content
stringlengths 0
1.88M
| url
stringlengths 0
5.28k
|
|---|---|
Technical Field:
Background Art:
Summary of Invention:
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Detailed Description of the Drawings:
This invention relates to an electricity generator and a method of generating electricity. The invention further relates to a method of utilising excess or waste pressurised air from an existing process to generate electricity.
There is a problem with existing manufacturing processes that operate using pressurised air. Generally speaking, a substantial amount of pressurised air is lost in these processes; this lost air is referred to as "blow-off". It is estimated that several billion euro are wasted each year generating pressurised air that is subsequently lost. It would be highly advantageous if this "blow-off' air could in fact be harnessed in some way and put to good use.
US2002/0144503 in the name of Merwolke et al
GB2013318 in the name of Motor-Columbus Ing
CH708605 in the name of Bächli et al
, discloses a wind powered hydroelectric power plant and method of operation thereof. discloses a constant pressure compressed gas energy storage system and method. , discloses an air cushion, water-pumped energy storage system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricity generator and a method of generating electricity that overcomes at least some of the above-identified problems and provides a useful alternative to the existing offerings.
a pressure chamber having a releasably sealable air vent;
a liquid supply;
a sump tank configured to deliver liquid to the pressure chamber;
a turbine;
a piping network including an upright liquid conduit, the upright liquid conduit configured to deliver water from the pressure chamber through the turbine and back to the sump tank, the upright liquid conduit comprising a flow line for delivery of liquid from the pressure chamber up to a head height and a return line for delivery of water back down under gravity from the head height through the turbine to the sump tank;
a pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber, the pressurized gas supply comprises a feed line being fed from the blow-off or idle-time air from an existing manufacturing line;
a plurality of valves; and
a controller to operate the plurality of valves.
According to the invention there is provided an electricity generator comprising;
By having such an electricity generator, it will be possible to construct the electricity generator on dry land rather than having it submerged. This will provide an electricity generator that is easier to maintain and more importantly, that can be located in a factory or other location where it is desirable to generate electricity. It has been found that a small volume of pressurised air, at a low pressure, is capable of raising a large volume of water that can then be used to drive a turbine. The electricity generator is efficient in operation and can provide a constant supply of electricity to an installation. The configuration of electricity generator described provides a functioning, commercially viable alternative to the known devices.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber is configured to pressurize air in the pressure chamber to between 0.1bar and 2.0bar. It has been found that in the electricity generator according to the present invention, 0.7 bar of pressure is sufficient to raise 2.7 tonne of water to a height of 5.5 metres This water can then be used to fall over and drive a turbine and the electricity generated by the turbine can be harnessed. It will be understood that this is a very low pressure system. Indeed, a single bar of pressure can be generated using waste compressed air or a simple blower or like device that operates using low levels of electricity.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber is configured to pressurize air in the pressure chamber to between 0.5bar and 1.5bar.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber is configured to pressurize air in the pressure chamber to of the order of 0.7bar. This pressure level has been found to provide an apparatus that is efficient in operation while at the same time not being too loud or obtrusive in operation.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the upright liquid conduit extends upwardly from the pressure chamber by a distance sufficient to create a head of water above the sump tank of between 1 metre and 10 metres. It will be understood that the higher the head of water, the greater the potential to generate electricity will be. The height will be driven in part by the amount of electricity required as well as the pressure level available to drive the water upwards to that height. Furthermore, practically speaking, the height may be chosen to suit a particular installation's dimensions. The range of 1 to 10 metres is believed to offer a useful range for multiple disparate applications and facilities.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the upright liquid conduit extends upwardly from the pressure chamber by a distance sufficient to create a head of water above the sump tank of between 5.5 metres and 9 metres.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the upright liquid conduit extends upwardly from the pressure chamber by a distance sufficient to create a head of water above the sump tank of the order of 8 metres. This is seen as a particularly effective and compact arrangement that can provide sufficient electricity for many installations while remaining relatively compact.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided an elevated turbine buffer tank intermediate the pressure chamber and the turbine. By having an elevated turbine buffer tank intermediate the pressure chamber and the turbine, it will be possible to ensure that there is a constant supply of water for delivery to the turbine and this will help alleviate problems caused by fluctuations in the turbine speed.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided an exhaust tank intermediate the pressure chamber and the elevated turbine buffer tank.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the sump tank is provided with at least one baffle plate. By having a baffle plate, the water entering the sump tank will be calmed and less turbulent than would otherwise be the case. As an alternative to calming the water, the force of the water entering the sump tank could instead be used to help drive water faster into the pressure chamber. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the sump tank has a depth of no less than 1 metre. This is seen as a useful alternative or additional water calming measure.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the sump tank is located directly above the pressure chamber. By having the sump tank directly above the pressure chamber, the water will be able to flow very quickly from the sump tank into the pressure chamber thereby making the generator more efficient.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided a sump buffer tank intermediate the turbine and the sump tank. Again, a sump buffer tank may be used to calm the flow of water from the turbine before it is delivered into the sump tank.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the sump buffer tank is provided with at least one baffle plate.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the sump buffer tank has a depth of no less than 1 metre.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided a rectifier connected to the output of the turbine.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided a battery bank connected to the output of the rectifier for storing electricity generated by the turbine.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the valves are pneumatically-operated valves. Pneumatically operated valves are seen as an effective valve to use and there will be sufficient additional pressurized air available in the system to operate the valves.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which there is provided a plurality of pressure switches, and in which the controller is responsive to the pressure switches. Pressure switches are seen as one useful way of operating the apparatus.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided an electricity generator in which the pressurized air supply operable to pressurize air in the pressure chamber is configured to pressurize air in the pressure chamber to in excess of 2.0bar.
delivering a liquid from a sump tank into a pressure chamber;
sealing the pressure chamber;
delivering gas into the pressure chamber thereby pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber;
opening a valve thereby opening the pressure chamber and permitting evacuation of the liquid from the pressure chamber through a flow line of an upright liquid conduit up to a head height;
delivering the evacuated liquid back down under gravity from the head height through a return line of the upright conduit and through a turbine;
harnessing the electricity generated by the turbine; and
collecting the evacuated liquid from the turbine in the sump tank for subsequent redelivery of the liquid to the pressure chamber; and in which the method comprises the initial step of harnessing blow-off pressurized air from an existing external process and the step of delivering gas into the pressure chamber thereby pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber further comprises delivering the harnessed blow-off pressurized air into the pressure chamber.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity comprising the steps of:
This is seen as a particularly simple and inexpensive method of generating electricity. It has been found that a small amount of pressurized air can be used to move a large volume of liquid, which in turn can be used to power a turbine. Therefore, the electricity can be generated very efficiently. The method can be performed above-water in a standalone installation. The method can be performed in a factory, hotel, office or other installation where it is desired to manufacture electricity inexpensively. The electricity generated in this manner may be used in the installation, or where regulatory bodies allow, exported to the grid. Furthermore, in this way, pressurized "blow-off" air from an existing process will be captured and put to good use in the method according to the invention, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of delivering gas into the pressure chamber thereby pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber comprises delivering gas into the pressure chamber until the gas in the pressure chamber is at between 0.5bar and 2.0bar. Preferably, the gas will be air. The pressure described is a very low pressure that may be used to move a large volume of water. It is possible to generate this level of air pressure using a simple blower or like device. For example, a vacuum pump could be used instead of a blower. Some devices that may be suitable include a Roots (Registered Trade Mark, ®) Blower, a side channel blower, a centrifugal blower or the like. It will be understood by the skilled addressee that numerous disparate devices will be suitable for this purpose. What is important is that the device chosen uses relatively little electricity but produces high volume/low pressure compressed air.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of delivering gas into the pressure chamber thereby pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber comprises delivering air into the pressure chamber until the gas in the pressure chamber is at between 0.5bar and 1.5bar.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of delivering gas into the pressure chamber thereby pressurizing the gas in the pressure chamber comprises delivering air into the pressure chamber until the gas in the pressure chamber is at of the order of 0.7bar.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of evacuating liquid from the pressure chamber through an upright liquid conduit further comprises pushing the liquid to a height to create a head of water above the sump tank of between 5.5 metres and 9 metres.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of evacuating liquid from the pressure chamber through an upright liquid conduit further comprises pushing the liquid to a height to create a head of water above the sump tank of the order of 8 metres.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the method comprises the intermediate step of temporarily storing the evacuated liquid in an elevated turbine buffer tank intermediate the pressure chamber and the turbine prior to delivering the evacuated liquid through the turbine.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the method comprises the intermediate step of temporarily storing the evacuated liquid in an exhaust tank intermediate the pressure chamber and the elevated turbine buffer tank prior to delivering the evacuated liquid to the elevated turbine buffer tank.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the method comprises the intermediate step of temporarily storing the evacuated liquid in a sump buffer tank prior to collecting the evacuated liquid from the turbine in the sump tank.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity in which the step of delivering a liquid from a sump tank into a pressure chamber further comprises simultaneously venting the air from the pressure chamber. By simultaneously venting the air from the pressure chamber, the liquid will be able to enter the pressure chamber faster than would otherwise be the case, thereby speeding up the cycle of the method.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity comprising the step of venting air from the pressure chamber during delivery of liquid from the sump tank into a pressure chamber and harnessing the energy from the vented air with a second turbine driven by the vented air. In this way, the method will be able to harness this additional energy making the method more efficient.
Figure 1
is a perspective view of an electricity generator according to the invention;
Figure 2
Figure 1
is a front view of the electricity generator of ;
Figure 3
Figure 1
is a side view of the electricity generator of ;
Figure 4
is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of electricity generator according to the invention;
Figure 5
is a perspective view of a further alternative configuration of electricity generator according to the invention; and
Figure 6
is a diagrammatic representation of a fourth embodiment of electricity generator according to the invention.
The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figures 1 to 3
Referring to inclusive, there is shown an electricity generator, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The electricity generator 1 comprises a pressure chamber 3, a pressurised air supply tank 5, a sump tank 7, a turbine 9 and a piping network 10 including an upright liquid conduit 11. There is further provided a liquid supply (not shown) contained therein. The upright conduit 11 further comprises a flow line 11(a) and a return line 11(b). The electricity generator comprises a plurality of valves 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 13(d) and 13(e) arranged in the piping network 10 operable to control the flow of fluid through, into and out of the electricity generator, as will be described in greater detail below, and a controller (not shown) to control the operation of the valves.
The electricity generator 1 further comprises an elevated turbine buffer tank 15 and an elevated exhaust tank 17 along with a sump buffer tank 19.
In use, liquid, in this case water, is allowed flow from the sump tank 7 into the pressure chamber 3. This is achieved by opening valve 13(a) to allow the water to flow from the sump tank 7 into the pressure chamber and opening a releasably sealable air vent, provided by way of the valve 13(b) to exhaust air from the pressure chamber as the water flows into the pressure chamber from the sump tank. Once sufficient water has flowed from the sump tank into the pressure chamber, the valves 13(a) and 13(b) are closed and the valve 13(c) from the pressurised air supply tank 5 is opened. By opening the valve 13(c), the air in the pressure chamber 3 is pressurised. In the present embodiment, the air is pressurised up to 0.7 bar however it will be understood that other pressures may be used instead, as will be described in greater detail below.
Once the air pressure inside the pressure chamber 3 has reached 0.7bar, the valve 13(c) remains open for a period of time and the valve 13(d) on the upright liquid conduit is opened. By opening the valve 13(d) on the upright liquid conduit, the air pressure inside the pressure chamber causes the water inside the pressure chamber to be expelled upwards through the flow line 11(a) of the upright liquid conduit with significant force up to the elevated exhaust tank 17. From there, valve 13(e) permits throughpassage of water and the water travels into the elevated turbine buffer tank and thereafter passes under gravity through the turbine 9 and down the return line 11(b) back to the sump tank. Valve 13(e) is in a normally open state unless the water height in the elevated turbine buffer tank is at maximum level in which case the valve 13(e) is temporarily closed and is reopened once the water level in the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 starts to drop. As the turbine 9 spins, the energy is harnessed and can be used subsequently to create electricity. The equipment to harness the electricity is well known in the field and has been omitted for clarity. In one embodiment of the present invention, valve 13(c) is opened for 1.5 seconds to allow the air pressure in the pressure chamber go from 0 to 0.7 bar and once the pressure has reached 0.7 bar, valve 13(d) is opened and 13(c) is left open. When the evacuation process is almost finished, the valve 13(c) is closed and then the valve 13(d) is closed once the air pressure in the pressure chamber reduces to 0.5 bar. It is important to note that, in the embodiment shown, the turbine is located at a high level. However, the turbine can also be placed at low level or at any point along the drop in the return line 11(b) of the upright conduit. Indeed, there could also be multiple turbines along the drop.
Once the water has passed through the turbine, the water is returned down to the sump buffer tank 19 and from there the water flows into the sump tank 7 for subsequent delivery to the pressure chamber 3. If desired, the sump tank 7 and/or the sump buffer tank 19 may be provided with water calming measures such as one or more baffle plates and indeed the depth of the sump tank and/or the sump buffer tank may be chosen to calm the water as it enters the tank. Once the water has returned to the sump, that water will be ready for delivery into the pressure chamber and the process can cycle once more.
Figures 1 to 3
It is envisaged with the arrangement as shown in inclusive, that the process may cycle three times per minute. It is further envisaged that the process could be from 1 to 10 cycles per minute. The pressure in the pressure chamber is increased to of the order of between 0.7bar and 1.0bar and the water is delivered at a rate of approximately 67 litres/second to the turbine 9. The turbine 9 is a suction turbine however it is envisaged that other turbines such as an impact turbine could be used to equally good effect. The upright liquid conduit 11 in the embodiment shown is dimensioned to provide a head of water above the sump buffer tank 19 from the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 of 5.5 metres in height. Such an embodiment has been proven capable of generating 600W of power. However, the amount of power that the generator is capable of producing is believed to be far greater than 600W as the prototype device has been deliberately throttled back by blocking approximately half of the turbine inlets (not shown) to purposely slow the machine down. It will be understood that the amount of power generated by the electricity generator can be altered by adjusting the length of the upright liquid conduit 11 (thereby adjusting the head of water) and/or adjusting the pressure of the air in the pressure chamber 3 (thereby adjusting the rate of flow of water through the turbine). Indeed, the device can be constructed with the energy requirement and/or the space parameters for a specific application.
Figure 4
Figures 1 to 3
Figures 1 to 3
Referring now to , there is shown a second embodiment of electricity generator according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 21, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The electricity generator 21 differs from the electricity generator 1 of in that there is provided a pair of conduits 23, 25 to feed water from the buffer tank 7 into the pressure chamber 3 and a pair of valves 13(a), one for each conduit 23, 25. There is further provided a pair of conduits 27, 29 to feed water from the elevated exhaust tank 17 into the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 and a pair of valves 13(e), one for each conduit 27, 29. This will ensure that the water can be transferred quickly from the sump tank 7 to the pressure chamber 3 and from the elevated exhaust tank 17 to the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 respectively. In addition to the foregoing, the pressurised air supply tank 5 is shown "in-line" with both the pressure chamber 3 and the sump tank 7 rather than being offset perpendicular to the two tanks as shown in the previous embodiment of inclusive.
Figure 5
Figures 1 to 4
Referring now to , there is shown a third embodiment of electricity generator according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 31, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. The electricity generator 31 differs from the previous embodiments of electricity generator 1, 21 as illustrated in inclusive in that the electricity generator 31 has an impact turbine 9 located adjacent the lower part of the upright liquid conduit 11 and the electricity generator 31 does not have either of an elevated exhaust tank or an elevated turbine buffer tank. Instead, the water that is ejected from the pressure chamber 3 on opening of the valve 13(d) in the upright liquid conduit passes through the upright liquid conduit and passes directly through the turbine 9.
In addition to the foregoing, it can be seen that there is a feed line 33 into the pressurised air supply tank 5. The feed line 33 is fed from the "blow-off" or "idle time" air from an existing (not shown) manufacturing line. In this way, excess (or waste) pressurised air from an existing manufacturing process can be used to supply pressurised air to the electricity generator 31. It is envisaged that this supply method may be used in the other embodiments of electricity generator. Furthermore, the sump tank 7 is positioned directly above the pressure chamber 3. In this way, as the valve 13(a) is opened to allow water to flow from the sump tank 7 to the pressure chamber, the water will be able to flow quickly and freely into the pressure chamber. The upright liquid conduit 11 passes directly through the sump tank 7 but it will be understood that the interior of the upright liquid conduit 11 is isolated from the liquid in the sump tank 7 as the conduit 11 passes through the sump tank. As an alternative, the upright liquid conduit 11 could be configured to pass around the sump tank 7 or alternatively the sump tank could have a hollow core (for example it could be annular or toroidal in shape) so that the upright liquid conduit could pass upwards through the hollow core of the sump tank 7.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Referring now to , there is shown a fourth embodiment of electricity generator according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 41, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In the embodiment shown in , some of the valves 13(a), 13(b) and 13(c) have been removed for clarity however it will be understood that those valves would be provided to ensure proper operation of the device. Furthermore, the elevated exhaust tank has been omitted and instead only an elevated turbine buffer tank 15 is provided. The elevated turbine buffer tank 15 may be provided with water calming measures such as one or more baffle plates (not shown) to calm the flow of incoming water through the upright liquid conduit 11 before it contacts the turbine 9.
Figure 6
In the embodiment shown in , it can be seen that the base of the upright liquid conduit 11, also referred to as a draft tube, is completely immersed in water in the sump buffer tank 19 at all times. The sump buffer tank 19 is elongated to reduce the turbulent effects of the water coming in from the draft tube. This can help to alleviate the need for baffling or other water calming measures. In the embodiment shown, the draft tube is shown without supports however a frame or suitable stays could be provided to support the draft tube.
It will be understood that the turbine 9 and more particularly its shaft output into the draft tube/upright liquid conduit 11 is isolated by mounting the turbine into its own elevated turbine buffer tank. The drive shaft for the turbine is fed through a hole (not shown) in the end of the turbine buffer tank. In the embodiment shown, this hole is 7 inches (0.1778m) in diameter. The join between the upright liquid conduit 11 and the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 is sealed with silicone or other suitable sealant. It is envisaged that some leakage may be inevitable (potentially requiring topping up of the water levels from time to time from a suitable supply, not shown) however this leakage should diminish over time as any dirt in the water will reinforce the seal. The upper part of the turbine in the example shown is 9 inches (0.2286m) in diameter. The head of water between the surface of the water in the elevated turbine buffer tank 15 and the surface of the water in the sump buffer tank 19 is 4 metres, the flow rate of water from the pressure chamber and over the turbine is approximately 68 litres per second.
The arrangement shown has a potential power output of up to approximately 1.5kW. This would be possible if, inter alia, the air pressure was increased from 0.7bar to 1.0bar. In order to generate 1.5kW of power, it would be necessary to exhaust 1000 litres of water from the pressure chamber four times a minute, giving a flow rate over the turbine of approximately 67 litres/second. The maximum theoretical power output is calculated by multiplying the flow rate (67) by the height of the head (4) by the gravitational constant (9.8) = 2.62Kw (approx.) maximum theoretical power output. Assuming an efficiency of 57.25%, this would achieve an actual power output of the order of 1.5kW. If the height of the head were increased to 8 metres, the maximum theoretical power would be increased to 5.25Kw and if one assumes a 70% efficiency, this would result in an actual power output of the order of 3.67Kw.
Figures 1 to 3
Figures 1 to 3
In the embodiment shown in inclusive, it has been found through experimentation on a working prototype that only 0.7 bar is needed to move the volume of water. The pressure chamber of the prototype is limited to 1 tonne in its current configuration. With a larger air supply and larger pressurized chamber 0.7 bar will move much higher volumes of water to a height of 8 metres or more. In the current implementation illustrated in inclusive, the water is in fact raised 5.5 metres from the pressure chamber 3 to the exhaust tank 17.
It is envisaged that in some circumstances, the pressure available will exceed 2.0bar and it is conceivable that the air pressure in the pressure chamber will be increased to in excess of 2.0 bar if the application so requires or is desirable (for example in those circumstances when high pressure blow off is available in a factory setting). In the embodiments described, the head of water above the sump tank is described as being up to 10 metres tall. However, it will be understood that this may be larger, for example up to 20 or 30 (or more) metres tall if desired. However, it is envisaged that many of the applications will require a head of water above the sump tank of less than 10 metres.
It will be understood that the head of water may vary as water is drawn through the turbine however it is highly desirable to closely monitor and control the head of water in the electricity generator so that it does not fluctuate significantly from the 5.5 metres shown. This is achieved through appropriate cycle timing and sized tanks and careful control of water ingress/egress from the elevated turbine buffer tank. In the embodiments shown, there is provided a sump buffer tank however this may be removed and alternative arrangements may be provided if desired. What is important is that the base of the upright liquid conduit 11 is immersed in water at all times and that there is sufficient water to be ejected into the pressure chamber when needed. The length of the draft tube/upright liquid conduit 11 may be varied and the size of the elevated turbine buffer tank may be altered to vary the amount of power output achievable from the electricity generator.
It will be understood that a number of different turbines could be used to good effect in the embodiments of electricity generator described. For example, water turbines or even turbines normally designed for harnessing wind power could be used to good effect in the electricity generators described. The turbines that could be used include but are not limited to a Pelton turbine, a Turgo turbine, a Crossflow turbine, a Francis turbine or a Kaplan turbine. Other turbines could be used to good effect.
In addition to the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention also relates to a method of generating electricity in accordance with the foregoing description. The method operates on the basic premise that a small amount of compressed air may be used to move a large volume of water and that large volume of water may be effectively used to generate electricity. The air is waste or "blow-off" air (or idle time compressed air) from an existing manufacturing process.
In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed totally interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is in no way limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims. | |
Signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain include the following:
-
Pain/tenderness
-
Swelling and/or bruising
-
Cold foot or paresthesia (possible neurovascular compromise)
-
Muscle spasm
See Clinical Presentation for more detail.
Diagnosis
The physical examination confirms a diagnosis made on the basis of patient history and differentiates an ankle sprain from a fracture. Examination in patients may include the following tests:
-
Anterior drawer test: To assess for ankle instability (see the image below)Anterior drawer test.
-
Prone anterior drawer test: Also tests for ligamentous instability
-
Talar tilt test (or inversion stress maneuver): To assess integrity of the calcaneofibular ligament (see the image below)Talar tilt test.
-
External rotation test: To evaluate the integrity of the syndesmotic ligaments
-
Kleiger test: Variation of the external rotation test; to assess the integrity of the deltoid ligament
-
Squeeze test (or fibular compression test): To evaluate for syndesmotic or fibular injury
-
Neurovascular evaluation: To assess neurovascular status of the affected limb
Imaging studies
The following radiologic studies may be used to evaluate ankle sprains:
-
Plain radiography: Guided by the Ottawa Ankle Rules to diagnose ankle or foot fractures
-
Stress-view radiography: May provide further assessment for ankle stability; accuracy of study increases with use of local anesthesia
-
Computed tomography scanning: May be indicated for imaging of soft tissues or for bone imaging beyond radiography; useful for evaluating osteochondritis dissecans and stress fractures
-
-
Ankle arthrography: May be useful for determining capsular damage and the number of ankle ligaments damaged
-
Bone scanning: To detect subtle bone abnormalities (eg, stress fracture, osteochondral defects) and syndesmotic disruptions
See Workup for more detail.
Management
Conservative therapy
Conservative therapy for acute ankle sprains may be described by the acronyms RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and PRICES (combination of protection, relative rest, ice, compression, elevation, and support). Protective devices include air splints or plastic and Velcro braces. Ankle taping can also increase ankle stability, but its effectiveness is highly dependent on the expertise of the individual who performs the taping.
Physical therapy during the recovery phase is aimed at the patient regaining full range of motion, strength, and proprioceptive abilities, and may include the following:
-
Strengthening exercises: Starts with isometric exercises, then advances to use of elastic bands or surgical tubing
-
Proprioception rehabilitation: Starts with single-leg-stance exercise in a single plane, then progresses to multiplanar exercises
-
Other exercises: Uses a balance or tilt board, then advances to functional drills, jogging, sprinting, and cutting, and then progresses to figure-of-eight and carioca drills
Pharmacotherapy
The following medications are used in the management of ankle sprain:
-
Analgesics (eg, acetaminophen)
-
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen)
Surgery
In most patients, there is no improved outcome with operative repair of third-degree anterior talofibular ligament tears and medial ankle ligament tears.
Indications for operative intervention in patients with an ankle sprain include the following:
-
Distal talofibular ligament third-degree sprain that causes widening of the ankle mortise
-
Deltoid sprain with the deltoid ligament caught intra-articularly and with widening of the medial ankle mortise
-
In selected young patients with high athletic demands who have both anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular complete ruptures
Surgical procedures for chronic ankle instability and sprains include the Watson-Jones procedure, the Evans procedure, and the Chrisman-Snook procedure.
See Treatment and Medication for more detail.
Background
The history of an ankle sprain is usually that of an inversion-type twist of the foot followed by pain and swelling. An individual with an ankle sprain can almost always walk on the foot, albeit carefully and with pain.
In an individual with normal local sensation and cerebral function, the ability to walk on the foot usually excludes a fracture. (See Clinical Presentation.) Suspect neurovascular compromise if the patient reports a cold foot or describes paresthesias. Bone tenderness in the posterior half of the lower 6 cm of the fibula or tibia and the inability to bear weight immediately after the injury and in the emergency department are indications to obtain radiographic imaging. These Ottawa ankle rules have been validated for patients aged 5-55 years. [8, 9]
Ankle sprains are classified into the following 3 grades:
-
Grade 1 injuries involve a stretch of the ligament with microscopic tearing but not macroscopic tearing. Generally, little swelling is present, with little or no functional loss and no joint instability. The patient is able to fully or partially bear weight.
-
Grade 2 injuries stretch the ligament with partial tearing, moderate-to-severe swelling, ecchymosis, moderate functional loss, and mild-to-moderate joint instability. Patients usually have difficulty bearing weight.
-
Grade 3 injuries involve complete rupture of the ligament, with immediate and severe swelling, ecchymosis, an inability to bear weight, and moderate-to-severe instability of the joint. Typically, patients cannot bear weight without experiencing severe pain.
Drawer and talar tilt examination techniques are used to assess ankle instability; however, the use of these techniques in acute injuries is in question because of pain, edema, and muscle spasm.
Pain reduction is essential, but improvement of any loss of motion, strength, and/or proprioception is equally important. [10, 11, 12] Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (ie, RICE) are the mainstays of acute treatment; more comprehensively, the combination of protection, relative rest, ice, compression, elevation, and support (PRICES) is used. (See Treatment.)
Physical therapy during the recovery phase is aimed at the patient regaining full range of motion (ROM), strength, and proprioceptive abilities.
For recurrent lateral ankle sprains, treatment should begin with a trial of conservative therapy for approximately 2-3 months. The recurrence rate for lateral ankle sprains has been reported to be as high as 80%. [13, 14]
It is generally accepted that for most patients, operative repair of third-degree anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) tears and medial ankle ligament tears does not contribute to an improved outcome. One of the few absolute indications for surgery in patients with a sprained ankle is a distal talofibular ligament third-degree sprain that causes widening of the ankle mortise. A second indication is a deltoid sprain with the deltoid ligament caught intra-articularly and with widening of the medial ankle mortise.
Anatomy
The ankle joint is a hinged synovial joint with primarily up-and-down movement (plantar flexion and dorsiflexion). The other joints around the ankle are responsible for other movements, giving the ankle a total range of motion (ROM) comparable to that of a ball and socket. The combined movement in the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion directions is greater than 100°; bone-on-bone abutment beyond this range protects the anterior and posterior ankle capsular ligaments from injury. The anterior and posterior ankle capsular ligaments are relatively thin compared with the medial and lateral ankle ligaments.
Pathophysiology
The lateral ankle complex, which is composed of the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, is the most commonly injured site. [1, 2, 3, 4] Approximately 85% of such sprains are inversion sprains of the lateral ligaments, 5% are eversion sprains of the deltoid or medial ligament, and 10% are syndesmotic injuries. The ATFL is the most likely component of the lateral ankle complex to be injured in a lateral ankle sprain. Osteochondral or chondral injuries of the talar dome should be considered when diagnosing an ankle injury.
During forced dorsiflexion, the PTFL can rupture. With forced internal rotation, ATFL rupture is followed by injury to the PTFL. Extreme external rotation disrupts the deep deltoid ligament on the medial side, and adduction in neutral and dorsiflexed positions can disrupt the CFL. In plantarflexion, the ATFL can be injured.
The strongest ankle capsule-ligament complex is the deltoid ligament, which has 2 parts: the superficial component and the deep component. The superficial component runs the farthest from the medial malleolus to the medial aspect of the calcaneus, posteriorly. The medial malleolus usually fractures before the deltoid ligament fails mechanically.
Ankle spurs may occur at any of the bony ligament attachments. On lateral radiographs, it is not uncommon to see an anterior spur at the neck of the talus, where the anterior ankle capsule attaches. This is caused by ossification of the hematoma organization associated with anterior ligament sprains.
Because of its great strength, the syndesmotic ligament, which has a deep portion between the bones and superficial, anterior, and posterior portions, is rarely sprained. This distal tibiofibular ligament holds the distal tibia and fibular bones together at the ankle joint and maintains the integrity of the ankle mortise. It takes a great amount of force to strain this ligament, which normally does not have much excursion. A significant tear of this ligament requires surgical treatment. Severe posttraumatic arthritis of the tibiotalar joint (ankle) can result quickly if a syndesmosis tear remains unrecognized and untreated. A syndesmotic ligament tear is usually a part of an ankle fracture that needs to be treated specifically. This is not generally true of the other ankle ligament tears.
Etiology
Mechanical forces exceeding the tensile limits of the ankle joint capsule and supportive ligaments cause ankle sprains.
There are a number of contributing factors, which can be classified as either predisposing or provocative, as follows:
-
Predisposing factors can result from a lack of physical conditioning; they include poor muscle tone and shortened and/or contracted joint capsule or tendons. Poor proprioception can also be a factor, as can inadequate training or experience with the physical activity being performed.
-
Provocative factors include accidents and other unforeseen circumstances that result in mechanical stresses that exceed the tensile limits of the ankle joint capsule and ligaments. Obesity can contribute to sprains by increasing kinetic energy to a point that exceeds joint-design stress limits.
A cohort study analyzed risk factors in ankle injuries from the Cadet Illness and Injury Tracking System (CIITS) database at the United States Military Academy (USMA) from 2005-2009. The results found higher risk of syndesmotic ankle sprains in males who performed at a higher level of athletic competition; male athletes were 3 times more likely to experience medial ankle sprains than female athletes.
Recurrent sprains
The exact etiology of recurrent ankle sprains is unknown; however, many factors may play a role.
One possibility is that recurrent sprains result primarily from ligaments healing in a lengthened position due to scar tissue filling in the gap between the torn, separated ends. Furthermore, the weakness of the healed ligament may be due to the inherent weakness of the scar.
In a study by Bosien et al, 22% of patients with recurrent ankle sprains had persistent peroneal weakness. The authors believed that this contributed to recurrent injury, especially in incompletely rehabilitated ankle sprains.
An unrecognized disruption of the distal tibiofibular ligament has been cited as a potential culprit. This condition is diagnosed based on tenderness over the anterior syndesmosis and pain when the fibula is squeezed against the tibia at midshaft, with dorsiflexion and external rotation or with excessive medial-lateral motion of the tibiotalar joint.
Freeman et al suspected that functional instability that resulted in recurrent sprains was secondary to loss of proprioception in the foot. Mechanoreceptors and their afferent nerve fibers have been shown to exist in the ligaments and capsule of the ankle. Furthermore, disruption of the ligaments and joint capsule with a grade 3 sprain (a complete ligament tear; see Clinical Presentation) leads to impairment of the reflex stabilization of the foot, causing the foot to give way. In addition, dysfunction of the peroneal nerve can result in delayed muscle response, causing a delay in the activation of the peroneal muscles and leading to functional instability.
Impingement by the distal fascicle of the AITF ligament and/or impingement of the capsular scar tissue in the talofibular joint is another cause, and hereditary hypermobility of joints is an additional suggested etiologic factor.
