 5 demonstrate that the predictiveness bias in formation of group beliefs does not depend on participants making global evaluations of groups. These results are discussed in relation to the associative mechanisms proposed by Mackintosh (1975) to explain similar phenomena in animal conditioning and associative learning.	https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/88049/?template=browse
Main description: This book investigates the use of palladium modified by bulky ligands as catalysts for new chemical transformations that rapidly assemble several classes of complex heterocyles. It documents the development of new chemical reactions involving carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-halogen (C-X) bond formation in the context of alkene difunctionalization and dearomatization reactions. Due to the ubiquity of heterocycles in bioactive natural products and life-improving pharmaceutical treatments, a long-term goal for synthetic organic chemists has been to develop novel and creative heterocycle syntheses that illicit a high degree of product diversity and are characterized by mild reaction conditions and limited waste production. A considerable fraction of leading pharmaceutical drugs contain at least one heterocycle within their chemical structure, and their prevalence in these technologies is strong evidence that the fundamental curiosities of organic chemistry lead to real-world solutions for the health and wellness of the global population. Contents: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Heterocycles via Intramolecular Pd-Catalyzed Alkene Aryliodination.- Pd-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Carbocyanation Reactions of Chiral N-Allyl Carboxamides and Indoles.- Development of a Pd-Catalyzed Dearomative 1,2-Diarylation of Indoles using Aryl Boron Reagents.- Harnessing Reversible Oxidative Addition: Application of Diiodinated Aromatic Compounds in Aryliodination.	https://www.wisepress.com/stereoselective-heterocycle-synthesis-via-alkene-difunctionalization-9783030084721/
Scientific discovery is incremental. The Merriam-Webster definition of 'Scientific Method' is "principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses". Scientists are taught to be excellent observers, as observations create questions, which in turn generate hypotheses. After centuries of science we tend to assume that we have enough observations to drive science, and enable the small steps and giant leaps which lead to theories and subsequent testable hypotheses. One excellent example of this is Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle, which was essentially an opportunistic survey of biodiversity. Today, obtaining funding for even small-scale surveys of life on Earth is difficult; but few argue the importance of the theory that was generated by Darwin from his observations made during this epic journey. However, these observations, even combined with the parallel work of Alfred Russell Wallace at around the same time have still not generated an indisputable 'law of biology'. The fact that evolution remains a 'theory', at least to the general public, suggests that surveys for new data need to be taken to a new level. One of the most comprehensive and most important contemporary surveys has been the recently completed Census of Marine Life (Census; http://www.coml.org). This ten-year initiative involved 2,700 scientists from more than 80 countries and cost in excess of US$650 million. The Census was driven by a fundamental hypothesis, that 'there exist fundamental gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the biology of the oceans and the subsequent functioning of this system'. It has often been said that the absence of knowledge should be enough justification for exploration. The fact that the Census identified more than 6000 potentially new species and resulted in more than 2600 scientific publications validates the hypothesis. The Census community observed a potential gap in knowledge about biodiversity on our planet and wanted to fill it. Indeed this was driven not just by the scientific community, but also by public pressure for discovery. People are very responsive to new discovery, as indicated by the media response to new species found in the Census, and the questions asked of the Census by the public, e.g. 'how much biodiversity is there?'; 'why is there so much?'; 'how did it get there?'; and how much biodiversity is enough?' . What has been striking has been the reinforcement of our original theory - that these voluminous observations have generated innumerable new hypotheses. This no more true than in the microbial component of the census, the International Census of Marine Microbes (ICoMM; http://icomm.mbl.edu/), which has been one of the most comprehensive studies of microbial diversity ever accomplished. Were Darwin or his financiers around today, they would surely be deeply interested in the possibilities of exploring microbial life. Undoubtedly they would achieve this using metagenomics. In metagenomics, we isolate DNA directly from the environment and use it to characterize the taxonomy and function of the biological community in that ecosystem. The power of this approach has been lauded by contemporary scientists such as Edward O. Wilson, who famously said "...if I could start my life over, I would work in microbial ecology" . As a result of metagenomic analyses over the last 30 years, we have theorized and hypothesized that the whole microbial community acts as a network providing a vast array of ecosystem services to the macro-organisms in the ecosystem. Only now and only with metagenomics, do we have the potential to produce a critical mass of data that will enable testing of these hypotheses. Darwin started making observations about organisms before using the gathered data to generate his theory on the origin of species via natural selection. Evolution as a theory and subsequently as a testable hypothesis was generated from his open-minded observations. Likewise large-scale observational studies have aided the development of microbial ecology; for example, the Global Ocean Survey (GOS), a marine metagenomic transect survey of the world's oceans , has without a doubt, been one of the most influential microbial ecology studies ever. Many studies have made use of the GOS dataset to generate hypotheses and make conclusions about the biogeographic properties and functions of ocean microbial communities. Despite this clear impact, the GOS dataset is often vilified for poor experimental design and the absence of appropriate metadata necessary for analysis of the influence of environment on microbial diversity along the transect. We would agree that the data are B.A.D. - but only insofar as they are the Best Available Data - as with Darwin's imperfect survey of animals and plants, it has significantly contributed to our understanding of, in this case, marine microbiology. GOS inspired a range of metagenomic research efforts, and the resulting explosion of metagenomic discovery voyages from the human digestive tract http://www.metahit.eu; http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/hmp/ to the soil http://www.terragenome.org. Some new studies have undoubtedly used the observations made by the GOS to derive hypotheses; for example, TARA Oceans http://oceans.taraexpeditions.org/ uses a similar experimental approach to GOS, but with statistical design and contextual metadata. The research community needs to carefully balance groundbreaking observational studies, however imperfect, with carefully designed experimental approaches. For example, the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) http://www.earthmicrobiome.org is using metagenomics to survey the largest distribution of samples ever attempted [4, 5]. While driven by specific hypotheses, which will be tested by the data, this study is also fundamentally a voyage of discovery. The 200,000 planned environmental samples sequenced for taxonomic and functional analysis, will undoubtedly generate hypotheses that are currently inconceivable. As with all data discovery, the way in which the data are analyzed and presented to the community will impact how they are used. Hence the EMP will re-assemble microbial genomes to discover new physiology, produce metabolic maps to discover functional mechanisms and explore taxonomic and protein space. The EMP is predicated on the value of voyages of discovery; and what a voyage we have before us! The vast imbalance between what it is possible to hypothesize and test, and what is unknown means that every microbial ecologist is on an epic voyage of equal importance to that of Darwin. There are many fundamental theories about microbial life that still need to be examined, and many of these can only be explored by intelligent sampling in an unrestricted environmental surveys. Restricted analysis such as laboratory based manipulation, culturing, PCR amplification and genome experimentation are very important to the understanding of microbial adaptation. However, lab experiments are artificial and hence it will always be necessary to contextualize these results with environmental observation, and DNA extraction bias notwithstanding, metagenomics is the most unrestricted and comprehensive approach. Our ability to interpret these data is always improving [6, 7] and we stand on a precipice of unprecedented discovery, such as whether the global ocean contains a homogeneous pool of microbial genes acquired by billions of years of exchange and dispersal . Microbes are not the only group to benefit from these surveys; viruses exist at 10 times the abundance of microbes in virtually all ecosystems, and the only effective technique to examine the full breadth of their populations is unrestricted metagenomic survey, as no universal gene exists to allow amplicon surveys . As viruses are the drivers of gene exchange - their characterization is equally necessary to answer many of the relevant questions. Thus, funding agencies and private foundations should not reject discovery studies that aim to explore the vast frontiers of microbial life in relatively unstructured ways. This 'dark matter' must be explored, albeit intelligently. This is not a call for blind, blanket surveys, but for exploring microbial communities at a supra-ecosystem level at a time when we are realizing that we know very little about the microbial world, yet understand increasingly that microbes drive ecological processes at all scales. Microbial ecology is rapidly evolving as a science. We need more and better surveys of every ecosystem and better standardization of ecosystem variables that can be used to relate biology to environment. The problem is vast, with more microbial life in the oceans than stars in the known universe , yet it is not insurmountable. There is increasing evidence, for example, for the "everything is everywhere, but the environment selects" theory being closer to the truth than anyone had previously conceived [1, 10]. This is a very exciting time in global biodiversity discovery, and we must not forget that observations play a major role in science; only with effective observation can we develop testable hypotheses. It is already clear that microbial evolution, which is most of evolution, used some tricks that seem to be out of fashion among the larger organisms. So, who knows, perhaps studies like GOS, TARA and the EMP will yield the next theory of evolution, and some young Census scientist the next Darwin? The U.S. Government retains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable worldwide license in said article to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government.	https://microbialinformaticsj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2042-5783-1-5
Munksjö has the aim to be a global leader in high-quality specialty papers, providing customers with a unique product offering for a large number of industrial applications and consumer-driven products. In developing its strategy and business planning, customers’ experiences and input are extremely important in order to ensure decisions are taken that really are of value to Munksjö’s customers and which will result in a more favourable competitive position for the company. To involve customers in this open dialogue about Munksjö’s current performance and future position, Opticom was engaged to develop a plan and design a model for gathering and analysing customer input and measuring customer satisfaction. A global, company-wide survey was conducted covering all business areas: Decor, Release Liners, Industrial Applications as well as Graphics and Packaging. Customers provided positive feedback and highlighted clear strengths, as well as suggestions on where improvements could be made and how they would like Munksjö to develop. To further increase internal motivation and commitment, Opticom and Munksjö organized a series of workshops with representatives for the different business areas covering a wide range of functions across the organization in order to make the most of the input customers provided. In total, more than 80 managers from across the globe were involved in reviewing customer feedback and creating ideas on what can be done to ensure customers will be even more satisfied with Munksjö in the future.	http://opticom.se/tag/munksjo/
Ronda Diegel, PhD, LP will present Cultivating Mindful Self-Compassion on November 15 as part of the MSP Continuing Education (CE) series. In this blog, Dr. Diegel explains the personal and professional interest in self-compassion that led her to create the workshop. During the 2013-14 academic year, I participated in the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy’s 9-month certificate program, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. A comprehensive exploration of the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy, I learned research validated applications of mindfulness for a wide range of clinical populations and conditions from the leading teachers in the country. My classmates, 34 psychotherapists (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors) from around the world, came together for our final retreat at the conclusion of the program. As we shared aspects of learning experience that were most meaningful for us, almost every one of us, myself included, identified the practice of self-compassion as a highlight of our program. It was little wonder that the idea of “self-compassion” had such a strong resonance. For years I sat with clients who, as though they were bathed in shame, denigrated themselves with self-criticism and ruminated relentlessly on their past mistakes. I might offer an observation like, “you are so hard on yourself,” dive into the history around the thoughts, challenge the accuracy of the self-judgment, and explore the depth of suffering that occurred by buying into the harsh inner critic. Despite the efforts, I often felt ineffective. Years later, I remember, with sadness, my client who wrote “you are boring” on sticky notes and hung them all over her home in self-punishment for what she saw as her social failure. Not only did I see my clients suffer, but I too struggled with a punitive critical inner voice who, at times, made me feel inadequate and unacceptable. Kristin Neff, PhD, a research psychologist at the University of Texas-Austin and a pioneer researcher on the topic self-compassion, was one of my teachers in the Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Program. She reported that in 2002 there were only two studies on self-compassion in the professional literature. In 2012, there were over 200 and I would guess that today that number has doubled. Undoubtedly, self-compassion is being so widely researched and getting so much attention in popular media because the results are so compelling. Research reveals that people who score higher on self-compassion scales tend to have more satisfying relationships, enjoy a greater sense of well-being, resiliency, and motivation, while displaying lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Dr. Neff was the first to operationally define and measure the construct of self-compassion. She found that there were three critical elements to self-compassion: (1) self-kindness (2) a sense of common humanity and (3) mindfulness. Understanding these three elements creates an opening for a host of clinical interventions to transform self-criticism to self-kindness, self-isolation to interconnectedness (rather that creating a narcissistic view, self-compassion creates a deeper sense of connection and compassion for others), and self-absorption to mindfulness. As we learn to employ self-compassion, we find that in times of suffering we are better able to comfort ourselves, accept that like all humans we will make mistakes, and stop seemingly endless rumination. At the MSP Mindful Self-Compassion CE workshop, attendees will deepen their understanding of self-compassion, become familiar with the research supporting self-compassion practices, and take part in a number of self-compassion exercises that support a greater sense of emotional and mental well-being. Highly experiential, all participants will leave with copies of meditations and exercises that may be employed as clinical interventions as well as utilized for clinician self-care. If you are curious and would like to “test” your own self-compassion prior to the workshop, you may want to take Dr. Neff’s Self-Compassion Quiz. Ronda Pretzlaff Diegel, PhD, LP is an adjunct faculty member at MSP. In addition to the CE Workshop on November 15, Dr. Diegel is hosting Metta Yoga, a wellness fundraiser that includes a one-hour “all-levels” yoga class and a 15 minute loving-kindness meditation, on November 18. All money raised at Metta Yoga will benefit Equality Michigan.	https://msp.edu/cultivating-mindful-self-compassion/
Historical research is the way for us to grasp how things change, what factors have led our states and societies to the changes going on, what elements of our pasts persist despite social, economic and political changes and why they do remain. The current conditions of states, nations and societies can only be comprehended through delving into the huge laboratory of human experience accumulated by historical studies, into the storehouse of information about how people and societies behave, how the world works. That comprehension is essential in order to take stand on the issues we are facing in our current conditions and to grasp insights into the future. This makes history one of the cornerstones for analysis in many other research areas of social sciences and humanities. The place Lithuania has taken in the history of Europe is of value for understanding differing political and social processes that have taken place through millennia of the continent. Situated on the crossroads of Byzantine and Western cultures it is the country with the largest European territory up to the 15th century and one of the smallest member states of the European Union today, the country that was the last to join the Christian Europe (being baptized in the end of the 14th century only) and the first to leave the USSR thus starting the collapse of the empire. Lithuania for long had played an important role in the international relations of the region and together with Poland had been the rival of Moscow till the end of the 17th century; it still is actively engaged in dealing with conflicts taking place in the East. However the past can be studied only in the light of the present. Thus the knowledge of shared sociopolitical and economic practices and meanings that make up cultures we are living in is indispensable for investigations into the historical roots our cultures are coming from. Vilnius is among the best places for thoughtful engagement into Central European memory of intertwined fates and faiths of many cultures. For centuries Vilnius has been called "The Jerusalem of the North" for its tolerance and multiculturalism. The same streets host Catholic and Orthodox churches, the biggest Eastern European synagogue was standing in Vilnius until the end of the WWII, and one can still spot pagan symbols on church crosses. Vilnius has been the place of the first literary steps of the most famous Polish poets, the birth of Belarusian literature. At the same time it is the city that has witnessed the tragic fate of the Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) culture under the Nazis as well as the tragedies created by the soviet totalitarianism. The troubled pasts still haunt thoughts and feelings of people, leading to xenophobia and related intolerance – something that can be comprehended and overcome only through thorough and unbiased investigation of the historical and cultural heritage of the country.	http://vilias.lt/en/History_Cultural_Studies
Video: Is there anything that can help with PTSD? Transcript Dr Matthew Cullen, Psychiatrist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney PTSD has become much more common in our society over the last 10, 20, 30 years. It’s probably always been there, but now that it’s been properly recognised as a psychiatric illness, more and more individuals who’ve been exposed to very severe, very acute stress, are recognised as developing PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD has particular symptoms, it’s, in a sense, an anxiety disorder, but people have flashbacks, intrusive memories, often feel very startled unexpectedly. And, as a result, this sense of being on edge, being under threat, is there all the time. It permeates the existence. It’s a very unpleasant, very disruptive disorder. Treatments are, of course, an important part of any psychiatric illness and PTSD has a number of successful treatment approaches. The first focuses on psychological treatments and there are a myriad of approaches that have been adopted that help with the treatment of PTSD. It is beyond this brief response to this question to go through that in a lot of detail, but effectively in the right hands with a skilled psychologist, there are various measures that can be put in place to help with PTSD. On the other side, there are medical treatments that can help with some of the symptoms such as nightmares, poor sleep, the overall high level of anxiety. PTSD can take some period of time to treat, but overall with the right treatment, one can get quite significant symptomatic relief. Last Reviewed: 14/04/2020 myDr Related Posts Post-traumatic stress disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can affect people who have seen or been involved in a traumatic event. Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depression) is an illness, a medical condition. Psychosis When someone experiences psychosis they are unable to distinguish what is real. Symptoms include confused thinking, delusions and hallucinations. Anxiety Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in Australia. If you have anxiety that's out of proportion to the situation you're in, you may be affected. Video: Surf therapy can help depression and PTSD Surf therapy combines cognitive behavior therapy with physical activity and the challenge of surfing. Recent studies have found that it can help to reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD.	https://www.mydr.com.au/mental-health/is-there-anything-that-can-help-with-ptsd
Perhaps Monet's most important work, this piece is a very loose interpretation of the harbor of Le Havre in France. Monet titled it "Impression" since, in his view, it could not be truly taken for a view of Le Havre. The title of this piece was later used in a vicious review of the art exhibition in which it was shown by Louis Leroy, who inadvertently named the new art movement "Impressionism" from his harsh mocking of the show as "The Exhibition of the Impressionists." This piece has an interesting history; it was stolen from the Musee Marmottan Monet in 1985 by Philippe Jamin and Youssef Khimoun, but was recovered in 1990. It is now back on display in the museum. The authentic stretched canvas replica painting captures the original work's texture, depth of color, and even its bold brushstrokes, which are applied by hand exclusively for Design Toscano. Our replica European style frame is cast in quality designer resin in a deep ebony hue highlighted by a faux mat and a classic, understated border in an antique gold finish.	https://www.designtoscano.com/product/impression+sunrise%2C+1872-+canvas+replica+painting-+large+-+da3853.do
Host specificity of Lepidoptera in tropical and temperate forests It is suggested that greater specialization in tropical faunas is the result of differences in trophic interactions; for example, there are more distinct plant secondary chemical profiles from one tree species to the next in tropical forests than in temperate forests as well as more diverse and chronic pressures from natural enemy communities. The global distribution of diet breadth in insect herbivores - M. Forister, V. Novotný, L. Dyer - Environmental ScienceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - 29 December 2014 A global dataset is used to investigate host range for over 7,500 insect herbivore species covering a wide taxonomic breadth and interacting with more than 2,000 species of plants in 165 families to ask whether relatively specialized and generalized herbivores represent a dichotomy rather than a continuum from few to many host families and species attacked and whether diet breadth changes with increasing plant species richness toward the tropics. Revisiting the evolution of ecological specialization, with emphasis on insect-plant interactions. - M. Forister, L. Dyer, M. Singer, J. Stireman, J. Lill - BiologyEcology - 1 May 2012 New developments in the evolution of ecological specialization are synthesized, using insect-plant interactions as a model, to find that theory based on simple genetic trade-offs in host use is being replaced by more subtle and complex pictures of genetic architecture, and multitrophic interactions have risen as a necessary framework for understanding specialization. Climatic unpredictability and parasitism of caterpillars: implications of global warming. - J. Stireman, L. Dyer, I. Diniz - Environmental ScienceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences… - 10 October 2005 This work compares caterpillar-parasitoid interactions across a broad gradient of climatic variability and finds that the combined data in 15 geographically dispersed databases show a decrease in levels of parasitism as Climatic variability increases. Feeny revisited: condensed tannins as anti‐herbivore defences in leaf‐chewing herbivore communities of Quercus - Rebecca E. Forkner, R. Marquis, J. Lill - Environmental Science - 1 April 2004 Community level oak–tannin–insect patterns have been largely unexplored since Paul Feeny's ground‐breaking research and abundance and richness of leaf‐chewing herbivores are negatively correlated with foliar condensed tannin concentrations and variation in condensed tANNin concentrations explains variation in herbivore community structure. Host plants influence parasitism of forest caterpillars - J. Lill, R. Marquis, R. Ricklefs - Environmental Science, BiologyNature - 9 May 2002 Differences in parasitism among particular caterpillar–host plant combinations could select for specialization of host plant ranges within caterpillar communities, which would ultimately promote the species diversification of Lepidoptera in temperate forests with respect to escape from enemies. ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERING BY CATERPILLARS INCREASES INSECT HERBIVORE DIVERSITY ON WHITE OAK - J. Lill, R. Marquis - Environmental Science - 1 March 2003 Herbivore community composition differed significantly between the removal and artificial tie treatments in both years, due to increased species richness of leaf- tying caterpillars (1999 and 2000), sawflies (1999 only), and beetles (2000 only) on trees with artificial ties. The role of climate variability and global warming in the dieback of Northern Hardwoods - A. Auclair, J. Lill, C. Revenga - Environmental Science - 1 October 1996 The severity of dieback in Northern Hardwood Forests of Canada and the United States this century (1910–1990) was reconstructed from pathology records and compared to indices of extreme weather… 6 - Microhabitat Manipulation: Ecosystem Engineering by Shelter-Building Insects - J. Lill, R. Marquis - Environmental Science - 2007 Stinging spines protect slug caterpillars (Limacodidae) from multiple generalist predators - S. Murphy, Susannah M. Leahy, L. Williams, J. Lill - Biology, Environmental Science - 2010 It is concluded that limacodid larvae that are heavily armored with stinging spines are well defended against attacks from invertebrate predators and are significantly more likely to survive predator encounters than are unspined or lightly spined larvae. ... ...	https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/J.-Lill/4751462
N-Acetyltransferase Mpr1 confers ethanol tolerance on Saccharomyces cerevisiae by reducing reactive oxygen species. N-Acetyltransferase Mpr1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can reduce intracellular oxidation levels and protect yeast cells under oxidative stress, including H(2)O(2), heat-shock, or freeze-thaw treatment. Unlike many antioxidant enzyme genes induced in response to oxidative stress, the MPR1 gene seems to be constitutively expressed in yeast cells. Based on a recent report that ethanol toxicity is correlated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we examined here the role of Mpr1 under ethanol stress conditions. The null mutant of the MPR1 and MPR2 genes showed hypersensitivity to ethanol stress, and the expression of the MPR1 gene conferred stress tolerance. We also found that yeast cells exhibited increased ROS levels during exposure to ethanol stress, and that Mpr1 protects yeast cells from ethanol stress by reducing intracellular ROS levels. When the MPR1 gene was overexpressed in antioxidant enzyme-deficient mutants, increased resistance to H(2)O(2) or heat shock was observed in cells lacking the CTA1, CTT1, or GPX1 gene encoding catalase A, catalase T, or glutathione peroxidase, respectively. These results suggest that Mpr1 might compensate the function of enzymes that detoxify H(2)O(2). Hence, Mpr1 has promising potential for the breeding of novel ethanol-tolerant yeast strains.
Clinical application of cardiovascular pharmacogenetics. Published Journal Article (Review) Pharmacogenetics primarily uses genetic variation to identify subgroups of patients who may respond differently to a certain medication. Since its first description, the field of pharmacogenetics has expanded to study a broad range of cardiovascular drugs and has become a mainstream research discipline. Three principle classes of pharmacogenetic markers have emerged: 1) pharmacokinetic; 2) pharmacodynamic; and 3) underlying disease mechanism. In the realm of cardiovascular pharmacogenetics, significant advances have identified markers in each class for a variety of therapeutics, some with a potential for improving patient outcomes. While ongoing clinical trials will determine if routine use of pharmacogenetic testing may be beneficial, the data today support pharmacogenetic testing for certain variants on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Our primary goal is to review the association data for the major pharmacogenetic variants associated with commonly used cardiovascular medications: antiplatelet agents, warfarin, statins, beta-blockers, diuretics, and antiarrhythmic drugs. In addition, we highlight which variants and in which contexts pharmacogenetic testing can be implemented by practicing clinicians. The pace of genetic discovery has outstripped the generation of the evidence justifying its clinical adoption. Until the evidentiary gaps are filled, however, clinicians may choose to target therapeutics to individual patients whose genetic background indicates that they stand to benefit the most from pharmacogenetic testing.	https://scholars.duke.edu/display/pub773173
Therapeutic exercise service is a prescribed dosage of a particular exercise or group of exercises aimed at accomplishing a very specific goal. After a thorough patient evaluation, including a review of a patient’s medical history, any films that may be on file such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, arthrograms, etc., a complete and thorough subjective history history taking with the patient in the clinic and a biomechanical examination of the patient’s body, we will devise a carefully prescribed therapeutic exercise regimen to address that patient’s impairments. Therapeutic exercise from a physical therapist’s perspective, doesn’t turn somebody into the Incredible Hulk. Perhaps for an 86-year-old female with osteoporosis, she needs to stand up from a chair without assistance. Therapeutic exercise can only be applied, and should only be applied after a very thorough subjective history taking, objective examination, and setting specific goals together with the patient.	https://www.balancept.com/services/therapeutic-exercise/
Pat Shorter, Huval, Forest, Reagan, Thomas E., Carlton, Christopher E. Patricia Shorter Wooden, Forest Huval, Chris Carlton and Gene Reagan The greenhouse millipede is a member of the class Diplopoda, the millipedes. Millipedes are characterized by possessing body segments that each constitute two combined segments (diplosegments). Each segment bears two pairs of legs that are used for walking and climbing. The greenhouse millipede has no eyes and relies on its antennae to navigate its environment. They are black to dark brown in color with cream-colored or white legs and paranota (side extensions of the segments, as seen in the second image). Adults are approximately three-quarters of an inch or 1 inch (18 to 24 mm) in body length. Additional common names include garden millipede and hothouse millipede. Species within the family Paradoxosomatidae are commonly referred to as dragon millipedes because of their vibrant colors and interesting external structures. By comparison, this nonnative species is drab in appearance. The greenhouse millipede was likely introduced to the Americas and Europe through gardening soil from Asia. They occur in tropical and temperate areas and are common throughout the United States. In Louisiana, they often invade garages and other open structures and can be seen on paved areas such as cracks in sidewalks and driveways. They may enter homes under door gaps and, true to their common name, can infest greenhouses. Millipedes are detritivores, feeding on leaf litter and other debris. They prefer moist habitats, such as flower beds and leaf piles, and scrape calcium carbonate off the surfaces of sidewalks and rocks. When their needs for moisture, debris and mineral-rich surfaces are met, they can reach large population densities. Like many millipedes, the greenhouse millipede releases foul smelling toxins when threatened. As a result, few predators will consume them. Greenhouse millipedes are poisonous if consumed by predators but are harmless to humans. Millipedes grow continuously until they reach adulthood, adding a new segment with each molt. Adult males have a pair of modified legs called gonopods that act as reproductive organs, leaving that diplosegment with a single pair of legs and another pair of gonopods. Adults may mate several times. After mating, females lay their eggs in moist soil. Little is known about the egg and juvenile stages of millipedes. When molting, the millipede will enclose itself in a ball of mud for protection until it is ready to emerge. Millipedes are typically beneficial to ecosystems, recycling decaying leaves and other organic matter. However, the greenhouse millipede is not native to the United States and prefers urban environments. Their propensity to invade greenhouses and other structures, combined with their foul defensive odor, makes them a nuisance. Because of their adaptability to new environments and lack of natural enemies, greenhouse millipedes thrive in artificial environments. No pesticide control protocol currently exists for these millipedes. The best nonchemical solution is to vacuum them up, both alive and dead, and empty the bag outside to avoid the smell. Hoffman, R. L. 1999. Checklist of the millipedes of North and Middle America. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publications 8: 1–553. For advice about arthropod identification or diagnosis, contact the LSU AgCenter Department of Entomology. Reach the department through the Contact Us webpage: Adult greenhouse millipede. Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org. Adult greenhouse millipede, with coin for scale. Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. The pink dragon (Desmoxytes purpurosea), a species from Thailand that is a more typical representative of the Paradoxosomatidae. This species’ bright pink colors signal its poisonous chemical defenses. Chulabush Khatancharoen, used under the Creative Commons 2.0 license, Flickr.com.	https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/bneely/articles/page1590008694916
Eleftheria Lamprou-Karela cites her childhood fascination with Greek mythology as her main source of inspiration for making jewellery. With each piece a representation of a specific myth, the designs range from spiritual to playful, yet remain a consistently elegant fusion of the classic and the modern. Precious stones serve to highlight the ancient aesthetics that Eleftheria aims to convey, in her own words, “ancient knowledge translated into graceful form”. Unfortunately we do not currently stock the Eleftheria collection at Wolf & Badger. Please click here to browse designers currently in-stock.	https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/designers/eleftheria/
It can be challenging at first to find the connections between Six Sigma and Agile; a number of obstacles stand in the way of reaching an integrated view. But there is some untapped leverage that, if explored, may ease the use of the two methods. It is often more interesting to find the intersections that connect things, rather than the distinctions that seem to divide them. This is true with Lean Six Sigma and agile software development. Ultimately, both aim to improve the processes used to deliver products that meet customer specifications. But it can be challenging at first to find the connections between these methods; a number of obstacles stand in the way of reaching an integrated view. With this view, though, practitioners can leverage the benefits of both greater design and programming skills and a better understanding of how to discover and meet user requirements. Obstacles to an Intersected View of Lean Six Sigma and Agile Development Finding the intersections within Lean Six Sigma and agile software development can be beneficial, but four obstacles may stand in the way. 1. Seeing Software Development Through the Manufacturing Lens In manufacturing operations and repetitive services, the variation that gets in the way of doing the same thing the same way over and over is the main concern. While there are some repetitive aspects to software development – configuration management, aspects of coding standards and testing, for example – Lean Six Sigma can miss the mark when a widgets-on-conveyor-belts model is presented. In software, the variation in shared understanding is usually the main enemy. Therefore, Lean Six Sigma should be presented as a method that goes where the value and risk questions are, and then helps grow net value and reduce risks. Practitioners should be ready to communicate the intent and potential value of Six Sigma in ways that offer help dealing with value and risk in less physical and repetitive domains. 2. Painting Six Sigma into a Statistical Corner Connected with the first obstacle, this problem occurs when practitioners define Lean Six Sigma in terms that are too statistical – missing the connection software developers might have with more-descriptive and language-data-based strategies in the kit. These include voice-of-the-customer tools for gathering better language data and distilling it more effectively, as well as tools such as quality function deployment (QFD), the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and KJ, which deal with best use of qualitative facts and data, sometimes together with numbers, to drive quick learning and decisions. Practitioners should not reduce all software development issues to a statistical problem – some reduce to logical problems but still benefit from Six Sigma tools and thinking. 3. Trying to Fight Complexity with Complexity Software development involves a number of challenges: understanding requirements and prospective features; selecting the features to implement; and planning the resources, schedules and tests for on-time, high-quality delivery. These challenges can be extremely complex, and practitioners must be careful not to misapply manufacturing remedies such as compliance to checklists and complex forecasting and optimization to the development process. It is easy to get enthused about “the power of the tools” and become over-reliant on roadmaps, checklists and high-octane multivariate models. On that path, practitioners may try to subdue process complexity by matching it with process complexity and model-based complexity. But that approach in a software environment may lead to missing the chance to get aboard the way that agile software development (and Lean in general) deals with complexity – by trying to make the work and the people-to-people connections simpler. Although neither approach is right for all cases, note that complexity can be fought with complexity and, sometimes, with simplicity, depending on the situation. 4. Overemphasizing the Waterfall Development Model “Do it right the first time” and “Get the requirements right, up front” are great pieces of advice in the situations they fit. But practitioners must be careful not to over-apply this thinking when it may alienate them from potential allies. When capital equipment and manufacturing process investments are hanging in the balance, it may make the most sense to force decisions to the front end. Reducing the risk of scrapping or reworking capital equipment or manufacturing components is exactly where Lean Six Sigma should focus in a manufacturing environment. In software, though, the incremental work products are a lot less brittle. If practitioners force signoff on requirements and specifications up front, they, and the customers, have to act like they know more than they actually may about what is important and what the choices will be. This practice cuts off the chances for learning en route – and thus, lops off a whole class of value- and risk-improvement options that might have been extremely helpful and Six Sigma friendly. It is easy for Lean Six Sigma practitioners and software developers to become polarized over this issue. Waterfallers may see agilites as wanting to go back to Capability Maturity Model Integration Level 1. Agilites may be too quick to dismiss the value or risk-reducing aspects of things such as documentation or interim reports. The answer is often somewhere in the middle. Understanding Scrum Here it may help to underline a key insight about the agile software development method scrum. Scrum is a simple set of roles and practices that helps prioritize and organize people and their work – while fostering the communication and transparency vital to high-quality, high-efficiency delivery of working results. This transparency reveals obstacles and performance gaps in a daily, closed-loop way. The figure below illustrates a flavor of agile software development that is common enough to be a good reference point for Lean Six Sigma integration. Done well, scrum is elegant and potent at what it does, but it is not a complete diet. The first shell that needs to surround it is a set of programming practice. Extreme programming (XP) and close variants are a common choice there. Practices such as test-driven development, pair programming and refactoring will put design and development meat on the bones of a Scrum workflow. 6 Ways to Leverage Integration While scrum (inner circle of the figure above) can be a great foundation, there are still times when teams and individuals reach outside pure design and programming skills to the broader worlds of user-environment exploration, requirements discovery, study of design drivers and dynamics, and other areas depicted in the outer ring of the figure above. This is where Lean Six Sigma can fit in and will make everyone happy. These six steps represent the best potential for Lean Six Sigma and Agile software development integration. 1. Understand Problem and Opportunity Context Software product owners and analysts, and sometimes even developers, occasionally need to exercise anthropology or sociology skills and learn things about people and their work or play environments. That’s not a coding or design skill per-se; it is a coding and design informing skill. Lean Six Sigma practitioners have learned much about how to gather and understand the VOC and the voice(s) related to their environment. Skills in language-data gathering and distillation (such as effective affinity and KJ) can be welcome and may help with scrum and agile whiteboards. 2. Discover User Stories and Delivered-Value Tests While it is crucial for practitioners to use functional requirements or user stories to identify what a user or actor wishes or needs to be able to do with the software, it is equally important for them to know how to verify that value has been realized and delivered. This is where delivered-value tests come in. Thinking about the nature of the acceptance tests as part of the understanding-the-requirement process resonates with the test-driven development notions in agile/XP and with the verification sense in Lean Six Sigma. 3. Understand Value Drivers, Risk Drivers and Dynamics The need for an understanding of key drivers and dynamics depends on the nature of each particular software project. This type of understanding is more commonly useful in firmware development, where software controls hardware and touches the physical world, but also sometimes in applications (e.g., network performance, usability testing) and even in commercial, off-the-shelf deployment. In this latter realm, this type of understanding is important because the development team must be familiar with the “what if?” dynamics related to choices they face. These development situations call for the right form of model building. Some software teams model the hardware or network in order to reduce development time and dependency on availability of scarce resources. If and when that happens, the team is outside the sphere of scrum-plus-XP skills and tools. But if they have a friendly relationship with a Lean Six Sigma resource, they can work together to build, assess and use some models to drive their required learning. 4. Make Quick, Correct Decisions Practitioners at all levels would probably agree that they are continuously pushed to make quick decisions – under the pressure that they have to be right or at least right enough to avoid undue waste as a consequence. In simple cases, common sense methods can do well enough, and they will always have a place. But there are other times when the complexity of the decision may become too much, especially relating to one or more of these dimensions: - Number of decision goals and relationships or tradeoffs between them - Number of alternatives and related choices - Evaluation of the merits and gaps of each alternative with respect to the goals - Solution-deployment dynamics including choices about people, other resources and schedules connected with making the solution happen - The number of people who need to be involved with evaluating the goals, alternatives and solution-deployment dynamics - Documenting the decision thought process to inform others and compel them to align with the decision An Agile team may find itself in need of help when dealing with these decisions, and might be glad to find a Lean Six Sigma person with some simple, practical tools to help sort things out. KJ and web-based AHP are among the tools in some Lean Six Sigma kits that can help in these situations. 5. Deliver Results Using Closed-Loop Control It is a challenge for developers to see where they are going while they are going there – and see it in a way that delivers early course-correction signals. Scrum uses burndown charts as a primary way to watch the effort and time spent versus the tested functionality delivered, but there are aspects of product and system performance that can benefit from some real-time measurement, adaptation and optimization. Lean Six Sigma understands this realm and developers can gain greater control by fitting its principles into the agile environment. 6. Scale and Sustain Ongoing Delivered Results After the work products are delivered, there follows the useful life of the product, where there is much to be learned by watching the right aspects of user experience and results. Lean Six Sigma has tools for streamlining the environment for the delivered, installed product – and finding Lean benefits not only for the software company, but also for the customer. Focusing on the Similarities It has been said that being able to see what is different in things that are apparently the same is the talent of a good problem solver – but being able to see what is the same in things that are apparently different is the sign of a good innovator and designer. This is why it is important for practitioners to focus on the “things that are the same” that might better connect Lean Six Sigma and agile development.	https://www.isixsigma.com/tools-templates/software/remove-obstacles-six-sigma-within-agile-development/
Link between Melanoma & Breast Cancer Last Modified: November 5, 2006 Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on my left wrist in June of 2005. Monday I had an OB-GYN appointment and a "lump" was found in my left breast. There is no history of breast cancer or melanoma in my family; however, there are numerous other types of cancer: colon, prostate and lung. Could the melanoma have anything to do with the possible development of breast cancer? I have not had further testing because I am afraid. First and foremost, you should follow up on the imaging that was recommended by your OB-GYN. Although it may seem scary, once you have the imaging performed of your breast, you will have more information and therefore be able to make more informed decisions about the way in which you wish to proceed. Typically, a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound is ordered to further evaluate the lump in your breast. These tests allow us to better determine what the lump in your breast might be. Pain is often associated with a cyst or an infection, and these could be detected through these imaging tests. If the imaging did reveal a lump that did not appear to be either a cyst or an infection, a biopsy might be done to identify what is causing that lump. Keep in mind that 80% of lumps that are biopsied turn out to be benign (not cancerous). In either case, getting that information will help you to make better decisions about the next step. As far as a genetic link between the cancers you describe, it is unclear at this point. There are two types of genetic mutations that can occur within cells, both of which have the potential to be linked to certain types of cancer. The first is a mutation that occurs within the germ line; this occurs during development, and is present in all of the cells in a person's body. This type of mutation is passed on from a parent, and could be linked to a hereditary form of melanoma. The second is a mutation which happens to the somatic cells of the body (all cells except sperm and eggs); this type of mutation can also lead to cancer, but is not linked to hereditary forms of cancer. There are several genes that have been identified as possible factors in hereditary melanoma. Further research is underway in this field to identify additional genes, as well as links to other conditions in persons possessing such mutations. Most of the laboratory studies to identify such mutations are performed within the context of a clinical trial. Hereditary or familial melanoma often occurs in patients and families with multiple abnormal moles, also called "dysplastic nevi". This is sometimes called familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM). Melanoma is considered hereditary only if several immediate family members are affected. Mutations in the CDKN2A gene (also called p16 and MST1) are thought to account for approximately 25% of hereditary melanoma cases. Patients with such a mutation have a high risk of developing melanoma in their lifetimes. This mutation has also been linked to pancreatic cancer. Other genes that have been linked to melanoma include CDK4, and an area on Chromosome 1. Hereditary breast cancer has been linked to mutations within the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Given the information you have provided, it would not appear that you are affected by these genetic abnormalities based on the scientific evidence available to us today. However, I would strongly advise you to proceed with the radiologic testing to evaluate the breast lump ordered by your physician.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to medical information display systems that access patient information in a computerized database. More particularly, this invention relates to real-time, interactive medical information systems that store patient information and display that information as user-definable events. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, paper-based flow sheets, located at a patient's bedside, were typically used in hospitals to store medical data concerning that patient. This method was time-consuming and costly. More recently, hospitals have turned to computer technology to store and view patient information at the patient's bedside. An example of such a system is the Carevue 900 system, manufactured and sold by Hewlett- Packard Company, Clinical Information Systems. These systems chronologically display on a computer screen a predetermined set of trend data that are derived from data that are sensed by transducers attached to the patient. A typical display is shown in FIG. 1. In these systems, the clinician is forced to scan the information in a basically sequential fashion. Moreover, the displayed information is typically limited to directly measurable physical quantities or trend data derived therefrom. Sequential scanning is time consuming, and the displayed information can be over- or under- informative from the perspective of the clinician. Clinicians, when analyzing a patient, are generally interested in "events." Events are constructs involving relationships among different measurements. For example, an event can be a particular measurement occurring at a particular rate, or attaining a particular threshold. In addition, an event can be the concurrence of several measurements attaining particular thresholds or occurring at particular rates. For example, hypothermia is a condition of abnormally low body temperature. This condition can be serious if it lasts for an extended period. Thus, a clinician may wish to detect if the patient's body temperature was below 92° F. for a duration greater than one hour. In addition, symptomatic tachychardia is a condition in which the heart rate is very fast and the resulting blood pressure drops below a certain level. Thus, a clinician may wish to detect when the patient's heart rate was greater than 180 beats per minute for a duration greater than 30 seconds and detect whether the patient's systolic arterial blood pressure was less than 80 mmHg for a duration greater than 30 seconds. If they had their choice, clinicians would prefer to directly view event occurrences on the computer screen. Moreover, they would prefer to tailor event definitions on a per-patient basis, and they would prefer the ability to scan through events and data related to those events in a random as well as a sequential manner. Clinicians also prefer the ability to tailor the list of displayed events. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides methods and apparatus for identifying and displaying events in a medical information system. The medical information system comprises a patient monitoring device for acquiring physiological parameters from a patient, a computer system for processing the physiological parameters acquired from the patient to provide medical information and a display unit for displaying the medical information to a user. In accordance with the method, the medical information system establishes an event associated with the patient. The event is defined by a user in an event definition language and includes an event definition which defines the event as having an occurrence when one or more of the physiological parameters meets a prescribed condition. The physiological parameters are acquired in real time and are monitored for occurrences of the event. The user is informed of occurrences of the event. Typically, the occurrences of the event are displayed as a function of time on the display unit. Preferably, the occurrences of the event are displayed on a time line. Preferably, a count of the occurrences of the event is displayed on the display unit. As a further feature, detailed information regarding an occurrence of the event selected by the user can be displayed on the display unit. The detailed information can include a waveform of one of the physiological parameters in a time interval corresponding to the occurrence of the event selected by the user. The acquired phsyiological parameters can be monitored for occurrences of the event as they are acquired from the patient. The physiological parameters acquired over a prescribed time period are stored. In an alternative monitoring mode, the stored physiological parameters are searched for occurrences of the event. A new event can be established during or after acquisition and storage of the physiological parameters. In this case, the stored physiological parameters are searched for occurrences of the new event. The events can be defined in the event definition language by a wide variety of relationships. A first event type can be defined by a relationship between one of the physiological parameters and a numerical value. A second event type can be defined by a relationship involving a logical combination of two or more conditions met by the physiological parameters. A third event type can be defined by a relationship involving an arithmetic operation upon one or more of the physiological parameters. A fourth event type can be defined by a relationship involving a timing operation with respect to one or more of the physiological parameters. A fifth event type can be defined by a relationship involving a minimum or maximum value of one of the physiological parameters. A sixth event time can be defined by a relationship involving one or more previously defined events. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a screen display of a prior art medical information display system FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the medical information display system hardware; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a main screen display generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a screen display for an Events Review Options Display Box generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a screen display for a Replace Event Dialog Box generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a screen display for a Modify Event Dialog Box generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a screen display for an Event Definition Dialog Box generated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a screen display for an Event Definition Dialog Box generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 illustrates the steps of creating and entering event type definitions in a preferred embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 11 illustrates the steps of selection and detection of event types in a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION To improve the informational content of patient information display systems and to improve functional access to that information, the present invention comprises a medical information display system and method, wherein the display system has a mechanism for receiving and storing patient measurements in a database in real-time, and wherein the computer display system has a mechanism for accessing that stored digital data and processing that data according to event type definitions that are stored in the database and that can be interactively created and modified by the user. The display system has a mechanism for storing in the database the processed events so that they can be retrieved by a mechanism for displaying the stored events on a computer screen. In the invention, a subset of the stored event types are displayed on a computer screen. For each displayed event type, there is a corresponding event time line with tick marks indicating the instances when that event occurred. The duration of the time lines is displayed and is user-modifiable. Particular occurrences of an event can be selected, either sequentially or randomly. Upon such selection, several other features of the event or the occurrence are displayed, such as waveforms, text, images, and user performed measurements. The duration of the waveform is also user-modifiable. Ancillary menus, or dialog boxes, can be activated from the main screen or from other ancillary menus. The ancillary menus provide further mechanisms for the user to tailor the output of the main screen or to tailor the definition of the stored event types. The event type definitions can be created and tailored to a particular patient. This tailoring and creation can be performed interactively. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a medical information display system 10 that may be used to display patient information on a display screen of a monitor 11. A patient 15 is connected to one or more sensors 16 for measuring patient data. This information is received by a bedside data acquisition system 14, which converts the received data into a digital format and transfers that information to a workstation 12 of display system 10. Optionally, workstation 12 can be connected to a local area network ("LAN") 13. A clinician can enter data and commands into display system 10 via an input device 14. FIG. 3 illustrates the software architecture 20 of display system 10, schematically interacting with hardware disks 23, 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention described herein may be implemented on various platforms. In a preferred embodiment, however, the invention utilizes a HP Appolo Series 700 Model 715/50, with 256 MB of main memory and 2/68.6 GB of disk storage. Further, a preferred embodiment utilizes the C and the C++ computer languages for the various software modules, and the UNIX operating system to control workstation 12 including the various software modules. Furthermore, software relating to the user interface is implemented using the Motif graphics package, a graphics package known in the art. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternative languages, operating systems, and graphics packages may be employed. To briefly outline the interaction of the various software elements of FIG. 3, the data acquisition system 21 receives patient information and writes it to a disk 23 via a database application 22 ("database"). An Event Definition Language Application ("EDL") 27 provides the user with the ability to define events as a combination of relations and conditions of stored patient information. For example, as stated above, the event "hypothermia" may be defined as a patient's body temperature being below a certain level for a certain duration. The event definitions are stored in database 22 as a dictionary, where they are accessible by an Event Review Application ("ERA") 28 and an Event Generator 24. The user selects a set of events for display via ERA 28. This selection is eventually communicated to the Event Generator 24. When triggered, the Event Generator 24 monitors all or a portion of the stored patient information in accordance with the selected event definitions. The Event Generator 24 detects any event occurrences and communicates such information to the database 22. Upon such communication, the database 22 informs the ERA 28, which will then retrieve the occurrence information so that it may be displayed. In order to gain a fuller appreciation of the invention, refer to FIG. 3. and FIG. 10, which illustrates the several steps leading to the storing of an event type definition into the database. The user enters an event type definition (step 301) FIG. via EDL 27. Then, EDL 27 parses the definition for correct syntax and compiles the definition into a definition data structure (step 302). This definition data structure is then passed (step 303) to the database 22 to be stored in the definition dictionary, where it is available for the user to select via the ERA 28. Now, refer to FIG. 3. and FIG. 11, which illustrates the steps leading to the displaying of any event occurrences for a newly selected event type. The user selects the desired event type from the dictionary (step 401) via ERA 28. The event generator 24 communicates with the database 22 to determine which event type definition has been selected, so that the event generator 24 can update an internal data structure accordingly step 402. The event generator 24 monitors the database for a time period selected by the user. As such, it monitors all the patient information that is implicated by the set of event type definitions stored in the event generator's data structure step 403. The event generator 24 informs database 22, via a message, upon detecting event occurrences step 404. The event generator 24, the database 22, and the disk system 23 comprise a server 29. The ERA 28 and the EDL 27 are each clients. The terms "client" and "server" are known in the art. The data acquisition module 21 receives the digital patient data and transfers that data to database 22. Data acquisition system 21 is comprised of drivers and other software modules known in the art, which are not further described in this application for the sake of clarity. Database 22 writes the data received from data acquisition system 21 to disk system 23. In a preferred embodiment, database 22 is a temporal database. A temporal database is one in which the disks are organized such that the location of the data implicitly contains information concerning when the data was written to the disk. In this fashion, a separate data, one explicitly stating the time of the data entry, need not be included. The temporal database contains data representing a moving window of time. The database does not preclude the use of explicit time stamps for data, and in some instances, it may be best to use an explicit time stamp, for example, in the case of manually measured blood pressure. However, certain data, such as ECG waveforms, are best suited for implicit time stamping because they occur at fixed intervals in time and are continuous. In addition, this database is a "real-time" database, as the term is commonly understood in the art. In particular, the interrupt response time of the event generator is of the order of one minute. The event generator 24, when triggered into action, monitors the patient information stored in disk system 23 in order to detect event occurrences. It monitors the patient information in accordance with a time period selected by the user and in accordance with the set of event type definitions that are selected by a user for display. If the event generator 24 detects that the conditions and relations that constitute an event definition have been met, i.e., if the event generator detects an event occurrence, it informs database 22 accordingly. The event generator 24 includes an internal data structure for storing the set of event type definitions needed for display. The data structure need only include those definitions that are directly, or indirectly, necessary for the events that are selected for display. Events are directly necessary if they themselves are displayed. Some events are indirectly needed because a "displayed" event may be defined in terms of a non-displayed event. In a preferred embodiment, event generator 24 is triggered every 60 seconds. Upon being triggered, event generator 24 checks the database to see if any new events were selected for display, or whether any events were modified. If so, the event generator 24 analyzes patient information corresponding to the newly added or newly modified event defintion for the entire duration selected by the user. For any events that are unchanged, the event generator analyzes patient information corresponding to the intervening period from the last analysis. The present invention can operate for many patients. As such, the stored patient information is organized according to patient identifications. The event generator 24 includes management routines to handle initialization of any new data structures for newly added patients, as well as for deleting the appropriate data structures when they are no longer needed, for example when a patient is released. Optionally, event generator 24 can read and/or write access a second database 25 that, in turn, accesses a second disk system 26. Second database 25 would store non-bedside information, such as lab results, a patient's prior medical history, and the like. Second database 25 and second disk system 26 would likely be located on the LAN 13 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 4 illustrates a main screen display 30 generated by the ERA 28 of a preferred embodiment. The main screen display 30 provides an ergonomic layout that concisely presents a substantial amount of patient information, while remaining uncluttered. In addition, this layout provides user functionality to efficiently navigate through the data sequentially or randomly. It will be appreciated that the invention is in no way limited to this particular layout. The patient's name and other information, such as ID number, are displayed in section 62. A menu bar 60 includes several menu buttons for main menu, options, print events, and print screen. Activating the main menu button displays a list of application entries, such as quit and help. The print screen menu button, when activated, prints a screen dump of the display. The print events menu button prints the event time lines. The options menu button, when activated, activates ancillary menus, such as an Event Review Options Dialog box, described below. An event search and selection area 31 includes a selected event type region 32, an event occurrence region 33, an event count region 34, a selected event definition region 35, a sequential search control region 36, and an event time scale region 37. The selected event type region 32 shows the event names for the event type definitions that are selected for display. Each event name is shown on a toggle button 32a, which, when activated, selects an event time line 38. The reason for selecting a time line is discussed below. Event occurrence region 33 displays several horizontal event time lines 38. Tick marks 39 indicate the occurrence of the corresponding event. In other words, tick marks indicate each instance when all the conditions for the corresponding event type definition have been satisfied, as detected by event generator 24. When events occur at a high rate relative to the duration of the time line, solid blocks 40 appear. Moreover, if two or more occurrences are relatively close in time, only one tick mark will appear. In any case, the event count, described below, accurately reflects the actual number of event occurrences. The process for managing this is discussed below. The event occurrence region 33 is extremely helpful to the clinician because clinicians prefer to think in terms of events and not necessarily in terms of physical measurements or trend data. Thinking in terms of physical measurements can be complicated and time consuming, especially in instances when the clinician is interested in a logical, mathematical, or time relation among different measured quantities. In such instances, prior art systems required the user to view separate waveforms or trend data and perform the relations mentally. The clinician who uses the present invention, however, can simultaneously view numerous events without expending such mental effort. In addition, unlike the prior art, the clinician can interactively and iteratively create or modify definitions to aid in his or her analysis. Furthermore, he or she can scan through events either randomly or sequentially. The event count region 34 displays the number of occurrences of the corresponding events during the duration of the event time line 38. As shown, the time line for event V-TACH 41 is selected, which has its only occurrence selected (the process of selecting an occurrence is described below). Accordingly, event count region 34 indicates that event "1 of 1" is selected. This means that there was one occurrence of the event within the selected duration (described below) and the first occurrence is selected. For all of the other events, the total number of occurrences for the corresponding time line is indicated in event count region 34. The selected event definition region 35 indicates the definition for the selected event time line. This is helpful because the selected event, V-TACH, can be defined differently for different patients, i.e., V-TACH for patient 1 may correspond to a first threshold, while for patient 2 it may be defined with a second threshold. The selected event definition region 35 allows the clinician to check the particular definition for the patient. Moving the system cursor, not shown, into the event time scale region 37 results in the cursor changing its icon shape, not shown, indicating to the user that he can change the time duration of event occurrence region 33 directly from the display 30. The time origin is also manipulable. For example, if the duration is one hour, the user can select any hour for which the database 22 has data, and he or she is not limited to merely the last hour. As will be further described below, the duration of the event time scale region 37 can be changed in other manners, such as via an Event Review Options Dialog Box. Users can navigate through the patient's event history by either randomly or sequentially selecting event occurrences. A particular occurrence of an event 49 can be randomly selected by moving the system cursor, not shown, near the desired occurrence's tick mark. Upon activating the cursor, the nearest tick mark within the selected time line 41 is selected. Upon such selection, an event cursor 42 will align with the selected occurrence. Random selection can also be performed by moving and activating the cursor very near the desired tick mark, even if the corresponding time line is not selected. In this case, the desired event occurrence and the corresponding time line are both selected. If a new event time line is selected by activating an event type toggle button 32a, the event occurrence of the newly selected event time line that is nearest in time to the previously selected event occurrence is automatically selected. Event occurrences can also be selected sequentially via the sequential search controls 43 of the sequential search control region 36. Sequential selection is performed with respect to a selected event time line. For example, if the event occurrence corresponding to the tick mark 39 was already selected, event time line 38 being already selected, activating search control toggle button 43 advances the event cursor 42 to event occurrence 44, the next event occurrence. Upon selecting a particular event occurrence 49, additional information particular to that event type and/or that event occurrence can be displayed in a specific event display region 50. For example, waveform area 53 displays the particular waveform strip 58 for event 49. This waveform strip 58 may supply additional useful information to the clinician. For example, assume event V-TACH is defined as a measurement reaching a certain amplitude. Though the tick mark 49 indicates that the amplitude has been reached, waveform strip 58 displays a complete representation of the corresponding measurement. The surrounding waveform region 55 may supply other hints to aid the clinician's analysis. The time duration for the waveform strip is typically much smaller than the duration for the event time lines, e.g., 8 seconds for the waveform strip versus 24 hour duration for the event time line. Event type region 51 includes additional information about the event, such as whether the event is displayed for the beginning or the end of the event. Several other parameters are included, such as duration, rate, and length. An additional information region 57 is used to display text, images, or other information for the selected event or the selected event occurrence. For example, region 57 may be used to display radiology or other images corresponding to the event or the occurrence. It will be appreciated that this additional information may be sourced from databases other than that of the patient's information, for example, if the displayed data concerned lab results. Time selection controls in a time selection control region 59 allow the user to manipulate the time duration for the system. Typically data is stored for a twenty-four hour period. However, the mechanisms and invention described herein are easily adaptable to longer or shorter durations, the limiting factor being the cost of the hardware. Though the description refers to selection of a particular time duration via the several time controls, the invention is easily adaptable to automatic scrolling of event time lines to keep the main screen 30 current. In other words, the event generator 24 and ERA 28 may be triggered periodically to update the screen, rather than triggering by action of the user, such as selecting a new time duration or new definition for display. FIG. 5 illustrates the Event Review Options Dialog box 70, which is activated via the options menu button described above. This dialog box provides the user with an additional way to modify the duration of the event time lines via a select total time per screen region 72 having a series of toggle buttons 72a. The Event Review Options Dialog box 70 also allows the user to modify or replace the event types that are selected for display. A select event region 71 includes an event name region 77 and an event definition region 78. The event name region 77 lists the names of the events that are selected for display on event type name region 32 of the main screen 30. The event definition region 78 displays the corresponding event definitions. Scroll bar 76 allows the user to display the unseen portions of the definition. A particular event name and event definition 79 can be selected via the system cursor. A modify toggle button 73 allows the clinician to modify the particular name or the particular definition. Upon activating the modify toggle button 73 a Modify Event Dialog box 100, as shown in FIG. 7 is activated. The Modify Event Dialog box 100 shown in FIG. 7 allows the user to modify the event name via a modify event name region 101 or to adjust the particular thresholds via a threshold region 102. Toggle button 103 allows the modification to be saved and toggle button 104 allows the user to cancel the modify operation. A save changes toggle button 75 (FIG. 5) stores the changes in the database. As previously described, the database contains an event type dictionary. If the clinician prefers to replace one of the events selected for display with an event definition from the dictionary, he or she must select the event name to be replaced. Upon activating a replace toggle button 74, a Replace Event Dialog box 90, as shown in FIG. 6 is activated. The Replace Event Dialog box 90 provides a list of the entire event name dictionary contents via a dictionary region 91 and a scroll bar 92. Activating an OK toggle button 95 completes the replacement process. In a preferred embodiment, the ERA 28, including the layout and functionality described above, is implemented using Motif. Motif is a graphics package known in the art that allows user-applications to be linked with the graphics functionality provided by the package. A basic operational unit of Motif is a "widget," which is akin to a data structure. Widgets may be Motif defined or application defined. The widget definition, in turn, dictates which user operations the widget is sensitive to. For example, Motif provides a "toggle button" widget, which will trigger a corresponding routine if the user single clicks the mouse in the pixel space of that toggle button widget. The underlying application defines the screen in terms of widgets and provides the corresponding routines for those widgets. Motif provides the screen management functionality to keep track of the various widgets' pixel space and to determine if a user activity, e.g., single or double click mouse, has occurred in a widget's pixel space. In a preferred embodiment, the main screen (30, FIG. 4) is comprised of widgets and the functionality described in conjunction with the main screen is provided by the corresponding routines. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the event name toggle buttons 32a are toggle button widgets, which, when activated by a click, call routines to select the corresponding event time line 38. As both Motif and widgets are known in the art further description of Motif and widgets is not provided for the sake of clarity. The event occurrence region 33 utilizes ERA defined widgets called "line plot widgets." Line plot widgets display a graph, when given a set of coordinates. In contrast, the toggle button widgets, described above, display text, which usually label the corresponding toggle button, e.g., "V-TACH." This graph includes a set of tick marks if an array of coordinates for the tick marks is provided. As such, each event time line 38 with corresponding tick marks is a line plot widget. These widgets are sensitive to mouse clicks and have routines that will select a particular event occurrence if that widget is clicked, as described above. This selection will include triggering a display of a waveform strip corresponding to that event occurrence and a display of other data as described above. The plotting and selecting of tick marks within a line plot widget utilizes an overplotting algorithm to hash, or map, tick mark data, i.e., the time instance of the event occurrence, into coordinate, or pixel, data for the tick mark. This overplotting algorithm considers the size of the event occurrence region and the length of time corresponding to that region. A single pixel may hash to a time quantum that contains more than one event occurrence. As such, even if a mouse could accurately point to a single pixel, it would still be impossible to randomly select a particular occurrence if more than one occurrence corresponded to that pixel. The overplotting algorithm, however, manages this by hashing the pixels to the correct event occurrences. As such, sequential and random selection of event occurrences operates correctly. The overplotting algorithm hashes event occurrence data into pixel data and vice-versa. As hashing techniques are known in the art, a fuller description of hashing functionality is not provided for the sake of clarity. In a preferred embodiment, each event type of the selected event type region 32 is processed as a group. For example, if a user changes the duration of the event time scale regions 37, each event 32a, and in particular each event time line 38, will be updated. That is, the event generator 24 will be triggered to monitor the patient information for the newly selected time period and in accordance with all the directly and indirectly necessary event type definitions. The database 22 will inform ERA 28 upon completion, and the ERA 28 will display all the corresponding event time lines and tick marks. In similar fashion, if an event definition is modified, or if an event is replaced, the entire set of directly and indirectly necessary events will be monitored and displayed. The ERA 28 itself is triggered from either ERA specific requests, such as clicking an event name toggle button 32a, or from actions that cause the ERA to need new data, such as replacing an event for display, modifying an event, or changing the time period for display. These latter actions cause the ERA 28 to suspend itself until the database 22 informs the ERA 28 that the Event Generator 24 has completed its data monitoring. An initialization sequence will also trigger the ERA 28 to create a main screen with a default set of widgets, which correspond to a default set of event types. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ERA 28 is one software process. Motif provides the screen management, and as such, calls the routines corresponding to the numerous widgets. EDL 27 provides a database search language, further described below, for the user to create and modify event type definitions. These definitions may be created or modified on a per patient basis so that the clinician can tailor the definitions to aid his analysis. The language provides an ergonomically advantageous syntax so that clinicians, not just computer scientists, can easily create definitions. Moreover, to supplement the ergonomically advantageous language, EDL 27 provides a graphical interface to facilitate the entry of definitions in the database. As previously described, EDL 27 allows the user to interactively define new event types. FIG. 8 illustrates an Event Definition Dialog box 110 that is displayed upon activating one embodiment of EDL 27. EDL 27 can be activated from the system screen, not shown, or from the main screen 30 via the main menu button. The Event Definition Dialog box 110 includes an event name region 111, an event definition region 112, control region 113, a parameter region 114, an operator region 115, a logical region 116, a threshold region 117, units region 118, OK toggle button 119, and a cancel toggle button 120. The event name region 111, when selected, allows the user to enter an event name for the event to be created. The event definition region 112 shows the definition for that event. The control region 113 includes a series of toggle buttons 113a that allow the user to add or delete some or all of the conditions for the particular definition. The parameter region 114 includes a list of all condition parameters that can be used in an event definition. Optionally, this list can include events as well as physical measurements. Operator region 115 includes a series of toggle buttons 115a to use in creating the relationships that define the new event. Likewise, logical region 116 includes a series of toggle buttons 116a that are used for logical relationships. Threshold region 117 and units region 118 with their associated control toggle buttons are used to further define a particular event. OK toggle button 119 instructs the EDL 27 to add the new event to the event type dictionary in the database. Activating the OK toggle button will subject the new event type definition to a syntax check, further described below. Cancel toggle button 120 cancels the operation. FIG. 9 illustrates an Event Definition Dialog box 200 for a preferred embodiment of the invention. This dialog box includes a powerful set of operators for a preferred embodiment of the event definition language. This preferred language includes simple numeric events, compound events, numeric operations, non-numeric events, event timing, and other language constructs. As indicated at 201, this embodiment allows events to be defined in terms of other events. The event definition dialog box 200 includes an event name region 211 and an event definition region 210, a parameter region 214, an operator region 215, and a OK toggle button 209. The event name region 211 and the parameter region 214 are similar to the corresponding regions described above in connection with FIG. 8. Operator region 215, however, is substantially different in that it provides a more complete and more powerful set of operators. Among other features, this powerful set of operators includes numeric operations, such as COUNT and RUN, which are described below. In addition, this set of operators includes timing relationships, such as AFTER, BEFORE, and DURING. Lastly, other language constructs such as MINIMUM, PRIOR, RATE, and EXIST are included. Event occurrence display region 230 displays the event occurrence identified for the current definition. In this manner, it provides the user a better tool to interactively and iteratively develop an event definition. For example, when the user enters a new definition he or she will instantly see whether the new definition is useful, i.e., whether it provides too much or too little information. The various dialog boxes for EDL 27 described above are likewise implemented using Motif, in a preferred embodiment. The various functions described above are implemented as software routines corresponding to the various widgets and user activity. A pseudo-Backus-Nauer representation of the preferred language is included in Appendix A. However, the following informal description will also be helpful in understanding the language. It is important to note that, among other things, the preferred embodiment includes compound events, which are a combination of relationships, besides including the more powerful set of operators that were just described. 1 Simple Numeric Events The simplest event is a relationship between a variable and a value such as: HR&lE;60 This basic relationship can be generalized to "event: numericVar numericRelationOp numericConst" where "numericRelationOp" is any of the standard equality or inequality operators: =&gE;&lE; > < != The simple heart rate event shown above is equivalent to 60&gE;HR Therefore, an even more general way to express a basic event is "event: numeric numbericRelationOp numeric where "numeric" is a "numericConst" or a "numericVar." Note that the following event specification is also valid: HR!=PULSE 2 Compound Events An event can be a combination of relationships such as HR > 150 AND systolicABP&lE;80 This event has occurred only if the heart rate measurement is greater than 150 and the systolic arterial blood pressure is less than or equal to 80. Similarly, events can be combined with the 0R operator, as in: HR&lE;60 OR PULSE&lE;60 These two events can be generalized as "event: event binaryLogicalOp event where "binaryLogicalOp" is either AND or OR. The availability of two logical operators necessitates a precedence rule. EDL adopts the usual convention of evaluating AND before OR. Parentheses can be used to override this precedence convention. For example, the following is a valid event specification: (HR&lE;60 AND HR > 0) OR (PULSE&lE;60 AND PULSE > 0) The NOT operator is also included. For example, the event specification: NOT HR > 60 is equivalent to the event specification: HR&lE;60 3 Numeric Operations The four arithmetic operators can be used to combine numerics. Therefore, the following is a valid numeric: (systolicABP-diastolicAB)×HR EDL adopts the usual convention of evaluating × and ÷ prior to + and -. Once again, parentheses can be used to override this convention. A numeric can also be generated by counting the number of occurrences of an event. The following numeric equals the total number of occurrences of tachycardia in the entire patient record: COUNT HR > 120 The following numeric equals the number of consecutive high heart rates: RUN HR > 120 4 Nonnumeric Events Not all patient data is numeric. Therefore, EDL supports both ordinal (nonnumeric values that can be ordered) and categorical values (nonnumeric values that cannot be ordered). For example, the following event occurs if there are 10 consecutive beats that are labeled "V": (RUN beatLabel=V)&gE;10 Similarly, the following event occurs if a urine glucose measurement (an ordinal variable) is greater than "++": urineGlucose > ++ 5 Event Timing Some events are significant only if they occur in the context of another event. For example, the following event occurs if bradycardia follows a ventricular beat: HR&lE;60 AFTER beatLabel=V The following is an equivalent expression of this event beatLabel=V BEFORE HR&lE;60 Similarly, the following event occurs if there is bradycardia during a run of ventricular beats: HR&lE;60 DURING beatLabel=V In general, these events are of the form: "event: event timingRelationship event" where "timingRelationship" is BEFORE, AFTER or DURING. The example using AFTER would not be useful clinically because the specified event occurs if bradycardia occurs at any time following a ventricular beat. The SINCE function can be used to express a more specific event definition: (HR&lE;60 AFTER beatLabel=V) AND (SINCE beatLabel=V < MINUTE The following statement is a numeric that equals the heart rate when the last ventricular beat occurred: AT (beatLabel=V) HR The general form of this expression is: "numeric": AT "event numeric" Similar expressions are valid for ordinary and categorical values. A time point (e.g., Sep. 29, 1990 10:00 PM) is treated as an event. Therefore, the following event occurs only if bradycardia occurs after 10:00 PM on Sep. 29, 1990: HR&lE;60 AFTER Sep. 29, 1990 10:00 PM 6 Other Language Constructs EDL includes several language constructs that simplify the definition of events. One of these is the notion of a set of values. For example, the following event excludes beats that are labeled "L" or "?": beatLabel!={L,?} This statement is shorthand for (beatLabel!=L) AND (beatLabel!=?) The general form is "event:value relationOp {value, . . . ,value?}" The event occurs if the relationship is true for all of the terms in the set. EDL provides MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM operations that determines the extreme values for numeric or ordinal values. For example, the following expression equals the minimum heart rate: MINIMUM HR The extreme operators can be combined with the AT operator, as in AT (beatLabel=V) MINIMUM HR which determines the minimum heart rate during ventricular beats. The following statement returns the patient's previous heart rate: PRIOR HR The general form of this statement is PRIOR "variable" where "variable" is a numeric, ordinal or categorical valued variable. The following statement returns the rate of change in the patient's heart rate, in units per minute: RATE HR The value returned by this statement is computed by subtracting the previous heart rate from the current heart rate and dividing the result by the length of the time interval between these two measurements. The general form for this statement is RATE "numericVar" Finally, the following event occurs whenever cardiac output is measured: EXIST cardiacOutput The EXIST operator can be combined with a list of variables to specify an event that occurs if values are available for all of the listed variables. The preferred language may be implemented with the standard UNIX utilities lex() and yacc(). These utilities are used to perform the parsing of the event definitions. The lex() utility is used to identify the tokens of the language, and the yacc() utility is used to specify the grammar for combining these tokens. Assuming that the entered event definition passes the syntactical checks corresponding to this preferred language, the EDL 27 then creates a data structure describing the new event and passes this new data structure to the database 22. As previously described, this new event will be added to the event type dictionary, where it will be available for the user to select for display or for the user to indirectly access as another variable for yet another new event type definition. Those skilled in the art will understand the combination of lex(), yacc(), and the Appendix A definition for implementing the EDL languages. While there have been shown and described what are at present to be considered the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skill in the art that there is changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. ##SPC1##
It wouldn't be a good idea to give much more of Becoming Van Gogh away, but in the course of writing our story of the Denver Art Museum show, I ended up with a lot of great material left I just couldn't help but to share. Like, for instance, the fact that Van Gogh attempted four careers before becoming a full-time artist. And in each of those endeavors — art clerk, theologist, school teacher, evangelical preacher — Becoming curator Timothy J. Standring says, he failed. And that, despite his stalling push to spread the faith in south Belgium, he still tried to convey a religious message in his early artwork. Those efforts, though earnest and energetic, are dark and rustic. “He liked worn-out subjects," says Louis van Tilborgh, senior researcher of paintings for the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, who helped curate the show. This goes on for about five years. And Van Gogh's teaching himself to draw and paint in the process. “He scrambled," says Standring. "He had to learn how to draw as fast as he could because he wanted to do these kind of moralizing subject matter.” Then, says Standring, in 1885 he visits the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national art museum: “And he goes through this gigantic, this titanic shift and he discovers color." With that, Van Gogh slows down on drawing and figures, and begins to focus on color and still lifes. All these elements that before felt "frivolous" to the didactic artist absorb every part of Van Gogh's oeuvre. Now, even portraits get the color treatment, which the DAM displays in two paintings that portray the postman Joseph Roulen and his wife and daughter. And while the hues verge on electric and the tense brushwork trembles, typical of the artist we know so well, Standring insists that Van Gogh is still learning and borrowing. “If you took this into ochers and dark colors, you’d find that it’s nothing more than a Frans Hals 17th-century portrait, and that this is based on a prototype that he had seen at the Rijksmuseum by Rembrandt of a mother and a child together.” And there is one thing that Tilborgh would like to also teach: How to correctly pronounce Van Gogh's name. It's like this.	https://m.csindy.com/IndyBlog/archives/2012/10/30/more-on-the-denver-art-museums-becoming-van-gogh
Eclectic: deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources, a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. Pragmatic: dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. Ethics: moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity. Morals: a lesson that can be derived from a story or experience, standards of behaviour; principles of right and wrong. Values: the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. Principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life. Philosophy: the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline. A theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour. Christian Ethics: Christian ethics is a branch of Christian theology that defines concepts of right and wrong behaviour from a Christian perspective Professional Ethics: Professional ethics encompass the personal, organizational and corporate standards of behaviour expected of professionals Social Ethics: Social ethics are moral principals that govern what is or is not acceptable social behaviours for a group of people as a whole. Social ethics can be thought of as a "code of conduct" for members of a community Consequentialism: the doctrine that the morality of an action is to be judged solely by its consequences. Autonomy: the right or condition of self-government.	https://www.studymode.com/essays/Winter-s-Tale-47174334.html
If your students are using the Riggs program, they already know that spoken words are the signs of ideas. They also know that written words are symbols for spoken words. If you have gotten past lesson 36, your students also know that words can be strung together to form sentences, which are the signs of thoughts. By now your students have begun to write sentences from dictation, and they have begun to write sentences which illustrate their new spelling-vocabulary words. In fact, by lesson 72 your Riggs students will have written so many sentences (dictated and original) that they will be ready to begin a formal study of syntax. This formal study will now become a part of each day’s regular work. From now on, syntax work should be a consistent part of your English studies. You will want to have your students working on structured writing activities as a part of their daily practice. Since your Riggs students will have mastered all of their phonograms by now, and since your daily spelling and decoding lessons will have become more streamlined, you will have a large block of language arts time for these focused, deliberate writing activities. At this time, you will want to introduce your students to a fun and powerful new learning tool: the diagram. What is a diagram? A diagram is a visual tool for the study of syntax. It's a graphic representation of grammatical structure. It helps us see and grasp word relationships. (For example, adjectives and articles modify nouns; diagrams show this.) Diagrams are powerful tools that can dramatically increase comprehension! In the same way that the Riggs marking system helps your students spell and read new words, diagrams will help them write and read sentences. As a bonus, your students will become more critical readers, writers, and thinkers with the help of sentence diagrams. Diagrams are amazing tools. In the Riggs program, your practice has been to keep things clear, to go from the known to the unknown. This practice will continue as you move into syntax study. You did not begin reading instruction by asking your students to read whole words, and you will not begin syntax study by asking your students to analyze and diagram long sentences. You will start at the beginning. Since your students will have already learned what nouns and verbs are by this point (see lessons 56 and 67), and since they will have been talking with you about nouns and verbs on a daily basis, they will begin their sentence studies with diagrams that contain only subjects (nouns) and verbs. As always, your students will need only pencil and paper for these learning activities, and you will teach all of your lessons through conversation and modeling. In this case, you will introduce your students to diagrams by putting some simple diagrams (two-word sentences) on the board and leading your students, through questioning, to an understanding that these diagrams show how a sentence can be divided into its two main parts: subject and verb. (See pages 249-251 in your Level I Teacher’s Edition for the kind of dialogue you may wish to use for this activity.) I like to practice with this first topic by asking my students to give me the names of some animals, which I then write on the board. Then I ask my students if they can give me one word that tells what each animal does, and I put these verbs on the board. My students then take turns making simple oral sentences from these words. (Fish swim. Dogs bark. Horses run.) After this, I put up some blank diagrams and ask my students to help me fill in a few of them. Since my students can easily decode, I don’t need to limit what I put on the board (every child can read the words). Since they also know what nouns and verbs are, they quickly grasp the truth that is being shown with these illustrations: every sentence contains a subject and a verb. I keep this first diagram lesson short, then I ask my students to make some of their own diagrams, using any of the animals that we have come up with as a class. As my students work on this project (using plain, unlined paper), I walk around the room to assist any child who may need my help. Once my students have constructed their own two-word diagrams, I ask them to write sentences from them. They use lined paper for this task, writing carefully and neatly now, and adding the proper punctuation (capital letters and periods). Before the next lesson, I will let them help me start a diagramming chart. At first, this chart will illustrate only our two-word model (Snow melts). We will add new diagram models to this chart as we learn to diagram each part of speech, and our diagramming chart will eventually show how each part of speech modifies the sentence in its own unique way. In the Riggs program, everything is taught directly and is immediately useful to the students. Sentence analysis is taught for the purpose of synthesis—so that students can apply what they are learning to the writing of their own sentences. Since I use the Riggs program, all of our spelling, grammar, and syntax concepts are illustrated on reference charts as they are introduced, and all of these reference charts are created with my students. (I never overwhelm my students with charts they can’t read and understand, and I make sure that every child knows what is on each chart.) We start working on our noun chart together when we study nouns, we create an adjective chart when we study adjectives, and so on. In the Riggs program, we help students refer to the charts they have created whenever a question can be answered by doing so, which means that Johnny and Suzy soon begin to answer their own questions by referring to the appropriate chart while working independently. They love this! They love knowing that they can answer their own questions! Me too. It empowers my students and frees up my time; it allows me to work with those who need extra help. Even better, our Riggs charts help me individualize sentence writing activities to keep every child engaged and challenged. For example, as my students learn the job of each new part of speech, I can encourage them to expand their simple sentences by giving them truly helpful suggestions. Instead of saying something vague and unhelpful like, “Can you make a longer (or more interesting) sentence, Johnny?” or “Can you tell me more, Suzy?” I can say, “You really worked hard on that sentence, Johnny! Can you add an adjective?” “Can you add an adverb and a prepositional phrase, Suzy?” And so on. This not only helps them with their current sentence work but also gives them tools for the future. My students are learning that words have different jobs. They are learning that they can make their sentences more interesting or informative by adding different parts of speech. Notice that in your Riggs classroom, everyone may be writing sentences about your choice of topics (today’s science or history lesson), but Johnny may still be writing simple sentences that contain only one adjective, while Suzy may be asked to add an adjective, an adverb, and a prepositional phrase. As always, everyone is being kept on the edge of challenge. Everyone is being asked to work to their highest ability. Syntax study is deep work, and when it is combined with sentence construction it is work that enables your students to write clear, complete, and interesting sentences. This is work that increases their ability to understand what others have written, which is no small thing. Using diagrams for this work can accomplish far more than can be accomplished by labeling the parts of speech in written sentences. Labeling does not help students understand how the words in a sentence relate to each other and work together to represent thought. Diagramming does. In the late nineteenth century, Alonzo Reed and Brainerd Kellogg developed this tool to help their students analyze the structure of written sentences. In the introduction to their 1889 elementary grammar textbook, Reed and Kellogg explain how these diagrams are aids to comprehension: In written analysis, the simple map, or diagram . . . will enable the pupil to present directly and vividly to the eye the exact function of every clause in the sentence, of every phrase in the clause, and of every word in the phrase—to picture the complete analysis of the sentence, with principal and subordinate parts in their proper relations. It is only by the aid of such a map, or picture, that the pupil can, at a single view, see the sentence as an organic whole made up of many parts performing various functions and standing in various relations. Without such map he must labor under the disadvantage of seeing all these things by piecemeal or in succession. Diagrams make word relationships clear. They are systematic visual presentations of grammatical structure. They are powerful tools for the study of syntax. They are excellent aids to comprehension. Notice, for example, how a diagram of the Preamble to the Constitution can help you understand at a glance exactly why the Constitution was written. (Note: I’m not suggesting that beginners should do this kind of diagram work, although Level II & III Riggs students certainly could.) As you can see, teaching children to diagram can help them learn far more than how to diagram. Diagramming can be overdone, granted. But when diagrams are taught systematically and used as aids to the teaching of syntax skills, they are powerful tools that can dramatically increase comprehension. If you are unfamiliar with diagrams, and wish to dive more deeply into them with your Level I students, I highly recommend Mary Daly’s The Complete Book of Diagrams (the public school edition is published by Riggs and used in Level II). It is loaded with information on how to use this powerful teaching tool, beginning with two-word sentences. It will help you understand how to use systematic explicit instruction to teach syntax skills. You will love it! Remember: - The goal of syntax study is to have your students understand how each word contributes to the meaning of the sentence. - Syntax study reveals the relationship of ideas within a thought. - Diagrams are tools that help you explicitly teach syntax skills. - Diagrams aid comprehension.	http://blog.riggsinst.com/content/teaching-sentence-structure
A biophotovoltaic (BPV) system is a developing renewable energy technology that promises carbon-free electricity generation from solar energy, by utilizing photosynthetic exoelectrogenic microorganisms. The electrical power production of BPV devices, on the other hand, is relatively low, and this has become a significant challenge for this new technology. Sufficient supply would require large-scale BPV farms for megawatt applications, which may not be economically viable. A possible solution is to acquire bioelectricity from algae cultivation medium, as it benefits the system in terms of volume. Moreover, it enables combination with an algae pool or floating photobioreactor. One technical concern is that previous studies focused on the absorption of electrons from cultivated biofilm, whereas bioelectricity generation by aerated algae cultivation medium under different anode materials still has research value. Hence, cell performance by well-mixed anodic algae cultivation medium under different anode materials is a crucial decision-making factor of BPV device in aeration mode. In this study, the experiments were repeated three times to compare the performances of various anode-based devices. In the experiments, indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass-based BPV device produced a steady power output, comparable to those of graphite- and ITO-coated plastic-based BPV devices. Maximum power densities of 0.659 mW/m2, 0.437 mW/m2, and 0.059 mW/m2, respectively, were obtained in each repeated condition. The findings are expected to contribute to further understanding on the correlation of these parameters, with regards to power generation of the BPV devices.	https://researchoutput.ncku.edu.tw/en/publications/effects-of-anode-materials-in-electricity-generation-of-microalga-2
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FIELD This applications claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,414, filed May 1, 2018, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. The present disclosure sets forth compositions comprising chemically cross-linked polymers. These chemically cross-linked polymers may include cyano (—CN) functional groups and are formulated with a nitrile solvent, a dinitrile solvent, or both. These chemically cross-linked polymers may tolerate high voltage conditions without reacting in a detrimental manner. The chemically cross-linked polymers set forth herein may be characterized as having a wide electrochemical stability window (ESW) and may be useful as rechargeable battery electrolyte separators. Also set forth herein are methods of making and using these electrolyte separators in electrochemical cells and energy storage devices. BACKGROUND Solid State Ionics Previous researchers have prepared high voltage electrochemical batteries that include poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) polymer electrolyte separators. However, these electrolyte separators were made by physical cross-linking reactions (see, e.g., Sekhon, S. S.; Arora, N.; Agnihotry, S. A. 2000, 136-137, 2101). Physical cross-linking can be defined as physical entanglement of separate polymer strands but without forming chemical bonds between the entangled polymer strands. For example, physical cross-linking may include spraying a solution of polymers onto a substrate and then drying the solution to form an entangled mat. Physical cross-linking reactions result in non-uniform polymers with stochastic properties, e.g., inhomogeneous structures, which vary with respect to molecular weight, amount, type, length, and uniformity of cross-linking. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved polymer electrolyte separators for electrochemical batteries. Set forth herein are such improved polymers as well as other solutions to problems in the relevant field. SUMMARY In one embodiment, set forth herein is a composition including a chemically cross-linked aprotic polymer comprising cyano (—CN) functional groups and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a dinitrile, and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, set forth herein is a composition including a chemically cross-linked polymer comprising at least one cyano (—CN) functional group and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a dinitrile, and a combination thereof. step 1: copolymerizing an acrylonitrile (AN) monomer and a methacrylamide monomer to form a polymer, wherein the methacrylamide monomer comprises amide functional groups; and step 2: chemically cross-linking the polymer using a bifunctional cross-linker to form a cross-linked polymer. In a second embodiment, set forth herein is a process for making a composition, including: In a third embodiment, set forth herein is a composition made by any one of the processes disclosed herein. In a fourth embodiment, set forth herein is an electrochemical cell including a lithium metal negative electrode, a solid separator, and a positive electrode; wherein the positive electrode comprises an active material and a catholyte; wherein the catholyte comprises a chemically cross-linked polymer set forth herein; and a lithium salt. In a fifth embodiment, set forth herein is an electrochemical cell including a lithium metal negative electrode, a solid separator, a positive electrode, and a bonding layer disposed between the solid separator and the positive electrode; wherein the positive electrode comprises an active material and a catholyte; and wherein the bonding layer comprises a chemically cross-linked polymer set forth herein; and a lithium salt. In a sixth embodiment, set forth herein is a method of using an electrochemical cell set forth herein. providing an electrochemical cell of any one of those set forth herein; wherein the electrochemical cell has greater than 20% state-of-charge (SOC); and storing the battery for at least one day. In a seventh embodiment, set forth herein is a method of storing an electrochemical cell, including: providing an electrochemical cell of any one of those set forth herein; wherein the electrochemical cell has a voltage v. Li greater than 4.2 V; and storing the battery for at least one day. In an eighth embodiment, set forth herein is a method of storing an electrochemical cell, including: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS a c FIGS. 1-1 a FIG. 1 b FIG. 1 c FIG. 1 n show the effect of time on the monomer conversion for the polymerization shown in Table 1, run 1. shows molecular weight as a function of percent conversion. shows Mand Ð vs. the monomer conversion. shows SEC traces at different times. a b FIGS. 2-2 a FIG. 2 b FIG. 2 show fabrication of PAN-based gel swollen in adiponitrile. shows SEC traces at different times and shows photographs of polymer gels. a b c FIGS. 3, 3, and 3 a FIG. 3 b FIG. 3 c FIG. 3 show frequency dependence of storage modulus (), loss modulus (), and phase angle (). FIG. 4 1 shows H NMR spectrum of 6F. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Definitions B. General F. Examples Synthesis of N,N′-di-tert-butyl ethylenediamine (3D) (See, e.g., as Shown in Table 1) Synthesis of 1bD (See, e.g., as Shown in Table 1) Synthesis of 5 (See, e.g., as Shown in Table 2) As used herein, the term “about,” when qualifying a number, e.g., about 15% w/w, refers to the number qualified and optionally the numbers included in a range about that qualified number that includes ±10% of the number. For example, about 15% w/w includes 15% w/w as well as 13.5% w/w, 14% w/w, 14.5% w/w, 15.5% w/w, 16% w/w, or 16.5% w/w. For example, “about 75° C.,” includes 75° C. as well 68° C., 69° C., 70° C., 71° C., 72° C., 73° C., 74° C., 75° C., 76° C., 77° C., 78° C., 79° C., 80° C., 81° C., 82° C., or 83° C. As used herein, “selected from the group consisting of” refers to a single member from the group, more than one member from the group, or a combination of members from the group. A member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C includes, for example, A only, B only, or C only, as well as A and B, A and C, B and C, as well as A, B, and C. + + 3 6 As used herein, the phrase “Li ion-conducting separator” refers to an electrolyte which conducts Li ions, is substantially insulating to electrons (e.g., the lithium ion conductivity is at least 10times, and often 10times, greater than the electron conductivity), and which acts as a physical barrier or spacer between the positive and negative electrodes in an electrochemical cell. + As used herein, the phrases “solid separator,” “solid electrolyte,” “solid-state separator,” and “solid-state electrolyte” refer to Li ion-conducting separators that are solids at room temperature and include at least 50 vol % ceramic material. + As used herein, the phrase “electrochemical cell” refers to, for example, a “battery cell” and includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte therebetween which conducts ions (e.g., Li) but electrically insulates the positive and negative electrodes. In some embodiments, a battery may include multiple positive electrodes and/or multiple negative electrodes enclosed in one container. 6 3 As used herein the phrase “electrochemical stack” refers to one or more units which each include at least a negative electrode (e.g., Li, LiC), a positive electrode (e.g., Li-nickel-manganese-oxide or FeF, optionally combined with a solid-state electrolyte or a gel electrolyte), and a solid electrolyte (e.g., an oxide electrolyte set forth herein, a lithium-stuffed garnet film, or a lithium-stuffed garnet pellet) between and in contact with the positive and negative electrodes. In some examples, between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode, there is an additional layer including a compliant (e.g., gel electrolyte). An electrochemical stack may include one of these aforementioned units. An electrochemical stack may include several of these aforementioned units arranged in electrical communication (e.g., serial or parallel electrical connection). In some examples, when the electrochemical stack includes several units, the units are layered or laminated together in a column. In some examples, when the electrochemical stack includes several units, the units are layered or laminated together in an array. In some examples, when the electrochemical stack includes several units, the stacks are arranged such that one negative electrode is shared with two or more positive electrodes. Alternatively, in some examples, when the electrochemical stack includes several units, the stacks are arranged such that one positive electrode is shared with two or more negative electrodes. Unless specified otherwise, an electrochemical stack includes one positive electrode, one solid electrolyte, and one negative electrode, and optionally includes a gel electrolyte layer between the positive electrode and the solid electrolyte. In some examples, the gel electrolyte layer is also included in the positive electrode. In some examples, the gel electrolyte includes any electrolyte set forth herein, including a nitrile, dinitrile, organic sulfur-including solvent, or combination thereof set forth herein. + + + As used herein, the term “electrolyte” refers to a material that allows ions, e.g., Li, to migrate or conduct therethrough but which does not allow electrons to conduct therethrough. Electrolytes are useful for electrically isolating the cathode and anodes of a secondary battery while allowing ions, e.g., Li, to transmit through the electrolyte. Solid electrolytes, in particular, rely on ion hopping through rigid structures. Solid electrolytes may be also referred to as fast ion conductors or super-ionic conductors. Solid electrolytes may be also used for electrically insulating the positive and negative electrodes of a cell while allowing for the conduction of ions, e.g., Li, through the electrolyte. In this case, a solid electrolyte layer may be also referred to as a solid electrolyte separator or solid-state electrolyte separator. + As used herein, the phrases “gel electrolyte” unless specified otherwise, refers to a suitable Li ion conducting gel or liquid-based electrolyte, for example but not limited to, those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,318, entitled RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM INTERCALATION BATTERY WITH HYBRID POLYMERIC ELECTROLYTE or US Patent Application Publication No. US20170331092A1, entitled SOLID ELECTROLYTE SEPARATOR BONDING AGENT. −5 + + A gel electrolyte has a lithium ion conductivity of greater than 10S/cm at room temperature, a lithium transference number between 0.05-0.95, and a storage modulus greater than the loss modulus at some temperature. A gel electrolyte may comprise a polymer matrix, a solvent that gels the polymer, and a lithium containing salt that is at least partly dissociated into Li ions and anions. Alternately, a gel electrolyte may comprise a porous polymer matrix, a solvent that fills the pores, and a lithium containing salt that is at least partly dissociated into Li ions and anions where the pores have one length scale less than 10 μm. As used herein, the phrase “directly contacts” refers to the juxtaposition of two materials such that the two materials contact each other sufficiently to conduct either an ion or electron current. As used herein, direct contact refers to two materials in contact with each other and which do not have any materials positioned between the two materials which are in direct contact. As used herein, the terms “cathode” and “anode” refer to the electrodes of a battery. The cathode and anode are often referred to in the relevant field as the positive electrode and negative electrode, respectively. During a charge cycle in a Li-secondary battery, Li ions leave the cathode and move through an electrolyte, to the anode. During a charge cycle, electrons leave the cathode and move through an external circuit to the anode. During a discharge cycle in a Li-secondary battery, Li ions migrate towards the cathode through an electrolyte and from the anode. During a discharge cycle, electrons leave the anode and move through an external circuit to the cathode. + + x x y z 2 x y z 2 x As used herein, the phrase “positive electrode” refers to the electrode in a secondary battery towards which positive ions, e.g., Li, conduct, flow or move during discharge of the battery. As used herein, the phrase “negative electrode” refers to the electrode in a secondary battery from where positive ions, e.g., Li, flow or move during discharge of the battery. In a battery comprised of a Li-metal electrode and a conversion chemistry, intercalation chemistry, or combination conversion/intercalation chemistry-including electrode (i.e., cathode active material; e.g., NiF, NCA, LiNiMnCoO[NMC] or LiNiAlCoO[NCA], wherein x+y+z=1), the electrode having the conversion chemistry, intercalation chemistry, or combination conversion/intercalation chemistry material is referred to as the positive electrode. In some usages, cathode is used in place of positive electrode, and anode is used in place of negative electrode. When a Li-secondary battery is charged, Li ions move from the positive electrode (e.g., NiF, NMC, NCA) towards the negative electrode (e.g., Li-metal). When a Li-secondary battery is discharged, Li ions move towards the positive electrode and from the negative electrode. + As used herein, the term “catholyte” refers to a Li ion conductor that is intimately mixed with, or that surrounds and contacts, or that contacts the positive electrode active materials and provides an ionic pathway for Li to and from the active materials. Catholytes suitable with the embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, catholytes having the acronyms name LPS, LXPS, LXPSO, where X is Si, Ge, Sn, As, Al, LATS, or also Li-stuffed garnets, or combinations thereof, and the like. Catholytes may also be liquid, gel, semi-liquid, semi-solid, polymer, and/or solid polymer ion conductors. In some examples, the catholyte includes a gel set forth herein. In some examples, the gel electrolyte includes any electrolyte set forth herein, including a nitrile, dinitrile, organic sulfur-including solvent, or combination thereof set forth herein. a b C d a b C d a b C d a b C d In some examples, the electrolytes herein may include, or be layered with, or be laminated to, or contact a sulfide electrolyte. As used here, the phrase “sulfide electrolyte,” includes, but is not limited to, electrolytes referred to herein as LSS, LTS, LXPS, or LXPSO, where X is Si, Ge, Sn, As, Al, LATS. In these acronyms (LSS, LTS, LXPS, or LXPSO), S refers to the element sulfur (S), silicon (Si), or combinations thereof, and T refers to the element Sn. “Sulfide electrolyte” may also include LiPSX, LiBSX, LiSnSXor LiSiSXwhere X=F, Cl, Br, I, and 10%≤a≤50%, 10%≤b≤44%, 24%≤c≤70%, 0≤d≤18% and may further include oxygen in small amounts. For example, oxygen may be present as a dopant or in an amount less than 10 percent by weight. For example, oxygen may be present as a dopant or in an amount less than 5 percent by weight. + A B C As used here, the phrases “sulfide electrolyte” and “sulfide based electrolytes” include, but are not limited to, LSS, LTS, LXPS, LXPSO, where X is Si, Ge, Sn, As, Al, LATS, or combinations thereof. S is S, Si, or combinations thereof, and T is Sn. Also included are electrolytes that include inorganic materials containing S which conduct ions (e.g., Li) and which are suitable for electrically insulating the positive and negative electrodes of an electrochemical cell (e.g., secondary battery). Exemplary sulfide based electrolytes include, but are not limited to, those electrolytes set forth in International Patent Application PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US14/38283, SOLID STATE CATHOLYTE OR ELECTROLYTE FOR BATTERY USING LiMPS(M=SI, GE, AND/OR SN), filed May 15, 2014, and published as WO 2014/186634, on Nov. 20, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety; also, U.S. Pat. No. 8,697,292 to Kanno, et al, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 2 2 3 4 10 4 13 2 2 3 4 26 7 27 2 2 3 4 4 4 2 2 3 4 14 3 13 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 3 4 3 3 5 7 13 3 4 As used herein, “SLOPS” includes, unless otherwise specified, a 60:40 molar ratio of LiS:SiSwith 0.1-10 mol. % LiPO. In some examples, “SLOPS” includes LiSiS(50:50 LiS:SiS) with 0.1-10 mol. % LiPO. In some examples, “SLOPS” includes LiSiS(65:35 LiS:SiS) with 0.1-10 mol. % LiPO. In some examples, “SLOPS” includes LiSiS(67:33 LiS:SiS) with 0.1-5 mol. % LiPO. In some examples, “SLOPS” includes LiSiS(70:30 LiS:SiS) with 0.1-5 mol. % LiPO. In some examples, “SLOPS” is characterized by the formula (1-x)(60:40 LiS:SiS)(x)(LiPO), wherein x is from 0.01 to 0.99. As used herein, “LBS-POX” refers to an electrolyte composition of LiS:BS:LiPO:LiX where X is a halogen (X=F, Cl, Br, I). The composition can include LiBSor LiBSdoped with 0-30% lithium halide such as LiI and/or 0-10% LiPO. a b C As used here, “LBS” refers to an electrolyte material characterized by the formula LiBSand may include oxygen and/or a lithium halide (LiF, LiCl, LiBr, LiI) at 0-40 mol %. x y z w As used here, “LPSO” refers to an electrolyte material characterized by the formula LiPSOwhere 0.33≤x≤0.67, 0.07≤y≤0.2, 0.4≤z≤0.55, 0≤w≤0.15. Also, LPSO refers to LPS, as defined above, that includes an oxygen content of from 0.01 to 10 atomic %. In some examples, the oxygen content is 1 atomic %. In other examples, the oxygen content is 2 atomic %. In some other examples, the oxygen content is 3 atomic %. In some examples, the oxygen content is 4 atomic %. In other examples, the oxygen content is 5 atomic %. In some other examples, the oxygen content is 6 atomic %. In some examples, the oxygen content is 7 atomic %. In other examples, the oxygen content is 8 atomic %. In some other examples, the oxygen content is 9 atomic %. In some examples, the oxygen content is 10 atomic %. 4 4 2 As used herein, the term “LBHI” or “LiBHI” refers to a lithium conducting electrolyte comprising Li, B, H, and I. More generally, it is understood to include aLiBH+bLiX where X=Cl, Br, and/or I and where a:b=7:l, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, or within the range a/b=2-4. LBHI may further include nitrogen in the form of aLiBH+bLiX+cLiNHwhere (a+c)/b=2-4 and c/a=0-10. 2 2 y As used herein, the term “LPSI” refers to a lithium conducting electrolyte comprising Li, P, S, and I. More generally, it is understood to include aLiS+bPS+cLiX where X=Cl, Br, and/or I and where y=3-5 and where a/b=2.5-4.5 and where (a+b)/c=0.5-15. 3 2 2 3 As used herein, the term “LIRAP” refers to a lithium rich antiperovskite and is used synonymously with “LOC” or “LiOCl”. The composition of LIRAP is aLiO+bLiX+cLiOH+dAlOwhere X=Cl, Br, and/or I, a/b=0.7-9, c/a=0.01-1, d/a=0.001-0.1. 2 2 2 x y z 2 2 2 2 x y x y 4 4 3 4 3 3 x As used herein, “LSS” refers to lithium silicon sulfide which can be described as LiS—SiS, Li—SiS, Li—S—Si, and/or a catholyte consisting essentially of Li, S, and Si. LSS refers to an electrolyte material characterized by the formula LiSiSwhere 0.33≤x≤0.5, 0.1≤y≤0.2, 0.4≤z≤0.55, and it may include up to 10 atomic % oxygen. LSS also refers to an electrolyte material comprising Li, Si, and S. In some examples, LSS is a mixture of LiS and SiS. In some examples, the ratio of LiS:SiSis 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25, 70:30, 2:1, 65:35, 60:40, 55:45, or 50:50 molar ratio. LSS may be doped with compounds such as LiPO, LiBO, LiSiO, LiMO, LiMO, PS, and/or lithium halides such as, but not limited to, LiI, LiCl, LiF, or LiBr, wherein 0≤x≤5 and 0≤y≤5. 2 2 2 x y z 2 2 As used herein, “LTS” refers to a lithium tin sulfide compound which can be described as LiS—SnS, LiS—SnS, Li—S—Sn, and/or a catholyte consisting essentially of Li, S, and Sn. The composition may be LiSnSwhere 0.25≤x≤0.65, 0.05≤y≤0.2, and 0.25≤z≤0.65. In some examples, LTS is a mixture of LiS and SnSin the ratio of 80:20, 75:25, 70:30, 2:1, or 1:1 molar ratio. LTS may include up to 10 atomic % oxygen. LTS may be doped with Bi, Sb, As, P, B, Al, Ge, Ga, and/or In. As used herein, “LATS” refers to LTS, as used above, and further comprising Arsenic (As). a b C a b C a b C A B C a b c d As used herein, “LXPS” refers to a material characterized by the formula LiMPS, where M is Si, Ge, Sn, and/or Al, and where 2≤a≤8, 0.5≤b≤2.5, 4≤c≤12. “LSPS” refers to an electrolyte material characterized by the formula LSiPS, where 2≤a≤8, 0.5≤b≤2.5, 4≤c≤12. LSPS refers to an electrolyte material characterized by the formula LSiPS, wherein, where 2≤a≤8, 0.5≤b≤2.5, 4≤c≤12, d<3. Exemplary LXPS materials are found, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US14/38283, SOLID STATE CATHOLYTE OR ELECTROLYTE FOR BATTERY USING LiMPS(M=SI, GE, AND/OR SN), filed May 15, 2014, and published as WO 2014/186634, on Nov. 20, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Exemplary LXPS materials are found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/618,979, filed Feb. 10, 2015, and published as Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0171465, on Jun. 18, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. When M is Sn and Si—both are present—the LXPS material is referred to as LSTPS. As used herein, “LSTPSO” refers to LSTPS that is doped with, or has, O present. In some examples, “LSTPSO” is a LSTPS material with an oxygen content between 0.01 and 10 atomic %. “LSPS” refers to an electrolyte material having Li, Si, P, and S chemical constituents. As used herein “LSTPS” refers to an electrolyte material having Li, Si, P, Sn, and S chemical constituents. As used herein, “LSPSO” refers to LSPS that is doped with, or has, O present. In some examples, “LSPSO” is a LSPS material with an oxygen content between 0.01 and 10 atomic %. As used herein, “LATP,” refers to an electrolyte material having Li, As, Sn, and P chemical constituents. As used herein “LAGP” refers to an electrolyte material having Li, As, Ge, and P chemical constituents. As used herein, “LXPSO” refers to a catholyte material characterized by the formula LiMPSO, where M is Si, Ge, Sn, and/or Al, and where 2≤a≤8, 0.5≤b≤2.5, 4≤c≤12, d≤3. LXPSO refers to LXPS, as defined above, and having oxygen doping at from 0.1 to about 10 atomic %. LPSO refers to LPS, as defined above, and having oxygen doping at from 0.1 to about 10 atomic %. x y z 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 2 5 As used herein, “LPS” refers to an electrolyte having Li, P, and S chemical constituents. As used herein, “LPSO” refers to LPS that is doped with or has O present. In some examples, “LPSO” is a LPS material with an oxygen content between 0.01 and 10 atomic %. LPS refers to an electrolyte material that can be characterized by the formula LiPSwhere 0.33≤x≤0.67, 0.07≤y≤0.2 and 0.4≤z≤0.55. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the molar ratio is 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 7:3, 2:1, or 1:1. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 95 atomic % and PSis 5 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 90 atomic % and PSis 10 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 85 atomic % and PSis 15 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 80 atomic % and PSis 20 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 75 atomic % and PSis 25 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 70 atomic % and PSis 30 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 65 atomic % and PSis 35 atomic %. LPS also refers to an electrolyte characterized by a product formed from a mixture of LiS:PSwherein the reactant or precursor amount of LiS is 60 atomic % and PSis 40 atomic %. As used herein, the term “rational number” refers to any number which can be expressed as the quotient or fraction (e.g., p/q) of two integers (e.g., p and q), with the denominator (e.g., q) not equal to zero. Example rational numbers include, but are not limited to, 1, 1.1, 1.52, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.12, and 7. A B C D E F A B C D E F A B C D E F a b c d e f 7.0 3 t1 t2 t3 12 2 3 x 3 2 F 2 3 x 3 2 12 2 3 7 3 2 12 7 3 2 12 2 3 7 3 2 12 2 3 7 3 2 12 2 3 7 3 2 12 2 3 7 3 2 12 2 3 As used herein, the phrase “lithium stuffed garnet” refers to oxides that are characterized by a crystal structure related to a garnet crystal structure. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2015/0099190, which published Apr. 9, 2015 and was filed Oct. 7, 2014 as Ser. No. 14/509,029, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application describes Li-stuffed garnet solid-state electrolytes used in solid-state lithium rechargeable batteries. These Li-stuffed garnets include compositions according to LiLaM′M″ZrO, LiLaM′M″TaO, or LiLaM′M″NbO, wherein 4<A<8.5, 1.5<B<4, 0≤C≤2, 0≤D≤2; 0≤E≤2.5, 10≤F≤13, and M′ and M″ are each, independently in each instance selected from Ga, Al, Mo, W, Nb, Sb, Ca, Ba, Sr, Ce, Hf, Rb, and Ta, or LiLaZrAlMe″O, wherein 5<a<8.5; 2<b<4; 0<c≤2.5; 0≤d<2; 0≤e<2, and 10<f<13 and Me″ is a metal selected from Ga, Nb, Ta, V, W, Mo, and Sb and as otherwise described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2015/0099190. As used herein, lithium-stuffed garnets, and garnets, generally, include, but are not limited to, LiLa(Zr+Nb+Ta)O++0.35AlO; wherein (t1+t2+t3=2) so that the La:(Zr/Nb/Ta) ratio is 3:2. Also, garnets used herein include, but are not limited to, LiLaZrO+yAlO, wherein x ranges from 5.5 to 9; and y ranges from 0.05 to 1. In these examples, subscripts x, y, and F are selected so that the garnet is charge neutral. In some examples x is 7 and y is 1.0. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 1.0. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 1.0. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 1.0. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 1.0. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.35. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.35. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.35. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.35. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.35. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.7. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.7. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.7. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.7. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.7. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.75. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.75. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.75. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.75. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.75. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.8. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.8. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.8. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.8. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.8. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.5. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.5. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.5. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.5. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.5. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.4. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.4. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.4. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.4. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.4. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.3. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.3. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.3. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.3. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.3. In some examples x is 7 and y is 0.22. In some examples, x is 5 and y is 0.22. In some examples, x is 6 and y is 0.22. In some examples, x is 8 and y is 0.22. In some examples, x is 9 and y is 0.22. Also, garnets as used herein include, but are not limited to, LiLaZrO+yAlO. In one embodiment, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO. In another embodiment, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO.AlO. In yet another embodiment, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO.0.22AlO. In yet another embodiment, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO.0.35AlO. In certain other embodiments, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO.0.5AlO. In another embodiment, the Li-stuffed garnet herein has a composition of LiLiZrO.0.75AlO. 3 5 12 3 2 4 3 As used herein, garnet does not include YAG-garnets (i.e., yttrium aluminum garnets, or, e.g., YAlO). As used herein, garnet does not include silicate-based garnets such as pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, hessonite, or cinnamon-stone, tsavorite, uvarovite and andradite and the solid solutions pyrope-almandine-spessarite and uvarovite-grossular-andradite. Garnets herein do not include nesosilicates having the general formula XY(SiO)wherein X is Ca, Mg, Fe, and, or, Mn; and Y is Al, Fe, and, or, Cr. + As used herein, the phrase “inorganic solid-state electrolyte” is used interchangeably with the phrase “solid separator” refers to a material which does not include carbon and which conducts atomic ions (e.g., Li) but does not conduct electrons. An inorganic solid-state electrolyte is a solid material suitable for electrically isolating the positive and negative electrodes of a lithium secondary battery while also providing a conduction pathway for lithium ions. Example inorganic solid-state electrolytes include oxide electrolytes and sulfide electrolytes, which are further defined below. Non-limiting example sulfide electrolytes are found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,172,114, which issued Oct. 27, 2015, and also in US Patent Application Publication No. 2017-0162901 A1, titled LITHIUM, PHOSPHORUS, SULFUR, AND IODINE INCLUDING ELECTROLYTE AND CATHOLYTE COMPOSITIONS, ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES, AND ANNEALING METHODS OF MAKING THESE ELECTROLYTES AND CATHOLYTES, which published Jun. 8, 2017 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/367,103, filed Dec. 1, 2016, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Non-limiting example oxide electrolytes are found, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0200420 A1, which published Jul. 16, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In some examples, the inorganic solid-state electrolyte also includes a polymer. As used herein, examples of the materials in International Patent Application PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT/US2014/059575 and PCT/US2014/059578, GARNET MATERIALS FOR LI SECONDARY BATTERIES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING GARNET MATERIALS, filed Oct. 7, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, are suitable for use as the inorganic solid-state electrolytes described herein, also as the oxide based electrolytes, described herein, and also as the garnet electrolytes, described herein. As used herein the term “making” refers to the process or method of forming or causing to form the object that is made. For example, making an energy storage electrode includes the process, process steps, or method of causing the electrode of an energy storage device to be formed. The end result of the steps constituting the making of the energy storage electrode is the production of a material that is functional as an electrode. As used herein, the phrase “providing” refers to the provision of, generation or, presentation of, or delivery of that which is provided. As used herein, the phrase “garnet-type electrolyte” refers to an electrolyte that includes a garnet or lithium stuffed garnet material described herein as the ionic conductor. 7 3 2 12 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 7 3 2 12 2 3 As used herein, the phrase “subscripts and molar coefficients in the empirical formulas are based on the quantities of raw materials initially batched to make the described examples” means the subscripts, (e.g., 7, 3, 2, 12 in LiLaZrOand the coefficient 0.35 in 0.35AlO) refer to the respective elemental ratios in the chemical precursors (e.g., LiOH, LaO, ZrO, AlO) used to prepare a given material, (e.g., LiLaZrO.0.35AlO). As used here, the phrase “characterized by the formula” refers to a molar ratio of constituent atoms either as batched during the process for making that characterized material or as empirically determined. As used herein, the term “solvent” refers to a liquid that is suitable for dissolving or solvating a component or material described herein. For example, a solvent includes a liquid, e.g., nitrile or dinitrile solvent, which is suitable for dissolving a component, e.g., the salt, used in the electrolyte. As used herein, the phrase “nitrile” or “nitrile solvent” refers to a hydrocarbon substituted by a cyano group or nitrile group, or a solvent which includes a cyano (i.e., —C≡N) substituent bonded to the solvent. Nitrile solvents may include dinitrile solvents. As used herein, the phrase “dinitrile” or “dinitrile solvent” refers to a hydrocarbon chain, linear or non-linear, wherein the hydrocarbon chain comprises at least two cyano (i.e., —C≡N) groups. In some cases, the dinitrile or dinitrile solvent comprises a linear hydrocarbon chain. Example dinitrile solvents are characterized by Formula (I): 1 2 3 4 2 2 4 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 wherein: R, R, R, and Rare, independently in each instance, selected from —CN, —NO, —CO, —SO, —H, —SO, —SO, —CH—SO, —CHF—SO, —CF—SO, —F, —Cl, —Br, and —I; and wherein subscript m is an integer from 1 to 1000. Some exemplary nitrile and dinitrile solvents include, but are not limited to, adiponitrile (hexanedinitrile), acetonitrile, benzonitrile, butanedinitrile (succinonitrile), butyronitrile, decanenitrile, ethoxyacetonitrile, fluoroacetonitrile, glutaronitrile, hexanenitrile, heptanenitrile, heptanedinitrile, iso-butyronitrile, malononitrile (propanedinitrile), malonodinitrile, methoxyacetonitrile, nitroacetonitrile, nonanenitrile, nonanedinitrile, octanedinitrile (suberodinitrile), octanenitrile, propanenitrile, pentanenitrile, pentanedinitrile, sebaconitrile (decanedinitrile), succinonitrile, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the phrase “organic sulfur-including solvent” refers to a solvent selected from ethyl methyl sulfone, dimethyl sulfone, sulfolane, allyl methyl sulfone, butadiene sulfone, butyl sulfone, methyl methanesulfonate, and dimethyl sulfite. As used herein, the phrase “bonding layer” refers to an ionically conductive layer between two other layers, e.g., between the cathode and the solid separator. Exemplary bonding layers include the gel electrolytes, and related separator bonding agents, set forth in US Patent Application Publication No. 2017-0331092 published Nov. 16, 2017 (U.S. application Ser. No. 15/595,755 filed May 15, 217), the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. As used herein, the term “HOMO” or “Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital” refers to the energy of the electron occupying the highest occupied molecular orbital, as referenced to the vacuum energy. As used herein, the term “LUMO” refers to “Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital.” HOMO and LUMO energy levels are calculated by DFT calculations referenced to the vacuum level. Unless otherwise specified, the DFT calculations use a B3LYP functional for exchange and correlation and a 6-311++g* basis set. As used herein, the phrase “stability window” refers to the voltage range within which a material exhibits no reaction which materially or significantly degrades the material's function in an electrochemical cell. It may be measured in an electrochemical cell by measuring cell resistance and Coulombic efficiency during charge/discharge cycling. For voltages within the stability window (i.e. the working electrode vs reference electrode within the stability window), the increase of cell resistance is low. For example, this resistance increase may be less than 1% per 100 cycles. For example, the material is stable at 4V v. Li. For another example, the material is stable at 4V or greater v. Li. For another example, the material is stable at 4V, 4.1V, 4.2V, 4.3V, 4.4V, 4.5V, 4.6V, 4.7V, 4.8V, 4.9V. 5V, 5.1V, or 5.2V v. Li. For example, the material is stable at 5.2V or greater v. Li. As used herein, the term “a high voltage-stable catholyte” refers to a catholyte which does not react at high voltage (4.2 V or higher versus Li metal) in a way that materially or significantly degrades the ionic conductivity of the catholyte when held at high voltage at room temperature for one week. Herein, a material or significant degradation in ionic conductivity is a reduction in ionic conductivity by an order of magnitude or more. For example, if the catholyte has an ionic conductivity of 10 E-3 S/cm, and when charged to 4.2V or higher the catholyte has an ionic conductivity of 10 E-4 S/cm, then the catholyte is not stable at 4.2V or higher since its ionic conductivity materially and significantly degraded at that voltage.” As used herein, the term “high voltage” means at least 4.2V versus lithium metal (i.e., v. Li). High voltage may also refer to higher voltage, e.g., 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8. 