Epidemiology
Most ankle sprains are probably self-treated and are never reported to a health care provider; therefore, many ankle sprains are not documented. Sprained ankles have been estimated to constitute up to 30% of injuries seen in sports medicine clinics and are the most frequently seen musculoskeletal injury seen by primary care providers. More than 23,000 people per day in the United States, including athletes and nonathletes, require medical care for ankle sprains. Stated another way, incident cases have been estimated at 1 case per 10,000 persons per day. A U.S. Army study found that ankle sprains are the most common foot and ankle injury in active-duty Army personal with a rate of 103 sprains per 1000 persons per year.
Female athletes are 25% more likely to sustain ankle injuries than male athletes. Female basketball players are at a higher risk of a first-time inversion injury than those participating in other sports. Soccer and volleyball are other leading causes of ankle sprains in high school and college female athletes. [23, 24] Some studies attribute a higher incidence of ankle injuries in high school football, basketball, and soccer players. [23, 25, 26] Other studies conclude that in college men, the risk of suffering an ankle sprain appears to be similar with basketball, soccer, and football.
A cohort study analyzed risk factors in ankle injuries from the Cadet Illness and Injury Tracking System (CIITS) database at the United States Military Academy (USMA) from 2005-2009. The results found higher risk of syndesmotic ankle sprains in males who performed at a higher level of athletic competition; male athletes were 3 times more likely to experience medial ankle sprains than female athletes.
Ankle injuries are very common, with ankle sprain being the most common injury. Most individuals have complete recovery; however, a substantial number have chronic problems that usually lead to modification of physical activity.
Prognosis
Acute injuries
The prognosis for isolated and adequately treated ankle sprains is excellent. The prognosis for a patient with ankle sprains and other traumatic injuries is related to the prognosis for the other injuries.
In a systematic literature review, 36-85% of patients with acute ankle sprains reported full recovery at 2 weeks to 36 months, independent of the initial grade of sprain, with most recovery occurring within the first 6 months. After 12 months, the risk of recurrent ankle sprain returns to preinjury levels. However, 3-34% of patients reported re-sprains at 2 weeks to 96 months after the initial injury. Furthermore, after 3 years, some patients still had residual pain and instability. One risk factor for residual symptoms seems to be participation in competitive sports.
Recurrent sprains
If recurrent ankle sprains are treated early and appropriate rehabilitation is initiated, the prognosis is excellent with conservative treatment. [31, 32, 33] The prognosis becomes even more important to consider for patients who require surgical correction. Reconstructive procedures can vary significantly in their ability to correct any persistent instability.
With respect to chronic syndesmotic sprains, long-term outcome studies are few in number. In a study conducted at West Point, all patients who were studied returned to full duty without further problems. One of these patients was surgically treated, and all had full ROM of the ankle.
In 6 cases of frank diastasis over 4- to 60-month follow-up, 4 cases had good results, and 2 had fair results in that the patients had residual mild ankle pain and restricted ROM, according to Edwards and DeLee. There was 1 case of postoperative skin slough that healed uneventfully, and 1 fixation device failed.
In 5 patients with subacute or chronic syndesmotic injury, all of the affected ankles achieved fusion with no complications within 10 weeks, in a study by Katznelson et al. Each patient was treated with operative stabilization and bone grafting to the tibiofibular joint, which formed a synostosis. One patient developed traumaticosteoporosis that resolved in 6 months; this patient had mild loss of dorsiflexion.
Results are limited for subtalar instability, because this condition is mostly recognized during surgery for chronic lateral ligamentous instability. Most of the available results are intermingled with the results of lateral ankle procedures.
Chrisman and Snook had 3 patients with subtalar and ankle instability that were treated by their eponymous procedure. One patient had a failed Watson-Jones procedure with persistent instability. The 3 patients with subtalar instability had a 20° limitation of inversion compared with the opposite, normal side. These patients had no symptoms of instability at 2- to 6 year follow-up.
Posttraumatic osteoarthritis is common in patients with repetitive ankle injuries. One study estimates that approximately 12% of the overall prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is in fact posttraumatic OA of the hip, knee, or ankle. The financial burden is significant, estimated at $3.06 billion dollars annually.
Patient Education
Review the self-care techniques of acute sprain with patients so that they can take an active part in their care. Teach them the mnemonic PRICES, as follows:
-
Protection
-
Relative rest
-
Ice
-
Compression
-
Elevation
-
Support
Provide patients with information on when to call for advice. Instruct them to call a doctor or nurse if one of the following conditions is observed:
-
The joint is wobbly or moves past its normal ROM
-
The bone is deformed or bends abnormally
-
Pain prevents putting weight on the injured area after 24 hours
-
Weight-bearing still is difficult after 4 days
-
Extreme pain, bruising, or severe swelling is present
-
The toes below the injury feel cold to the touch or become numb or blue
These instructions can be tailored to each practice and by no means should be construed as all-inclusive.
For patient education resources, see the patient education articles Ankle Sprain and Sprains and Strains.
Tables
What would you like to print? | https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1907229-overview |
Many believe that public services in Europe, particularly the NHS, will be among the biggest prizes that TTIP will provide for US based corporations that are looking to expand. In 2011, for example, a coalition of US healthcare businesses, the Alliance for Healthcare Competitiveness (AHC) proposed that America’s battered economy could be rebuilt by selling the country’s health system internationally. It claimed that the scale of the US healthcare industry – “as large as the national economies of major European powers” – could provide the leverage for international expansion and so pushed the US government to build its foreign free trade policy around the health care industry.
With the EU the site of nearly one third of world health spending, TTIP will create new markets for the private sector by opening up public services and government spending to unrestricted competition from wholly or partly US-owned, profit-driven corporations. The fear is that, if agreed, TTIP will change the whole emphasis of NHS health care: the priority will become the rights of transnational corporations rather than the care of patients.
Over the past year or two, the NHS has become a focus for public opposition to TTIP. In response, there are repeated assurances from the European Commission (among others) that, under TTIP, EU member states like the UK will retain the right to manage their health systems as they wish. This may be true – up to a point. What is not mentioned are the possible consequences, should the UK chose to exercise this right.
Sources
http://healthcare-competitiveness.com/wp-content/uploads/Medtronic-UnitedHealth-Group-want-to-export-U.S.-health-care.pdf
Investor protection measures like ICS and the NHS
Take the example of investor protection measures like ISDS or, more likely now, the Investor Court System (ICS). If TTIP includes ICS, the treaty will give US based investors the right to claim massive compensation if the UK government introduces initiatives – such as nationalisation of the NHS – that could potentially reduce those investors’ profits.
Some countries, such as Finland, have found that using private companies for providing state-funded health services has led to increased costs and poorer service, and so have returned the provision of services to the state. However, in the case of the UK, if TTIP is agreed and includes an investment protection measure like ICS it would be virtually impossible in future for a UK government to reverse the privatisation of the NHS resulting from the Health and Social Care Act (2012) – at least impossible without facing huge compensation costs.
Similarly, if ICS is included in the treaty, the fear of being sued for huge compensation may inhibit any future government from ending the contracts that many NHS Trusts have entered into with US based private investors under the Private Finance Initiative. These contracts can be for as long as 60 to 100 years and often mean that NHS Trusts are repaying debt for new buildings or infrastructure at usurious rates of interest.
In restricting the right of the UK government to regulate, TTIP will also have an effect on our standards of health. ISDS will give any US company operating in the UK health market the right to sue the government if it introduces new public health regulation, or health protection and health promotion policy measures that might affect these companies’ future investment or profit opportunities. So evidence for safer or more effective treatments, or advances in clinical knowledge, could not be put into practice (at least without the risk of being sued) if this affected the anticipated profits of existing providers.
If TTIP is signed, the inclusion of an investment protection measure like ICS will mean that repealing the Health and Social Care Act will become almost impossible. (http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/how-eu-making-nhs-privatisation-permanent).
At the same time, harmonisation of health and safety regulations is likely to mean the downgrading of UK public health measures governing the use of food labeling, pesticides, chemicals, the presence of hormones in meat production and so on. The EU generally has higher standards of health and safety regulation than the US because of different methods of deciding safety standards: the EU uses the ‘precautionary principle’ (where tests must prove substances are not harmful) while the US approach is to assume that something is safe unless proved otherwise. ‘Harmonisation’ is likely to mean that the standards currently set by the EU will have to be lowered to be closer to those of the US.
The effects of TTIP on NHS staff
The USA has not implemented some of the most fundamental labour rights set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and recognised by the EU, such as the rights of collective bargaining and freedom of association. This means that standardisation across the EU and US brought into effect by TTIP could bring about a ‘leveling down’ to the labour standards found in the USA, rather than leveling up to those required in the EU.
TTIP will open up public procurement to US-based investors. The implications of this for the NHS are unclear, but the treaty may mean it will no longer be possible for those commissioning NHS services to specify ‘performance measures’, such as minimum wages or gender balance. They may also be prevented from insisting on use of the local (i.e. a UK) workforce.
TTIP and the cost of medicines
There is serious concern that TTIP will put the profits of pharmaceutical companies before patients’ interests through increasing the price of medicines and reducing patients’ access to them.
There are currently a couple of ways of controlling the costs of pharmaceuticals in the UK, one of which is a voluntary scheme which controls the maximum price of prescription drugs supplied to the NHS, and the other statutory control regulates the profits that a pharmaceutical company can make. However, lobbyists for the pharmaceutical industry claim that regulations controlling price represent burdensome non- tariff barriers that should be removed under TTIP. It’s fairly safe to assume that this will increase the cost of drugs for the NHS.
It’s also thought that the TTIP chapter on intellectual property includes provisions that could undermine public health safeguards by giving pharmaceutical companies increased patent protection for pharmaceuticals.
In the pharmaceutical industry, patent protection is important because of the high costs of developing new drugs and the ease with which, once developed, they can be copied by competitors. When a pharmaceutical company takes out a patent on a drug that it’s inventing this means that, during the life of the patent, it’s the only company that can make or market the drug, which it sells under a brand name (e.g. Neurofen). The lifetime of a patent varies between countries (it’s generally around 20 years but as patents are often taken out during the development of a drug, the patent may expire about 10 years or so after it has been approved for use). Once the patent expires, the inventing company’s monopoly ends and the identical formulation can be made and sold by other companies as a ‘generic’ drug (e.g. ibuprofen), at which point the market cost of the drug drops significantly (http://www.news-medical.net/health/Drug-Patents-and-Generics.aspx).
TTIP’s provisions on patent protection may include:
- reducing the standards for what counts as a new invention through allowing the ‘evergreening’ of patents (i.e. extending a company’s monopoly on an existing drug by making minor modifications to its substance or dosage and obtaining a new patent, so deferring the appearance of a cheaper, generic version of the drug on the market);
- extending the term of a patent by including the time it takes to obtain a patent in the period of time the patent covers ;
- introducing ‘data exclusivity’ that locks up the clinical data used to develop a drug for a specific period and prevents competition from other companies during this time;
- Creating new rules that limit the freedom to challenge patent applications where these seem frivolous or suspect.
The main implication of these changes would be to reduce access to affordable generic drugs and so put additional pressure on health budgets.
TTIP and the assessment of new health technologies and drugs
At the moment there is a difference in the way that the EU and US assess new technologies and drugs. In the UK, for example, the regulatory harmonisation that TTIP aims for has implications for the role of the National Centre for Health Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE makes evidence-based decisions concerning the drugs and technologies that can be used by the NHS, as well as providing both an assessment of the efficacy of these and a means of controlling cost. It’s feared that the work of NICE will be undermined by regulatory harmonisation, given TTIP’s ambition to reduce barriers to trade rather than protect public health.
The precedent of TPP
Negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership between the USA and 11 other Pacific Rim countries have recently been completed and the treaty currently awaits ratification. This means that the text of this FTA is now in the public realm and may provide some indication of US negotiators’ priorities for TTIP. The text is still being analysed by trade experts and public interest groups but it’s already clear that, among many other concerns, TPP will grant new privileges and protections to pharmaceutical companies. For example, patent protection will be extended beyond 20 years, meaning that people will have to wait longer for affordable, generic medicine to become available.
In addition, previous leaks of TTP documents suggest that it’s concerned not just with the patenting of medicines, but with expanding the scope of what can be patented – including, for example, diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods of treatment. Allowing patents on these could lead to a situation where doctors may be prevented from using a particular method of diagnosing a disease, or where payment of a royalty is required for using a surgical or diagnostic method. http://www.unitaid.eu/images/marketdynamics/publications/TPPA-Report_Final.pdf
It also appears that TPP’s chapter on E-commerce will impact on the regulation of data flow across borders and so will undermine privacy protections for sensitive personal health data. | http://www.patients4nhs.org.uk/the-nhs-and-ttip/ |
U.S. Trade Official Reiterates Need for Patent Protection ‘Safeguards’ in WTO Prescription Drug Agreement To Increase Access to Antiretroviral, Other Drugs
U.S. Commerce Undersecretary Grant Aldonas said Thursday that any World Trade Organization agreement that aims to broaden access to medicines for developing nations must contain "safeguards" to protect intellectual property rights on patented drugs, including antiretroviral drugs, Reuters reports (Reuters, 11/21). In November 2001, a WTO ministerial working group issued a declaration stating that developing nations can override patent protections to manufacture medicines during public health emergencies. The declaration says that the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, which outlines international patent rules, "can and should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO members' right to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all." The declaration also states that each WTO member has the right to issue compulsory licenses and the liberty to determine when to issue the licenses. WTO ministers met in Sydney two weeks ago to discuss how to implement this declaration, but they failed to reach a "definitive agreement" on the issue (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 11/18). Aldonas said that the United States will resist efforts to broaden the definition of "public health crises" that the WTO agreed to last year when it issued the declaration. WTO ministers must be careful not to "undercut the incentive" for pharmaceutical companies to conduct additional research and development into new and existing drugs, and they must enact protections that curb "the potential abuse" of generic drugs manufacture, Aldonas added. "The companies are on board with trying to be helpful, but they need the safeguards so they can stay in the market and continue to be helpful," he stated (Reuters, 11/21).
Editorial Urges United States To Stand Up for Patent Protections
WTO ministers must not expand the list of public health emergencies under which developing nations would be allowed to manufacture or import generic medicines, because doing so could lead to an abuse of the patent protection system, a Wall Street Journal editorial states. The original declaration by WTO ministers allowed for the production or importation of generic medicines for only a few diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. "But the list of alleged justifications for patent seizure seems to be growing longer by the day," and the latest proposals "would allow any country to import copycat drugs when faced with any self-declared epidemic -- be it cancer or erectile dysfunction," the editorial states. Among the nations advocating such an expansion are India and Argentina, two countries that "do not respect patents and have large knock-off pharmaceutical industries looking for new markets," the Journal says. The editorial notes that in India, more than 20,000 drug manufacturers "churn out cheap copies of Viagra and Rogaine for rich urbanites while treating less than 1% of the country's four million HIV cases." The editorial adds that generic drug makers often "fund activists who charge that the high price of patented drugs fuels epidemics like AIDS in Africa." U.S. trade representatives will have to have "courage" during upcoming meetings to "pu[t] a stop to this challenge" on patent protections, the editorial concludes (Wall Street Journal, 11/25). | https://khn.org/morning-breakout/dr00014771/ |
Last week, I was invited to the World Bank/Media Rights Agenda workshop for journalists, where I made a presentation on New Media Technologies and Journalism Practice. Please see the final Workshop Communiqué below:
Lagos, February 6 to 8, 2006
The World Bank Institute (WBI) in Washington D.C., in partnership with Lagos-based Media Rights Agenda (MRA) held a three-day Journalism Skills and Training Workshop at the Ostra Hall and Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos between February 6 and 8, 2006.
The workshop brought together about 50 editors and senior reporters to discuss the role of the media in improving governance and development in Nigeria. The workshop was aimed at strengthening their skills to understand and report on key development, poverty, economic and governance issues, including the macroeconomic environment, the international economic environment, poverty reduction strategies, and the role of local and international institutions in alleviating poverty. The ultimate objective of the workshop was to sharpen their ability to report on economic and development issues to improve public understanding and awareness in
these areas.
Workshop modules included the attributes of quality of information; journalism ethics, rights and obligations; media accountability and self-regulation; business and economic reporting; development journalism; effective coverage of budget and macroeconomic issues; effective coverage of poverty reduction strategies; effective coverage of international economics issues; writing effective development stories; writing on economic policy issues and the impact of new media technologies on journalism practice.
The workshop participants agree to and hereby adopt this Communiqué.
Observations:
The participants observed as follows:
- The media are the primary intermediaries of information between the government and the citizens. The media act on behalf of the citizens in seeking information on government policies, programmes and activities. The media therefore constitute an important tool for holding the government and public authorities accountable to the people and bringing about development.
- The Nigerian media need to carry out more investigative journalism if they hope to impact positively on the public space. The enactment of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria would
enhance the practice of investigative journalism as it would enable journalists to move away from the realm of speculation to more factual and accurate reporting.
- It is important for journalists to familiarize themselves with the laws of defamation, which tend to define the scope of the right to freedom of expression and affect the journalist’s
performance of his professional duties.
- The issue of pervasive corruption among public office holders as well as in the private sector has become a matter of great public concern and interest. Any publication in the broadcast or print media exposing corrupt practices among public office holders or in business does an immense service to the society. The journalists should therefore not be deterred by the laws of libel from carrying out their duties faithfully, with boldness and vigour.
- With the renewed global interest in development economics and the importance of this on national populations, there is an important need to bring about improved coverage of development and economic issues in the media. It is therefore imperative that media
professionals, especially those covering development and economics, have a deep understanding of how economic policies and developments impact on the population.
- The widespread corruption in the media raises serious concerns about the profession. The greatest asset any news organization has is its credibility. In order to establish public confidence and trust, media professionals and media organizations must abide by high ethical and professional standards. Media professionals should endeavour to familiarize themselves with the applicable professional codes of ethics. Professional bodies within the media as well as media owners and managers also need to do more to enforce ethical and professional standards among media professionals.
- The information age is revealing a complex convergence that is creating societies driven by information and communication technologies. Regrettably, many journalists lack the requisite
knowledge to operate in this new information age that is transforming the nature of the media in the gathering, processing and dissemination of news and information as well as media forms.
Journalists in all types of media therefore need to keep abreast of technological developments in the field of communications and acquire the technical skills required to use the new media.
Recommendations:
Media stakeholders should take urgent steps to revive and strengthen the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) to enable it enforce the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists as it is required to do under the Nigerian Press Council Act, as amended. They should also ensure that the Council is independent of government or other political influences in order to enhance its credibility and effectiveness.
Furthermore, the media industry should adopt intra-industry peer review mechanism or process, which will encourage compliance with best practices.
The media should pay more attention to the activities of the various anti-corruption agencies, particularly to ensure that appropriate mechanisms, including secure and predictable funding as well as functioning complementary institutions, are put in place to guarantee their independence, accountability to the public, sustainability and effectiveness.
Given the capacity deficit in the media in a number of areas, donor agencies, including the World Bank, should work with local organizations to provide capacity building assistance which will
enable the media to be professional, independent and sustainable.
Assistance may be provided in the following areas:
- The knowledge and skill base of journalists should be upgraded through sustained training programmes over a number of years. Training is required in the following areas:
- Deeper knowledge and understanding of economic and development issues, including the ability to analyze the impact of the government’s economic and fiscal policies on the society as well as the implications of international trade agreements for the country;
- Writing and presentation skills to be able to report economic and development issues as well as other matters;
- The use of digital and other media technologies in the collection, editing, publishing and distribution of information;
- The management of media establishments to enhance their economic sustainability.
- The provision of access to new media technologies, including laptop computers, digital cameras, minidisks, midgets, etc. | http://gbengasesan.com/?p=61 |
How many times do you look at your art and think ‘Yikes, this is not good'? Do you let a bad art piece discourage you and launch you into a negativity spiral? It’s ok. It’s ridiculously common. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome can be hard voices to silence. If you’re anything like me, it doesn’t take much to go from ‘My work isn’t good or original’ to ‘I’m not worthy or talented’. Sometimes, I lose perspective and let others’ perceptions of my work and its worth become an indicator of my value. There’s so much to be said about how imposter syndrome impacts creatives and how society is still conflating work and productivity with self-worth. However, those are topics for another day. Let’s start to unpack the subjectivity of “good” or “original” art, how to leverage the concept for your work, and how it could be counterproductive.
What does good or original even mean?
As a gestalt therapist, I find there’s great value in understanding what the words we use mean to us. I’d recommend really stopping to think about how you’re defining “good” and “original”. These are subjective terms much like art itself, so getting clear on your definitions gives you a framework for analyzing your work and others. Speaking of others, take the time to find artists whose work is good and/or original. What do you like about the work? What would you do differently? Where is this artist’s work situated in the wider artistic and societal conversation? Is it similar to where you want to situate your work? Essentially take the time to understand where you’re coming from. It can provide you with more clarity around what you want your work to say and how you want it to be experienced.
What’s the purpose of your creative work?
Once you’re clear about the function(s) of your creative work, you’ll have a better understanding of whether the subjective quality of your work is that important. Depending on your values, you might be aiming for a specific balance of prioritizing your view of good work with your audience’s definition.
If you’re a creative who needs to love their work or it doesn’t get created, then you might spend very little time focusing on what the buyers are looking for. You create what you want and therefore decide what good and original mean. You can even determine if you care about your work being perceived as either of those things. It might be more helpful to consider how your work or the creative process makes you feel. If it speaks to others, then that’s a bonus.
If you’re making art primarily for recognition and profit, then creating work that speaks to a larger audience is essential. In that case, knowing what your audience thinks is “good” or “original” work becomes more important. If profit is of utmost importance, you may want to do some market research on trends to get a sense of what’s resonating with people.
There are many ways to mitigate a dramatic difference between what the audience is looking for and what you like to create. Having separate, dedicated art practices can help you satisfy your creative needs as well as support your financial needs. It’s likely that the practices will inform one another and create truly innovative art.
The terms “good” and “original” are as subjective as art itself. Figure out what those terms mean to you and you have some sense of direction for your work and growth as an artist or creative. Consider whether what others find to be good or original matters at all for your practice and apply that to your work. Stay connected to different creative spaces to get a sense of broader trends and conversations in your industry. You will find your place in the conversation, whether your creative voice is aligned or not.
Would you like some support around self-doubt and imposter syndrome? Consider working with a licensed professional. If you’re a California resident, I’d be glad to work with you. Feel free to contact me for a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. | https://www.jasmineeddytherapy.com/post/good-and-original-art-is-entirely-subjective |
Competition for customers is at an all-time high as companies focus on customer metrics to surface actionable insight.
Organizations are gaining a competitive advantage, with AI-powered speech recognition automatically capturing customers’ feedback and visual analytics’s ability to turn that data into actionable insight.
In this webinar, see how the once overwhelming task of capturing and analyzing mountains of customer data is not only possible with AI, but is easy to scale and automate.
During this webinar, you will: | https://www.tableau.com/learn/webinars/gain-competitive-advantage-understanding-voice-customer-ai?utm_medium=Web+Seminar&utm_source=VoiceBase&utm_campaign_id=2018138 |
In a 2–4-page paper, describe a personal experience in which you or someone you know had to make a moral decision—for example, cheating on an exam, stealing out of necessity, or being forced to give up a personal freedom. Include the following in your paper:
- How did you approach the situation? What steps or actions would or should you take? What are some of the positive and negative consequences for the action that you take? Based on your answer, what ethical theory best describes your approach?
- Define and critique the differences between the concepts of morality and ethics.
- Are there similarities between the two concepts?
- Describe moral principles (beneficence, least harm, respect for autonomy, and justice).
- Incorporate normative ethics, metaethics, and applied ethics, and discuss one or more the following modern ethical theories: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue theories, taken from utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism.
- Relate free will and reason theories to the moral or ethical dilemma.
3 pages with references and no m
Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve. | https://www.platinumessayhelp.com/describe-moral-principles-beneficence-least-harm-respect-for-autonomy-and-justice/ |
Introduction: (Initial Observation)
All chemical reactions lead to production of at least one new substance that can be gas, solid or liquid. After each process we can measure the weight or volume of the final product to know how much product is produced. So if we want to know the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction, we can simply repeat the reaction at different temperatures, but for a controlled period of time and finally compare the amount of products.
When the product is a gas, it is usually harder to do such a final measurement because gases are usually mixed with air, water vapor or other gases that need to be filtered.
In this project we intend to compare the rate of a gas producing reaction using balloons. The idea is that a higher rate of reaction results a higher rate of gas production resulting a higher rate of balloon inflation. For example the rate of formation of CO2 (g) from the reaction of Alka-Seltzer tablets with water* at different temperatures is easily observed by comparing the rates of inflation of balloons attached to the flasks in which the reactions are carried out.
* It is not really a reaction with water. Alka-Seltzer already contains a solid acid and a solid carbonate. I think that solid acid is citric acid and carbonate is sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. These two solid chemicals can not react unless water is present. So water is just a catalyst here. The actual reaction is the reaction of an acid and a carbonate.
Information Gathering:
Find out about chemical reactions. Read books, magazines or ask professionals who might know in order to learn about the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction. Keep track of where you got your information from.
Following are some of the information you may find.
Bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, produced when Alka-Seltzer dissolves in water, react according to the following equation:
HCO3-(aq) + H+(aq) —-> H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
Increasing the temperature increases the rate of reaction because at the higher temperature, a greater percentage of ions in the sample have energy greater than the required activation energy for the reaction. The observed rate of inflation of the balloons, which is shown to be related to the temperature at which the reaction takes place, is a measure of the rate of formation of carbon dioxide gas.
Question/ Purpose:
The purpose of this demonstration is to show the effect of temperature upon the rate of a gas producing reaction such as the reaction of an acid and a carbonate.
Identify Variables:
When you think you know what variables may be involved, think about ways to change one at a time. If you change more than one at a time, you will not know what variable is causing your observation. Sometimes variables are linked and work together to cause something. At first, try to choose variables that you think act independently of each other.
Controlled variables are all other factors that may affect the rate of reaction such as:
-
- Type and concentration of all reactants
- Size and shape of reactor (bottle)
- Light
Independent variable also known as manipulated variable is the temperature.
Dependent variable is the rate of reaction indicted by the rate of production of carbon dioxide.
Hypothesis:
Based on your gathered information, make an educated guess about what types of things affect the system you are working with. Identifying variables is necessary before you can make a hypothesis. Following is a sample hypothesis:
-
- In chemical reaction of citric acid and carbonates, the rate of reaction will increase by the increase of temperature.
Experiment Design:
Design an experiment to test each hypothesis. Make a step-by-step list of what you will do to answer each question. This list is called an experimental procedure. For an experiment to give answers you can trust, it must have a “control.” A control is an additional experimental trial or run. It is a separate experiment, done exactly like the others. The only difference is that no experimental variables are changed. A control is a neutral “reference point” for comparison that allows you to see what changing a variable does by comparing it to not changing anything. Dependable controls are sometimes very hard to develop. They can be the hardest part of a project. Without a control you cannot be sure that changing the variable causes your observations. A series of experiments that includes a control is called a “controlled experiment.”
Procedure:
-
- You may need to get some help during this experiment.
- Fill one flask about half way with hot tap water. Add an equal volume of room temperature tap water to the second flask and an equal volume of cold tap water to the third.
- Practice putting the balloon over the mouth of the flask.
- Break three Alka-Seltzer tablets into comparable size pieces.
- Add one broken tablet to each flask.
- Immediately put a balloon over the mouth of each flask.
- Note the rate of balloon inflation.
- Compare the sizes of the inflated balloons after certain amount of time or when the reaction stops to demonstrate that only the rate of reaction is affected, not the final amount of product.
- Solutions may be flushed down the drain with water.
Record the result of your experiment in a table like this.
|Production of CO2 in X minutes||Hot Water||Room Temperature water||Cold Water|
|Balloon Volume|
|Balloon Diameter|
|Balloon height|
Note that gas in balloon is under pressure, so actual volume of gas in standard pressure is more than the balloon volume.
Make a graph:
A graph is a visual presentation of your results and a valuable addition to your display board. Make a graph with 3 vertical bars. Each bar will be for one of the temperature ranges you test. Name the bars as “Hot”, “Room temp.” and “Cold”.
The height of each bar will be the height of the balloon it represents.
You may make similar bar graphs based on the balloon diameter or the balloon volume.
Safety goggles are recommended.
You may perform the same experiment using vinegar instead of water and baking soda instead of Alka-Seltzer. This can be messy, so do a few tests in smaller scale first. If the vinegar is very strong, you will get a lot of vinegar and baking soda entering the balloon in the form of foam. Balloon may explode and make a mess out of your experiment room.
Materials and Equipment:
Chemicals:
Alka-Seltzer tablets
tap water – hot, room temperature, and cold
Equipment:
balloons (previously blown up to stretch them)
125-mL Erlenmeyer flasks*
chemical scoops, spatulas or spoons
*Modification: In place of Erlenmeyer flasks, 10-12 oz. soda bottles may be used.
Results of Experiment (Observation):
Experiments are often done in series. A series of experiments can be done by changing one variable a different amount each time. A series of experiments is made up of separate experimental “runs.” During each run you make a measurement of how much the variable affected the system under study. For each run, a different amount of change in the variable is used. This produces a different amount of response in the system. You measure this response, or record data, in a table for this purpose. This is considered “raw data” since it has not been processed or interpreted yet. When raw data gets processed mathematically, for example, it becomes results.
Record the result of your experiment in a table like this.
|Production of CO2 in X minutes||Hot Water||Room Temperature water||Cold Water|
|Balloon Volume|
|Balloon Diameter|
|Balloon height|
Note that gas in balloon is under pressure, so actual volume of gas in standard pressure is more than the balloon volume.
Calculations:
- Measure the circumference of the balloon.
- Calculate the radius of a spherical balloon by dividing the circumference of the balloon by 6.28.
- Calculate the volume of the balloon using the formula volume=4/3śr3
In the above formula r is the radius, r3 means r x r x r, and ś = 3.14
To calculate the volume of the balloon multiply 4/3 x 3.14 x radius x radius x radius. For example if the circumference of a balloon is 32 inches, you divide 32 by 6.28 to get 5 as the radius of the spherical balloon. Then the volume will be 4/3 x 3.14 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 523 cubic inches.
Write the volume of the balloon in the “CO2 amount” column of your results table.
4/3=1.333
If r or radius is in inches, the volume will be in cubic inches. If r is in centimeters, the volume will be in cubic centimeters.
Summary of Results:
Summarize what happened. This can be in the form of a table of processed numerical data, or graphs. It could also be a written statement of what occurred during experiments.
It is from calculations using recorded data that tables and graphs are made. Studying tables and graphs, we can see trends that tell us how different variables cause our observations. Based on these trends, we can draw conclusions about the system under study. These conclusions help us confirm or deny our original hypothesis. Often, mathematical equations can be made from graphs. These equations allow us to predict how a change will affect the system without the need to do additional experiments. Advanced levels of experimental science rely heavily on graphical and mathematical analysis of data. At this level, science becomes even more interesting and powerful.
Conclusion:
Using the trends in your experimental data and your experimental observations, try to answer your original questions. Is your hypothesis correct? Now is the time to pull together what happened, and assess the experiments you did.
Related Questions & Answers:
What you have learned may allow you to answer other questions. Many questions are related. Several new questions may have occurred to you while doing experiments. You may now be able to understand or verify things that you discovered when gathering information for the project. Questions lead to more questions, which lead to additional hypothesis that need to be tested.
Possible Errors:
Check balloons before doing the demonstration to be sure that they will inflate with the pressure generated.
References:
Smoot, Robert, Chemistry: A Modern Course, Merrill Publishing Co., Columbus, OH, 1983. This work describes a similar demonstration.
http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa100702a.htm
http://people.hws.edu/craig/chem120/kinetics/tsld002.htm
http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~honors/rate.html
http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/rate.htm
Need Chemicals?
Attention Chemists, Schools, & Colleges
ChemicalStore.com offers a large selection of chemicals for research and education at affordable price and convenience of online ordering.