4.9, 5.0 V or higher. As used herein, “stable at 4V or greater v. Li” refers to a material that does not react at high voltage 4V or greater with respect to a lithium metal anode in a way that materially or significantly degrades the ionic conductivity. As used herein, “stable at 4V, 4.1V, 4.2V, 4.3V, 4.4V, 4.5V, 4.6V, 4.7V, 4.8V, 4.9V, 5.0V, 5.1V, or 5.2V v. Li,” refers to a material that does not react at the recited voltage with respect to a lithium metal anode in a way that materially or significantly degrades the ionic conductivity. As used herein, the term “chemically compatible” means that two or more materials or chemicals are chemically compatible with each other if the materials can be physically exposed to each other and the materials do not react in a way which materially or significantly degrades the electrochemical performance within a short amount of time, such as 100 days, 1 year, 5 years, or longer. As used herein, a short time includes 1 year unless specified otherwise to the contrary. Herein, electrochemical performance refers to either ionic conductivity or area-specific resistance (ASR). A material or significant degradation in ionic conductivity is a degradation by an order of magnitude or more. A material or significant degradation in ASR is a degradation by a factor of 2 or more when held at room temperature for one week. As used herein, the term “LiBOB” refers to lithium bis(oxalato)borate. As used herein, the term “LiBETI” refers to lithium bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide. As used herein, the term “LIFSI” refers to lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. As used herein, the term “LiTFSI” refer to lithium bis-trifluoromethanesulfonimide. As used herein, voltage is set forth with respect to lithium (i.e., V vs. Li) metal unless stated otherwise. 4 As used herein, the term “LiBHI” refers to a combination of LiBHand LiX, wherein X is Br, Cl, I, or a combination thereof. 4 2 As used herein, the term “LiBNHI” refers to a combination of LiBH, LiNH, and LiX, wherein X is Br, Cl, I, or combinations thereof. 4 As used herein, the term “LiBHCl” refers to a combination of LiBHand LiCl. 4 2 As used herein, the term “LiBNHCl” refers to a combination of LiBH, LiNH, and LiCl. 4 As used herein, the term “LiBHBr” refers to a combination of LiBHand LiBr. 4 2 As used herein, the term “LiBNHBr” refers to a combination of LiBH, LiNH, and LiBr. As used herein, the term “AN” refers to acrylonitrile. As used herein, the term “PAN” refers to poly(acrylonitrile). x y z As used herein, the term “LiPON” refers to solid state electrolyte comprising lithium, phosphorus, oxygen and nitrogen and is referred to as lithium phosphorus oxy-nitride. LiPON can be characterized by the formula LiPONin which x=2y+3z-5. x y z As used herein, the term “LiSON” refers to refers to solid state electrolyte comprising lithium, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen and is referred to as lithium sulfur oxy-nitride. LiSON can be characterized by the formula LiSONin which x=2y+3z-2. Viscosity can be measured using a Brookfield viscometer DV2T. 2 2 As used herein, the term “monolith” refers to a shaped, fabricated article with a homogenous microstructure with no structural distinctions observed optically, which has a form factor top surface area between 10 cmand 500 cm. As used herein, the term “vapor pressure” refers to the equilibrium pressure of a gas above its liquid at the same temperature in a closed system. Measurement procedures may consist of purifying the test substance, isolating it in a container, evacuating any foreign gas, then measuring the equilibrium pressure of the gaseous phase of the substance in the container at different temperatures. Better accuracy may be achieved when care is taken to ensure that the entire substance and its vapor are at the prescribed temperature. This may be done with the use of an isoteniscope, by submerging the containment area in a liquid bath. 6 6 4 4 2 As used herein, the term “lithium salt” refers to a lithium-containing compound that is a solid at room temperature that at least partially dissociates when immersed in a solvent such as EMC. Lithium salts may include but are not limited to LiPF, LiBOB, LiTFSi, LiFSI, LiAsF, LiClO, LiI, LiBETI, LiBF. As used herein, the term “carbonate solvent” refers to a class of solvents containing a carbonate group C(═O)(O—). Carbonate solvents include but are not limited to ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl ethylene carbonate, isobutylene carbonate, nitroethyl carbonate, Monofluoroethylene carbonate, fluoromethyl ethylene carbonate, 1,2-butylene carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, isopropyl methyl carbonate, etc. As used herein, area-specific resistance (ASR) is measured by electrochemical cycling using Arbin or Biologic unless otherwise specified to the contrary. As used herein, ionic conductivity is measured by electrical impedance spectroscopy methods known in the art. As used herein, high voltage means 4V or larger versus a lithium metal reference electrode (which is at 0V). As used herein, the term “aprotic polymer” refers to a polymer that does not have a labile proton, a polymer that may not readily donate a proton. As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to saturated aliphatic groups including straight-chain, branched-chain, cyclic groups, and combinations thereof, having the number of carbon atoms specified, or if no number is specified, having up to 12 carbon atoms. “Straight-chain alkyl” or “linear alkyl” groups refers to alkyl groups that are neither cyclic nor branched, commonly designated as “n-alkyl” groups. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, n-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, neopentyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and adamantyl. Cycloalkyl groups can consist of one ring, including, but not limited to, groups such as cycloheptyl, or multiple fused rings, including, but not limited to, groups such as adamantyl or norbornyl. As used herein, the term “butyl” refers to n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, or tert-butyl (t-butyl). The CES EDUPACK As used herein, the term “storage modulus” or “the bulk modulus,” is equivalent to a Young's modulus, i.e., elastic modulus or modulus of elasticity. The variables E and G (as well as E′, E″, G′, and G″) are used to represent modulus values. Its value is determined by the slope of a material's stress versus strain curve prior to permanent deformation (e.g. pressure vs. % deformation). The elastic modulus may be published by the manufacturer or may be tested by a person having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., engineering). Stiff materials have a high elastic modulus. Pliable materials have a low elastic modulus. For rubbery fluid like materials (materials with non-linear stress strain curves), the bulk modulus is a function of the elastic modulus and is approximately 10× the elastic modulus, though in practice it is actually a function of the material's elastic modulus (E) and poisson's ration (v). A modulus is measured in one of the x, y, or z planes. A stress is applied to a material parallel to one of the x, y, or z planes. As stress is applied to a plane, the relationship between its dimensional change and the dimensional changes of orthogonal planes. Representative modulus values are found in 2009 . Cambridge University, copyright Granta Design January 2009, e.g., page 28 therein, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. As used herein, the term “G′/G″ modulus ratio” refers to ratio of stress versus strain. As used herein, the term “G′/G″ modulus ratio” is determined as is the ratio E′/E″ in Example 2. As used herein, the term “cyano functional group” and the term “nitrile functional group” can be used interchangeably. The group is represented by —CN. Additionally either term can be used interchangeably with the term “cyano functionality.” n As used herein, the phrase “the molecular weight of the polymer” refers to a M—number average molecular weight, as determined by NMR spectroscopy, unless explicitly expressed otherwise. Previous researchers have prepared high voltage electrochemical batteries that have poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) polymer electrolyte separators. However, these PAN polymers were made using physical cross-linking. Physical cross linking results in non-uniform, inhomogeneous structures, which vary with respect to molecular weight, amount, type, length, and uniformity of cross-linking. Physical cross linking leads to stochastic linking results, e.g., non-uniform MW distributions or cross-linker lengths. better mechanical properties. The gels disclosed herein are swollen with a solvent and a lithium salt but they may behave like a solid. This is measured by the modulus ratio of G′/G″. Herein G′ is larger than G″. This is similar to high quality rubbers used in tubing. better voltage stability. The methods disclosed herein rely on nitrogen-containing linkages, e.g., amide bonds. Amide bonds are stable to high voltages. Ester and ether bonds are not stable to high voltages. The methods disclosed herein do not use ester or ether linking groups. better uptake of swelling solvents. uniformity of molecular weight, branching, crosslinking. These properties are tunable as well. getting closer to a model network which may be similar to a perfect 3-D cargo net with no loose polymer ends. This does not happen for physical cross-linking of PAN. ability to attach quaternary ammonium cationic functional groups. compositions including chemically cross-linked polymer have a wide electrochemical stability window (ESW). Set forth herein are PAN gels that are chemically cross-linked. Chemically cross-linking may provide a series of advantages, such as the following: Provided herein is a composition including a chemically cross-linked polymer comprising cyano (—CN) functional groups and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a dinitrile, or a combination thereof. Alternatively provided herein is a composition including a chemically cross-linked polymer comprising nitrile functional groups and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a dinitrile, or a combination thereof. Alternatively provided herein is a composition including a chemically cross-linked polymer and a solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile, a dinitrile, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the chemically cross-linked polymer comprising at least one cyano (—CN) functional group is an aprotic polymer. In some cases, the polymer does not comprise a labile hydrogen atom. In some cases, a chemically cross-linked polymer disclosed herein comprises a labile hydrogen atom. In some cases, the chemically cross-linked polymer is a protic polymer. In some embodiments, the composition further includes a lithium salt. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition has a G′/G″ modulus ratio greater than or equal to 1. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition is closer to a model network defined as 3-D cargo net with no loose ends. In examples of this model network, the chemical cross-linking points are much smaller than physically cross-linked points would be, and, further, the cross-linking points are arranged in three dimensions in a uniform manner. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition does not include any ester groups. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition does not include any ether groups. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition does not include any ester or ether groups. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition includes amide containing linking groups. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition includes urea containing linking groups. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition is stable at 4V or greater v. Li. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition is stable at 4V, 4.1V, 4.2V, 4.3V, 4.4V, 4.5V, 4.6V, 4.7V, 4.8V, 4.9V. 5V, 5.1V, or 5.2V v. Li. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition is stable at 5.2V or greater v. Li. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is a poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) or derivative thereof. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the PAN comprises amide functional groups. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the PAN comprises urea functional groups. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the PAN does not comprise ester functional groups. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is selected from adiponitrile (hexanedinitrile), acetonitrile, benzonitrile, butanedinitrile (succinonitrile), butyronitrile, decanenitrile, ethoxyacetonitrile, fluoroacetonitrile, glutaronitrile, hexanenitrile, heptanenitrile, heptanedinitrile, iso-butyronitrile, malononitrile (propanedinitrile or malonodinitrile), methoxyacetonitrile, nitroacetonitrile, nonanenitrile, nonanedinitrile, octanedinitrile (suberodinitrile), octanenitrile, propanenitrile, pentanenitrile, pentanedinitrile, sebaconitrile (decanedinitrile), succinonitrile, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the solvent is selected from adiponitrile (hexanedinitrile), acetonitrile, benzonitrile, butanedinitrile (succinonitrile), butyronitrile, decanenitrile, ethoxyacetonitrile, fluoroacetonitrile, glutaronitrile, hexanenitrile, heptanenitrile, heptanedinitrile, iso-butyronitrile, malononitrile (propanedinitrile or malonodinitrile), methoxyacetonitrile, nitroacetonitrile, nonanenitrile, nonanedinitrile, octanedinitrile (suberodinitrile), octanenitrile, propanenitrile, pentanenitrile, pentanedinitrile, sebaconitrile (decanedinitrile), succinonitrile, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is adiponitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with adiponitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is acetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with acetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is benzonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with benzonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is butanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with butanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is butyronitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with butyronitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is decanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with decanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is ethoxyacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with ethoxyacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is fluoroacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with fluoroacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is glutaronitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with glutaronitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is hexanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with hexanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is heptanenitrile, In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with heptanenitrile, In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is heptanedinitrile, In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with heptanedinitrile, In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is iso-butyronitrile, In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with iso-butyronitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is malononitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with malononitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is methoxyacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with methoxyacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is nitroacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with nitroacetonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is nonanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with nonanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is nonanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with nonanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is octanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with octanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is octanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with octanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is propanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with propanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is pentanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with pentanenitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is pentanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with pentanedinitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is sebaconitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with sebaconitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is succinonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is swollen with succinonitrile. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is of any one of the following formulas: 1 2 3 wherein: Ris selected from H and alkyl; Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; subscript l is an integer selected from 1 to 10 inclusive; subscript p is an integer selected from 1 to 10 inclusive; Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; subscripts n and m represent the numbers of repeating units in the parentheses respectively; and the symbol, , refers to the point of attachment of the illustrated formula to the remainder of the polymer. In some examples, n and m are independently an integer from 1 to 5,000 or 1 to 10,000 inclusive. In some examples, n is 70 to 270 and m is 2 to 13. In some examples, n is far larger than m. In some examples, n determines the molecular weight of PAN. In some examples, n is 30 to 5000 and m=2 to 100. In some examples, m is 70 to 270 and n is 2 to 13. In some examples, m is far larger than n. In some examples, m determines the molecular weight of PAN. In some examples, m is 30 to 5000 and n is 2 to 100. In some examples, subscript p is 1. In some examples, subscript p is 2. In some examples, subscript p is 3. In some examples, subscript p is 4. In some examples, subscript p is 5. In some examples, subscript p is 6. In some examples, subscript p is 7. In some examples, subscript p is 8. In some examples, subscript p is 9. In some examples, subscript p is 10. 1 2 3 2 2 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris —H or methyl; Ris selected from methyl and t-butyl; subscript 1 is selected from 1, 3, and 5; subscript p is 4; and Ris ethyl. In some examples, Ris methyl. In some examples, Ris butyl. 1 1 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris H. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris alkyl. Alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris ethyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris propyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris butyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris pentyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris hexyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris heptyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris octyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris nonyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris decyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, butyl refers to n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, or tert-butyl (t-butyl). In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, pentyl refers to n-pentyl, tert-pentyl, neo-pentyl, iso-pentyl, sec-pentyl, or 3-pentyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript l is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript p is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris ethyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris propyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris butyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris pentyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris hexyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris heptyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris octyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris nonyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris decyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript n is an integer from 1 to 5000, 1 to 4000, 1 to 3000, 1 to 2000, 1 to 1000, 1 to 900, 1 to 800, 1 to 700, 1 to 600, 1 to 500, 1 to 400, 1 to 300, 1 to 200, 1 to 100, 1 to 50, 50 to 1000, 50 to 900, 50 to 800, 50 to 700, 50 to 600, 50 to 500, 50 to 400, 50 to 300, 50 to 200, 50 to 100, 100 to 900, 100 to 800, 100 to 700, 100 to 600, 100 to 500, 100 to 400, 100 to 300, 100 to 200, 200 to 900, 200 to 800, 200 to 700, 200 to 600, 200 to 500, 200 to 400, 200 to 300, 300 to 900, 300 to 800, 300 to 700, 300 to 600, 300 to 500, or 300 to 400, inclusive. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript m is an integer from 1 to 5000, 1 to 4000, 1 to 3000, 1 to 2000, 1 to 1000, 1 to 900, 1 to 800, 1 to 700, 1 to 600, 1 to 500, 1 to 400, 1 to 300, 1 to 200, 1 to 100, 1 to 50, 50 to 1000, 50 to 900, 50 to 800, 50 to 700, 50 to 600, 50 to 500, 50 to 400, 50 to 300, 50 to 200, 50 to 100, 100 to 900, 100 to 800, 100 to 700, 100 to 600, 100 to 500, 100 to 400, 100 to 300, 100 to 200, 200 to 900, 200-800, 200 to 700, 200 to 600, 200 to 500, 200 to 400, 200 to 300, 300 to 900, 300 to 800, 300 to 700, 300 to 600, 300 to 500, or 300 to 400, inclusive. In some embodiment, m is 70 to 270 and n is 2 to 13, inclusive. In some embodiments, m is from 30 to 5000 and n is from 2 to 100, inclusive. In some embodiments, m is selected from 30 to 4000, 30 to 3000, 30 to 2000, 30 to 2000, 30 to 500, 30 to 400, 30 to 300, and 30 to 200, and n is selected from 2 to 100, 2 to 90, 2 to 80, 2 to 70, 2 to 60, 2 to 60, 2 to 50, 2 to 40, 2 to 30, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 2 to 10, 2 to 8, and 2 to 6, inclusive. In some embodiment, n is 70 to 270 and m is 2 to 13, inclusive. In some embodiments, n is from 30 to 5000 and m is from 2 to 100, inclusive. In some embodiments, n is selected from 30 to 4000, 30 to 3000, 30 to 2000, 30 to 2000, 30 to 500, 30 to 400, 30 to 300, and 30 to 200 and m is selected from 2 to 100, 2 to 90, 2 to 80, 2 to 70, 2 to 60, 2 to 60, 2 to 50, 2 to 40, 2 to 30, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 2 to 10, 2 to 8, and 2 to 6, inclusive. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is of the following formula: t wherein Bu represents t-butyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is made by polymerizing a monomer selected from 1 2 wherein Ris selected from H and alkyl; Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; and subscript l is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive. 1 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, wherein Ris methyl. 2 2 2 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris butyl. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris t-butyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript l is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. 1 1 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris H. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris alkyl. Alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris ethyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris propyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris butyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris pentyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris hexyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris heptyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris octyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris nonyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris decyl. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, subscript l is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. n In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the molecular weight of the polymer is between 5,000 and 17,000 (M—number average). n In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the molecular weight of the polymer is between 5,000 and 6,000; 5.000 and 7,000; 5,000 and 8,000; 5,000 and 9,000; 5,000 and 10,000; 5,000 and 11,000; 5.000 and 12,000; 5,000 and 13,000; 5,000 and 14,000; 5,000 and 15,000; or 5,000 and 16.000 (M—number average). In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the dispersity of the polymer is between 0.5 and 1.2. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the dispersity of the polymer is 1.11. 4 6 5.2 5.7 In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the storage modulus of the polymer is between 10and 10Pa. In some embodiments, the storage modulus of the polymer is between 10and 10Pa. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a solvent or mixture of solvents, wherein the mixture has a boiling point of greater than 80° C. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a solvent having a HOMO level of more than 7.2 eV below the vacuum level and up to 11.5 eV below the vacuum level. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a polar and aprotic solvent. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a member selected from the group consisting of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), fluoromethyl ethylene carbonate (FMEC), trifluoroethyl methyl carbonate (F-EMC), fluorinated 3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane (i.e., 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)propane (F-EPE)), fluorinated cyclic carbonate (F-AEC), tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TTSPi), and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises fluoromethyl ethylene carbonate (FMEC). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises trifluoroethyl methyl carbonate (F-EMC). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises fluorinated 3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane (i.e., 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)propane (F-EPE)). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprise fluorinated cyclic carbonate (F-AEC). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TTSPi). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a member selected from the group consisting of methylene methanedisulfonate (MMDS), methyl pivalate, 1,2 dioxane, sulfolane, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises an organic sulfur-including solvent selected from ethyl methyl sulfone, dimethyl sulfone, sulfolane, allyl methyl sulfone, butadiene sulfone, butyl sulfone, methyl methanesulfonate, dimethyl sulfite, and combinations thereof. 6 4 4 6 4 In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises a lithium salt selected from LiPF, LiBOB, LiTFSi, LiBF, LiClO, LiAsF, LiFSI, LiClO, LiI, and a combination thereof. 6 4 4 6 4 In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiPF. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiBOB. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiTFSi. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiBF. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiClO. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiAsF. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiFSI. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiClO, In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition comprises LiI. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition does not comprise In some embodiments, this monomer is consumed during the reaction. In some embodiments, this monomer is separated from the polymer produced from the monomer. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the composition does not comprise In some embodiments, this monomer is consumed during the reaction. In some embodiments, this monomer is separated from the polymer produced from the monomer. step 1: copolymerizing an acrylonitrile (AN) monomer and a monomer to form a polymer, wherein the monomer comprises amide functional groups; and step 2: chemically cross-linking the polymer using a bifunctional cross-linker. Provided herein is a process for making a composition, including: step 1: copolymerizing an acrylonitrile (AN) and a monomer to form a polymer, wherein the monomer comprises urea functional groups; and step 2: chemically cross-linking the polymer using a bifunctional cross-linker. Provided herein is a process for making a composition, including: step 1: copolymerizing an acrylonitrile (AN) and a methacrylamide to form a polymer, wherein the methacrylamide comprises amide functional groups; and step 2: chemically cross-linking the polymer using a bifunctional cross-linker. Provided herein is a process for making a composition, including: step 1: copolymerizing an acrylonitrile (AN) and a methacrylamide to form a polymer, wherein the methacrylamide comprises urea functional groups; and step 2: chemically cross-linking the polymer using a bifunctional cross-linker. Provided herein is a process for making a composition, including: In some examples, the monomer is a methacrylamide set forth herein. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, the monomer comprises secondary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer does not comprise primary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer does not comprise quaternary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer comprises primary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer comprises tertiary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer comprises quaternary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer is a N,N′-dialkyl acrylamide. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, the methacrylamide comprises secondary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide does not comprise primary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide does not comprise quaternary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide comprises primary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide comprises tertiary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide comprises quaternary amine functional groups. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide is a N,N′-dialkyl acrylamide. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer is 1 2 wherein Ris selected from H and alkyl; Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; and subscript l is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide is 1 2 wherein Ris methyl; Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; and subscript l is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer is t wherein Bu represents t-butyl. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide is t wherein Bu represents t-butyl. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the AN is In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the monomer is made by condensing an acryloyl or acryloyl chloride and a symmetric diamine. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide is made by condensing a methacryloyl or methacryloyl chloride and a symmetric diamine. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is made by reversible deactivation (living) radical copolymerization. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the methacrylamide is made using condensation reagent. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the condensation reagent is selected from N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-benzotriazolium 3-oxide hexafluorophosphate (HBTU). In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the acryloyl is 1 1 wherein Ris selected from —H and alkyl. Alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl. In some embodiments, Ris methyl. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the symmetric diamine is 2 2 2 wherein Ris selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl; and subscript l is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris butyl. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the symmetric diamine is N,N′-tert-butyl ethylene diamine. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process of making the methacrylamide occurs in dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran (THF). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process of making the methacrylamide occurs at between −20 to 20° C. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process of making the methacrylamide occurs over 10-60 minutes. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process of making the methacrylamide comprises stirring at room temperature for 10-60 minutes. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the molar ratio of AN to methacrylamide is 300:1, 300:2, 300:5; 300:10, 300:15; 200:1, 200:2, 200:5; 200:10, 200:15; 100:1, 100:2, 100:5; 100:10, or 100:15. n In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the molecular weight of the polymer is between 5,000 and 17,000 (M—number average). In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 1 is in ethylene carbonate. 1 In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris methyl. 2 In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, Ris t-butyl. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 1 comprises reversible deactivation (living) radical copolymerization In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 1 comprises organotellerium mediated radical polymerization (TERP). In some embodiments, the TERP comprises using N,N-diethyl-2-methyl-2-(methyltellanyl)propanamide as a chain transfer agent. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the bifunctional cross-linker is hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process comprises reducing the methyltellanyl end group using benzenethiol. In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, the process comprises precipitating a product from methanol. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the chemical cross-linking occurs in a dinitrile solvent. In some embodiments of the composition provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the nitrile solvent is selected from adiponitrile (hexanedinitrile), acetonitrile, benzonitrile, butanedinitrile (succinonitrile), butyronitrile, decanenitrile, ethoxyacetonitrile, fluoroacetonitrile, glutaronitrile, hexanenitrile, heptanenitrile, heptanedinitrile, iso-butyronitrile, malononitrile (propanedinitrile or malonodinitrile), methoxyacetonitrile, nitroacetonitrile, nonanenitrile, nonanedinitrile, octanedinitrile (suberodinitrile), octanenitrile, propanenitrile, pentanenitrile, pentanedinitrile, sebaconitrile (decanedinitrile), succinonitrile, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises heating to between 80 and 100° C. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises heating to between 80-120° C. for 60-120 hours. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises heating to 100° C. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises heating to 100° C. for 104 hours. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, step 2 comprises cooling. In some embodiments of the process provided herein, including any of foregoing embodiments, the polymer is t wherein subscripts n and m represent the number of repeating units in the parentheses respectively, Bu represents t-butyl. 6 4 4 6 4 In some embodiments, including any of foregoing embodiments, a lithium salt is present during the process. In some embodiments, the lithium salt is selected from LiPF, LiBOB, LiTFSi, LiBF, LiClO, LiAsF, LiFSI, LiClO, LiI, and a combination thereof. Provided herein is a composition made by the process of any embodiments set forth herein. Provided herein is an electrochemical cell including a lithium metal negative electrode; a solid separator and a positive electrode; wherein the positive electrode comprises: an active material; and a catholyte; wherein the catholyte comprises a composition of any one of the embodiments set forth herein; and a lithium salt. 3 In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, the solid separator is a lithium-stuffed-garnet, an LiBHI, LiN, a lithium-sulfide, a LiPON, a LISON, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of foregoing embodiments, the solid separator is a solid sulfide material. Provided herein is an electrochemical cell including a lithium metal negative electrode, a solid separator, a positive electrode, and a bonding layer disposed between the solid separator and the positive electrode; wherein the positive electrode comprises an active material and a catholyte; and wherein the bonding layer comprises a composition of any of the embodiments set forth herein and a lithium salt. 2 2 2 4 2 2-a a 4 4 In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, the active material is selected from a nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), a nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), Li(NiCoAl)O, a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), a lithium manganese cobalt oxide (LMCO), a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LMNCO), a lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO), Li(NiCoMn)O, LiMnO, LiCoO, LiMnNiO, wherein a is from 0 to 2, and LiMPO, wherein M is Fe, Ni, Co, or Mn. 2 2 x 3-2 3 3 3 2 In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the active material is selected from FeF, NiF, FeOFx, FeF, MnF, CoF, CuF, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof; wherein subscript x is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 3/2. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the catholyte further comprises a carbonate solvent. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the catholyte comprises a nitrile solvent having a HOMO level of more than 7.2, 7.8, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.0, or 9.5 eV below the vacuum level. 4 3 3 3 2 2 In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the catholyte comprises LiBF, LiCFSO, LiN(CFSO), or a combination thereof. u v x y 2 3 u is a rational number from 4 to 8; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; and z is a rational number from 0.05 to 1; wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zAlO, wherein In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium sulfide characterized by one of the following formulas: a b c d e f ≤a≤ ,b+c= ≤d≤ ≤e≤ <f≤ LiSiSnPSO, wherein 281,0.52.5,412, and 010; g h j k l ≤g≤ ≤h≤ ≤j≤ ≤k≤ ≤l≤ LiAsSnSO, wherein 26,01,01,26, and 010; m n p q ≤m≤ ≤n≤ ≤p≤ ≤q≤ 2 2 5 2 2 5 a mixture of (LiS):(PS) having a molar ratio from about 10:1 to about 6:4 and LiI, wherein the ratio of [(LiS):(PS)]:LiI is from 95:5 to 50:50; 2 3 a mixture of LiI and AlO; 3 LiN; LPS+X, wherein X is selected from Cl, I, and Br; 2 2 5 vLiS+wPS+yLiX; 2 2 vLiS+wSiS+yLiX; 2 2 3 vLiS+wBS+yLiX; 4 4 2 a mixture of LiBHand LiX wherein X is selected from Cl, I, and Br; or vLiBH+wLiX+yLiNH, wherein X is selected from Cl, I, and Br; and wherein coefficients v, w, and y are rational numbers from 0 to 1. LiPSI, wherein 26,01,01,26; or u v x y 2 5 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; and z is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zTaO, wherein u v x y 2 5 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; and z is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zNbO, wherein u v x y 2 3 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; and z is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zGaO, wherein u v x y 2 5 2 3 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; z is a rational number from 0 to 1; and b is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein z+b≤1. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zTaO.bAlO, wherein u v x y 2 5 2 3 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; z is a rational number from 0 to 1; and b is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein z+b<1 wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zNbO.bAlO, wherein u v x y 2 3 2 3 u is a rational number from 4 to 10; v is a rational number from 2 to 4; x is a rational number from 1 to 3; y is a rational number from 10 to 14; z is a rational number from 0 to 1; and b is a rational number from 0 to 1; wherein z+b≤1 wherein u, v, x, y, and z are selected so that the lithium-stuffed garnet oxide is charge neutral. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the solid separator comprises: a lithium-stuffed garnet oxide characterized by the formula LiLaZrO.zGaO.bAlO, wherein In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the positive electrode is in direct contact with a solid electrolyte separator. In some embodiments of the electrochemical cell, including any of the foregoing amendments, the catholyte comprises an additives selected from the group consisting of VC (vinylene carbonate), VEC (vinyl ethylene carbonate), succinic anhydride, PES (prop-1-ene, 1-3 sultone), tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite, ethylene sulfate, PBF, TMS (1,3-propylene sulfate), propylene sulfate, trimethoxyboroxine, FEC, MMDS, TTSPi, and combinations thereof. Provided herein is a method of using an electrochemical cell of any one of those set forth herein, including charging the electrochemical cell to a voltage greater than 4.3V. In some embodiments, the method comprises charging the battery to a voltage greater than 4.4V, greater than 4.5V, greater than 4.6V, greater than 4.7V, greater than 4.8V, greater than 4.9V, greater than 5.0V, greater than 5.1V, greater than 5.2V, greater than 5.3V, greater than 5.4V, or greater than 5.5V. providing an electrochemical cell of any one of those set forth herein; wherein the electrochemical cell has greater than 20% state-of-charge (SOC); and storing the battery for at least one day. Provided herein is a method of storing an electrochemical cell, including: In some embodiments of the method provided herein, the storing the battery for at least one day is at a temperature greater than 20° C. In some embodiments of the method provided herein, including any of the foregoing embodiments, the storing the battery for at least one day is at a temperature greater than 40° C. In some embodiments of the method provided herein, including any of the foregoing embodiments, the storing the battery for at least one day is at a temperature greater than 100° C. In some embodiments, including any of the foregoing amendments, the method further comprises charging the battery to a voltage greater than 4.3V v. Li. A new polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based chemically cross-linked gel swollen with adiponitrile was prepared for the first time. The host polymer, PAN-copolymer, was prepared by copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and a methacrylamide bearing amine functional group under organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization (TERP). Excellent control over the molecular weight and dispersity was observed. Then, the copolymers were cross-linked with a bifunctional crosslinker, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), in adiponitrile to obtain the corresponding gel. The rheological study strongly supported the quantitative formation of cross-linking points and a homogeneous gel network. Alkyl dinitriles, such as adiponitrile, have wide electrochemical stability windows, which are suitable for increasing the energy density in energy-storage devices, i.e., Li-ion batteries and super capacitors. In addition, a polymer-gel electrolyte has significant advantages over liquid electrolytes due to its high safety and deformability. Therefore, the new PAN-based chemically cross-linked gel can be used for the development of new energy storage devices. The chemically cross-linked polymer gel herein can be swollen with dinitriles. Fabricating a structurally controlled and homogeneous polymer gel are of particular interest because its homogeneity would lead to several advantages, such as a stable output and long cycle life. Therefore, the host polymer, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-copolymer, was prepared by copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and a methacrylamide bearing amine functional group under organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization (TERP). Excellent control over the molecular weight and dispersity was observed. Then, the copolymers were cross-linked with a bifunctional crosslinker in adiponitrile to obtain the corresponding gel. The rheological study strongly supported the formation of a homogeneous gel network. Several PAN-based physically cross-linked polymer-gel electrolytes using alkyl carbonates as the electrolytes have already been reported and there is one report of chemically cross-linked PAN-based gel. However, the precursor polymer of the gel was prepared by the conventional radical polymerization so that the polymer structure was not controlled. Furthermore, carbonates were used as an electrolyte. Therefore, the chemically cross-linked polymer gel herein is the first example to fabricate structurally uniform PAN-based gels swollen with a dinitrile. The concept for the gel design includes the following: 1) PAN was selected as the host polymer because it has an iterative dinitrile structure; 2) a chemically cross-linked gel was targeted because the chemical cross-linking point is much smaller than that of a physically cross-linked one; 3) a two-step gel fabrication method using a structurally controlled PAN polymer with functional groups and a bifunctional cross-linker was used instead of a one-step cross-linking polymerization method to increase the structural homogeneity of the gel; 4) the structurally controlled PAN was prepared by a reversible deactivation (living) radical copolymerization; while several reversible deactivation (living) radical polymerization methods were reported, TERP was used because of its high synthetic versatility; and 5) since ester functional groups have narrower ESWs than nitrile, the use of esters was avoided and amides were selected. Amides are chemically more stable than esters under reductive conditions. N,N′-dialkyl acryl or methacrylamide 1 with a secondary amine pendant group was selected to minimize the formation of a protic amide proton. The synthesis of a structurally well controlled copolymer composed acrylonitrile (AN) and amide monomer 1 is disclosed herein. Furthermore, the copolymer to the corresponding polymer-gel with adiponitrile was fabricated. General 1 13 1 13 3 6 All reactions with air- and moisture-sensitive compounds were carried out in a dry reaction vessel under a nitrogen atmosphere. H NMR (400 MHz) and C NMR (100 MHz) spectra were measured for CDClor DMSO-dsolutions of the samples and are reported in ppm (δ) from the internal tetramethylsilane standard for H NMR and from the solvent peak for C NMR. SEC was performed on a machine equipped with two linearly connected polystyrene mixed gel columns (Shodex LF-604) at 40° C. using RI and UV detectors. DMF containing 0.01 M LiBr was used as an eluent, and the SEC was calibrated with PMMA standards. The rheology was measured by a Piezo-Drive Rheometer Pz-Rheo NDS-1000. Materials 2 Unless otherwise noted, the chemicals obtained from commercial supplies were used as received. Acrylonitrile (AN) was washed with a 5% aqueous NaOH solution, distilled over CaHand deaerated by passing nitrogen gas through it. 2,2′-Azobisisobutyronitrile (ACHN) was recrystallized from methanol. All reagents and solvents used for the synthesis of TERP CTA (chain transfer agent) were deaerated by passing nitrogen gas through them. 2 2 4 4 A glyoxal solution (5.7 mL, 40% aqueous solution) was added dropwise to a solution of tert-butylamine (10.75 mL, 100 mmol) and HO (10.0 mL) at 0° C. with vigorous stirring. The resulting white precipitate was stirred for 1 h at the same temperature. The precipitates were collected by filtration and recrystallized from EtOH/HO (1:1) to obtain N,N′-di-tert-butylethane-1,2-diimine (7.8 g, 93%). The N,N′-di-tert-butylethane-1,2-diimine (7.74 g, 46 mmol) was added to a suspension of NaBH(5.20 g, 138 mmol) in methanol (100 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was refluxed with stirring for 1 h, and methanol was removed to obtain a volume of approximately 20 mL under reduced pressure. Water was added (40 mL) to this mixture, and the organic compounds were extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL×3). The combined organic phase was dried over MgSO, and the solvent was removed to obtain the crude product, which was distilled under reduced pressure to afford 3D in a 90% yield (7.12 g) as a colorless oil. 1 13 3 3 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl) 0.88 (brs, 2H), 1.09 (s, 18H), 2.65 (s, 4H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl) 29.1, 43.4, 50.1. 3 2 4 Methacryloyl chloride (1.0 g, 10 mol) was slowly added to a solution of 3D (3.6 g, 20 mmol) in THF (80 mL) at 0° C., and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The mixture was quenched with an aqueous, saturated NaHCOsolution, and the organic phase was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over NaSO, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to afford 1bD in a 90% yield (2.16 g) as a colorless oil. 1 13 −1 + 3 3 14 29 2 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl) 0.55 (brs, 1H), 1.08 (s, 9H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.96 (t, J=1.6 Hz, 3H), 2.66 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 4.98-4.99 (m, 1H), 5.02 (quintet, J=1.6 Hz, 1H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl) 20.8, 28.8, 29.0, 44.4, 47.9, 50.2, 56.5, 113.1, 143.7, 174.3; IR (KBr) 905, 1081, 1108, 1181, 1205, 1230, 1361, 1386, 1411, 1627, 1635, 2924, 2965, 3081 cm; HRMS (ESI-TOF) m/z: Calcd for CHNO (M+H): 241.2274, found: 241.2283. Methyllithium (29.7 mL, 1.06 M solution in diethyl ether, 31.5 mmol) was slowly added to a suspension of tellurium powder (4.03 g, 33 mmol) in 50 mL of THF over 20 min at room temperature. The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min and tellurium powder was completely disappeared. 2-Bromo-N,N-diethyl-2-methylpropanamide (5.33 mL, 30 mmol) was added to this solution at 0° C., and the resulting solution was stirred for 2 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure followed by distillation under reduced pressure (bp. 64° C. @0.22 Torr) to give 5 as orange oil in 75% yield (6.45 g). 1 13 −1 1 + 3 3 9 19 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl) 1.17 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 6H), 1.87 (s, 6H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 3.45 (brs, 4H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl) −18.6, 13.0, 26.2, 31.0, 42.5, 173.8; IR (KBr) 743, 913, 1108, 1211, 1272, 1634, 2973 cm; HRMS (FAB-MASS) m/z: Calcd for CHNOTe (M): 287.0524, found: 287.0529. Typical procedure for the copolymerization of AN and 1bD to obtain 6F. The nomenclature, 1bD, refers to product 1 with reagent b from column 2 and reagent D from column 3 of Table 1. n(NMR) n(NMR) A solution of 5 (300 μL, 1.5 mmol), AN (9.75 mL, 150 mmol), 1bD (1.9 mL, 7.5 mmol), and ACHN (181.5 mg, 0.75 mmol) in ethylene carbonate (23 mL) was stirred at 70° C. for 44 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. A small portion of the reaction mixture was withdrawn to determine the conversion of AN and 1bD. The conversion percentages of AN and 1bD were 89% and 85%, respectively, after 44 h. The NMR analysis determined M(5150) and Ð (1.10) (Table 2, run 1). The remaining AN was removed under vacuum (0.3 mHg) at room temperature for 10 h. Benzenethiol (182 μL, 1.65 mmol) was added to the mixture, and the resulting solution was irradiated under a 6 W light emitting diode through a 20% neutral density filter at 70° C. with stirring for 5 h. DMF (20 mL) was added, and the resulting solution was added to vigorously stirred methanol (1.5 L). The product was collected by suction filtration and centrifugation, and dried under reduced pressure to obtain a white powder 6F (7.1 g) in a 94% yield. The NMR analysis determined M(5000) and Ð (1.10). Typical procedure for the fabrication of PAN-gel. n(NMR) Copolymer 6F (400 mg, M=15400, Ð=1.11, amine content=0.3 mmol) was dissolved in adiponitrile (4 mL) at 60° C. for 2 h to make a clear solution. Then, HDI (26 μL, 0.15 mmol, 0.5 equiv relative to the amine group in 6F) was added, and the resulting mixture was shaken for 10 min at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured onto a glass plate, and the plate was heated at 100° C. for 78 h. Example 1 Synthesis of Comonomer 1, Referring to Table 1 Example 2 Copolymerization of AN and 1bD Under TERP, Referring to Table 2 Example 3 Fabrication and Characterization of the PAN-Based Polymer Gel 1 2 Acryl or methacrylamide 1 was prepared by the condensation of acryloyl or methacryloyl chloride 2 and symmetric diamine 3. At first, acryloyl chloride (2a, R=H) and diamine 3A (R=Me, 2.0 equiv) were reacted in dichloromethane from 0° C. to room temperature. All 2a was consumed immediately, but, surprisingly, the desired acrylamide 1aA did not form. Instead, the selective formation of bisacrylamide 4aA was observed (Table 1, run 1). The nomenclature, 4aA, refers to product 4 with reagent a from column 2 and reagent A from column 3 of Table 1. Several conditions, including the reaction between acrylic acid and 3A in the presence of a condensation reagent, such as N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-benzotriazolium 3-oxide hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), were attempted, but the selective formation of 4 was observed in all cases. Furthermore, the use of diamines 3B and 3C with longer alkyl chains than 3A did not change the selectivity (runs 2 and 3). The results clearly indicated the secondary amine groups in 1aA, 1aB, and 1aC were more reactive than those of 3A, 3B, and 3C, respectively. Next, N,N′-tert-butyl ethylene diamine (3D) was synthesized with expectation that the bulky tert-butyl group would retard the formation of 4. When 3D reacted with 2a, the formation of the desired 1aD was observed as the major product in a 66% yield (run 4). Furthermore, when methacryloyl chloride (2b) was used instead of 2a, the selective formation of the desired 1bD was observed over the formation of 4bD with a 99% selectivity (run 5). 1bD was successfully isolated in pure form by vacuum distillation in a 90% isolated yield. TABLE 1 Synthesis of acrylamide co-monomer 1<sup>a</sup> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00015" num="00015"><img id="EMI-C00015" he="36.49mm" wi="56.98mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00015.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00016" num="00016"><img id="EMI-C00016" he="21.08mm" wi="38.69mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00016.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00017" num="00017"><img id="EMI-C00017" he="21.59mm" wi="44.37mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00017.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> Yield (%)<sup>b</sup> Run 2 3 1 4 1 a A >1 98 2 a B >1 98 3 a C >1 94 4 a D 66 17 5 b D 98 (90)<sup>e</sup> 1 <sup>a</sup>Acryloyl chloride 2 was added to a solution of diamine 3 (2 equiv) in a solvent (dichloromethane or THF) at 0° C. over 30 min, and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. <sup>b</sup>Determined by <sup>1</sup>H NMR using an internal standard. <sup>e</sup>Isolate yield. Methacrylamide 1bD was copolymerized with AN under TERP using N,N-diethyl-2-methyl-2-(methyltellanyl)propanamide 5 as the chain-transfer agent. While 5 was previously synthesized by the condensation of 2-methyl-2-(methyltellanyl)propionic acid with N,N-diethylamine, an alternative synthetic route, i.e., the reaction of N,N-diethyl-2-bromo-2-methylpropanamide and methyltellanyl lithium, was employed to obtain 5 in good yield. A mixture of 5, AN (100 equiv), 1bD (5 equiv), and 1,1′-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (ACHN, 0.5 equiv) in ethylene carbonate (6.5 mol/L of AN) was heated at 70° C. (Table 2, run 1), and the progress of the polymerization was monitored by withdrawing a sample solution at selected time intervals. 1 a FIG. 1 b FIG. 1 c FIG. 1 n(NMR) n(theo) n n(SEC) n(SEC) n(NMR) n(NMR) n(SEC) n(NMR) The consumption of both monomers determined by H NMR followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (). While the AN conversion occurred slightly faster than the 1bD conversion, the results suggest the occurrence of statistical copolymerization and homogeneous introduction of the amine functionality in the PAN chain. The number average molecular weight determined by NMR (M) by comparing the proton resonances of the diethylamino group at the α-polymer end and those of the PAN main chain showed excellent agreement with Mand increased linearly with the monomer conversion (). The Mdetermined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) calibrated against PMMA standards (M) also increased linearly with the monomer conversion, but the Mwas significantly higher than the M. As the difference between Mand Mfor the copolymer was identical to that of homo-PAN prepared independently, the methacrylamide 1bD did not affect the SEC elution. The SEC traces were unimodal throughout the polymerization period and shifted to a high molecular weight as the monomer conversion increased (). In addition, the dispersity (Ð) was below 1.06. All these results are consistent with the controlled and living character of this polymerization. The conversions of AN and 1bD reached 89% and 85%, respectively, after 44 hours, and the copolymer 6E with Mof 5150 g/mol was obtained with a narrow dispersity (Ð=1.10). The methyltellanyl end group was reduced by benzenethiol, and the resulting copolymer 6F was isolated by precipitation from methanol. The amount of the free amine group was estimated to be 3.9 from the NMR analysis, which was slightly smaller than the theoretical value (4.2) calculated from the amount of 1bD and its conversion. n n(NMR) The same copolymerization was also examined by changing the AN/1bD. The desired copolymers with controlled Mand narrow Ð were obtained after a high monomer conversion rate (runs 2 and 3). A high molecular weight copolymer 6 was also prepared by using 300 and 15 equivalents of AN and 1bD, respectively, and copolymer 6 with M=15500 and Ð=1.11 was obtained. The amount of the free amine group in the copolymers prepared in runs 2, 3, and 4 was also estimated as 1.6, 6.0, and 11.7 equivalents, respectively, which were also slightly smaller values than the theoretical values (1.8, 6.6, and 12.6 for runs 2, 3, and 4, respectively). TABLE 2 Copolymerization of AN with 1bD under TERP and end-group reduction<sup>a</sup> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00018" num="00018"><img id="EMI-C00018" he="19.39mm" wi="45.80mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00018.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00019" num="00019"><img id="EMI-C00019" he="32.00mm" wi="46.06mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00019.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> <chemistry id="CHEM-US-00020" num="00020"><img id="EMI-C00020" he="48.77mm" wi="50.88mm" file="US20210249687A1-20210812-C00020.TIF" alt="embedded image" img-content="table" img-format="tif" /></chemistry> Conv. AN/1bD Time (%)<sup>b</sup> 6 Run (equiv.) (h) AN 1bD M<sub>n(theo)</sub> M<sub>n(NMR)</sub><sup>b</sup> M<sub>n(SEC)</sub><sup>c</sup> Ð<sup>c</sup> 1 100/5 44 89 85 5900 5150 16700 1.10 2 100/2 37 93 91 5500 5300 16000 1.07 3 100/10 18 71 66 5490 4550 14800 1.07 4 300/15 66 87 84 16800 15500 43900 1.11 <sup>a</sup>Copolymerization was conducted by mixture 5, AN (100-300 equiv), 1bD (2-15 equiv), and ACHN (0.5 equiv) in ethylene carbonate at 70° C. <sup>b</sup>Determined by <sup>1</sup>H NMR analysis. <sup>c</sup>Determined by SEC calibrated against PMMA standards. M<sub>n(theo) </sub>refers to theoretical number average molecular weight. n(NMR) n(NMR) n 1 a FIG. 2 b FIG. 2 The gel was synthesized by mixing the copolymer 6F (M=5000, Ð=1.10) prepared by Table 2, run 1 and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI, 0.5 equiv to the molar amount of amine groups in 6F) in adiponitrile (200 mg/mL), and the resulting mixture was transferred onto a glass plate, which was heated at 100° C. The reaction was monitored by H NMR and SEC by withdrawing an aliquot at specified time intervals revealed the cross-linking reaction occurred slowly. For example, 50% of 6F was cross-linked after 3 hours, but ⅓ of 6F still remained after 27 hours (Table 3, ). Further monitoring could not be performed due to the increased viscosity, and the reaction was thermally quenched by cooling it to room temperature after 70 hours to obtain a gel (sample G). The other sample (H) was also prepared starting from copolymer 6F (M=15400, Ð>=1.11) from Table 2, run 4 and HDI (0.5 equiv to the total amine group) in adiponitrile (100 mg/mL) by heating the mixture at 100° C. for 104 hours (). While the Mvalues were different between G and H, the average number of AN monomers between the two adjacent cross-linking functional groups derived from the monomer 1bD was almost the same. TABLE 3 Crosslinking reaction of a PAN-based copolymer<sup>a</sup> Run Time (h) Conv. of 6F (%)<sup>b</sup> Conv. of HDI (%)<sup>c</sup> 1 3 50 38 2 12 63 65 3 27 75 84 <sup>a</sup>HDI (0.5 equiv relative to the amino group) was added to a homogeneous solution of 6F (800 mg) in adiponitrile (4.0 mL), and the solution was poured onto a glass plate, which was placed on a hot plate at 100° C. <sup>b</sup>Estimated from SEC traces by comparing the area of 6F and other high-molecular-weight part after peak resolution. <sup>c</sup>Determined by NMR. a c FIGS. 3-3 The rheological properties of the PAN-based gels G and H were examined by a linear oscillatory rheological test. The storage modulus, E′, the loss modulus, E″, and the ratio between them, tan δ (E″/E′) were measured in a frequency sweep test with an amplitude of 5 μm at 25° C. (). In the case of gel, E′ is related to by the length of the network chains (i.e., the number of monomer units between the cross-linking points) if other factors are the same, and accordingly, E′ should be independent of frequency. However, E′ increased with the increase in frequency above 10 Hz. Furthermore, these gels were observed to have characteristic frequency of energy dissipation around 10 Hz, because tan δ showed the maximum and E′ showed the minimum. This may be due to the participation of entanglements as physical cross-linking points at high frequency, which increases the apparent cross-linking density. Therefore, the rheological properties below 10 Hz should be referred to for the evaluation of network structure. In this frequency range, though E′ of G was somewhat larger than that of H, they were mostly on the same order. A larger loss modulus, E″, was obtained in the polymer gel G. This may be due to the dangling chain ends that dissipate kinetic energy. More dangling chain ends are likely to exist in the gel prepared from the copolymer with a smaller molecular weight. These rheological properties suggest the quantitative occurrence of the cross-linking reaction and the formation of a homogeneous gel. Structurally controlled copolymers consisting of AN and methacrylamide bearing an amine functionality with different chain lengths and compositions were successfully prepared by TERP. Because AN and the co-monomer were consumed at nearly the same rate, the amine functionality was homogeneously introduced to the PAN chain. The copolymers were chemically cross-linked with HDI in adiponitrile to obtain the corresponding gel. The rheological studies of the gel suggested a nearly quantitative cross-linking reaction. All these results suggested the formation of a structurally controlled and homogeneous PAN-gel swollen with adiponitrile. Considering the advantageous properties of adiponitrile and PAN as electrolytes, i.e., high ESWs, the current PAN-gel could provide a new possibility for fabricating energy-storage devices with a high performance and safety. The embodiments and examples described above are intended to be merely illustrative and non-limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize or will be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents of specific compounds, materials and procedures. All such equivalents are considered to be within the scope and are encompassed by the appended claims. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1. Kim, D. J.; Hermann, K. R.; Prokofjevs, A.; Otley, M. T.; Pezzato, C.; Owczarek, M.; Stoddart, J. F. 2017, 139, 6635. Chem. Mater. 2. Goodenough, J. B.; Kim, Y. 2010, 22, 587. Nat. Mater. 3. Simon, P.; Gogotsi, Y. 2008, 7, 845. Nature 4. Armand, M.; Tarascon, J.-M. 2008, 451, 652. Nat. Rev. Mater. 5. Choi, J. W.; Aurbach, D. 2016, 7, 16013. Science 6. Miller, J. 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Everyone experiences the occasional earworm, when a catchy piece of music seems to stick in your mind, even after it’s no longer playing. Recent studies have indicated that music may have significant effects in the brain, and researchers can now visualize it. Despite the fact that taste in music varies from person to person, all these preferences have one thing in common, which the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has unearthed. An fMRI is similar to an MRI because it can create images of organs and tissues within the body. The difference between these two tests is that an fMRI shows brain activity by looking at blood flow throughout the brain. By studying fMRI scans, Dr. Jonathan Burdette, a professor of radiology at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., and his team were able to show that listening to favorite songs, instead of listening to a specific genre of music, increases connections that positively affects one’s default mode network, an area that creates feelings of self-awareness, empathy and internal thought. Both listening to and playing music have proved to be effective ways of activating brain areas that can positively affect mental health. Listening to music can improve moods and enhance work performance, especially if it is a preferred piece of music. “There are probably some features in music that make you feel a certain way, but it’s your experience with it that is even more important,” Burdette said. “Your associations with certain music involve many different parts of the brain, and they’re very strong.” Researchers advise young children to learn to play musical instruments. According to several studies, children who become musicians have been proven to have higher test and IQ scores, more neural connections, higher spatial intelligence and a more symmetrical brain with a larger corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere of the brain. It enables each half to communicate with the other, thereby allowing information to be transferred faster and more efficiently. A 2009 study on musicians and brain-related activity showed that musicians, compared to non-musicians, had an enhanced auditory system. It was no surprise that musicians had a much easier time identifying pitch and recognizing pieces, but this was also correlated to a knack for detecting and interpreting other people’s emotions and better cognitive abilities. Supporting this study was another study done in 2012. The Brain and Creativity Institute at University of Southern California (USC) published their study concluding that learning music at a young age speeds up the maturation rate of the auditory pathway in the brain in the journal Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. “The auditory system is stimulated by music,” Assal Habibi, research associate at the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences said in a press release. “This system is also engaged in general sound processing that is fundamental to language development, reading skills and successful communication.” Because of music’s ability to form connections within the brain, music can also play a therapeutic role in clinical settings. “Music isn’t going to cure anything,” Burdette said. “[However] if you’re trying to restore neuroplasticity in the brain, to re-establish some of the connections that were there before the injury, music can be a big help.” Music therapy is currently used to treat people with emotional trauma, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression and other brain disorders because of its ability to lift the mood, enhance concentration and motivation and its ability to re-establish connections in the brain.	https://www.jhunewsletter.com/article/2017/04/scientists-study-musics-effects-on-brain-with-fmri
Without reliable and appropriate facilities – without beds, without power to run ventilators, without running water to keep hands clean – the lives of doctors, nurses and all their patients are at greater risk. BHI is supporting appropriate and reliable emergency infrastructure for care providers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 epidemic in low-resource settings. Read the timeline of our response to date. We believe that accessibility to quality, dignified healthcare should exist for all regardless of location or ability to pay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we want all frontline healthcare teams to have the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead of the curve. We are making all of our coronavirus resources open access, including COVID Treatment Center conceptual plans and construction drawings. A collection of webinars featuring the knowledge and resources of Build Health International and our partners, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Seed Global Health. Here, you can also watch BHI CEO David Walton’s interview of Forbes’ COVID-19: Ask the Expert series. As we have already seen in New York and Italy, reliable infrastructure and equipment are key to fighting this pandemic. So too is teamwork. We need your support. Learn more about how you can support BHI’s coronavirus response in poor and vulnerable communities.	https://www.buildhealthinternational.org/coronavirus/
The invention provides a color-changing metering socket. The color-changing metering socket comprises a standard socket interface, a central processing unit, a light emitting diode (LED) color-changing panel, an electric energy metering system and a system power module, wherein the standard socket interface is connected with an external electric appliance; the central processing unit is used for reading a real-time electric energy consumption value of the electric appliance from the electric energy metering system and controlling a color which is displayed by the LED color-changing panel according to the size of the real-time electric energy consumption value; the LED color-changing panel is controlled by the central processing unit and can display different colors; the electric energy metering system is used for metering the electric energy consumption value of the electric appliance which is connected to the standard socket interface; and the system power module is used for supplying power to the central processing unit, the electric energy metering system and the LED color-changing panel. Under the condition that a panel of the color-changing metering socket is energized, when the electric appliance operates, the consumed electric energy and transient power (electric load) of the electric appliance can be metered. The color of the panel of the socket can be gradually changed according to the size of the transient power of the electric appliance, so a user can clearly master the working state and electric energy consumption of the electric appliance.
The present invention relates to optical articles, in particular ophthalmic lenses, especially for eyeglass lenses, comprising an anti-reflecting coating which also imparts to the articles anti-fogging properties even when the optical articles are provided with an anti-soiling coating (top coat). 1. Field of the Invention In the ophthalmic optics field, ophthalmic lenses are traditionally provided with various coatings so as to give these lenses a plurality of mechanical and/or optical properties. Successive coating layers are thus traditionally formed onto an ophthalmic lens, such as impact-resistant coating layers, abrasion and/or scratch resistant coating layers (hard coatings), anti-reflecting coating layers (AR coatings), antistatic coating layers and anti-soiling coating layers (top coats). As defined hereunder, an AR coating means a coating that has been deposited onto the surface of an optical article, which does improve the antireflective properties of the optical end product. It makes it possible to reduce the light reflection at the article-air interface area within a relatively large portion of the visible light spectrum. More precisely, an AR coating provides a Rv of 2.5% or less (per face of a coated lens). The mean reflectance factor Rv is such as defined in ISO standard 13666:1998 and measured in accordance with ISO standard 8980-4, i.e. it is the balanced average spectral reflection in the visible spectrum in the wavelengths limits ranging from 380 nm to 780 nm. Fogging of ophthalmic lenses is troublesome for the wearer, and can be unsafe as it will reduce wearer's vision and even in some cases “blind” him. Fogging will occur when the temperature of the lens is lower than that of its environment. Then, humidity contained within the air surrounding the lens will condense on the colder surface of the lens. 2. Description of Related Art Different solutions for reducing the fogging propensity of ophthalmic lenses are commercially available. A first solution is the use of an anti-fogging temporary solution, generally comprising poly(oxyalkylene) surfactants. Temporary solutions have to be applied frequently on the lens surfaces and their efficiency is highly questionable, especially in the case of lenses provided with an anti-soiling coating. JP2004-317539 describes a process for preparing an optical article, especially a lens having antifogging properties which comprises treating a base article with a treatment agent comprising a hydrophobic part containing fluorine atoms, a hydrophilic part comprising a polyoxyethylene group and a coupling unit, such as an alkoxysilane, that reacts with the surface of the article to form an article whose surface has a contact angle with water from 50 to 90°. This article is then treated by a surfactant having a HLB value from 5 to 15 in order to get an antifogging layer. A second solution is the use of anti-abrasion coatings having anti-fogging properties. The drawback of this solution is that these coatings are very soft and leads to easily soiled lenses, with generally poor abrasion resistance. They have no antireflective properties.
After a dry start to the week for much of the state, an increase in monsoonal moisture will bring a better chance for storms Thursday and Friday afternoon, and even more so through the weekend. By Friday evening, a cold front will move into Colorado. Showers and thunderstorms are likely this weekend, and will bring some relatively cooler temperatures. Some locally heavy rainfall will be possible in the mountains and foothills. While the rain will help the drought-riddled parts of the state, it also brings the returned threat of flash flooding, especially around burn scars. National Weather Service U.S Drought Monitor The threat at the burn scars has been an ongoing issue over the past few weeks. According to the National Weather Service out of Boulder, the threat of flash flooding around the burn scar of the East Troublesome, Cameron Peak, Calwood and Williams Fork Fires will increase from "none" and "limited" Tuesday and Wednesday to "elevated" for the weekend. The NWS also published the below six-hour loop showing how the rain will move through the state Wednesday through Sunday. There will be a trend of moisture slowly increasing; resulting in more widespread showers and thunderstorms as the monsoonal moisture plume moves over region by this weekend. The loop shows 6 hour forecast precipitation totals (ending time shown) through Sunday evening. #cowxpic.twitter.com/tl0sr3O9Sl The precipitation from these storms is part of the North American Monsoon (NAM), which is a "a shift in the wind pattern that allows for continuous moisture to flow from the Gulf of California into the normally arid southwest region of the country," according to the Colorado Climate Center. The NAM typically ramps up in July and lasts through August. While it's most common in the Four Corners region, it does spread farther into Colorado and Utah.
While en route from Syria to Paris, in the middle of a freezing winter's night, the Orient Express is stopped dead in its tracks by a snowdrift. Passengers awake to find the train still stranded and to discover that a wealthy American has been brutally stabbed to death in his private compartment. Incredibly, that compartment is locked from the inside. With no escape into the wintery landscape the killer must still be on board. Fortunately, the brilliant... Author Series The tranquility of a luxury cruise along the Nile was shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway had been shot through the head. She was young, stylish, and beautiful. A girl who had everything...until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalled an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: "I'd like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger." Yet under the searing heat of the Egyptian sun, nothing is ever quite what... Author One morning at Styles Court, an Essex country manor, the elderly owner is found dead of strychnine poisoning. Arthur Hastings, a soldier staying there on sick leave from the Western Front, ventures out to the nearby village of Styles St. Mary to ask help from his friend Hercule Poirot, an eccentric Belgian inspector. Thus, in this classic whodunit, one of the most famous characters in detective fiction makes his debut on the world stage. With a half... Author "Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with a drug overdose. But the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information. Unfortunately, before he could finish reading the letter, he was stabbed to death."--Back cover. Author Series Fourteen years after the wife of the renowned painter Amyas Crale was sent to the gallows for poisoning her husband, their daughter Lucy returns from Canada. Lucy carries with her a letter that suggests that her mother might have been innocent. Poirot agrees to dig up the past, but he warns Lucy that she may not like what he finds. Author Series A story of a Catholic priest who was murdered after hearing a dying woman's confession. On his body was discovered a list of names, mysterious in that the people had nothing in common; yet, Mark Easterbrook came to discover a connection upon investigation. Author Series "Framed in the doorway of Hercule Poirot's bedroom stands an uninvited guest, coated from head to foot in dust. The man stares for a moment, then he sways and falls. Who is he? Is he suffering from shock or just exhaustion? Above all, what is the significance of the figure 4, scribbled over and over again on a sheet of paper? Poirot finds himself plunged into a world of international intrigue, risking his life--and that of his 'twin brother'--to uncover... Author Series Formats "Hercule Poirot was invited to the Hollow to tea, but found a murder waiting for him instead. The victim--an extraordinarily vital, emotionally complex doctor--was the last person anyone expected to see lying dead by the pool. And his meek, befuddled wife was the last person anyone would expect to see standing over him with a gun. Did she really shoot her husband? Or is she merely a second victim in a brilliantly planned plot by a daring, cunning... Author Detective Hercule Poirot sets out to catch a killer when murder becomes part of the curriculum at the Meadowbank school for privileged young ladies. Author Series Jane Marple murder mysteries volume 1 Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 1 Miss Marple volume 1 Miss Marple volume 01 Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 1 Miss Marple volume 1 Miss Marple volume 01 St. Mary Mead, a peaceful village where nothing ever happens, livens up considerably when the unpopular magistrate Colonel Protheroe is found dead, and Miss Marple discovers that a number of people wanted him dead Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 12 Amy Leatheran is hired by archaeologist Dr. Leidner to work as nurse and companion for his wife who is subject to fits of nervous terrors. During their travel to an ancient site in the Iraqi desert, Mrs. Leidner proves to be demanding, yet fascinating. She gradually warms to Amy and, taking her into her confidence, she reveals the source of her terror. Events come to a terrible climax that results in murder. Hercule Poirot must rely on a drop of blood... Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 2 "Hercule Poirot rushes to France in response to an urgent and cryptic plea from a client. But the Belgian detective arrives just too late: the man who had summoned him is found dead on a golf course, stabbed in the back with a letter opener and wearing an ill-fitting coat with a mysterious love letter in its pocket. Strange circumstances multiply, culminating in the discovery of a second body stabbed with the same murder weapon. While the local authorities... Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 33 Hercule Poirot stood on the clifftop. Here, many years earlier, there had been a fatal accident. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two bodies--a husband and wife who had been shot dead. But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves into the past and discovers that "old sins leave long shadows."--- Book Description. Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 16 While vactioning in Jerusalem, Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve the murder of another member of the tour group. Many people had a motive for killing Mrs. Boynton, and it is up to Poirot to find the killer. Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 5 "When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. But she will never wake again--for a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing. The prime suspect is Ruth's estranged husband, Derek. Yet Hercule Poirot is not convinced, so he stages an eerie reenactment of the journey, complete with the murderer on board"--P.... 16) Third girl Author Series Two friends would advertise for a third girl to help with the rent. And it is the "third girl," Norma Restarick, who is the subject of the baffling mystery that here engages Hercule Poirot. What is wrong with Norma? She walks in on Poirot at the breakfast table and announces that she "may have committed a murder" and then walks out again, leaving Poirot to battle his way to the truth. Author The colorful Belgian detective with the waxed mustache and the egg-shaped head uses his little gray cells to solve fourteen of his most baffling cases, ranging from country house murders to an adventure in an Egyptian tomb. Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 17 Detective Hercule Poirot arrives at Gorston Hall for the Christmas holidays only to discover his host, aging millionaire Simeon Lee, has been murdered, apparently by one of his guests. 19) Hallowe'en party Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 32 A child boasted of having witnessed a murder. Only a few hours later, that child was dead. And Hercule Poirot was faced with one of the most challenging cases of his long and brilliant career. Joyce was thirteen, a tiresome girl given to extravagant statements. The group of adults and children who were getting the games ready for the Hallowe'en party just laughed unbelievingly when she insisted she had once seen a murder committed. Yet that night... Author Series Hercule Poirot mysteries volume 20 An exclusive hotel on a tiny, picturesque island seems to be the ideal retreat for Hercule Poirot from the stresses of criminal detection. But with the appearance of the beautiful Arlena Stuart, the quiet and peaceful atmosphere becomes charged with an idenfinable erotic tension. and when she is found viciously strangled in a secluded cove, there are few, especially among the women, who seem to feel either surprise or regret. As Poirot follows a twisting... In Inter-Library Loan System Didn't find what you need? 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I. HOLDING A VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF SHAREHOLDERS 1. COVID-19 Company Law Act (COVID-19-GesG) and the Corporate Law COVID-19 Ordinance (COVID-19-GesV) In order to protect shareholders and other participants, the Management Board has resolved to take advantage of the possibility opened up by the new legal regulations to hold a virtual annual general meeting. Accordingly, the Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft will be held as a "virtual Annual General Meeting" on 4 September 2020 pursuant to Section 1 Para. 2 COVID-19 Company Law Act (COVID-19-GesV Federal Law Gazette I No. 16/2020 in connection with the Corporate Law COVID-19 Ordinance -hereafter "COVID-10 Ordinance" (COVID-19-GesV Federal Law Gazette I No. 24/2020) taking account of the interests of the company as well as those of the participants. This means that shareholders will not be able to be physically present at the Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft to be held on 4 September 2020. Holding the Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft as a virtual Annual General Meeting in line with the COVID-19 Ordinance has resulted in modifications to the procedures at the Annual General Meeting as well in how shareholders may exercise their rights. Voting rights, the right to propose motions and the right to raise objections can only be exercised exclusively via proxy authorisation and instructions given to one of the independent special proxy holders proposed by the Company pursuant to Section 3 Para. 4 COVID-19 Ordinance. The right to obtain information can be exercised by shareholders during the virtual Annual General Meeting by way of electronic communications i.e. exclusively in writing via e-mail sent directly to the e-mail address [email protected] of the Company. 2. Webcast of the Annual General Meeting Pursuant to Section 3 Para. 4 COVID-19 Ordinance in connection with Section 102 Para. 4 Austrian Stock Corporation Act (hereafter "AktG"), the Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft will be entirely broadcast on the Internet as a Webcast in real time. This is permissible in terms of data protection regulations, in the light of the legal foundation provided by Section 3 Para. 4 COVID-19 Ordinance in connection with Section 102 Para. 4 AktG. All shareholders of the Company can follow the Annual General Meeting live on the Internet starting at 10 a.m. on 4 September 2020 by using the appropriate technical equipment at www.viennaairport.com as a virtual Annual General Meeting. It is not required to register or log in in order to follow the Annual General Meeting. Due to the broadcasting of the Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft on the Internet, all shareholders who wish to do so have the possibility to follow the proceedings of the Annual General Meeting in real time thanks to this acoustic and visual connection and to follow the presentation of the Management Board and the responses to questions posed by shareholders. Reference is made to the fact that the live transmission as a virtual Annual General Meeting does not enable any remote participation (Section 102 Para. 3 (2) AktG) nor does it allow for remote voting (Section 102 Para. 3 (3) AktG and Section 126 AktG), and that the transmission of the virtual Annual General Meeting on the Internet does not allow for a two-way connection. Reference is also made to the fact that the Company is also responsible for the use of technical means of communications inasmuch as this can be attributed to the Company's sphere of responsibility. In addition, reference is made to the Information on the Organisational and Technical Prerequisites for participating in the Annual General Meeting pursuant to Section 3 Para. 3 in connection with Section 2 Para. 4 COVID-19 Ordinance ("Information on Participation"). We request that shareholders pay particular attention this year to this Information on Participation which explains the procedures at the Annual General Meeting. II. AGENDA 1. Presentation of the annual financial statements and Management Report, the Corporate Governance Report, the consolidated financial statements including the Group Management Report, the resolution on the appropriation of the net profit and the Report of the Supervisory Board on the 2019 financial year 2. Resolution on the appropriation of the net profit 3. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Management Board for the 2019 financial year 4. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Supervisory Board for the 2019 financial year 5. Election of the auditor for the annual financial statements and consolidated financial statements for the 2020 financial year 6. Resolution on the Remuneration Policy 7. Elections to the Supervisory Board III. DOCUMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING; AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY WEBSITE In particular, the following documents will be available on the Website of the Company at www.viennaairport.com no later than 14 August 2020: Annual financial statements and Management Report, along with the Non-Financial Declaration Corporate Governance Report, Consolidated financial statements and Group Management Report Proposal for the appropriation of the net profit, Report of the Supervisory Board, all with respect to the 2019 financial year; Proposals for resolutions on items 2-7 of the agenda, Remuneration Policy Declarations of the candidates to be elected to the Supervisory Board under item 7 of the agenda pursuant to Section 87 Para. 2 AktG), Proxy authorisation form for the special proxy holders pursuant to Section 3 Para. 4 COVID-19 Ordinance Question form, Revocation of proxy form, Complete text of this invitation to the Annual General Meeting. IV. RECORD DATE AND PREREQUISITES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Eligibility to participate in the virtual Annual General Meeting and to exercise voting rights and other shareholder rights that can be exercised at this virtual Annual General Meeting pursuant to the COVID-19 Company Law Act and the COVID-10 Ordinance based on the shareholding at the end of day on 25 August 2020 (record date to provide proof of shareholding). A person is only eligible to participate in the virtual Annual General Meeting pursuant to the COVID-19 Company Law Act and the COVID-10 Ordinance if he/she is a shareholder on this record date and is able to supply sufficient proof of this status to the Company. Proof of the shareholding must be provided by a depository confirmation as stipulated in Section 10a AktG. This confirmation must be sent to the Company in written form no later than 1 September 2020 (12 p.m. midnight, CEST, local Vienna time) exclusively via one of the following communication channels and addresses: (i) for transmitting the depositary confirmation in text form, which is sufficient pursuant to Section 12 Para. 2 Articles of Association Appointing a special proxy holder cannot be done effectively without a depositary confirmation being received by the Company in a timely manner. Shareholders are requested to contact their depositary bank and arrange for the issuance and transmission of a deposit confirmation. The record date has no effect on the saleability of the shares and has no bearing on dividend rights. Depositary confirmation pursuant to Section 10a AktG The depository confirmation must be issued by a depository institution which maintains its registered offices in a member state of the European Economic Area or in a full member state of the OECD, and must include the following information: Information on the issuer: name/company and address or a code commonly used in business transactions between financial institutions, Information on the shareholder: name/company, address, date of birth for natural persons, and if applicable, register and registration number for legal persons in the legal person's country of origin, Information on the shares: number of shares held by the shareholder, ISIN AT00000VIE62 (customary international securities identification number) Depository number or other designation, Period covered by the depository confirmation The depository confirmation to verify the shareholding as the basis for participation in the Annual General Meeting must relate to the end of the record date for the proof of shareholding, i.e. 25 August 2020 (12 p.m. midnight, CEST, local Vienna time). The depository confirmations will be accepted if it is submitted in German or English. V. AUTHORISATION OF A SPECIAL PROXY HOLDER AND THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED Every shareholder entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting pursuant to the COVID-19 Company Law Act and the COVID-10 Ordinance and who has provided sufficient proof to the Company as described in point IV of this invitation has the right to appoint and authorise a special proxy. Proposing a motion, submitting votes and raising objections at the virtual Annual General Meeting of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft on 4 September 2020 can only be exercised via one of the special proxies pursuant to Section 3 Para. 4 COVID-19 Company Law Act. The following special proxy holders who are suitable and independent of the Company are proposed: Every shareholder can choose one of the four above-mentioned individuals to serve as his or her special proxy holder and confer proxy authorisation on this special proxy. In order to grant authorisation to the special proxies, a separate proxy authorisation form can be downloaded on the Website of the Company at www.viennaairport.com starting no later than 14 August 2020. It is expressly requested to use this proxy authorisation form. The rules contained in the Information on Participation for conferring authorisation on proxies, the stipulated means of conveying authorisation and relevant deadlines must be complied with. The possibility to personally confer proxy authorisation at the location of the Annual General Meeting is expressly excluded. 1. Additions to the agenda pursuant to Section 109 AktG Shareholders whose total shareholding equals 5% or more of the Company's share capital and who have held these shares for at least three months prior to the filing of their proposal can request in writing that additional items be put on the agenda of this Annual General Meeting and made publicly known, if this request is submitted to the Company in writing by mail no later than 14 August 2020 (12 p.m. midnight, CEST, local Vienna time) exclusively at the address Mr. Wolfgang Köberl, General Secretariat, A-1300 Vienna Airport. Each item submitted for the agenda in this manner must include a proposed resolution together with a statement explaining the reasons for such a proposal. In any case, the item on the agenda and the proposed resolution, but not the statement explaining the reasons for this proposal, must be formulated and submitted in German. Proof of the status as a shareholder must be provided by depository confirmation as stipulated in Section 10a AktG. This confirmation must verify that the shareholders filing the motion have held these shares for at least three months prior to the proposal and may not be older than seven days when it is submitted to the Company. Several depositary confirmations for shares which together comprise a shareholding of more than 5% in the Company must refer to the same point in time (day, time). Further requirements for depository confirmation are listed under the section on the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting (point IV contained in this invitation). 2. Draft resolutions on agenda items submitted by shareholders pursuant to Section 110 AktG Shareholders whose total shareholding equals 1% or more of the Company's share capital may submit written proposals for resolutions including a statement explaining the reasons for the proposals relating to any item on the agenda of this Annual General Meeting and require that these proposals, together with the names of the affected shareholders, the statement explaining the reasons and any statement by the Management Board or Supervisory Board, be published on the Website of the Company as entered into the Commercial Register, if this request is submitted to the Company in writing no later than 26 August 2020 (12 p.m. midnight, CEST, local Vienna time) either by fax at +43 (0) 1 7007 - 23622 or per mail to the address Mr. Wolfgang Köberl, General Secretariat, A-1300 Vienna Airport, or per e-mail at [email protected], whereby the written request must be attached to the e-mail, e.g. as a PDF file. In light of the fact that the statements must be submitted in written form pursuant to Section 13 Para 2 AktG, the statement must be made in a document or in a different manner of written characters suitable for the permanent reproduction of the lettering, and include the identity of the person making the statement, with the conclusion of the document containing a reproduction of the person's signature or by other means. The proposed resolution, but not the statement explaining the reasons for this proposal, must be formulated and submitted in German. In the case of a proposal for the election of a Supervisory Board member, the declaration of the proposed candidate pursuant to Section 87 Para. 2 AktG is to be included instead of the statement explaining the reasons for the proposal. Proof of the status as a shareholder must be provided by depository confirmation as stipulated in Section 10a AktG provided that this confirmation is not more than seven days old when it is submitted to the Company. Several depositary confirmations for shares which together comprise a shareholding of more than 5% in the Company must refer to the same point in time (day, time). Further requirements for depository confirmation are listed under the section on the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting (point IV of this invitation). 3. Information pursuant to Section 110 Para. 2 (2) AktG Regarding item 7 on the agenda, "Elections to the Supervisory Board" and the potential nomination of a candidate to the Supervisory Board by shareholders pursuant to Section 110 AktG, the Company states the following: Up until now, i.e. following the last election by the Annual General Meeting, the Supervisory Board of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft has consisted of ten members elected by the Annual General Meeting (shareholder representatives). Of the ten shareholder representatives, seven are men and three are women. The Works Council, which designates five members of the Supervisory Board, consists of five men. Women comprise less than 20% of the staff of Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft. For this reason, stipulations contained in Section 86 Para. 7 AktG with respect to the minimum required quota of women do not apply. 4. The right of shareholders to obtain information pursuant to Section 118 AktG On request, every shareholder must be provided with information concerning the business matters of the Company at the Annual General Meeting, if this information is necessary to enable the shareholder to properly evaluate any item on the agenda. This obligation to provide information also covers the Company's legal relations with an associated company as well as the status of the Group and companies included in the consolidated financial statements. This request for information may be refused if, according to sound business judgment, it could result in significant damage to the Company or a subsidiary, or if the provision of this information would comprise a criminal offense punishable under law. It is expressly pointed out that the right to obtain information during the virtual Annual General Meeting on the part of shareholders themselves pursuant to Section 118 AktG can only be exercised by directly transmitting the questions in writing to the Company during the Annual General Meeting per e-mail at the address [email protected]. Shareholders are requested to convey all questions in writing per e-mail in advance to the address [email protected] and do so in a timely manner so that the questions are received by the Company no later than 1 September 2020. In turn, this will allow the Management Board to make precise preparations and quickly respond to the questions posed by you. Please make use of the question form which is accessible on the Website of the Company at www.viennaairport.com. Please note that appropriate time limitations may be specified by the chairperson of the Annual General Meeting. More detailed information and the modalities of exercising the shareholders' right to obtain information pursuant to Section 118 AktG are included in the Information on Participation. 5. Proposing motions at the Annual General Meeting pursuant to Section 119 AktG Every shareholder, regardless of the extent of shareholding, is entitled to bring forward motions through his or her special proxy holder in respect to each item on the agenda at the virtual Annual General Meeting pursuant to the COVID-19 Company Law Act and the COVID-10 Ordinance. This right to bring forward a motion is contingent upon proof of the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting as stipulated in point IV of this invitation and the granting of a corresponding authorisation to a special proxy holder in line with point V of this invitation. A shareholder proposal relating to the election of a Supervisory Board member requires the timely submission of a draft resolution pursuant to Section 110 AktG. Individuals can only be nominated for election to the Supervisory Board (item 7 on the agenda) by shareholders whose collective shareholding totals at least 1% of the Company's share capital. Such election proposals must be received by the Company no later than 26 August 2020 and in the manner designated above (point VI Para 2). Each election proposal must be accompanied by the declaration of the nominated candidate pursuant to Section 87 Para. 2 AktG about her or his professional qualifications, professional or similar functions as well as all circumstances which could give rise to a cause of concern pertaining to the candidate's partiality. Otherwise the shareholder proposal concerning the election of a Supervisory Board member will not be taken into consideration in the voting. Reference is made to point VI Para. 3 with respect to information in line with Section 110 Para 2 (2) in connection with Section 86 Para. 7 and 9 AktG. More detailed information and the modalities of exercising the shareholders' right to propose motions pursuant to Section 119 AktG are included in the Information on Participation. 6. Information on data protection for shareholders Flughafen Wien Aktiengesellschaft takes data protection very seriously. More information on data protection is available in our Data Protection Policy at www.viennaairport.com/dataprotection. VII. FURTHER DISCLOSURES AND INFORMATION Total number of shares and voting rights The share capital of the company totalled EUR 152,670,000 at the time this invitation to the Annual General Meeting was issued. The share capital was divided into 84,000,000 non-par value bearer shares. Each share carries one voting right. The company held a total of 125,410 own shares (treasury shares) as at 30 July 2020. These shares do not confer any rights, including voting rights. Any change in the number of own shares held by the Company up until the Annual General Meeting and thus the total number of voting rights will be announced at the Annual General Meeting. No physical attendance We would like to once again bring to your attention the fact that neither shareholders nor guests will be allowed to come to the event venue of the upcoming Annual General Meeting held as a virtual Annual General Meeting pursuant to the COVID-19 Ordinance.
The students who are pursuing their academic course in English literature discipline often come across assignments related to Character analysis essay. The task of a character analysis essay is often perceived as a headache since they have little idea on how to approach them. The article would provide our readers with good clarity on how to draft a relevant piece of character analysis essay to secure higher marks in the academic evaluation. The student is expected to analyze a particular chosen character by sustaining the relevance to the respective context in these types of academic tasks. A valid comparison is being conducted between the selected character and other characters in the storyline. The student must also provide the individual opinion regarding the character rather than just providing a very generic discussion. The detailed guidelines on how to draft a relevant character analysis essay have been discussed below. Definition of character analysis essay The very detailed and unexplored characteristics of a particular character are selected as the theme of analysis in the character analysis essay’s task. It is majorly the well-known literature or other storylines that the character for conducting analysis is done. The character’s real aspect is expected to be revealed before the audience by this task, and the writer has to subdue the personal bias towards it while conducting the presentation. The student is required to retain the critical analysis skills to conduct this task efficiently. It is the attitude and relationship of the selected character with that of the other characteristics which are analyzed in this task which deeply overviews the parameters like behaviour, appearance, and other sorts of mannerisms. The intent behind assigning character analysis essay The tutor tries to develop the ability among the students to critically analyze a character and aware them of the present world by the task of a character analysis essay. The anatomy of characters is deeply analyzed in these tasks, which reveals the unexplored dissection of their personality. The student should be able to trace the path through which the personality of the character has developed. One of the most frequent tasks allotted under the task of character analysis essay is the role of Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby”. It is Daisy’s thought process and the impact created by her on Gatsby, which is mentioned in the respective character analysis essay. If the story is already taught in the classroom, a detailed description or introduction regarding the context is not required. However, it would be appropriate if the student takes the approach that the audience knows nothing about the selected theme. Certain instances in which the character has involved and infuse various contextual twists should be mentioned in the discussion section of the character analysis essay. The reason and justification why the particular instances are mentioned in the discussion section should be provided rather than just making generic discussions. The major intention behind conducting the task should be to provide the character’s purpose and significance in the selected storyline. Various types of characters The characters in a storyline could be classified by considering the parameters of significance such as roles, the traits of each one, and behavioural patterns. The major discussion regarding it is provided in the below section of this article on character analysis essay. Major The storyline would not progress in the absence of major characters, and in fact, it could be stated that these characters run the whole story. These characteristics could be further classified into two further divisions of antagonist and protagonist. Antagonist The role of the antagonist is directly opposite to that of a protagonist. The role is properly known as the villain. In most of the cases, the storyline endows the antagonists with supernatural and evil powers with majestic and abnormal circumstances. Protagonist It is based on the perspective, and the actions of the protagonist that the storyline would move on and various twists are introduced. Minor It is the minor characteristics present in the storyline, which helps in revealing the personalities and basic attributes of the major characteristics. The minor characteristics’ attributes are somehow very static, and not much dynamic behaviour could be expected from them. Attributes of characters Foils: Some characters are included in the storyline to deviate the course of progression of main characters to other aspects. The attribute is majorly done to glorify the protagonists and their activities. Dynamic: It is the unpredictable and deviation from the major context, which is signified by the parameter of dynamism. Static: The role which sustains its attributes throughout the storyline is termed to be of static nature. The proper way to analyze a character The student should go through the storyline multiple times to develop a thorough opinion regarding the selected character. The particular sections where the character is engaged should be analyzed deeply so that the real attributes and perspectives of them could be identified. It is by scrutinizing the approach of the individual towards other characters and dialogues that the content to be written in the character analysis essay is discussed. It should be cleared before the audience by the writer on how the selected character has created an impact on the whole storyline. It would be recommended to our readers that a more innovative approach should be taken to present a character analysis essay rather than just provide a generic discussion. Like in other academic tasks, the basic description should be avoided, and only the unexplored aspects should be considered worth discussing. More value could be infused into the character analysis essay if the writer decides to explore further into the complexities and attributes of the selected character. The proper way to draft a character analysis essay The impeccable piece of character analysis essay could only be presented before the audience if the writer himself or herself has indulged deeply into the study of the characters. The storyline section, like the introduction of the character, related events, and climax, should be studied very deeply by the writers. By conducting a proper study, the writer could get a better insight into the character and hence could see through their attributes. The style in which the author has developed a particular character should be keenly observed. Has the writer done justice to the character? Has the character much significance in the storyline? To answer these queries, you should critically analyze the behavioural patterns and moral setup of the character. You could also relate the selected characters with other relevant characters. Initiating the character analysis essay Of course, the student has to select a favourite character from the storyline before hopping into the character analysis essay’s drafting process. We recommend you select a particular character with a very dynamic and significant role in the storyline. It would help the writer to conduct a very interesting and unique character analysis. The high availability of the data regarding the character would help the student present the essay that would easily captivate the audience’s attention. Go through the storyline multiple times. The students often develop the misconception that it is quite enough to read the storyline once to conduct a valid and detailed study. However, our readers should understand that the hidden and unexplored attributes of the audience could only be revealed when the author has gone through the character multiple times. The element of preciseness and accuracy hence could be introduced in the drafted character analysis essay. The student is required to read between the lines when the character is introduced into the context. The below-provided aspects should be considered while addressing this aspect. - The quality of description provided by the author while introducing them in the literature. - The type of relationship and behaviour maintained by the selected character to that of other characters in the story. - The significance of the activities done by the characters in twisting the whole plot. Selecting a very vibrant and dynamic character It is very crucial that a very dynamic character is selected for conducting the character analysis. However, it does not imply that you have to strictly select the protagonist or the antagonist. The major reason for selecting a vibrant character is to avoid static and boring discussion before the audience. The ever-changing nature of the character would retain the attention of the audience throughout the essay. The essay’s content should be very engaging and entertaining for the audience while the discussion regarding the attributes of the character is done. The possibility of the content being turning into a monotonous one would increase when the character with static attributes is selected for analysis. It would bring limitations in drafting a good piece of literature. Make the maximum use of the notes. The reading’s effectiveness could be further increased if the student would take relevant notes at the same time. It would also help in tracking down the critical elements of the storyline. The audience could easily identify the depth in the character analysis if you adopt this approach. The writer should have the skill and ability to make the character live again before the audience. By interlinking the particular points in the notes, a very relevant and interesting discussion should be drafted. It would be very appropriate to write a rough draft before drafting the final copy. You could bring many more alterations to the paper by referring to the tutor and your colleagues’ feedback. Select a major theme While selecting the essay’s major theme, you should primarily refer to the notes prepared while reading the literature. By referring to them, a particular pattern in character could be traced. The major theme could be stated as the thesis statement in the essay. The theme should be further supported in the paper by providing appropriate examples and instances of the character in the storyline. Format of character analysis essay Since the character analysis essay is classified under the category of academic tasks, a particular format should be followed while arranging information in it. The audience could get well connected to the content which is well organized by following a proper format. The normal format of a generic essay (Introduction, Body, and Conclusion) is also followed in the character analysis essay’s task. Introduction In the initial section of the essay, the audience should be introduced to the major theme and the selected individual for conducting the character analysis. The essay’s introduction should be drafted in a very engaging manner and should be enough to attract a large audience towards the presented piece of paper. The audience would expect a valid but brief description of the selected character in this section. Body It is in the essay’s body section, where the major analysis and the description of the character are included. The whole body section should be prepared by strictly following the tutor’s marking rubric and other customized guidelines. There are certain parameters and questions that should be addressed while drafting the body section of the character analysis essay. They are: – - The background in which the character was developed, the personality and physical appearance of the selected character. - The major challenges faced by the particular characters and the method in which they were tackled. - The quality endorsed by the character to the story and the lesson it conveys to the audience. - The significance and the reason behind the particular actions of the selected character. The real motive of the character should be revealed before the audience. - How are other characters treated by this individual and whether it is fair or unfair? - The mental thought process of the character and the vocabulary used by them to portray their feelings. Does the vocabulary used by them is of quality or not? - The personal outlook of the character towards himself or herself. The approach of the person in describing themselves. - What is the adjective that is most appropriate to describe the characteristics of the selected person? Conclusion Till this session, you would have conducted a detailed character analysis in the essay. The conclusive observation after the character analysis should be provided to the audience. The section should be very precise, and the tone of language should be very authoritative. It is the final analysis statement of the conclusion which states that the final observation is conveyed. Our readers should not be updated with any new information which was not discussed in the earlier section of the character analysis essay. The student should mention how the struggle of the character could be witnessed in real life and how would a normal person tackle it. Need help with your character analysis essay? Drafting a character analysis essay demands a very high level of dedication and effort since the student is required to go through the piece of literature multiple times. The high requirement of critical analysis skills and writing skills makes it a real challenge for the students. Putting aside significant time and effort for drafting the character analysis essay is almost impossible in the busy academic schedule. In such instances, it is highly recommended to opt for the academic aid service of totalassignmenthelp.com. The presence of 6000+ professionals in the expert panel of totalassignmenthelp.com makes it a very trustworthy company to rely on. The facility to select the favourite expert, high discounts, round the clock technical assistance and high intolerance against plagiarism makes it one of the most preferred academic services among the academic community. For further such interesting articles, you could visit our official website. 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health and illness, borrowing methods and frameworks from the humanities and social sciences to bear on biomedicine, clinical practice, and the politics of healthcare. To this end, several disciplines in the humanities, such as literary studies, film studies and cultural studies, have so far been used to shed light on health matters. Considering that discourses around health and illness are dependent on languages for their transmission, impact, spread, acceptance and rejection in local settings, one can begin to appreciate the wealth of data, theoretical approaches and methods translation studies can offer in studying health and illness globally. Conversely, translation studies can learn from the developments in health humanities regarding the expansion of topics for research, recent frameworks and debates shaping areas of health. Therefore, while this handbook ensures that well-established research areas in translation and medicine are covered, it also intends to open up new avenues of exchange between translation studies and health humanities by initiating research into previously neglected areas. Compared to medical humanities, interdisciplinarity and interprofessionality are much more emphasised and encouraged in health humanities, bringing in contributions from groups previously marginalised in the former, such as allied health professionals, nurses, patients and carers (Jones et al. 2017). The implications of such a broadening of the field for translators and interpreters cannot be underestimated; it would mean more interaction and cooperation between the different professions, as translators and interpreters become an organic part of care-giving, involved in the developments and decision-making processes in healthcare settings. It is increasingly recognised that ‘medicine is only a minor determinant of health in human populations alongside other social factors’ (Jones et al. 2017: 933), such as class, education, occupation, religion, environment, race, disability, sexuality and gender. Given these overlapping determinants - and the influence of other disciplines such as women’s studies, disability studies, postcolonial studies, and queer studies starting to have a bearing on medical education - courses ‘far more concerned with individual and cultural experiences of illness and disability and with the social/structural/political impediments to health and healing’ have begun to be offered as part of medical education (ibid.). This shift is in line with an emphasis on intersectionality, another key concept borrowed by health humanities, which highlights the health-related discrimination and disadvantages caused by the interconnected nature of social categorisations as they apply to a given individual or group. In this volume, we endeavoured to reflect the impact of intersectionality on translation and health-related concerns, in chapters focusing on women’s health, disability and health in LGBTQ communities. In translation studies, the focus has traditionally remained on translation and interpreting within biomedicine, ‘owing to its economic and political power and prestige’ (Montait in this volume, p. 134). Examining translation and interpreting both in relation to biomedicine and outside its boundaries, several contributions in this volume underline the links between translation, medicine and power (e.g. Baldo, Bessaih, Kang, Moreland and Swabey, Sandset, Spisiakovâ, Susam-Saraeva and Carvalho Fonseca). The power in question goes beyond ethical considerations surrounding the interpreter/ healthcare provider/patient triad, and encompasses a range of issues, such as patient autonomy, informed consent, empowerment of oppressed and/or marginalised groups, challenging institutional attitudes and practices, and the connection between the adoption of ‘Western’ medical knowledge and nationalism, including the processes of modernisation. Other contributions on enhancing health literacy through improving accessibility and readability, on recent projects in medical terminology and machine translation, and on knowledge translation between science in laboratories and clinical application reveal further implications regarding the positioning of the ‘patient’ vis-à-vis biomedicine. Healthcare-focused research in translation studies While the topics covered in this handbook are, in many cases, well-established areas of research either within or outside translation studies, there has been, to our knowledge, no single volume that brought together such a range of topics on human health and wellbeing as seen through the prism of inter- (and intra-)lingual transfer. The following brief overview outlines some of the most prominent general works on the subject of health in translation, in order to complement the highly specialised information included in the contributions to this handbook. The first volume bringing together research on a range of topics related to translation in medical settings was Henry Fischbach’s Translation and Medicine (1998). The volume explores topics such as the historical and cultural aspects of medical translation, the training of translators in healthcare settings, and the translation of medical terminology, and as such, could be considered an early precursor to the current volume. With the rise of translation studies as an academic discipline in the early 2000s came the increasing specialisation of its subfields, and research on subjects related to translation and health have gradually become more subject-specific. Out of these subjects, the most comprehensively covered one relates to interpreting in healthcare settings, reflecting the growing need to ensure equal access to medical care in increasingly multilingual societies. The first volume bringing together research articles on the subject was Franz Pôchhacker and Miriam Shlesinger’s Healthcare Interpreting: Discourse and Interaction (2007), which focuses on cross-cultural communication, the role played by interpreters in healthcare settings, and the discursive patterns of interaction involving a medical interpreter. A later volume by Brenda Nicodemus and Melanie Metzger, Investigations in Healthcare Interpreting (2014), centres on the communicative aspects of interpreter-mediated encounters in healthcare, and explores the different methods for improving accuracy in these encounters. The bilingual volume (Spanish and English) Translating and Interpreting Healthcare Discourses! Traducir e interpretar en el ámbito sanitario, edited by María-José Varela Salinas and Bernd Meyer (2015), comprises both interpreting and translation, and touches upon subjects such as sign language interpreting, quality assurance in the translation process, and translation of specialised medical texts and terminology. The most recent addition to the field is the Handbook of Research on Medical Interpreting, by Izabel de V. Souza and Eflfrossyni Fragkou (2020), which covers areas such as healthcare administration and education, patient care and safety, and interpreting for victims of violence, amongst others. Another area frequently explored in studies on medical translation and interpreting is the question of intercultural communication. Claudia Angelelli’s volume Medical Interpreting and Cross-Cultural Communication (2004) has an ethnographic study of a bilingual hospital at its core, and uses interviews with interpreters to highlight their agency in situations where they are required to bridge cultural as well as linguistic divides. Health, Communication and Multicultural Communities: Topics on Intercultural Communication for Healthcare Professionals by Carmen Valero-Garces (2014) places an emphasis on the communicative element of interpreted encounters, and offers reflections and experiences from the author’s long career in training mediators and translators in multicultural medical settings. Elaine Hsieh’s Bilingual Health Communication: Working with Interpreters in Cross-Cultural Care (2016) likewise uses interviews with both interpreters and healthcare providers to explore the phenomenon of bilingual healthcare in a wide range of language combinations. Finally, Multicultural Health Translation, Interpreting and Communication by Meng Ji, Mustapha Taibi and Ineke Crezee (2019) brings together a range of research topics in empirical health translation, and covers both macro questions concerning national healthcare systems and micro studies of areas such as mental health interpreting. Several other volumes in the field of medical translation are aimed specifically at professional translators and interpreters with no formal training in interpreting within healthcare settings. These volumes are particularly important, as not all institutions teaching translation and interpreting offer specialised courses on the topic. Ineke Crezee’s Introduction to Healthcare for Interpreters and Translators (2013) serves as a comprehensive guidebook for those with no prior experience in healthcare interpreting, and provides a well-organised overview of the terminology, concepts and systems they are likely to encounter. The handbook has generated versions for specific languages, including Spanish (Crezee, Mikkelson and Monzon-Storey 2015), Japanese (Crezee and Asano 2016), Chinese (Crezee and Ng 2016) and Arabic (Crezee, Gailani and Gailani 2016). Claudia Angelelli’s recent volume Healthcare Interpreting Explained (2019) is likewise a guidebook for students and practising interpreters, and teaches problem-solving strategies through real-life examples, alongside chapters on ethics, protocol and professionalisation. Vicent Montalt and Maria González Davies’ volume Medical Translation Step by Step (2007) turns towards the problem of translation in the medical sphere and offers a comprehensive overview, including detailed instructions on the writing and improving of drafts, and large-scale issues related to the role and responsibilities of translators specialising in medical texts. It is on the basis of this existing body of research that this handbook intends to propel studies on translation and health into areas beyond healthcare interpreting and medical translation. Crucial though the emphasis on the interpreter/translator working in/on medical encounters/texts has been, we hope that contributions in this volume will demonstrate the significance of other agents translating and interpreting in relation to health, as well as of the various contexts that sustain or hinder translation and interpreting.	https://ebrary.net/188027/health/translation_medicine_initiating_exchanges_translation_studies_health_humanities
, May 30, 2014 (press release) – Navitas Naturals, the Superfood Company is voluntarily recalling products which contain Organic Sprouted Chia Powder due to possible health risks related to Salmonella contamination. “We have chosen to voluntarily recall products containing Organic Sprouted Chia Powder with the goal of utmost safety for our consumers” stated Zach Adelman, Navitas Naturals CEO. The affected products were distributed nationally and include: Consumers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat the product, and to dispose of it or return it to the store where it was originally purchased. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses. The company is working closely with FDA and California Department of Public Health on this issue. “Ensuring the premium quality of the superfoods we provide is our highest priority,” said Adelman.” We stand behind the safety and integrity of our products and their valuable superfood nutrients,” confirmed Adelman. Customers with questions or who would like product replacements or refunds may contact 888-886-3879 between 8:00-4:30 PST, Monday through Friday.	https://www.industryintel.com/public:news/read/4034244480/Navitas-Naturals-voluntarily-recalls-products-containing
From farm to fire to table. Handcrafted and home grown. We are committed to sharing our beliefs beyond the walls of our restaurant and into the community. Enjoy the brilliant flavours of our locally sourced ingredients and celebrate the diversity of our craft brewing partners. Our strength is in our surroundings! The familiar, comforting aroma of fresh bread, with the scent of wood smoke, welcomes you as you enter the restaurant. Our warm, welcoming, friendly atmosphere is complemented by rustic wood tables beneath a pergola draped with glowing café lights. You can feel the heart of our restaurant beating from the custom-built clay oven. Proudly serving handmade artisan flatbreads & more created with the freshest local, organic ingredients. We invite you to relax & connect in this space we’ve created for you. Welcome to the Community!	https://www.albertaontheplate.com/restaurants/community-flatbread-co/
The Weissenhof Estate is one of the world’s most important architectural monuments of classic modernism. It was built in Stuttgart in 1927 as part of the German Werkbund exhibition “Die Wohnung” (The Dwelling). Under the direction of Mies van der Rohe, 17 architects from five European countries participated, among them prominent representatives of the New Architecture movement, such as Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier and Hans Scharoun. The unique ensemble that established lasting standards for modern living was created in just 21 weeks of construction. When the housing complex was built, the now world-famous architects were known only in professional circles. With the clear, austere and minimalist architecture of its white, cube-like buildings, the Weissenhof Estate attracted international attention. Striking, recurrent features are also the typical flat roof and long strip windows as well as the materials glass, steel and concrete. Among the best-known buildings at the Weissenhof Estate are the single house and double house by Le Corbusier. Both buildings, with their roof terraces and bright, airy rooms, embody Le Corbusier’s theory of proportion. They demonstrate his functional maxim of a “New Architecture”, according to which houses are not representational objects but utilitarian ones – so-called “machines for living in”. Together with 16 other works by Le Corbusier, they were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. The estate as a whole has been listed as a historical monument since 1958. The Le Corbusier House has been open to the public since 2006 as the Weissenhof Museum, giving visitors a unique chance to view inside. The history of the Weissenhof Estate, which has sparked many architectural and political debates over the decades, is presented in the left half of the double house. In the other half, its mirrored twin, there is a walk-through exhibit that reproduces the original furnishings from the time of the 1927 Werkbund Exhibition. Here, visitors can see Le Corbusier’s innovative and variable design of space and colour, which is exemplary for the economically efficient and radically modern ideas of urban “New Living” that were formulated at Weissenhof. [KM/DK] Map Map legend - UNESCO world heritage site Contact and opening hours AddressWeissenhofmuseum Rathenaustraße 1-3 70191 Stuttgart Opening hours - Tuesday : — Uhr - Wednesday : — Uhr - Thursday : — Uhr - Friday : — Uhr - Weekend : — Uhr - Holiday : — Uhr - Monday : closed - Christmas Eve : closed - New Years Day (01.01.) : closed 4. KW eines Jahres geschlossen Offene Führungen, wahlweise als kleine oder große Führung, Di-Sa 15 Uhr, So und Feiertage 11 und 15 Uhr. Gruppenanmeldungen nach Voranmeldung. Museumsshop vorhanden. conveying formula Directions by local public transport:Nächstgelegener Bahnhof der Deutschen Bahn: Hauptbahnhof Stuttgart Nächstgelegene Haltestelle ÖPNV: Kunstakademie (Bus) Killesberg (Bahn+Bus) - Karlsruhe Dammerstock Housing Estate - developed for tourism - Stuttgart Tagblattturm - developed for tourism - Stuttgart Milchbar im Höhenpark Killesberg - developed for tourism - Stuttgart Liederhalle Stuttgart - developed for tourism - Stuttgart New State Gallery - developed for tourism - Krefeld Lange House \| Esters House - developed for tourism - Krefeld VerSeidAG Dyeworks and Warehouse - developed for tourism - Berlin Interbau 1957 - developed for tourism Book: Bauhaus 100 Sites of Modernism Extraordinary sites associated with the Bauhaus and modernism can be found throughout Germany—pioneering architecture that has enduringly shaped our understanding of life and work, learning and living. This travel guide brings the historical and architectural traces of over 100 examples of Neues Bauen building to life, making tangible the impact of the historical Bauhaus beyond the school, its sites and its time. conveying formula Die Sanierung und Wiederherstellung wurde gefördert durch die Wüstenrot Stiftung Ludwigsburg. This place is part of the tour: Explore the avant-gardeStuttgart, Ulm und Karlsruhe The modern metropolis reimagined: experience the Weissenhof housing estate in Stuttgart, the testaments to modernist university architecture in Ulm, and the Dammerstock housing estate in Karlsruhe.	https://www.grandtourofmodernism.com/sites/details/56/
Nanoscale phase change memory materials. Phase change memory materials store information through their reversible transitions between crystalline and amorphous states. For typical metal chalcogenide compounds, their phase transition properties directly impact critical memory characteristics and the manipulation of these is a major focus in the field. Here, we discuss recent work that explores the tuning of such properties by scaling the materials to nanoscale dimensions, including fabrication and synthetic strategies used to produce nanoscale phase change memory materials. The trends that emerge are relevant to understanding how such memory technologies will function as they scale to ever smaller dimensions and also suggest new approaches to designing materials for phase change applications. Finally, the challenges and opportunities raised by integrating nanoscale phase change materials into switching devices are discussed.