Visit ChemicalStore.com today. | https://www.scienceprojects.org/balloon-race-the-effect-of-temperature-on-the-rate-of-reaction/ |
oxidizability, in our case, organic matter C/N ratio and soil pH. These factors are important controls for microbial, but not for chemical, oxidation.
Keywords Activation energy . Organic soil . Respiration . pH . Calorimetry
Introduction
In many chemical or microbial processes, a dependency of the reaction rate k on temperature is observed. Such a dependency is often satisfactorily described by Arrhenius kinetics, for which k is a function of temperature, activation energy (Ea), and a pre-exponential factor that quantifies the theoretical rate in the absence of the activation energy. Davidson and Janssens (2006) argued that the inherent molecular structure and complexity of organic compounds undergoing decomposition in soil controls their activation energy in a direct way, which they referred to as the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of decomposition. High intrinsic temperature sensitivity may be positively related to the number of enzymatic steps required for substrate breakdown, and the latter has been suggested to define substrate quality (Bosatta and Agren 1999). Substrate quality, thus, refers to the chemistry and molecular complexity of the substrate. The hypothesized higher temperature sensitivity of a poor quality substrate, as developed by Bosatta and Agren (1999), has been interchangeably referred to as 'temperature-quality-hypothesis' (Wetterstedt et al. 2010) or 'carbon-quality-temperature (CQT) theory' (Kleber 2010). In organic soils, substrate quality is closely associated with organic matter (OM) chemistry and molecular size, whereas in mineral soils, desorption, e.g., from Fe, Al, and Mn oxides or phyllosilicates, and cleavage of linkages between OM surfaces and metal ions require additional energies that must be overcome for decomposition (von Lutzow and Kogel-Knabner 2009).
Substrate quality, as defined here, is linked to the biochemical functioning of soil organic matter as a source of energy for microbial metabolism. Although there is theoretical (Agren and Bosatta 2002) and experimental (e.g., Fierer et al. 2005; Waldrop and Firestone 2004; Conant et al. 2008; Craine et al. 2010a) evidence for a recalcitrance effect on the temperature sensitivity, intrinsic recalcitrant properties are difficult to capture because different processes in C destabi-lization and their temperature sensitivity act in concert with effects of temperature on the physiology of the soil microflora. These two mechanisms are difficult to separate experimentally (Conant et al. 2011).
Enzyme catalyze microbial reactions such as polymer breakdown by reducing Ea for a given reaction and, thus, increase k by several orders of magnitude compared to the noncatalyzed reaction (Nelson and Cox 2008). Therefore, a comparison between the noncatalyzed reaction, hereinafter referred to as 'chemical oxidation,' and the resistance to enzyme-mediated oxidative decay, hereinafter referred to as 'microbial oxidation,' could provide insight into the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of OM oxidation. Controlled burning experiments revealed empirical relationships between thermal and chemical (Lopez-Capel et al. 2008) or microbial (Grisi et al. 1998; Harvey et al. 2012) characteristics of soil organic matter (SOM) or other organic compounds. These linkages between thermal stability indices and OM decomposability prompt a discussion directed towards possible thermal proxies for biogeochemical stability of SOM (Plante et al. 2009). However, control of thermal stabilities by the degree of decomposition can be complex (Rovira et al. 2008) and it has proven difficult, so far, to find a mechanistic understanding needed for a substantiated evaluation of thermal indices.
Thermal stability is indicated by the susceptibility to chemical oxidation at a particular temperature, and the size and position of the exothermic peaks. It not only depends on the substrate's chemical characteristics but also on its degree of polymerization and, thus, the molecular structure, the degree of mineral association, and the spatial arrangement of molecules and macrostructures (Leifeld 2008; Leinweber and Schulten 1999; Plante et al. 2009; Vander Wal and Tomasek 2003). Microbial decomposition rates also depend on these characteristics. Burning experiments may, thus, provide an affordable, rapid, and information-rich chemical method to detect meaningful patterns in SOM decomposability. Moreover, controlled burning at different heating rates also allows measurement of the Ea for the oxidation reaction (ASTM 2005) and, thus, a direct estimation of the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of chemical oxidation with respect to substrate properties such as carbon speciation, degree of polymerization, and presence of soil minerals.
So far, there has been no attempt to relate Ea measured from chemical oxidation in such a way to any microbial index of SOM quality or temperature sensitivity. In this work, a
range of mineral and organic soils was subjected to controlled chemical oxidation in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and activation energies of the chemical process (EaDSC) were measured and compared to the temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration (Rh) of the same set of samples (EaRh). We hypothesize that (i) EaRh must be significantly lower than EaDSC due to the catalyzing effect of enzymes, (ii) EaDSC gives insight into inherent molecular and structural substrate properties, and (iii) EaRh should be higher for mineral soils due to the necessary desorption prior to substrate uptake. We also studied possible relationships between EaRh and DSC parameters that could be used as a proxy for the stability of SOM against microbial oxidation and thus as a quick and inexpensive means of assessing SOM quality in reference to decomposability and turnover.
Material and methods
Soil samples were collected from depths between 0 and 36 cm as intact 100-cm3 cores (height: 4.1 cm, diameter: 5.6 cm) from two grassland sites in Switzerland: Seebodenalp (SA, n=11) and Alp Flix (AF, n=8). Site SA comprises histosols (fens and bogs) with SOC contents of between 17 and 53 % and pH (CaCl2) values between 3.1 and 5.1. SA is located at around 1,050 masl with a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 7.3 °C and a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 1,330 mm. It is mown once per year. AF is a subalpine site at around 2,000 masl, MAT 2.8 °C, MAP 1,050 mm, consisting of both a pasture and a meadow field on mineral soil (organic carbon (OC) 5.1-7.3 %; pH 4.5 to 5.4)). Site details of SA and AF are given in Rogiers et al. (2008) and Leifeld and Fuhrer (2009), respectively, and a summary of important soil properties is listed in Table 1. Both sites are only moderately managed and are not fertilized. Alp Flix receives small amounts of manure from cattle (summer grazing or haying with stocking density of about 0.2 livestock units), but no external inputs.
Laboratory incubations of soil samples and calculation of respiration temperature sensitivity
During the vegetation period at both sites, diurnal soil temperature amplitudes are typically around 10 °C leading to daily minima of c. 15 °C and maxima of c. 25 °C, and this temperature range was chosen for the incubation temperatures in the laboratory. At both sites, we sampled soils using intact cores to include factors such as mobilization, transport, and transfer of carbon compounds in soil that may, ifignored, bias temperature effects, as discussed in Mahecha et al. (2010). By measuring the temperature sensitivity in short-term laboratory incubations with short-term temperature manipulations, we can rule out a decline in substrate availability as a confounding factor in the
Table 1 Overview of physico-chemical properties and logarithmic respiration rates (ln k Rh) of the studied soils
Letter denotes subplot at site SA or AF; number denotes mean sampling depth (cm)
Soil sample SOC (mg g-1 soil) C/N pH ln k Rh at 25 fog CO2-C g- °C 1 OC day-1) Ea^ (kJ mol 1)
SA1a2 415.2 15.2 4.1 6.77 93.6
SA2b2 469.8 18.7 4.1 6.38 84.2
SA3b34 525.8 38.8 3.1 5.98 119.9
SA4c2 482.1 23.0 3.9 6.93 95.1
SA5d2 335.1 16.0 4.2 7.10 84.1
SA6d22 490.6 27.7 3.9 5.58 117.9
SA7e2 348.9 16.8 4.2 7.83 98.7
SA8f2 324.4 16.1 5.1 7.82 85.4
SA9g2 213.0 12.3 4.8 7.73 83.1
SA10h2 172.8 11.4 4.7 8.22 85.1
SA11j2 183.9 13.3 4.9 8.15 80.7
AF1a2 58.7 11.1 5.4 7.32 75.4
AF2a6 71.2 11.3 4.5 7.64 67.3
AF3b2 57.0 10.9 5.2 7.04 84.8
AF4b6 68.2 11.0 4.5 7.38 76.9
AF5c2 50.7 11.6 4.8 7.52 78.6
AF6C6 51.9 12.4 5.0 7.55 77.5
AF7d2 72.6 11.3 4.7 7.22 79.8
AF8d6 63.7 11.7 5.0 7.19 78.7
study of temperature/quality relationships (Wetterstedt et al. 2010). Furthermore, we can exclude thermal adaptation of microbial communities (Balser and Wixon 2009) or the formation of adapted isoenzymes with respect to different environmental conditions (Bradford et al. 2008). Both effects are unlikely to play an important role in short-term temperature variations over the 1-2 days or so that we used to mimic in situ diurnal variations at our sites. The heterotrophic respiration rate (Rh) of intact soil cores was measured over periods of 2-24 h, depending on sample activity with an infrared sensor (measuring range 0-3 % vol.) in a temperature-controlled incubation chamber at 25 °C (Rh25) and 15 °C (Rh15) after the cores had been adjusted over a period of 7 days to a water tension of 100 hPa. CO2 concentrations increased linearly over the selected measurement periods. Simultaneous oxygen measurements in the headspace were used as an additional control to prevent O2 deficiency and were not allowed to drop below 19 % vol. The Rh was corrected for dissolved CO2. Aqueous concentrations are inferred from measured pCO2 in the chamber head-space using Henry's law and pH- and temperature-dependent dissociation constants for HCO3- and CO32-, assuming an instantaneous thermodynamic equilibrium. Total change in CO2 storage was, thus, computed considering measured gaseous CO2 contained in the headspace and of dissolved inorganic carbon. It is given as ln micrograms C per gram OC per day (Table 1). The temperature sensitivity of Rh of each sample was expressed as the activation energy Ea [joules per mole] using the conventional Arrhenius equation:
Ea = - R x T x ln^k) (1)
where R is the gas constant, T is the absolute temperature, k is the respiration rate, and A is the frequency or pre-exponential factor. The slope of ln k vs. T equals-Ea / R.
After incubation, samples were sieved to <2 mm, dried at 105 °C, and ground. Soil C and N was determined by elemental analysis (Euro EA, HEKAtech, Germany) and soil pH was measured in the supernatant of a 0.01-M CaCl2 solution.
Thermal analysis and chemical activation energy of soil samples
Thermal stability of dried and milled samples was measured during controlled combustion in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC Q100, Waters, USA). To avoid possible charring or peak shifts during combustion (Leifeld 2007), samples were diluted with Al2O3 to obtain a C concentration of 3 %. Samples were heated in synthetic air (50 ml min-1) from room temperature to 600 °C with a heating rate |3 of 5, 12.5, and 20 °C min-1, and their differential heat flux $ [watts per gram] was recorded. The measured thermal stability parameters were temperature and heat flux at peak temperature of the first main exotherm, as well as the 50 % burnoff temperature (temperature at which 50 % of the total heat of reaction has evolved, degrees Celsius; hereafter referred to as T50). The first major exothermic peak, appearing at lower temperatures, is attributed to
easily decomposable OM, as indicated by composting studies (Dell'Abate et al. 2000; Leifeld 2008), and is, thus, more meaningful for any comparison with short-term microbial reaction rates compared to the overall burning pattern of the sample, which also includes thermally stable compounds such as pyro-genic carbon (Leifeld 2007; Plante et al. 2009).
From the DSC measurements at three different heating rates (see above), Arrhenius parameters of the chemical oxidation were calculated according to ASTM (2005). This is based on the principle of a shift in peak temperatures with a change in heating rate. Briefly, Ea [joules per mole] is a function of |3 [Kelvin per minute] and the absolute peak temperature T:
EaDSC — R
-lnß/T2)
where R is the gas constant. Activation energies were calculated according to Eq. 2 and were later used to compute hypothetical energy and, thus, CO2 fluxes upon chemical oxidation at 25 °C (kDSC25) as described above. Hence, Eq. 2 provides a measure of the activation energy of the chemical process (EaDSC) that is directly comparable to the activation energies measured for microbial decomposition (Ea^).
A peak heat flux at a rate of 1 °C min was calculated based on the relationship between $ and the peak temperature (R2>0.99). This was done to avoid unnecessarily long measurement times at very low heating rates. Peak heat flux rates at 1 °C min-1 were used for the direct comparison with heterotrophic respiration based on the premise that the system at low heating rates is at thermal equilibrium (Höhne et al. 2003). To allow such direct comparison of DSC reaction rates with microbial respiration rates, energy fluxes had to be converted to CO2 units because no microthermal methods for measuring heat fluxes of biological systems were available. To convert the DSC heat flux at peak temperature into Rh units (micrograms CO2-C per gram OC per day), the energy content (joules per gram) of each sample was quantified as the integral over the whole thermogram. The reaction enthalpy measured by DSC was 30.8 (±1.4) kJ g-1 OC on average (1 SE). For calculating CO2 fluxes from energy fluxes, the energy content of any single sample was used rather than the average number provided here. The converted heat fluxes resulted in an average flux of 1.05 x 107 (±1.7 x 106) Hg CO2-C g-1 OC day-1 for ß of 1 °C min-1 at the peak temperatures of the first exotherm.
Results and discussion
Temperature sensitivity of chemical oxidation
In the soils under study, mean activation energies (EaDSC) of 135.5 (SE 1.4) kJ mol-1 were obtained for chemically oxidized
samples. Reaction rates at peak temperatures, converted to hypothetical rates at room temperature (kDSC25), exhibited a significant negative correlation with EaDSC (r=-0.95;^<0.001; Fig. 1), thus obeying Arrhenius kinetics. The close relationship indicated that sample reactivity was mainly driven by the reaction temperature and that other possible factors were of minor importance. Because different soil types were measured, variability among samples may be explained by differences in OM chemistry or molecular complexity. The parameters pH, C/N ratio, and thermal stability, measured as T50, differed significantly between mineral and organic soils (P<0.05; t test), whereas ln kDSC25 and EaDSC did not. The latter two, however, indicated a slightly higher thermal reaction rate that was less temperature sensitive for organic compared to mineral soils that may refer to a reduction of thermal degradability due to organomineral association.
Neither ln kDSC25 nor EaDSC showed a statistically significant relationship with any other chemical or thermal parameter of the samples, indicating that the temperature dependency of chemical oxidation is largely independent on sample properties such as elemental contents or pH. The lack of relationship with T50 may be explained by the fact that both kDSC and EaDSC were derived from the reaction rate of the first major exothermic peak, whereas the overall thermal stability relates to the degree of polymerization and is also affected by thermally more stable OM compounds (Plante et al. 2009).
Temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration
On average, the catalytic effect of enzymes in living soil significantly reduced Ea from 135.5 (EaDSC) to 86.7 kJ mol (Rh) and this effect is in agreement with our first hypothesis. However, chemical and microbial temperature sensitivities were independent of each other (r=0.18; p=0.47) (Fig. 2).
130 135
Ea DSC (kJ mol-1)
Fig. 1 Theoretical reaction rate (^.g CO2-C g-1 OC day-1) of chemical oxidation at 25 °C as a function of the chemical activation energy EaDSC. Solid squares mineral soils, open triangles organic soils
Fig. 2 Comparison of activation energies for chemical (EaDSC) and enzyme-catalyzed oxidation (Ea^) of soil carbon. Solid squares mineral soils, open triangles organic soils
90 100 Ea Rh (kJ mol-1)
Fig. 3 Relationship between the temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration rates Ea^, and the 50 % burnoff temperature, an integrated measure for thermal stability, as measured by DSC. Solid squares mineral soils, open triangles organic soils
The catalytic effect was more pronounced for mineral soils (EaDSC 137.0 ± 1.4 [1 SE], EaRh 77.4 ± 1.7 kJ mol-1) compared to organic soils (134.5 ±2.1, 93.4 ± 4.2 kJ mol-1), and thus, the hypothesized higher EaRh in mineral soils could not be supported. The slightly smaller mean Ea found for the chemical degradation of organic soils during thermal treatment did not translate into a proportional decline in Ea for microbial decomposition. In our study, organic matter in mineral soils is probably more decomposed than that in organic, peat-forming soils because it has a high fraction of mineral-associated organic matter and a narrow C/N, indicative of a substantial fraction of microbial-derived OM (Leifeld and Fuhrer 2009). If the substrate quality is defined as being related to, i.e., negatively correlated to, molecular complexity and the number of steps needed to break down a substrate and make it available, EaRh should increase with declining quality. Our results tentatively suggest that microbial decomposition and subsequent organomineral association need not to be associated with a decline in quality due to the much smaller EaRh found in mineral soils.
As a consequence of the reduced activation energy, the values of kRh25 were 1.5 x 107 times kDSC25. In turn, temperatures of between 347 and 428 °C were required to induce chemical reaction rates of similar magnitude to those achieved by microorganisms at room temperature. Ea^ showed a highly significant and positive relationship with two measures of thermal stability, namely T50 (r=0.77;p<0.001) and the peak temperature during chemical oxidation (r=0.60, p<0.01). Figure 3 exemplifies how EaRh increases with T50 measured by DSC. Furthermore, ln kRh25 correlated significantly, but negatively, with these thermal parameters (r=-0.73;p<0.001 and r=-0.49, p<0.05 for T50 and peak temperature, respectively). These results confirm earlier findings on relationships between thermal and other chemical or microbial soil
attributes (Lopez-Capel et al. 2008; Grisi et al. 1998) and imply that a large amount of thermally labile SOM compounds is favorable for microbial decay. This agrees with the argument that the first exotherm evolving from oxidation of thermally labile material is attributable to OM that is easily decomposed by microorganisms. Conversely, microbial activity seems hindered in the presence of large amounts of thermally stable material (Harvey et al. 2012).
However, the aforementioned relationship between thermal stability and decomposability by organisms does not provide robust insight into the role of activation energies of chemical oxidation for enzyme-mediated processes. This is because thermal stability parameters are not directly representing EaDSC that is measured using different heating rates. Hence, we do not regard the relationship between heterotrophic respiration and measures of thermal stability such as T50 or peak temperatures as being conclusive because we are looking for the connectivity between the temperature sensitivity of chemical and microbial oxidation. The results strongly indicate that such a causal relationship does not exist. The comparison of Ea^ and EaDSC rather suggests that they are representing different types of qualities. The inherent stability of an arrangement of molecules subject to chemical oxidation is not related to the stability experienced by microorganisms and their enzymes. Therefore, the microbial or biochemical quality of a substrate, as measured by means of respiration rates at different temperatures, must be related to additional factors other than degree of polymerization or carbon speciation as seen by the thermal method.
Furthermore, whereas the microbial oxidation rate ln kRh was not related to EaDSC, it was significantly negatively related to EaRh (r=-0.68;p<0.01 at 25 °C, r=-0.80,^<0.001 at 15 °C). A comparable range of EaRh values to those found in our study
and a similar negative relationship have been previously reported for a wide range of sites and soil conditions (Fierer et al. 2006; Craine et al. 2010a) and cited as evidence for recalcitrance being a major control on the temperature sensitivity of Rh. This is because a small Rh is thought to coincide with a poor substrate quality and, correspondingly, higher temperature sensitivity. The relationship between ln kRh and EaRh (Fig. 4), however, was weaker than that between kDSC25 and EaDSC (Fig. 1), and some samples revealed similar kRh within an Ea range of around 70 to 100 kJ mol-1, which is in contrast to the results from the chemical oxidation and the opposite of what would be expected if kRh was just a function of EaRh. A similar respiration rate for samples with very different microbial activation energy suggests factors other than quality affect kR^ and these will be elaborated in the next section. Note that kRh is normalized to soil organic carbon and, thus, to the bulk substrate concentration.
Controls on temperature dependency of heterotrophic respiration
Two chemical properties known for their important role in controlling enzyme activity and substrate decomposition by organisms in soil, pH and C/N ratio, correlated significantly with both ln kRh and EaRh (Table 2). The enzymatic potential for oxidizing the stable fractions of SOM is strongly related to pH, whereas the enzymatic potential for hydrolyzing labile SOM components is tied to soil pH and the stoichiometry of the decomposer community (Sinsabaugh et al. 2008). The pH optima differ widely across enzymes, and pH dependency of enzyme activities can, thus, be positive or negative depending on the observed range of pH values. We found a significantly negative relationship between pH and EaRh (Table 2) for the
Table 2 Correlation coefficient (Pearson) between heterotrophic respiration at 25 °C (ln k Rh), activation energy of Rh (Ea^), C/N ratio, and pH value of soils (p<0.001 ***; p<0.01 **)
C/N ratio pH
ln k Rh —0 73*** 0.66**
EaRh 0 89*** —0.75***
C/N ratio —0 84***
pH range of 3.1-5.4, whereas Craine et al. (2010b) reported converse results for mineral grassland soils in the pH range 5.4-7.6. Interestingly, merging of these data would reveal a minimum EaRh at a pH of approximately 5.4 (Fig. 5). These combined data may indicate that different enzymes with different pH optima exert control on instantaneous rates of key metabolic processes and, therefore, different substrates contribute to the observed CO2 flux. Recent research on pH effects on decadal to centennial SOM turnover showed a stimulating effect of declining soil acidity (pH range 3.9-5.9) on carbon turnover rates at the Alp Flix site (Leifeld et al. 2013). Hence, soil pH may control activity in the short and in the long term. In addition, soil acidity may affect not only kRh but also EaRh, although the mechanisms behind pH effects on temperature sensitivities still need to be explored. Also, the soil C/N ratio correlated highly significantly with both kRh and EaRh (Table 2) and with declining C/N ratios respiration rates increased while activation energies decreased. It seems reasonable to assume that particular in organic soils having a wide C/N ratio, N may be a limiting factor for heterotrophic soil respiration. However, C/N also covaried with soil pH, making it difficult to separate effects among these two.
Ea Rh (kJ mol-1)
Fig. 4 Reaction rate (^.g CO2-C g-1 OC day-1) of heterotrophic respiration (Rh) at 25 °C as a function of the microbial activation energy Solid squares mineral soils, open triangles organic soils
a data Craine et al. 2010
□ data this study A A A
D □ A A A A A A
□ AA A A & A
m L * A
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
soil pH
Fig. 5 Activation energy of heterotrophic respiration in relation to soil pH. Triangles represent data published by Craine et al. (2010b) for grassland sites in North America; squares data from this study
Conclusion
Organic matter thermal stability correlated significantly with rates and activation energies of heterotrophic respiration, confirming that SOM thermal stability can be related to biological functioning. However, the temperature sensitivity of microbial SOM decomposition is not related to the chemical activation energy of the corresponding substrate that we measured by its thermal stability against oxidation. The capacity of the decomposer community and the catalytic power of exoenzymes it releases seems to be largely independent of the substrate's inherent recalcitrance but regulated by factors such as soil pH or substrate C/N ratio, both of which are linked to the organisms' physiology and stoichiometry.
Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited. | https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/997721 |
This is Part 4 and the final part of my series on the Kaizen Approach, the Japanese theory that small, constant improvements to quality can lead to drastic business changes and improved performance, and thereby increased efficiencies and profits. A major idea behind this is that by a series of small improvements made continuously over a long period of time, dramatic improvements can be made.
“In order to get to the top of a mountain you must start with the first step.” — Anonymous
The Kaizen Approach is not one of drastic and novel ideas leading to new founded technology. It is one of using the current workforce and structures, and then cultivating them to adapt and to improve the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses to stay ahead of the game and to use the “Knowledge Capital” within the corporation to institute change more organically. It is also not one of ultimate goals and means to an end, but fostering and sculpting change in a constant flow of analyze, improve, and repeat — like an athlete that is constantly looking to improve their performance. Never satisfied, never finished.
In order to make these small steps, there must be some method of standardization and standard operating procedures, and there must be a set of metrics that is measurable, reliable, and improvable. This sort of reliable data lends itself well to the ideas of the Kaizen Approach, as the minor tweaks and changes are needed over time.
To develop and analyze the small changes there are some key organization and process components that must be present:
1) “SOP” – Standard Operating Procedures – Procedures that are reliable, measurable, and therefore improvable.
2) KPI – Key Performance Indicators – Indicators that tell whether the procedures can be preformed, better, faster, more efficiently
3) Statistical Sampling – numbers that may be nontraditional to give the opportunity to improve at all levels of the company
4) Reduced variability – reduce costs by reducing waste, duplication of performance, time wasting, and increased productivity.
The traditional business strategy ideas maintain that to improve quality one must increase the costs. The Kaizen approach supports just the opposite in that improved quality over time actual decreases the costs by minimizing mistakes and improving efficiencies. It calls for lean improvement of processes, to cut costs, waste and time to improve quality. Many of the ideas of the Kaizen approach are often inexpensive to implement but they require a great deal of sustained effort and management support. It goes against the traditional idea that change requires large investments in capital.
In building improvement into the regular day to day processes, companies are able to achieve step by step improvements to increase efficiencies, work flows, and achievement that are not fathomed at the beginning of the goal setting process. One where good is never quite good enough and each day should cultivate new ideas and improved business practice. The idea of continuous improvement is one that is often talked about, but must be nurtured to be successful. Implementing the Kaizen Approach can seem like a daunting task, but as the approach promotes, it can be one of step by step process to achieve fantastic results. | https://tgg-accounting.com/the-kaizen-approach-part-4/ |
I do not have any formal training in these subjects or any of philosophy, for that matter. So, forgive me for my naive question.
As I understand it, all of these take the view that "existence precedes essence" and that life has no inherent meaning, but only whatever meaning the individual person explicitly ascribes for himself.
Where do these ideas differ? Or are they all the same?
There are a few places one can go for quick online answers: Wikipedia, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. There are other places as well, but when these sources turn up in an online search they may be worth considering.
Let's just consider what Wikipedia has to say about these terms.
Existentialism...is a tradition of philosophical inquiry associated mainly with certain 19th and 20th-century European philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual.
What I pick out from here is that this is (1) this philosophy may no longer be very active, (2) it is concerned with subjective feelings rather than thinking, and (3) it is focused on the individual human being.
Although nihilism and existentialism are distinct philosophies, they are often confused with one another. A primary cause of confusion is that Friedrich Nietzsche is an important philosopher in both fields, but also the existentialist insistence on the inherent meaninglessness of the world. Existentialist philosophers often stress the importance of Angst as signifying the absolute lack of any objective ground for action, a move that is often reduced to a moral or an existential nihilism.
What might be worth noting here is (1) Nietzsche is considered both an existentialist and a nihilist and (2) nihilism involves the lack of an objective ground for action.
Existential nihilism is the philosophical theory that life has no intrinsic meaning or value. With respect to the universe, existential nihilism suggests that a single human or even the entire human species is insignificant, without purpose and unlikely to change in the totality of existence. According to the theory, each individual is an isolated being born into the universe, barred from knowing "why", yet compelled to invent meaning.
What this suggests is that maybe for some philosophers these two terms, existentialism and nihilism, may not be easy to distinguish.
In philosophy, "the Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and human inability to find any due to actual lack of any meaning or value. In this context absurd does not mean "logically impossible", but rather "humanly impossible".
What this suggests is the belief that there is no inherent value and so the search for it is in vain.
Where do this ideas [existentialism, nihilism and absurdism] differ? Or are they all the same?
From the above, it may be possible to find differences in specific philosophers that would justify having three words for these positions, however, the labels given to those philosophers should be examined critically. Because of this one should look for evidence from the writings of these philosophers to justify any differences or similarities between them.
One might now consider a specific philosopher and ask how each of these three terms may or may not fit that philosopher's views.
Existentialism, is a view on coping with the world, and is primarily epistemological. Nihilism is a view of reality, in so far as it affects humans of all kinds. Absurdism, is a further extension of nihilism, that relates to the humans quest for understanding and meaning.
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged existentialism nihilism absurdism or ask your own question.
Is existentialism the “practical” nihilism?
What were Camus' views on nihilism and existentialism?
Refuting nihilism - why pursue happiness if it can be stripped from us by accidental events at any time?
How to express Nihilism and Existentialism without explicitly stating it as such? | https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/56942/what-is-the-difference-between-existentialism-nihilism-and-absurdism |
There are many ways to find how far is Canada from Sri Lanka, the distance calculated in kilometers and miles by Haversine formula - distance between coordinates: 56.000000 / -96.000000 (CA) and 7.877422 / 80.700343 (LK).
When trying to get from Canada to Sri Lanka, a traveler needs to cover the distance of 12906 km / 8019 mil. Surely, both CA and LK are big enough for the distance to vary considerably depending on how it is measured.
Commonly, the shortest distance is calculated as the crow flies, meaning the most direct path between two points. However, to get more precise results, it is important to specify the remoteness of these points. So, the distance is shown as a straight line between the departure coordinates of 56.000000 / -96.000000 and the arrival coordinates of 7.877422 / 80.700343.
Obviously, the fastest way to travel from Canada to Sri Lanka is by plane. Given the average speed of modern aircraft, the flight time is estimated as 15 hours, 21 minutes. Yet, the flight length may also vary based on a number of factors, such as the speed of a specific airliner, its route, and airports of departure and arrival.
Besides, the time is calculated without transfer activities, which may involve different modes of transportation. So, how far is it from Canada to Sri Lanka? The average figures for different transportation options are shown on this web page, calculated by a precise formula of spherical trigonometry.
|Depart from||Canada (CA)|
|Arrives in||Sri Lanka (LK)|
|Distance between Canada and Sri Lanka||12906 km / 8019 mil|
|Avg car duration||143 hours, 23 minutes (90 km/h)|
|Avg bus duration||215 hours, 5 minutes (60 km/h)|
|Avg train duration||129 hours, 3 minutes (100 km/h)|
|Avg flight duration||14 hours, 20 minutes (900 km/h)|
* Estimated time when driving in a straight line at the same speed. | https://distancem.com/countries/from-canada-to-sri-lanka |
Chronic nitrogen deposition alters tree allometric relationships: implications for biomass production and carbon storage.
As increasing levels of nitrogen (N) deposition impact many terrestrial ecosystems, understanding the potential effects of higher N availability is critical for forecasting tree carbon allocation patterns and thus future forest productivity. Most regional estimates of forest biomass apply allometric equations, with parameters estimated from a limited number of studies, to forest inventory data (i.e., tree diameter). However most of these allometric equations cannot account for potential effects of increased N availability on biomass allocation patterns. Using 18 yr of tree diameter, height, and mortality data collected for a dominant tree species (Acer saccharum) in an atmospheric N deposition experiment, we evaluated how greater N availability affects allometric relationships in this species. After taking into account site and individual variability, our results reveal significant differences in allometric parameters between ambient and experimental N deposition treatments. Large trees under experimental N deposition reached greater heights at a given diameter; moreover, their estimated maximum height (mean ± standard deviation: 33.7 ± 0.38 m) was significantly higher than that estimated under the ambient condition (31.3 ± 0.31 m). Within small tree sizes (5-10 cm diameter) there was greater mortality under experimental N deposition, whereas the relative growth rates of small trees were greater under experimental N deposition. Calculations of stemwood biomass using our parameter estimates for the diameter-height relationship indicated the potential for significant biases in these estimates (~2.5%), with under predictions of stemwood biomass averaging 4 Mg/ha lower if ambient parameters were to be used to estimate stem biomass of trees in the experimental N deposition treatment. As atmospheric N deposition continues to increase into the future, ignoring changes in tree allometry will contribute to the uncertainty associated with aboveground carbon storage estimates across a forest with a large geographic distribution in eastern North America.
| |
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (1989) - Great Plains/Rocky Mountain HSRC
Center Director: Erickson, Larry E.
Title: Formation and Transformation of Pesticide Degradation Products Under Various Electron Acceptor Conditions
Investigators: Parkin, Gene F , St. Clair, Martin A.
Institution: University of Iowa
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: May 1, 1992 through May 1, 1995
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (1989) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Organic Chemical Contamination of Soil/Water , Land and Waste Management
Objective:The objectives for the proposed research include the following: to develop and operate batch and column reactors, some including soil-water suspensions, under four different electron acceptor conditions (aerobic, nitrate reducing, sulfate reducing, and methanogenic) in which alachlor and atrazine are transformed; to screen for as many biotransformation products from these systems as possible; to determine the differences among the various electron acceptor conditions, and between the systems with and without soil, to aid in the determination of the degradative pathways for each pesticide under each electron acceptor condition; to develop rate constants for the formation and transformation for of as many of the metabolites as possible; and to incorporate the newly developed rate constants into a mathematical model designed to predict the fate of the pesticides under each of the different electron acceptors.
Approach:
Proposed research will employ both batch and column reactor techniques, some with soil-water suspensions. Soil obtained from an Iowa agricultural field known to have been treated in the past with atrazine and/or alachlor will be used. Liquid media used in all experiments will be a "synthetic" ground water designed to maintain one of the electron acceptor conditions of interest. All experimental reactors will be run at 16°C in an effort to keep experimental conditions as close as possible to those of a typical Iowa ground water. Reactors will be seeded with cultures which have been growing under desired electron acceptor conditions and have been shown to transform atrazine and alachlor. Acetate will be fed as a carbon and energy source.
Pesticide, acetate, microbial biomass, and electron acceptors will be monitored over time during each experiment. Once a significant fraction of the fed pesticide has been transformed, products of atrazine and alachlor will be assayed in the effluents and/or soil samples of each reactor. Standards for some of the expected transformation products will be obtained. A number of analytical techniques will be employed for identification and quantification of these metabolic products, including use of selective GC detectors, GC-MS, or, if necessary, LC-MS. Unknown metabolites may be further analyzed using NMR spectroscopy.
Expected Results:Recent research has shown that while atrazine and alachlor are transformed in the environment under a variety of conditions, their rates of mineralization are likely much slower than their rates of initial transformation. Thus there are likely a number of degradation products being formed and perhaps accumulating in the environment, and the nature of these products will likely be a function of the particular environment in which they are formed. It is expected that this study will provide information regarding the effect of these different environments on the formation and subsequent transformation of the major degradation products.
Publications and Presentations:Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 7 publications for this subproject | View all 904 publications for this center
Journal Articles:Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 1 journal articles for this subproject | View all 182 journal articles for this center
Supplemental Keywords:atrazine, alachlor, transformation products, kinetics., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Geographic Area, Waste, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Contaminated Sediments, Remediation, Environmental Chemistry, Geochemistry, Chemistry, pesticides, Fate & Transport, Analytical Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, Ecology and Ecosystems, Hazardous, EPA Region, fate and transport, sediment treatment, contaminant transport, fate and transport , soil and groundwater remediation, contaminated sediment, contaminated soil, electron acceptors, groundwater remediation, Region 7, bioremediation of soils, Region 8, chemical kinetics, contaminated groundwater, pesticide runoff, atrazine, hazardous wate, pesticide residue, phytoremediation, groundwater
Progress and Final Reports:
Main Center Abstract and Reports:R825549 HSRC (1989) - Great Plains/Rocky Mountain HSRC
Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center). | https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/INDEX.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/5298/report/0 |
What is a Brownfield Site (Brownfields)?
A Brownfield site is real property with plans for redevelopment, that has the potential presence of pollution and subsurface hazardous substance contamination. And the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001 (also known as the Brownfields Act) encourages environmental remediation when and where necessary. The act is a proponent of redevelopment and revitalization, nationwide. In fact, according to the USEPA, there are approximately 450,000 Brownfields Sites in the country. Updated January 11, 2021.
CERCLA & Brownfields Sites
The Brownfields Act amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. At the very least, the redevelopment process starts with limited environmental due diligence and site assessment work, to identify the potential for soil contamination and groundwater pollution.
Brownfields Redevelopment & Environmental Due Diligence
Potential environmental concerns from Desktop Environmental Reports or Transaction Screen Assessments typically recommend proceeding with the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process. And upon the findings of a Recognized Environmental Condition during a Phase 1 ESA, there will likely be a Phase 2 Subsurface Investigation, comprising the direct sampling and analysis of subsurface materials.
When There is No Contamination
If a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment concludes that there are no recognizable environmental concerns, the property can immediately proceed with redevelopment, without Brownfield procedures. Similarly, during soil testing, detections that are below Phase 2 Screening Level numbers are likely to also result in “No Further Action.” Thus, allowing developers to proceed without Brownfields assistance.
When Contamination Does Exist
On the other hand, if recognizable environmental concerns (REC) do occur during the Phase 1 ESA, and the Phase 2 ESA indicates that subsurface contamination does exist, there will be a recommendation for contamination remediation. Although, due diligence reports do not determine the extent of contamination, nor the complete legal and financial risk at hand. For such information, additional environmental site assessments may be required. And additional environmental site assessments do fall under the remedial action category.
Cleanup of Brownfields Sites
Remediating a Brownfield Site is sometimes called “Phase III Environmental Remediation,” or simply “remediation.” And the remediation process typically comprises synonymous site assessments and groundwater monitoring activities to track progress. In fact, the remedial action plan and progress-monitoring process is typically under regulatory oversight for quality assurance purposes. Modernly, standard environmental remediation efforts are soil vapor extraction, groundwater pump-and-treat, and in-situ chemical/microbial injection. However, in some cases, remediation by soil excavation (also known as contamination source removal) is most practical.
References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Understanding Brownfields
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Overview EPA’s Brownfields Program
Forward-Thinking Geologists, Engineers & Contractors! | https://www.geoforward.com/brownfields-brownfield-site/ |
Annotation data is automatically gathered during the analysis process of the researcher (orchestration techniques, effects, selected instruments, measure range, etc.). It is then uploaded online to be integrated in ORCH.A.R.D. (Orchestration, Analysis & Research Database). A MusicXML score format provides flexibility in the visual representation of the analyses. It can then be exported to a PDF file along with the annotations.
OrchView already includes a set of Orchestral Grouping Effects tools. These tools correspond to the ongoing research being done by Stephen McAdams and his team. Orchestration Techniques tools are currently being implemented.
OrchView is currently being designed by Félix Frédéric Baril and programmed by Baptiste Bohelay. It is an original concept by Kit Soden.
Denis Beuret
Monica Bolles
She has currently been focusing on her artistic practices and has most recently been designing and building large-scale immersive experiences. In early 2019 she produced and designed a custom spatial audio system for the live immersive performance N/TOPIA featuring guitarist Janet Feder. The piece was premiered at the Conference of World Affairs in Boulder, CO at Fiske Planetarium and was awarded the Immersive Mulitsensory Award to be a featured performance at the 2019 Cube Fest at Virginia Tech’s Cube (a black box theater which hosts a 140-channel multichannel speaker array and an immersive Cyclorama).
She has also been spending the last year working alongside Kelly Snook to help build an instrument for sonifying the universe. She has created the piece Orbits that was premiered at DU’s Making Media Matter and performed at Cube Fest and as part of their data driven evening. The piece involves a live performance of an exploration of sounds generated by the rotations of Venus and Earth around the Sun.
She has presented and hosted workshops as part of Ableton Loop (2018), SXSW (2019), IMERSA Summit (2013-2019), NIME (2017-2018), and more.
Linda Bouchard / Résidence au Matralab - Concordia University
Jeffrey Boyd / Université de Calgary
Amy Brandon / Dalhousie University
Taylor Brook / Columbia University
In creating the software to generate music for Virtutes Occultae I was confronted with decisions regarding the degree of control or chaos I would infuse into the improvising algorithm. The amount of randomization and weighted probabilities integrated into the software set the levels of unpredictability; the unpredictability of the computer improvisation become artistically stimulating, even leading the composer to imitate the computer improvisor in more traditionally through-composed sections.
Recent commercial ventures (AIVA, Jukedeck, Melodrive, etc.) boast algorithms that generate commercial jingles and soundtrack music automatically: choose a mood and a style to create an original piece of music with the click of a button. The AIVA engine promotes an uncanny function where one may select an existing piece of music, say a Chopin Nocturne, and move a slider between “similar” and “vaguely similar” to create a derivative work. What does this method of creating music mean for how we value music? While this software creates music for commercial purposes, I have employed similar techniques in non-commercial art in Virtutes Occultae and other works. Unpacking the ramifications of what computer-generated music means for the role of an artist and their relation to their art is a complex and multifarious subject that must be considered.
Sylvain Cadars / IRCAM (Sound Engineer)
Roland Cahen / ENSCi Les Ateliers
Thibaut Carpentier / IRCAM
Carmine Cella
Michael L. Century / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Christopher Chandler / Union College
Simone Conforti / IRCAM
Carlos Delgado
Julie Delisle / McGill University
Philippe Esling / IRCAM
José Miguel Fernandez / IRCAM
Through a series of controlled scientific experiments conducted at CIRMMT, we were able to document perceptual mechanisms at play to track moving sounds. We estimated perceptual thresholds for auditory motion perception and velocity perception and investigated the influence of reverberation, spatialization techniques and loudspeaker configurations. Throughout this process, new tools based on a hybrid spatialization method combining numerical propagation and angle based amplitude panning, were developed to move sounds around the listener at very high velocities. At such velocities, the revolution frequency is in the same order of magnitude as audible frequencies. New effects were obtained by manipulating the listener position, the direction of revolution, the velocity and the nature of the sound material using our custom-built “sound centrifuge” developed in Max-MSP. They include spatial ambiguities, Doppler pitch-shifting and amplitude modulation induced by velocity apparent variation, timber enrichment, spatial beating (amplitude modulation pattern as a function of the revolution frequency and the sound fundamental frequency) and a spatial wagon-wheel effect, all dependant on the listening position.
These effects were first used for creative purposes in two multichannel electro-acoustic pieces by composer Cédric Camier created in 2017 and 2019. In this demonstration, effects will be presented parametrically as core elements of spatial studies based on velocity.
Sophie Dupuis and Emilie Fortin
Raphaël Foulon / IRCAM
Matthew D. Gantt / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Harvestworks
Nicola Giannini / Université de Montréal, CIRMMT
Louis Goldford / Columbia University
These pieces include “Au-dessus du carrelage de givre” for tenor, electronics, and video, premiered at the Soirée du Cursus at the Ircam ManiFeste, 18 June 2019 at the Centquatre, Paris, as well as “Tell Me, How Is It That I Poisoned Your Soup?” for 12 players and live electronics, premiered by the Talea Ensemble in New York City, 31 March 2019 at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Score, sound, and video excerpts will be presented alongside examples from the software tools used to generate specific passages.
Because these tools generate lots of intermediate files, including Max and OpenMusic patches, orchestral analysis and resynthesis, and video work, it quickly becomes necessary to organize one’s studio workflow in a deliberate way. I will offer some solutions for coordinating and synchronizing project files over many computers using the Git version control architecture, with particular emphasis on how such tools may be harnessed by artists and creators.
Andrea Gozzi / SAGAS - University of Florence
Rob Hamilton / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Virtual Instrument Design for the 21st Century
Lena Heng / McGill University
To investigate this, three groups of listeners with different musical training (Chinese musicians, Western musicians, and nonmusicians, n = 30 per group) were recruited for a listening experiment. They were presented with a) phrases and measures, and b) individual notes, of recorded excerpts interpreted with a variety of affective intents by performers on Western and Chinese instruments.
These excerpts were analyzed to determine acoustic aspects that are correlated with timbre characteristics. Analysis revealed consistent use of temporal, spectral, and spectrotemporal attributes in judging affective intent in music, suggesting purposeful use of these properties within the sounds by listeners. Comparison between listeners’ perception across notes and longer segments also revealed differences in perception with increased musical context. How timbre is used for musical communication thus appears to be implicated differently across musical traditions. The amount of importance timbre plays also appears to vary for different positions within a musical phrase.
Jullian Hoff and Charlotte Layec / Université de Montréal
"Verklärter Rohr" is a journey around a bass clarinet, transformed by means of digital audio treatments that propose multiple phantasmagoria. The musician (Charlotte Layec) interacts in real time with the audio and video device to create a musical atmosphere that is sometimes dreamlike and vaporous, sometimes pointillist and virtuoso.
Erica Huynh / McGill University
Davide Luciani and Jordan Juras
Binaural spatialisation is combined with compass and location tracking to allow users to interact with their environment by moving towards, around, and away from fixed virtual sound object locations. This technology allows us to create an augmented sonic superposition on a city’s topography, simulating the virtual space in the users’ earphones. In Son.AR, auditory perception is a central feature for the user experience.
The app broadens and suggests new possibilities for time-based media, public and social design, and expanding contemporary uses in arts, language, culture, and entertainment.
From an artistic perspective, this app gives the possibility to conduct research at the forefront of music technology: dynamic composition tools, spatial audio techniques, and the perceptual possibilities between sound identity, object, and the expectations of virtual representation.
For the Screen City Biennial, the authors used morphing as an approach to sound composition. Natural sounds were morphed into synthetic counterpoint and vice-versa - an amorphous Moebius strip emblematic of the precarious balance between environment and technology. New sound ecologies arise, serving as a tool to improve our consciousness of the world.
http://2019.screencitybiennial.org/sonarapp
Sergio Kafejian / São Paulo University
Hanna Kim / Toronto University
Mantautas Krukauskas / Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Music Innovation Studies Centre
Author of this presentation is actively working with spatialization since 2013, which contributed towards acquiring expertise of diverse techniques of adapting and mixing sonic material in 3D space. The scope of work also includes exploring the use of space as a compositional parameter, working with music and sound in interdisciplinary contexts etc. This experience led to discovery of certain trends and directions for artistically effective application of immersive sound techniques both for spatial audio and traditional composition and orchestration.
This presentation will focus on defining most wide-spread artistic contexts for spatial sound application and will describe spatialization techniques which lead towards effective artistic impact. Author will also demonstrate some models and experimentation in using relevant immersive sound architectonic principles for acoustic music composition and orchestration.
Dongryul Lee / University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Serge Lemouton / Ircam (Computer Music Designer)
Christophe Lengelé / Université de Montréal
Frank Madlener / IRCAM
Emanuelle Majeau-Bettez / McGill University - IRCAM
During the broadcast of Psi 847 (1973), a work composed by Éliane Radigue using the ARP 2500 synthesizer, composer Tom Johnson noticed that he heard certain motifs emanating from incongruous corners: from the loudspeakers, certainly, but also from the side wall, or from a specific point near the ceiling. Although this type of spatialization is not exclusive to Radigue, this talk will demonstrate that the composer's approach draws attention to these acoustic games which, in many other types of music, go completely unnoticed. At the risk of shocking some engineers by placing her loudspeakers in a "completely anti-acoustic" manner, it has always been essential for Radigue to make the place sound: attention to the acoustic response of a space, so that the sound cannot be traced to a particular source and thus builds an interesting story everywhere. Radigue is thus an "auditory architect" as defined by Berry Blesser: at the antipode of sound engineering techniques that transform a place to create optimal, directed listening zones, Radigue "focuses on how listeners experience space”.
Lara Morciano / EA 7410 (SACRe) Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University. Conservatoire L. Cherubini de Florence
Stephen McAdams, Meghan Goodchild, Beatrice Lopez and Kit Soden / McGill University
The Orchestration Analysis and Research Database (Orchard)
Landon Morrison / Harvard University
Through a close examination of archival documents and “e-sketches,” I follow Harvey’s transition from a hybrid software setup (Melodyne and a custom partial-tracking program) to the newly-developed Orchidée application (Carpentier and Bresson 2010), which notably uses music information retrieval (MIR) methods. I frame this shift in relation to format theory (Sterne 2012), showing how categories used to encode sound files with audio descriptors of low-level timbral attributes (spectral, temporal, and perceptual) are themselves contingent on a number of factors, including: a) sedimented layers of psychoacoustics research grounded in the metrics of timbre similarity (Wessel 1979); b) a delegation of this knowledge to software tools at IRCAM, which one finds already with the implementation of Terhardt’s algorithm for pitch salience in the IANA program (Terhardt 1982); and c) the wider network of institutional negotiations surrounding the establishment of standardized file formats like the MPEG-7 protocol (Peeters 2004).
Zvonimir Nagy / Texas A&M University
In this presentation, the author introduces an approach to computer-assisted composition that aims to provide a more unified approach to encoding music by combining the symbolic music information generation and retrieval process with a digital representation of the musical structure. The former is achieved by the conceptual encoding of given data structures using Abjad, a Python application programming interface that enables composers to encode musical representations and levels of musical structure in an incremental way (e.g., through the assemblage of basic building blocks of musical objects: pitches, chords, rhythms, meters, as well as dynamics, articulations, etc.). The latter is realized in the form of a typeset score using Lilypond, a computer program for music engraving written in C++ that is integrated with the Abjad package, which in turn enables composers to have direct control over the notation and engraving of the notational objects.
This modular approach to the encoding of a musical composition consists of first selecting the Python data structures and then organizing those conceptualized attributes into functions and classes within the object-oriented programing environment of the Abjad package. The result is a fully-engraved musical score that represents the encoded symbolic data structures of music, a contextualized representation of the composition in the form of a musical score. In turn, the output of the Abjad package is in the form of an encoded LilyPond score, making Abjad a programmatic way of generating LilyPond files. The process allows for not only a more interactive encapsulation of the creative process within the environment for algorithmic composition, but it also accounts for the formation of compositional inheritances of object-oriented programming.
Ben Neill / Ramapo College of New Jersey
The piece is based on the music and life of early Baroque trumpeter/composer Girolamo Fantini, who was responsible for bringing the trumpet indoors from the hunt and the battlefield to the realm of art music. Fantini was a musical celebrity in his time, and wrote one of the earliest collections of music written for trumpet alone as well as with keyboards. He also pioneered the use of mutes to expand the dynamic range of the instrument for indoor use along with numerous other playing techniques. Fantini Futuro remixes and collages Fantini’s material both compositionally and in real time during performance through live sampling. The work draws connections between the dynamic energy of early Baroque musical and architectural vocabularies and minimalist patterns and processes, reflecting on the improvisatory musical performance practices of Fantini's time through a variety of interactive technologies.
The visual component is primarily comprised of architectural imagery from places where Fantini lived and performed. The animated architectural imagery is controlled live from Neill’s mutantrumpet and creates the sensation of the performers being situated in virtual worlds created from these historical elements.
Jason Noble / McGill University
In this presentation, I will discuss my composition fantaisie harmonique (2019), for two guitar orchestras (one of classical guitars and another of electric guitars). Several musical devices are exploited which would be difficult or impossible to achieve with equal effectiveness in a more heterogeneous ensemble, including: (1) an elaborate tuning system combining elements of equal temperament and just intonation, in which each orchestra is divided into six different tuning groups, (2) an extensive hocketing section, (3) massed sonorities exploiting a variety of perceptual principles. The piece was conceived with spatial deployment of the instrumental groups in mind, and a forthcoming recording of the piece will use spatialization as a perceptual cue to distinguish groups, filling one of the traditional roles of timbral heterogeneity in more orthodox approaches to orchestration.
James O'Callaghan
This talk is designed to accompany the performance of Alone and unalone by Ensemble Paramirabo on April 3 2020 as part of the symposium. In it, I will discuss the technical configuration of the headphone diffusion system I have designed, as well as compositional strategies for the combination and movement of sound between in-ear and loudspeaker spatialization. The system provides unique immersive possibilities in spatial imagery: I will illustrate several of these possibilities with examples from the work, and discuss the compositional process, as well as the conceptual and artistic motivations behind these strategies.
Ofer Pelz and Matan Gover / CIRMMT
The graphical interface and game rules replace the traditional musical score: the unfolding of a performance is not predetermined as in most classical music but plays out in real-time according to rules, chance operations, and improvisatory decisions taken by the performers.
In our demo, we will demonstrate a performance or recording of this work, as well as discuss the ideas that underpin its creation and questions that arose while performing it with several ensembles. The following themes will be discussed:
- Gamified composition: How does replacing traditional music notation and musical development with a game-based interface affect the mindset of the musicians and the audience during a performance?
- Improvisation vs. predetermination: How do musicians improvise in a given musical framework? How much information should be dictated by a score, versus leaving room for interpretation?
- Timbre and orchestration: How does a small set of musical gestures spread across multiple instruments get combined into complex timbres and textures? How do different instruments interpret the same musical ideas?
- The technology behind this game piece - the implementation and the control of the application for the performance.
Laurie Radford / University of Calgary
Eric Raynaud / IRCAM
Jacques Rémus / Ipotam Mécamusique
Lindsey Reymore / Ohio State University
Monique Savoie / Société des Arts Technologiques
Marlon Schumacher and Núria Gimenez ComasMarlon Schumacher’s academic background is multi-disciplinary with pedagogical and artistic degrees in music theory, digital media and composition (under Marco Stroppa) from the UMPA Stuttgart, and a PhD in Music Technology from McGill University (co-supervised by IRCAM). His main research topics are spatial sound perception/synthesis, computer-aided composition and musical interaction; he has contributed to the field through scientific publications, academic services, several open-source software releases and artistic/research projects. Marlon Schumacher is an active performer/composer creating works for a broad variety of media and formats, incl. instrumental and intermedia pieces, crowd-performances and installations. He currently works as professor for music informatics at the Institute for Music Informatics and Musicology of the University of Music in Karlsruhe, where he curated an international lecture series and designed research labs as director of the ComputerStudio. He is associate member of a.o. CIRMMT, IDMIL, RepMuS, and organizing member for the annual conference on Music and Sonic Arts (MUSA).
Exploring spatialization beyond the prevalent concept of sound source spatialization, such as extended sources (with extension and shapes), spectral spatialization techniques, also the notion of a "synthetic-soundscape" in the sense of working with densities and distributions in various synthesis dimensions (in frequency as well as in space). From an artistic perspective, this approach can be seen as following a tradition of exploiting psychoacoustic principles as a musical model (e.g. as in the french spectral school) in order to create novel -sometimes paradoxical- sound compositions and musical forms.
To this end (as for the technical realization), composer Nuria Gimenez-Comas have used graphical descriptions of mass densities with the sound synthesis and spatialisation tools in Open Music.
This approach is made possible through…
Marlon Schumachers contribution will be dedicated to r&d of new tools informed by cognitive mechanisms studied in spatial auditory perception and scene analysis. more precisely the OMChroma/OMPrisma framework, combining synthesis/spatializationmodels, perceptual processing, and room effects.
The novel sound-processing framework of the presented tools allows building complex dsp-graphs -directly in the composition environment-. This extends the compositional process to a virtual “lutherie” or “orchestration”, blurring the lines between musical material and instruments. The framework provides the possibility of designing controls for higher-level spatial attributes, such as diffusion, sharpness, definition, etc.
Concretely, we propose combining spatialization systems in an unorthodox loudspeaker setup (see technical rider) to synthesize a broad spectrum of “spatial sound objects” ranging from close-proximity sound sources to distant textures or ambiances, which the listener is free to individually explore and appreciate.
The idea is to create not only the sensation of given sound sources projected into space but multiple spatial sound morphologies around and within the audience, that is densifying-increasing, in different emerging sound layers.
Nadine Schütz / IRCAMNadine Schütz presents herself as a sound architect, or environmental interpreter. Based on both theoretical and poetic research, she explores sound space through compositions, performances, installations and ambiences that link space and listening, landscape and music, the urban and the human. Her works have been presented in Zurich, Venice, Naples, New York, Moscow, Tokyo and Kyoto. Among his current projects, a sound device for the TGI square in Paris, elementary instruments for the Pleyel Urban Crossing in Saint-Denis, and the Jardin des Réflexions for the renovated Place de La Défense. For four years she headed the multimedia laboratory of the Landscape Institute at ETH Zurich, where she installed a new studio for the spatial simulation of soundscapes, during her doctorate Cultivating Sound finalized in 2017. She is currently a guest composer at IRCAM at the Centre Pompidou Paris.
2. Instrument - Space: it is the search for a composer correlation between place, architectural/physical structures and sound events through their respective reading/design/definition as instrument and space - sound source and resonance body - at the same time. (EAC / S3AM)
3. Acoustic-semantic: develop the speak tool towards a (spatial) lexicology of sound scenes, in order to create acoustic and semantic links between the description of a sound scene and a single sound / an individual sound event in the composition. (PDS / EAC)
4. Prefiguration in the studio / Mastering outside the studio / Multi-modal aspects, in particular the interactions between the auditory and visual: methodological issues in the process of creating works for specific places / environments.
Georgia Spiropoulos / IRCAM
Christopher Trapani / University of Texas
These reworked excerpts are then synchronized with the orchestra using the adaptive tempo-tracking of Antescofo, creating a sort of augmented orchestra whose dimensions are in constant flux: a dozen microtonal flutes can appear from nowhere, replaced the next second by a brass choir shaded by an unreal arsenal of mutes, or a peal of chimes triggered by a single live percussionist—waves of color in constant motion…
Roxanne Turcotte / CMCQ SMCQ
Hans Tutschku / Harvard University
The presentation will demonstrate the creation of the database, the search engine, possibilities of symbolic sound representations and their editing possibilities, as well as my approach to sound spatialization.
The talk will be combined with a performance of my acousmatic composition ‘dark matter – avalanche’ (2018), a tribute to Iannis Xenakis.
Marcel Zaes
On the other hand, it should also be exciting to compose lighting events with music through the time by applying sound designing methodologies.
In this demonstration, I will share how to make intriguing lighting designs by Max/MSP programming through a USB to DMX interface. I will share several easy learning Max patches for audiences to understand the primary methods and utilization of lighting design and interactivity with the audio signal processing. I will present my audio-lighting work Sexet during the demo by using six LED lights as a chamber ensemble.
DMX is a lighting control protocol that allows users to have ultimate control over their lighting needs. The technology to access this protocol is very close to MIDI controlling. Therefore, it is very convenient to use MAX/MSP to program exciting creative works. | https://forum.ircam.fr/article/detail/biographie-des-intervenants/ |
In 1966, the United States Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona ushered in a period of court-imposed restraints on the government’s ability to interrogate suspects it takes into custody. This famous decision focused on Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination, but it also spoke to the right to counsel. One of the most important restraints enumerated in the Miranda decision is the prohibition against the government’s interrogation of suspects or witnesses after the suspect has invoked the right to counsel. Here’s what the Miranda warnings generally say:
- You have the right to remain silent.
- Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.
- You have the right to have an attorney present now and during any future questioning. The right to have counsel present at a custodial interrogation is necessary to protect the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. A suspect detained for interrogation must be clearly informed that he has the right to consult with a lawyer and to have the lawyer with him during interrogation.
- If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you free of charge if you wish. The Supreme Court found it necessary to mandate notice to defendants about their constitutional right to consult with an attorney. They went one step further and declared that if a defendant is poor, the government must appoint a lawyer to represent him.
The Court further instructed the police that if a suspect says he wants a lawyer, the police must cease any interrogation or questioning until an attorney is present. Further, the police must give the suspect an opportunity to confer with his attorney and to have the attorney present during any subsequent questioning.
Individuals need to remember that they can be arrested without being advised of their Miranda Rights. The Miranda rights do not protect individuals from being arrested, but they help suspects keep from unwittingly incriminating themselves during police questioning.
All the police need to arrest a person is probable cause to believe a suspect has committed a crime. Probable cause is merely an adequate reason based on the facts or events. Police are required to read or give suspects their Miranda warnings only before questioning a suspect. Failing to follow the Miranda rules may cause suspects’ statements to be inadmissible in court; the original arrest may still be perfectly legal and valid.
Police are allowed to ask certain questions without reading the Miranda rights, including the following:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- Social Security number
- Or other questions necessary to establishing a person’s identity.
Police can also give alcohol and drug tests without Miranda warnings, but individuals being tested may refuse to answer questions. | https://criminallaw.uslegal.com/right-to-counsel/the-miranda-case/ |
Darwin gets a lot of credit in biology. And rightly so, given the sheer quantity of persuasive proofs and fascinating conundrums that he put forth during his career. This is a man who saw a foot-long nectary on an orchid from Madagascar and asserted the existence, sight unseen, of a moth with a proboscis long enough to reach the nectar at the bottom and pollinate the flower. Forty years later he was proven correct. So it is no exaggeration to say that Darwin left a legacy of leads for his intellectual inheritors, many of whom are fond of claiming Darwin not only as an ancestor but also as the source of all of the best ideas and problems in evolutionary biology to this day.
The Galápagos Islands have long been the scene of such claims. Darwin travelled around the world from 1831 to 1836, but he spent barely over than a month exploring the Galápagos.
Map of the Galápagos Islands, from Darwin's Journal of Researches, published in 1839.
Even so, this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador became one of the iconic locations of Darwin’s Beagle voyage. Because of the attention that Darwin drew to the evolutionary dynamics of the Galápagos, the islands became a so-called “natural laboratory,” where biologists have gone for generations to watch evolution in action.
In this month’s issue of Evolution, researchers led by Fernando de León from McGill University in Montréal chose these iconic islands —and one of their most iconic groups of animals, the birds known as Darwin’s finches— as the arena for tackling an appropriately Darwinian question: How do humans alter the trajectory of other species’ evolution?
This question is at the heart of Darwinian theory itself. The very name that Darwin gave to his mechanism for evolutionary change reveals how difficult it is for humans to think about evolutionary change without becoming self-referential. Natural selection is actually a passive process in which nobody is directly or consciously selecting anything. The wing length or leaf shape or antennae placement that is “selected” is merely that which allows the animal or plant to face the challenges presented by its environment and have babies that can do the same. The term “natural selection” reflects the analogy that Darwin made between what happens in nature, the product of mere survival, and what happens when humans interfere with nature and breed specific features into animals and plants through artificial selection.
In other words, humans have long been altering the trajectory of other species’ evolution. But animal and plant breeding is only the most obvious and most intentional way that we do this. As animals ourselves, with our own needs and interests, we have also been unintentionally changing the course of evolution since we came into existence.
How do we evaluate the evolutionary effects that we have on other organisms? More to the point, must we evaluate them? All animals and plants irrevocably shape the evolution of others in ways both large and small. How many of these organisms waste time worrying whether these evolutionary impacts are good or bad? It’s probably safe to say that Homo sapiens are the only ones.
In the case of Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands, our authors begin with the premise that the human effect on evolution is a bad one. They investigate the loss of diversity within a particular population of finches. Darwin’s finches are distinctive for their specialized beaks, whether they eat insects or nectar or cacti. Medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis), the focus of this study, eat seeds.
Four of the fourteen species of finches found on the Galápagos, an image from Darwin's On the the Origin of Species, published in 1859.
Following this particular species over the decades, researchers have observed that it appears to be diverging into two specialized “morphs,” two groups with different beak forms. Medium ground finches with larger beaks specialize on larger, harder seeds, and those with smaller beaks specialize on smaller, softer seeds.
But the population in Academy Bay on Santa Cruz Island looks different. Academy Bay is one of the more populous human communities in the Galápagos and, as a result, human foods have become more and more available to the finches. This wealth of new food has slowed down the evolutionary divergence-in-action, leading to the slow homogenization of beak sizes in the Academy Bay population.
As de León and his colleagues put it, human food is “eroding the diet-based disruptive selection that is thought to have previously maintained beak size modality in G. fortis.” Simply put, elsewhere in the Galápagos, the natural food sources of these birds seem to be driving the evolution of these finches into two distinct groups. But the presence of humans and their foods stifles this evolutionary process.
Why do we care about “eroding” the “disruptive selection” in the Galápagos—or anywhere, for that matter? One critical reason is that this type of selection maintains diversity. And diversity represents evolutionary potential. In a world that changes all of the time in unpredictable ways, diversity is the source of adaptation to change. Genetic diversity within populations is a natural resource, an evolutionary reserve; if climate change eliminates the food source that most individuals in a population rely upon, a few hardy survivors could still exploit some new and unanticipated food source. But that potential only exists when there is diversity within a population. It’s trite but true: diversity is the raw material of evolutionary adaptation.
The authors conclude that the case of the medium ground finch in Academy Bay is another example of “the importance of conserving the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity, rather than just the product of those processes.” The products, of course, are the organisms themselves. This approach to conservation has become increasingly common in recent years. Its proponents argue that we miss the point of conservation when we champion the cause of individual species and ignore the processes of biological change that generate the all-important, more valuable prize of diversity itself.
As arguments for conservation go, protecting an evolutionary process probably does not tug the heartstrings of most nature lovers. And as an intellectual argument, it’s important to note that evolution and evolutionary processes do not themselves have any intrinsic value. When we argue for the conservation of an evolutionary process, we must argue for it as an investment in the future, an investment in the generation of biological unpredictability in all of its incipient evolutionary potential.
Even Darwin’s finches could find some utility in their entanglement with humans. Without access to human foods, the medium ground finches of Academy Bay may have continued to diverge into two new species, each one specialized on its respective food source, thanks to its respective beak size. The multiplication of species is certainly a form of diversification. The irony, however, is that specialization does not necessarily lead to great adaptability in the future. In this sense, then, losing the close linkage between a specific food source and a specific beak morphology could be a boon for the medium ground finch, a generalizing force that might allow them to exploit a variety of foods in the unpredictable future that they face.