PTI provides Information Management services that include planning, organization, migration, integration, management, maintenance, retrieval and dissemination of data to meet the diverse needs of varied user groups. Proper knowledge management is vital to analysis and manipulation of data to increase understanding, expand perspective, and facilitate informed and knowledgeable decision making. Information Management services include: Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Data Migration Enterprise Data Integration Knowledge Management Services Web Portal Development Independent Verification and Validation IT System(s) Security Program Management PTI's management team and personnel have one unified goal. The shared goal is successful completion of all contracts in a quality manner that meets or exceeds customer expectations. Use of tested program management methodology supports the successful execution of the program vision, goals and objectives. PTI’s DCAA approved accounting system further facilitates cost-effective management and resource allocation essential to the success of the program. Performance is continuously monitored and assessed. New capabilities are proactively researched and developed with the knowledge and leading edge technologies applied to the program as applicable. Reviews are conducted regularly with program objectives continuously verified and validated to ensure adherence to established operating procedures. The tried and true methodologies and performance metrics employed by PTI consistently result in customer satisfaction by delivering a quality project on schedule and within budget. Program Management services include: PMI Certified Project Management Risk Management Cost Savings Analysis and Planning Performance Planning Management Controls (internal) Subcontract Management Phase-In/Phase-Out or Transition IT Training Online Project Status Reporting via Client Portal Security Management Project Management (PMI Certified) PTI maintains a simplified management structure with the shared goal of meeting or exceeding customer expectations. Performance is continuously measured against pre-defined metrics. PTI’s PMI certified project managers are experienced in task management and ensure that project milestones are met within established timelines and budget constraints. All changes are documented in accordance with PTI’s formal change management process. Proposed changes are detailed in writing and submitted to the end-user and contracting office for approval prior to implementation. PTI utilizes software tools such as Microsoft Project, Outlook, and Access Database to facilitate remote access to program information. This system provides a virtual environment that connects team members and stakeholders to mission critical information and acts as an easily referenced repository for program performance information and deliverables status and Project Status Reports (PSRs). Project Management services offered include: Risk Management Quality Assurance Work Breakdown Structure Preparation Configuration Management Change Control Information Assurance Subcontract Management Phase-In/Phase-Out or Transition Engineering Support PTI offers a full complement of services ranging from infrastructure engineering design, development, implementation, integration, requirements gathering and analysis to the final stage of deployment, through upgrades, enhancements and maintenance. PTI's disciplined systems engineering approach incorporates tailored versions of professionally recognized standard practices such as Engineering Management Plans, Master Planning, and Master Task Schedules. Engineering Support services include: Analysis and Documentation of the 'as is"' and 'to be' Environment and Processes Capacity Planning Migration Planning and Execution UNIX and Linux Specialists Operating System and Software Implementation Support, Configuration and Testing Software Tools Implementation, Configuration, Testing, and Support Load Balancing Performance Optimization and Management Tier 1, 2 and 3 Help Desk Services Cluster Server Environment Planning, Implementation and Support Oracle RAC (Real Application Cluster) Oracle Applications (Financial and eBusiness Suite) Decision Support and Business Intelligence Tools (i.e., Cognos, Oracle Forms and Reports, Business Objects) Technical and Database Services PTI both designs and supports data stores that house multi-terabyte databases. Our seasoned technical professionals provide senior level expertise in support of government requirements for migration, integration, and retrieval of mission critical data. Consultation in database design and strategies is also available to our clients. PTI stays abreast of both technology and theories as they continue to evolve at an exponential rate, enabling us to keep our clients informed of technological advances. Technical and Database Services include: Physical and Logical Database Design and Development Application Design and Development Capacity Planning Data Warehouse Design, Implementation, and Maintenance Data Migration Data Center Hosting Database Administration Database Management Services (DBMS) Remote Database Services Long-Term Support Services (client site and remote) Performance Tuning and Optimization Vulnerability Assessment, Reporting, and Management Information Assurance Audits and Reports System(s) Monitoring (worldwide, 24x7x365) Backup and Restoration Disaster Recovery Data Storage Services PTI specializes in design, implementation, and administration of data stores and the support of Hitachi and EMC SAN (Storage Area Network) devices. There are several prerequisites for the useful storage of data: optimum relational database storage, a SAN, tuning, online analytical processing (OLAP), and dashboard tools for reporting and analysis. A SAN provides increased capacity and scalability, supports rapid access to enterprise information, and permits the host to maintain 24x7 operations in a controlled fashion. SANs have the ability to utilize open standard interfaces, and support multiple mixed operating systems, multiple types of media and topologies, and multiple protocols providing greater flexibility and uptime than traditional disk farms. Data Storage services include: SAN Implementation, Configuration, Testing and Administration Support of Hitachi and EMC SAN Devices Tuning and Optimization Implementation of Dashboard Tools Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) Storage Management Web Portal Services PTI is an experienced provider of full-cycle portal development services. A web portal facilitates remote access, communication, collaboration, and automation of business processes. PTI works in partnership with the client to identify the specific goals and business objectives of the agency. This is followed by an assessment and detailed analysis of agency requirements. Based on the information compiled during the initial phase, a solution strategy is defined and a project charter developed. The portal is designed for reliable performance, efficiency, and scalability to support evolving agency needs. Following implementation and testing, PTI continues to assist the client to ensure that the solution is running smoothly and error-free. PTI remains available after deployment to support portal maintenance, seamless upgrades and enhancements to enable the agency to utilize the portal to its fullest potential. Web Portal services include: Consultation and Agency Needs Assessment Analysis and Architecture Design User Interface Design Portal Application Programming Integration with Business Applications (like CRM, ERP, SCM, etc.) Database Design and Integration Quality Assurance and Testing Implementation and Support User Management Functions Performance Optimization and Tuning Maintenance, Upgrades, and Enhancements Portal Security Disaster Recovery PTI provides Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) for both client site and remote data environments worldwide to ensure availability of data critical to daily operations. Our consultants specialize in assessment of the client’s current environment, and making recommendations to meet required uptime and recovery levels. The term High Availability (HA) is becoming more common in the discussion of disaster recovery and Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP). PTI designs and implements specialized HA solutions that prevent downtime by automating the Disaster Recovery process. PTI’s specialized HA consultants will evaluate, design, implement and maintain a solution that ensures availability of an agency’s network and applications at all times. Disaster Recovery services include: Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) Definition, Design, Implementation, and Operation of Disaster Recovery Facilities Configuration and Catalog of Equipment Server and Database Backup and Restore Recovery of Network Connectivity for Database Systems Engineering Support for Application Recovery Disaster Recovery Testing Security Services PTI is committed to ensuring that the server environments designed support DoD mandated SSL and PKI security levels. PTI provides multiple levels of UNIX security following DoD certification requirements (Security Technical Implementation Guides) and Department of Defense (DoD) Information Assurance (IA) Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Process (DIACAP), formerly known as the Department of Defense Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP) Program. Today, multiple locations throughout the world are accessed by government personnel through TCP/IP connections and/or secure VPN tunnels. The successful utilization of these environments provides the government with a substantial dollar savings. Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) are stringently followed, employing the principles and guidance instituted by DISA in accordance with DoD directives pertaining to mid-tier operating systems, software, and applications. STIGs observed include UNIX OS STIG, Oracle/DB2 database STIG, Web STIG, Windows OS STIG, SQL Server STIG, and Cognos STIG. PTI personnel are typically certified in IA Level I Awareness Training. The company adheres to DoD Auditing Guidelines and application audit procedures as applicable. Information Assurance Vulnerability Assessment (IAVA) releases are reviewed and implemented within scheduled deadlines. IT audit reports are retained for a minimum of one year. Security Services include:	http://www.pti.net/Federal/itservices.aspx
Duties & Responsibilities Position summary: As a member of the Harvard Library Financial management team, and reporting to the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, the Organizational Performance Reporting and Assessment Librarian will maintain and develop the library’s organizational performance system; provide supporting assessment advice and analysis to inform strategic decisions; enhance the library’s assessment systems and ability to collect useful data; and support librarians in how to find and use assessment data. This role will collaborate with staff across a wide range of functions and disciplines in order to better coordinate the collection and creation of data as it relates to the performance goals of the Harvard Library. Success attributes include strong analytical skills; a firm understanding of library roles and work processes; agility and aptitude for information systems; the ability to visualize and organize data in new ways; accountability for results; and strong intrapersonal and listening skills. The role works closely with the shared services -Access Services; Information and Technical Services; Preservation and Digital Imaging and University Archives – and with librarians across the broader library system. Specific components of the role include: * Maintain and develop the library’s organizational performance system -In consultation with Harvard Leadership design, develop and maintain systems to measure library progress as it relates to library strategic initiatives and operational efficiency -Improve methods used to measure key metrics, to enhance specificity and accuracy -Develop and monitor annual baselines for key metrics and monitor progress along them -Lead the preparation of quarterly organizational performance updates and associated reporting -Communicate and explain findings to library senior leadership * Provide supporting assessment advice and analysis to inform strategic decisions -Work collaboratively with Harvard library leadership to discover their information needs and to identify, prioritize, design and implement new reporting tools and solutions -Analyze statistical and bibliographic information in support of evolving needs in collection management, collection usage and space -Provide consultation and technical assistance to Harvard library leadership with use and interpretation of data -Respond to requests for data and/or reports on a variety of issues related to the library collections reporting and statistics, including ad hoc analyses and special requests -Lead in data collection and aggregation across partnerships with other institutions (Including Borrow Direct Partners) to aggregate data and business intelligence to help improve and expand alliances -Lead the data collection efforts for national surveys (ARL statistics) and the preparation of data for annual HL reports * Enhance the Library’s assessment systems and ability to collect useful data -Develop structures for collecting, storing and presenting or sharing data in consultation with appropriate IT and Library colleagues -Design, develop, troubleshoot, document, and analyze reports for Harvard library -Maintain internal sites to distribute reports, associated documentation and explanatory materials -Provide consultation to Harvard library leadership on developing assessment surveys and user studies * Support librarians in how to find and use assessment data -Facilitate data-driven decision making throughout the Harvard Library by committing to make data as accessible and transparent as possible; teaching / mentoring librarians how to access, querey, manipulate, and visualize data -Develop reporting mechanisms to enable managers and staff to run and analyze data in support of data driven decision making Basic Qualifications * MLS, MBA; and/or advanced degree in statistics or information sciences, or equivalent education or related work experience * 8 plus years experience working in library assessment and reporting, financial/ statistical analysis, financial reporting and/or libraries * Strong knowledge of Excel and of database tools (e.g., Microsoft Access) Additional Qualifications * Working knowledge of libraries, both within Harvard and more general industry trends * Experience building reports and queries with Business Intelligence / Analytics tools (Cognos Bl, Microsoft) * Knowledge of Integrated Library Systems, such as Aleph, is highly desired * Knowledge of statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS, R, STATA) * Knowledge of database tools such as Quickbase and content management systems * Ability to present complicated information in easily comprehensi ble formats, e.g., data visualization, appropriate use of charts, etc.	http://acrlny.org/organizational-performance-reporting-and-assessment-librarian-harvard-library-cambridge-ma/
entuitive is a development company, creating innovative software and technology products, to increase the efficiency in the way we work. entuitive was initially set up to provide innovative solutions to support the environmental and geotechnical industry. Our diverse team have developed a range of solutions that assist in reducing human error, saving time on site and with reporting, managing on site risks, the health and safety of workers and ultimately saving costs. Whilst we have moved away from supporting just the environmental and geotechnical industry, our vision remains the same. All products we develop save time and cost for the end user and we collaborate with industry professionals to ensure that the product is not only suitable for the market, but is also intuitive for them. We're a creative team of digital product & software developers. Our small and diverse team has significant experience in designing and developing solutions to support your industry. We have established a company which creates market leading products through our backbone of mixing knowledge, understanding and creativity. We have grown from humble beginnings with only two part time staff, to a team of six. We have an additional eight supporting developers based in New Zealand and California. entuitive produce a wide range of products supporting small start-ups, large national companies and government agencies.	https://www.entuitive.co.nz/
This summer, there are plans to install a network of 2,000 bikes at 200 strategically placed stations from Waikiki to Chinatown, covering an area of approximately 7.2 square miles. It’s an effort by Bikeshare Hawaii to bring a new, viable transportation option to urban Honolulu. Docking stations will be accessibly placed at key locations, with stations about two to three blocks apart, and be so ubiquitous, a customer never needs to worry about where to pick up or drop off a bike. The bikes are designed for short trips of one to four miles and promise a cheaper, healthier, friendlier and often faster alternative to driving.	http://ulupono.com/news_posts/bikeshare-nameshare-campaign-seeks-ideas-for-new-bikesharing-system
Ijo living throughout the delta employ sacrificial canoes, or ikiyan aru, to clear away pollution and counter epidemics, troublesome spirits, and other negative forces. Small warriors equipped with paddles and weapons man some of these 'spiritual war boats'; the raffia that surrounds this one protects its crew from bullets. These simple vessels also contain offerings to fortify good spirits and ward off bad ones. Some ikiyan aru are deployed secretly in the dead of night, but elaborate displays, which incorporate drumming, dancing, divination, and possession often accompany larger versions. Ikiyan aru can be mounted along the riverbank, set in the river to be carried away by the current, or strategically positioned to protect shrines and communities from invisible invaders. The idea of using canoe effigies to wage war against hostile spirits seems appropriate for the Ijo, given that they learn to retaliate for the slightest insult as children, and have a long history of warfare.	https://africa.uima.uiowa.edu/topic-essays/show/21?start=15
Mass production is giving way to customised production. Production environments must be able to produce in a highly modular fashion,at the lowest possible operational cost and without any machine downtime. Customers expect zero-defect products and total flexibility. Moreover, systems are becoming increasingly autonomous. Examples include fruit-picking robots,autonomous vehicles in logistics, unmanned patrol boats, and many others. Sensors play a major role in these areas. However, it doesn’t end with measuring. Data must be interpreted and applied in robust, self-learning measuring and knowledge instruments to improve mechatronic systems. Artificial intelligence plays a major role in these areas. This is the only way in which we will be able to develop intelligent products and highly effective production environments – smart products and smart factories that are characteristic of Industry 4.0 – necessary to remain competitive in Flanders.	https://www.researchportal.be/en/organisation/decision-control
This paper describes the digitization and front-end digital signal processing scheme for the atmospheric Radar operating at 206.5 MHz. The atmospheric Radar operating at this frequency will have the capability to probe upto the lower Stratosphere (~ 20 km). In the present paper, the capabilities of digital receiver in performing functions like band-pass sampling at 206.5 MHz using 16 bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based Digital Down Converter (DDC) are demonstrated through simulation. The latest version FPGA is chosen in the present simulation for designing the digital receiver design due to their relatively low cost, faster processing strength and inbuilt reconfigurability. Radar, band-pass sampling, digital receiver, signal processing. The term 'Radar' is the abbreviation for „Radio Detection And Ranging‟, defined as the art of detecting the presence of target, determining their direction and range, recognizing their character by means of radio waves. The principle involves in the atmospheric Radar is to transmit the modulated waveform of electromagnetic energy using antenna array into the atmosphere and processing the backscattered echoes through suitable means utilizing a chain of signal processors to determine vertical wind components with a high degree of temporal and spatial resolutions (typically at ~ 30 sec and at ~ 150 m, respectively), and other vital parameters required for studying the structures and dynamics of atmosphere. Today's trend in Radio Frequency (RF) front-end is to minimize the complexity and to digitize the signals as close as possible to Antenna. As a result, direct RF digitization is common nowadays . A software simulation for the similar RF digitization is carried out and discussed in the forthcoming sections in this paper to demonstrate and evaluate the feasibility of direct RF sampling at 206.5 MHz RF signal using band-pass sampling technique. FPGA-based digital signal processing solutions using reconfigurable computing meeting the specifications for 206.5 MHz atmospheric Radar is also covered . Brief History No single nation or a single person is could be given complete credit for the invention of the Radar system. One must look at the Radar as an accumulation of many developments and improvements earlier, which scientists and engineers of several nations parallel made share. There are nevertheless some milestones with the discovery of important basic knowledge and important inventions involved in Radar technology as presented in Table 1. Atmospheric Radar around the Globe Table 2 lists some of the leading Atmospheric Radars in the world. From Table 2, one can clearly understand that almost all atmospheric Radar in the world are designed at the operating frequency of ~ 50 MHz [e.g. Jicamarca Radar (49.92 MHz), MU Radar (46.5 MHz), SOUSY Radar (53.5 MHz), Equatorial Atmospheric Radar (47 MHz), Chung-Li VHF Radar (52 MHz), Indian MST Radar (53 MHz) etc.] and at ~ 400 MHz [e.g. 404 MHz Radar of IMD, Pune (404.37 MHz), Arecibo Radar (430 MHz) etc.]. Nowadays, the Radar scientists and engineers are very much keen in understanding the performance of atmospheric Radar around frequency of ~ 200 MHz, with the opinion that with ~ 200 MHz one can get certain features of both at ~ 50 MHz and at ~ 400 MHz. There are other reasons too like at ~ 200 MHz, the sky noise will be comparatively very less (~ 600 °K ) as compared to that at ~ 50 MHz (~ 6000 °K), thereby providing better figure of merit (G/T). This will greatly increase the sensitivity of the receiving system. Furthermore, 50 MHz atmospheric Radar needs a large flat area, whereas the atmospheric Radar operating at ~ 400 MHz limits the height coverage up to 11-13 km. In order to limit the scope at ~ 200 MHz atmospheric Radar, this paper is aimed to demonstrate the signal processing scheme at 206.5 MHz. The signal processing subsystem plays a vital role in the atmospheric Radar application. This concept begins with a signal of a given frequency being transmitted into the atmosphere, gets scattered back from the atmospheric scatterers like cloud, hydrometeor etc. The time delay between the transmission and reception is used to determine the height from which the signal is returned back. Through various signal processing steps on the received data, the wind speed and direction as a function of height are estimated which can further be used in atmospheric dynamics studies. The key section of any atmospheric Radar signal processing is the digital receiver. With the present technology, it is possible to incorporate the features of high speed ADC and latest version of Xilinx FPGA based processing modules in the digital receiver. The on-line processing significantly compresses the data via time averages and produces power spectra or autocorrelation functions (ACFs). From the ACFs the scattered power, line-of-sight velocity and signal correlation time are calculated. Real time display provides the on-site graphical terminals for real-time quick-look assessment of the quality of the received data. It is also equipped with the options for plotting the complex autocorrelation functions, power spectra, and received signal as a function of range. The off-line processing involves curve fitting and parameter extraction. The discussion in the present paper is limited upto digital receiver section. The simplest form of a transmit pulse as shown in Fig. 1 is a snippet of a sinusoid that can be expressed mathematically as: ……………(1) where, The signal received by the atmospheric Radar will be ideally, an attenuated delayed version of the transmit signal i.e. Fig. 2 shows the spectrum of simulated received signal, r (t) without any delay being added. Direct RF Digitization To make a receiver more flexible, it is desirable to sample and digitize the received signal at the RF frequency. The RF sampling scheme expands the region of digital signal processing and makes the receiver more programmable. However, a high speed ADC is required for the RF sampling receiver because the ADC needs to sample the high frequency signal and convert it to a digital signal. As one of the solutions to this, the band-pass sampling scheme is considered in this paper. Band-pass sampling (or under sampling) is a sampling technique in which the frequency conversion and the sampling are performed at the same time using a sampling frequency less than the Nyquist frequency of the sampled signal , . Using appropriate sampling frequency , the desired signal is frequency-converted to a frequency range between 0 and . Out-band interference and noises not rejected by the band pass filter are also frequency-converted to the same frequency range. Thus, the signal can be frequency-converted without an oscillator or a mixer by undersampling. The criterion for band-pass sampling is given as: For present analysis, (Higher cut-off frequency) = 208.5MHz, (Lower cut-off frequency) = 204.5 MHz, and n is an integer given by: For n = 6, 69.5 MHz≤≤ 81.8 MHz. Simulations are carried out by taking the features of latest high speed (16-bit) ADC of Linear Technology LTC2209 . In the present simulation scheme, the received signals at 206.5 MHz are under-sampled at the speed of 72 MSPS (). The translation is shown in Fig. 3 and the replicated model of LTC2209 illustrating this translation is shown in Fig. 4. The reason behind choosing of high speed LTC 2209 ADC in the present work is that it provides an ultra low jitter of 70 fsRMS , thereby allowing the under sampling of 206.5 MHz RF signal with excellent noise performance. Digital Down Conversion Normally DDC is implemented using Texas Instruments Graychip or Intersil. FPGA is chosen in the present scheme because of its following merits , : - Better performance like improved Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR). - Faster processing and inbuilt reconfiguability. - Reduction in Power requirement, increased precision performance. - Excellent quadrature channel phase balance, increased temperature stability. - Can easily taylor and optimize the design. Wide varieties of FPGA are available for DDC implementation. A comparision between widely used FPGAs for atmospheric Radar digital receiver application is tabulated in Table 3 . The DDC performs the critical frequency translation needed to extract the desired information. It converts a digitized RF signal centered at 206.5 MHz down to a baseband complex signal centered at zero frequency. In addition to down conversion, DDC‟s typically decimate to a lower sampling rate, allowing follow-on signal processing by lower speed processors. The typical block diagram of DDC is shown in Fig. 5. DDC block integrates : a) A Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS)/Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) which generates a complex sinusoid at the intermediate frequency. b) A pair of Mixers that allows translation down to baseband, and c) Chain of multistage multirate filter consisting of Cascaded Integrator Comb (CIC) filter, Compensating FIR (CFIR) and the Programmable FIR (PFIR) filter . In the present scheme, the digital outputs from the ADC are delivered into the Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA for routing, formatting and DDC signal processing application. A First-In First- Out (FIFO) interface (128 K x 74 bits) can be provided in between to gather data from ADC. NCO is the critical component in DDC. It can be implemented in a various ways. Here the NCO design based on Look-Up Table (LUT) is presented as shown in Figure 6 with the design parameters as: LUT Word Size - 16; LUT Address Size - 10; ROM Size - 1024 bytes. The NCO output spectrum is shown in Fig. 7 and the mixer output is shown in Figure 8. The Transfer Function for a CIC filter at fS is : ..………..(4) For the present scheme, the design specification chosen for CIC filter are given in Table 4. The CIC stage characteristics are shown in Figure 9. When there is large number of stages in CIC filter, the frequency response does not possess a flat band character. The magnitude droop occurs in the passband resulting in undesired response. To overcome the magnitude droop, a FIR filter that has an inverse magnitude response of CIC filter is applied to achieve the frequency response correction. These filters are thereby called as CFIR and PFIR filters. For the present scheme, the design specification chosen for CFIR and PFIR filters are given in Table 5. The CFIR stage characteristics are shown in Figure 10 and the PFIR stage characteristics are shown in Figure 11. Resampler can be used as an additional optional filter to optimize the passband or stopband response of the channel. The overall gain of DDC is the product of the CIC gain, coarse gain, CFIR gain, PFIR gain, final shift gain. Each of these gain are set by Gain Setting block so as to maximize the signal amplitude without clipping. The emphasis of this paper is on the direct RF digitization and processing involved in atmospheric Radar application using the latest version of ADC and FPGA available in today's market. Also, the work has attempted to summarize the major key points and provide particular insights into digital receiver design by taking the advantages of FPGA technology. The simulations for the direct RF digitization at 206.5 MHz and subsequent down conversion and processing were carried out and discussed. R. F. Woodman and A. Guillén, “Radar observations of winds and turbulence in the stratosphere and mesosophere”, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, vol. 31, 1974, pp. 493-505. U. Mavric, S. Bremec and R. Ursic, “Experience with Sampling of 500 MHz RF Signal for Digital Receiver Applications”, Proceedings of the 6th European Workshop on Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators (DIPAC 2003), Mainz, Germany, May 2003, pp. 178-180. D. R. Martinez, T. J. Moeller and K. Teitelbaum, “Application of reconfigurable computing to a high performance front-end radar signal processor”, Journal of VLSI Signal Processing, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands, vol. 28, No. 1-2, 2001, pp. 63-83. T. J. Moeller and D. R. Martinez, “Field programmable gate array based radar front-end digital signal processing”, Proceedings of the 7th Annual IEEE Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines, Napa Valley, CA, April 1999, pp.178-187. J. M. Clerk, “A dynamical theory of the electromagnetic field”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, vol. 155, 1865, pp. 459-512. R. G. Vaughan, N. L. Scott and D. R. White, “The Theory of Bandpass Sampling”, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, vol. 39, No. 9, September 1991, pp. 1973-1984. G. Hill, “The benefits of undersampling”, Electronic Design, July 1994, pp.69-79. Linear Technology LTC2209 ADC product documentation, http://cds.linear.com/docs/Datasheet. D. Redmayne, E. Trelewicz and A. Smith, “Understanding the Effect of Clock Jitter on High Speed ADCs”, Linear Technology, Design Note 1013, 2006. G. R. Goslin, “Implement DSP functions in FPGAs to reduce cost and boost performance”, EDN, 1996. R. Hosking, “New FPGAs revolutionize digital down converters”, Proceedings of the SDR ’08, Technical Conference and product Exposition, 2008. Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA product documentation, http://www.xilinx.com H. Wang, Y. Lu, Y. Wan, W. Tang and C. Wang, “Design of wideband digital receiver”, IEEE International Conference on Communications, Circuits and Systems Proceedings, May 2005, pp. 794-797. E. B. Hogenauer, “An Economical Class of Digital Filters for Decimation and Interpolation'', IEEE. Trans. Acoust., Speech Signal Processing, Vol. 29, No. 2, April 1981, pp. 155-162. G. J. Dolecek and F. Harris, “Design of CIC Compensator Filter in a Digital IF Receiver”, IEEE International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies, October 2008, pp. 638 - 643.	https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/frontend-digital-signal-processing-scheme-for-2065-mhz-atmospheric-radar-application.php?aid=35481
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax of 2008 (H.R. 5351) on Wednesday. The final vote was 236-182, with 11 members of the house not voting, and was largely split along party lines. GE recently announced it is ramping up its efforts to enable global electrification of transportation by investing in Norwegian electric car manufacturer Think, which unveiled a five-seat crossover concept car in Geneva. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman recently announced that combined, USDA and DOE will invest up to $18.4 million, over three years, for 21 biomass research and development (R&D), and demonstration projects. Shell and Virent Energy Systems, Inc., (Virent) of Madison, Wisconsin have announced a joint research and development effort to convert plant sugars directly into gasoline and gasoline blend components, rather than ethanol. The Alternative Energy Technology Center, Inc. announced recently its plans to produce ethanol for the U.S. market at less than $1 per gallon. AETE claims it will refine biomass into fuel products using its exclusive technology. The multi-purpose heavy-lift project carrier ship \"Beluga SkySails\" recently completed its two-month maiden voyage from Germany to Venezuela, the United States and Norway. According to the manufacturer, SkySails, the ship used 160-square-meter towing kite propulsion system, at times, to substitute for 20% of the engine\'s power. Concentrix Solar GmbH, a producer of concentrator photovoltaics, has completed its second financing round. In addition to Good Energies, a leading investor in renewable energy and energy efficiency, the Spanish company Abengoa Solar, as one of the worldwide leaders in the development and construction of solar power plants participated in the new financing round. New Energy Finance Ltd and the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) have jointly released the \'Top Ten Renewable Energy Developments in China in 2007\' at the CREIA\'s annual meeting in Beijing. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation said it set a new world record with a photoelectric conversion efficiency rate of 18.6 percent in a 150-millimeter square practical use multi-crystalline silicon solar cell, an improvement of 0.6 percent over the company\'s previous record. The Carbon Trust and HSBC recently announced a landmark deal which will see HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund making a substantial investment in Partnerships for Renewables Limited (PfR), a venture created by Carbon Trust Enterprises to develop renewable energy projects on public sector land. A poor progress report on efforts to rein in greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from U.S. power plants climbed 2.9 percent in 2007, the biggest singleyear increase since 1998, according to new analysis by the nonprofit and nonpartisan Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) of data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Clean Edge News 11/04/2013 Mascoma Raises $30 Million Series C Financing for Cellulosic Ethanol US cellulosic ethanol technology and project developer Mascoma has raised USD 30m in preferred equity and USD 20m in debt financing from existing investors in a Series C funding. US BioEnergy Corporation, a leading ethanol producer in the United States, announced today that US Bio Marion, its Marion, S.D. ethanol plant, began production in February. The company acquired the 110 million gallon per year (mmgy) ethanol plant while under construction in August 2007. Vista International, Inc. recently signed a letter of intent with US. Liberty Ashes, Inc, a commercial waste hauler located in Elmont, New York, for the construction of a waste-to-liquid fuel project in the New York City metropolitan area which would deploy VVIT\'s gasification technology. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) recently announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index (NASDAQ:CLEN) and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index (NASDAQ:CELS) (the Luminus Devices, Inc., the developer and manufacturer of PhlatLight® (Photonic Lattice) LED products for a wide variety of display and illumination applications, recently announced the closing of a new round of financing of over $72 million. Clean Edge News 11/04/2013 EU Commissioner Says Biofuels Imports Might Be Necessary If the European Union cannot reach its targets of 10% biofuels in all transport fuels by 2020 it will have to rely on imports to fill the deficit said Mariann Fischer Boel, EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development. Moser Baer India Limited, a global technology company, recently announced that its subsidiary, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Limited (MBPV) has signed an agreement with China based LDK Solar for sale and delivery of high quality multicrystalline silicon wafers to MBPV over a ten-year period commencing in mid-2008 through 2017. Orb Energy, a provider of solar energy systems in India, announced that it had received an award for $1 million dollars (USD) from the US State Department in support of the goals of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). ET Solar Group Corp., a Nanjing-based integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingot, wafer, module, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China, recently announced the completion of a US$19 million private equity placement transaction. Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) recently received approval from state regulators to begin offering $105 million in loans to help finance the installation of solar systems on homes, businesses and municipal buildings throughout its electric service area. New York, NY, September 13, 2010 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index (NASDAQ: CELS), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, September 20, 2010. The following three securities will be added to the Index: PowerSecure International, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWR), Tesla Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR). The Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Index includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index is re-ranked semi-annually in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ: QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index before fees and expenses. As a result of the evaluation, the following five securities will be removed from the Index: Ballard Power Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDP), Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ: CPST), Evergreen Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESLR), FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL), and UQM Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: UQM). About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit www.nasdaq.com/indexes. About NASDAQ OMX Group The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,600 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX Group offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; NASDAQ OMX Nordic, including First North, NASDAQ OMX Baltic and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX Group technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX Group exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com. Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NASDAQ-OMX/108167527653) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx). About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QWND, and QGRD; and produces Clean Edge Jobs, a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about Clean Edge, or sign up for the firm's free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./Oakland, Calif. — April 29, 2010 — Clean Edge, Inc. announced updated solar photovoltaic (PV) market sizing numbers for its Clean Energy Trends 2010 report, originally published in March. An updated version of the report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. The newly adjusted numbers reflect an upward revision of 2009 installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity — a response to Germany's late announcement that a staggering 1.34 gigawatts (GW) of PV was installed in December. An April 9, 2010 announcement by the German Federal Network Agency revealed that Germany installed a total of 3.8 GW of solar PV in 2009, with approximately 40 percent of this capacity being installed in December alone. Although Clean Edge expected Germany's December installed capacity to eclipse that of November, the magnitude of this trend exceeded its initial estimates. Factoring in newly available intelligence, Clean Edge has updated its solar market projections originally released in March. As a result, 2009 global PV installations reached just more than 7 GW and global revenue in 2009 has been adjusted to $36.1 billion. Projected 2019 global PV revenue has also been upwardly revised to $116.5 billion. Clean Edge's updated total clean-energy growth projection — including biofuels, wind power, and solar power — sees the market for these three benchmark technologies growing from $144.5 billion in 2009 to $343.4 billion in 2019. About Clean Energy Trends 2010 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends report to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2010 is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including premier sponsors Cascadia Capital, Deloitte, and Hobbs & Towne. Major sponsors include Akin Gump, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Blue Practice, E2, and Mintz Levin. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (in partnership with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QGRD, and QWND; and produces the clean-tech-focused jobs board, Clean Edge Jobs. To learn more visit www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY, March 22, — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index (NASDAQ:QWND), which will become effective with the market open today. The following two securities will be added to the Index: China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited (916 HK) and Edison International (EIX UN). The Index is a modified market-capitalization index designed to act as a transparent and liquid benchmark for the global wind energy sector. The Index includes companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, installers, and users of energy derived from wind sources. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. As a result of the evaluation, the following three securities will be removed from the Index: Fersa Energias Renovables, S.A. (FRS SM), Suzlon Energy Limited (SUEL IS), and Theolia SA (TEO FP). The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index is the basis for the PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ:PWND), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index before fees and expenses. About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. About NASDAQ OMX Group The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NASDAQ-OMX/108167527653) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx). About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QWND, and QGRD; and produces Clean Edge Jobs, a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about Clean Edge, or sign up for the firm's free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY, March 22, 2010 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index (NASDAQ:QGRD), which will become effective with the market open today. The following four securities will be added to the Index: AZZ incorporated (AZZ UN), MYR Group Inc. (MYRG UQ), PowerSecure International, Inc. (POWR UQ), and Prysmian S.p.A. (PRY IM). The Index is a modified market-capitalization index designed to act as a transparent and liquid benchmark for the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. The Index includes companies that are primarily engaged and involved in electric grid; electric meters, devices, and networks; energy storage and management; and enabling software used by the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX&reg Clean Edge&reg Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (NASDAQ:GRID), is an exchange traded fund that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield, before the Fund™s fees and expenses, of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index. About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. About NASDAQ OMX Group The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NASDAQ-OMX/108167527653) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx). About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QWND, and QGRD; and produces Clean Edge Jobs, a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about Clean Edge, or sign up for the firm's free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./Oakland, Calif. — March 16, 2010 — Following one of the worst years in economic history, signs of hope have begun to emerge for the clean-tech sector, with clean energy becoming a driving force for global economic recovery from Beijing to Seoul, and Washington D.C. to Brussels. In 2009, combined global revenue for the three major clean-energy sectors — solar photovoltaics (PV), wind power, and biofuels — grew by 11.4 percent over 2008, reaching $139.1 billion. These three sectors are expected to reach $325.9 billion by 2019, according to the Clean Energy Trends 2010 report issued today by Clean Edge Inc., a research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The annual Clean Energy Trends report, now in its ninth year, can be downloaded for free at www.cleanedge.com. "Despite severe economic conditions, clean-energy markets were able to hold their momentum in 2009 as many regional and federal governments and private corporations focused on clean-energy investments as a way to pull out of the global economic tailspin," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge co-founder and managing director. "From the smart grid and energy efficiency to renewable energy generation and advanced battery storage, clean tech continues to be a major driver of regional job growth, economic recovery, and technological competitiveness." As always, the Clean Energy Trends report includes growth projections for the major clean-energy sectors (solar PV, wind, and biofuels), as well as global clean-tech investment and jobs data. The report's key findings include: -- The global production and wholesale pricing of ethanol and biodiesel reached $44.9 billion in 2009 and is projected to grow to $112.5 billion by 2019. In 2009, the biofuel market consisted of more than 23.6 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel production worldwide. -- Wind power (new installation capital costs) is projected to expand from $63.5 billion in 2009 to $114.5 billion in 2019. Last year's global wind power installations reached a record 37,500 MW. China, the first-time global leader in new installations, accounted for more than a third of new installations, with 13,000 MW. -- Solar PV will grow from a $30.7 billion industry in 2009 to $98.9 billion by 2019. New installations reached almost 6 GW worldwide in 2009, a nearly sixfold increase from five years earlier. But because of rapidly declining solar PV prices, industry revenue in 2009 fell about 20 percent, from $38.5 billion in 2008. -- U.S.-based venture capital investments in energy technologies declined from $3.2 billion in 2008 to $2.2 billion in 2009. However, clean energy's percentage of total U.S. venture capital investments continued to rise, accounting for 12.5 percent of total activity in 2009. This represented the largest share in the history of the clean-energy asset class. -- The global solar PV and wind power industries together currently account for a total of more than 830,000 jobs worldwide. By 2019, global industry growth will push the total to more than 3.3 million jobs. The report also examines many of the issues shaping the clean-energy marketplace, including the failure of nations to reach a global climate accord in Copenhagen; China's seemingly unstoppable rise to global clean-tech dominance; and the growing ubiquity and declining cost of clean-energy technologies. An IPO Watch List tracks clean-technology companies that have recently filed for IPOs, as well as other likely candidates. The report also outlines five key trends that will impact the markets in the coming years: About Clean Energy Trends 2010 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends report to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2010 is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including premier sponsors Cascadia Capital, Deloitte, and Hobbs & Towne. Major sponsors include Akin Gump, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Blue Practice, E2, and Mintz Levin. The report can be downloaded free of charge at www.cleanedge.com. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges for a range of clients, including companies, investors, governments, and nonprofits. The company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (in partnership with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QGRD, and QWND; and produces the clean-tech-focused jobs board, Clean Edge Jobs. To learn more visit www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index (NASDAQ:CELS), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 22, 2010. The Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Index includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage ® Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index before fees and expenses. About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. Please follow NASDAQ OMX on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NASDAQ-OMX/108167527653) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/nasdaqomx). About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QWND, and QGRD; and produces Clean Edge Jobs, a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about Clean Edge, or sign up for the firm's free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./ Massapequa, N.Y. - December 18, 2009 - Named one of TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People of 2009," efficiency and renewable energy thought leader, and founder and chief scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute, Amory Lovins, will serve as the closing keynote speaker at the upcoming Clean-Tech Investor Summit in Palm Springs. The annual event, produced by Clean Edge and International Business Forum (IBF) and chaired by Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis, takes place January 20-21, 2010 and serves as the clean-tech industry's barometer of the year to come. "Like Amory, many of us have long served as advocates for clean energy, but few have shown the same level of dedication and drive that he has in the pursuit of renewables," said Ira Ehrenpreis, general partner for Technology Partners and chairman of the Clean-Tech Investor Summit. Referred to as one of the world's foremost energy gurus, Amory Lovins has had an immeasurable influence on the global road map of clean energy through four decades of work in energy policy, resources, security, economy, environment, and development. Lovins' clean-tech influence and leadership can be seen in the movements he helped initiate and guide including the "negawatt revolution" and the "soft energy path." He has also written 29 books, including Winning the Oil Endgame, Small is Profitable, Factor Four, and Natural Capitalism. The speaker's position on the role of free economy—that market forces, not regulation, will play the key role in promoting more efficient energy consumption—will be particularly relevant to Clean-Tech Investor Summit participants and attendees. "Each topic, project and goal that Amory pursues reveals his dedication and singleness of purpose and, at the beginning of what looks to be a pivotal year for clean energy—and for the world—we look forward with anticipation to his parting thoughts," said Ron Pernick, managing director of Clean Edge, Inc., co-author of The Clean Tech Revolution, and co-producer of the Clean Tech Investor Summit. For more information about the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, the Clean-Tech Expo, and for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cleantechsummit.com or contact Associate Producer, Alex Chard, at +1 (516) 765-9005 ext. 280 or by email at [email protected]. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, which has offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QGRD, and QWND; and produces Clean Edge Jobs. To learn more visit www.cleanedge.com. About Technology Partners Technology Partners is a 25 year venture capital firm that manages approximately $700 million of investment capital with current investments being made from Technology Partners Fund VIII. Technology Partners has invested in more than 100 companies serving principally as a lead investor and is a recognized leader in the Cleantech sector. Ira Ehrenpreis is the founding Chairman of the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, having served in that role since the Summit's inception. The firm also invests in Life Science, specializing in consumer medicine and neurotechnology. For more information on Technology Partners, go to www.technologypartners.com. Interactive Map Shows Where to Find Top Clean-Tech Jobs and CandidatesMap is the Newest Online Feature Added to Clean Edge Jobs Portland, Ore. - December 15, 2009 - A new clean-tech jobs map highlights the regional and sector diversity of the transition to a clean-tech economy. The map is the latest addition to Clean Edge Jobs (jobs.cleanedge.com) — a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. Clean-tech job seekers now have the ability to search a map for current openings at leading clean-tech companies like SolarCity, OPOWER, Calera, Conergy, Ecos, and Nexant. Users can search the map manually or by using geographic terms in addition to filtering by industry, position type, and position level. In addition, employers and recruiters can search through and view thousands of clean-tech candidates from around the world. "This is the first clean-tech jobs board to offer mapping functionality that enables job seekers, employers, and recruiters to zoom in and pan across cities, states, and countries while conducting their search for new clean-tech jobs and candidates," said Clean Edge senior research and marketing associate Dexter Gauntlett. "One of the most exciting things about this map is that it shows how clean tech is not happening in one place, but across the nation and globe. The map currently shows 123 jobs listed in more than 19 states and regions across five countries." The mapping feature was developed by Formos (www.formos.com), a developer of web-based, mobile, and desktop software products. In addition to Clean Edge, Formos has served a range of environmental and clean-tech clients including Green Building Services, Parametrix, and The Freshwater Trust. The map follows Clean Edge's recent release of Clean Tech Job Trends 2009. The free report, which has been downloaded by nearly 10,000 people since its launch in mid October, highlights leading clean-tech cities, companies, and initiatives and covers five emerging clean-tech job trends. The report also includes industry-specific compensation information; a resource guide; and an overview of leading public finance models that have the power to catalyze clean-tech job creation. About Clean Edge Jobs Clean Edge Jobs is a co-production of clean-tech research and publishing firm, Clean Edge Inc., and clean-tech executive search firm, Hobbs & Towne. Clean Edge Jobs connects all levels of candidates with a range of companies throughout the clean-tech value chain from emerging startups and multinationals to investment groups and research labs. The site is optimized for a range of clean-tech opportunities, including solar power, wind power, green buildings, smart grid, energy efficiency, energy storage, biomaterials, advanced transportation, and water filtration and purification. To learn more about Clean Edge Jobs visit jobs.cleanedge.com.During the jobs board beta period, job postings for qualified employers and recruiters are free of charge. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ), Clean Edge, Inc., and First Trust Advisors L.P. have announced the launch of a new exchange traded fund (ETF) -- the First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (NASDAQ:GRID). It is based on the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index (NASDAQ:QGRD), a benchmark for the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. The ETF is managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. and listed on NASDAQ®. QGRD is a modified market-capitalization index and includes companies that are primarily involved in electric grid; electric meters, devices and networks; energy storage and management; and enabling software used by the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. First Trust's ETF, GRID, is designed to correspond to the price and yield performance of the index on which it is based. ETFs are financial products that trade like shares of stock and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. "First Trust has filled the need for an investment product based on an index that has brought sharper focus to an industry that is transforming our nation's energy grid," said NASDAQ OMX Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "This ETF reflects First Trust's commitment to extending its suite of products to broaden investor choice." "This is the first ETF to track a smart grid and electric infrastructure index," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge Co-Founder and Managing Director. "First Trust continues to demonstrate leadership and to build a strong presence in the clean-energy sector." "With a growing demand for electricity and the increasingly inefficient infrastructure, the current power grid is unable to keep up with the twenty first century technology," according to Ryan Issakainen, Vice President, Exchange-Traded Fund Strategist for First Trust Portfolios. "There's a growing movement towards a next generation power grid -- Smart Grid. Electricity is one of the largest and most capital intensive sectors in our economy and we are tremendously excited about the potential that this industry represents." The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is calculated in real-time across the combined exchanges and is disseminated by NASDAQ OMX in U.S. Dollars. The Index commenced calculation on September 22, 2009 with a value of 250.00. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index and NASDAQ OMX Group's other products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. Portland, Ore./ Massapequa, N.Y.— November 12, 2009 — Clean-tech venture capitalists, government advisers, utility thought leaders, and corporate visionaries will convene in Palm Springs in January for the 6th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, the industry's annual gathering produced by Clean Edge and International Business Forum (IBF), and chaired by Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis. This elite event sells out every year, so please register now to reserve your spot for January 20-21, 2010. This year, as always, The Clean-Tech Investor Summit will offer its high-level audience a series of keynotes from some of the greatest minds in clean tech. Audience members will be privy to a provocative presentation by Dr. Craig Venter, whose fame for sequencing the human genome may yet be surpassed by his efforts to apply "biological robots" to global energy and environmental challenges. A123 CEO David Vieau will reveal, as much as he's able to on the cusp of his company's recent IPO, what the industry can expect from the public debut of his company and the future of energy storage and electric vehicles. And the pros and cons of nuclear power's next steps will addressed by NRDC's Ralph Cavanagh and Global Business Network's Peter Schwartz in a moderated conversation with conference co-producer Ron Pernick. Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor, DOE, will hold a fireside chat with Clean-Tech Investor Summit chairman Ira Ehrenpreis, to explore the latest efforts of the U.S. government to increase investments and capital flow into the emerging clean-tech sector. Reed Hundt, co-chair, Coalition for the Green Bank, former head of U.S. FCC, and author In China's Shadow, will give the audience a first-hand look at U.S. entrepreneurship, China's rise, and the need for a Green Bank. And Ray Anderson, Author, Confessions of a Radical Industrialist, and Chairman, Interface, will provide an inspirational keynote on how industry and the environment aren't mutually exclusive, but intricately linked. Attendees who purchase their conference passes by 11/18/09 can save $250 off the regular registration fee of $1,895. Purchase your discounted conference pass by visiting www.ibfconferences.com or calling IBF registrar Cathy Fenn at 516-765-9005 x21 and using discount code: ECT6. Report: U.S. Risks Falling Behind Other Nations in Financing Clean TechnologiesNew Green America/Clean Edge Report Analyzes Five Most Promising Financing Models To Put U.S. Back In the Lead Globally on Clean Tech Washington, D.C. — October 22, 2009 — Although significant clean-tech investments are being made in America, the United States risks losing ground to other nations -- such as China and South Korea -- that are pursuing aggressive clean-tech growth initiatives, according to a new report being released today by Green America and Clean Edge Inc. The good news: innovative financing models are available to keep the U.S. competitive in the clean-technology race. The new Green America/Clean Edge report analyzes five clean-tech financing models that hold the most promise for America, including Clean Energy Victory Bonds. Green America Executive Director Alisa Gravitz stated: "Addressing climate change, energy security and job creation at the speed and scale we need requires aggressive growth in clean-tech sector in the United States. It is clear from the research contained in this report that we need a range of financing approaches to fulfill the promise of the United States to remain a clean-tech leader for years to come." Ron Pernick, co-founder and managing director of Clean Edge, said: "For many years, clean-tech leadership in the U.S. has been largely at the state level. Federal investment through the five financing models overviewed in the report could help to ensure the nation's economic competitiveness while also proving assistance to the states. These models can help the country garner the myriad benefits of a clean-energy future — job creation, energy independence, climate and pollution mitigation and economic competitiveness." The five clean-tech financing models outlined in the Green America/Clean Tech report are: 1. Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA), also known as "The Green Bank," which would provide loan guarantees, credit enhancements and other financial tools to stimulate private sector lending and investments; 2. Clean Energy Victory Bonds, which would allow millions of Americans access to investment in the clean-tech sector through safe, long-term government bonds; 4. Federal Loan Guarantees, which have a track record of creating industry development; and 5. Clean Tech City Funds, which provide lending directly to homeowners and are showing promise in cities nationwide. The report reaches several conclusions about the need for federal involvement in clean energy financing to keep the U.S. competitive. It points out: "Federal involvement to finance clean-energy development at the city, state, regional and federal levels is necessary to move forward with a clean-energy future. Strong federal clean-energy financing mechanisms should provide a framework for clean-energy deployment. Solid, predictable and long-term federal regulatory and policy frameworks and support are needed, including in deployment of smart grid and renewable, a nationwide price on carbon, a federal renewable energy standard and a shift from imported fossil fuels to domestic clean energy. Additionally, the financing models outlined and analyzed in the report are not mutually exclusive but instead should be used in combination to ensure continued growth and to maximize the benefits of U.S. clean energy." About Green America Green America, (http://www.greenamericatoday.org) is the nation's leading green economy organization, advancing marketplace solutions for our country's most serious social and environmental problems. Green America harnesses economic power — the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace — to grow the green economy, stop corporate abuse, curb climate change, and help people and businesses everywhere make economic choices that are good for people and the planet. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QGRD, and QWND; and produces Clean Edge Jobs. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about our services; or sign up for our free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com or email us at [email protected]. New Clean Edge Report Reveals Major Trends in Global Clean-Tech Job Development and Growth Portland, Ore./Oakland, Calif.—October 14, 2009— As the 'green jobs' trend evolves from political platform to economic reality, the industry driving it— clean tech— is becoming one of the country's key markets for growth and job creation. In its first look at the state of clean-tech jobs in the U.S. and globally, Clean Edge, Inc., a leading clean-tech research and publishing firm, today releases Clean Tech Job Trends 2009. The report provides an insightful and compelling investigation of how these jobs are changing the face of industry, where the hotbeds of growth exist, and whether current clean-tech salaries are living up to their 'green-over blue-collar' promise. The free report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. In the report, job seekers, employers, investors, and policymakers have access to data including: clean-tech hot spots and leading companies in the U.S. and around the globe; the top five clean-tech job sectors; a study of median clean-tech compensation levels; five trends reshaping clean tech; and emerging models for financing clean-tech growth. According to Clean Edge research, the top 15 metro areas in the U.S. for clean-tech job activity, based on an analysis of job postings, investment and patent activity, and other data, include the San Francisco Bay Area at #1, Greater Boston/southern New Hampshire at #4; Denver/northern Colorado at #6; Austin-San Marcos, Texas at #12; and Detroit-Ann Arbor, Michigan at #14. (Complete results available in free downloadable report). "Unlike the early days of computers and IT, the clean-tech economy is a highly dispersed phenomenon, with no single place, industry, or professional demographic controlling the sector," said Ron Pernick, co-founder and managing director of Clean Edge and co-author, The Clean Tech Revolution. "This is apparent in the formerly shuttered manufacturing facilities, often in hard-hit industrial areas, that are now opening their doors to make products like wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. Similarly, clean-tech deployment and growth has become an economic cornerstone for nations looking to innovate and compete in the 21st century— from the likely suspects of Japan, Germany, and the U.S. to emerging powerhouses such as China, South Korea, and even oil-rich Abu Dhabi." To bring clarity to this rapidly transforming employment landscape, the study reveals five major trends reshaping clean-tech jobs: Clean Tech Job Trends 2009 also provides the first comprehensive look into clean-tech compensation. The report overviews a range of positions and their median pay levels worldwide, from mid-level LEED-certified architect ($58,700) and smart grid hardware design engineer ($87,700) to entry-level wind turbine technician ($52,600) and solar energy system installer ($40,000). The survey is a coproduction of Clean Edge and PayScale (www.payscale.com), the leading online provider of employee compensation data. Founded in 2002, PayScale maintains the world's largest database of individual compensation profiles and provides an immediate and precise snapshot of current market salaries to employees and employers. For those interested in taking the ongoing job survey or purchasing more detailed clean-tech compensation reports, visit www.cleanedge.com/payscale. In addition to the Clean-Tech Job Trends report, Clean Edge is also releasing a companion report entitled Five Emerging U.S. Finance Models: Powering Clean-Tech Economic Growth and Job Creation. Published in partnership with Green America (www.greenamericatoday.org), a leading green-economy organization, this report articulates that government spending alone does not drive clean-tech markets. In order for the U.S. to remain competitive with countries such as China and those in the European Union, innovative finance vehicles are imperative. The report examines new mechanisms such as Clean Energy Victory Bonds, the Green Bank, City Funds, Federal Loan Guarantees, and Tax Credit Bonds. The report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com and www.greenamericatoday.org. "Clean-energy jobs are already growing faster than other sectors, but it is forecasted that we are just at the beginning of the clean-tech job creation era," says Clean Edge contributing editor Clint Wilder. "This is the greatest opportunity for wealth, job creation, and global economic competitiveness in a generation -- but we need vision, intelligence, and resources to guide our course in expanding this sector." About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX including CELS, QGRD, and QWND; and produces Clean Edge Jobs. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about our services; or sign up for our free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com or email us at [email protected]. New York, NY, September 22, 2009 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the introduction of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure IndexSM (NASDAQ:QGRD), a new benchmark for the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is a modified market-capitalization index and includes companies that are primarily involved in electric grid; electric meters, devices and networks; energy storage and management; and enabling software used by the smart grid and electric infrastructure sector. "This index brings sharper focus to an industry that is transforming our nation's energy grid, an extremely significant endeavor that will help shape our nation's future," said NASDAQ OMX Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "Investors, thanks to this index, can now easily track companies that are working diligently to help fully implement an energy grid that is more efficient, cleaner and resilient." "Our current electric grid is dated and deteriorating," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge Co-founder and Managing Director. "To keep up with energy demand and meet modern energy needs, the next evolution in our electric grid will include the embedding of smart meters, controls, and networks to make the grid more intelligent and the introduction of a two-way flow of electrons and energy storage to enable better integration of renewable power and energy efficiency. This build-out is already under way and offers an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the way energy is generated, stored, transmitted, and delivered." The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is the latest in the line of eco-themed indexes created by NASDAQ OMX and its partners. NASDAQ OMX is leading the way in creating indexes designed to help the investment community track the next generation of companies involved in alternative energy, efficient transportation, and energy management. The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Smart Grid Infrastructure Index is calculated in real-time across the combined exchanges and is disseminated by NASDAQ OMX in U.S. Dollars. The Index commenced calculation today with a value of 250.00. NASDAQ OMX is a global leader in creating and licensing strategy indexes and is home to the most widely watched indexes in the world. As a premier, full-service provider, the NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is dedicated to designing powerful indexes that are in sync with a continually changing market environment. Utilizing its expanded coverage as a global company, NASDAQ OMX has more than 1,500 diverse equity, commodity and fixed-income indexes in the U.S., Europe, and throughout the world. NASDAQ OMX's calculation, licensing and marketing support provide the tools to measure and replicate global markets. The NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group's range of services covers the entire business process from index design to calculation and dissemination. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index and NASDAQ OMX Group's other products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. New York, NY, September 21, 2009 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index (NASDAQ:QWND), which will become effective with the market open today. The Index is a modified market-capitalization index designed to act as a transparent and liquid benchmark for the global wind energy sector. The Index includes companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, installers, and users of energy derived from wind sources. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index is the basis for the PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ:PWND), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index before fees and expenses. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world's first research and publishing firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. The company, via its publications, events, and online services, helps companies, investors, and governments understand and profit from clean technologies. Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on emerging clean-tech trends, opportunities, and challenges. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends and Clean Tech Job Trends reports; produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF); maintains a number of benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ including CELS and QWND; and produces Clean Edge Jobs, a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news; access industry reports; learn more about our services; or sign up for our free e-newsletters; visit http://www.cleanedge.com or email us at [email protected]. New York, NY, September 14, 2009 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index (NASDAQ:CELS), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, September 21, 2009. The following five securities will be added to the Index: Broadwind Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:BWEN), Comverge, Inc. (NASDAQ:COMV), Capstone Turbine Corporation (NASDAQ:CPST), ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE:ESE), and National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM). The Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Index includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index before fees and expenses. As a result of the evaluation Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:OESX) and GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:GTI) will be removed from the Index. About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index (NASDAQ:QWND), which became effective with the market open on March 23, 2009. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:MITSY) will be added to the Index. The Index, a benchmark for the global wind energy sector, is a modified market-capitalization index designed to act as a transparent and liquid benchmark for the global wind energy sector. The Index includes companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, installers, and users of energy derived from wind sources. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index is the basis for the PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ:PWND), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index before fees and expenses. As a result of the evaluation, the following three securities will be removed from the Index: Plambeck Neue Energien AG (PNE3 GY), Renewable Energy Generation Ltd. (RWE LN), and THEOLIA (TEO FP). About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY, March 16, 2009 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® Green Energy Index (NASDAQ:CELS), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 23, 2009. Raser Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:RZ) will be added to the Index. The Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Index includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. The NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index before fees and expenses. About NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ OMX Indexes. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ OMX's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. NASDAQ OMX Global Index Group also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. For more information about NASDAQ OMX indexes, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with over 3,800 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./ Oakland, Calif. — March 10, 2009 — Despite growing economic uncertainty over the last year, the three major clean-energy sectors — solar photovoltaics (PV), wind power, and biofuels — kept up a blistering growth rate, increasing 53 percent from $75.8 billion in 2007 to $115.9 billion in revenues in 2008, according to the Clean Energy Trends 2009 report released today by Clean Edge, Inc. By 2018, Clean Edge forecasts that these three sectors will have revenues of $325.1 billion. The annual Clean Energy Trends report, produced by leading clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge, can be downloaded free of charge at www.cleanedge.com. While 2009 will be a challenging year for the clean-energy industry, given severe credit constraints that have slowed or reversed plans for new manufacturing facilities and development projects, Clean Edge forecasts strong growth over the mid- to long-term: Global production and wholesale pricing of biofuels reached $34.8 billion in 2008 and are projected to total $105.4 billion by 2018. Last year, the global biofuels market consisted of more than 19 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel production worldwide, and in Brazil, ethanol surpassed petroleum use for the first time. Wind power became the first clean-energy sector to surpass the $50 billion mark. Its $51.4 billion in worldwide revenue in 2008 is expected to grow to $139.1 billion in 2018. Last year's global wind power installations reached a record 27,000 MW, including more than 8,000 MW in the U.S., pushing the U.S. ahead of Germany as the world's leading generator of wind energy. Solar PV (including modules, system components, and installation) totaled $29.6 billion last year and will reach $80.6 billion globally by 2018. Annual solar PV installations reached more than 4 GW worldwide in 2008, a fourfold increase from four years earlier, when the solar PV market reached the gigawatt milestone for the first time. New global investments in energy technologies — including venture capital, project finance, public markets, and research and development — expanded by 4.7 percent, from $148.4 billion in 2007 to $155.4 billion in 2008, according to research firm and Clean Energy Trends content provider New Energy Finance. For the first time, the report examines the "green jobs dividend." Solar PV and wind power provided more than 600,000 direct and indirect jobs globally in 2008 and are expected to generate 2.7 million jobs by 2018. This year's report includes an analysis of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama in February and providing $70 billion in direct spending and tax credits for clean-energy and transportation programs. Clean Energy Trends 2009 also outlines five trends poised to make an impact on the markets in the coming year. It describes: What happens when the smart grid goes online How energy storage will become a key issue for utilities Where new clean-energy markets are emerging around the world Why grid transmission capacity will be making headlines in 2009 The unseen growth in "micropower" grids "The clean-energy sector, like the broader economy, faces many challenges," said Clean Edge co-founder and managing director Ron Pernick. "But while 2009 will be a difficult year, we believe that clean energy will play a central role in any global economic recovery." About Clean Energy Trends 2009 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends report to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2009 is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including premier sponsors Deloitte; Enterprise Florida; Hobbs & Towne; and New Energy Finance. Major sponsors include International Business Forum; Mintz Levin; The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.; and Page One Public Relations. The report can be downloaded free of charge at www.cleanedge.com. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (in partnership with IBF), maintains a number of benchmark clean-energy stock indexes with NASDAQ OMX®, and operates a clean-tech focused jobs board for employers, recruiters, and candidates. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech space. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry and Cofounder of the Biomimicry Guild, LLC; and Peter Gleick, President and Cofounder, Pacific Institute who was named by Wired magazine as one of 15 people who should advise the new president. "It is a crucial time for our country's energy future," said Ira Ehrenpreis, Clean-Tech Investor Summit board chairman and Technology Partners' general partner. "Corporations have always played a critical role in the venture asset class, and in the clean-tech sector they play an even more vital role. The Clean-Tech Investor Summit, by bringing together key players from a range of sectors, continues to serve as a bridge between startup innovation companies and large, influential corporates." "We've worked hard to bring together some of the country's most prominent corporate leaders with compelling stories to tell about clean-tech innovation," adds Clean-Tech Investor Summit co-producer and Clean Edge managing director Ron Pernick. "In these uncertain economic times, their insights could prove invaluable to the investors, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders who attend our Summit each year." The Summit is the must-attend annual event for the clean-tech industry — entrepreneurs, visionaries, investors, and policy leaders gather every year to learn, share ideas, and discuss the current environment. Coming on the heels of President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony and the largest global financial crisis seen in decades, this year's Summit will provide a place for the leaders of clean-technology investing and deployment to discuss new strategies as well as emerging industries and cutting-edge ideas. The addition of this year's prominent corporate speakers follows a long tradition of the Summit bringing industry leading executives from such companies as Applied Materials, CISCO, The Dow Chemical Company, Duke Energy, Peabody Energy, Sharp, Toyota, and Wal-Mart. Business and policy leaders are recognizing that a U.S. economic recovery will be driven in part by an expansion of clean-tech industries, which will provide jobs and reduce the country's dependence on imported energy supplies. A first for the Summit is the addition of The Clean-Tech Expo for start-up companies seeking exposure with potential investors, corporate partners, or clients. Contact Alex Chard of IBF at (516) 765-9005 ext. 280 or [email protected] for more information. To learn more about the event and to register, please visit www.cleantechsummit.com. Due to overwhelming demand, the organizers are capping Summit attendance at 500 delegates to ensure the quality and intimacy of the event. To qualify for a $400 discount, sign up by January 03, 2009 and use discount code CED400 when registering online or by phone. About the Clean-Tech Investor Summit The Clean-Tech Investor Summit, co-produced by International Business Forum and Clean Edge, and chaired by Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis, is the premier clean-tech investment and innovation event. Held each winter in Palm Springs, CA, the event brings together leading investors, Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and relevant service providers for two days of high-level presentations, conversations, and networking. The 5th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit is scheduled for January 21-22, 2009. Last year's Summit sold out, so reserve your place now. For more information, visit www.cleantechsummit.com. New Jobs Site to Help Accelerate Transition to Clean-Energy and Clean-Tech Economy Philadelphia, Penn./Portland, Ore. — December 10, 2008 — A new industry-specific jobs board aims to accelerate the transition to a vibrant clean-energy and clean-tech economy. Clean Edge Jobs (http://jobs.cleanedge.com) is co-produced by clean-tech research and publishing firm, Clean Edge, Inc. and clean-tech executive search firm, Hobbs & Towne, Inc. The new jobs board is being launched as part of a beta period in which companies and recruiters can post jobs on the site for free. Clean Edge and Hobbs & Towne have combined their respective strengths within the clean-tech industry to provide a dynamic and industry-specific tool for job seekers, employers, and recruiters. Clean Edge Jobs connects all levels of candidates with a range of companies throughout the clean-tech value chain from emerging startups and multinationals to nonprofits and research labs. The jobs site also offers prospective candidates the ability to post their resumes and profiles online. "The jobs board is a perfect extension of Clean Edge's other informational products and services," explains Ron Pernick, Clean Edge cofounder and managing director. "The green economy stands as one of the 21st Century's greatest growth opportunities, and our jobs board is meant to help connect key clean-tech companies with qualified talent." "A platform and network for companies, candidates, and recruiters to come together is a necessity for the scale-up expected in the clean-tech space," adds Andy Towne, Hobbs & Towne founder & CEO. "We have designed the jobs board from an employer and recruiter perspective to enable easy navigation and to yield high-quality results." About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit www.cleanedge.com. About Hobbs & Towne Hobbs & Towne, Inc. is an executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of senior-level executives for early-stage and high-growth technology companies in alternative energy and clean technology sectors. Founded in 1997, Hobbs & Towne has worked with investors such as EnerTech Capital, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, CMEA Ventures, Virgin Greenfund, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Advanced Technology Partners, and Nth Power and across a wide range of software and hardware technologies and energy applications including smart grid, renewable energy, biofuels, water, and lighting. Hobbs & Towne, Inc. has seven partners and more than 30 employees spread across offices in Palo Alto, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New York. For more information, visit www.hobbstowne.com. "I am delighted to participate in the upcoming Clean-Tech Investor Summit," said T. Boone Pickens, Chairman of BP Capital and author of the Pickens Plan. "In the last 6 months, I have travelled across the US, talking to thousands of people and meeting with elected officials to offer a solution to our country's energy crisis, which is a result of 40 years of failed energy policy. My Pickens Plan, which calls for the reduction of importation of foreign oil by 30% in 10 years and replacing this fuel with cleaner energy in the form of natural gas and renewable energy options like wind and solar, is very much aligned with President-Elect Obama's energy policy and I look forward to sharing more details of this plan with conference participants in January." The Summit is the premier annual event for networking with the clean-tech industry's earliest movers, stalwart investors, and entrepreneurial visionaries. Coming on the heels of President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony and the largest global financial crisis seen in decades, this year's Summit will provide a place for the leaders of clean-technology investing and deployment to discuss new strategies as well as emerging industries and cutting-edge ideas. Business leaders from General Electric, NatureWorks, and Waste Management will also present their views on the rapidly evolving platform for innovation in an emerging green economy. Other early agenda highlights include: Peter Darbee, CEO and President, PG&E; Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry and Cofounder of the Biomimicry Guild, LLC; and Peter Gleick, President and Cofounder, Pacific Institute who was named by Wired magazine as one of 15 people who should advise the new president. Global investments in clean-energy sectors, according to New Energy Finance and published in Clean Edge's 2008 Clean Energy Trends report, reached $148.4 billion in 2007 including venture capital, project finance, public markets, and research and development. Despite the global credit crunch and a recent decline in oil prices, optimism in clean tech remains strong. In fact, many economists look to the clean-tech sectors as important drivers of a global economic recovery. "Clean-tech investing is at a critical and important juncture," explains Ira Ehrenpreis, general partner with Technology Partners and Clean-Tech Investor Summit chairman. "Against the backdrop of a global economic downturn, investments in clean technologies and infrastructure will enable the next wave of global innovation and economic creation." To learn more about the event and to register, please visit www.cleantechsummit.com. Due to overwhelming demand, the organizers are capping Summit attendance at 500 delegates to ensure the quality and intimacy of the event. About the Clean-Tech Investor Summit: The Clean-Tech Investor Summit, co-produced by International Business Forum and Clean Edge, and chaired by Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis, is the premier clean-tech investment and innovation event. Held each winter in Palm Springs, CA, the event brings together leading investors, Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and relevant service providers for two days of high-level presentations, conversations, and networking. The 5th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit is scheduled for January 21-22, 2009. Last year's Summit sold out, so reserve your place now. For more information, visit www.cleantechsummit.com. Portland, Ore./ Seattle, Wash. — October 6, 2008 — A new study concludes that five emerging clean-tech industry sectors offer the Pacific Northwest one of the best opportunities for sustained economic vitality and job growth. It also charts the course for private and public investment and leadership to capitalize on the opportunity. Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 is produced by two leading clean-tech organizations — research and publishing firm Clean Edge and research and advocacy organization Climate Solutions. The study provides a comprehensive look at emerging green industries that are projected to provide high-paying jobs and a vital new economic base for the region. It provides a grounded and realistic view of the region's potential role in an increasingly competitive global clean-tech industry. The report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com and www.climatesolutions.org. The study focuses on five clean-energy sectors that provide the best opportunities for Oregon and Washington to build a leadership position in intellectual capital and job creation. They are: — Solar PV Manufacturing, which is projected to provide up to 22,560 new jobs in the region by 2025; — Wind Power Development, expected to reach up to 6,000 new jobs; — Green Building Design Services, creator of up to 16,834 new jobs; — Sustainable Bioenergy, which could account for 10,419 new jobs; and — Smart-Grid Technologies, an industry that could create up to 7,000 new jobs. In all, the study find these industries have the potential to create more than 63,000 new jobs in the Pacific Northwest by 2025 — a figure that matches the employment in Silicon Forest during its height as a chip manufacturing center. The growth of these clean-tech sectors would position the region as a leader in the dramatic global shift toward cleaner and more efficient forms of energy, transportation, and building systems that reduce pollution and reliance on volatile imported fossil fuels. The report provides an objective accounting of the region's assets and challenges, and provides a 10-point action plan for Oregon and Washington that includes: "Clean energy is increasingly identified as the sector with the largest growth potential in the U.S. economy, and offers the best promise of meeting the twin challenges of economic and environmental decline," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge cofounder and managing director and report coauthor. "This report is a case study for how the Pacific Northwest region can seize a leadership role in the clean-tech economy." Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 lauds the Pacific Northwest for its green lifestyle, proactive policies, strong natural resource base, and abundant cheap electricity as attributes that give the region a head start in the quest for a strong clean-energy economy. But the report also urges action on cultivating more venture capital in the region, updating energy grid infrastructure, grooming managerial talent for growing clean-tech companies, and developing a comprehensive economic-development strategy for the region. "To spark a real economic recovery, we need to repower America, and this region should be at the forefront," said Rhys Roth, Climate Solutions’ Director of Strategic Innovation. "This report is a blueprint for how the region can become a global leader in clean technology — creating family-supporting jobs, regaining control of our energy future, and delivering real climate solutions." The study is based on interviews with more than 50 industry, financial, and policy experts in the Northwest, and leverages proprietary Clean Edge data on market sizing, employment figures, and other key market factors. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. About Climate Solutions Climate Solutions is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment, and bridging divides in the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception in 1998, Climate Solutions has been the foremost champion of Northwest climate and clean energy leadership that generates economic opportunities for Northwest businesses and workers. Working with a broad array of partners from business, rural, government, and the public-interest community, Climate Solutions helps to advance a new sustainable prosperity in the Northwest that accelerates the technologies, policies, and enterprises that can deliver climate solutions to the world. Climate Solutions has offices in Seattle, Olympia, Portland and Missoula. To learn more, visit www.climatesolutions.org. New York, NY, September 22, 2008 — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index (NASDAQ:QWND), which will become effective with the market open on today, Monday, September 22, 2008. The following three securities will be added to the Index: EDP Renovaveis SA, Endesa, S.A., and International Power PLC. The Index, a benchmark for the global wind energy sector, is a modified market-capitalization index designed to act as a transparent and liquid benchmark for the global wind energy sector. The Index includes companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, installers, and users of energy derived from wind sources. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market capitalization and average daily dollar trading volume. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com. The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index is the basis for the PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ:PWND), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index before fees and expenses About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from Nasdaq OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com . About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index (NASDAQ:CELS), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, September 22, 2008. The Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S.The Index include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com. The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index before fees and expenses. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from Nasdaq OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com. New York, NY — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. announced today the introduction of the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy IndexSM (NASDAQ:QWND), a new benchmark for the global wind energy sector. The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index is a modified market-capitalization index and includes companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, installers, and users of energy derived from wind sources. "Wind energy is one of the world's fastest growing energy industries and the launch of this index brings more focus and definition to this important source of clean energy," said NASDAQ OMX Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "This index is also a valuable addition to NASDAQ OMX's current offering of environmental sustainability indexes." "Wind energy was a $30 billion global industry in 2007 and is projected to continue growing in the years ahead," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge Co-founder and Managing Director. "This benchmark enables investors to track the performance of pure-play and multinational companies that are key drivers of this rapidly expanding industry." Invesco PowerShares Capital management LLC, a leading provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), will develop an ETF based on the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index and list the ETF on the NASDAQ Stock Market. "We believe the PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ:PWND) will represent a lower cost way for investors to access this key alternative-energy market with the structural benefits of an ETF," said Bruce Bond, President and CEO of Invesco PowerShares. The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index is calculated in real-time across the combined exchanges and is disseminated by NASDAQ OMX in U.S. Dollars. The Index commenced calculation today with a value of 250.00. The NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index is currently comprised of companies that are screened by Clean Edge and the components are divided into two categories; pure play securities and multinational corporation securities. To view the companies in the NASDAQ OMX® Clean Edge® Global Wind Energy Index, visit our website www.nasdaq.com/indexes. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's broadest and most diverse exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology, and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products, and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from Nasdaq OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual "Clean Energy Trends" report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit and stock indexes, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit http://www.cleanedge.com.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index and NASDAQ OMX Group's other products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index ("Index") is the exclusive property of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., (collectively, with its affiliates "NASDAQ OMX") and Clean Edge, Inc. ("Clean Edge"). NASDAQ OMX has contracted with Standard & Poor's ("S&P") to calculate and maintain the NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index. S&P shall have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating the Index. NASDAQ® and OMXTM are registered trademarks of NASDAQ OMX and The NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy IndexSM is a service mark of NASDAQ OMX and Clean Edge. These marks are collectively licensed for use by PowerShares. The PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio has not been passed on by NASDAQ OMX or Clean Edge as to its legality or suitability. The PowerShares Global Wind Energy Portfolio is not issued, endorsed, or sold by NASDAQ OMX or Clean Edge. NEITHER NASDAQ OMX NOR CLEAN EDGE MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OR BEARS ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE POWERSHARES GLOBAL WIND ENERGY PORTFOLIO. Washington D.C./Portland Ore. — June 17, 2008 — A new study makes the case that solar power is emerging as a cost-effective hedge against fossil fuels and is likely to reach cost parity with retail-electricity rates in most regions of the U.S. in less than a decade. The Utility Solar Assessment (USA) Study, produced by clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge and green-economy nonprofit Co-op America, provides a comprehensive roadmap for utilities, solar companies, and regulators to reach 10% solar in the U.S. by 2025. The report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com and www.solarcatalyst.org (Co-op America's solar program Web site). The study finds that significantly scaling solar power in the U.S. will require the active involvement of utilities. The study delivers a to-do list for the three key stakeholders in the nation's solar industry. Among others, the action items include: For utilities: Take advantage of the unique value of solar for peak generation and alleviating grid congestion; implement solar as part of the build-out of the smart grid; and adapt to new market realities with new business models. For solar companies: Bring installed solar systems costs to $3 per peak watt or less by 2018; streamline installations; and make solar a truly plug-and-play technology. For regulators and policy makers: Pass a long-term extension of investment and production tax credits for solar and other renewables; establish open standards for solar interconnection; and give utilities the ability to "rate-base" solar. The USA Study also reports that: For the first time solar power is beginning to reach cost parity with conventional energy sources. As solar prices decline and the capital and fuel costs for coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants rise, the U.S. will reach a crossover point by around 2015. Solar power offers a number of advantages over conventional energy sources. Among them, the ability to deliver energy at or near the point of use, zero fuel costs, minimal maintenance requirements and zero carbon-based source emissions. The investment to arrive at 10% solar in the U.S. is not small, reaching $450 billion to $560 billion between now and 2025, an average of $26 billion to $33 billion per year. However, given utilities' existing capital costs such an investment is not prohibitive. To put the investment in perspective: Utilities spent an estimated $70 billion on new power plants and transmission and distribution systems in 2007 alone. "One of the big takeaways from this report is that, in many ways, the future of solar is in the hands of utilities," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge cofounder and managing director and USA Study coauthor. "Reaching 10 percent of our electricity from solar sources by 2025 will require the active participation of utilities along with the support and participation of regulators and solar technology companies." In just the past year, a number of utilities and solar companies have announced aggressive programs to deploy large-scale solar power projects, including Southern California Edison's plan to install 250 megawatts of distributed solar PV, Duke Energy's stated goal of investing $100 million in rooftop solar, and Pacific Gas & Electric's announcements to invest in thousands of megawatts of concentrating solar power in California's deserts. While these players are still in the vanguard, a number of other utilities are looking to join them to help bring solar power to scale — and the study shows that solar could become "ubiquitous" as with earlier semiconductor-based revolutions. "As capital and fuel costs have doubled or tripled for coal, natural gas, and nuclear power over the past few years, solar power costs are coming down," explains Alisa Gravitz, Co-op America executive director and USA Study project director. "For the first time in history, cost-competitive solar power is now within the planning horizon of every utility in the nation." The study, written by Pernick and Clean Edge contributing editor Clint Wilder, is based on interviews with more than 30 solar, utility, financial, and policy experts and leverages proprietary Clean Edge data on solar PV market size, cost and pricing history and projections, and other key market factors. The USA Study is available for free download at www.cleanedge.com and www.solarcatalyst.org. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series (CELS) index, which track U.S.-listed clean-energy companies. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the annual summit and stock index, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit www.cleanedge.com. About Co-op America Co-op America is the nation's leading green-economy organization (501-c3) advancing marketplace solutions for America's most serious social and environmental problems for more than 25 years. Co-op America's Solar Catalyst Program harnesses market forces to dramatically lower the price and accelerate the growth of solar energy worldwide for a secure, equitable, low-carbon energy future. Co-op America's other green-economy programs tackle climate change, build fair trade systems, encourage corporate responsibility, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses. For more information visit www.coopamerica.org and www.solarcatalyst.org. March 17, 2008Semi-annual Changes to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: New York, NY — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index (NASDAQ:CLEN) and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index (NASDAQ:CELS) (the "Indexes"), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 24, 2008. The Indexes are designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Indexes include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index covers are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Indexes are evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index:, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: before fees and expenses. As a result of the evaluation MGP Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGPI) will be removed from the Index. About NASDAQ OMX The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, and with over 3,900 companies, it is number one in worldwide listings among major markets. NASDAQ OMX Group offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market; the OMX Nordic Exchange, including First North; and the 144A PORTAL Market. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs. NASDAQ OMX Group technology supports the operations of over 60 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. OMX Nordic Exchange is not a legal entity but describes the common offering from NASDAQ OMX Group exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. For more information about NASDAQ OMX, visit www.nasdaqomx.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. March 11, 2008No Sign of a Slowdown: Market for Clean Energy Grows to $77 Billion in 2007, Will Reach $254 Billion by 2017Clean Edge Finds Four Benchmark Sectors up 40 Percent From Prior Year Portland, Ore./ Oakland, Calif.— March 11, 2008 — Global clean-energy markets are expanding rapidly, with revenues in four benchmark sectors — biofuels, wind power, solar photovoltaics, and fuel cells — up 40 percent from $55 billion in 2006 to $77.3 billion in 2007, according to the Clean Energy Trends 2008 report released today. The four sectors are projected to more than triple over the next decade, growing to $254.5 billion by 2017. The annual Clean Energy Trends report, produced by leading clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge, can be downloaded at no cost at www.cleanedge.com. The 2008 report finds that for the first time three leading clean-energy technologies each surpassed $20 billion in revenue. Global production and wholesale pricing of biofuels reached $25.4 billion in 2007 and is projected to hit $81.1 billion by 2017. The global biofuels market last year consisted of more than 13 billion gallons of ethanol and more than 2 billion gallons of biodiesel production worldwide. Wind power is expected to expand from $30.1 billion in 2007 to $83.4 billion in 2017. Last year's global wind power installations reached a record 20,000 megawatts (MW), equivalent in size to 20 conventional fossil-fuel power plants. Solar photovoltaics (including modules, system components, and installation), which totaled $20.3 billion last year, will more than triple to $74 billion by 2017. Annual installations in 2007 were just shy of 3,000 MW worldwide. New global investments in energy technologies — including venture capital (VC), project finance, public markets, and research and development — have expanded by 60 percent from $92.6 billion in 2006 to $148.4 billion in 2007, according to research firm and Clean Energy Trends content provider New Energy Finance. In the U.S., venture capitalists invested $2.7 billion in the clean-energy sector, representing almost 10 percent of total VC activity. Clean Energy Trends 2008 also outlines five trends poised to make an impact on the markets this year. They describe: How small start-ups are powering markets for electric vehicles Sustainable cities are being designed and built from the ground up Overseas players are powering the U.S. wind market boom Geothermal energy is experience a global renaissance as a clean-energy resource New technologies are helping oceangoing ships take a cleaner tack "Clean energy has moved from the margins to the mainstream and the proof is in these numbers," said Clean Edge co-founder and principal Ron Pernick. "Amid last year's plummeting housing prices, rising foreclosure rates, and record high oil prices, clean energy continued to provide a bright spot in an otherwise sluggish economy." About Clean Energy Trends 2008 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2008 is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including premier sponsors Deloitte; Hobbs ® Towne; Jefferies ® Company; and New Energy Finance. Major sponsors include Benaroya Companies; Pacific Growth Equities; RockPort Capital Partners; Stoel Rives; The NASDAQ OMX Group; and Page One Public Relations. The report can be downloaded for free at http://www.cleanedge.com. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its publications and events, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. The company co-produces the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® US Indexes which track US-listed clean-energy companies and co-produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit with IBF. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech space. For more information visit http://www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./ Massapequa, N.Y. — January 23, 2008 — Research and publishing firm Clean Edge, Inc. and conference organizer International Business Forum (IBF), today announced that Greg Boyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Peabody Energy, will join the lineup of speakers at the 4th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (www.cleantechsummit.com) taking place February 6 and 7, 2008 in Palm Springs, Calif. Boyce, head of the world's largest private-sector coal company, will offer a keynote address to share what Peabody is doing in the area of near-zero emission plants, carbon mitigation, and other new technologies. The presentation is expected to encourage constructive debate among Summit attendees and the clean-tech community which has been divided on the concept of "clean coal." His talk is scheduled for 3:30 PM on February 7th, the second day of the conference. It will be the first time Mr. Boyce presents at a clean-tech event. The Clean-Tech Investor Summit is the premier event for clean-tech industry luminaries, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and investors. It will also feature executives from BP, Cisco, Duke Energy, PNM Resources, Wal-Mart, and others. Speakers such as Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors and SolarCity; John Podesta, CEO, Center for American Progress; Dan Reicher, Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives at Google.org and former U.S. Assistant Energy Secretary fill out the lineup at the 4th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit. "The range of industries, policies, and innovations represented on the agenda this year is broader than it ever has been," said Ron Pernick, co-producer of the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, co-author of The Clean-Tech Revolution, and co-founder and principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "The increasing participation in the Summit reflects the growing urgency in clean-tech investments as security, cost, policy, and climate concerns collide." Clean-tech investing in the U.S. represents billions of dollars a year across a range of sectors including renewable and distributed energy, advanced materials, transportation, and water purification and management. The summit is a must-attend event for investors looking to find their niche in clean-tech. To learn more about the event and to register, please visit www.cleantechsummit.com. Due to the overwhelming success and growth of the conference, the organizers are capping attendance at 500 delegates to ensure the quality and intimacy of the event. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its publications and events, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. The company co-produces the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® US Indexes which track US-listed clean-energy companies and co-produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit with IBF. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech space. For more information visit http://www.cleanedge.com. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. The Summit is recognized as the premier event for networking with the clean-tech industry's earliest movers and foremost visionaries. This year's agenda includes entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and corporate officers whose companies are increasingly looking to play crucial roles in developing technologies, enabling markets, and bringing new opportunities to scale. BP, Cisco Systems, and Wal-Mart will be among the corporations represented. Agenda highlights also include: Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors and SolarCity and founder of PayPal and SpaceX, who will engage in a fireside chat with Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis, the Clean-Tech Investor Summit Chairman. John Podesta, Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress and former Chief of Staff to President Clinton, who will give an insider's view of federal energy policy. Dan Reicher, Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives at Google.org and former U.S. Assistant Energy Secretary, who will discuss breakthrough opportunities in clean energy and the role of Google in advancing clean-tech development. Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy and Jeff Sterba, CEO of PNM Resources are expected to have a candid conversation about renewable energy and smart grid technologies. Dan Kammen, professor of Energy, University of California, Berkeley and Christine Ervin, former president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Green Building Council, will give insider views, along with other panelists, on the carbon trading and green building markets. "We are at a decisive point in the development of clean-tech markets, and 2008 will be a critical year for making smart decisions and for taking sound actions to move the opportunities forward," said Ron Pernick, co-producer of the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, co-author of The Clean-Tech Revolution and co-founder and principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "Our 4th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit will be extremely valuable to anyone who wants to play a role in an exploding new economy." Clean-tech investing in the U.S. in 2006 reached $2.7 billion across a range of sectors including renewable and distributed energy, advanced materials, transportation, and water purification and management. Final numbers for 2007 are expected to be even larger. The Summit acts as a launch pad for a year that will see clean-tech become a bipartisan issue in Washington, an imperative in every corporate boardroom, and an increasing socially conscious issue for consumers. "We are only just beginning to witness how innovation and technology in this sector are tackling some of the most fundamental global issues of the 21st century," said Ira Ehrenpreis, general partner with Technology Partners and Clean-Tech Investor Summit chairman. "There's an unprecedented opportunity to create a greener future for investors and the world alike." To learn more about the event and to register, please visit www.cleantechsummit.com. Due to the overwhelming success and growth of the conference, the organizers are capping attendance at 500 delegates to ensure the quality and intimacy of the event. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its publications and events, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. In May 2006, the company launched the NASDAQ Clean Edge US Index® which tracks US-listed clean-energy companies. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech space. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. September 17, 2007Semi-Annual Changes to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Indexes New York & Oakland/Portland -- September 17, 2007 -- The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ"; NASDAQ:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual reconstitution of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index (NASDAQ:CLEN) and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index (NASDAQ:CELS) (the "Indexes"), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, September 24, 2007. "The semi-annual reconstitution of the NASDAQ Clean Edge indexes ensures true representation of the leading corporate innovators in the clean-energy sector," said NASDAQ Executive Vice President John L. Jacobs. "The reconstitution of these indexes is an objective process that culminates in the formation of a select group of high- technology companies that are among the most forward thinking in the world." According to Clean Edge, Inc., a leading clean-tech research and publishing firm, the clean energy sector has experienced considerable growth since the launch of the initial NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index. When the first index was introduced in May 2006, there were 47 companies in the index with a combined market capitalization of $55 billion. As a result of this reconstitution, the index will be composed of 53 companies with a combined market capitalization of $78 billion as of August 31, 2007. Recent additions to the Indexes include U.S.-listed companies involved in smart-grid developments, solar PV manufacturing, biofuels and biomaterials production, and advanced batteries — representing some of the highest growth areas of the overall energy sector. "Our recent index performance reflects strong market conditions for the domestic clean-energy sector and our unique benchmark approach," explains Ron Pernick, Co-Founder and Principal of Clean Edge and co- author of The Clean-Tech Revolution, published by Collins in June 2007. "Our indexes are based on stringent quantitative and qualitative criteria and supported by the research teams of Clean Edge and NASDAQ." The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: and the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index have returned 27.4% and 21.6%, respectively, year-to- date as of September 14, 2007. During the same period, the Wilderhill Clean Energy Index® has returned 21.6%, the Russell 2000®Index 0.5%, and the NASDAQ Composite Index 7.7%. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: Fund (NASDAQ:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index before fees and expenses. For more information about the fund, visit http://www.ftportfolios.com/retail/productsearch.aspx. The Indexes are designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Indexes include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the indexes cover are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Indexes are evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index:, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit http://nasdaq.com/indexes. As a result of the evaluation, Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ:SOLF) and Valence Technology, Inc. (NYSE:VLNC) will be removed from the Index. NASDAQ Financial Products (NFP) is engaged in the design, development, calculation, licensing, and marketing of NASDAQ indexes. NFP specializes in the development of indexes focusing on NASDAQ's brand themes of innovation, technology, growth, and globalization. More than 500 financial products sold in 36 countries are based on NASDAQ indexes. NFP also provides custom index services and design solutions as a third-party provider to selected financial organizations. About NASDAQ NASDAQ is the largest U.S. equities exchange. With approximately 3,100 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks as well as a leading liquidity pool for trading NYSE-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Indexes. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ's control. These factors include, but are not limited to factors detailed in NASDAQ's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. March 9, 2007Semi-Annual Changes to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: New York -- March 9, 2007 -- The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ") (Nasdaq:NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ(r) Clean Edge(r) U.S. Index (Nasdaq:CLEN) and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: (Nasdaq:CELS) (the "Indexes"), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, March 19, 2007. The following six securities will be added to the Indexes: Canadian Solar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSIQ), First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR), JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:JASO), Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq:SOLF), Trina Solar Limited (NYSE:TSL) and US BioEnergy Corporation (Nasdaq:USBE). The Indexes are designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Indexes include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the indexes cover are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The securities must also meet other eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Indexes are evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index:, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: is the basis for the First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: Fund (Nasdaq:QCLN), which seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: before fees and expenses. NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, its systems trade more shares per day than any other U.S. market. NASDAQ is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at http://www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at http://www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. The company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, co-produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, and co-publishes the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. index. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. Portland, Ore./Oakland, Calif. — March 6, 2007 — Global clean-energy markets are poised to quadruple in the next decade, growing from $55.4 billion in revenues in 2006 to more than $226.5 billion by 2016 for four benchmark technologies, according to the sixth annual Clean Energy Trends report. The report was released today by clean-tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge, Inc. As highlighted in the report, "Clean Energy Trends 2007," a number of factors are contributing to this extensive growth, including an influx of venture capital (VC); a new level of commitment by politicians at regional, state, and federal levels; and significant corporate investments in clean-energy acquisitions and expansion initiatives. The free report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. For the second year in a row, the global biofuels market was slightly larger than both solar and wind, reaching $20.5 billion in 2006 and projected to grow to more than $80 billion by 2016. Clean Edge projects solar photovoltaics (modules, system components, and installations) will grow from a $15.6 billion market in 2006 to $69.3 billion by 2016; wind power installations will expand from $17.9 billion in 2006 to $60.8 billion in 2016; and the markets for fuel cells and distributed hydrogen will grow from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $15.6 billion over the next decade. "At $55 billion, the global market for biofuels, solar, wind, and fuel cells are now considerably larger than the global recorded music industry," explains Clean Edge co-founder and principal Ron Pernick. "Within a decade we predict these clean-energy markets will exceed $220 billion and that the global annual production of biofuels will increase from around 13 billion gallons last year to 50 billion gallons, solar will jump from 2 GW of production to nearly 20 GW, and wind power will increase from 15 GW to 67 GW. " Clean Edge, in collaboration with Nth Power, a leading energy-tech VC firm, also released the firms' annual energy-tech venture data. This year's findings show that VC investments in energy-tech start-ups rose 262 percent to $2.4 billion in 2006. These investments, primarily in transportation and fuels, distributed energy, energy intelligence, and power reliability, eclipsed the previous high-water mark set in 2000 for energy-tech investing by more than $1 billion. The figures represent 9.4 percent of total US venture capital investments in 2006. "Energy tech investing in the U.S. now represents nearly ten percent of the total venture activity," explains Rodrigo Prudencio, partner, Nth Power. "With a growing number of investors actively seeking energy-tech deals, the capital to fund biofuel and solar expansion was readily available. 2007 will clearly be an indicator of whether the aggressive growth in energy-tech investment can be sustained." "Clean Energy Trends 2007" also names five key trends that are shaping the clean-energy landscape this year. They include: Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. "Clean Energy Trends 2007" is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including lead sponsor Nth Power (www.nthpower.com) and major sponsors Heller Ehrman (www.hewm.com), Jefferies & Company, Inc. (www.jefferies.com), Pacific Growth Equities, LLC (www.pacgrow.com), RockPort Capital Partners (www.rockportcap.com), and Antenna Group Public Relations (www.antennagroup.com). About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc. is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean-energy technologies. Since 2001, the company has been providing market research and reports, conferences and events, and strategic consulting services to the clean-tech industry. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index which tracks U.S.-listed clean-energy companies. Founded by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence for a range of clean-tech stakeholders. February 14, 2007First Trust Launches New Exchange Traded Funds Based on NASDAQ Clean Energy and NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech IndexesThey are the First Investment Products Based on the Indexes New York, Chicago & Oakland/Portland — February 14, 2007 — The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: NDAQ) and First Trust Advisors L.P. have announced the launch of two new exchange traded funds (ETFs) - the First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index Fund (NASDAQ: QCLN) and the First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ: QQXT). They are based on the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index (Symbol: CELS) and the NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector IndexSM (Symbol: NDXX), respectively. The ETFs are managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. and listed on NASDAQ®. The First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: Fund is the first investment product based on the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index:, which is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund is the first financial product based on the NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index, which is comprised of the securities of the NASDAQ-100 Index® that are classified as consumer goods and services, healthcare, and all other non-technology industries. The First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: Fund and the First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund are designed to correspond to the price and yield performance of the indexes on which they are based. ETFs are financial products that trade like shares of stock and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. "First Trust has filled the need for investment products based on these important indexes," said NASDAQ Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "The indexes bring attention to vital sectors of the U.S. and global economies, and the ETFs reflect First Trust's commitment to extending its suite of products to broaden investor choice." "We are pleased to introduce two more innovative products on NASDAQ," said R. Scott Hall, Managing Director of First Trust Advisors L.P. "We believe investors who are seeking tax-efficient, transparent investments that target a defined market segment will find these two ETFs helpful in meeting their financial goals." The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: is a modified market capitalization- weighted index designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and advanced batteries, as defined by Clean Edge. The four major sub-sectors the index covers are Renewable Fuels and Electricity Generation, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence, and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. The NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index is an equal-weighted index based on the securities of the NASDAQ-100 Index® that are classified in all industries other than technology, according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB) classification system. The NASDAQ-100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market® based on market capitalization. About NASDAQ NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at http://www.NASDAQ.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at http://www.NASDAQ.com/newsroom/. About First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Advisors L.P., a registered investment adviser, is an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991. First Trust Portfolios L.P., the largest independent unit investment trust sponsor in North America (by sales), is an affiliate of First Trust Advisors. First Trust Advisors serves as an investment adviser to separately managed accounts, insurance companies, profit-sharing plans, and charitable foundations and endowments. First Trust Advisors currently manages or supervises approximately $28 billion in assets as of 1/31/07. You should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Call 800-621-1675 to request a prospectus, which contains this and other information abut the Fund. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. Like all investment company securities, the shares of the Fund are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not issued or guaranteed by any bank, and may lose value. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. The company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, co-produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, and co-publishes the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. index. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. January 9, 2007Clean-Tech Politicos and Corporate Drivers Headline This Month's Clean-Tech Investor SummitSunPower's Tom Werner Returns to Reveal M&A and Exit Strategies in IPO SpotlightPortland, Ore./ Massapequa, N.Y.—January 9, 2007— Just weeks away from the third annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit, January 23-24, 2007 in Palm Springs, CA, hosts Clean Edge and International Business Forum (IBF) are pleased to announce the newest additions to the conference's elite group of speakers: New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson; former California Controller, Steve Westly; and NREL's Dan Arvizu. Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower, will also return this year to dispense his M&A and exit strategy insights for the IPO Spotlight panel. With a unique focus on clean tech as the new corporate cornerstone, this year's conference features the drivers working both behind-the-scenes and in the public eye to make the clean-tech industry one of today's most lucrative sectors. A prominent proponent of renewable energy and green buildings, Governor Bill Richardson joins the roster with Steve Westly, former California Controller and pivotal driver of LP investments in clean tech and a major force behind California's Greenwave Initiative, to discuss how business innovation is impacting clean-tech policy. And, from his influential position at the nation's premier national renewable energy lab, Dan Arvizu of NREL will touch on the latest clean-energy trends. Back for a repeat performance, Tom Werner returns to headline the IPO Spotlight — SunPower: One Year Later. One of several influencers shaping clean tech's corporate advance, Werner will add his insights to those of: ACORE (American Council on Renewable Energy): Michael Eckhart, President Amyris Biotechnologies: John Melo, CEO AES: Bob Hemphill, Executive VP Applied Materials: Charlie Gay, VP and General Manager, Solar Business Group Current Communications: Richard Goldstein, CEO Dow Chemical: Heinz Haller, VP, Strategic Development GE Water and Process Technologies: Jeffrey Fulgham, CMO Imperium Renewables: Martin Tobias, CEO Tesla Motors: Martin Eberhard, CEO Register Now: Last Chance to Save Those who register by January 11 can redeem a special $350 discount off the regular registration fee of $1495. Purchase your discounted conference pass by visiting www.ibfconferences.com or calling IBF registrar Cathy Fenn at 516-765-9005 x21 and using discount code: CEFlyer. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. In May 2006, the company launched the NASDAQ Clean Edge US Index® which tracks US-listed clean-energy companies. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. "A confluence of technology, investment, political, and economic factors have catapulted the clean-tech sector to the forefront of the venture capital industry," said Ira Ehrenpreis, Conference Chairman and General Partner at Technology Partners. "Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, peak oil cost and production limitations, and the need to provide cheap and clean water and energy to the expanding economies of the world are just a few of the myriad global crises that clean technology companies are aggressively and successfully tackling." The dialogue between Ehrenpreis and Khosla is one of many high-level discussions planned for the Summit. This year's focus will target hot sectors and trends, but will also reveal several behind-the-scenes looks at current corporate clean-tech initiatives via a series of keynotes from some of the world's most influential companies including: A prestigious roster of clean technology power players will round out the Summit with panel primers on critical issues including: emerging technologies, IPO strategies, growth opportunities in Asia, and Wall Street's take on the clean-tech exit. Respected presenters include: American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE): Michael Eckhart, President Last Chance to Save Please join us on January 23-24, 2007 for the third annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit in Palm Springs, CA. Attendees who purchase their conference passes by December 31, 2006 can save $350 off the regular registration fee of $1495. Purchase your discounted conference pass by visiting www.ibfconferences.com or calling IBF registrar Cathy Fenn at 516-765-9005 x21 and using discount code: CEFlyer. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. In May 2006, the company launched the NASDAQ Clean Edge US Index® which tracks US-listed clean-energy companies. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. November 13, 2006New First Trust Exchange Traded Fund is Based On NASDAQ Clean Edge Index New York —November 13, 2006 - The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ®; NASDAQ: NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. today announced that First Trust Advisors L.P. has licensed the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index, an innovative and powerful tool for clean-energy investors, in order to launch a new exchange traded fund (ETF). The First Trust NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index Fund will begin trading in January 2007. The ETF will be managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. and listed on NASDAQ. The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Fund is designed to correspond to the price and yield performance of the index upon which it is based. ETFs are financial products that trade like shares of stock and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. "As the world's economy shifts away from fossil fuel dependency towards efficient, renewable energy sources, investment opportunities are being created daily in this new industry," explains NASDAQ Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "This index, and the ETF based on it, will provide the tools needed to capture the investment opportunities created by this economic shift." "First Trust is proud to team up with NASDAQ once again to launch this new product on one of the most innovative exchanges in the world," said First Trust Advisors Managing Director Scott Hall. "We have a long and successful history with NASDAQ and hope to continue this great relationship with additional listings of new ETFs in the future." "The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. index provides a benchmark for investors interested in participating in a range of technology innovations, from advanced batteries and biofuels to solar power and energy efficiency," adds Ron Pernick, Co-Founder and Principal of Clean Edge, Inc. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: (NASDAQ: CELS), developed jointly by NASDAQ and Clean Edge, is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and advanced batteries. The four major sub-sectors the index covers are Renewable Fuels and Electricity Generation, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence, and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. Earlier this year NASDAQ launched a performance benchmark for this sector, known as the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index (NASDAQ: CLEN). The NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Liquid Series Index: is designed specifically as a more liquid variation of the performance benchmark, further supporting trading products such as this ETF. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. About NASDAQ NASDAQ® is the largest electronic screen-based equity securities market in the United States. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/. About First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Advisors L.P., a registered investment adviser, is an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991. First Trust Portfolios L.P., the largest independent unit investment trust sponsor in North America (by sales), is an affiliate of First Trust Advisors. First Trust Advisors serves as an investment adviser to separately managed accounts, insurance companies, profit-sharing plans, and charitable foundations and endowments. First Trust Advisors currently manages or supervises approximately $26 billion in assets as of 9/29/06. You should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Call 800-621-1675 to request a prospectus, which contains this and other information about the Fund. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. Like all investment company securities, the shares of the Fund are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not issued or guaranteed by any bank, and may lose value. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the exchange traded fund and the index the fund is designed track, including the timing and possible benefits of each. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ's control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements. Portland, Ore./ Massapequa, N.Y.—November 13, 2006— An unprecedented group of clean-tech executives will keynote at the 2007 Clean-Tech Investor Summit, according to Clean Edge and International Business Forum (IBF), the conference organizers. Each year the Clean-Tech Investor Summit attracts the influencers that are driving the clean-tech economy. Please join us for the third annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit on January 23-24, 2007 in Palm Springs, CA to interact with the industry influencers shaping clean-tech's new role: corporate cornerstone. This year's forum will offer its high-level audience of investors, technology innovators, business executives, and policy makers a series of corporate keynotes from industry stalwarts, along with panel presentations from innovative start-ups. These thought leaders will provide a revealing look at their own clean-tech initiatives, from the application of capital to product innovation to demand-meeting R&D. Respected keynote speakers and panelists include: Attendees who purchase their conference passes by December 31, 2006 can save $350 off the regular registration fee of $1495. Purchase your discounted conference pass by visiting www.ibfconferences.com or calling IBF registrar Cathy Fenn at 516-765-9005 x21 and using discount code: CEFlyer. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. In May 2006, the company launched the NASDAQ Clean Edge US Index® which tracks US-listed clean-energy companies. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. September 11, 2006Semi-Annual Changes To The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index New York, NY, September 11, 2006 — The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ"; NASDAQ: NDAQ) announced today the results of the semi-annual evaluation of the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index (NASDAQ: CLEN), which will become effective with the market open on Monday, September 18, 2006. The evaluation will result in one security being added to the Index, AVX Corporation (NYSE: AVX). AVX Corporation is an international supplier of electronic passive components and connectors. AVX offers a range of devices including capacitors, resistors, filters, timing and circuit protection devices and connectors. The securities included in the Index must meet eligibility criteria which include minimum requirements for market value, average daily share volume, and price. The Index is evaluated on a semi-annual basis in March and September. For more information about the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index, including eligibility criteria, visit www.NASDAQ.com. As a result of the evaluation Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULBI) will be removed from the Index. NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ website at www.NASDAQ.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com . Media Contacts: Wayne Lee, NASDAQ 301.978.4875 Issuer and Investor Contact: Lisa Chaney 301.978.8281 May 9, 2006NASDAQ and Clean Edge Launch Clean Energy Index New York & Oakland/Portland - May 9, 2006 - The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ®; NASDAQ: NDAQ) and Clean Edge, Inc. today announced plans to launch the NASDAQ® Clean Edge® U.S. Index, an innovative and powerful tool for clean-energy investing. Clean Edge is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. NASDAQ will begin disseminating the index on May 18. The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index is designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index includes companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the index will cover are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials. "This index will bring much needed attention, focus and definition to a sector that is already playing a lead role in addressing the global energy crisis," said NASDAQ Executive Vice President John Jacobs. "It is fitting for NASDAQ and Clean Edge to offer this important index, as we promote innovation, forward thinking and high technology -- traits that characterize the companies in this new index." "Clean Edge has been tracking the growth of clean-energy markets and companies for more than five years," explains Ron Pernick, Co-Founder and Principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "We are honored to be partnering with such an esteemed partner as NASDAQ and believe this index represents the further advancement, maturing, and mainstreaming of the clean-energy sector." The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index is calculated using a modified market capitalization methodology. The index will be calculated and disseminated on a price return basis (NASDAQ: CLEN) and a total return basis (NASDAQ: CLNX). NASDAQ enhanced its longstanding capabilities as an index provider last year by launching a state-of-the-art indexing platform. It is built upon NASDAQ's industry-leading technology platform. All existing NASDAQ indexes are calculated on this platform, including the world renowned NASDAQ-100 Index®, NASDAQ Financial-100 Index® and the NASDAQ Composite Index®. The index platform greatly expands NASDAQ's indexing capabilities, enabling NASDAQ to calculate and disseminate an unlimited number of indexes on a real-time basis. In addition to both total return and price return indexes, NASDAQ can calculate and disseminate indexes that include securities listed on NASDAQ, the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange. NASDAQ has been a leading index provider since 1971 and is committed to providing relevant strategy indexes and services to all investors. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in Oakland, Calif. and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Launched in 2001 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information, visit www.cleanedge.com. About NASDAQ NASDAQ® is the largest electronic screen-based equity securities market in the United States. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. It is home to companies that are leaders across all areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ Web site at www.nasdaq.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.nasdaq.com/newsroom/. San Francisco, Calif./Portland, Ore. -- March 7, 2006 -- Markets for biofuels, photovoltaics, wind energy, and fuel cells are poised to expand four-fold in the next decade, growing from $40 billion in global revenues in 2005 to $167 billion by 2015, according to a report released today by Clean Edge, Inc. The research and publishing firm has issued its annual Clean Energy Trends report since 2002. The free report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. For the first time, the 2006 report tracks the burgeoning biofuels market (ethanol and biodiesel), which Clean Edge reports hit $15.7 billion globally in 2005 and is projected to grow to $52.5 billion by 2015. Up more than 15 percent from 2004, biofuels exceeded wind or solar in 2005 global revenues. Clean Edge projects that markets for solar photovoltaics (modules, system components, and installations) will grow from $11.2 billion in 2005 to $51.1 billion by 2015; wind power installations will expand from $11.8 billion last year to $48.5 billion in 2015; and fuel cells and distributed hydrogen will grow from $1.2 billion in 2005 to $15.1 billion by 2015. Clean Edge, in collaboration with Nth Power, a leading energy-tech venture firm, also released Nth Power's annual energy-tech venture data. This year's findings, contained in "Clean Energy Trends 2006," show that venture capital (VC) investors poured $917 million, an increase of approximately 28 percent from 2004, into more than 80 private companies. These investments, primarily in distributed energy, energy intelligence, power reliability, advanced materials and nanotechnology and related services, represented more than 4 percent of the $21.7 billion U.S. venture capital market, up from 3.3 percent in 2004. "2005 marked a sharp rise in venture capital dollars invested in energy-tech companies," explains Rodrigo Prudencio, principal, Nth Power. "Each of the five principal energy-tech categories rose from 2004 and are getting a bigger slice of the venture capital pie." "Last year was a seminal point in the growth of the clean energy markets, as investors, innovations, and industries converged to dominate the headlines," explains Clean Edge co-founder Ron Pernick. "With clean energy reaching price parity with "dirty" counterparts and solar claiming the three largest tech IPOs in 2005, it's clear that clean energy is becoming a critical and lucrative factor in the global economy." Oakland, CA/ Massapequa, NY (Januaryh 4, 2006) - Clean Edge and IBF, the hosts and producers of the 2006 Clean-Tech Investor Summit, today announced that Thomas Werner, CEO of SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR), will present a keynote address at the event. The annual gathering, which will be held Feb. 1-2, 2006 in Rancho Mirage, CA, brings together leading venture and private equity investors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and other influential industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and developments in the clean-tech sector. For those unable to attend the 2006 Clean-Tech Investor Summit, Werner's presentation will be simultaneously webcast at www.cleanedge.com on Thursday, February 2, at 11:15 a.m. Pacific. Werner's address is one of many high-level presentations and panel conversations that will delve into some of the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing clean tech, including the activities of Fortune 500 companies in embracing clean tech; the outlook for venture capital investment; and how climate change and peak oil issues are changing the economic and political landscape. "The past year has brought unprecedented levels of venture investments, initial public offerings, and corporate activity to the sector, underscoring the fact that investors and corporations see the business case for clean tech," said Ron Pernick, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge. "The Clean-Tech Investor Summit presents a forum for joining in high-level dialogue and making informed decisions about where real opportunities exist." The Summit will feature some of the most promising emerging technologies, including solar and wind power, energy efficiency and smart grid, clean water, and advanced materials. The prestigious speaker list includes: Arthur H. Rosenfeld, Commissioner, California Energy Commission Donald L. Paul, CTO, Chevron Corp. Hank Habicht, CEO, Global Environment & Technology Foundation John Denniston, Partner, Kleiner Perkins Matthew R. Simmons, author of Twilight in the Desert Paul Bieganski, Ph.D., Managing Director & CTO, Cargill Ventures Ron Kenedi, VP of Solar Energy Solutions Group, Sharp William K. Reilly, Former U.S. EPA Director "We have been focusing on clean tech - energy technology, water technology, and materials science - because we believe it is one of the most exciting and promising areas of technology innovation and investment," said Ira Ehrenpreis, conference chairman and general partner at Technology Partners. "The technologies have matured, and investors are realizing that there are huge market opportunities. In short, the time is right for clean tech, and the companies, organizations and individuals participating in the Summit are leading that charge." Those who register by January 12 can redeem a special $350 discount off the regular registration fee of $1495. Register today by contacting the IBF Registrar, Cathy Fenn, at (516) 765-9005, ext. 21 or e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to mention "Clean Edge." You may also register at the IBF website at www.ibfconferences.com and use keycode "Clean Edge" for your $350 discount. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. November 17, 2005Smart Grids, Crude Awakenings, and the Future of Water Top the Issues at Second Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit Hosted by Clean Edge and IBF Oakland, CA/ Massapequa, NY (November 17, 2005) - Global investment in renewable energy alone set a new record of $30 billion in 2004. And with solar power, wind power, and fuel cells poised to hit double-digit growth rates again this year, clean technologies are ready for prime time. Clean tech is attracting intense attention from venture-driven capitalists ready to invest in new areas where disruptive technologies offer large potential returns in energy, water, and materials. As in any emerging sector, risks and obstacles go hand-in-hand with opportunities -- and access to the latest information and intelligence are key components to success. Join Clean Edge, Inc. and IBF Conferences as they host an exclusive forum of investors, technology innovators, corporate executives, university researchers, and policy makers at the second annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit on February 1-2, 2006 in Rancho Mirage, CA. Like last year's inaugural event, the Clean-Tech Investor Summit promises an atmosphere in which the movers and shakers of the clean technology sector will candidly discuss and debate issues on the near horizon, including: With billions of dollars pouring into clean-tech investments, savvy investors are capitalizing on a new generation of solutions that serve the needs of industry, government, and society: innovative technologies that compete on price and performance while reducing pollution, waste, and resource use. Come join the drivers of this new environmental economy -- clean-tech investors and companies that are leading the way. About IBF International Business Forum presents financial and business conferences on venture capital, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategic investing, defined contribution/401(k) plans, risk management, funding technology innovation, and commercialization of intellectual property. IBF conferences provide attendees with leading-edge information and new business contacts to achieve business objectives. Visit www.ibfconferences.com for more details and complete information on upcoming events. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Through its research and reports, conferences and events, online publications, and strategic consulting services, Clean Edge tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence. For more information visit www.cleanedge.com. Washington D.C./San Francisco, Calif. (March 1, 2005) - A new report, by Co-op America's Solar Catalyst Group and Clean Edge, Inc., proposes a three-pronged federal program to regain American leadership in the high-growth global solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. If enacted, the plan would create up to 580,000 new American jobs and generate up to 9 percent of the country's total electricity needs by 2025, the equivalent of serving over 48 million American homes with secure, safe, clean energy. The Solar High-Impact National Energy (SHINE) Project, unveiled today, offers a "man on the moon" vision to rapidly and dramatically transform solar energy into a job-creating, energy-security-enhancing domestic energy source. The report outlines a ten-year plan to aggressively push solar PV over the tipping point -- making solar cost-effective for businesses, homeowners, industry, and utilities far faster than current, business-as-usual trends. U.S. Rooftop Initiative for Solar Energy (U.S. RISE): an aggressive federal commitment to purchase solar systems for government facilities and operations; and American Solar Advancement Prize (ASAP): a high-stakes/high-reward competition to develop and deploy new solar technologies and systems that could dramatically reduce costs. "SHINE outlines an energy- and economic-security plan that will help protect America from the staggering human and economic costs that we suffer when our energy supply gets disrupted from conflict, accidents, supply constraints, or acts of malice," said Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director of Co-op America. "The SHINE plan catalyzes American entrepreneurs and business to regain dominance in the fast-growing solar PV market, overcome critical climate change issues, and create jobs and economic prosperity -- all without burdensome regulation, global treaties, or any new costs to federal taxpayers." In total, SHINE would cost the federal government less than $5 billion over ten years, an investment that would be paid through energy savings and a small shift in government energy investments, making SHINE revenue-neutral. By 2025, SHINE would result in up to 280,000 megawatts of grid-connected solar PV installations (enough power to supply up to 9 percent of total estimated U.S. electricity needs -- the equivalent of serving over 48 million households) and create hundreds of thousands of high-tech jobs spread across all 50 U.S. states. To put this energy-security and job-creation investment into perspective, a national shift of less than 5 cents for every tax dollar currently invested in mature industries like nuclear, coal, and natural gas would fully fund SHINE. And long-term cost savings would provide positive net benefits to the U.S. treasury for years to come. "SHINE will enable the U.S. to play a leadership role in clean-energy technology development rather than ceding yet another industry to Europe and Asia," explains Ron Pernick, co-author of the report and co-founder of Clean Edge, Inc. "The report outlines a blend of market and capital forces, nudged by a small initial government investment, to produce significant economic, environmental, and social returns." SHINE's programs reduce the price of solar far faster than would take place under business as usual, thereby creating mass markets for solar PV decades sooner than they would otherwise develop. Within ten years, SHINE would reduce prices to $2.50 a watt or less (compared to more than $6 per watt today), the price at which solar becomes affordable for most retail electricity customers. By 2025, SHINE's programs would reduce prices to as low as 80 cents per installed watt, compared to about $2.70 for the business-as-usual case -- a dramatic difference that would make solar cost-competitive with coal, natural gas, and other more polluting energy sources for nearly every application -- from residential and commercial rooftops to utilities and hydrogen infrastructure applications. January 19, 2005CELILO GROUP MEDIA AND CLEAN EDGE TO LAUNCH ONLINE SERVICE FOR NORTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE Portland, Ore. (January 19, 2005) -- Celilo Group Media, Inc. and Clean Edge, Inc. have been awarded a three-year contract to develop and operate a monthly newsletter, web site, and web conferencing service focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart energy in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (Alliance) selected the project team after issuing a request for proposals last year and completing a competitive bid process. The new web site and newsletter will be unveiled later this month at nwcurrent.com. The service will cover a range of topics including energy efficiency, renewables, and smart energy policy, innovations, news, events, and analysis. The target audience includes electric utility management and staff, energy efficiency professionals, state and regional policymakers and renewable energy professionals in the Northwest. The service is part of the Alliance's mission to educate, train and inform constituents. The Alliance is a non-profit corporation supported by electric utilities, public benefit administrators, state governments, public interest groups and energy efficiency industry representatives. Visitors can pre-register for the new service at www.nwcurrent.com. About Celilo Group Media Celilo Group Media, Inc., (www.celilo.net) is a media company founded in April 1999 with the mission of expanding markets for sustainable products and services. From its offices in Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and St. Paul, Minn., the company also publishes: Sustainable Industries Journal (www.sijournal.com), a monthly business magazine covering green building, energy, recycled markets, and sustainable agriculture; and the healthy living consumer coupon books Chinook Book (www.chinookbook.net) and Blue Sky Guide (www.findbluesky.com). Celilo Group Media also provides custom communications and market research projects for businesses, nonprofits, and public sector clients in the Northwest. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., (www.cleanedge.com) based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Ore., is a leading research, strategy, and publishing firm that helps companies, investors and policymakers understand and profit from emerging clean-energy, water and advanced materials technologies. Through its customized market research and reports, online publications, co-sponsored conferences and events and strategic marketing services, the company is devoted to tracking and analyzing clean-tech market trends and opportunities. San Francisco, Calif. (November 9, 2004) -- Two leading players, one in clean technology research and the other in financial and business conference production, have joined forces to present an investor summit focusing on clean technology. In the search for the next wave of technology innovation, "clean tech" represents a burgeoning area of opportunity. These technologies aim to provide solutions to such critical needs as clean-energy production, distribution, and management; clean water; and advanced materials with reduced environmental impact. The Clean-Tech Investor Summit, scheduled to take place February 2-3, 2005 at The Lodge at Rancho Mirage, Calif., will address this market, and will feature over 25 distinguished speakers and host more than 150 attendees. International Business Forum ( www.ibfconferences.com) is the executive producer of this event, which will include two days of networking, information exchange, investing strategies, case-study presentations, and forecasting. Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com), a research and publishing firm focused on clean technologies and markets, is co-presenting this conference in partnership with IBF. Venture capital investments in energy technologies in 2003 represented 2.4% of overall venture investing, compared with 2.1% for 2002 and 2001, and 1.2% for 2000, according to data compiled by Clean Edge, Inc., the Cleantech Venture Network, Nth Power, and the PricewaterhouseCoopers/Thomson Venture Economics/National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree Survey. Total global venture investments in new energy technology companies in 2003 equaled more than $500 million. "There is a rapidly expanding opportunity for investors, business, and government to cooperate, maximizing the potential of emerging clean technologies," explains Ron Pernick, Co-Founder and Principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "Clean technology is proving itself to be a mainstream and profitable sector for a range of stakeholders." Attendees will include venture capitalists, business development managers, government regulators, research directors, scientists, private equity investors, M&A/corporate finance executives, and corporate counsel. Savvy investors are realizing the opportunity to capitalize on clean-tech solutions that serve the needs of global industry, government, and society. Innovations in clean-tech include products and services that compete on price and performance while reducing overall pollution and waste, thereby optimizing available resources. "The growth of the clean-energy sector and host of clean-technology companies looking for funding presents investment opportunities akin to those that were available in the early days of Information Technology and the Internet," explains Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner of venture firm Technology Partners and Chairman of the 2005 Clean-Tech Investor Summit. "The new companies emerging in the clean-tech sector are exciting in their potential to revolutionize the way we produce and access power, source and maintain clean water, and develop and use advanced materials." To register as an attendee, to get information on the agenda or sponsoring and exhibiting please visit: www.ibfconferences.com or call (516) 765-9005. Please mention code PR-1105 to receive a discount. March 9, 2004CLEAN-ENERGY MARKET WILL REACH $92 BILLION BY 2013, CITES NEW REPORT San Francisco, Calif. (March 9, 2004) -- According to a new report released today by Clean Edge, Inc., a California-based energy research firm, solar, wind, and fuel cells are poised to grow from a $12.9 billion industry today to $92 billion by 2013. The free report, entitled Clean Energy Trends 2004, examines the factors that are influencing clean-energy markets and tracks five key trends, including how some innovative utilities are using clean energy as a price hedge for customers, how China is poised to embrace new energy technologies, and how Europe is the leader in wind production with 70% of the global market. The report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. Clean Edge asserts that clean-energy technologies of are set to take off, but cites three factors as the key to bringing clean-energy to the mainstream: more supportive government policies, more dollars for R&D and commercialization, and continued technological advancements. "Assuming that solar, wind, and fuel cells continue their year-over-year growth, we foresee the clean-energy market reaching $92 billion by 2013," said Ron Pernick, co-founder of Clean Edge. "New government policies and continued investment from venture capitalists and multinationals are playing a critical role in what we see as a bright future for clean-energy growth." Among the key "Trends to Watch" cited by Clean Edge: Cleaner Cars Get Traction: Hybrids move from curiosity to mainstream, as a Japanese firm leads the way and American automakers are left behind. Green Power Becomes Price Hedge: One U.S. energy utility's vision of providing long-term green-energy contracts becomes a model for other utility companies. Clean Energy Goes Local: Flagging federal funding incites state and local governments to pick up the slack, bringing clean energy within reach. Wind Power Takes Europe by Storm: An estimated 14 million European households are being electrified by wind power, accounting for more than 70% of global installed utility-scale wind power. China Harnesses Clean Energy: Home to seven of the world's most polluted cities, China and its booming economy will be pivotal in turning the clean-energy market on its ear -- and several clean-energy companies have plans to help. The report also profiles companies that are spearheading each of the five trends, including Denso Corp. (clean cars); Austin Energy (price hedge); PowerLight Corp. (local initiatives); National Wind Power Ltd. (wind in Europe); and GT Solar Technologies (solar in China). "It's useful to compare our projections for the growth of clean energy with the growth of the PC industry. In that respect, it's the mid 1980s for wind and solar," explains Joel Makower, co-founder of Clean Edge. "The technology is catching on, and prices, performance, and ease of use are improving." About Clean Energy Trends 2004 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends to track key developments in clean-energy markets. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2004 is made possible by the support of its sponsors, including: Antenna Group Public Relations (www.antennagroup.com), Chao & Hadidi LLP (www.chllp.com), Cleantech Venture Network (www.cleantechventure.com), Environmental Entrepreneurs (www.e2.org), and Nth Power (www.nthpower.com). About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a leading research and strategy firm that helps companies, investors, policymakers, and nonprofits understand and profit from clean-energy technologies. Through its customized research and reports, strategic marketing services, online publications, and co-sponsored conferences and events, the company is devoted to tracking and analyzing clean-energy market trends and opportunities. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence for a range of clean-energy stakeholders. Washington D.C. (December 3, 2003) -- A new landmark research report outlines what would be required to move solar energy beyond a small, niche market into a thriving industry able to contribute significantly to Americas energy and national security needs. The Solar Opportunity Assessment Report (SOAR), released today, examines what is needed to grow the U.S. solar industry -- incrementally into a thriving industry, as well as through "bold audacious measures that could dramatically accelerate the transition to a clean-energy future." The report was produced by the nonprofit Solar Catalyst Group, a project of Co-op America, and Clean Edge, Inc., a leading research and consulting firm focused on clean-energy technologies. SOAR is based on interviews with more than 30 leading PV manufacturers, system integrators, and industry experts, as well as on additional research. Participants in the survey included representatives from major solar companies such as BP Solar, Evergreen Solar, PowerLight, Sharp, and Shell Solar, as well as major trade associations, current and past government officials, and leading consultants. According to the report, while new installations for solar PV systems have experienced a compounded annual growth rate of 24% over the past decade in the U.S., the installed base remains frustratingly small. "This report illuminates what the current industry players think it will take to sustain or double current total cumulative installation projections by 2025, as well as outlining a far more ambitious path of capturing ten percent of total U.S. electricity production by 2025," explains Alisa Gravitz, founder of Solar Catalyst Group and executive director of Co-op America Foundation. SOAR identifies a number of key challenges to growing the U.S. solar marketplace, including: its small production scale, which keeps quantities low and prices high; on-again-off-again government funding of solar research and development; a dearth of financing solutions, pricing solar out of reach of most users; and a lack of standardized, plug-and-play systems that would greatly reduce the complexity and cost of designing and installing a solar-energy system. The report focuses on three pathways for solar's future over the next quarter-century: Current Growth, Accelerated Growth, and Hypergrowth, and describes the challenges and opportunities within each. The report identifies the three key levers of the solar industry: technology, policy, and finance and three cross-cutting strategies that could help bring solar to scale: education, standardization, and market development and aggregation. SOAR highlights what it would take to pull the various levers and coordinate the various strategies in order to double projected PV installations from 35 gigawatts to 70 gigawatts by 2025. The report also outlines an even grander vision dubbed SHINE -- Solar High-Impact National Energy -- Project. The SHINE Project calls for 290 gigawatts of cumulative installed PV in the U.S. by 2025, providing 10% of total U.S. electricity consumption. About the Solar Catalyst Group The Solar Catalyst Group is a nonprofit consortium of business, government, investors, labor, and environmental and community groups and individuals working to catalyze the solar energy portion of a renewable energy future by creating a mass market for solar PV. Its mission is to harness market forces to dramatically lower the price and accelerate the growth and development of solar energy around the world in a way that aligns energy needs with sound business practices, economic development, environmental protection, and social equity. The Solar Catalyst Group is a project of Co-op America Foundation (www.coopamerica.org), the national nonprofit which advances marketplace solutions for social and environmental problems. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a leading research and strategy firm that helps companies, investors, policymakers, and nonprofits understand and profit from clean-energy technologies. Through its customized research and reports, distributed generation intelligence services, industry databases, and co-sponsored conferences and events, the company is devoted to tracking and analyzing clean-energy market trends and opportunities. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence for a range of clean-energy stakeholders. San Francisco, Calif. (October 1, 2003) -- Clean Edge, Inc., the Clean-Tech Market Authority, today launched a new feature on its web site www.cleanedge.com. "CE Views" will provide regular analysis of key trends facing the clean-energy sector. The premiere column, by Clean Edge contributing editor Clint Wilder, looks at how some of the most innovative clean-energy policy developments are taking place at state and local levels rather than in Washington, D.C. Future columns will look at a range of technology, finance, and policy trends affecting the clean-energy marketplace. CE Views can be accessed via Clean Edge's web site or by registering for the company's twice-monthly newsletter, CLEANWATCH, at www.cleanedge.com. Clint Wilder, a regular Clean Edge contributor, is a veteran award-winning technology and business journalist. Most recently he was editor-at-large and columnist for Optimize magazine, CMP Media's monthly journal for high-level business technology executives. Previously, as editor-at-large and columnist for Information Week, he won the 2002 American Society of Business Publication Editors gold award for best feature series, as well as numerous CMP editorial awards. A frequent speaker and panelist at industry events, Wilder also worked as a writer and editor at Corporate Computing and Computerworld. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a leading research and strategy firm that helps companies, investors, policymakers, and nonprofits understand and profit from clean-energy technologies. Through its customized research and reports, distributed generation intelligence services, industry databases, and co-sponsored conferences and events, the company is devoted to tracking and analyzing clean-energy market trends and opportunities. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence for a range of clean-energy stakeholders. Clean Edge, Inc., the Clean-Tech Market Authority, today released its annual "Clean Energy Trends 2003" report, projecting that solar photovoltaics (PV), wind power, and fuel cells will expand from a $9.5 billion market today to $89 billion by 2012. Additionally, Clean Edge released the top five clean-energy trends to watch in 2003 (available for free download at www.cleanedge.com). Top trends to watch include: Clean Energy Gets Centralized -- wind turbines and solar farms will grow in size and power an entirely new class of renewable energy "utility." For example, new wind farms are now reaching utility-scale, with some approaching 300 MW in size. Hydrogen from Solar, Wind, and Biomass -- innovations at various government and commercial labs are helping scientists reach the Holy Grail of hydrogen produced from sunlight, wind, and other clean-energy sources. While still years from commercialization, multinationals like Honda and startups like Virent Energy Systems are at the forefront of these efforts. US Develops Weapons of Mass Salvation -- military applications and funding are helping to build remote clean-energy technologies, such as micro-fuel cells, for soldiers in the field. Military procurement could help dramatically lower the costs of clean-energy technologies, as it has in the past with transistors and other technologies. Solar PV Breaks Through Price Barrier -- breakthroughs in solar PV could make a future of "solar without subsidies" a reality by the end of this decade. Factors contributing to these advances include mass manufacturing build-out and revolutionary new PV manufacturing technologies. Grid Optimization -- utilities will find new ways to optimize their existing grids to greatly increase efficiency, dramatically reducing costs and the need for additional power plants. Smart software and related technology could also make renewable energy sources more cost-competitive. The report also outlines clean-energy investment trends and issues clean-energy revenue projections for 2002-2012. According to Clean Edge research, solar photovoltaics (including modules, system components, and installation) will grow from a $3.5 billion global industry in 2002 to more than $27.5 billion by 2012. Wind power will expand from $5.5 billion in 2002 to approximately $49 billion in 2012. And fuel cells for mobile, stationary, and portable applications will grow from $500 million to $12.5 billion over the next decade. The report also finds that corporate, public, and private-equity investments in clean energy are faring relatively well in the current economic downturn. "A number of factors including state-based renewable portfolio standards, increased corporate activity, and continued venture capital investments are demonstrating the strength of the clean-energy sector," says Ron Pernick, co-founder of Clean Edge. "Venture investments in clean-energy technology now represent 2.3 percent of total venture activity, up from just 0.7 percent three years ago," explains Joel Makower, co-founder of Clean Edge. "While total investments are down over the last couple of years, clean energy continues to gain a larger portion of the overall market." About Clean Energy Trends 2003 Clean Edge issues its annual Clean Energy Trends report at the beginning of each year. Past reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of individuals in government, finance, industry, and the media. Clean Energy Trends 2003 is made possible by the support of its sponsors including Cleantech Venture Network, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Nth Power, and Spark Pr. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a research and consulting firm that helps companies and investors understand and profit from the clean-tech marketplace. Through its business consulting services, research reports, and industry events, Clean Edge works to build clean-tech companies and markets. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and intelligence on clean energy, transportation, and materials. The University of California can cost-effectively bring "green" energy and building practices to its campuses in order to reduce its environmental impact while increasing its energy security, according to a new report. The report, by Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com), outlines how the University, one of the largest builders in the state of California, can implement a green building program that is cost-competitive with conventional building practices. "Building for the Future," commissioned by the Greenpeace Clean Energy Now! Campaign, outlines a vision in which all new and remodeled University of California buildings operate on 25% "green" energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind, with at least 10% of its energy needs derived from on-site, renewable resources such as solar photovoltaic energy systems; and in which all new building projects are designed and constructed to achieve the Silver-level accreditation of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Green Building Rating System. The report also looks at green building and clean energy initiatives being undertaken by a growing number of universities, community colleges, and other academic institutions around the country, and shows how a variety of federal, state, and local programs can help offset the University's costs. "Integrating green energy and green building practices makes increasing economic as well as environmental sense," explains Joel Makower, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge. "The buildings not only can save money over their lifetimes, but create environments that promote increased learning and well-being among their occupants." The report shows how the University, by committing to certain levels of green building and renewable energy, can streamline its efforts campus wide and leverage its purchasing power for economic, environmental, and social benefit. About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a research and consulting firm that helps companies and investors understand and profit from the emerging clean-tech revolution. Through its business consulting services, research reports, and industry events, Clean Edge's mission is to catalyze the development of clean-tech companies and markets. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and market intelligence on clean energy, transportation, and materials. Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) announced today the addition of three new partners in its business consulting practice. Clean Edge's Business Consulting practice helps emerging clean-tech companies gain access to venture financing and strategic marketing and business development insight. Clean Edge's new partners bring years of financial, marketing, and management expertise. They are Andrew Beebe, formerly co-founder and CEO of Bigstep, an online service for small business; Andrew Friendly, formerly a management consultant with Booz-Allen & Hamilton and a six-year veteran of the White House; and Mark Goldstein, a seasoned entrepreneur and former CEO of BlueLight.com, Impulse Buy Network, and NetAngels. "While most technology sectors are contracting or seeing sluggish growth, many clean technologies are expanding," explains Ron Pernick, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "We are building our team to serve the needs of the clean energy, transportation, and materials companies that are seeking access to capital and market intelligence." According to the CleanTech Venture Network, more than $1 billion will be invested in clean-tech companies in 2002. Clean Edge research shows that some of the most active technologies are solar power, hydrogen production, and advanced materials. "The expansion of our consulting team brings a wealth of talent and expertise to our client companies," adds Joel Makower, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge. "Our expanded team will be better able to serve the varied needs of both early-stage and later-stage companies by connecting them with capital, building their management teams, and helping them grow to their full potential." About Clean Edge's New Partners Andrew Beebe has focused for more than a decade on creating and building innovative companies around disruptive technologies. Prior to joining Clean Edge, he was co-founder and CEO of Bigstep, an online service center for small businesses. He serves on the boards of ITU, a technology venture capital fund; and Mixonic, a start-up focused on music and data recording. He also has worked at or developed business strategies for a wide range of innovative technology firms. Andrew Friendly has worked at the highest levels of the federal government, as well as in management consulting and technology business development. Prior to joining Clean Edge, he helped launch the business development and sales staff for Zambeel, a start-up data-storage company, and served as a strategy consultant with Booz-Allen & Hamilton. He also served for six years in the Clinton White House, as the president's Personal Aide, as Special Assistant to the President, and as Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy to the Americas. Mark H. Goldstein brings years of venture capital, start-up, and corporate management experience to Clean Edge. Prior to joining the firm, Mark was an entrepreneur-in-residence at venture capital firm NEA (New Enterprise Associates) and at SOFTBANK. He co-founded BlueLight.com and served as its president and CEO until it was purchased by Kmart. He also co-founded and served as president and CEO of Impulse Buy Network (purchased by Inktomi Corp.); and of NetAngels (purchased by Microsoft). About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a research and consulting firm that helps companies and investors understand and profit from the emerging clean-tech revolution. Through its business consulting services, research reports, and industry events, Clean Edge's mission is to catalyze the development of clean-tech companies and markets. Founded in 2000 by environmental and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled insight and market intelligence on clean energy, transportation, and materials. September 16, 2002CLEAN EDGE, INC. AND THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA TO PRESENT CLEAN-TECHNOLOGY PANEL DISCUSSION SERIES Clean Edge, Inc. and the Commonwealth Club of California will launch a panel discussion series on emerging clean technologies this fall in San Francisco. The first event, "The Next Frontier: Speeding the Transition to Clean and Renewable Energy Technologies," will look at key trends and developments affecting such technologies as solar power, fuel cells, distributed hydrogen production, flywheels, and wind power. The inaugural event will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2002 at 8:00 AM at the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco. Panelists for the October 3 event include Daniel Kammen, UC Berkeley Professor and Director of the UC Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory; Bill Magavern, Senior Legislative Representative of the Sierra Club; Dan Shugar, President of PowerLight Corporation; and Tim Woodward, Managing Director of the venture capital firm Nth Power. Joel Makower, Co-founder and Principal of Clean Edge, will moderate the panel. "This is the first series at the Commonwealth Club to examine emerging clean-energy markets and technologies, and their potential benefits to the Bay Area and global economy and environment," said Andrew Lawton, Chair of the Commonwealth Club's Environment and Natural Resources Section. "California is a world-renowned nexus of technology innovation and venture capital, and has some of the most aggressive state policies promoting clean energy and transportation development. With the City of San Francisco now leading the nation with the country's first solar bond initiative, we feel it is fitting that the Commonwealth Club facilitate discussion on the development of these technologies at our San Francisco headquarters." "Clean energy technologies such as solar and wind power are expanding at double-digit annual growth rates and offer businesses and investors unique opportunities and challenges" explains Ron Pernick, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge, Inc. "Clean Edge is honored to sponsor this lecture series with the Commonwealth Club, to help focus attention and broaden the discussion on clean technologies." Clean Edge and the Commonwealth Club will hold a second morning panel discussion on Tuesday, November 19. 2002. This event will focus on the growing role of public and private equity investments in clean technology. To learn more about the events and to reserve tickets, visit http://www.commonwealthclub.org/sections.html#nextfrontier or call (415) 597-6700 About Clean Edge, Inc. Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) is a research and consulting firm focused on building clean-tech markets. Through its consulting services, publications, and events, Clean EdgeÂª helps companies, investors, governments, and others understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company was founded by environmental and high-tech business entrepreneurs Joel Makower and Ron Pernick. To learn more about the company, please visit www.cleanedge.com. About The Commonwealth Club of California The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, bringing together its 14,000 members for over 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy. As a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization, the Commonwealth Club relies on the support of its membership, its Business Council and foundation grants to continue its role in fostering open public discussion in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the nation via radio, internet and television. The Club has offices in San Francisco and San Jose. To learn more about the Commonwealth Club, please visit www.commonwealthclub.org. January 9, 2002ENERGY TRENDS POINT TO UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTORS, INDUSTRY, AND POLICY-MAKERS, REPORTS CLEAN EDGE The hydrogen infrastructure, carbon nanotubes, and the "Energy Web" are three of the leading clean-technology opportunities for investors, according to a new report. "Clean-Energy Markets: Five Trends to Watch in 2002," a free report from Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) -- a leading market research and consulting firm focused on clean-technology -- describes a variety of issues that have aligned to offer unique opportunities in the clean-energy sector. They include security issues, energy uncertainty, the need for power reliability, technological advances, environmental issues, the rise of the developing world, and investment commitments by government, corporations, and venture capitalists. The report reveals five trends to watch in the near- to mid-term: The Energy Web: the emerging marriage of the energy, telecom, and software sectors that is creating a whole new breed of "smart" appliances, buildings, and vehicles The Hydrogen Infrastructure: the assemblage of products, services, and systems that will enable the manufacture, storage, and transportation of hydrogen for use in stationary and portable fuel cells Bringing Solar to Scale: the mass commercialization and build-up of large-scale solar-cell manufacturing that will result in significant economies of scale The Microtization of Fuel Cells: the application of micro fuel cells for use in a wide range of portable electronic devices including cell phones, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers Carbon Nanotubes: tiny fabricated tube-shaped molecules that are optimal for hydrogen storage -- and are getting close to commercial viability. The five trends offer a snapshot of some of the emerging developments that the authors believe provide investors, industry, and policy-makers unique opportunities in coming years. The report also offers links to select web resources and books and chronicles companies that are shaping each trend. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) is a market research and consulting firm focused on building clean-tech markets. The company's mission is to help companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. Clean Edge's products and services include strategic consulting; insightful and timely publications, reports, and online resources; conferences and events; and venture and investment-related services. Based in Oakland, Calif., Clean Edge was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick. October 16, 2001CLEAN EDGE INTRODUCES ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR CLEAN-TECH MARKET RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE Clean Edge, Inc., a leading market research and consulting firm focused on clean-technology markets, announced today the launch of an online intelligence store (iStore) at www.cleanedge.com. The new service provides investors, government, and industry with access to: Clean Edge publications and reports Hundreds of independent research reports and newsletters Top-selling book titles "Clean Edge's iStore provides individuals and companies with immediate access to the latest research in the clean-tech field, everything from fuel cells and flywheels to solar power and hybrid electric vehicles," said Joel Makower, Clean Edge Co-Founder. "The store is our latest step in offering one-stop access to clean-tech news, information, research, and analysis." Clean Edge worked with a number of organizations to develop its new offering, including MindBranch, Inc., a market-research services company representing leading publishers. In addition to the new iStore, Clean Edge has introduced an expanded resource center linking to hundreds of free and useful information sources from trade associations, government programs, web sites, and more. These editor-selected web resources cover a range of topics including clean energy, water, transportation, materials, and funding. "Clean Edge's mission, through its core products and services, is to act as a market catalyst," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge Co-Founder. "During this time of ever-increasing energy insecurity, economic uncertainty, and environmental degradation -- there has never been a more critical role for technologies and businesses that provide clean energy, water, and transportation solutions." About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) is a market research and consulting firm focused on clean technology. The company's products and services include consulting, news and information resources, publications, and co-sponsored conferences. Clean Edge's clients include clean-technology entrepreneurs, investment organizations, and policymakers. Based in Oakland, CA, Clean Edge was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Joel Makower and Ron Pernick. Large companies are becoming increasingly interested in harnessing the potential business opportunities arising from the growth of clean technology, according to a new report from Clean Edge, Inc. and Global Business Network (GBN). The findings come from a meeting held in May to examine the world of clean energy, water, transportation, materials, and buildings. The event, co-hosted by Clean Edge and GBN, included representatives from Fortune 500 companies, as well as an assemblage of high-tech, financial, and environmental leaders. The meeting's goal was to pose, and attempt to answer, three critical questions: What, exactly, is "clean technology"? Why is it now coming to the forefront? How can companies profit from these new markets? The new report, "The Clean Revolution: Technologies from the Leading Edge," written by Clean Edge co-founder Joel Makower, looks at what the group uncovered during three days of panel discussions, dialogue, and visits to more than two dozen clean-tech sites around the San Francisco Bay Area. It reveals a great deal of company interest in developing clean-tech products and services. The report also examines some of the key challenges the group identified. They include the fragmentation and disconnection among the various players in the clean-tech universe, the historically inconsistent government support for clean technology, the challenge of developing clean-tech markets, and the slow pace of product development. The free, downloadable report is available at http://www.cleanedge.com. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com), The Clean-Tech Market Authority, provides market-intelligence products and services to help investors and innovators understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. The company was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower. About Global Business Network Global Business Network (www.gbn.com), a member of the Monitor Group, is a renowned scenario planning consultancy and membership organization comprising leading companies and pioneering thinkers. Established in 1987, GBN specializes in collaborative tools and learning about the forces shaping the future and the implications for business and society. GBN's cofounders include Peter Schwartz, author of five books, including "The Art of the Long View"; and Stewart Brand, originator of "The Whole Earth Catalog," The WELL, and The Long Now Foundation. Clean Edge, Inc. and Energy & Environmental Capital Network (ECN) will present ECN's Fifth Annual East Coast Investors' Conference and Capital Forum at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, September 13-14. This year's conference and forum will bring together leading clean-technology investors and innovators for two days of presentations, dialogue, and deal making. Confirmed and invited speakers for the Investors' Conference on September 13 include Christine Farkas, Merrill Lynch; Gerry Matthews, Shell Oil; Ron Ambrosio, IBM; Steven Hauser, Pacific Northwest National Lab; Scott McGrane, Goldman Sachs; Rodrigo Prudencio, Nth Power; Ken Mabbs, FA Technology Ventures; Seth Dunn, Worldwatch Institute; and a host of other industry and government leaders. To learn more about the conference and forum, go to www.ecn-capital.org/HTML/NYForumpgInv.html. Presenting Companies Fourteen environmental and clean-energy companies have been selected by a panel of investors and industry experts to present at this year's capital forum on September 14. Each company will present its business case to an audience of accredited investors. Last year, ECN member companies raised more than $250 million in private equity investments. Past Forum investor attendees include Calvert Venture Partners, ENRON Corporation, GE Equity Capital, Nth Power Technology, and Rockefeller and Co. This year's selected companies include National Water and Power, which provides a range of billing and customer management solutions related to electric, gas, and water utilities; Pulsar Water Technologies, developer of a breakthrough technology in flashlamp photolytic oxidation for use in water purification, including water contaminated with MTBE, benzene, toluene and pathogenic organisms; Sea Power & Associates, engaged in developing buoy systems that generate electrical power from the energy in ocean waves; SHEC Labs, developers of a proprietary process in which solar thermal energy can be used to split water to produce hydrogen for fuel cells; and Triple Aught Inc., designers of a next-generation air-lubricated compressor that increases energy efficiency and reduces/eliminates emissions. Sponsors of this year's event include Heller Ehrman, NYSERDA, Scully Capital, EasEnergy, The Environmental Technology Commercialization Center, Sustainable Jobs Fund, Environmental Banc & Exchange, and Entegrity Partners. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) is a consulting and publishing firm focused on clean technologies. Through its products and services, Clean Edge helps investors, industry, and society understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. Based in Oakland, CA, Clean Edge was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower. About ECN ECN (www.ecn-capital.org) is a nonprofit organization working to facilitate the financing of companies commercializing environmental and energy technologies, products, and services. Since 1995, ECN has offered specialized services that introduce individual, professional, and corporate investors to early- and expansion-stage companies and assists firms commercializing a wide range of industrial process, energy, and environmental technologies. July 11, 2001CLEAN EDGE AND ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL CAPITAL NETWORK TO CO-HOST CLEAN-TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FORUM September 13-14 in New York City Oakland, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. (July 11, 2001) -- Clean Edge, Inc. and Energy & Environmental Capital Network (ECN) announced today that they have joined forces to co-host ECN's Fifth Annual East Coast Investor's Conference and Capital Forum at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, September 13-14. This year's Conference and Forum will bring together leading clean-technology investors and innovators for two days of presentations, dialogue, and deal making. Complete details on this year's event are available online at www.ecn-capital.org and www.cleanedge.com. "This is an exciting time in the development of the clean-technology marketplace and for our ongoing conference series," explains David Stead, executive director of ECN. "Last year, more than $2 billion of equity investments were made in North American-based clean-tech companies via angel investors, venture capitalists, corporate investors, and initial public offerings. ECN member companies captured more than $350 million of this total." "Energy uncertainty, political pressures, and environmental issues are shining a light on the emerging role of clean-technologies such as solar and wind power, fuel-cell powered vehicles, and bio-based materials," explains Ron Pernick, co-founder of Clean Edge. "This year's Conference and Forum will focus on clean-energy markets and highlight the opportunities and challenges facing investors and companies." Past Forum investor attendees include Alliant Energy Corporation, Calvert Venture Partners, ENRON Corporation, GE Equity Capital, Nth Power Technology, and Rockefeller and Co. Past company presenters include Evergreen Solar, Metallic Power, Proton Energy Systems, Silicon Energy, and Zero Emission Technologies. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc. (www.cleanedge.com) is a consulting and publishing firm focused on clean technologies. Through its products and services, Clean Edge helps investors, industry, and society understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. Based in Oakland, CA, Clean Edge was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower. About ECN ECN (www.ecn-capital.org) is a nonprofit organization working to facilitate the financing of companies commercializing environmental and energy technologies, products, and services. Since 1995, ECN has offered specialized services that introduce individual, professional, and corporate investors to early- and expansion-stage companies and assists firms commercializing a wide range of industrial process, energy, and environmental technologies. April 18, 2001CLEAN-ENERGY SECTOR TO GROW 28% ANNUALLY TO $82 BILLION BY 2010 Investments and Development in Clean Transportation, Water, and Materials Also Seeing Explosive Growth, Says New ReportOakland, Calif. (April 18, 2001) -- With clean energy leading the way, clean technology, which already represents a multibillion-dollar market, will grow as much as tenfold over the coming decade, according to a new report. Clean technologies -- including renewable energy, alternative transportation, water purification systems, and new, environmentally friendly materials -- are poised for dramatic growth in a manner that will offer significant and tangible economic, environmental, and social benefits, according to Clean Edge, a market-intelligence and publishing firm focusing on clean technologies. These technologies offer solutions to such pressing issues as the energy crisis, resource scarcity, and climate change while creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. The free, downloadable report, available at www.cleanedge.com, is the first to define the clean-tech market and make market forecasts for 2005 and 2010. It also describes the growing investment climate for clean technologies, including which venture funds and energy companies are taking a stake in clean technology. Among its findings: The clean-energy market, which includes fuel cells, microturbines, and solar and wind power, is projected to grow 28% annually from approximately US$7 billion in revenues in 2000 to more than US$82 billion in revenues by 2010 The market for clean vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks, is projected to grow from about US$2 billion in 2000 to US$48 billion by 2010 Clean-tech companies in the US attracted more than US$2 billion in equity investments in 2000 from venture firms, angel investors, and IPOs Energy efficiency, wind power, solar power, and microturbines offer the most immediate and cost-competitive solution to the current "peak demand" energy crisis, while an emerging hydrogen economy based on fuel cells is not far behind Innovative governments, multinationals, and start-ups are committing billions of dollars to clean-tech development and setting significant growth targets Clean technologies represent a diverse range of products, services, and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions and wastes. "Many of these are competitive with, if not superior to, their conventional counterparts in terms of cost and performance," says Joel Makower, a co-author of the report and a co-founder and principal of Clean Edge. "For all the hype about the New Economy, a real, sustainable new economy is emerging around clean technologies," explains Ron Pernick, report co-author and Clean Edge co-founder and principal. "It is focused not on Ã”saving the earth' but on the real business and economic opportunities from providing clean energy, transportation, water, and materials on a global scale." The Clean-Tech Revolution According to Clean Edge, a number of economic, technological, environmental and societal forces have converged to attract investors to technologies as diverse as biobased materials, green chemistry, hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen power, photovoltaics, and small-scale water desalination. "A small but growing number of forward-thinking investors recognize that several of today's emerging clean-tech companies will be the Microsofts of the future," says Pernick. "Many of these technologies have been around for years, but now such problems as global warming and acute energy shortages have created unprecedented demand for clean technologies," says Makower. "While there are numerous uncertainties and obstacles, we believe that a significant number of companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and governments will profit immensely from the clean-tech revolution." Online News, Stock Tracking, and More at Cleanedge.com In addition to releasing its new report, Clean Edge also unveiled a number of new web-based resources for investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, and others involved in the development and implementation of clean technologies. Cleanedge.com offers an array of informational products and services including a clean-tech news feed, news tracking of relevant stories from over 1,800 sources, clean-tech statistics and graphs, a twice-monthly newsletter, and stock tracking of such clean-tech companies as Active Power, AstroPower, Ballard Power Systems, Capstone Turbine, Evergreen Solar, FuelCell Energy, and Plug Power. This represents the most comprehensive source on the web for clean-tech related news and information. For the report, Clean Tech: Profits and Potential, Clean Edge interviewed more than thirty executives involved in clean-tech investments, development, and manufacturing; tracked hundreds of news stories from recognized web and print sources; aggregated data from public and private research reports; and conducted extensive analyses via its global network of analysts, researchers, and consultants. About Clean Edge Clean Edge, Inc., The Clean-Tech Market Authority, provides a variety of market-intelligence products and services related to clean energy, transportation, water, and materials. Through its publications, consulting services, and conferences, Clean Edge helps investors, industry, and society understand and profit from the clean-tech revolution. Based in Oakland, CA, Clean Edge's aim is to serve as a catalyst for global clean-tech development. The company was founded by environmental publishing and high-tech business pioneers Ron Pernick and Joel Makower. For more information about the company visit www.cleanedge.com.
Heat transfer and thermally induced stresses in window glass coated with optically active nano-particles - Publication Type: - Thesis - Issue Date: - 2007 - Metrics: Open Access Files in This Item: \|Filename\|\|Description\|\|Size\| \|01Front.pdf\|\|5.54 MB\| Adobe PDF \|02Whole.pdf\|\|35.23 MB\| Adobe PDF Copyright Clearance Process - Recently Added - In Progress - Open Access This item is open access. Reflective or absorptive coatings for solar control on windows are popular in the architectural and automotive industries. In general, noble metal coatings have been used in reflective applications, and various heat-absorbing dielectric compounds in absorptive ones. The ultimate objective is to moderate incoming infra-red radiation while simultaneously preserving the desirable transparent nature of the window. In addition, one problem with merely absorbing infra-red radiation by the glazing system is that the coating and hence the surface of the special glass becomes very hot. This increased glass temperature will result in thermal stresses leading to an expansion of the glass, which, if not matched by an expansion of the window frame, can cause buckling and cracking. The objective of this project has been to study heat transfer from and through glass surfaces to which IR-screening surface coatings have been applied, and to model the distribution of the resulting thermally-induced stresses in the glass. The use of coatings of gold nano-particles in an absorptive role has hardly been considered previously. The present study explores the characteristics of such coatings by subjecting panes of various experimental and commercially available glasses to illumination by an array of incandescent lamps at 500 W/m2, which is a representative figure for a vertical east- or west-facing window in Sydney, Australia or Houston, USA, during March and September. The heat transfer through the samples was determined and used to guide the subsequent finite element analysis. This provided an indication of the thermally induced stresses developed on the glass surfaces due to heat released by the absorptive coatings. Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/37707
This invention relates to anchors, and in particular, but without limitation, to anchors suitable for use in fencing or other semi-permanent installations, such as solar PV arrays. Anchors, in the context of the present invention, are bases that rest on a support surface, such as the ground, and which can be used to support a load, such as, but without limitation to, a fence post or another supplementary structure. GB2530286 NL2011437 US2010111449 US2005063623 WO2008017836 Examples of known structures that resemble the invention are described in the following published patent specifications: [BRAMBLE GRANT, 23 March 2016]; [BEEKENKAMP VERPAKKINGEN BV, 16 March 2015]; [NOBLE ROBERT, 6 May 2010]; [EISENBARTH BRADLEY MATTHEW, 24 March 2005]; and [DUDHIA SAEED, 14 February 2008]. Most fencing systems are modular, that is to say, comprising a series of spaced-apart fence posts that support fence panels. A fence can be used to mark out a boundary or perimeter and/or to prevent or inhibit the passage of people and/or vehicles from one side of the fence to the other. Fences are used, in many cases, in preference to walls or other boundary structures due to their ease and relatively low cost of installation, maintenance and disassembly. Fence panels come in a variety of forms, such as wooden boards, a series of concrete slats, wire mesh and so forth. Reticulated or slatted (i.e. apertured) fence panels are generally preferred because they reduce wind loading (compared with solid or continuous fence panels) on the fence posts. Fence posts also come in a wide variety of forms, but the most commonplace fence posts comprise upright metal tubes or concrete/wooden posts that are anchored into the ground. To install a fence post, one typically excavates a hole in the ground, inserts the lower end of the fence post into the hole, and then backfills the hole with earth, or in most cases; a pourable, setting material, such as concrete (or, in certain applications, water that freezes to form an ice anchorage around the base of the fence post). Once installed, the fence posts provide a support structure to which fence panels can be affixed. Nevertheless, excavation and backfilling can be expensive and time-consuming operations. Whilst fences are generally quicker and less expensive to install than walls, in situations where a boundary is needed quickly, for example in a military installation, it is known to use gabion walls. A gabion wall is a wall made from a number of gabions placed side-by-side and/or on top of each other. A gabion generally comprises a self-supporting mesh cage that can be placed directly onto the ground and filled with whatever backfill material may be available (e.g. sand, earth, ice, rocks etc.). Gabions can be installed relatively easily, using manpower alone (i.e. backfilling using shovels) as single-height units. However, where a higher gabion wall needs to be constructed, that is to say, by stacking one row of gabions on top of another, this can be labour intensive and risky. Therefore, where a "stacked" gabion wall is required, it is usually necessary to use plant or other earth-moving machinery to backfill the elevated gabions. Even with plant on-hand, gabions can only be stacked to a height at which the compressive strength (i.e. burst resistance) of the lowermost gabions sidewalls is not exceeded. This will, of course, vary depending on the nature and density of the backfill material, but it is unusual to see gabion walls that are more than three gabions high, i.e. greater than 3m high. A further drawback of gabion walls is that they are obtrusive structures, and, being semi-permanent structures, do not lend themselves well to subsequent movement or disassembly. A need therefore exists for a solution to the problem of providing an anchor that is suitable for supporting a fence or another type of supplementary structure and/or which addresses or overcomes one or more of the above problems. Aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended independent claim or claims. Optional or preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appended dependent claims. Therefore, the anchor comprises, when assembled, a generally cuboidal supporting framework lined with a connected liner. The liner can be filled, in use, with a ballast material, such as earth, rocks, sand, snow, water etc. to form a gabion-like structure forming a weighted base for a fence post. In certain embodiments, the liner is waterproof, thereby enabling water, or liquid, ballast to be used to weight-down the base. The liner may further comprise a lid or closure flap, which can be used to retain the ballast. A lid or closure flap, where provided, may usefully inhibit or prevent the loss of ballast, such as blown-away sand ballast, or the evaporation of water ballast. By using a gabion-like structure as a support, to support a fence post for example, it obviates the need to excavate and backfill a hole in the ground for supporting a lower part of, say, a fence post. Further, as the gabion-like structure is generally placed directly onto the ground, it is possible to fill the liner manually, and/or to empty it manually to move the base. This configuration suitably makes the base relatively easy to install, remove or move, when needed. Further, as the base is used to support a fence post and may be further a supplementary structure affixable thereto, the height of a fence or structure installed using the invention is not necessarily restricted to the height or other properties of the anchor. In other words, it is not necessary to stack gabions to form a structure whose height is greater than that of a single gabion. The supporting framework is a rigid structure formed from a set of interconnectable uprights and cross-members. The uprights and cross-members can be made from any suitable material, although square- or rectangular-section metal tubing is preferred because it facilities the formation of right angles, and is lighter than bar or rod. The uprights and cross-members suitably interconnect using bolts and nuts, or preferably using quick-release connectors, such as anti-luce latches. In certain embodiments, the supporting framework comprises a pair of substantially parallel rectangular-section tubes that form feet for the support frame, which rest, in use, on a ground surface. The feet suitably comprise uprights at, or near to their opposite ends, and cross-braces are suitably provided as well to maintain the uprights in a rigid, parallel, spaced-apart configuration. The feet, uprights and cross-braces together form side walls of the supporting framework, and the side walls can be braced by interconnecting members to form the generally cuboidal hollow interior of the supporting framework. Disconnection of the elements making up the supporting framework enables it to be collapsed or significantly reduced in size. This permits the collapsed or disassembled supporting framework to fit inside the liner, when not in use. The liner has an open-topped, generally cuboidal form and is shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the assembled supporting framework. The liner further comprises connectors disposed on, or about, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner, which connectors are adapted, in use, to connect an upper part of the liner to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework. The liner suitably comprises a loop at each of its upper corners, which loops are able to fit over an upper part of an upright of the supporting framework. Suitably, therefore, the supporting framework comprises an upright at each corner, which projects above the level of a cross-brace or cross-member of the supporting framework. Thus, when the liner's loops are placed over the ends of the uprights, they are prevented from sliding down the uprights by engagement with one or more cross-braces or cross members. Additionally or alternatively, the supporting framework may comprise a plurality of hooks adapted, in use, to engage with corresponding loops of the liner. By such means, an upper peripheral edge of the open top of the liner can be connected to an upper part of the assembled supporting framework. Therefore, when the liner is filled with ballast, the liner is fixed to the supporting framework and does not significantly slide down relative thereto. In other embodiments of the invention, other types of connectors could be used, for example, hook-and-loop tapes, twisted wire, karabiners, adhesive tape, etc.. The anchor described herein can be adapted for supporting a fence post, in use. Preferably, therefore, the supporting framework comprises one or more connectors for connecting the supporting framework to a fence post. In one embodiment of the invention, the fence post comprises a generally square- or rectangular-sectioned metal tube that is connected at, or towards, its lower end, to the supporting framework. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but in certain embodiments, the connection of the supporting framework to the fence post is achieved by way of a pivot joint and an abutment joint: the fence post being connectable to the anchor via the pivot joint in a first orientation (e.g. substantially horizontal) and being pivotable, about the pivot joint, until another part of the fence post engages with the abutment joint. By such means, the fence post can be offered up to the anchor from a safe working height (e.g. at waist height), and substantially horizontally, and then pivoted to an upright orientation and locked in position by the locking joint. In other embodiments of the invention, the connection between the anchor and the fence post is by way of a clevis arrangement or by way of one or more D-ring members of the support frame into which a lower end of the fence post can be inserted. The fence post, or supplementary structure affixable to the anchor, is suitably collapsible. This can be accomplished by forming the fence post or supplementary structure as a set of interconnectable tubes, which can be assembled on site to form an elongate fence post, but which (in preferred embodiments of the invention) can be broken-down into relatively shorter parts, which may usefully fit inside the liner, when the anchor is not in use. By being able to pack-down the fence post into the liner in this way, transportation and storage of the system, when not in use, is greatly facilitated. A fence constructed in accordance with the invention may further comprise a fence panel, which fence panel is connected to the fence posts to form the fence. In certain embodiments of the invention, but not all embodiments, the fence panels are made up from a set of interconnectable fence panel portions made from wire mesh. The fence panel portions, in certain embodiments, are shaped and dimensioned to as to fit inside the liner (along with the collapsed supporting framework and/or the collapsed fence post), when not in use. It will be appreciated that a fencing system in accordance with the invention could be made up of a number of units each comprising an anchor, fence post and a fence panel. As a fence would be made up from a number of like repeating units (anchor, fence post & fence panel), it may be highly preferred, in certain embodiments, to make the supporting framework, the fence post and the fence panel fit inside the liner, when not in use. To facilitate transportation of the anchor, either when empty or weighted down with ballast, one or more hoisting eyes may be provided on the supporting framework. Suitably, the hoisting eyes are connected to a lower part of the supporting framework (e.g. the feet described above) so that the weight of any ballast within the liner is supported from beneath by the supporting framework, rather than indirectly, via the connectors. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an erected fence formed using a series of anchors in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchor as shown in in a collapsed state, ready for transport and/or storage; Figure 3 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the anchor of in a partially assembled state; Figure 4 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the anchor of in an assembled state; Figure 5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the anchor of in an assembled and filled state; Figure 6 Figure 1 Figures 2 to 5 is a schematic side view showing how the fence of can be erected using anchors of ; Figure 7 Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the fence of ; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an anchor in accordance with the invention suitable for supporting a supplementary support structure; Figure 9 10 and 11 Figure 8 , are perspective views of solar PV arrays supported on anchors as shown in ; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a watchtower constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a storage facility constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention; and Figure 14 is a perspective view of a gabion wall constructed from a number of anchors in accordance with the invention. Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Referring to of the drawings, a modular fence 10 is formed from a series of spaced apart anchors 30 that support a corresponding set of upright fence posts 12. Attached to, and supported by, the fence posts 12, and by a set of intermediate fence posts 14, are a series of wire mesh fence panels 16. The fence 10 is topped by an anti-climb-over system 18 affixed to, and supported by the fence posts. The anchors 30 are placed directly onto the ground 20 and are weighted down by ballast 22 placed into them. The fence 10 therefore overcomes many of the problems associated with existing fence systems (by removing the need to excavate and backfill holes in the ground for the lower ends of the fence posts) and existing gabion walls (by enabling a relatively high boundary to be formed without having to stack gabions on top of one another. Figures 2 to 5 Figure 2 Figure 2 In detail, and with reference to of the drawings, each anchor 30 comprises a supporting framework 32 and a liner 34. As can be seen in , then the anchor 30 is not in use, the supporting framework 32 can be disassembled and stored inside the liner 34. The liner 34 has a strong loop 36 attached to each of its upper corners, which facilitates transportation of the anchor 30. The liner 34, as shown in , even with the collapsed supporting framework 32 inside it, has some spare space/capacity, which, in certain embodiments, can be used to store any one or more of: a broken-down fence post 12, a broken-down intermediate fence post 14; a broken-down fence panel 16; a broken-down anti-climb-over system 18; and a supplementary supporting framework, as shall be described below. Figures 3 to 5 Figure 3 To erect the fence 10, as shown by the sequence of , the supporting framework 32 is taken out of the liner 34 and assembled, as shown in . The supporting framework 32 comprises a set of feet 40 formed by rectangular cross-section tubes, which rest on the ground 20, in use. The feet 40 have lifting eyes 42 connected thereto, to facilitate lifting the anchor 30 using lifting equipment, such as a crane. Four upright, square cross-section tubes 44 are releasably connected, via anti-luce latches 46, one to each end of, the two feet 40, and these uprights 44 define the vertical edges of the supporting framework 32. The uprights 44 are detachably interconnected by cross-braces 48, which are secured to the uprights 44 by anti-luce latches 46 also. A further set of cross-members 50, at right angles to the cross-braces 48, are provided, which also connect to the uprights 44 using anti-luce latches 46. The feet 40 are also cross-braced by a further set of struts 52, and the cross-members are cross-braced centrally by a connector tube 54. The struts 52 and the connector tube 54 are releasably connected to the supporting framework by further anti-luce latches 46. The supporting framework 32 can thus be assembled from a set of components to form a rigid, generally cuboidal framework; or disassembled into its constituent parts to pack-down into the liner 34. Anti-luce latches are particularly advantageous in certain environments where bolts and nuts are contraindicated. For example, in cold, icy environments, where gloved-finger dexterity may be restricted, the use of anti-luce connectors is vastly preferred over bolts and nuts, say, as they are more easily manipulated, and do not require the use of tools, compared with other connection methods. Further, in desert environments, a dropped nut can often be impossible to find if it sinks into the sand. By using anti-luce latches, as opposed to, say bolts and nuts, the risk of losing a critical part of the system is vastly reduced. Figure 4 Referring now to of the drawings, the liner 34 has been inserted into the supporting framework 32 and its connector loops 36 have been placed over the upper ends of the vertical tubes 44. Thus, the liner 34 is suspended within the supporting framework 32 by its connector loops 36, and at the same time, its lower surface 56 rests on the struts 52 previously described. Figure 5 In it can be seen how the liner 34 has been filled with ballast 58, in this example, by sand, and outward bulging of the liner 34, under the weight/pressure of the ballast 58 is resisted by the cross-members 48, 50. Figures 3, 4 and 5 Figure 4 Figures 6 and 7 Referring to of the drawings, in particular, to , it can be seen that the supporting framework 32 has a pivot connector 60 and an abutment connector 62 affixed to upper 50 and lower 50' cross-members, respectively. The pivot connector 60 comprises a through hole 64 for receipt of a pintle bar (not shown) about which a fence post 12 can pivot. The abutment connector 62 comprises a protrusion 66, which engages a corresponding aperture in the fence post 12 to lock it in position, as shown in of the drawings. Figures 6 & 7 Figure 6 Figure 7 Referring to of the drawings, the anchor 30 is used to support a fence post 12 formed from tubular steel, which as a through hole 70 approximately 1m above its lower end 72, which through hole receives a pintle bar 74 that passes through the through hole 64 in the pivot connector 60 of the anchor 30 previously described. As can be seen from , the fence post 12 is initially laid approximately level on top of the supporting framework 32 of the anchor 30 and is connected to the pivot connector 60 using the pintle bar 74. The fence post 12 can then be raised to a vertical position, as shown in , by pushing on a brace strut 78, which is pivotally connected at its upper end 80 to the fence post 12. When the fence post 12 has been moved to a vertical position, the lower end 81 of the brace strut 78 can be connected to the anchor 30 via the connector tube 54. Thus, the fence post 12, connector tube 54 and brace strut 78 form a rigid, triangulated structure, to hold the fence post 12 upright and affixed to the anchor 30. To stabilise the fence post 12 laterally relative to the anchor 30, an aperture 84 is provided in a lower part of the fence post, which engages with the protrusion 66 of the abutment connector 62 previously described. The aperture 84 is held in engagement with the protrusion 66 by the action of the brace strut 78, which urges top of the fence post 12 forward, thus urging the aperture 84 into engagement with the protrusion. A fence 10 can be assembled by placing a series of anchors 30 as described above on the ground 20 and by installing the fence posts 12 as previously described. Fence panels 16 and/or intermediate fence posts 14 can be added, as well as an anti-climb-over device 18, as required (either with the fence posts 12 in the flat or vertical position). Figures 8 to 14 Other uses of the anchor 30 are manifold, but further applications are described hereinbelow with reference to of the drawings. Figures 8 to 11 Figure 8 Figures 9 10 and 11 Referring to of the drawings, the anchor 30 is used as a support for a solar panel array. In it can be seen that the anchor 30 is a slightly simplified version of that described previously insofar as the central connector tube 54, pivot connector 60 and the abutment connector 62 have been omitted. In this example, the anchor 30 is fitted with a set of vertical extension tubes 90, which slide into the open ends of the vertical support tubes 44 of the supporting framework. The upper ends of the extension tubes 90 are fitted with flanges 92, to which a supplementary supporting framework 94, as shown in , can be fitted. Figure 8 The relative lengths of the extension tubes 90 can be varied to adjust the orientation of the supplementary supporting framework 94, and this can be facilitated by checking the level of the anchor 30 using a built-in spirit level 95, as shown in . Figure 9 Figure 9 Figure 9 10 Referring now to of the drawings, the supplementary supporting framework 94 comprises a reticulated structure made from steel tubing, which is adapted to receive solar PV panels 96 of a convention type. In , three of the six solar panels 96 have been omitted for clarity, but it will be appreciated that the inclination of the supplementary supporting framework 94 and the solar PC panels 96 can be adjusted to suit by adjustment of the extension tubes 90 relative to the uprights 44 of the anchor's supporting framework 32 (as can be seen by comparing and ). Figure 11 shows how a large solar PV array 960 can be formed by placing several anchors 30 on the ground 20 in a desired pattern, affixing their respective supplementary supporting frameworks 94 and also a set of solar PV panels 96. Figure 12 In of the drawings, four anchors 30, as described above, are used to form the base of a watchtower assembly 1000. A first two of the anchors 30 are interconnected using anti-luce latches 46, which connect the uprights 44 of adjacent anchors 30 to one another. As second pair of anchors 30' are similarly connected, but are spaced apart slightly from the first pair to create a generally rectangular base 1002 for the watchtower 1000. A first anchor frame 1032 (i.e. an anchor 30, but without its liner 34) is placed one on top of the base 1002. It will be noted that the spacing between the cross-bracing connector tubes 54 of each pair of interconnected anchors 30 is roughly the same as the spacing of the feet 40 of the first anchor frame 1032, and so the latter can be stably placed, and connected to, the former: again using anti-luce latches, or other suitable releasable or permanent connectors. Further anchor frames 1034 (i.e. anchors 30, but without their liners 34) are placed one on top of each other, on top of the first anchor frame 1032, and suitably interconnected, to form the tower structure 1000. A standing platform 1004 can be placed in the base of the second-to-top anchor frame 1036, for a person 1006 to stand upon, and a roof 1008 can be supported on atop the upper support frame 1038 to provide shelter for that person, in use, if required. Figure 13 Referring to of the drawings, the anchors 30 previously described, can be used with, or without their liners 34 to form a modular storage system, either as racking (without liners 34) or as frames 32 alone to form storage bins. In certain cases, the support frames 32 can be stripped down to form pallets 1100, the feet 40 of which conveniently providing fork-lift hoist points. Figure 14 Finally, as shown in of the drawings, the anchors 30 can be stacked one on top of another, or in a staggered fashion (as described previously) to form a gabion wall 1200. However, the invention has the advantage over a traditional gabion wall insofar as, because each support frame 32 has tubular feet 40 and crane-hoisting points 42, it is possible, if necessary, to relocate the filled gabions, for example, suing a fork-lift truck or crane. A traditional gabion by contrast, which only has a wire cage support structure, cannot be (so easily, if at all) moved once filled. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the anchor could be used in other applications besides fencing and/or solar PV arrays; any materials or dimensions (whether express or implied) could be varied etc., without departing from the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.