Should these last arguments for the utility of human influence make your inner conservationist cringe, consider that humans have always influenced —and been influenced by— the evolutionary trajectories of other species. It’s only recently that scientists have seen this form of evolutionary interaction as suitable for naturalistic investigation. And what more appropriate place to investigate the place of humans in evolutionary processes than in the iconically Darwinian Galápagos Islands? | http://entangledbank.com/2011/08/darwins-finches-and-darwins-humans/ |
How To Manage A Difficult 1:1 Meeting
Not all employees are good employees and there will be times when matters of performance, attitude and working relationships need to be challenged so that targets can be met and the rules and expectations of the working environment need to be re-set.
Not an easy conversation but a necessary one BUT one that can go horribly wrong and create more stress and pressure.
Having a plan to deal with the challenge is essential – use the GOOD Model to make this work for you:
G – GOALS: what short, medium and long term goals are being set here? These need to be specific and mean something for the member of staff but which focus specifically upon the behaviours that have caused the problem in the first place, otherwise nothing will change. Be sure to set some goals that need to be achieved before the next, and subsequent, meetings.
O – OBSTACLES: what things are standing in the way of the improved performance that is needed? Be clear on exactly what you can do to remove them and the help you can offer here BUT make it very clear what obstacles the member of staff needs to remove and manage for themselves in the process.
0 – OPPORTUNITIES: what learning opportunities/training/personal development can you offer the person concerned? Are there shadowing and coaching that could be delivered to bring about a change in behaviour and approach? Encourage the individual concerned to reflect on their current behaviour and establish a new way of conducting themselves.
D – DECISIONS: what happens now, immediately and what is to happen in the short and medium term? What actions are now required before any subsequent meetings to measure progress and development? Decisions here are all about SMART objectives and targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound).
Difficult meetings and 1:1 events need not be stressful and something to avoid IF you have a solid, logical plan!
Good Luck! | https://davidsummertonconsulting.co.uk/2020/03/24/how-to-manage-a-difficult-11-meeting/ |
Our Brain Health in Aging program through our Brain Fit Club is designed to provide education about normal age-related cognitive changes, support to individuals struggling with some of the changes in functioning and independence associated with normal cognitive aging, and practical skills to optimize brain health and cognitive functioning with age. With this unique program, we teach our patients that aging is not an illness, but a process that offers new opportunities for personal growth and adaptation that prioritizes health and general well-being, independence, and quality of life.
Program Features
Some of the features of our Brain Health in Aging program include:
- Brief screenings by neuropsychologists for those who are worried about early memory loss, concentration, or thinking problems.
- Consultation with social workers about lifestyle issues that promote overall well-being.
- Wellness assessments to determine optimal diet and exercise plans for brain and overall physical health.
- Cognitive remediation groups to learn skills to optimize memory, attention and organization as well as healthy lifestyle behaviors associated with brain health, with the goal of promoting continued independence.
- Meditation and mindfulness groups for stress reduction, overall well being, and better attention.
Email Us
Email us for more information on the Brain Health in Aging program. | https://www.bidmc.org/centers-and-departments/neurology/programs-and-services/cognitive-neurology/programs/brain-health-in-aging |
Easy-to-use for the beginner, useful for the expert, this is the user interface JMAG is aiming for.
Simply click the help button to view detailed help on the current item.
JMAG-SLS is a practical video tutorial that shows you how to use JMAG, provides analysis tips, covers common mistakes and how to recover from errors. A large range of applications are covered by the system, including motors and transformers.
With setting conditions by dragging and dropping and selecting from a menu by right-clicking, even beginners experience ease in operation. With many error messages provided, recovery from mistakes is possible. | https://www.jmag-international.com/products/jmag-designer/guideline/ |
Olmec features in this lowland Maya statuette provide evidence of cultural influence between groups once thought distinct. Archaeologists are becoming increasingly aware of the universality of this kind of wide-ranging contact. (Photo by Takeshi Inomata)
Top archaeologists from around the world have gathered at one of the great crossroads of cultures to explore the latest discoveries concerning the five “founding civilizations” of the world, and to discover what lessons they still hold for us today.
The 2014 Dialogue of Civilizations is being hosted by National Geographic and the Civilization Studies Center at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul. Experts in the cultures of the ancient Maya, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and China will give public presentations each day this week and will visit some of the most spectacular archaeological sites throughout Turkey.
At the opening ceremony, National Geographic Vice President of Mission Programs, Terry Garcia, pointed out that one of the Society’s first presidents and editors-in-chief of the Magazine, Gilbert H. Grosvenor, was born in the city of Constantine in 1875 and had a lifelong appreciation for the region’s role in the history of civilization.
Professor Bekir Karlığa, Founder of the Civilization Studies Center, drew an analogy with the famous rivers of southeastern Turkey which flow to form the mighty Tigris and Euphrates. Different civilizations flow like rivers, he said, to eventually form one big river, the civilization of the world.
As Prof. Metin Hülagü of the Turkish Historical Society gave it a moral and ethical dimension.”Our wish,” he said on behalf of the Historical Society, “is to see a world which is redolent of peace and understanding.”
The presentations for the day were grouped into three sessions: Why Study Ancient Civilizations? What Were Their Origins? What Is the Role of Cities in a Civilization?
Why Study Ancient Civilizations?
Richard Hansen, a leading archaeologist of the Maya, and the person who first conceived of the Dialogue of Civilizations, said that the main reason for such study and reflection is to find the writing, laws, art, architecture, political society, and economic systems worthy of emulation. They can provide us not only with warnings of what to avoid, but with “paths to a positive future of the world.”
Salah Jarrar, from the University of Jordan, identified two key aspects of a successful civilization. The first was that “no civilization can thrive on its own. Influence and interaction from other civilizations is key … The more interactive, the more successful.” His second point was that “there’s an inseparable link between civilization and science and learning.”
Philosopher and Turkish Ambassador to the Vatican Kenan Gursöy said that every civilization must have clear notions of mankind as individuals and as a whole, and about other civilizations. Each must include “an invitation, a promise, to the other–an altruistic component.”
Turkey and Russia have a great opportunity, Gursöy added, because during various parts of history they have looked west without being westerners. That duality can bring about an existential crisis, but it can also lead to a clear and well-developed sense of identity and place in the world relative to other cultures. It will be interesting to consider how some of the ancient civilizations to be studied this week may have been in similar positions.
Origins of the Ancient Civilizations
During the second session, archaeologists presented brief summaries of the origins of the five civilizations.
Elizabeth Carter pointed to the the domestication of plants and animals, and specifically the use of secondary manufactured products like textiles as the key to Mesopotamia’s style of civilization.
Mark Kenoyer, unable to attend in person, had his presentation on the origins of the Indus Valley presented by National Geographic’s Christopher Thornton. Indus urbanism was advanced, developing sewers, flush toilets, and good roads, but perhaps the most intriguing and distinct thing is that there are not a lot of examples of warfare or elite status. There appears to be a concerted effort for everyone to look the same. Who was in charge? Were they peaceful? Democratic? If their form of writing is ever deciphered perhaps we will know more.
Willeke Wendrich of UCLA focuses on Egypt. Because their classical period is so well known, people have had a tendency to see hints of that culture in even the earliest periods. The continuity of certain iconography for example “is emphasized as proof of continuity, but archaeology tells us there are enormous changes over time.” Lasting for as long as it did, Egyptian civilization was actually characterized by being “always in flux, always in development,” she said. Harking back to Gursöy’s comments, she said it was certainly not monolithic or isolated. Its responsiveness to change is perhaps what allowed so much of it to be continued for so long.
Anne Underhill took a similar approach for discovering the origins of Chinese civilization. Looking beyond the traditional origins around 1250 BC, she is searching for signs of shared beliefs and values even earlier, focusing on how civilization shouldn’t be seen as a sudden imposition of an elaborate system of rituals and beliefs by an elite group, but as the gradual and often peaceful process of cultural inspiration, influence, and adoption.
The Role of Cities in Civilizations
The final session of the day was moderated by another expert in the Maya, Fabio Amador, who opened by saying “Every city has a particular identity, and it’s good to look back in time and see how it provides us a certain flavor.”
Prof. Sadettin Ökten spoke first and said that while cities consist of many material things like roads and bridges and buildings, that is not the complete story. “We as human beings are obliged to live with material things, but when we live with them, they become dynamic,” he said. “Because cities are part of our daily lives, and lives are dynamic, cities are intrinsically dynamic constructs.”
He went on to say that the design and life of “a city should take into account the moral principles of the society which will inhabit it.”
That idea took on interesting resonance when taken out of the context of modern moral movements and into the ancient world the archaeologists presented on.
Takeshi Inomata discussed digging to the very earliest levels of Maya ceremonial plazas, and realizing that from times before people of the region had even settled into villages, they were already constructing plazas for ritual that shared the basic characteristics of even the most elaborate Maya city centers thousands of years in the future.
He then connected that to the site of Gobekli Tepe which the conference will visit on Tuesday. At both sites, it was the desire to have a space for ritual that drove construction, more elaborate than any construction these early cultures made for their habitation.
In Mesopotamia, civilization eventually focused more on the facilitation of economic development. For the Maya, ritual continued to be the driving force, leading to the enormous headdresses and stone pyramids for dramatic rituals at the heart of their cities.
Whether in the Maya or the modern worlds, it begs the question of whether civilizations make these design decisions consciously, and shape their society and cities consciously, or whether decisions about one drives the other, or whether it is all simply the uncontrolled expression of the ways our relationships have developed.
It is still early in the week and there is so much to consider. Join the conversation in the comments below and on Twitter with #5civilizations. | https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2014/05/04/faces-of-the-past-reflections-of-the-present-at-archaeology-conference/ |
Documents outlining fiscal plans for future state infrastructure projects.
Propositions/Bonds
1 - Water Quality
The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014
1E - Flood Control
The Disaster Preparedness and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2006
68 - Drought, Water, Parks, Climate
California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018
84 - Natural Resources
The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006
Project: Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project: Sustainability Alternatives Planning Document
Description:
The BCLT is working in partnership with the BCLRP Managing Agencies -NMFS, USFWS, USEPA, USACE, and CDFW to develop the BCLRP: Sustainability Alternatives Planning Document to address the current unsustainable management protocols through an in-depth study of the entire system. This Planning Document will provide sound scientific alternatives which will retain and enhance the biological diversity of the wetlands, maintain the protections on existing oil and public infrastructure on and adjacent to the site, and include a climate resiliency component to ensure the wetlands capabilities and future sustainability.
Reference Number:
3600BP1896021
Implemented By:
Bolsa Chica Land Trust
Objective:
Objectives of the Planning Document include: • Comprehensive understanding of the overall system infrastructure and wetland processes • Understanding of processes that affect the function of the wetlands under current and projected future conditions • Risk analysis of wetland processes to adjacent neighborhoods and oil operations under current and projected future conditions • Development of sustainability alternatives to reduce long-term wetland preservation management costs and increase sustainability • Identification of alternatives to existing project design and management practices • Prioritized action steps to implement sustainability alternatives identified in the Planning Document.
Type:
Infrastructure Improvement
Total Cost:
$281,291.40
Project Status:
Complete and Fully Paid
On Time?:
Yes
Within Scope?:
Yes
Within Budget?:
Yes
Estimated Completion:
3/15/2021
Actual Completion:
3/15/2021
Associated Counties:
Orange
Project Benefits a Disadvantaged Community (or SDAC):
No
Contribution Sources
Contribution Date
Contribution Amount
$281,291.40
Prop. 1, Watershed Restoration
10/1/2018
$281,291.40
Project Metric
Metric Topic
Quantity
Unit
Infrastructure Improvement
Other
Water Action Plan Target
Protect and Restore Important Ecosystems
Action Description
Location
Show Protected Areas
Show Disadvantaged Communities
US Forest Service
US Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service
California Dept of Parks and Recreation
California Dept of Fish and Wildlife
Other State
City; County
Non Governmental Organization
Special District
US Military/Defense
Unknown
Other Federal; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Bureau of Reclamation
Could not load map data. | http://bondaccountability.resources.ca.gov/Project.aspx?ProjectPK=22746&PropositionPK=48 |
La fermi-paradokso la paradokso de aŭ Fermi, nomita laŭ fizikisto Enrico Fermi, estas la ŝajna kontraŭdiro inter la manko de indico kaj alta verŝajneco taksas por la ekzisto de eksterteraj civilizoj. La bazaj punktoj de la argumento, farita antaŭ fizikistoj Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) kaj Michael H. Hart (naskita 1932), estas:
- Ekzistas miliardoj da steloj en la galaksio kiuj estas similaj al la suno, , kaj multaj el tiuj steloj estas miliardoj da jaroj pli aĝaj ol la sunsistemo.
- Kun alta verŝajneco, kelkaj el tiuj steloj havas Terecajn planedojn, kaj se la Tero estas tipa, kelkaj eble evoluigis inteligentan vivon.
- Kelkaj el tiuj civilizoj eble evoluigis interstelan vojaĝadon, paŝon kiujn la Tero esploras nun.
- Eĉ ĉe la malrapida rapideco da nuntempe antaŭvidis interstelan vojaĝadon, la galaksio povus esti tute krucita en kelkaj milionoj da jaroj.
Laŭ tiu linio de rezonado, la Tero jam devus estinti vizitita fare de eksterteraj eksterteranoj. En neformala konversacio, Fermi notis neniujn konvinkante signojn de tio, iganta lin demandi, "Kie SIC everybody?" Ekzistas multaj provoj klarigi la fermi-paradokso, ĉefe aŭ sugestante ke inteligenta ekstertera vivo estas ekstreme rara aŭ proponante kialojn ke tiaj civilizoj ne kontaktis aŭ vizitis la Teron.
Enhavo
- 1 Bazo
- 2 Historio kaj nomo
- 3 Drakes-ekvacio
- 4 Empiriaj projektoj
- 5 Hipotezaj klarigoj por la paradokso
- 5.1 Ekstertera vivo estas rara aŭ neekzistanta
- 5.2 Neniuj aliaj inteligentaj specioj ekestis
- 5.3 Inteligenta eksterterspecia manko specialteknologion
- 5.4 Estas la naturo de inteligenta vivo detrui sin
- 5.5 Estas la naturo de inteligenta vivo detrui aliajn
- 5.6 Perioda formorto per naturaj okazaĵoj
- 5.7 Inflaciohipotezo kaj la idecargumento
- 5.8 Inteligentaj civilizoj estas tro ege tute malsama en spaco aŭ tempo
- 5.9 Resursmanko por disvastiĝi fizike ĉie en la galaksio
- 5.10 Homoj ne ekzistis sufiĉe longaj
- 5.11 Ni ne aŭskultas konvene
- 5.12 Civilizoj gisis mezureblajn radisignalojn nur por mallonga tempodaŭro
- 5.13 Ili tendencas izoli sin
- 5.14 Ili estas tro fremdaj
- 5.15 Ĉiu estas aŭskultanta, neniu elsendas
- 5.16 La Tero estas konscie ne kontaktita
- 5.17 La Tero estas intence izolita (planetario-hipotezo)
- 5.18 Estas danĝere komuniki
- 5.19 La simuladoteorio
- 5.20 Ili estas ĉi tie nerimarkitaj
- 5.21 Ili estas ĉi tie neagnoskitaj
- 6 Vidu ankaŭ
- 7 Referencoj
- 8 Bibliografio
- 9 Plia legaĵo
- 10 Eksteraj ligiloj
Bazo
La fermi-paradokso estas konflikto inter argumentoj de skalo kaj verŝajneco kiuj ŝajnas preferi inteligentan vivon estantan oftaj en la universo, kaj totalan mankon de signoj de inteligenta vivo iam ekestis ie ajn krom sur la Tero.
La unua aspekto de la fermi-paradokso estas funkcio de la skalo aŭ la nombregoj implikitaj: ekzistas laŭtaksaj 200-400 miliardoj da steloj en la (2-4 × 1011 ) kaj 70 sekstilion (7× 1022) en la observebla universo. Eĉ se inteligenta vivo okazas sur nur minuskloprocento de planedoj ĉirkaŭ tiuj steloj, eble daŭre ekzistos granda nombro da recentaj civilizoj, kaj se la procento estis sufiĉe alta ĝi produktus signifan nombron da recentaj civilizoj en la. Tio supozas la mezbonecprincipon, de kiu la Tero estas tipa planedo.
La dua aspekto de la fermi-paradokso estas la argumento de verŝajneco: surbaze de la kapablo de inteligenta vivo venki malabundecon, kaj ĝia emo koloniigi novajn vivejojn, ŝajnas eble ke almenaŭ kelkaj civilizoj estus teknologie progresintaj, elserĉus novajn resursojn en spaco, kaj koloniigus sian propran stelsistemon kaj, poste, ĉirkaŭi stelsistemojn. Ĉar ekzistas neniu signifa indico sur la Tero, aŭ aliloke en la konata universo de alia inteligenta vivo post 13.8 miliardoj da jaroj da la historio de la universo, ekzistas konflikto postulanta rezolucion. Kelkaj ekzemploj de eblaj rezolucioj estas tiu inteligenta vivo estas pli raraj ol ni opinias, ke niaj supozoj pri la ĝenerala evoluo aŭ konduto de inteligentaj specioj estas mankhavaj, aŭ, pli radikale, ke nia nuna scienca kompreno de la naturo de la universo mem estas tre nekompleta.
The Fermi paradox can be asked in two ways. The first is, "Why are no aliens or their artifacts found here on Earth, or in the Solar System?" If interstellar travel is possible, even the "slow" kind nearly within the reach of Earth technology, then it would only take from 5 million to 50 million years to colonize the galaxy. This is relatively brief on a geological scale, let alone a cosmological one. Since there are many stars older than the Sun, and since intelligent life might have evolved earlier elsewhere, the question then becomes why the galaxy has not been colonized already. Even if colonization is impractical or undesirable to all alien civilizations, large-scale exploration of the galaxy could be possible by probes. These might leave detectable artifacts in the Solar System, such as old probes or evidence of mining activity, but none of these have been observed.
The second form of the question is "Why do we see no signs of intelligence elsewhere in the universe?" This version does not assume interstellar travel, but includes other galaxies as well. For distant galaxies, travel times may well explain the lack of alien visits to Earth, but a sufficiently advanced civilization could potentially be observable over a significant fraction of the size of the observable universe. Even if such civilizations are rare, the scale argument indicates they should exist somewhere at some point during the history of the universe, and since they could be detected from far away over a considerable period of time, many more potential sites for their origin are within range of our observation. It is unknown whether the paradox is stronger for our galaxy or for the universe as a whole.
Criticism of logical basis
The Fermi paradox has been criticized as being based on an inappropriate use of propositional logic. According to a 1985 paper by Robert Freitas, when recast as a statement in modal logic, the paradox no longer exists, and carries no probative value.
History and name
In 1950, while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Fermi had a casual conversation while walking to lunch with colleagues Emil Konopinski, Edward Teller and Herbert York. The men discussed a recent spate of UFO reports and an Alan Dunn cartoon facetiously blaming the disappearance of municipal trashcans on marauding aliens. The conversation shifted to other subjects, until during lunch Fermi suddenly exclaimed, "Where are they?" (alternatively, "Where is everybody?"). Teller remembers, "The result of his question was general laughter because of the strange fact that in spite of Fermi's question coming from the clear blue, everybody around the table seemed to understand at once that he was talking about extraterrestrial life." Herbert York recalls that Fermi followed up on his comment with a series of calculations on the probability of Earth-like planets, the probability of life, the likely rise and duration of high technology, etc., and concluded that we ought to have been visited long ago and many times over.
Although Fermi's name is most commonly associated with the paradox, he was not the first to ask the question. An earlier implicit mention was by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in an unpublished manuscript from 1933. He noted "people deny the presence of intelligent beings on the planets of the universe" because "(i) if such beings exist they would have visited Earth, and (ii) if such civilizations existed then they would have given us some sign of their existence." This was not a paradox for others, who took this to imply the absence of ETs, but it was for him, since he himself was a strong believer in extraterrestrial life and the possibility of space travel. Therefore, he proposed what is now known as the zoo hypothesis and speculated that mankind is not yet ready for higher beings to contact us. That Tsiolkovsky himself may not have been the first to discover the paradox is suggested by his above-mentioned reference to other people's reasons for denying the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations.
Michael H. Hart published in 1975 a detailed examination of the paradox, which has since become a theoretical reference point for much of the research into what is now sometimes known as the Fermi-Hart paradox.Geoffrey A. Landis prefers that name on the grounds that "while Fermi is credited with first asking the question, Hart was the first to do a rigorous analysis showing that the problem is not trivial, and also the first to publish his results".Robert H. Gray argues that the term Fermi paradox is a misnomer, since in his view it is neither a paradox nor due to Fermi; he instead prefers the name Hart-Tipler argument, acknowledging Michael Hart as its originator, but also the substantial contribution of Frank J. Tipler in extending Hart's arguments.
Other names closely related to Fermi's question ("Where are they?") include the Great Silence, and silentium universi (Latin for "silence of the universe"), though these only refer to one portion of the Fermi Paradox, that we see no evidence of other civilizations.
Drake equation
The theories and principles in the Drake equation are closely related to the Fermi paradox. The equation was formulated by Frank Drake in 1961 in an attempt to find a systematic means to evaluate the numerous probabilities involved in the existence of alien life. The speculative equation considers the rate of star formation in the galaxy; the fraction of stars with planets and the number per star that are habitable; the fraction of those planets that develop life; the fraction that develop intelligent life; the fraction that have detectable, technological intelligent life; and finally the length of time such communicable civilizations are detectable. The fundamental problem is that the last four terms are completely unknown, rendering statistical estimates impossible.
The Drake equation has been used by both optimists and pessimists, with wildly differing results. The original meeting, including Frank Drake and Carl Sagan, speculated that the number of civilizations was roughly equal to the lifetime in years, and there were probably between 1000 and 100,000,000 civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy. Conversely, Frank Tipler and John D. Barrow used pessimistic numbers and speculated that the average number of civilizations in a galaxy is much less than one.
Empirical projects
There are two parts of the Fermi paradox that rely on empirical evidence - that there are many potential habitable planets, and that we see no evidence of life. The first point, that many suitable planets exist, was an assumption in Fermi's time that is gaining ground with the discovery of many exoplanets, and models predicting billions of habitable worlds in our galaxy.
The second part of the paradox, that we see no evidence of extraterrestrial life, is also an active field of scientific research. This includes both efforts to find any indication of life, and efforts specifically directed to finding intelligent life. These searches have been made since 1960, and several are ongoing.
Mainstream astronomy and SETI
Although astronomers do not usually search for extraterrestrials, they have observed phenomena that they could not immediately explain without positing an intelligent civilization as the source. For example, pulsars, when first discovered in 1967, were called little green men (LGM) because of the precise repetition of their pulses. In all cases, explanations with no need for intelligent life have been found for such observations, but the possibility of discovery remains. Proposed examples include asteroid mining that would change the appearance of debris disks around stars, or spectral lines from nuclear waste disposal in stars. An ongoing example is the unusual transit light curves of star KIC 8462852, where natural interpretations are not fully convincing. Although most likely a natural explanation will emerge, some scientists are investigating the remote possibility that it could be a sign of alien technology, such as a Dyson swarm.
Electromagnetic emissions
Radio technology and the ability to construct a radio telescope are presumed to be a natural advance for technological species, theoretically creating effects that might be detected over interstellar distances. The careful searching for non-natural radio emissions from space may lead to the detection of alien civilizations. Sensitive alien observers of the Solar System, for example, would note unusually intense radio waves for a G2 star due to Earth's television and telecommunication broadcasts. In the absence of an apparent natural cause, alien observers might infer the existence of a terrestrial civilization. It should be noted however that the most sensitive radio telescopes currently available on Earth would not be able to detect non-directional radio signals even at a fraction of a light-year, so it is questionable whether any such signals could be detected by an extraterrestrial civilization. Such signals could be either "accidental" by-products of a civilization, or deliberate attempts to communicate, such as the Arecibo message. A number of astronomers and observatories have attempted and are attempting to detect such evidence, mostly through the SETI organization. Several decades of SETI analysis have not revealed any unusually bright or meaningfully repetitive radio emissions.
Direct planetary observation
Exoplanet detection and classification is a very active sub-discipline in astronomy, and the first possibly terrestrial planet discovered within a star's habitable zone was found in 2007. New refinements in exoplanet detection methods, and use of existing methods from space (such as the Kepler Mission, launched in 2009) are starting to detect and characterize Earth-size planets, and determine if they are within the habitable zones of their stars. Such observational refinements may allow us to better gauge how common potentially habitable worlds are.
Conjectures about interstellar probes
Self-replicating probes could exhaustively explore a galaxy the size of the Milky Way in as little as a million years. If even a single civilization in the Milky Way attempted this, such probes could spread throughout the entire galaxy. Another speculation for contact with an alien probe - one that would be trying to find human beings - is an alien Bracewell probe. Such a hypothetical device would be an autonomous space probe whose purpose is to seek out and communicate with alien civilizations (as opposed to Von Neumann probes, which are usually described as purely exploratory). These were proposed as an alternative to carrying a slow speed-of-light dialogue between vastly distant neighbors. Rather than contending with the long delays a radio dialogue would suffer, a probe housing an artificial intelligence would seek out an alien civilization to carry on a close-range communication with the discovered civilization. The findings of such a probe would still have to be transmitted to the home civilization at light speed, but an information-gathering dialogue could be conducted in real time.
Attempts to find alien probes
Direct exploration of the Solar System has yielded no evidence indicating a visit by aliens or their probes. Detailed exploration of areas of the Solar System where resources would be plentiful may yet produce evidence of alien exploration, though the entirety of the Solar System is vast and difficult to investigate. Attempts to signal, attract, or activate hypothetical Bracewell probes in Earth's vicinity have not succeeded.
Conjectures about stellar-scale artifacts
In 1959, Freeman Dyson observed that every developing human civilization constantly increases its energy consumption, and, he conjectured, a civilization might try to harness a large part of the energy produced by a star. He proposed that a Dyson sphere could be a possible means: a shell or cloud of objects enclosing a star to absorb and utilize as much radiant energy as possible. Such a feat of astroengineering would drastically alter the observed spectrum of the star involved, changing it at least partly from the normal emission lines of a natural stellar atmosphere to those of black body radiation, probably with a peak in the infrared. Dyson speculated that advanced alien civilizations might be detected by examining the spectra of stars and searching for such an altered spectrum.
There have been some attempts to find evidence of the existence of Dyson spheres that would alter the spectra of their core stars. Direct observation of thousands of galaxies has shown no explicit evidence of artificial construction or modifications. In October 2015, there was some speculation that a pattern of light from star KIC 8462852, observed by the Kepler Space Telescope, could have been a result of Dyson sphere construction.
Hypothetical explanations for the paradox
Extraterrestrial life is rare or non-existent
Those who think that intelligent extraterrestrial life is (nearly) impossible argue that the conditions needed for the evolution of life - or at least the evolution of biological complexity - are rare or even unique to Earth. Under this assumption, called the rare Earth hypothesis, a rejection of the mediocrity principle, complex multicellular life is regarded as exceedingly unusual.
The Rare Earth hypothesis argues that the evolution of biological complexity requires a host of fortuitous circumstances, such as a galactic habitable zone, a central star and planetary system having the requisite character, the circumstellar habitable zone, a right sized terrestrial planet, the advantage of a giant guardian like Jupiter and a large natural satellite, conditions needed to ensure the planet has a magnetosphere and plate tectonics, the chemistry of the lithosphere, atmosphere, and oceans, the role of "evolutionary pumps" such as massive glaciation and rare bolide impacts, and whatever led to the appearance of the eukaryote cell, sexual reproduction and the Cambrian explosion.
No other intelligent species have arisen
It is possible that even if complex life is common, intelligence (and consequently civilizations) is not. While there are remote sensing techniques that could perhaps detect life-bearing planets without relying on the signs of technology, none of them has any ability to tell if any detected life is intelligent. This is sometimes referred to as the "algae vs. alumnae" problem.
Intelligent alien species lack advanced technology
It may be that while alien species with intelligence exist, they are primitive or have not reached the level of technological advancement necessary to communicate. Along with non-intelligent life, such civilizations would be also very difficult for us to detect. To skeptics, the fact that in the history of life on the Earth only one species has developed a civilization to the point of being capable of spaceflight and radio technology, lends more credence to the idea that technologically advanced civilizations are rare in the universe.
It is the nature of intelligent life to destroy itself
This is the argument that technological civilizations may usually or invariably destroy themselves before or shortly after developing radio or spaceflight technology. Possible means of annihilation are many, including war, accidental environmental contamination or damage, resource depletion, climate change, or poorly designed artificial intelligence. This general theme is explored both in fiction and in scientific hypothesizing. In 1966, Sagan and Shklovskii speculated that technological civilizations will either tend to destroy themselves within a century of developing interstellar communicative capability or master their self-destructive tendencies and survive for billion-year timescales. Self-annihilation may also be viewed in terms of thermodynamics: insofar as life is an ordered system that can sustain itself against the tendency to disorder, the "external transmission" or interstellar communicative phase may be the point at which the system becomes unstable and self-destructs.
It is the nature of intelligent life to destroy others
Another hypothesis is that an intelligent species beyond a certain point of technological capability will destroy other intelligent species as they appear. The idea that something, or someone, might be destroying intelligent life in the universe has been explored in the scientific literature. A species might undertake such extermination out of expansionist motives, paranoia, or aggression. In 1981, cosmologist Edward Harrison argued that such behavior would be an act of prudence: an intelligent species that has overcome its own self-destructive tendencies might view any other species bent on galactic expansion as a threat. It has also been suggested that a successful alien species would be a superpredator, as are humans.
Periodic extinction by natural events
New life might commonly die out due to runaway heating or cooling on their fledgling planets. On Earth, there have been numerous major extinction events that destroyed the majority of complex species alive at the time; the extinction of the dinosaurs is the best known example. These are thought to have been caused by events such as impact from a large meteorite, massive volcanic eruptions, or astronomical events such as gamma-ray bursts. It may be the case that such extinction events are common throughout the universe and periodically destroy intelligent life, or at least its civilizations, before the species is able to develop the technology to communicate with other species.
Inflation hypothesis and the youngness argument
Cosmologist Alan Guth proposed a multi-verse solution to the Fermi paradox. This hypothesis uses the synchronous gauge probability distribution, with the result that young universes exceedingly outnumber older ones (by a factor of e1037 for every second of age). Therefore, averaged over all universes, universes with civilizations will almost always have just one, the first to develop. However, Guth notes "Perhaps this argument explains why SETI has not found any signals from alien civilizations, but I find it more plausible that it is merely a symptom that the synchronous gauge probability distribution is not the right one."
Intelligent civilizations are too far apart in space or time
It may be that non-colonizing technologically capable alien civilizations exist, but that they are simply too far apart for meaningful two-way communication. If two civilizations are separated by several thousand light-years, it is possible that one or both cultures may become extinct before meaningful dialogue can be established. Human searches may be able to detect their existence, but communication will remain impossible because of distance. It has been suggested that this problem might be ameliorated somewhat if contact/communication is made through a Bracewell probe. In this case at least one partner in the exchange may obtain meaningful information. Alternatively, a civilization may simply broadcast its knowledge, and leave it to the receiver to make what they may of it. This is similar to the transmission of information from ancient civilizations to the present, and humanity has undertaken similar activities like the Arecibo message, which could transfer information about Earth's intelligent species, even if it never yields a response or does not yield a response in time for humanity to receive it. It is also possible that archaeological evidence of past civilizations may be detected through deep space observations.
A related speculation by Sagan and Newman suggests that if other civilizations exist, and are transmitting and exploring, their signals and probes simply have not arrived yet. However, critics have noted that this is unlikely, since it requires that humanity's advancement has occurred at a very special point in time, while the Milky Way is in transition from empty to full. This is a tiny fraction of the lifespan of a galaxy under ordinary assumptions and calculations resulting from them, so the likelihood that we are in the midst of this transition is considered low in the paradox.
Lack of resources to spread physically throughout the galaxy
Many speculations about the ability of an alien culture to colonize other star systems are based on the idea that interstellar travel is technologically feasible. While the current understanding of physics rules out the possibility of faster-than-light travel, it appears that there are no major theoretical barriers to the construction of "slow" interstellar ships, even though the engineering required is considerably beyond our present capabilities. This idea underlies the concept of the Von Neumann probe and the Bracewell probe as a potential evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
It is possible, however, that present scientific knowledge cannot properly gauge the feasibility and costs of such interstellar colonization. Theoretical barriers may not yet be understood, and the resources needed may be so great as to make it unlikely that any civilization could afford to attempt it. Even if interstellar travel and colonization are possible, they may be difficult, leading to a colonization model based on percolation theory. Colonization efforts may not occur as an unstoppable rush, but rather as an uneven tendency to "percolate" outwards, within an eventual slowing and termination of the effort given the enormous costs involved and the expectation that colonies will inevitably develop a culture and civilization of their own. Colonization may thus occur in "clusters," with large areas remaining uncolonized at any one time.
If exploration, or backup from a home system disaster, is the primary motive for expansion, then it is possible that mind uploading and similar technologies may reduce the desire to colonize by replacing physical travel with much less-expensive communication. Therefore, the first civilization may have physically explored or colonized the galaxy, but subsequent civilizations find it cheaper, faster, and easier to travel by contacting existing civilizations rather than physically exploring or traveling themselves. This leads to little or no physical travel at the current epoch, and only directed communications, which are hard to see except to the intended receiver.
Human beings have not existed long enough
Humanity's ability to detect intelligent extraterrestrial life has existed for only a very brief period - from 1937 onwards, if the invention of the radio telescope is taken as the dividing line - and Homo sapiens is a geologically recent species. The whole period of modern human existence to date is a very brief period on a cosmological scale, and radio transmissions have only been propagated since 1895. Thus, it remains possible that human beings have neither existed long enough nor made themselves sufficiently detectable to be found by extraterrestrial intelligence.
We are not listening properly
There are some assumptions that underlie the SETI programs that may cause searchers to miss signals that are present. Extraterrestrials might, for example, transmit signals that have a very high or low data rate, or employ unconventional (in our terms) frequencies, which would make them hard to distinguish from background noise. Signals might be sent from non-main sequence star systems that we search with lower priority; current programs assume that most alien life will be orbiting Sun-like stars.
The greatest challenge is the sheer size of the radio search needed to look for signals (effectively spanning the entire visible universe), the limited amount of resources committed to SETI, and the sensitivity of modern instruments. SETI estimates, for instance, that with a radio telescope as sensitive as the Arecibo Observatory, Earth's television and radio broadcasts would only be detectable at distances up to 0.3 light-years, less than 1/10 the distance to the nearest star. A signal is much easier to detect if the signal energy is limited to either a narrow range of frequencies, or directed at a specific part of the sky. Such signals could be detected at ranges of hundreds to tens of thousands of light-years distance. However, this means that detectors must be listening to an appropriate range of frequencies, and be in that region of space to which the beam is being sent. Many SETI searches assume that extraterrestrial civilizations will be broadcasting a deliberate signal, like the Arecibo message, in order to be found.
Thus to detect alien civilizations through their radio emissions, Earth observers either need more sensitive instruments or must hope for fortunate circumstances: that the broadband radio emissions of alien radio technology are much stronger than our own; that one of SETI's programs is listening to the correct frequencies from the right regions of space; or that aliens are deliberately sending focused transmissions in our general direction.
Civilizations broadcast detectable radio signals only for a brief period of time
It may be that alien civilizations are detectable through their radio emissions for only a short time, reducing the likelihood of spotting them. The usual assumption is that civilizations outgrow radio through technological advancement. However, even if radio is not used for communication, it may be used for other purposes such as power transmission from solar power satellites. Such uses may remain visible even after broadcast emission are replaced by less observable technology.
More hypothetically, advanced alien civilizations may evolve beyond broadcasting at all in the electromagnetic spectrum and communicate by technologies not developed or used by mankind. Some scientists have hypothesized that advanced civilizations may send neutrino signals. If such signals exist, they could be detectable by neutrino detectors that are now under construction for other goals.
They tend to isolate themselves
It has been suggested that some advanced beings may divest themselves of physical form, create massive artificial virtual environments, transfer themselves into these environments through mind uploading, and exist totally within virtual worlds, ignoring the external physical universe.
It may also be that intelligent alien life develops an "increasing disinterest" in their outside world. Possibly any sufficiently advanced society will develop highly engaging media and entertainment well before the capacity for advanced space travel, and that the rate of appeal of these social contrivances is destined, because of their inherent reduced complexity, to overtake any desire for complex, expensive endeavors such as space exploration and communication. Once any sufficiently advanced civilization becomes able to master its environment, and most of its physical needs are met through technology, various "social and entertainment technologies", including virtual reality, are postulated to become the primary drivers and motivations of that civilization.
They are too alien
Another possibility is that human theoreticians have underestimated how much alien life might differ from that on Earth. Aliens may be psychologically unwilling to attempt to communicate with human beings. Perhaps human mathematics is parochial to Earth and not shared by other life, though others argue this can only apply to abstract math since the math associated with physics must be similar (in results, if not in methods).
Physiology might also cause a communication barrier. Carl Sagan speculated that an alien species might have a thought process orders of magnitude slower (or faster) than ours. A message broadcast by that species might well seem like random background noise to us, and therefore go undetected.
Another thought is that technological civilizations invariably experience a technological singularity and attain a post-biological character. Hypothetical civilizations of this sort may have advanced drastically enough to render communication impossible.
Everyone is listening, no one is transmitting
Alien civilizations might be technically capable of contacting Earth, but are only listening instead of transmitting. If all, or even most, civilizations act the same way, the galaxy could be full of civilizations eager for contact, but everyone is listening and no one is transmitting. This is the so-called SETI Paradox.
The only civilization we know, our own, does not explicitly transmit, except for a few small efforts. Even these efforts, and certainly any attempt to expand them, are controversial. It is not even clear we would respond to a detected signal - the official policy within the SETI community is that "[no] response to a signal or other evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should be sent until appropriate international consultations have taken place." However, given the possible impact of any reply it may be very difficult to obtain any consensus on "Who speaks for Earth?" and "What should we say?"
Earth is deliberately not contacted
The zoo hypothesis states that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists and does not contact life on Earth to allow for its natural evolution and development. This hypothesis may break down under the uniformity of motive flaw: all it takes is a single culture or civilization to decide to act contrary to the imperative within our range of detection for it to be abrogated, and the probability of such a violation increases with the number of civilizations.
Analysis of the inter-arrival times between civilizations in the galaxy based on common astrobiological assumptions suggests that the initial civilization would have a commanding lead over the later arrivals. As such, it may have established what we call the zoo hypothesis through force or as a galactic/universal norm and the resultant "paradox" by a cultural founder effect with or without the continued activity of the founder.
Earth is purposely isolated (planetarium hypothesis)
A related idea to the zoo hypothesis is that, beyond a certain distance, the perceived universe is a simulated reality. The planetarium hypothesis speculates that beings may have created this simulation so that the universe appears to be empty of other life.
It is dangerous to communicate
An alien civilization might feel it is too dangerous to communicate, either for us or for them. After all, when very different civilizations have met on Earth, the results have often been disastrous for one side or the other, and the same may well apply to interstellar contact. Even contact at a safe distance could lead to infection by computer code or even ideas themselves. Perhaps prudent civilizations actively hide not only from Earth but from everyone, out of fear of other civilizations.
Perhaps the Fermi paradox itself - or the alien equivalent of it - is the reason for any civilization to avoid contact with other civilizations, even if no other obstacles existed. From any one civilization's point of view, it would be unlikely for them to be the first ones to make first contact. Therefore, according to this reasoning, it is likely that previous civilizations faced fatal problems with first contact and doing so should be avoided. So perhaps every civilization keeps quiet because of the possibility that there is a real reason for others to do so.
Liu Cixin's novel The Dark Forest talks about such a situation.
The simulation theory
Similar to the Planetarium hypothesis, it is theorized that our perceived reality is a simulation created by more intelligent beings. The creators of this hypothetical simulation may have purposely excluded life other than what has been found on Earth, or have simply not introduced it to humans in the simulation yet. It is also possible that they themselves are more intelligent humans, who also have not come in contact with alien lifeforms.
They are here undetected
It is possible that a civilization advanced enough to travel between the stars could visit or observe our world while remaining undetected or unrecognized.
They are here unacknowledged
A significant fraction of the population believes that at least some UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) are spacecraft piloted by aliens. While most of these are unrecognized or mistaken interpretations of mundane phenomena, there are those that remain puzzling even after investigation. The consensus scientific view is that although they may be unexplained, they do not rise to the level of convincing evidence.
Similarly, it is theoretically possible that SETI groups are not reporting positive detections, or governments have been blocking signals or suppressing publication. This response might be attributed to security or economic interests from the potential use of advanced extraterrestrial technology. It has been suggested that the detection of an extraterrestrial radio signal or technology could well be the most highly secret information that exists. Claims that this has already happened are common in the popular press, but the scientists involved report the opposite experience - the press becomes informed and interested in a potential detection even before a signal can be confirmed.
See also
References
- ^ e.g., those given by the Drake equation
- ^ Krauthammer, C. (December 29, 2011). "Are we alone in the universe?". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ "Star (astronomy)". Encyclopædia Britannica. "With regard to mass, size, and intrinsic brightness, the Sun is a typical star." Technically, the sun is near the middle of the main sequence of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This sequence contains 80-90% of the stars of the galaxy.
- ^ Grevesse, N.; Noels, A.; Sauval, A. J. (1996). "Standard abundances" (PDF). ASP Conference Series. 99.
The Sun is a normal star, though dispersion exists.
- ^ Chris Impe (2011). The Living Cosmos: Our Search for Life in the Universe. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-84780-3., page 282.
- ^ Aguirre, V. Silva; G. R. Davies; S. Basu; J. Christensen-Dalsgaard; O. Creevey; T. S. Metcalfe; T. R. Bedding; et al. (2015). "Ages and fundamental properties of Kepler exoplanet host stars from asteroseismology". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 452 (2): 2127. arXiv:1504.07992 . Bibcode:2015MNRAS.452.2127S. doi:10.1093/mnras/stv1388. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. See Figure 15 in particular.
- ^ Schilling, G. (June 13, 2012). "ScienceShot: Alien Earths Have Been Around for a While". Science. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ Buchhave, L. A.; et al. (June 21, 2012). "An abundance of small exoplanets around stars with a wide range of metallicities". Nature. 486: 375. Bibcode:2012Natur.486..375B. doi:10.1038/nature11121. PMID 22722196.
- ^ a b cHart, Michael H. (1975). "Explanation for the Absence of Extraterrestrials on Earth". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 16: 128-135. Bibcode:1975QJRAS..16..128H.
- ^ Jones, E. M. (March 1, 1985). ""Where is everybody?" An account of Fermi's question"" (PDF). Los Alamos National Laboratory. OSTI 785733. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ Overbye, Dennis (August 3, 2015). "The Flip Side of Optimism About Life on Other Planets". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ Webb, Stephen (2015). If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens... Where Is Everybody? Seventy five Solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life (2nd ed.). Copernicus Books. ISBN 978-3-319-13235-8.
- ^ Urban, Tim (June 17, 2014). "The Fermi Paradox". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ Cain, Fraser (June 3, 2013). "How Many Stars are There in the Universe?". Universe Today. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Craig, Andrew (July 22, 2003). "Astronomers count the stars". BBC News. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
- ^ See Hart for an example of "no aliens are here", and Webb for an example of the more general "We see no signs of intelligence anywhere".
- ^ a b Crawford, I.A., "Where are They? Maybe we are alone in the galaxy after all", Scientific American, July 2000, 38-43, (2000).
- ^ Shklovskii & Sagan 1966, p. 364
- ^ J. Richard Gott, III. "Chapter 19: Cosmological SETI Frequency Standards". In Zuckerman, Ben; Hart, Michael. Extraterrestrials; Where Are They?. Page 180.
- ^ Freitas, Robert A. (1985). "There is no Fermi Paradox". Icarus. 62 (3): 518-520. Bibcode:1985Icar...62..518F. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(85)90192-7. ISSN 0019-1035.
- ^ Shostak, Seth (October 25, 2001). "Our Galaxy Should Be Teeming With Civilizations, But Where Are They?". Space.com. Space.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ Alan Dunn (May 20, 1950). "Uncaptioned cartoon". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ Jones, Eric "Where is everybody?", An account of Fermi's question", Los Alamos Technical report LA-10311-MS, March 1985.
- ^ Tsiolkovsky, K, 1933, The Planets are Occupied by Living Beings, Archives of the Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics, Kaluga, Russia. See original text in Russian Wikisource.
- ^ Lytkin, V., Finney, B., & Alepko, L.; Finney; Alepko (December 1995). "Tsiolkovsky - Russian Cosmism and Extraterrestrial Intelligence". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 36 (4): 369. Bibcode:1995QJRAS..36..369L.
- ^ Wesson, Paul (1990). "Cosmology, extraterrestrial intelligence, and a resolution of the Fermi-Hart paradox". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 31: 161-170. Bibcode:1990QJRAS..31..161W.
- ^ Landis, Geoffrey A. (1998). "The Fermi Paradox: An Approach Based on Percolation Theory". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 51: 163-166. Bibcode:1998JBIS...51..163L. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
- ^ Gray, Robert H. (2015). "The Fermi paradox is neither Fermi's nor a paradox". Astrobiology. 15 (3): 195-199. arXiv:1605.09187 . Bibcode:2015AsBio..15..195G. doi:10.1089/ast.2014.1247. ISSN 1531-1074.
- ^ a b cBrin, Glen David (1983). "The 'Great Silence': The Controversy Concerning Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 24: 283-309. Bibcode:1983QJRAS..24..283B.
- ^ James Annis (1999). "An Astrophysical Explanation for the Great Silence". arXiv:astro-ph/9901322 .
- ^ Bostrom, Nick (2007). "In Great Silence there is Great Hope" (PDF). Retrieved September 6, 2010.
- ^ a bMilan M. Ćirković (2009). "Fermi's Paradox - The Last Challenge for Copernicanism?". Serbian Astronomical Journal. 178 (178): 1-20. arXiv:0907.3432 . Bibcode:2009SerAJ.178....1C. doi:10.2298/SAJ0978001C.
- ^ Gowdy, Robert H., VCU Department of Physics SETI: Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence. The Interstellar Distance Problem, 2008
- ^ Drake, F.; Sobel, D. (1992). Is Anyone Out There? The Scientific Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Delta. pp. 55-62. ISBN 0-385-31122-2.
- ^ Barrow, John D.; Tipler, Frank J. (1988). The Anthropic Cosmological Principle. Oxford University Press. p. 588. ISBN 978-0-19-282147-8. LCCN 87028148.
- ^ Behroozi, Peter; Peeples, Molly S. (December 1, 2015). "On The History and Future of Cosmic Planet Formation". MNRAS. 454 (2): 1811-1817. arXiv:1508.01202 . Bibcode:2015MNRAS.454.1811B. doi:10.1093/mnras/stv1817.
- ^ Sohan Jheeta (2013). "Final frontiers: the hunt for life elsewhere in the Universe". Astrophys Space Sci. 348: 1-10. Bibcode:2013Ap&SS.348....1J. doi:10.1007/s10509-013-1536-9.
- ^ See, for example, the SETI Institute, The Harvard SETI Home Page, or The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence at Berkeley
- ^ Wade, Nicholas (1975). "Discovery of pulsars: a graduate student's story". Science. 189 (4200). pp. 358-364. Bibcode:1975Sci...189..358W. doi:10.1126/science.189.4200.358.
- ^ Pulsars are now attributed to neutron stars, and Seyfert galaxies to an end-on view of the accretion onto the black holes.
- ^ "NASA/CP2007-214567: Workshop Report on the Future of Intelligence in the Cosmos" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 11, 2014.
- ^ Duncan Forgan, Martin Elvis; Elvis (March 28, 2011). "Extrasolar Asteroid Mining as Forensic Evidence for Extraterrestrial Intelligence". International Journal of Astrobiology. 10 (4): 307-313. arXiv:1103.5369 . Bibcode:2011IJAsB..10..307F. doi:10.1017/S1473550411000127.
- ^ Whitmire, Daniel P.; David P. Wright. (1980). "Nuclear waste spectrum as evidence of technological extraterrestrial civilizations". Icarus. 42.1: 149-156. Bibcode:1980Icar...42..149W. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(80)90253-5.
- ^ Boyajian, T. S.; LaCourse, D. M.; Rappaport, S. A.; Fabrycky, D.; Fischer, D. A.; Gandolfi, D.; Kennedy, G. M.; Liu, M. C.; Moor, A.; Olah, K.; Vida, K.; Wyatt, M. C.; Best, W. M. J.; Ciesla, F.; Csak, B.; Dupuy, T. J.; Handler, G.; Heng, K.; Korhonen, H.; Kovacs, J.; Kozakis, T.; Kriskovics, L.; Schmitt, J. R.; Szabo, Gy.; Szabo, R.; Wang, J.; Goodman, S.; Hoekstra, A.; Jek, K. J. (April 21, 2016). "Planet Hunters IX. KIC 8462852 - where's the flux?". MNRAS. 457 (4): 3988-4004. arXiv:1509.03622 . Bibcode:2016MNRAS.457.3988B. doi:10.1093/mnras/stw218.
- ^ Ross Anderson (October 13, 2015). "The Most Mysterious Star in our Galaxy". The Atlantic.
- ^ Ian O'Neill (October 14, 2015). "Has Kepler Discovered an Alien Megastructure?". Discovery News.
- ^ Wright, Jason T.; Cartier, Kimberly M. S.; Zhao, Ming; Jontof-Hutter, Daniel; Ford, Eric B. (2015). "The Ĝ Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations with Large Energy Supplies. IV. The Signatures and Information Content of Transiting Megastructures". The Astrophysical Journal. 816: 17. arXiv:1510.04606 . Bibcode:2016ApJ...816...17W. doi:10.3847/0004-637X/816/1/17.
- ^ Mullen, Leslie (2002). "Alien Intelligence Depends on Time Needed to Grow Brains". Astrobiology Magazine. Space.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2003. Retrieved April 21, 2006.
- ^ Udry, S.; Bonfils, X.; Delfosse, X.; Forveille, T.; Mayor, M.; Perrier, C.; Bouchy, F.; Lovis, C.; Pepe, F.; Queloz, D.; Bertaux, J.-L. (2007). "The HARPS search for southern extra-solar planets" (PDF). Astronomy and Astrophysics. 469 (3): L43. arXiv:0704.3841 . Bibcode:2007A&A...469L..43U. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20077612. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2010.
- ^ From"Kepler: About the Mission". NASA. "The Kepler Mission, NASA Discovery mission #10, is specifically designed to survey a portion of our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover dozens of Earth-size planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets."
- ^ Bracewell, R. N. (1960). "Communications from Superior Galactic Communities". Nature. 186 (4726): 670-671. Bibcode:1960Natur.186..670B. doi:10.1038/186670a0.
- ^ Papagiannis, M. D. (1978). "Are We all Alone, or could They be in the Asteroid Belt?". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 19: 277-281. Bibcode:1978QJRAS..19..277P.
- ^ Robert A. Freitas Jr. (November 1983). "Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Solar System: Resolving the Fermi Paradox". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 36. pp. 496-500. Bibcode:1983JBIS...36..496F.
- ^ Freitas, Robert A Jr; Valdes, F (1985). "The search for extraterrestrial artifacts (SETA)". Acta Astronautica. 12 (12): 1027-1034. Bibcode:1985AcAau..12.1027F. doi:10.1016/0094-5765(85)90031-1. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ Dyson, Freeman J. (1960). "Search for Artificial Stellar Sources of Infra-Red Radiation". Science. 131 (3414): 1667-1668. Bibcode:1960Sci...131.1667D. doi:10.1126/science.131.3414.1667. PMID 17780673.
- ^ a bWright, J. T.; Mullan, B.; Sigurðsson, S.; Povich, M. S. (2014). "The Ĝ Infrared Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations with Large Energy Supplies. I. Background and Justification". The Astrophysical Journal. 792: 26. arXiv:1408.1133 . Bibcode:2014ApJ...792...26W. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/792/1/26.
- ^ a bWright, J. T.; Griffith, R.; Sigurðsson, S.; Povich, M. S.; Mullan, B. (2014). "The Ĝ Infrared Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations with Large Energy Supplies. II. Framework, Strategy, and First Result". The Astrophysical Journal. 792: 27. arXiv:1408.1134 . Bibcode:2014ApJ...792...27W. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/792/1/27.
- ^ "Fermilab Dyson Sphere search program". Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
- ^ Wright, J. T.; Mullan, B; Sigurdsson, S; Povich, M. S (2014). "The Ĝ Infrared Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations with Large Energy Supplies. III. The Reddest Extended Sources in WISE". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 217 (2): 25. arXiv:1504.03418 . Bibcode:2015ApJS..217...25G. doi:10.1088/0067-0049/217/2/25.
- ^ "Alien Supercivilizations Absent from 100,000 Nearby Galaxies". Scientific American. April 17, 2015.
- ^ Andersen, Ross (October 13, 2015). "The Most Mysterious Star in Our Galaxy". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ Williams, Lee (October 15, 2015). "Astronomers may have found giant alien 'megastructures' orbiting star near the Milky Way". The Independent. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ^ Ward, Peter D.; Brownlee, Donald (January 14, 2000). Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe (1st ed.). Springer. p. 368. ISBN 978-0-387-98701-9.
- ^ Lineweaver, Charles H (2008). Paleontological tests: human-like intelligence is not a convergent feature of evolution. From fossils to astrobiology. Springer. pp. 353-368. arXiv:0711.1751 . Bibcode:2007arXiv0711.1751L.
- ^ Steven V. W. Beckwith (2008). "Detecting Life-bearing Extrasolar Planets with Space Telescopes". The Astrophysical Journal. IOP Publishing. 684 (2,): 1404-1415. arXiv:0710.1444 . Bibcode:2008ApJ...684.1404B. doi:10.1086/590466.
- ^ Sparks, W.B. and Hough, J. and Germer, T.A. and Chen, F. and DasSarma, S. and DasSarma, P. and Robb, F.T. and Manset, N. and Kolokolova, L. and Reid, N.; et al. (2009). "Detection of circular polarization in light scattered from photosynthetic microbes" (PDF). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. National Acad Sciences. 106 (14-16): 7816. doi:10.1016/j.jqsrt.2009.02.028.
- ^ a bTarter, Jill (2006). "What is SETI?". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 950 (1): 269-75. Bibcode:2001NYASA.950..269T. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb02144.x. PMID 11797755.
- ^ "The Intelligent-Life Lottery". The New York Times. August 18, 2014.
- ^ Webb, 2nd edition, 2015, Chapters 36-39.
- ^ "Is a Climate Disaster Inevitable?". The New York Times. January 17, 2015.
- ^ Bostrom, Nick. "Existential Risks Analyzing Human Extinction Scenarios and Related Hazards". Retrieved October 4, 2009.
- ^ Sagan, Carl. "Cosmic Search Vol. 1 No. 2". Cosmic Search Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ^ Hawking, Stephen. "Life in the Universe". Public Lectures. University of Cambridge. Archived from the original on April 21, 2006. Retrieved May 11, 2006.
- ^ Soter, Steven (2005). "SETI and the Cosmic Quarantine Hypothesis". Astrobiology Magazine. Space.com. Retrieved May 3, 2006.
- ^ Archer, Michael (1989). "Slime Monsters Will Be Human Too". Aust. Nat. Hist. 22: 546-547.
- ^ Webb 2002, p. 112
- ^ "The Aliens Are Silent Because They Are Extinct". Australian National University. January 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
- ^ Melott, A.L. and Lieberman, BS and Laird, CM and Martin, LD and Medvedev, MV and Thomas, BC and Cannizzo, JK and Gehrels, N. and Jackman, CH (2004). "Did a gamma-ray burst initiate the late Ordovician mass extinction?" (PDF). International Journal of Astrobiology. Cambridge University Press. 3 (1): 55-61. arXiv:astro-ph/0309415 . Bibcode:2004IJAsB...3...55M. doi:10.1017/S1473550404001910.
- ^ Nick Bostrom; Milan M. Ćirković. "12.5: The Fermi Paradox and Mass Extinctions". Global catastrophic risks.
- ^ Guth, Alan (2007). "Eternal Inflation and its Implications" (PDF). Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 40 (25): 6811-6826. arXiv:hep-th/0702178 . Bibcode:2007JPhA...40.6811G. doi:10.1088/1751-8113/40/25/S25.
- ^ Webb 2002, pp. 62-71
- ^ Vakoch, Douglas (November 15, 2001). "Decoding E.T.: Ancient Tongues Point Way To Learning Alien Languages". SETI Institute. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ Adam Stevens; Duncan Forgan; Jack O'Malley James (2015). "Observational Signatures of Self-Destructive Civilisations". arXiv:1507.08530 [astro-ph.EP].
- ^ Newman, W.T.; Sagan, C. (1981). "Galactic civilizations: Population. dynamics and interstellar diffusion". Icarus. 46 (3): 293-327. Bibcode:1981Icar...46..293N. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(81)90135-4.
- ^ Brin, Glen David (1983). "The 'Great Silence': The Controversy Concerning Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 24: 287, 298. Bibcode:1983QJRAS..24..283B.
- ^ a bLandis, Geoffrey (1998). "The Fermi Paradox: An Approach Based on Percolation Theory". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 51: 163-166. Bibcode:1998JBIS...51..163L.
- ^ Scheffer, L.K. (1994). "Machine Intelligence, the Cost of Interstellar Travel and Fermi's Paradox". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 35: 157. Bibcode:1994QJRAS..35..157S.
- ^ Baum, Seth D., Jacob D. Haqq-Misra, and Shawn D. Domagal-Goldman (2011). "Would contact with extraterrestrials benefit or harm humanity? A scenario analysis". Acta Astronautica. 68 (11): 2114-2129. arXiv:1104.4462 . Bibcode:2011AcAau..68.2114B. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2010.10.012. "If ETI search for us just as we search for them, i.e. by scanning the sky at radio and optical wavelengths [...] the radiation that has been unintentionally leaking and intentionally transmitted from Earth may have already alerted any nearby ETI to our presence and may eventually alert more distant ETI. Once ETI become alerted to our presence, it will take at least as many years for us to realize that they know."
- ^ Turnbull, Margaret C.; Tarter, Jill C. (2003). "Target Selection for SETI. I. A Catalog of Nearby Habitable Stellar Systems" (PDF). The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 145 (1): 181-198. arXiv:astro-ph/0210675 . Bibcode:2003ApJS..145..181T. doi:10.1086/345779. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
- ^ The Staff at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (December 1975). "The Arecibo message of November, 1974". Icarus. 26 (4): 462-466. Bibcode:1975Icar...26..462.. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(75)90116-5. "A radio telescope in M13 operating at the transmission frequency, and pointed toward the Sun at the time the message arrives at the receiving site will observe a flux density from the message which will exceed the flux density of the Sun itself by a factor of roughly 107. Indeed, at that unique time, the Sun will appear to the receptors to be by far the brightest star of the Milky Way."
- ^ Marko Horvat (2007). "Calculating the probability of detecting radio signals from alien civilizations". International Journal of Astrobiology. 5 (2): 143-149. arXiv:0707.0011 . Bibcode:2006IJAsB...5..143H. doi:10.1017/S1473550406003004. "There is a specific time interval during which an alien civilization uses radio communications. Before this interval, radio is beyond the civilization's technical reach, and after this interval radio will be considered obsolete."
- ^ Stephenson, D. G. (1984). "Solar Power Satellites as Interstellar Beacons". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Royal Astronomical Society. 25 (1): 80. Bibcode:1984QJRAS..25...80S.
- ^ "Cosmic Search Vol. 1 No. 3". Bigear.org. September 21, 2004. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
- ^ Learned, J; Pakvasa, S; Zee, A (2009). "Galactic neutrino communication". Physics Letters B. 671 (1): 15-19. arXiv:0805.2429 . Bibcode:2009PhLB..671...15L. doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2008.11.057.
- ^ Bostrom, Nick (April 22, 2008). "Where Are They?". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
- ^ Webb 2002, p. 86
- ^ Webb, Chapter 15: "They Stay at Home and Surf the Web"
- ^ Schombert, James. "Fermi's paradox (i.e. Where are they?)" Cosmology Lectures, University of Oregon.
- ^ Hamming, RW (1998). "Mathematics on a distant planet". The American Mathematical Monthly. 105 (7): 640-650. doi:10.2307/2589247. JSTOR 2589247.
- ^ Istvan, Zoltan (March 16, 2016). "Why Haven't We Met Aliens Yet? Because They've Evolved into AI". Motherboard. Vice Media. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ Long, K. F. (November 25, 2011). Deep Space Propulsion: A Roadmap to Interstellar Flight. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-4614-0607-5. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ^ Cook, Stephen P. "SETI: Assessing Imaginative Proposals". Life on Earth and other Planetary Bodies. p. 54. ISBN 978-94-007-4966-5.
- ^ a bWebb, Stephen (May 18, 2015). If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens … WHERE IS EVERYBODY?: Fifty Solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life. ISBN 978-0-387-95501-8. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
- ^ Alexander Zaitsev (2006). "The SETI paradox". arXiv:physics/0611283 [physics.gen-ph].
- ^ "Should We Call the Cosmos Seeking ET? Or Is That Risky?". The New York Times. February 13, 2015.
- ^ "Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence".
- ^ Michaud, M. (2003). "Ten decisions that could shake the world". Space Policy. 19 (2): 131-950. doi:10.1016/S0265-9646(03)00019-5.
- ^ Ball, J (1973). "The zoo hypothesis". Icarus. 19 (3): 347-349. Bibcode:1973Icar...19..347B. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(73)90111-5.
- ^ Hair, Thomas W. (2011). "Temporal Dispersion of the Emergence of Intelligence: An Inter-arrival Time Analysis", International Journal of Astrobiology 10(2): 131-135 (2011), doi:10.1017/S1473550411000024
- ^ Baxter, Stephen (2001). "The Planetarium Hypothesis: A Resolution of the Fermi Paradox". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 54 (5/6): 210-216. Bibcode:2001JBIS...54..210B.
- ^ Carrigan, Richard A. (2006). "Do potential SETI signals need to be decontaminated?". Acta Astronautica. 58 (2): 112-117. Bibcode:2006AcAau..58..112C. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2005.05.004.
- ^ Marsden, P. (1998). "Memetics and social contagion: Two sides of the same coin". Journal of Memetics-Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission. 2 (2): 171-185.
- ^ Beatriz Gato-Rivera (1970). "A Solution to the Fermi Paradox: The Solar System, Part of a Galactic Hypercivilization?". arXiv:physics/0512062 [physics.pop-ph].
- ^ Tough, Allen (1986). "What Role Will Extraterrestrials Play in Humanity's Future?" (PDF). Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. 39 (11): 492-498. Bibcode:1986JBIS...39..491T.
- ^ Ray Villard (August 10, 2012). "Why Do People Believe in UFOs?". Discovery News.
- ^ Paul Speigel (October 18, 2012). "More Believe in Space Aliens Than in God According To U.K. Survey". Huffington Post.
- ^ Shermer, Michael (2011). "UFOs, UAPs and CRAPs". Scientific American. Nature Publishing Group. 304 (4): 90-90. Bibcode:2011SciAm.304d..90S. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0411-90.
- ^ A. Tough (1990). "A critical examination of factors that might encourage secrecy". Acta Astronautica. 21 (21,): 97-102. Bibcode:1990AcAau..21...97T. doi:10.1016/0094-5765(90)90134-7.
- ^ Ashlee Vance (July 31, 2006). "SETI urged to fess up over alien signals". The Register.
- ^ "UFO Hunters Keep Pressing White House For Answers Through 'We The People' Petitions". The Huffington Post. December 6, 2011.
- ^ G. Seth Shostak (2009). Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. National Geographic. ISBN 978-1-4262-0392-3. Page 17.