NEW YORK. Francis Tiafoe’s run to the semi-finals of the US Open is primarily due to Tiafoe himself, a 24-year-old Maryland native who took up tennis because his father was a janitor at a junior training center, a player who never won. match after the fourth round at the Grand Slams so far, who holds one ATP career title and a career record under .500, and whose rating has ranged from 24 to 74 over the last two seasons. “A Cinderella Story,” as he puts it. Tiafoe’s story, which already includes defeating 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on his way to his matchup with Spain’s No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz to reach the final, also goes much further. Now this is a significant step forward for American men’s tennis, which can help develop this sport in the future. Tiafoe became the first American to reach the Flushing Meadows semi-finals since Andy Roddick 16 years ago. He has a chance to give the country its first men’s Slam champion since Roddick in New York 19 years ago. If he can get past Alcaraz – the other men’s semi-final – No. 5 Kasper Ruud of Norway against No. 27 Karen Khachanov of Russia – Tiafoe will be the first black U.S. to make it to a major final since MaliWai Washington came in second. at Wimbledon in 1996. “American men’s tennis has been going through hard times for a couple of decades now. Fighting against the standard we have set for ourselves: Grand Slam champions and Grand Slam finals,” Washington said in a telephone interview. “This hasn’t happened to men in years.” The bar was set high by the success of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe – the last African American to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in 1972, and the man for whom the main stadium of the tournament is the name – and before that Don Budge and Bill Tilden. Thanks to the Williams sisters and other recent major champion or runner-up players such as Sloane Stevens, Madison Keys, Sofia Kenin and Danielle Collins, American women’s tennis has been around long before the days of Chris Evert and Billie Jean. King. “Absolutely helps the US Open to have U.S. men’s and women’s champions,” tournament director Stacey Allaster said. “We had the best result of all time among women. And obviously, in the men’s section, we’ve had amazing American champions, from Pete and Andre to Andy. But it was a long time ago”. As Serena Williams prepared to retire from her playing days, current athletes such as Tiafoe, 18-year-old Coco Gauff and others spoke during the US Open about the impact she and her sister Venus had on their careers. Gauff said she was in what she called a “predominantly white sport” because she “had seen someone like me dominate the game.” The importance of representation cannot be overestimated. “What Francis is doing now inspires me,” Washington said. “And I hope he inspires young players — not just blacks, but whites, Hispanics, Asians. Of course, due to his background and skin color, this will have a certain impact on young black players and especially on young black boys. And I hope it makes them think, “OK, I’ve been playing tennis for years.” It inspires me to keep going.” Or: “I’ve never played tennis before. It inspires me to try.” Tiafoe’s on-court enthusiasm — “which you see more often in basketball,” Washington said — and off-court personality could help bring youth to tennis. As well as social media, which didn’t exist during Washington’s game days. “I don’t know if you’ll ever really know the impact you’re having on the next generation, until maybe years later someone says, ‘Hey, I started playing tennis because I remember like watching you at Wimbledon.” said Washington, whose Jacksonville, Florida-based youth foundation offers afterschool and summer programs. “We’re always trying to find a diverse group of players, trying to find the next player and maybe looking for that next player in non-traditional places.” Martin Blackman, head of the US Tennis Association’s player development program, says Tiafoe “resonates with and is relevant to the culture. It represents a huge opportunity to make tennis “cooler”. Tiafoe is not shy about the idea that he can show the way to others. “He wants to be a role model,” said his coach, Wayne Ferreira. “I always tell him, ‘If you want to be a role model, you have to win tennis matches.’ … If he can win this tournament, he can be an inspiration to many children.” Tiafoe was 6 years old when he first crossed paths with Blackman, who at the time was a coach at the Junior Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where little Francis and his twin brother lived while his dad worked. “He watched group lessons, he watched private lessons, he hit the wall,” Blackman said. Blackman sees what Tiafoe is doing as the result of a process started over a decade ago to try and grow future champions. Blackman sees “healthy peer pressure” in a group of American men about the same age as Tiafoe who have worked their way through the ranks and rankings together, including Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka and Tommy Paul. “We want the same dynamics as in the early 90s with Pete, Andre, Jim Courier and Michael Chang,” Blackman said. “This is another part of why Francis’ breakthrough is so important.” PARMA, Italy. Sara Sorribes Tormo beat second-place Martina Trevisan 7-5, 6-0 in the first round of the Parma Ladies Open, marking the third straight first round loss for the French Open semi-finalist this year. Third seed Irina-Kamelia Begu took the lead when Victoria Tomova retired with Begu leading 7-5, 5-1. Danka Kovinic defeated Ocean Dodin 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and will next face 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stevens. Also on the red clay courts, Egypt’s Mayar Sheriff knocked out fifth-seeded Anna Bondar, 7-5, 6-4; Elisabetta Cocciaretto defeated No. 7 Nuria Parrisas Diaz 7-5, 6-1; and Italian wild card Matilda Paoletti earned her first tour-level win by defeating Romanian Gabriela Li 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. SAN DIEGO — Brandon Nakashima earned his first ATP Tour victory in his hometown by defeating friend and fellow Southern Californian Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-4 in the San Diego Open final. “It’s super special that you dream of, but having it happen in my hometown with all my friends and family is a moment I’ll never forget,” said Nakashima, who has competed twice in the finals. “Hopefully there are many more moments like this ahead.” Nakashima, a 21-year-old who grew up in San Diego and trained extensively at the venue as a junior, won the first set in just 30 minutes. The second set, filled with long draws, lasted almost an hour. Chiron, the No. 5 seed and former NCAA title holder from UCLA, was unable to fend off Nakashima’s persistent ground shots and accurate pitches. Nakashima had eight aces, six in the first set. Serving 5-4 in the second set, Nakashima scored two game-deciding points when Chiron landed a light volley into the net, followed by Nakashima’s ace on the second serve. He earned $93,090, about half of what he earned for reaching the third round of the US Open in early September. Nakashima, ranked 69th on the ATP Tour, moved up to 48th, his highest ranking in almost three years of the tour. Despite the loss, Chiron went from 58 to 53. Not only did an American win the singles title, but the doubles title also went to an American duo as second seed Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Whitrow defeated Aussies Jason Kubler and Luke Saville 7-6(5), 6-2. The $612,000 event took place at the Barnes Tennis Center, where the $757,900 WTA 500 Open San Diego Open will take place October 8-16. 1 Igoy Svyatek.	https://sportzshala.com/frances-tiafoe-offers-hope-for-present-and-future-of-u-s-mens-tennissorribes-tormo-beats-2nd-seeded-trevisan-at-parma-opennakashima-takes-first-atp-tour-title-at-san-diego/
Professional Development is aligned with identified needs based on staff evaluation and student performance. SMS Goal 1: By addressing tier 2 and tier 3 academic vocabulary as a purposeful progressive part of the process a student goes through over a three-year period with grade level differentiation and purposeful content designation of responsibility, we will increase our student’s ability to display their learning across all content areas as measured by Student Growth Goal data, Smarter Balanced Assessment data, and i-Ready data. The school monitors the progress of extended learning time and strategies being implemented and uses data to inform modifications. SMS Goal 2: By continuing with multi-tiered special services courses (Foundations & Core+) and a collaboration structure that includes Special Education and Content Specialists, we will focus our practice in the use of OSPI’s recognized best practices in supporting diverse learners. For individuals, we will increase learning time within the school day while being able to monitor the success of the extended learning time as measured by grades, Individual Education Plan progress monitoring, Smarter Balanced Assessment data, and I-Ready data. Instructional teams use student learning data to identify students in need of instructional support or enhancement. SMS Goal 3: By expanding our regular formative content assessments by grade (course) level to at twice monthly, staff will be able to current use student learning data to inform decision-making around appropriate instructional supports for students. The school leadership team ensures that the school environment is safe, supportive, (i.e., it addresses non-academic factors such as social and emotional well-being.) SMS Goal 4: We will grow our knowledge in the systems below, then we will increase our confidence in ensuring our school as a physically and emotionally safe, and supportive learning environment that values the growth of all. SEL proactive instruction (initially train a small team to do purposeful pull-out instruction and interactions framed around Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking work, progress to classroom teacher instruction to establish common vocabulary and expectations infused into Wolfpack and all classrooms) Kids at Hope (reinvest the resources and plan for schoolwide professional development of in the elements within the philosophical approach and its application for our school through Wolfpack) PBIS (define critical Tier I instruction over at key times throughout the year through Wolfpack, build our capacity to have clear Tier II identification and subsequent student instruction and accountability) Lifeskills lessons (review the sequence and selection of lesson for impact and relevance for continued use in Wolfpack) The school’s website has a parent (family) section that includes information on home support for learning, announcements, and parent activities/resources. SMS Goal 5: We will train staff in, in breadth of manner they can use Canvas to support students and families so that staff will be able to develop e-classrooms with information that includes general home support for learning, scaffolding to support struggling students, extensions where students might pursue expertise or distinction and find overarching content activities/resources.	https://sms.sequimschools.org/academics/school_improvement_plan_2019-2020
In response to the latest developments surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we want to assure all our suppliers, agency clients, contractors, employees and anyone else associated with the Danbro Family, that we’re monitoring the situation closely and are taking all the necessary precautions to keep people - and the business - safe and secure. As part of our Business Continuity Plan, provisions are already in place - and have been for some time - to minimise any disruption and ensure that you continue to receive the support you need throughout this period of unfamiliarity. This includes the capacity for our team to work from home without compromising the quality of service you deserve. We hope this will be particularly reassuring for those of you affected by the recent developments surrounding IR35. Extra steps we’re taking include: - Holding daily Directors’ briefings to actively monitor the situation and communicate regular updates with our team - We have purchased additional licences and software for our remote working solution - We have uploaded useful guidance, such as that in our contractor portal - We’ve tested extensively the ability to run ‘critical tasks’ from home, such as invoicing and payroll, for example. - We have encouraged working from home and self-isolation, where possible, for all our employees. In the event of an outbreak, either within the company or the local community, this will limit significantly the number of people affected - We have restricted staff holidays. A company holiday freeze was already in place for March and April in preparation for the anticipated workload relating to the Private Sector’s Off-Payroll changes. - We are working hard with suppliers and our recruitment agency partners to understand any challenges in the supply chain and provide support wherever possible. Providing continuity of service is an absolute priority for us. Work will be prioritised in order to ensure all submission deadlines are met and all payments are made on the expected days, as usual. All our systems can be operated remotely, so there’s no issue making payments even in the unlikely event of the entire team having to work in isolation. In the meantime, you should adhere to the latest official guidance, which you can read here. Please note, if you have a contractor with Danbro and they enter into a period of self-isolation, you MUST inform Danbro immediately. More information and further support for our Umbrella Employees can be found, here. Moving forward, we’ll continue to update you with any further developments via email, as well as our website and social media channels. So, if you have a query, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team. Thank you. © 2020 Danbro Group. All Rights Reserved.	https://www.danbro.co.uk/agency-supplier-coronavirus
Madroña update- June 6 Good Afternoon Madrona Mustang Families, This is Isaac Huang, proud principal of Madrona with an update for the week of June 6. Madrona's end of the year Carnival Summer is Sweet Reading Challenge photos from around campus \| \| Our thank you recognition tea event for our parent volunteers. We truly appreciate your support of our staff and learners. \| \|\| \| The Thousand Oaks Library visited Madrona to read and also inform our Mustangs about the wonderful opportunities the library is providing. \| \| Our 4th graders did a fantastic job performing their play on the Gold Rush. \| \|\| \| Congratulations to all our parents who completed their first semester of ESL classes at Conejo Creek. \| \| Mrs. White's class reached another milestone with their IXL progress. \| \|\| \| Our final awards assembly this past Friday. Congratulations to all our recipients. \| \| Congratulation to Ms. Denton who won the PTA Outstanding Teacher Award! \| \| Congratulations to Mrs. Carter who won the PTA Golden Oak Service Award. Thank you for your continued support of Madrona. \| \| Congratulation to Rachel and Matix who were the recipients of the "To the Moon Scholarship". Meet our Madrona Staff Confidential Reporting Line We encourage all students and families to first report any incidents to the school site principal, or a trusted adult on the school campus. However, if there are circumstances where you feel uncomfortable reporting to school site staff, or you have reported to the school site and believe the response was insufficient to address discrimination, intimidation, bullying and harassment you are welcome to make a report, see link below. To make a confidential report of harassment, intimidation, bullying and/or racism, please complete the Confidential Incident Reporting Form English Español You can find all CVUSD complaint procedures and information here.	https://www.smore.com/9y0jx
Watch this video about the history of Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, has a long and rich history and is the third oldest form of medicine. Only Egyptian and Babylonian medicine predates it. The fact that TCM has existed for thousands of years, and is still used today, is a testament to its value as a form of healthcare. The isolation of China throughout history plays a role in TCM’s lack of exposure in other parts of the world. However, with the opening of China in 1972, it has been spreading to Western and European countries. TCM’s practice has been shaped over time by many factors. These factors include culture, philosophy, politics, religion, and science. Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism and dates back more than 2,500+ years. Some reports date it back as far as 5,000+ years. Traditional systems of medicine also exist in other East and South Asian countries. This includes Japan, where the traditional herbal medicine is called Kampo, and Korea. Some of these systems have been influenced by TCM and are similar to it in some ways. Yet each has developed distinctive features of its own. The doctrines of Chinese medicine are rooted in books such as the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon and the Treatise on Cold Damage. Starting in the 1950’s, these precepts were modernized in the People’s Republic of China. At that time, herbal and spiritual methods were combined with scientific elements. TCM is heavily rooted in traditional Eastern philosophy. The philosophy was built on, added to, and modified throughout history. This is very typical of the Chinese, who are a very pragmatic people. They have no problem accepting a wide variety of philosophies into their culture. An example would be The Three Teachings. Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism coexisted harmoniously in China. We can see this in paintings, with Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Buddha all depicted together. Qi – a vital energy that flows through the body and performs multiple functions in maintaining health. 1. Your body is an integrated whole. Along with your mind, emotions, and spirit, your physical body structures form a miraculously complex, interrelated system that is powered by life force or energy. 4. Prevention is the best cure. Do you know your body is continually revealing signs about the state of your health? Let’s face it; it’s common to ignore these signs or symptoms until something more complicated arises. TCM teaches you how to interpret what your body is telling you. There are many definitions of “integrative” health care, but all involve bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations. TCM is an important component of an integrated and personalised approach to health and wellness. TCM practitioners use herbal medicines and various mind and body practices, such as acupuncture and tai chi, to treat or prevent health problems. In the 21st century, TCM is primarily used as a complementary health approach. In spite of the widespread use of TCM in China and its use in the West, rigorous scientific evidence of its effectiveness is limited. TCM can be difficult for researchers to study because its treatments are often complex (involving the whole persona) and are based on ideas very different from those of modern Western medicine. Most research studies on TCM have focused on specific techniques. These techniques are primarily acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies. In a 2012 analysis that combined data on individual participants in 29 studies of acupuncture for pain, patients who received acupuncture for back or neck pain, osteoarthritis, or a chronic headache had better pain relief than those who did not receive acupuncture. Tai Chi has not been investigated as extensively as acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine, but recent studies, including some supported by NCCIH, suggest that practicing Tai Chi may help to improve balance and stability in people with Parkinson’s disease. It may reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, and promote quality of life and mood in people with heart failure. Traditional Chinese Medicine is the third oldest form of medicine. Only Egyptian and Babylonian medicine predates it. It has evolved over thousands of years. TCM encompasses many different practices mentioned above. There are many benefits for its use both anecdotally and from scientific review. Governments and consumers are becoming more open to broader aspects of TCM practices and to considering them as an integrated part of health service delivery. However, modern scientific research is limited. It has only recently started looking at the effect of integrative approaches to medicine and healing. We are finally starting to accept traditional medicine into the 21st-century health care system. Try one of the TCM therapies mentioned above and let us know what works for you. Feel free to share any Traditional Chinese Medicine resources, links to great practitioners, or any resources that help give this area more depth of understanding. We would like to hear your thoughts! Join the conversation here.	http://fillyourcup.global/history-chinese-medicine/
The Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court (the GZ IP Court) recently made the first-instance judgement (not effective yet) for the two zipper patent infringement cases in which we r... Linda Liu & Partners Invalidated Two Standard Introduction The two patents involved, namely, Method for Decoding Based on Intra Prediction and Apparatus for Decoding Based on Intra Prediction, are standard patents in the worldl... HOME > English > Latest News > News China Holds onto Its Top Spot as the Leader in International Patent Filings The latest report released by World Intellectual Property Organization (Hereinafter referred to as WIPO) indicates that the number of international patent filings of 2020 hit a record high, despite the huge economic and human lost caused by COVID-19, which proves that the innovation are not ceased by the pandemic. China increased by 16.1%, holding onto its top spot as the leader in international patent filings. While “the predicted downward trend” in international trademark applications is shown in the report, falling by 0.6%, the first decline since the international financial crisis in 2008. The international patent filings continued to grow despite the COVID-19, showing strong perseverance in innovation, according to 2020 Report of WIPO on International Patent, Trademark and Design released on Mar. 2nd. The report reveals that China remains the largest user of WIPO's PCT System, maintaining its position as the top source of international patent filings. International patent applications filed via WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which is one of the widely used metrics for measuring innovative activity, grew by 4% in 2020 to reach 275,900 applications, the highest number ever, despite an estimated drop in the global gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.5 %, the report said. In the meantime, the innovative activities are globalizing as the long-term trends of international patent filings via PCT indicates. The number of Asian PCT applications accounts for 53.7%, comparing with that figure of 35.7% ten years ago. China and the US were the two leading users that saw marked growth in patent filings in 2020, the report said. China filed 68,720 applications in 2020, year-on-year growth reached 16.1%, remained the largest user of WIPO's PCT System. US placed the second with 59,230 applications, increased by 3%, followed by Japan with 50,520 applications with the drop of 4.1%. South Korea filed 20,060 applications, increased by 5.2%, and Germany with 18,643 applications, decreased by 3.7%. Some countries showed strong momentum in this regards, e.g. Saudi Arabia (956 applications, 73.2% growth), Malaysia (255 applications, 26.2% growth), Chile (262 applications, 17% growth), Singapore (1,278 applications, 14.9% growth), Brazil (697 applications, 8.4% growth). Trademark application generally indicates the launching of a new product or service, both of which so far are delayed by the pandemic. The predicted downswing was verified by the number of trademark applications filed under the Madrid System for the International Registration in 2020, which decreased to 63,800, a drop of 0.6%. This is the first decline since the international financial crisis in 2008. Moreover, the impact of the pandemic on the economy also spreads to international industry design filed under the international design system. In 2020, the demand for design applications decreased to 18,580, falling by 15% compared with the same period previous year-the first drop since 2006. Global demand for intellectual property helps innovators and companies bring their ideas into market, which roughly synchronizes with the global economic performance. Over the past 10 years, the use amount of WIPO IP service, especially PCT, had continued to grow, exceeding the growth of global GDP. China's telecom company Huawei Technologies, with 5,464 PCT applications, ranks as the top filer of PCT in 2020 for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Samsung Electronics of South Korea (3,093 applications), Mitsubishi Electric Corp. of Japan (2,810 applications), LG Electronics Inc. of South Korea (2,759 applications) and Qualcomm Inc. of the US (2,173 applications.) Among the educational institutions, the University of California continues to lead the list with 559 applications in 2020, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (269 applications), China's Shenzhen University (252 applications), Tsinghua University (231 applications) and Zhejiang University (209 applications.) Five of the top 10-university in the list are from China, four from the U.S., and one from Japan. Computer technology accounts for the largest proportion of 9.2% in PCT applications in all technical fields, followed by digital communication (8.3%), medical technology (6.6%), electric & machine (6.6%) and measurement (4.8%). Six of the top 10 technologies presented a double digit growth rate in 2020, leaded by the audio-video technology with 29.5% year-on-year growth. With 10,005 applications, U.S.-based applicants filed the largest number of international trademark applications under the Madrid System in 2020, followed by Germany (7,344 applications), China (7,075 applications), France (3,716 applications) and the United Kingdom (3,679 applications). Among the top ten application origins, China is the only country achieving double-digit growth in 2020 with its 16.4% year-on-year growth. UK and Italy also presented a significant growth. Computer software and hardware and other electric or electronic devices dominated in the international patent filings received by WIPO in 2020, accounting for 10.6% of the total amount. Business services (8.1%) and technical services (7.1%) rank second and third respectively. Industrial design applications filed under the international design system saw a dramatic decline in 2020. Germany, with 3,666 industrial design applications, continues to be the largest user, followed by US (2,211 applications), Switzerland (1,994 applications), South Korea (1,669 applications) and Italy (1,231 applications). Among the top ten application origins, US, Turkey and China are the only three countries achieving positive growth, with the year-on-year growth of 62.7%, 34.7% and 22.7% respectively. Samsung from South Korea ranks first with 859 design applications for four consecutive years, followed by P&G from US (623 applications), Fonkel Meubelmarketing from the Netherlands (569 applications), Volkswagen from Germany (524 applications) and Beijing Xiaomi Corporation from China (516 applications). This is the first time that a Chinese corporate entered in the top 5 list. Transportation related design applications takes the largest proportion of design applications, accounting for 10.1%, followed by recording and communication devices (8.8%), packaging and containers (8.4%), furniture (7.4%), and lighting equipment (6.9%). Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics saw a large increase among the top 10, with a 42.6% year-on-year growth. In 2020, trademark owners filed a record-high of 4,204 cases to WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (AMC) under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), with 7,247 domain names involved, raising the total number of domain name dispute cases received by WIPO to 50,541. Some infringing domain names registered by taking the advantages of the pandemic are included. Among the Generic Top-level Domain infringement cases received by WIPO, domain names with the suffix “.com” account for 75%, “.net” and “.org” occupy 4% and 3% respectively. In 2020, WIPO provided dispute resolution services for more than 75 Country Code Generic Top-level Domains, such as ".CN" (China), ".EU" (EU), etc. The rapid growth of such cases reflects the growing importance of country code domain names to consumers. The parties from 127 countries area involved in uniform domain name dispute cases, and the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany are the top five countries filed the most cases. Date: May. 3 rd , 2021 Source: China Economic Net About us \| Contact us \| Favorite \| Home Page LINKS: Beijing Wei Chixue Law Firm ©2008-2025 By Linda Liu & Partners, All Rights Reserved.	https://www.lindapatent.com/en/info_news/1184.html
Editor’s notice: Selection Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on activities shaping present-day globe. Liu Hua is the director of World Intellectual Assets Organization’s Workplace in China. The post demonstrates the author’s viewpoints and not always the views of CGTN. As an critical pole in the international innovation landscape, China has founded by itself as a chief in international innovation. Ten several years back, Asia accounted for 50 percent of worldwide intellectual assets (IP) filings. In 2021, the determine reached 70 percent, to which innovation from China is a especially substantial contributor. According to the Worldwide Innovation Index (GII) 2021, a flagship report of the Environment Intellectual House Firm (WIPO), China has risen to the 12th place in the GII, up two spots from very last yr, and is even now the only middle-revenue economic system in the GII Prime 15. WIPO Director General Daren Tang believes that China is knocking on the door of the GII Top rated 10. In 2020, Chinese domestic purposes accounted for 45.7 per cent, 54 p.c and 55 per cent of world wide patent, trademark and industrial style and design filings, respectively. In 2021, China rated first, 3rd and 10th respectively in the WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid System and the Hague Process. In the very same yr, China submitted a total of 69,540 PCT applications, up .9 percent calendar year above yr, and remained the biggest person of the PCT global assistance, with a whole of 13 Chinese companies in the prime 50 intercontinental PCT filers. Among the them, Chinese telecoms large Huawei, with 6,952 released PCT apps, was the biggest filer in 2021, topping the listing for 5 consecutive a long time. The other two Chinese providers in the record of best 10 filers have been Guangdong OPPO Cellular Telecommunications and BOE Technology. China had 19 prime science and know-how clusters all over the world, with Shenzhen, Hong Kong Particular Administrative Area and Guangzhou getting the 2nd spot, adopted by Beijing (3rd), Shanghai (eighth), Nanjing (18th) and Hangzhou (21st), all climbing in rank yr on 12 months and by significant margins. In the rating of leading 50 academic establishments, China boasted the biggest range of universities on the record, with Chinese universities getting 19 seats. 4 of the best 10 universities on the listing are from China: Zhejiang University (second), Tsinghua College (fourth), South China College of Know-how (seventh) and Soochow College (ninth). Tang pointed out that in just a handful of quick a long time, China had built a hugely effective and modern IP procedure that had assisted drive China’s socioeconomic advancement. China’s remarkable achievements in the area of innovation and mental home can be attributed to China’s policy organizing, implementation and evaluation, adherence and perseverance to deepening reform and opening up, and sturdy IP ecosystem. WIPO Chief Economist Carsten Fink famous that the increase of China’s innovation economic climate was not just an artifact of one or two indicators, it was anything that we observed in all pillars of the innovation ecosystem, with more and extra Chinese multinational firms competing globally based mostly on their technological edge. IPs assist China establish an innovation-driven economic climate At current, the juxtaposition between the terrific variations unseen in a century and the pandemic has introduced about a huge effects on the planet economic development paradigm and profound changes to work and lifetime of mankind. The earth is full of uncertainties. But what is selected is that regardless of whether it is conquering the pandemic to rebuild the overall economy or advertising and marketing sustainable growth to jointly tackle global troubles, the support and impetus from science and technologies innovation as perfectly as IP safety and application are indispensable. The part of IP is getting increasingly prominent. Presently, the value of global intangible property, mainly represented by patents, emblems, layouts and other intellectual attributes, has attained $65.7 trillion, accounting for around fifty percent of complete global property, additional than tangible assets and additional than the merged financial measurement of the U.S. and China. In excess of the earlier ten years, worldwide patent, trademark and layout filings have improved by 64 p.c, 196 percent and 43 percent, respectively, reflecting the worth that providers and economies place on innovation and the developing recognition that organizations and economies have of making use of IP to safeguard their improvements. IP security and application are necessary for a region to stand out in the new spherical of technological and industrial revolutions and take the large ground and preserve a leadership position. We are delighted to see that innovation has turn out to be a critical pressure driving China’s economic progress and that IP is taking part in an increasingly crucial part in advertising industrial upgrading, creating work, growing expense, enhancing business competitiveness and aiding the recovery of eco-friendly economic system. China is using a sequence of favourable and significant methods in this regard. Developing a seem method for IP defense and application has been involved in the 14th 5-Calendar year Prepare. The Define for Constructing a Nation Sturdy on IPR (2021-2035) sets out the total purpose of building a planet-class mental assets power with Chinese characteristics and the 14th 5-Calendar year National Plan for the Mental House Defense and Application makes extensive ideas for China’s IP operate in the up coming 5 a long time, placing a target of 12 substantial-value invention patents for every 10,000 men and women by 2025. Meanwhile, throughout the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, China introduced the instruments for accession to the Hague Technique and for the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Tang, who arrived to China to attend the opening ceremony of the sporting activities pageant, fully demonstrating China’s proactive stance in taking part in the world-wide IPR process. WIPO is confident in China’s innovation and IP advancement and is eager to continuously bolster coordination and cooperation with China, raise the amount of filings from China through WIPO’s worldwide company method, carefully join with China’s media, current market and several stakeholders this kind of as the governing administration, academia, business and the general public, get nearer to new systems, new leaders and a new generation of innovators, and proceed to provide Chinese consumers with easier, extra timely and much more effective accessibility to the IP program to empower China’s technological innovation and aid it build a place with robust mental attributes. BFA prospects the way in making a new IP ecosystem The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Meeting is a key diplomatic function held in China each spring. As a large-conclude international dialogue platform based mostly in Asia and open to the world, BFA is dedicated to consensus setting up, transformation and innovation for the development and prosperity of Asia and the environment. From the backdrop of changes unseen in a century and the unparalleled pandemic, the institution of a balanced, inclusive and sustainable global get and IP ecosystem for the reward of all international locations and all stakeholders is both a demand from customers lifted by globalization and a purpose WIPO works towards. In accordance to the GII 2021, there is a gradual eastward shift in the cluster of innovation. Innovation efficiency in East and Southeast Asia has been the most vivid in excess of the previous ten years, with South Korea, Singapore, China, Japan and China’s Hong Kong Particular Administrative Region rising as planet leaders in innovation. According to the 2021 international registration stats of patents, trademarks and industrial types released by the WIPO on February 10 this year, IP filing activity has grown through the world pandemic, even during the 2020 fall in around the world economic progress. WIPO’s global patent filings in 2021 increased by .9 per cent to 277,500 filings, reaching all-time high. Of these, Asia shown its leadership as the biggest source of worldwide patent programs, accounting for 54.1 percent of the whole filings in 2021. This totally showcases the dynamism of the Asian innovation ecosystem. Commencing in 2021, WIPO has partnered with the BFA to include mental residence as a lasting merchandise on BFA’s agenda. This calendar year, WIPO will carry on its collaboration with the BFA by organizing a roundtable named “IP in Asia: Tendencies and Alternatives.” The roundtable will deliver jointly WIPO officials, political and small business leaders, experts and students in Asia to discuss Asian trends in the development of the intercontinental IP technique, help enterprises in knowledge the IP prospects and pitfalls that they will deal with in working with new systems, new company products and new developments, and how to fortify cooperation and increase core competitiveness by way of cross-regional IP protection. The BFA aims to guide the way in building a new Asian financial system and a new IP ecosystem, and is also important in endorsing the advancement of the worldwide economic governance procedure, the recovery of the globe economy and the design of a new worldwide enhancement paradigm.	https://meresveilleuses.com/china-is-an-important-pole-in-the-global-innovation-landscape.html
Take the Alberta 2030 Survey The Alberta Government is currently working on an Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs” post-secondary review report that will shape the future of post-secondary education. Since Athabasca University is an Alberta institution, changes made to the Alberta post-secondary system impact all AU students, no matter where they study from. The government is currently accepting student feedback, which means YOU have an opportunity to help shape the future of your education. The Alberta Advanced Education Student Consultation Survey was developed to gather student views to inform the Alberta 2030 strategy. We encourage all AU students to take the survey, whether you are from Alberta or out-of-province. We want to make sure that Athabasca University students give their input! For a direct link to the survey, click here. After participating in the review process, AUSU has made a series of recommendations for the Government of Alberta that will make the post-secondary system more affordable, more efficient, and higher quality for all Athabasca University students, specifically asking for the Government to: - Address and rebalance funding inequalities between individual institutions; - Prioritize digital infrastructure; - Ensure post-secondary education is accessible to under-represented groups, such as Indigenous students, students from rural areas, and students with accessibility issues; - Use online distance education for creating work-integrated learning opportunities; - Reinstate the Summer Temporary Employment Program; - Recognize the needs of mature students, part-time students, students with accessibility issues, and students with dependents in the student financial aid system; - Create grants to encourage completion of post-secondary programs; - Keep students and students’ unions at the centre of decision-making at institutions. You can view AUSU’s full submission to the Government of Alberta here (PDF). You can get more background information about the Alberta 2030 review on the Government of Alberta’s website.	https://www.ausu.org/2020/10/take-the-alberta-2030-survey/
When Nora Ephron, the famed director/writer of notable works such as ‘When Harry met Sally’ and one of my favorite of her books ‘I Feel Bad About My Neck; and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman’, died from complications from cancer in 2012, it was a complete shock to most of her friends and colleagues that she had even been sick! Ephron had decided to die the way she lived – on her own terms. She controlled the narrative. By doing so, she wrote her own story, maintaining the authority of her life. In being the author of our own lives, we choose to pen our narrative. Our ‘story’ is the life we live. The plot is our day to day actions and interactions, the setting is where we are rooted and where we journey, the cast of characters are those we choose to have around us. Our narrative told in our own unique voice! Being our own authority takes on richer meaning. Now that we recognize we are the authors of our own lives, are we holding tight to its authority? We should be! For me, being the authority of my life means that I am the best one to tell my story. I try not to give this power away. In defining my voice I have realized that when I give someone else authority over my story, it is seldom to my advantage. There is no benefit to giving energy or time, to those who belittle, insult or undermine. Instead, I put my energy to action – taking on projects that ring true to me and my story; having people in my life who honor; and building strong intentions to continue to create a narrative of which I can be proud. This is when I am in full authority of my story. As the author and the author-ity, we are fully accountable. This place of ownership is where fruitful partnerships can blossom. It is learning to keep your own power by creating respectful boundaries for yourself. From here, you can be mindful of others boundaries too.	https://louisefagan.com/tag/plot/
AEGEE-Cagliari is a volunteer Association founded in 1995 by a group of students from Cagliari and is one of the local offices of AEGEE Europe, a European network of interdisciplinary student associations with more than 10,000 members and 140 offices throughout Europe. The goal of AEGEE Cagliari is to promote and develop active European citizenship among young people and facilitate their mobility in Europe. The fields of action of our Association concern cultural exchange, active citizenship, higher education, peace and stability. To advance our goals, conferences, courses, round tables, research and other events on European social issues such as multilingualism, enlargement and diversity are organized every year. In the last 4 years, more than 6000 young people have participated in 40 different local and international projects. All of our projects focus on balancing the educational tools of formal education, associated with non-formal education activities and internships both in local, national and international institutions. The members of AEGEE Cagliari are all young people between 18 and 35 who collaborate with passion in the realization of the main projects. AEGEE-Europe AEGEE, acronym of Association des Etats Généraux des Étudiants de l'Europe and better known as the European Students' Forum, is one of the largest interdisciplinary student associations in Europe and promotes European unity, cooperation, communication and integration in European academic environment. Being a non-governmental, politically independent and non-profit association, AEGEE is open to young people and students of all faculties and disciplines. Founded in Paris in 1985, today AEGEE has grown to create a network of over 10,000 friends, present in 140 cities spread across 40 countries across Europe. AEGEE really puts into practice the idea of a united Europe without borders: operating without any national level, it brings its members into direct contact with each other, regardless of their nationality. It is an organization recognized by the European Union with the role of permanent observer at the Council of Europe. Thanks to the strong pressure of AEGEE, in 1987 the European Commission launched the ERASMUS program. vision AEGEE strives for a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe, which is socially, economically and politically integrated, and values the participation of young people in its construction and development. mission AEGEE empowers students and young people in Europe to take an active role in society. It creates a space for dialogue and learning opportunities as well as acts as their representative towards decision-makers. Moreover, AEGEE strengthens mutual understanding and brings Europe closer to young people. Mezzi d'azione Intercultural Exchanges AEGEE creates a space for members of different backgrounds to meet and learn about cultural differences, in order to foster mutual understanding. AEGEE supports mobility and encourages young people to cross borders and make new friends, to break stereotypes and strengthen tolerance, respect and solidarity. Personal development and non formal education AEGEE offers its members numerous training and personal development opportunities through non-formal education and informal learning projects. Through training, workshops and active involvement in the Association, our members improve their skills (such as leadership, communication and team management skills). Thematic Projects AEGEE carries out several thematic projects both locally and internationally, which have an impact both inside and outside the association. These projects arise from the needs and problems of young people in their role as active members of European society; their purpose is precisely to create awareness and find solutions. More info: http://www.aegee.org/projects Policy and Advocacy AEGEE collects the opinions and positions of European students, becoming their spokespersons before the strong powers, through campaigns, action projects, conferences and membership of major platforms. Furthermore, AEGEE informs students and young people about the impact that European policies have on their lives and the opportunities they offer. The Association enjoys a status of participation in the activities of the Council of Europe, of consultation at the United Nations, of operations at UNESCO and is a member of the European Youth Forum. It also counts among its general partners numerous illustrious personalities such as: - Eric Froment, former President of the European University Association; - Mikhail Gorbachev, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize; - Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia; - Ban Ki-moon, former secretary general of the United Nations; - Giorgio Napolitano, former President of the Italian Republic; - Romano Prodi, former President of the Italian Council and of the European Commission; - Martin Schulz, former president of the European Parliament; - Wolfgang Thierse, former President of the Bundestag. Forum for discussions AEGEE provides young Europeans with a space to discuss and exchange views on European issues in order to find common ground. This exchange of ideas is the basis of all our activities, but it is expressed especially in our working groups, conferences and general assemblies (EPM and Agora).	https://www.aegeecagliari.com/en/about-us/
How Technology Changes America History Essay Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by our professional academic writers. You can view samples of our professional work here. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UK Essays. Published: Mon, 5 Dec 2016 The United States of America has always been a unique place. It is a country that constantly changes because it welcomes new ideas and new concepts and gives them a place to grow. In fact, changes that start here are repeated all over the world. America has been a breeding ground for technological revolutions. For instance, innovations in technology have drastically changed American life over and over again throughout our history. Some of these have been in the fields of transportation, medicine, communication and weaponry. These revolutions have morphed the United States into the place it is today, and in fact, have even changed the world. The United States is a large place and developments in transportation have been crucial to the development of our industries, our commerce, and our culture. One of the most revolutionizing transportation inventions was the train. The train industry was very successful at creating jobs and stimulating the American economy. It also drastically changed our internal commerce (which also majorly boosted our economy) allowing companies and industries to sell to the whole nation in revolutionizing new speed. A farm in the west could ship produce to the whole country, and lands that were good for a certain kind of farming could be used to the full. The train also changed our culture because for the first time, there was a practical way of traveling across the nation. This allowed the gold rush to occur and it allowed thousands of people to instantly move to the west coast. This changed people’s culture because they met new people with their own traditions and ways of life and they exchanged many ideas. Another major invention in transportation that massively changed America was Henry Ford’s Model T. This invention was most revolutionizing in the way it affected industry. Previously cars weren’t practical or popular because of their price, but Ford changed that with the usage of assembly lines and interchangeable parts. From then on the concept of assembly lines and interchangeable parts is still used today all over the world and is very practical. When the car became common it changed American culture. People got their licenses, they built garages in their homes, families would drive on vacation. The car allowed Americans to experience tremendous freedom and that also affected the way they viewed themselves, as individuals. On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers invented the airplane. This was possibly one of the most important inventions of all time. The world was shocked. Industry-wise, the airplane gave birth to all the major airline companies today: American Airlines, Delta, Jet-Blue, etc. Each of these are huge moneymakers, hire thousands of employees, and are crucial to the American economy. The most revolutionizing (arguably) effect the airplane had was on commerce. Now, for example, Florida orange juice is drunk Oregon while eating beef from a cow from Texas while someone in Arizona is drinking glacial water. Airplanes allowed companies to expand their markets to the entire nation and to the world, and this helped our country flourish. The airplane also changed American culture. Many middle class and upper class Americans today can’t imagine not flying to their cousins’ house in Ohio for Thanksgiving. People can live far away from work and commute by plane each week. The Train, the Model T, and the airplane inventions each had their own specific way of changing America and each have changed America in terms of industries, commerce, and culture. New and better medicines developed in America have also had a huge impact on life and culture. The creation of antibiotics was revolutionary. “Between 1944 and 1972 human life expectancy jumped by eight years – an increase largely credited to the introduction of antibiotics.” Antibiotics have saved millions of lives around the world since the 1930’s. Antibiotics are a medicine that kill bacteria, which cause diseases that before the invention of antibiotics were one of the most common reasons of death. Businesses that produced and supplied antibiotics were major moneymakers at the time, because they were crucial to survival. They made life longer and more stress free because people didn’t have to worry about bacterial infections as much. Culture changed because when life expectancy rose, people had more kids and grandparents were much more common. This led to a slightly changed and much larger family structure, which is good. Another major invention that totally changed America and the rest of the world was the vaccination. A Vaccination is when a small or dead bit of a virus is given to someone so that it is easy to fight off and they then produce antibodies against that virus to prevent future contraction. Vaccination was invented/discovered by Edward Jenner on May 14, 1796. Edward Jenner realized that farmers, who contracted cowpox, usually didn’t contract small pox. This thought led to his first usage of vaccination when he inoculated a farm boy with cowpox, he got sick and recovered quickly. Then he was inoculated with small pox, and his body refused to contract the disease. . This then lead to creation of vaccinations of many other viruses like the flu. Business was greatly helped because people all over America need vaccinations and they put whatever monopolistic price was possible. Vaccinations as well as antibiotics have saved many millions of lives and have dramatically changed America for the better. Where America has been definitely changed and probably for the worse in the medical world is in the business of supplements. Pharmaceutical companies have sucked billions of dollars from American people by convincing huge amounts of Americans to buy their Fish Oil, Omega-3, minerals, and vitamin pills. For the most part, there is no real evidence that they are needed or even help anyone and now the pharmaceutical companies have those buyers in a chokehold because they need to stay “healthy” and the businesses know that as the buyers age, they will buy the 50+ vitamin pack, and then the 60+ and so on. We see a trend in medicine that has been clearer recently; we have gone from necessity to vanity. Aside from the supplement situation, all these inventions and changes have totally helped and reshaped the medical side of America into what it is today in their own unique ways. Where technology has possibly revolutionized America the most is in communication. A letter from the New York City to Sacramento would take months to deliver by horse or stagecoach, but now it would take only seconds to send by email. That progression was not immediate and there were several revolutionizing inventions that came in-between, but each became outdated as the next invention came out. The first major advancement came with the invention of the telegraph. The telegraph sent messages through electrical wires with electrical impulses in Morse code. The message would travel through the wires until it reached the receiver who then decoded it. It could not carry sounds or images, but it was revolutionary in the way it changed communication in America and the rest of the world. Alexander Graham Bell changed the world forever and made the telegraph a thing of the past when he spoke the famous words, “come here Mr. Watson, I want to see you.” This was the first time a sentence had clearly been sent through electrical wires and heard on the other side. On July of 1877, the Bell Telephone Company was formed. From then on the world had long distance communication by telephone. Like the telegraph, there were some issues with practicality because telephones needed the usage of electrical wires and most houses during the time of the invention, didn’t have them. These problems were soon eradicated with the creation of the wireless phone and the cell phone. On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper created and displayed the first working cellular telephone, the Motorola Dyna-Tac. While walking on the street, “sophisticated New Yorkers gaped at the sight of someone actually moving around while making a phone call.” This showed how remarkable this invention was in society and how revolutionary it truly was. The first cell phone weighed over 2 pounds, was about the size of a brick, had about a 30-minute battery life, and a ten-hour recharge time. So like the first telephone there were some practicality issues, but none-the-less it opened up many new doors and possibilities. The last major invention that totally redefined communication was the E-mail. This allowed people to write extensive letters with computers, and with the usage of the Internet, send them across America (and even the whole world) in a matter of seconds. As always, there is a positive side to all these advancements in communication, and a negative side. Positively, advancements in technology have made communication infinitely more efficient and have globalized our world, and negatively there has seemed to be a loss of social skills in the younger generations because face-to-face contact is becoming more and more uncommon. The evolution of communication in America seems to have one major theme: That technology has repeatedly revolutionized methods of communication with the creation of new inventions that always outdate the previous one. America has evolved into a global power largely in part because of technological advancements in warfare and weaponry. America is a place where new ideas are given a chance at realization, and that is why we see most of the major inventions of this world created in America. America’s first major military invention was the Gatling gun, or the machine gun. In 1861, the American Doctor Richard Gatling invented the Gatling gun, a six-barreled weapon capable of firing 200 rounds per minute. This changed the ways war would be fought forever. No longer would men line up in ridiculous formations and actually take turns shooting each other, but trench warfare was the new means of battling. In trench warfare, armies would dig trenches and fire at soldiers in other enemy trenches. Machine guns proved to be even more effective than expected. If one thing has changed our country and the rest of the world more than anything else, it was the invention of the first nuclear bomb. Nuclear means pertaining to the nucleus of an atom. Leo Szilard discovered the possibility of a “controlled release of atomic power through a multiplying neutron chain reaction, and also realized that if such a reaction could be found, then a bomb could be built using it”. He and many other famous scientists like Albert Einstein, helped fund/create/and run the Manhattan Project. This was the project of successfully creating a fully operational nuclear bomb. On the morning of August 6, the world drastically changed forever. That was the day the first atomic bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima . Three days later, the second atomic bomb, nicknamed “Fat boy” was dropped on Nagasaki. The world had never seen such total destruction. The two bombs killed over 100,000 people instantly and many more for years to come because of the radiation. On the brightside, the bomb led to the end of the war with Japan and the entire world war. Fortunately, since then, there hasn’t been usage of the nuclear bomb since. Before World War 2, the planet as a whole had always seemed eternal and safe, but since then, America has put the entire world in a fear of a nuclear holocaust. The nuclear bomb made the cold war so much more important than before, because now, there are more than enough nuclear bombs to destroy the entire world. Technology has definitely revolutionized warfare, and in turn, has changed America drastically. This paper talked about how technology changed America and it broke technology down into four sections: medicine, communication, transportation, and warfare. Each subdivision of technology each had its own specific revolution over time, and in turn slowly changed America as a whole. Medicine turned from local herbs and prayer, to antibiotics and vaccination; which have saved many millions of lives. Transportation went from riding your horse, to cars, trains, and even airplanes. Trips that used to take months, now took days or even hours. Communication went from face to face contact and letter carrying, to the telegraph, then the phone, and finally email. This made communication infinitely more speedy and efficient. Warfare went from men lining up to shoot each other with inaccurate and inefficient rifles, to the usage of machineguns that were capable of mowing down entire enemy lines and eventually weapons of mass destruction such as the nuclear bomb. As each one of these subdivisions of technology changed, we slowly saw America change until what it is today. In each of these areas, Americans or American immigrants led the way in innovation and the desire to try something new. It is something that characterizes our country, and I truly believe that our country will keep producing new and fascinating technologies that will continue to change the world because that is the American spirit and as we seen in our history class, history repeats it self over and over again. Cite This Work To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:	https://www.ukessays.com/essays/history/how-technology-changes-america-history-essay.php
Executive Summary: OIPI Roles and Responsibilities OIPI is located within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and was created in 2002 to support and advise the Secretary as chairperson of the CTB. OIPI has three major program areas—VTrans, the state’s long-range transportation plan; SMART SCALE, Virginia’s project prioritization process; and performance management. OIPI’s goals and responsibilities are specified in § 2.2-229 of the Code of Virginia. The goals are to promote transparency and accountability of the programming of transportation funds; to ensure that the Commonwealth has a multimodal transportation system; to encourage the use of innovation and best practices to improve the efficiency of the Commonwealth's surface transportation network; and to promote the coordination between transportation investments and land use planning. OIPI takes a leadership role across three key steps within the performance-based planning and programming process—Plan, Invest, and Manage. In this role, OIPI convenes stakeholders and engages the public, conducts planning studies and technical analysis, prioritizes investments, and tracks system performance. Recent examples of OIPI’s work include the I-81 and I-95 corridor studies requested by the General Assembly in 2018 and 2019, respectively; completing Round 3 of SMART SCALE by scoring and recommending 134 projects totaling $869 million in Federal, state, and local funding; and launching in 2019 the development of a new long-range transportation plan, the VTrans Update. Goals and Objectives Virginia’s multimodal transportation network is the platform upon which the economy functions, and our residents capitalize on the unique opportunities in Virginia for employment, education, health care, and recreation. Continued strategic investment in the system helps maintain and grow these opportunities, leverages existing assets, and creates a transportation system resilient to new and emerging trends in how we travel. The VTrans2040 Vision, adopted by the CTB in December 2015, envisions a future in which: Virginia's transportation system will be Good for Business, Good for Communities, and Good to Go. Virginians will benefit from a transportation system that advances Virginia businesses, attracts a 21st century workforce, and promotes healthy communities where Virginians of all ages and abilities can thrive. The VTrans Update maintains this vision statement and retains the five distinct goals supporting this vision. The goals communicate the key values driving planning, policy, and investment decisions. Virginia and Federal performance measures are organized within these goals in order to evaluate performance at both the goal and performance measure level. Report Highlights The Report summarizes all facets of Virginia’s diverse, multimodal surface transportation system performance by providing information about recent, ongoing, and planned investments. It is informed by detailed trend analyses that consider internal and external factors while highlighting forward-thinking projects within the Commonwealth to address critical needs. The below highlights and the chart on the next page summarize key findings of this Report. » The I-81 and I-95 Corridor Improvement Plans, along with projects like the Atlantic Gateway, I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension (FredEx), and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), will help address congestion and reliability challenges on Virginia's Interstates over the next 10 years. » The DC2RVA project Record of Decision completes the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process and enables the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and partners to proceed into design and implementation for higher speed and more reliable rail between D.C. and Richmond. » Transit ridership increased across 19 of 41 Virginia operators in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, including a 14 percent increase for the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) due to a bus system redesign and implementation of the Pulse (Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)). » Traffic safety is a public health issue in Virginia. Governor Northam has established the Executive Leadership Team on Highway Safety charged with reducing the rising number of fatalities on Virginia’s roadways. » Bridge and pavement condition continue to improve based on targeted investment by the General Assembly and CTB. VDOT also is required to assess a sustainable approach to maintaining assets, including special structures. » VDOT, DRPT, and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are investing in new technologies to mitigate emissions (which have decreased over 30 percent since 2014) and greenhouse gases, including EV charging stations and alternative fuel transit and school buses while expanding travel demand management programs and incentives.	https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2020/RD216
The Nature of Experience: Thoughts on the Reality of Consciousness (Hardcover) This study identifies the structures and processes that create consciousness and the conscious experience. The expression of perceptions, memories, dreams, and emotions develop and are enhanced in intrafusal muscle spindles. These expressions, in many cases, are common to us all. We experience the environment as reality in the form of sensations: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, to use the common and traditional identifications. Consciousness is experienced in the intrafusal muscle spindles. The fundamental purpose of the spindles is to control the muscular system. The process of control is the detection of the energy by a second set of receptors, the spindle receptors. The second set of receptors is critical to an explanation of the theory and serves to explain what heretofore has been the unknown factor in conscious experience: the experience of consciousness. The spindle receptor detection is analogous to the detection of the environment by sensory receptors. The difference, of course, is that we are the intrafusal spindles detected by the spindle receptors. It is the efferent impulse activity from the congenitally and experientially configured synaptic activity that enhances the energies developed in the spindles as experience. This process is necessary for the experience of consciousness and the effective control of behavior. For centuries, man has reflected upon the conscious nature of the human species. The Nature of Experience offers a new perspective on this eternal question.	https://ww.politics-prose.com/book/9781462031689
Based in a quiet, pleasant room in the Roath/Penylan area of Cardiff, I offer a warm and safe, confidential welcome. I have over 20 years experience as Senior Psychotherapist, CBT therapist and Clinical Supervisor working within University and other settings as well as in private practice. I am a qualified Psychotherapist who specialises in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Clinical Supervision also integrating Mindfulness, EMDR and other evidence based therapies. I work with anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, carers issues, abuse, bereavement, depression, family issues, phobias, stress, workplace stress, self esteem, sexuality, separation and divorce AS, chronic illness and disability. I particularly specialise in working with trauma/PTSD using Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other therapies, and have experience of working within an NHS Trauma Clinic. Here are just some examples of issues clients and I have worked on together;- Managing stress burn out and working through difficulties with clients copng with complex family, relationship and work pressures. Improving mood levels including depression and anxiety and helping clients learn how to manage their mental health. Overcoming Traumas /PTSD Overcoming phobic reactions such as fear of social situations, open or enclosed spaces, health related fears, heights, public speaking and many others. Overcoming panic attacks and other anxiety related symptoms. Health, long term illness and pain *Building self esteem and confidence. I am also an EAP workplace Counsellor and experienced in Critical Incident Stress Management I am a Clinical Supervisor for other therapists and organisations and also for Mental Health Mentors who work in University Stud nt Support settings. I facilitate several Professional Reflective Practice Groups Special interest in Autism/AS, Disability, carer roles, anxiety and depression, phobias and trauma. My private practice is in CF24, two or three minutes walk from Albany Road and Newport Road, and is very well served by a number of buses connecting to the centre of Cardiff. Only 20 minutes walk from the centre of Cardiff and Queen Street Station. There is on street parking outside the counselling address. Training, qualifications & experience - EMDR Advanced Certificate 2018 - MA Counselling Consultative Supervision 2005 - Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 2004 - Post Graduate Diploma Integrative Counselling 1999 - Teaching Cert (FE) - BA ( Hons) Communication Studies Areas of counselling I deal with - Abortion - Abuse - ADHD - Affairs and betrayals - Anger management - Anxiety - Asperger's syndrome - Attachment disorder - Autism - Bereavement - Binge-eating disorder - Bipolar disorder - Body dysmorphic disorder - Bulimia nervosa - Bullying - Cancer - Career counselling - Carer support - Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME - Dementia - Depression - Disabilities - Discrimination - Dissociation - Domestic violence - Eating disorders - Emotional abuse - Family issues - Feeling sad - Generalised anxiety disorder - Hearing voices - HIV/AIDS - Hoarding - Infertility - Learning difficulties - Low self-confidence - Low self-esteem - Miscarriage - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - Panic attacks - Passive aggressive behaviour - Phobias - Physical abuse - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Postnatal depression - Pregnancy and birth - Redundancy - Relationship problems - Self-harm - Separation and divorce - Sexual abuse - Sexuality - Stress - Suicidal thoughts - Tourette's syndrome - Trauma - Work-related stress - Young carers Therapies offered - Behavioural therapy - Cognitive and behavioural therapies - Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - Cognitive therapy Fees January 2020 £60 per session £40 concessionary rate for students Further information Face to face and online counselling and supervision available. Maps & Directions Type of session \|Online counselling:\|\|Yes\| \|Telephone counselling:\|\|No\| \|Face to face counselling:\|\|Yes\| \|Home visits:\|\|No\| Practical details \|Sign language:\|\|Unspecified\| \|Other languages:\|\|None\| Types of client \|Young people\| \|Adults\| \|Older adults\| \|Organisations\| \|Employee Assistance Programme\| Supervision & training I am an experienced qualified Clinical Supervisor offering supervision to experirenced therapists working for a variety of settings and privately, as well as those in training.	https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/julie-dykes
Physical activity is vital for a child’s development and lays the foundation for a healthy and active life. The Children’s Exercise and Participation workshop promotes the development of good physical activity habits early in life and to encourage families to engage in regular physical activity. - Recommended healthy eating options and dietary guidelines for children - Identify exercises targeted at specific fitness component - Stages of physical, social, and emotional growth and development in children - Design strategies for specific target groups - Promote and deliver programs and activities - Products and services suitable for increasing participation in a specific sport - Strategies to best develop and promote participation - Marketing and advertising strategies to increase participation Course Duration The delivery for the Certificate in Children exercise and participation is five days (9am – 5pm). Course Summary This course provides the skills and knowledge required to plan, instruct, and evaluate exercise for young people aged thirteen to seventeen years. It requires the ability to supervise young people using fitness facilities and relevant equipment to promote functional capacity and fitness. This course will provide information on how to design and implement strategies focused on enhancing participation in a specific sport and recommendations how to attract non-participants, by use of information compiled for the development of strategies. Delivery Methods Training for the course will be delivered using one or more of the following methods: - Classroom - Workplace-based training - Distance (correspondence) - Training workshops in small groups - Blended options of training delivery - All programs, leaning materials and assessments can be translated into the language required Training methods are selected to best achieve the required elements of competence while considering the learning style of the participants. The provision of training may include a flexible combination of any of the above. Students studying at home have access to training via Skype, email, or phone. Assessment Methods Assessment methods can include one or more of the following:	https://aas.org.au/continuing-education-and-training/certificate-in-childrens-exercise-and-participation/
Studio 89 is now back on the air with its live summer music series. Studio 89 returns for its sixth season and features perhaps the best line up to date! As always, WNKU listeners are invited to attend the live performances on Monday nights for free. Due to its growing popularity, we’re taking reservations a little differently this year. Those interested in attending should sign up online before Friday at noon to become a member of next week’s Studio 89 audience. Seating is limited, so attendees will be drawn randomly from those who sign up. Those selected will be contacted by e-mail on the Friday before the show. Can’t make it in person? Here are some other ways to listen and watch… Simply tune in to 89.7 FM Monday nights at 9:00 for great live radio. Download podcasts of Studio 89 from our website. Watch on-demand video of Studio 89 performances hosted by YouTube. Here’s the schedule of artists performing at this year’s Studio 89 thus far:	https://cincygroove.com/2008/06/11/studio-89-at-wnku-is-back/
Nurse Practitioners are advanced-practice registered nurses. In addition to the traditional RN degree, these professionals also have a postgraduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing. They are able to diagnose, monitor and treat minor and chronic illnesses, injuries and diseases. In 18 out of the 50 states and in the District of Columbia, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can practice and prescribe medication without the oversight of a physician. Arizona is one of these states. Both Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants work in a variety of healthcare fields, from clinics to hospitals. They can treat illness, prescribe medications and perform many similar roles to a doctor. Because of these similarities, some people think they are the same thing, but there are some definite differences. The training and background of these professionals is different. Physician Assistants are trained to diagnose illnesses, provide therapy and perform preventative healthcare services. They are not RNs or nurses, but a different type of medical professional. They typically work as part of a health care team, and may take medical histories, treat patients or examine patients. They can also order labs and x-rays. Physician Assistants always work with a physician, whereas NPs may work independently in some states. Do you need a Master of Science in Nursing degree to become a NP? Yes, as of January 1, 2001, a Master of Science in Nursing or similar degree is required to become an Arizona Nurse Practitioner. Are there other requirements? Yes, as of July 1, 2004, all new applications for Arizona Nurse Practitioner must have a transcript from their educational institution and verification of national certification. Do NPs need a physician’s supervision for diagnosis and treatment? No, Arizona is one of the states that allow NPs to work independently of a doctor, although they are required by law to consult with a physician, if a case is outside of their expertise. Do NPs need a physician’s supervision to prescribe medication? No, NPs in Arizona can prescribe medication without a physician’s supervision. Are there drug classifications that NPs cannot prescribe? No, nurse practitioners in Arizona can prescribe controlled substances in Schedule II – V. According to Community Catalyst, an important health care advocacy organization, Arizona is doing an excellent job of allowing nurse practitioners to do their job without undue restrictions. This is due to the state’s policy of allowing NPs to diagnose and prescribe medications without physician oversight. With policies like these, Arizona is allowing more of its resident access to affordable, accessible health care.	http://educationcareerarticles.com/career-information/career-news/arizona-nurse-practitioners/
SINGAPORE - American rock band Bon Jovi and homegrown act The Sam Willows will be performing at the post-race concert on the last day of the Singapore Grand Prix on Sept 20. The Sam Willows will also be performing on Sept 18. The bands are some of the last few acts revealed by race and event promoter Singapore GP on Thursday. Other performers in the line-up are Jamaican singer-songwriter Jimmy Cliff and Swedish band Dirty Loops. They will join previously announced artistes Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5 and Spandau Ballet. Performances will be held at three different locations - Village stage, near Nicoll Highway MRT station, and the Padang and Coyote stages, accessible from Raffles Place station. Access to the concerts is subject to the type of ticket purchased. Past Singapore Grand Prix post-race performers include Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.
Acinetobacter species are important nosocomial pathogens because they can develop resistance to antibiotics and survive for a long time in the hospital environment. This study aimed to investigate the changes in antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter spp. strains isolated from blood speciemens of hospitalized patients in our hospital. Between 01.01.2014 – 31.12.2015, 19244 blood samples from hospitalized patients with suspected bacteremia in different departments of the Meram Medical Faculty were incubated by automated blood culture system BacT / Alert 3D ( BioMerieux, France). Of the 19244 blood specimens collected from different wards of the hospital, 3347samples (17,3%) showed bacterial growth after incubation. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibilities of clinical isolates were determined by conventional methods and an automated system (VITEK 2 Compact, Biomerieux, France) according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Distribution of strains isolated from blood culture were identified as Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (n=1755, 52 %), Enterococcus spp. ( n=267, 8 %), Klebsiella spp. (n=182, 5 %), E.coli (n=182, 5 %), Candida spp. (n=153, 5 %), Pseudomonas spp. (n=91, 3 %), Staphylococcus aureus ( n=72, 2 %) and other bacteria. The identified isolates as Acinetobacter baummanii (n=152, 5 %) and Acinetobacter spp. (n=2, 0,1 % ) from blood specimens which were collected from intensive care units (n=111, 72.2 %) and other clinics (n=43, 27.8 %) of our hospital, all specimens in the study were consisted of hospitalized patients. In this study, the results of in vitro antibiotic susceptibility test of Acinetotobacter strains isolated from blood culture will be evaluated. Susceptibility to ceftazidime was 8 %, amikacin 25 %, imipenem 5 %, meropenem 6 %, tigesiklin 94 %, colistin 98 %, gentamicin 34 %, cefepime 5 %, ceftazidim 8 %, piperacillintazobactam 5 %, ampicillin-sulbactam 7 %, ciprofl oxacin 5 %, levofl oxacin 4 %. Results of antibiotic susceptibility tests for Acinetobacter species initiated that the most effective antibio tics were colistin and tigecycline with the resistance ratio 2 %, 6 %, respectively. Compared with other antibiotics, lower rates of resistance to amikacin and gentamicin were observed. The in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test results of this study reveal that Acinetobacter species strains demostrated high resistance ratio against all beta-lactam drugs including carbapenems and quinolones. In conclusion, the presents of this study determine that colistin has the best activity against Acinetobacter species strains. Morever, amicasin and gentamicin may be good choices for the empirical treatment because of lower resistance ratio than other antibiotics. Keywords:	https://www.peertechz.com/abstracts/identification-of-bacterial-pathogens-in-blood-specimens-and-antibiotic-resistance-profiles-of-acinetobacter-species-in-a-university-hospital-konya
The invention discloses a pen container for a pupil. According to the pen container for the pupil, a ruler bin is arranged on one side of a first container body, and the pupil can put rulers not used into the ruler bin conveniently so that the rulers can be separated from a pen region; a second container body is arranged in the first container body and is made of a corrugated pipe, and the corrugated pipe can be pulled when the pupil puts pens with the large height into the second container body, so that the pens with the large length can be stored in the second container body, the corrugated pipe can be contracted into the first container body when the pens with the large length are not needed to the stored, other pens are stored continuously, and the use of the pen container is not influenced; and a second container lid is arranged, the second container lid can be opened when the second container body needs to be pulled, it is not necessary to open a first container lid, and the use is convenient; and a base and a shaft are arranged below the pen container, the pen container can be rotated, meanwhile a music player is arranged in the base, and the enjoyment of the pen container can be increased.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? - English Which one of the following sentences has an error in capitalization? A. We crossed the Snake River and miles of nothing much on our way to Abilene. B. My Father has decided to retire in the fall of next year. C. They say the Power River is a mile wide and - - Mathematics X is partly varies as y and as partly as the cube root of y. If x=2 where y=8 and x=3 and y=27.find x when y=81 - Physics A car travels on a circular banked track of radius 300 m and having a banked angle of 22. What is the minimum time for one lap of the track if the car does not rely on friction to hold it on to the track? - Science which statement about friction is true? A. Static friction and kinetic friction in a system always act in the same direction as each other and in the same direction as the applied force. B. Static friction and kinetic friction in a system always act in - Physics An electron is traveling at 2.3 10^3m/s, enters perpendicular to the electric field between two horizontal charged parallel plates. If the electric field strength is 1.510^2V/m calculate the time taken for the electron to deflect a distance of 1.0*10^-2 - - Mathematics A telephone company makes up it's monthly bills as follows:a fixed charge of 800 naira plus a charge proportional to the number of units of call on the telephone.if it charges 2 naira per unit of call,calculate the total charge on (a)80 units (b)150units - Trigonometry A trajectory of a spaceship traveling from Earth to Mars can be expressed as the equation where the sun is the origin and is expressed in million mi. Earth is 151.1 million mi. from the sun, and mars is 211.7 million mi. from the sun. a. What type of polar - English What are some other ways to say ”That's generous”?	https://www.jiskha.com/archives/2020/08/08
Image captioning is the task of describing the visual content of an image in natural language. As such, it requires an algorithm to understand and model the relationships between visual and textual elements, and to generate a sequence of output words. This has usually been tackled via Recurrent Neural Network models, in which the sequential nature of language is modeled with the recurrent relations of either RNNs or LSTMs. This schema has remained the dominant approach in the last few years, with the exception of the investigation of Convolutional language models, which however did not become a leading choice. The recent advent of fully-attentive models, in which the recurrent relation is abandoned in favour of the use of self-attention, offers unique opportunities in terms of set and sequence modeling performances. Also, this setting offers novel architectural modeling capabilities, as for the first time the attention operator is used in a multi-layer and extensible fashion. Nevertheless, the multi-modal nature of image captioning demands for specific architectures, different from those employed for the understanding of a single modality. Following this premise, we investigate the design of novel fully-attentive architectures for image captioning. Controllable Captioning Current captioning approaches can describe images using black-box architectures whose behavior is hardly controllable and explainable from the exterior. As an image can be described in infinite ways depending on the goal and the context at hand, a higher degree of controllability is needed to apply captioning algorithms in complex scenarios. To address these issues, we have introduced a novel framework for image captioning which can generate diverse descriptions by allowing both grounding and controllability. Given a control signal in the form of a sequence or set of image regions, we generate the corresponding caption through a recurrent architecture which predicts textual chunks explicitly grounded on regions, following the constraints of the given control. From Show to Tell: A Survey on Image Captioning Connecting Vision and Language plays an essential role in Generative Intelligence. For this reason, in the last few years, a large research effort has been devoted to image captioning, i.e. the task of describing images with syntactically and semantically meaningful sentences. Starting from 2015, the task has been addressed with pipelines generally composed of a visual encoding step and a language model for text generation. During these years, we have witnessed a great evolution in the encoding of visual content through the exploitation of regions, objects attributes and relationships. Similarly, the same evolution has happened in the development of language models and of multi-modal connections, with the introduction of fully-attentive approaches and BERT-like early-fusion strategies. However, regardless of the impressive results obtained, research in image captioning has not reached a conclusive answer. This work aims at providing a comprehensive overview of image captioning approaches, defining effective taxonomies for encoding and generation, datasets and metrics for this task. We discuss training and pre-training strategies, such as cross-entropy, masked language models, and reinforcement learning, as well as the power of recent additions like self-attention. Moreover, many variants of the problem are analyzed, such as novel object captioning, controllable captioning, unsupervised captioning, and dense captioning. The final goal of this work is to provide a tool to understand the present research and highlight future directions for a fascinating area of research where Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing can find an optimal synergy.	https://aimagelab.ing.unimore.it/imagelab/researcharea.asp?idarea=28
Hinduism is a way of life and as per its doctrine – everyone is subject to his or her karma and deliverance from this ‘cause and effect’ principle is solely through action and sometimes by only being a silent ‘mere’ witness to the resultant events of karma. Many a times, this gives a notion to the readers – it is a pessimistic outlook and non progressive! Well, if that is the perception – then, I am sorry to disappoint them! There are some things in the world that cannot be changed and we should develop or seek the strength from the Almighty God to bear the non-changeable till it passes away from our life on its own. All human beings are bound by space and time; in fact, majority feels we are subject to even the will of God! Please refer my post Freedom, Fate And Free Will- a debatable topic for discussion. I have mentioned in my earlier posts in this section, no life can be ‘action less’ as we are in the midst of journey as long as we are in human form and alive. There is no way to escape karma ( Good or Bad), so let us not think of such an option. All religions seek to delineate a path of deliverance for human beings. Christianity promises deliverance from sin while Judaism from persecution. And Buddhism promises deliverance from suffering (dukha). As per the Buddhist thought, suffering is one of the attributes of conscious existence or being! The other two attributes are impermanence (anischaya) and absence of self (anatman). As per Buddhism, all these three attributes are inextricably related to each other. Now, I cannot accept that there is absence of self since ‘Self’ forms the basis of existence, happiness (state of satchitananda), and consciousness in Hinduism. Surprisingly, in Buddhism, ‘Suffering is compared with Life’ and that is really disheartening. As if one is born to only suffer till he dies! This is quite similar to Christianity wherein a seeker is addressed as a sinner and I find this very demotivating to a seeker. Why not just address as a seeker of truth like we do in Hinduism? In Buddhism, an enlightened person accepts the turn of events in life with equanimity and repose. Well, I agree that ‘Change’ is the only constant! A wise man gives up resisting the turning of wheels of change and finds solace in the hub where is only ‘Here and Now’. This is quite similar to what we preach in Hinduism and this attribute is in agreement to what I feel. And, I have prophesized ‘emotional detachment’ towards one’s actions and surroundings in every related post that I have written earlier. I am not able to acknowledge that ‘there is no self’ (anatman) as per the doctrine practiced in Buddhism. It means “no thing” has atman! Unlike core Hindu doctrine that believes in the soul or atman as the unchanging reality underlying the changing body, Buddhism denies existence of soul, ego or self. It teaches the doctrine of non-self! The Buddhist way to salvation is therefore the process of annihilation of self. By doing this, there is no objectification of surrounding ‘ever present’ singular Reality. Where is the responsibility or role of each Buddhist seeker in his deliverance?	https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/buddhism-the-three-attributes-of-being

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