Bibliography
- Crowe, Michael J. (2008). The Extraterrestrial Life Debate, Antiquity to 1915. University of Notre Dame Press. ISBN 978-0-268-02368-3.
- Shklovskii, Iosif; Sagan, Carl (1966). Intelligent Life in the Universe. San Francisco: Holden-Day. ISBN 1-892803-02-X.
- Webb, Stephen (2002). If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens... Where Is Everybody? Fifty solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life. Copernicus Books. ISBN 0-387-95501-1.
- Webb, Stephen (2015). If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens... Where Is Everybody? Seventy five Solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life (2nd ed.). Copernicus Books. ISBN 978-3-319-13235-8.
Further reading
- Allora & Calzadilla & Chiang, Ted (May 8, 2015). "The Great Silence". e-flux journal (56th Biennial - Planetary Computing (Is the Universe Actually a Gigantic Computer?) ed.).
- Meyer, Michael & Drake, Frank & McKay, Christopher & Brownlee, Donald & Grinspoon, David (July 2002). "Fermi Paradox debate". Astrobiology Magazine.
- Michaud, Michael (2006). Contact with Alien Civilizations: Our Hopes and Fears about Encountering Extraterrestrials. Copernicus Books. ISBN 978-0-387-28598-6.
- Sample, Ian (January 18, 2007). "So much space, so little time: why aliens haven't found us yet". The Guardian.
- Zuckerman, Ben & Hart, Michael H. Extraterrestrials: Where Are They?. ISBN 0-521-44803-4.
External links
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fermi paradox.|
- The dictionary definition of Fermi paradox at Wiktionary
- Leonidovich Zaitsev, Aleksandr (Translator). Overcome the Great Silence (Translation of the documentary ed.).
- "The Cross of the Moment". (Film about Fermi's Paradox, climate change, capitalism, and collapse.)
|La ĉi-suba teksto estas la originala artikolo Fermi-paradokso el la Esperanto-Vikipedio, prenita de GramTrans 2015-04-13 05:15:17. Eblaj ŝanĝoj en la originalo estos kaptitaj per regulaj ĝisdatigoj.|
La Fermi-paradokso estas kontraŭdiro, kiun formulis la fizikisto Enrico Fermi. La paradokso temas pri la probableco de inteligenta ekstertera vivo. Ĝi provas respondi al fundamenta demando: „Ĉu la homaro estas la sola teknologie avancinta civilizacio en la universo?“.
Enhavo
Bazaj pensoj
La esenco de la Fermi-paradokso estas la sekva rezonado:
Se en la Lakta Vojo ekzistas eĉ unu civilizacio, kiu kapablas starigi interstelarajn koloniojn, tiam la galaksio povus esti entute kolonizata dum malmultmilionoj da jaroj. Nu, la galaksio multe pli aĝas ol la necesaj 20-40 milionoj da jaroj, kaj kiel konsekvenco devus ekzisti eksterteraj civilizacioj ĉie ajn en la najbareco. Sed ĝis nun ne troveblis indikaĵoj pri nehomaj civilizacioj.
Jen mallonga resumo de la paradokso:
„La kutima kredo, ke ekzistas multaj teknologie avancintaj civilizacioj en nia universo, kombinita kun la niaj observadoj, kiuj sugestas la malon, estas paradoksa kaj aludas, ke aŭ nia kompreno aŭ niaj observadoj estas eraraj aŭ nekompletaj.“
Forte ligita al la Fermi-paradokso estas la ekvacio de Drake, per kio eblus taksi la probablecon de samtempa ekzisto de aliaj civilizacioj en la galaksio. Sed ĉar oni ĝis nun ne konas preskaŭ ĉiujn parametrojn de la Drake-ekvacio, ĝi nun ne multe helpas respondi al la problemo.
La sekva eltranĉaĵo el la verko „The Fermi Paradox: An Approach Based on Percolation Theory“ de Geoffrey A. Landis estas laŭsence tradukita (lingvopado: en → de → eo).
„Proponitaj solvoj al la Fermi-paradokso aŭ tute neas la ekzisteblon de eksterteraj civilizacioj (ĝis nun ne pruvebla), aŭ akceptas ilian ekzisteblon, proponante klarigojn, kial ili malgraŭ tio ne kolonizas la galaksion. La klarigoj inkluzivas do proponojn, ke tiaj civilizacioj kolapsas aŭ sin konscie mem detruas, ke estingiĝas iliaj krudmaterialoj, ke ili decidas kontraŭ kolonizado aŭ ja kolonizadas sed konscie malatentas nin. La problemo kun tiuj provoj je klarigo estas, ke ili ĉiuj postulas samecon de la motivoj de civilizacioj dum ege longaj tempoj. Se eĉ unu civilizacio decidas kolonizi la galaksion, tiaj klarigprovoj devas malsukcesi.“
Eblaj solvoj
- ĉi tiam ne ekzistas aliaj civilizacioj
- aliaj civilizacioj neniam ekekzistiĝis
- inteligenta vivo detruas sin mem laŭnature
- inteligenta vivo detruas aliajn laŭnature
- homaro kreiĝis sola
- ili ekzistas, sed ni ne vidas ilin
- komunikado ne eblas pro tro grandaj distancoj
- komunikado ne eblas pro teknikaj kialoj
- ili ne volas interagi kun ni
- ili restas kaŝitaj
- ni ankoraŭ ne trovis iliajn signalojn (vidu SETI). | https://epo.wikitrans.net/Fermi_paradox |
Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are excited about an exclusive National Geographic article that appeared online at news.nationalgeographic.com on Feb. 1, 2018, by Tom Clynes, titled, “Laser Scans Reveal Maya ‘Megalopolis’ Below Guatemalan Jungle: A vast, interconnected network of ancient cities was home to millions more people than previously thought.”
Their excitement is both understandable and justified.
The article discusses a laser technology known as LiDAR, which stands for light detection and ranging, that has revealed previously undiscovered ancient ruins by digitally removing the tropical forest canopy of northern Guatemala that conceals them. Using this “major breakthrough” in Maya archaeology, researchers have thus far identified artificial features, including more than 60,000 houses, palaces and roads that have been hidden for centuries. “After decades of combing through the forests,” writes Clynes in National Geographic, “no archaeologists had stumbled across these sites.”
Plainly, a great deal remains to be learned about Pre-Columbian America, and several new findings here seem relevant to the Book of Mormon.
For example, according toMosiah 7:4 and 8:8 — not to mention my own personal experience — it’s easy to lose cities in the Mesoamerican jungle and to walk, wholly unaware, past massive structures.
But they exist, though they’re difficult to see: Contrary to previous population estimates of around 5 million, Tulane University archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli says that the ancient Guatemalan lowlands may have supported 10-15 million people. “At its peak in the Maya classic period (approximately A.D. 250–900),” summarizes National Geographic, “the civilization covered an area about twice the size of medieval England, but it was far more densely populated.”
Thus, when Mormon’s father brought him southward to the capital district of Zarahemla in roughly A.D. 321-326, the 11-year-old future prophet was wide-eyed with astonishment: “The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea” (see Mormon 1:7).
In the National Geographic article, Clynes describes “highways connecting urban centers and quarries.” “Virtually all the Mayan cities,” he says, “were connected by causeways wide enough to suggest that they were heavily trafficked and used for trade and other forms of regional interaction. These highways were elevated to allow easy passage even during rainy seasons.”
Similarly, 3 Nephi 6:8 records that “there were many highways cast up, and many roads made, which led from city to city, and from land to land, and from place to place.” (Does the verb “cast up” suggest that Nephite highways were “elevated”?)
The National Geographic account speaks of “militarization” and “the ubiquity of defensive walls, ramparts, terraces and fortresses.”
“Warfare wasn’t only happening toward the end of the civilization,” says Ithaca College archaeologist Thomas Garrison. “It was large-scale and systematic, and it endured over many years.”
For its part, the Book of Mormon is notoriously full of warfare. At Alma 49:2-8; 50:1-6; 53:1-5; and62:42-43, for instance, we read of innovative fortifications built during the first century B.C. Ultimately, the Nephites are destroyed around A.D. 385, but the fighting continues:
“The Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city and from place to place,” Moroni reports somewhere between A.D. 400-421, “even until they are no more; and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war” (see Mormon 8:7-8).
None of this proves the Book of Mormon true, of course. But it’s certainly consistent with the book’s historical narrative. And it bears further watching:
“LiDAR is revolutionizing archaeology the way the Hubble Space Telescope revolutionized astronomy,” says Estrada-Belli. “We’ll need 100 years to go through all (the data) and really understand what we’re seeing.”
So far, National Geographic notes, the project has covered 800 square miles (2,100 square kilometers) of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, in Guatemala’s Petén region, producing the largest LiDAR data set ever obtained for archaeological research. Mayanists hope, though, that they will have mapped more than 5,000 square miles (14,000 square kilometers) of the heavily forested Guatemalan lowlands within three years.
For further information on LiDAR and the Maya — readable, and with an explicit Mormon connection — see “King of the Jungle: The Mayan Empire of Archaeologist Richard Hansen: On the trail with the man who discovered the preclassic Mayan civilization” online at weeklystandard.com. | https://www.deseret.com/2018/2/8/20639691/national-geographic-discovery-of-mayan-ruins-not-proof-but-very-interesting |
Despite the developments that have been made in approaches that seek to address the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, it is still one of the leading killers in the globe (DiMarco & Zoline 2004, 68). The effects of HIV/AIDS on individual health cannot be quantified owing to the effect that it has in making the body susceptible to all forms of diseases. The effects of HIV/AIDS on the society especially the cost associated with its management and the burden that it places on healthcare make it one of the most costly conditions in the current generation DiMarco & Zoline 2004, 68).
The healthcare system and independent researchers have taken heed of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS to the society and have been keen at devising systems that can effectively be used in ensuring that the epidemic is well handled. Approaches to deal with stigma, preventative health and developing awareness across societies have come up as some of the systems that can be used in ensuring that the negative effects of HIV/AIDS to the society are addressed (DiMarco & Zoline 2004).
Efficiency of the approaches used in management of HIV/AIDS is important in devising an approach that is effective (Sikkema, Hansen, Meade, Kochman & Lee, 2005). The resource requirement and the time consumed by the intervention systems require that they be effective for their existence to be justified. Among the various systems that have been developed, integrative systems have come up as having the potential of ensuring a feeling of appreciation among patients while ensuring that the challenges that they face as patients and those that are unique to the environment they are in are well addressed.
Problem Definition
Though the prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in Ireland is not as high as in third world nations, the presence of the killer condition has not been assumed (WHO 2009). HIV/AIDS is not only a problem for the effects that it has on individual health but also due to the effect that it has on individual cognition and self esteem. Research shows that people who have contracted HIV/AIDS via sex are more prone to stigmatization than those that are known to have contracted the condition via other means. Statistics by the Word Health Organisation (2009) show that there were 4419 reported cases of HIV in Ireland by the end of 2006. The number included 909 people who had already developed HIV/AIDS and 97 who had died (WHO 2009). The statistics further show that 93% of the cases are of know mode of transmission (WHO 2009). Over 63% of the infections were a result of sexual relations both heterosexual and homosexual. Use of drug and injections accounted for 32% of the known cases (WHO 2009). A comparison between statistics from Ireland and third world nations and even the US shows that HIV/AIDS is far from being considered an epidemic in this nation (WHO 2009).
Ireland is among the few nations that have effectively developed and implemented integrative health approaches with regards to management of HIV/AIDS (Cartwright & Cassidy 2002). The level of efficiency that the nations has attained in management of HIV/AIDS makes it a case for approaches that other nations can employ in ensuring that HIV/AIDS is managed effectively. Efficiency in management of HIV/AIDS is the only options that the society is left with considering that its cure appears to be an enigma (Cartwright & Cassidy 2002). Interactive psychotherapy has proven to be effective in Ireland and the only piece left of the puzzle is why?
Significance
Healthcare management is dependent on the taxpayers for its funding. A costly healthcare system directly impacts on the quality of life attainable by affecting taxes. Development of an effective system to managing a healthcare issue is important in gaining information regarding the problem and ensuring that the mechanics employed in its address are relevant to its nature. HIV/AIDS is both a healthcare issue and a social problem that can effectively be addressed by employing integrative psychotherapy. The findings of the study will be reflective of best practices in integrative psychotherapy that have contributed to effective management of HIV/HIV/AIDS in Ireland. The results will thus form a basis for further research on integrative psychotherapy and can be borrowed or directly used by healthcare systems across other nations and even regions to ensure HIV/AIDS is effectively managed. Adoption of integrative psychotherapy approaches in management of HIV/AIDS would reduce stigmatisation and encourage societies into not only developing awareness on the problem but appreciating the effects that it has on individual health and the economy.
Literature Review
Psychotherapy is a wide field that seeks to develop a better understanding of the human person. Psychology can be considered one of the oldest disciplines in academics and its fusion into therapy which is a recent development adds little to the existing knowledge except for integration of medical terms and theories. Put simply, psychotherapy has been traversed by theorists and scientists as a proper understanding of the human brain and how it works was sought (Bolognesi 2006, 626). Cognitive, affective, behavioural and physiological theories and systems have been developed and applied to societies in bids to address challenges communities are faced with. While individual systems have their own advantages and cons, integration of different theories has come up as one of the most effective approaches to ensuring that direct factors that contribute to overall well-being are addressed. Integrative psychotherapy is therefore a system where elements of different theories that make up psychotherapy are drawn from in both practice and theory (Joe, Carmack, Garcia-Buñuel, Kelly & Chester 2000, 273). The result is a discipline or a practice that is largely appreciative of diversity and strength of each of the theories while addressing weaknesses that are inherent of individual systems. It is generally appreciated that no one theory can fully explain the human person thus the need to integrate and not just draw from other theories.
Sigmund Freud may be considered the father of modern psychoanalysis for he came up with the basics of the talking cure or psychoanalysis (Cartwright & Cassidy 2002). A number of developments have since been recorded with different variations coming up in seeking to ensure effective grasp of human cognition and behaviour (Rubenstein & Sorrentino 2008). Person centred, transactional, gestalt, family systems and existential therapies are just but some of the examples that have been developed (Richardson, Morgan, Vielhauer, Cuevas, Buondonno & Keane 2005, 1017). Owing to the interest that man has in understanding his own nature a number of theories have been developed and practised by psychotherapists. Though an understanding of what works in addressing a social problem is important, developing a strong theoretical basis for success is often important in replicating success in other cases. An understanding of why a system works is the main goal in integrative psychology that draws from multiple theories to explain success or even failures.
Application of integrative psychotherapy in management of illnesses is not a recent development and has widely been tipped as one of the most effective approaches to ensuring that psychological aspect of care is addressed. The role of the environment and frame or mind that a patient is in plays a critical role in determining the rate of recovery thus the levels of efficiency that can be managed in provision of care. The WHO recognises the essential role played by overall well-being of an individual in determining rate of recovery (Marvel, Rowe, Colon-Perez, Diclemente & Liddle 2009). Psychotherapy has proven to be quite important in appreciation of positive living among HIV patients, ensuring that the society is appreciative of the problem thus reduction of stigma and generally making sure that the society is in a frame of mind that is relevant to effective management of HIV/HIV/AIDS.
Gap
Though a lot has been done on individual therapies and their relevance to not just HIV/AIDS but also ensuring effective healthcare management, there are a number of issues with respect to practical integrative psychotherapy that are yet to be addressed. The theory involved in integrative psychotherapy borrows elements from other existing theories to develop an understanding of a conditions, its practical application is however a nightmare that few researchers manage to deal with. The multitude of theories that one can chose from, the effects of culture and existing systems and the underlying effect of the healthcare systems are all factors that affect integrative psychotherapy practice. Researches have done little to address this issue that affects practical integrative psychotherapy mainly due to its need for specificity to communities and even nations (Pobuda, Crothers, Goldblum, Dilley & Koopman 2008, 565).
Research Methodology
The methodology used in any given research or study affects the accuracy and relevance of findings and is therefore a factor that affects the integrity of a research. It is important that the approach be of relevance to objectives and nature of a problem to develop results that can be of use to the society. The literature review points to a gap that exists in research on practical integrative psychotherapy to medical cases. This presents a case where primary data should be sought. A look at the theory that is beneath integrative psychotherapy shows that there are multiple approaches and theories that can be adopted in trying to develop an understanding of any phenomenon. This presents a theoretical situation that is defined by a large number of well researched theories. It is thus apparent that a qualitative research that involves analysis of existing theories and collection of first hand data would be appropriate for the research.
Approach
Ireland is one of the nations that have efficiently employed integrative psychotherapy in management of HIV/AIDS. Observation of psychotherapist working with couples and individual that have contracted HIV/AIDS via sex will be the main mode of data collection. To ensure that data collected is enough the research will be done for a period of 15 months to reduce any bias that may be a result of seasonal or individual practices. Selection of Ireland is mainly due to its effective use of integrative psychotherapy and seeking physiotherapists that work with individuals who have contracted HIV/AIDS through sex is out of the realisation that such people face high levels of stigma and are more likely to take on degenerate practices. Observation as a qualitative data collection mechanism is associated with high levels of accuracy and information intensity. These variables are important in ensuring that the information captured is relevant to the complex unexplored practices that define integrative psychotherapy application to HIV management.
Analysis
Data collected from observation of physiotherapists will be explored and with the input of additional research on existing theories in psychoanalysis and manifestation of HIV/AIDS analysed to determine factors that have been central to successful implementation of integrative psychotherapy. The research is qualitative thus the objectivity of the researcher and internal checks to determine that every assertion is justified by an observation or existing literature will play a part in ensuring analysis is carried out without biases.
Rea liability and Validity
The research approach has been defined in a manner that is appreciative of integrative psychotherapy and dynamics that define behaviour towards people suffering from HIV/AIDS. The reliability of the findings is developed by breadth of the research and use of both existing theoretical knowledge and observations in developing a picture of best practices in integrative psychotherapy. The theory beneath a practice rarely changes irrespective of the actual mechanisms. The study is mainly aimed at seeking why integrative physiotherapy is a success in Ireland thus the information is relevant to any society irrespective of the underlying systems and values.
References
Bolognesi, N 2006. AIDS in Africa: A question of trust. Nature, 1443(7112), 626-627
Cartwright, D & Cassidy, M 2002. Working with HIV/AIDS Sufferers: “When Good Enough Is Not Enough”. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 56 (2), 149.
DiMarco, M & Zoline, S 2004. Duty to Warn in the Context of HIV/AIDS- Related Psychotherapy: Decision Making Among Psychologists. Counseling & Clinical Psychology Journal, 1(2), 68-85.
Joe, E, Carmack, A, Garcia-Buñuel, E, Kelly & Chester, J 2000. Implementation of Guidelines for HIV Counseling and Voluntary HIV Testing of Pregnant Women. American Journal of Public Health, 90(2), 273-276
Marvel, F, Rowe, C, Colon-Perez, L, Diclemente, R & Liddle, H. 2009. A Multidimensional Family Therapy HIV/STD Risk-Reduction Intervention: An Integrative Family-Based Model for Drug-Involved Juvenile Offenders. Family Process, 48(1), 69-84.
Pobuda, T, Crothers, L, Goldblum, P, Dilley, J & Koopman, C 2008. Effects of Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy on Distress Among HIV-Seropositive Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Patient Care & STDs, 22(7), 561-567.
Richardson, MA, Morgan, EE, Vielhauer, MJ, Cuevas, CA, Buondonno, LM & Keane, TM 2005. Utility of the HIV dementia scale in assessing risk for significant HIV-related cognitive-motor deficits in a high-risk urban adult sample. AIDS Care, 17(8), 1013-1021.
Rubenstein, D & Sorrentino, D 2008. Psychotherapy with HIV/AIDS Patients: Assessment and Treatment Plan Development. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 62(4), 365-375.
Sikkema, KJ, Hansen, NB, Meade, CS, Kochman, A & Lee, RS 2005. Improvements in health-related quality of life following a group intervention for coping with AIDS-bereavement among HIV-infected men and women. Quality of Life Research, 14(4), 991-1005. | https://nmmra.org/the-effectiveness-of-integrative-psychotherapy-when-working-with-people-living-with-hivaids/ |
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Explorer Lecture Series will bring Dr. Timothy Beatley, professor of urban and environmental planning, for a lecture on Green Urbanism: The Global Shift Towards Sustainable and Resilient Cities. Dr. Beatley of the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, School of Architecture at the University of Virginia has authored several books including Green Urbanism: Learning from European Cities and Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change.
In Resilient Cities, Beatley presents four scenarios for the future of cities: Collapse, Ruralized, Divided or Resilient Cities. The first describes the nightmare scenario of writers such as James Howard Kunstler, which warn that skyrocketing oil prices and climate change will initiate a chain of events resulting in significant loss to human life, global economic failure and an end to civilization as we know it. Beatley doesn’t believe that Collapse is inevitable, but does warn against other, slightly less apocalyptic scenarios.
The Ruralization of urban areas is presented as one of the popular scenarios in response to peak oil. Beatley describes this movement as striving to create a more sustainable semi-rural lifestyle, where each city will be responsible for producing a large proportion of its own food primarily with a kind of suburban agriculture based on permaculture or hobby farms. He points out that this scenario is “somewhat akin to medieval society but with a strongly individualistic flavor”.
Beatley asserts two problems with this approach. First, he argues that it “provides a new rationale for urban sprawl that will consume land and other natural resources” and second, “it is distracting us from seeking region-wide solutions to these issues of energy, water, waste and food production in favor of individualized approaches, which may not be equitable.” He further argues that, “Cities are collective entities and should solve their problems through common good solutions to avoid the risk of becoming highly exclusive. For those people and parts of the city unable to create food and manage water and wastes through permaculture, the future in a ruralized city would be very bleak.”
The problem of inequitable individualized approaches finds it’s logical end in the third scenario of the Divided City. In this scenario, “the wealthy recognize that they need to optimize their choices and begin to form exclusive neighborhoods and self-sufficient centers with all the best transit and walkability.” The best renewable energy technologies will be located within these enclaves and will be protected from its surroundings with the “biggest barrier of all — real estate prices.” Beatley argues that we’re beginning to see this scenario emerging in some New Urbanist developments.
The scenario Beatley proposes to address the problems of the previous options is the Resilient City. This favorable scenario occurs when “the access and alternate forms of fuel and buildings in eco-enclaves that were the province of the wealthy in the divided city scenario are provided for all.” Mobility needs are justly deployed by the use of fast electric rail for intercity transportation, electric hybrid vehicles for local trips and a much greater increase in cycling and walking within urban nodes. This polycentric vision of cities includes “areas between the intensively developed transit centers and corridors, [where] urban eco-villages will be established to help manage the city’s ecological functions such as extra renewable energy production and water and waste recycling.” The self-sufficient urban eco-villages will manage urban biodiversity and grow specialized agricultural produce, leaving the rural regions around cities for most of the agricultural and forestry production.
During his lecture, Beatley will present examples of innovative green projects and policies adopted by cities in Europe and North America that could be implemented in Northeast Ohio. The question will be how relevant the examples selected from other cities will be for Cleveland. In a context of depopulation, with large recent investments dispersed relatively evenly throughout the city, who should decide which areas will become the dense urban nodes or self-sustaining eco-villages? Will the future polycentric city model be initiated by disinvestment in housing and other infrastructure in certain neighborhoods? Should the entire City of Cleveland itself be considered as the future dense urban node, with surrounding suburbs becoming the eco-villages? The process of achieving the desired outcome of becoming a Resilient City is itself a question of equity.
Northeast Ohio’s Policy Bridge think-tank recently released a report determining which neighborhoods should receive continued investment and which should not. Can the process of planning our city for all people fit under the same umbrella of Beatley’s optimistic statement regarding the outcome? “We must overcome the perception that it requires great sacrifice to live in sustainable communities. There are ways we can continue to progress and flourish, and at the same time protect the natural capital that supports us.”
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Friday, Nov. 13th 2009
7:30pm
Tickets can be purchased here.
by david jurca
One Comment on “Resilient Cities Lecture”
-
Gauri Torgalkar
Good post, David! Look forward to the lecture and the workshop. | http://www.cudc.kent.edu/blog/resilient-cities-lecture/ |
El Paso health officials report two West Nile virus deaths
The city of El Paso has confirmed two deaths due to the West Nile virus.
Both men were in their 80s with underlying health conditions. They are the first in El Paso to die from the virus in 2021.
This year, a total of 13 confirmed cases have been reported to the Department of Public Health. Two cases resulted in death; the other patients have recovered.
All cases are associated with neuroinvasive illnesses (infecting the nervous system), according to the city statement.
“The community needs to take into account that for most people a mosquito bite is a nuisance, but for others, it can be very serious if the patient has medical conditions that impair their immune system’s ability to fight infection if the mosquito is carrying a disease like West Nile,” said Director of Public Health Angela Mora.
“As long as we still have mosquitoes biting in El Paso, the threat of disease continues to be present.”
In 2019, El Paso reported 16 cases. Two cases resulted in death, and 12 individuals were hospitalized, according to the city.
More:Health officials report first case of West Nile virus in El Paso, warn of mosquito threat
West Nile virus prevention:
Use insect repellent: Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanoate when you go outdoors. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants: When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, and it’s also recommended to spray your clothes with repellent.
Take steps to control mosquitoes: Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths regularly. Don’t forget to change your pet’s water bowl daily. | https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2021/10/07/el-paso-west-nile-virus-deaths-confirmed/6046079001/ |
Curry leaves are a popular spice used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. They are best with vegetable dishes, potatoes, lentils, chickpeas, fish, seafood, and lamb. They have a slightly spicy flavor and a fresh citrus aroma. Since drying leads to a considerable loss of flavor, it is best to use fresh curry leaves.
General information:
From Wikipedia: “The curry tree (Murraya koenigii) is a tropical to sub-tropical tree in the family Rutaceae (the rue family, which includes rue, citrus, and satinwood), which is native to India and Sri Lanka.
Its leaves are used in many dishes in India, Sri Lanka, and neighbouring countries. Often used in curries, the leaves are generally called by the name 'curry leaves', although they are also literally 'sweet neem leaves' in most Indian languages (as opposed to ordinary neem leaves which are very bitter and in the family Meliaceae, not Rutaceae).”
Uses:
“The leaves are highly valued as seasoning in southern and west-coast Indian cooking, and Sri Lankan cooking especially in curries, usually fried along with the chopped onion in the first stage of the preparation. In Sri Lanka curry tree is called Karapincha (කරපිංචා). They are also used to make thoran, vada, rasam and kadhi. In their fresh form, they have a short shelf life and do not keep well in the refrigerator. They are also available dried, though the aroma is largely inferior. They do, however, keep quite well frozen if well wrapped. Leaves can also be harvested from home-raised plants as it is also fairly easily grown in warmer areas of the world, or in containers where the climate is not supportive outdoors.
The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as an herb in Ayurvedic medicine. They are believed to possess anti-diabetic properties.
Although most commonly used in curries, leaves from the curry tree can be used in many other dishes to add flavour. In Cambodia, Khmer toast the leaves in an open flame or roast it until crispy and then crush it into a soured soup dish called Maju Krueng.
Murraya Koenigii, because of its aromatic characteristic properties, finds use and application in soap making ingredient, body lotions, diffusers, potpourri, scent, air fresheners, body fragrance, perfume, bath and massage oils, aromatherapy, towel scenting, spas and health clinics, incense, facial steams, hair treatments etc..
In the absence of tulsi leaves, curry leaves are used for rituals, such as pujas.”
Retaining the flavor:
If you have the opportunity to purchase fresh leaves, freezing them is a good way to retain the flavor. Since drying causes a loss in flavor, you have to use larger amounts (at least twice as much as compared to fresh leaves) in order to achieve the same results.
Propagation:
“Seeds must be ripe and fresh to plant; dried or shriveled fruits are not viable. One can plant the whole fruit, but it is best to remove the pulp before planting in potting mix that is kept moist but not wet.
Stem cuttings can be also used for propagation.”
Chemical constituents: | https://www.diet-health.info/en/recipes/ingredients/in/ju9397-curry-leaf |
Don't miss out on the latest and greatest new features in Construct 3.
We've got some more updates for the C3 runtime in this release, including support for the Xbox Live plugin in the C3 runtime, as well as a range of fixes and a couple of small optimisations.
We're keen to get a new stable release out shortly so please test carefully and report any outstanding issues. If all goes well we may be able to get a stable release out this week, otherwise if there are any further issues then due to staff holidays we may postpone the next stable release for another week or two. Happy testing!
Let us know with a thumbs up!
Thank you for the update, Scirra! :)
Massive thanks from Asia. | https://www.construct.net/en/make-games/releases/beta/r103 |
Following our July 2021 release that focused on fentanyl, cannabis, and methamphetamine, new results from Statistics Canada's Canadian Wastewater Survey (CWS) indicate that the load of morphine or methadone did not differ significantly in wastewater from 2019 to 2020. In contrast, codeine load appears to have decreased over the same period.
The cancellation of thousands of surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to changes in the load of certain opioid pain medication prescribed post-operatively. Changes made to drug regulations in British Columbia for codeine prescriptions (so that they are less susceptible to forgeries) may also be a contributing factor to changes in the measured load of the drug in that province. Additionally, public health restrictions including physical distancing and mask wearing may have reduced respiratory virus transmission resulting in lower use of cold/flu medications containing codeine.
The CWS has been testing wastewater samples from various wastewater treatment plants in five cities across Canada (Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver) since March 2019. Analyses of wastewater samples produce estimates of the amount of a given drug metabolite (a chemical made when the body breaks down a drug) entering the wastewater system, which is generally expected to reflect the overall quantity of the drug consumed by the population within a geographical area (the sewershed catchment).
The focus of this Daily article is on over-the-counter or prescription opioids (codeine, methadone and morphine) which are used as pain medication, and can also be found in cough suppressants and psychoactive drugs. The latest CWS data provide monthly estimates of drugs and their metabolites in wastewater for 14 drugs of concern based on samples collected from August to December 2019 and from August to December 2020. The estimates are based on the amount of drug measured in wastewater (i.e., grams) and presented on a load per capita basis, per day, or levels.
Use of opioid medications during the COVID-19 pandemic
Codeine is an opioid used as a prescription painkiller medication for relief from mild to moderate pain, including post-operative pain. Codeine can also be used to reduce coughing. Products containing codeine (mixed, low dose) are currently available without a prescription (e.g., cold/flu medication). In British Columbia, however, certain prescription-based liquid preparations containing codeine were rescheduled in January 2020 by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia Board, and now require a special duplicate prescription form, which is designed to prevent forgeries. Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey found that opioid medications were used by 13% of the population aged 15 and older in 2018, and that medications containing codeine were the most common. Furthermore, roughly 10% of individuals who used an opioid pain medication reported problematic use. Statistics Canada's Provisional death counts and excess mortality show an increase from 2019 to 2020 in deaths caused by unintentional poisonings, including unintentional overdoses due to prescription and over-the-counter medication.
Results from the wastewater show that levels of codeine in wastewater were generally lower in March to August 2020 compared with March to August 2019. Cancellation of surgeries during the pandemic may be a contributing factor in the reduction of codeine measured in wastewater in 2020, which may have reduced the prescription of post-operative medication, including opioid pain medication. The Canadian Institute for Health Information has estimated that from March 2020 to June 2021 there were 560,000 fewer surgeries performed compared with the pre-pandemic period (January to December 2019). Moreover, public health restrictions such as physical distancing and mask wearing may have reduced transmission of other respiratory viruses. For example, the Public Health Agency of Canada's September 2021 FluWatch report declared that influenza detections were significantly lower in the 2020-2021 flu season compared with previous years, with 69 lab-confirmed cases reported in 2020-2021 compared with 55,378 lab-confirmed cases reported in the previous (2019-2020) flu season. This could also have resulted in a decline in the use of codeine-containing cold and flu medications, also influencing codeine levels detected in wastewater.
Infographic 1
Combined codeine load per capita for Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver, from March to December 2019 and from January to December 2020
Unlike codeine, morphine levels in wastewater did not differ significantly from 2019 to 2020. Morphine is a powerful opioid medication used to treat severe and chronic pain. Many opiates produce morphine when metabolized; it is the most abundant metabolite of heroin, codeine and morphine itself. Although morphine is also a drug used for pain management following surgeries, the load of morphine does not appear to have decreased following the cancellation of elective surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it is important to note that many factors can influence drug levels in wastewater. City-to-city comparisons in the next section outline some of the reasons why the level of morphine may not have decreased as much as codeine levels.
Infographic 2
Combined morphine load per capita for Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver, from March to December 2019 and from January to December 2020
Like morphine, methadone levels in wastewater did not change significantly from 2019 to 2020. Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat opioid dependence (including heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl) by helping to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. It has been used for this purpose for around 60 years in Canada, and in 2018, Health Canada announced that practitioners no longer required exemptions to prescribe methadone, allowing for better access to this harm reduction treatment. Although methadone is also a pain killer, its main use is not as a post-operative pain killer, so it was expected that levels would be less influenced by the cancellation of surgeries seen in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Infographic 3
Combined methadone load per capita for Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver, from March to December 2019 and from January to December 2020
Codeine loads highest in Edmonton; morphine and methadone loads highest in Metro Vancouver
Wastewater is a valuable source of information that can be used to monitor drug trends in a city over time. Due to the variability of sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants between cities, caution should be used when making comparisons between cities, especially when differences are small.
Much like the CWS results released in July 2021, different Canadian cities have different drug profiles, including for opioids that are used for medical reasons. Using data from the provincial and territorial offices of the Chief Coroners and Chief Medical Examiners, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that the crude rate of total apparent opioid toxicity deaths in 2020 was highest in British Columbia, followed by Alberta. In the CWS, codeine loads were highest in Edmonton in both 2019 and 2020, and were more than two times higher than in any other city in both years. However, compared with 2019, there was a decrease in codeine load in Edmonton in 2020, which may have coincided with the cancellation of elective surgeries.
Morphine loads were highest in Metro Vancouver compared with the other cities measured in both 2019 and 2020. One factor contributing to morphine levels detected in wastewater is the consumption of heroin, since a significant metabolite of heroin is morphine. Statistics Canada's dataset on police-reported crimes for selected drug offences, by province or territory, 2020 found that heroin-related offences were highest in British Columbia, which is consistent with the morphine wastewater data.
The highest loads of methadone were observed in Metro Vancouver in both 2019 and 2020. Fentanyl loads were also found to be the highest in Metro Vancouver, so it is possible that the two are correlated since methadone is used as a treatment for opioid addiction, including fentanyl dependence. In general, loads for methadone appear to be stable in Canada for both 2019 and 2020 and there does not appear to be any significant effect on loads due to the pandemic.
Infographic 4
Combined codeine, morphine, and methadone loads per capita for Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver, from March to December 2019 and from March to December 2020
Analysis of 2021 CWS samples, as well as ongoing collection, will contribute to a better understanding of the progression and the shifting landscape of drug consumption across Canada during and beyond the pandemic. This could help public health officials, law enforcement agencies and other organizations to adapt their approach and strategies.
Note to readers
Wastewater-based drug epidemiology is a rapidly evolving scientific discipline that applies analytical techniques to wastewater in order to estimate drug usage at the population level. Wastewater analyses complements other indicators of drug use, and has the added advantage of generating near real-time data on geographical and temporal trends.
For this survey, wastewater samples were collected from the influent of 15 wastewater treatment plants (serving close to 8.7 million Canadians) for seven consecutive days during the second week of every month. The daily samples were analyzed at the Health Canada Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch laboratory in Toronto. Laboratory results and population estimates for each region were then combined to estimate drug loads per capita in each community.
The table published with this release includes the estimates of weekly load per capita, detection rate, and imputation rate by drug and by municipality for wastewater samples which were collected by the Canadian Wastewater Survey (CWS) from August to December 2019 and from August to December 2020.
Limitations of the Canadian Wastewater Survey
Wastewater-based epidemiology is an inexpensive and powerful tool for estimating community level drug consumption without the need for self-reported drug use surveys. There are, however, some limitations in the analysis and interpretation of estimates from wastewater samples (many of which have been previously described in the report "Wastewater-based Estimates of Cannabis and Drug Use in Canada: Pilot test Detailed Results") and as such, these results should be interpreted with caution. The effects of certain other factors, such as time the samples spent in storage, which may affect the comparability of the results from 2019 to 2020 are currently being investigated. It should also be noted that raw numbers are not comparable to the pilot study due to a change in methodology and analytical labs.
Interpretation of Canadian Wastewater Survey load estimates
It should be noted that some of the measured loads reflect levels of the parent drugs and not the exclusive metabolites. This introduces additional challenges in measuring changes in levels that are strictly due to consumption since it is possible for the load of the drug in wastewater to be elevated due to discharges from drug manufacturing (pharma or dumping).
An additional consideration when interpreting morphine levels in wastewater is that morphine is the metabolite of several other drugs including codeine and heroin. This means levels of morphine in wastewater can be influenced by these drugs, and the levels are not solely an indication of morphine use.
It should be noted that the reduction in the levels of codeine in wastewater may be multi-factorial and it is challenging to attribute the reduction solely to cancellation of surgeries, or implementation of a new regulation.
Interpretation of Montréal load estimates
Drug load estimates for Montréal should be interpreted with caution. Although loads are normalized for wastewater flow and population, the exceptionally low levels of many drugs seen in Montréal wastewater require further investigation.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; [email protected]) or Media Relations ([email protected]).
Report a problem on this page
Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?
Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.
- Date modified: | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220309/dq220309c-eng.htm |
Child Labours Association Social Services is a non-governmental organization (NGO). The registration number of the organization is: 7377?(28-10-1999)?. It was established in the year 1999?. Child Labours Association Social Services works in the area of Education & Literacy, etc. The organization works towards the promotion of sustainable development. The organization operates in Andhra Pradesh, India.
We have Not updated about documents, come back soon or contact to us.
R Venkateshwar Rao , 040-27202337
Note:This profile page is registered for donations, advertisement, and promotion purpose. While all the information is deemed to be correct, we have not verified them and does not endorse the accuracy of the information published on this website. Readers/Donors are strongly advised to verify them on their own and use the information at their own risk. If you are a business owner click here to manage this profile page. | https://www.searchdonation.com/ngo/child-labours-association-social-services.php |
Rapid testing for group B streptococcus during labour: a test accuracy study with evaluation of acceptability and cost-effectiveness.
To determine the accuracy, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and optical immunoassay (OIA) rapid tests for maternal group B streptococcal (GBS) colonisation at labour. A test accuracy study was used to determine the accuracy of rapid tests for GBS colonisation of women in labour. Acceptability of testing to participants was evaluated through a questionnaire administered after delivery, and acceptability to staff through focus groups. A decision-analytic model was constructed to assess the cost-effectiveness of various screening strategies. Two large obstetric units in the UK. Women booked for delivery at the participating units other than those electing for a Caesarean delivery. Vaginal and rectal swabs were obtained at the onset of labour and the results of vaginal and rectal PCR and OIA (index) tests were compared with the reference standard of enriched culture of combined vaginal and rectal swabs. The accuracy of the index tests, the relative accuracies of tests on vaginal and rectal swabs and whether test accuracy varied according to the presence or absence of maternal risk factors. PCR was significantly more accurate than OIA for the detection of maternal GBS colonisation. Combined vaginal or rectal swab index tests were more sensitive than either test considered individually [combined swab sensitivity for PCR 84% (95% CI 79-88%); vaginal swab 58% (52-64%); rectal swab 71% (66-76%)]. The highest sensitivity for PCR came at the cost of lower specificity [combined specificity 87% (95% CI 85-89%); vaginal swab 92% (90-94%); rectal swab 92% (90-93%)]. The sensitivity and specificity of rapid tests varied according to the presence or absence of maternal risk factors, but not consistently. PCR results were determinants of neonatal GBS colonisation, but maternal risk factors were not. Overall levels of acceptability for rapid testing amongst participants were high. Vaginal swabs were more acceptable than rectal swabs. South Asian women were least likely to have participated in the study and were less happy with the sampling procedure and with the prospect of rapid testing as part of routine care. Midwives were generally positive towards rapid testing but had concerns that it might lead to overtreatment and unnecessary interference in births. Modelling analysis revealed that the most cost-effective strategy was to provide routine intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all women without screening. Removing this strategy, which is unlikely to be acceptable to most women and midwives, resulted in screening, based on a culture test at 35-37 weeks' gestation, with the provision of antibiotics to all women who screened positive being most cost-effective, assuming that all women in premature labour would receive IAP. The results were sensitive to very small increases in costs and changes in other assumptions. Screening using a rapid test was not cost-effective based on its current sensitivity, specificity and cost. Neither rapid test was sufficiently accurate to recommend it for routine use in clinical practice. IAP directed by screening with enriched culture at 35-37 weeks' gestation is likely to be the most acceptable cost-effective strategy, although it is premature to suggest the implementation of this strategy at present.
| |
09/13/2017 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/13/2017 12:48
Current healthcare trends would be witnessing more changes (or disruptions) as the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) takes effect worldwide.
The looming 4IR will see AI (Artificial Intelligence) playing a major role in providing more efficient healthcare services.
At Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), researchers at the Institute for Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) have been 'tinkering' with biotechnology and genetic engineering, synergising the two in looking for solutions to healthcare and wellness issues. Genetic 'editing' is poised to be utilised for greater effect in enhancing the standards of health and wellbeing in communities.
Other advances already taking shape around the world include the ability to use vast amounts of data to optimise healthcare services. The availability of Big Data storage and Deep Learning capability of AI would ensure that disease detection could be done more effectively, resulting in more personalised and customised treatments offered, based on each patient's personal background, and at the same time making detection and preventive measures much more reliable. One example would be Google's Deepmind Health project.
As automations and AIs would be used within a wider context, large amounts of data could be used to determine and define specified treatments for different types of diseases as well as the possible variations or mutations that might occur. Atomwise has launched an effort in treating the Ebola virus. Prescriptions given based on Precision Medicine and Deep Genomics would be done more widely as AI would be serving patients and customers at pharmacies on a bigger scale, taking the burden of the current healthcare system.
Presently, there are various apps which can be used to measure an individual's health conditions. Advances in AI would result in the availability of Predictive Analytics, which utilises image and voice analyses to determine health conditions. Affectiva, BeyondVerbal and Samsung's Medison are some of the systems already serving the public in relation to providing recommendations for treatment based on predictive algorithm platforms.
In addition, virtual assistants or 'chatbots' would also be available to facilitate the diagnosis of illnesses. Baidu, the search engine from China has launched a chatbot, allowing potential patients to communicate and set appointment with local doctors. Such virtual assistants could also serve to monitor health conditions and suggest personalised treatment and medication plans.
Healthcare is a basic need and everyone would have easier access to it due to advances made in technology and automation. Greater understanding, rapid detection and personalised treatment would now be possible as technology progresses even further.
The integration of AI into the healthcare system is undeniable as we move into the future. AI could provide the necessary links with IOT-linked systems, which would provide precision medical services more effectively and efficiently, encompassing many aspects relating to the needs and conditions of individual patients or even the whole community. | https://www.publicnow.com/view/389A27AE3C1B85FDD00B6CDE4E2673E67D9CDFC9 |
The clients had recently extended and renovated the kitchen of the property and wanted a stylish family garden to match the house interior. The main requirements for the family garden were a place for relaxation and entertainment plus a play area, incorporating a climbing frame, for their two children. There is a line of conifers at the back of the garden which dominates the space although it does offer screening from the road beyond.
The family garden design combines functionality and contemporary elegance to create an unusual and usable space. It is divided into three areas, each with a distinct purpose and ambiance.
The first section, adjoining the house, is dedicated to relaxation and entertainment. Directly outside the patio doors is an area of oak decking, chosen to echo the floor of the kitchen. This deck is large enough to accommodate a weatherproof rattan sofa. Along the right side of this section is an outdoor dining area. Surfaced with Mint Fossil sandstone, this area benefits from a substantial dining table and benches constructed from railway sleepers.
The second, central area of the garden is planted with low maintenance architectural plants. Four screens of various dimensions emerge from the planting and help to obscure the rear of the space from view. Each screen features a different material: wooden panelling, textured stone tiles, stainless steel mesh and orange Perspex. A stainless steel water blade installed on one of the screens gives the space a contemporary feel that emulates the interior of the house.
To the rear of the garden the final section is home to the children’s large timber climbing fort and a storage unit for the family’s bicycles. This section is hidden from view by a long timber screen. Artificial lawn provides an extremely low maintenance and safe surface beneath the climbing frame. The existing row of conifers at the back of the garden was retained to provide a backdrop to the garden and privacy from the road beyond. | https://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/kowloonbay_portfolio/family-garden-design-in-north-london/ |
last decades, greatly improving the resolution at which anatomy and function can be studied and quantified. TU Delft and Erasmus MC have contributed to important breakthroughs in this field. Innovative technologies are starting to reveal phenomena down to scale of individual molecules, enabling us to study health and disease with ever increasing precision. And imaging data help to carry out interventions and surgery more precisely and less invasive.
Novel technologies such as AI enable faster image acquisition, and improved interpretation of imaging data. Through convergence of our joint expertise over the whole biomedical imaging chain, we can generate an enduring impact on different healthcare settings where biomedical imaging plays a major role, with a focus on the value for the patient
Flagship “Deep Imaging”
We envision deep imaging as the integration of imaging physics, chemistry, biology and artificial intelligence. In this flagship, we will advance detector technology, image reconstruction, imaging tracers, and image analysis
- to increase the diagnostic and prognostic information that can be derived from imaging data
- to improve image guided interventions. | https://convergence.healthandtechnology.nl/pages/biomedicalimaging |
Robert Morris sued Consolidated Rail Corporation for exposing him to vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical. Morris suffered no long-term physical harm, but sued for expenses he alleged he would incur to monitor his medical condition and for emotional distress. The emotional distress claim was based on his fear that the exposure would cause cancer later in his life.
The trial judge excluded evidence from Morris’ expert witness regarding his need for medical monitoring and fear of cancer. The jury agreed that Consolidated had exposed him to a toxic chemical but, in the absence of evidence that his harm was more than temporary discomfort, awarded him only $500 in damages. The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the trial court’s decision to exclude the expert testimony and thus affirmed the $500 judgment.
Facts of the Case
The lawsuit arose after a freight train derailed while crossing a bridge in New Jersey, releasing about 20,000 gallons of vinyl chloride into the atmosphere. The National Cancer Institute explains that vinyl chloride “is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.”
The train apparently derailed because the swing-span bridge was not in a locked position. In the year before the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board received 23 complaints from train crews about the failure of the bridge to close and lock. Consolidated owned the bridge and the train that derailed while crossing it.
Morris was enveloped by a cloud of vinyl chloride after the derailment. He sued Consolidated and retained Dr. Omowummi Osinubi to determine whether he had any medical conditions associated with the exposure and whether he would benefit from a medical monitoring program.
Dr. Osinubi prepared an expert report. He concluded that Morris faced an increase in the risk of liver cancer due to his exposure to vinyl chloride and that annual weight-loss and lifestyle coaching would reduce that risk.
Consolidated moved to exclude Dr. Osinubi’s testimony on the ground that it was not supported by a reliable methodology. The trial court granted the motion. While Consolidated also argued that Morris could not prevail at trial without Dr. Osinubi’s testimony, the trial court allowed the case to proceed to trial based on Morris’ own testimony concerning the pain and suffering that resulted from his exposure to a toxic chemical.
Daubert Hearing
The trial court conducted a Daubert hearing before excluding Dr. Osinubi’s testimony. For reasons that are not made clear in the appellate opinion, Dr. Osinubi did not attend the hearing. The outcome of the case may have been different if Dr. Osinubi had been present to defend his methodology.
Consolidated relied on the testimony of its own expert, Dr. Douglas Weed, who agreed that exposure to vinyl chloride increases the risk of liver cancer, but faulted Dr. Osinubi’s report for not making clear that it only increases the risk of a specific type of liver cancer.
More problematic is that Dr. Osinubi’s report relied on data about the increased cancer risk caused by chronic exposure to vinyl chloride, while Morris was exposed to vinyl chloride only once and for a short period of time. Dr. Weed opined that the specific kind of liver cancer caused by vinyl chloride exposure only results from prolonged exposure to higher levels of of the chemical than Morris experienced.
Dr. Weed complained that Dr. Osinubi’s report failed to reveal that Dr. Osinubi reviewed scientific literature and failed to explain what criteria, if any, she relied upon in rendering her opinion. Dr. Weed faulted Dr. Osinubi’s methodology as “devoid of reliability” and contended that her opinions amounted to personal subjective views rather than reliable scientific evidence.
Appellate Opinion
The Court of Appeals rejected Morris’ argument that the trial court departed from its gatekeeping role when it declared its intention to make sure that the toxic chemical exposure caused Morris’ injuries. The Court of Appeals concluded that Morris took that comment out of the context provided by the entirety of the trial judge’s remarks during the Daubert hearing.
The trial judge stated that he was not attacking Dr. Osinubi’s opinions but was asking whether she used a recognized method to arrive at those opinions. The trial court based its decision on the absence of any study linking short-term exposure to vinyl chloride to an increased risk of liver cancer. In her deposition, Dr. Osinubi admitted that no such studies existed.
The Court of Appeals thought it was significant that Dr. Osinubi failed to consider more than forty studies that Dr. Weed brought to the court’s attention. The downside to not having Dr. Osinubi present during the hearing was that Morris had no way to explain whether Dr. Osinubi made a reasonable and considered decision not to rely upon those studies. Morris’ counsel could only tell the court that Dr. Osinubi was never asked about the studies during her deposition — a response that failed to explain whether the studies were, in fact, relevant to the legitimacy of Morris’ fear of cancer.
Since Dr. Osinubi had no scientific evidence that Morris’ short-term exposure to vinyl chloride elevated his cancer risk, the trial court concluded that there was no basis for Dr. Osinubi’s belief that Morris required medical monitoring in the future. And since New Jersey law requires expert evidence to establish that a fear of enhanced risk of contracting a future disease is reasonable, there was no basis for Morris’ claim that he suffered emotional distress based on a fear of future injury.
Judgment Affirmed
Of course, victims of chemical exposures who are not doctors or environmental scientists might reasonably fear the future onset of cancer after reading on a government website that vinyl chloride causes cancer. The fact that studies show a correlation between chronic exposures and an elevated risk does not rule out the possibility that a short-term exposure might also cause cancer. That possibility might produce a legitimate fear that leads to emotional distress. Without any serious discussion of the issue, the appellate court apparently assumed that a fear of a future health consequence is not reasonable unless studies establish that the health consequence is likely to occur.
In the absence of a reliable methodology to establish that the exposure caused Morris any harm, the trial court affirmed the exclusion of Dr. Osinubi’s testimony. The court also affirmed the judgment, rejecting Consolidated’s argument that Morris was not entitled to a trial in the absence of expert evidence. Stipulated facts allowed the jury to conclude that any exposure to vinyl chloride can irritate eyes, affect respiration, and cause other short-term symptoms. A government report established that many people exposed to the toxic cloud had difficulty breathing after the train derailment.
Coupled with Morris’ own testimony about eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and a burning sensation on his skin immediately following exposure to the cloud of vinyl chloride, the jury had objective evidence upon which to base a finding that the vinyl chloride caused pain and suffering to Morris. Since objective evidence supported that finding, New Jersey law did not require expert testimony to establish causation of effects that immediately followed the exposure. | https://blog.expertpages.com/expertwitness/third-circuit-affirms-exclusion-of-expert-testimony-regarding-fear-of-enhanced-cancer-risk.htm |
On September 30 to October 3, the 2019 PEN International Congress was hosted by PEN Philippines and held in Manila. It was attended by over 150 writers and PEN members from 65 PEN Centres across the globe, and the first time in the history of PEN International for it to be held in Southeast Asia.
This year’s theme was “Speaking in Tongues: Literary Freedom and Indigenous Languages.” Taking center stage were minority rights as well as indigenous languages, some of which PEN said were in danger of extinction due to globalization and the dominance of a few languages. The theme closely reflects the declaration by the United Nations of 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
The extensive public program included events held at the De La Salle University, the Cultural Center of Philippines and the National Museum of Fine Art in Manila.
Prominent keynote speakers including Fernand de Varennes United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues and Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, founder of Rappler media, and writers and journalists from more than 65 countries, representing at least 30 languages around the world and 17 Filipino languages.
Elected as Vice Presidents of PEN International during the Congress were Svetlana Alexiévich, who won the Nobel Prize in 2015; Orhan Pamuk, who won the Nobel Prize in 2006; Frankie Sionil José, Elena Poniatowska, and Luisa Valenzuela. All were voted by unanimous decision by the Assembly of Delegates. Francisco Sionil Jose is one of the most acclaimed writers in the Philippines. His novels and short stories, translated into 28 languages, depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. He is also founder of the PEN Philippines Center.
During the public events, journalists and writers discussed important themes surrounding the role of women writers in media, crisis in media and hate speech, the free speech crisis in different regions in the world, indigenous language rights, and the role of literature.
As well as other events of the Congress, Public discussions focused on:
- Indigenous languages under threat
- Impact of digital media and algorithms in Freedom of Expression.
- Role of Woman Writers in contemporary media.
- Hate Speech
As part of its annual routine, PEN International also issued a report on the host country, citing continuing threats to press freedom and literary expression in the Philippines.
Public actions
On 1st of October, PEN members released a statement to demand freedom of expression and assembly in Hong Kong. The statement said:
Alarmed at the events in Hong Kong on the 70th Anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, shortly after the 5th Anniversary of the Umbrella Movement, 72 PEN Centres from all around the world meeting at the 85th PEN International Congress in Manila, Philippines, demand that the Hong Kong government respects the right of free expression of journalists and writers and the right to freedom of assembly. We condemn the excessive use of force by the police, which has accelerated to the point of using live ammunition. On October 1, an eighteen-year-old protestor was shot and five live rounds were fired across different locations.
On October 2, the delegates remembered the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated on 2nd of October 2018 in the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Turkey. All the delegates and writers remembered him with an Empty Chair Memorial.
Jennifer Clement, President of PEN International, Eric Lax, Treasurer of PEN International, Dan Gorman, President of English PEN; Nik Williams of Scottish PEN, and Hayder Alwali, Board Member of PEN Iraq, visited the Saudi Embassy to hand over a letter regarding the murder of Khashoggi, signed by the delegates.
Congress resolutions
The assembly passed a number of resolutions on a number of issues, including situations of freedom of expression, threats to democracy, migration, and displaced writers, and attacks to freedom of expression in places such as Crimea, Iran and, among others.
Jennifer Clement, PEN International President, Per Wästberg, Emeritus PEN International President and Chair of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Eric Lax, Vice President of PEN International, Nayantara Sahgal, Vice President of PEN International, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Vice President of PEN International, and Paul Muldoon, Board Member of PEN America, presented a Resolution regarding The Democracy of the Imagination. An excerpt from the Resolution reads: “PEN believes the imagination allows writers and readers to transcend their own place in the world to include the ideas of others. This place for some writers has been prison where the imagination has meant interior freedom and, often, survival.”
The assembly passed a Resolution on the potential abuse of the United States Espionage Act in the demand of extradition of Julian Assange as an attack on freedom of expression"
The assembly also condemned the "suppression of free speech" by China in Hong Kong and Tibet and "human rights violations" in North Korea and Vietnam. Similarly, another resolution condemned the continued "stigmatization of the Belarusian language in Belarus, where the authorities have been seeking to assert the dominance of the Russian language.
In another broad resolution regarding the "threats to freedom of expression and peace in South and East Asia," the assembly condemned "systematic human rights violations" in North Korea and Vietnam.
PEN said it was "deeply concerned" by the "violent persecution of minority groups" such as the Rohingya of Myanmar and the Uyghur of China by "both state and non-state actors."
The assembly passed the PEN Philippines-proposed "Resolution on the promotion of language justice and the protection of the cultural integrity of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines.
The 85th PEN International Congress in Manila in figures and facts:
- 146 delegates
- 65 Countries
- 67 PEN Centres
- 4 working languages: English, French, Spanish, Filipino
Our work in Philippines
- Archive
- View all: | https://pen-international.org/news/manila-hosts-2019-pen-international-congress |
The equity market has been on an upward trajectory in the past decade, with many analysts predicting that this will not end anytime soon. The demand for equity research analysts courses will also increase in the next few years as they are tasked with understanding global trends and predicting how these trends will impact the financial markets.
In order to meet this increased need, a number of universities have begun offering courses in finance and equities research analysis. Read on to see the global trends dictating the equity markets in 2021.
Here are the global trends of equity markets in 2021
- The demand for analysis and equity research is projected to increase in 2021. This could be attributed to the increasing need for financial information investors from various sectors due to changing market dynamics. This trend is also reflected in the increasing need for equity-research analysts as companies seek more detailed information before investing in a new project or making an acquisition.
- In 2021, it is estimated that the demand for equity research analysts will be fueled by an increase in mergers and acquisitions. With higher spending on technology, companies are expected to pursue bolder growth strategies through mergers and acquisitions. This trend suggests a strong need for a financial analysis before these transactions can take place.
- The global equity markets in 2021 will see a shift in focus from developed countries to emerging economies. This trend is supported by investors' growing interest in companies that are more capable of generating higher returns on investments and less vulnerable to economic recessions.
- The equity markets in 2021 will be characterized by more risks due to the continued existence of high volatility. This trend is supported by increased demand for passive investment strategies as investors are seeking low-cost alternatives with greater stability.
- In 2021, it is projected that companies will continue focusing on talent management through effective succession planning and developing their top-performing employees. This trend will positively impact the demand for experienced equity analysts who can help identify and retain talented individuals within their organization.
- In 2021, it is estimated that global investors will continue to embrace passive investment strategies as they are usually lower risk with low volatility compared to active management approaches, which tend to be more expensive and more exposed to market risk.
- The demand for equity research analysts is expected to be driven by the growth of technology companies in 2021. This trend can be attributed to their increasing investment in innovation and development, especially in artificial intelligence (AI).
- In 2021, it is estimated that millennials will continue leading active management strategies as they seek more personalized and active management of their investments. This trend is supported by the increasing popularity and usage of Robo-advisors which provide more personalized financial advice to investors in an automated fashion.
Learn and grow as an equity research analyst with Imarticus Learning
Imarticus has been at the forefront of equipping students with the skills and knowledge required to be a successful equity research analyst. Imarticus offers certification courses in equity research, investment banking & capital markets. Imarticus offers best-in-class training by industry experts through online training and classroom coaching programs for students across India.
Some course USPs:
- Comprehensive 360-degree learning of the finance industry
- Tech-enabled learning
- Industry-oriented curriculum designed/delivered in collaboration with industry veterans and leading firms.
For more insights, contact us through the Live Chat Support system or visit our training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Gurgaon. | https://blog.imarticus.org/global-trends-to-dictate-equity-markets-in-2021/ |
Mains d’Œuvres' mission is to run a cultural centre dedicated to social and artistic invention. Our primary vocation is to welcome and assist artists, arts organisation and professionals from the civil society who are involved in thinking, research, emerging and non-institutional practices, with a view to promoting their insertion into the art world. The centre is mainly a workspace offering long residencies (three years on average) to achieve this professional level. We accompany projects in all disciplines (drama, dance, music, visual arts etc.) and multidisciplinary projects, or those pertaining to the field of digital arts. Beyond this principal vocation, activities of diffusion, production and public gatherings etc. are developing. Firmly anchored in its region, constantly seeking sensitive crossovers linking art and society, Mains d’Œuvres is a resolutely multiple venue, open to all.
IRCAM
Ircam is active in all the fields linked to sound research (from fundamental research to industrial opportunities) and musical creation, for concerts or performing arts, thanks to seven research and development teams, a production department having set up some 97 concerts, operas and performances in 2011, and an education department which organises numerous training sessions. Today Ircam is one of the largest, publicly funded research centres in the world dedicated to musical creation and scientific research. A unique venue where art prospection and scientific and technological innovation converge, the institute has been directed by Frank Madlener since 2006, and comprises more than 160 collaborators. Ircam is developing its three major axes (creation, research and transmission) with a season in Paris, an annual festival and touring shows in France and abroad. A multidisciplinary academy of creation, (a first in France) set up by the festival that revealed it, was launched in June 2012.
MAC VAL
The MAC/VAL is the first museum in France to be exclusively dedicated to contemporary art. It opened in November 2005, after twenty three years of history going back to the establishment of the departmental collection of contemporary art (FDAC). The artistic policy of the museum is precisely defined: contemporary art in France, and is exercised with a view to having an impact, in order to offer the discovery of the art of our time to every section of the public. Encounters are at the heart of the MAC/VAL project: a singular collection which is witness to the strong involvment with the inhabitants and which participates in the identity of the territory. The museum is the tool for this encounter, by providing custom-made, original visits and exemplary actions conducted for the handicapped or inmate populations. Also at the heart of the MAC/VAL project: is the constitution, conservation and promotion of a contemporary art collection, which demonstrates the richness of the living heritage. Over the years the MAC/VAL's permanent collection has acquired a unique character which brings together French art creation from the 1950's to the present day. The collection is composed of more than 2000 works, among which the work of many of key artists on the national scene such as Christian Boltanski, Bruno Perrament, Claude Closky, Gina Pane, Annette Messager, Pierre Huyghe… but also the work of emerging artists, revealing the MAC/VAL's wish to support artists and be closer to contemporary creation. In order to create new readings end generate new ways of looking at its collection, the MAC/VAL also invites artists to temporarily intervene during each new exhibition. As for the residencies, they also require to explore and involve the museum.
LOCUS SONUS
The laboratory's creation responds to the emerging framework for research in higher arts schools. Its objective is to experiment with the innovative and interdisciplinary forms and sound art practices with regard to the issues of spaces and networks. On the one hand, its mission is to create a body of knowledge and a critical space concerned with audio art practices that are in the midst of an evolution, in the current context of major technological and socio-technical development, and on the other hand to explore the historical context which founded these practices at the crossroads of the fields of music and visual arts (sound installation, sound art, electronic and electroacoustic musical performance, audio art, digital arts, network arts etc.) The Locus Sonus laboratory of research in art has worked, since its launch in 2004, on the reciprocal challenges between spatial audio and network audio. It is available as a post-graduate diploma by a pool of arts schools: ESA Aix in Provence, ENSA in Bourges (since 2010), ENSA Nice Villa Arson (2004/2010), ESBAM Marseille (2007/2008). The laboratory offers work and production processes which methodologically combine practical experimentation with critical evaluation by publishing the work as public art productions. Specialised in spatial and networked sound, Locus Sonus has opened a field of research on the creative territories linked to the interconnection of spaces by the transport of sounds. This investigation engages the intersection of several points of view: the artistic one, through the interrogation of forms and practices of sound art and how they engage the public, the technological one, of artistic experiments on the tools and systems of communication that are rapidly evolving, and as a consequence, the evolution of the creative and social locus generated by sound and technological spaces. The research directions currently engaged concern the fields of ‘sonification’ and hybridisation of the virtual and physical space (New Atlantis), as well as the issues linked to remote listening, in the NMSAT documentary program (The history of sound art and of network music). At the same time, the collective projects elaborated during the last few years continue to develop, such as the Locustream (a live streaming network of open microphones around the world) as well as the interfaces and installations that have flowed on from them (SoundMap,Tardis, etc.). The resources of the laboratory are open and available to researchers and artists.
TU-NANTES
To enable creation, diffusion and training activities in performance arts.
SCÈNES CROISÉES DE LOZÈRE
To support the diffusion and creation of artistic works by setting up a touring program of performing arts in the department. To establish an active policy of cultural events linked to invited artists who seek to develop and renew their audiences. To create an artistic and cultural education policy for young people, especially in schools, through the education service. The establishment of events which encourage and facilitate the development of amateur practices. To establish a resource assignment through observation, information, advice, expertise and evaluation to benefit the local cultural development. These missions are growing trough a scheme involving networking and the support of cultural professionals in order to encourage the emergence of cultural projects in the region. All of these missions are focused on the field of performing arts (music, dance, drama, circus, street arts...) without however excluding visual and digital arts. A touring project in the Lozère department, Scènes Croisées does not have a permanent venue.
SECONDE NATURE
Creation and diffusion, production assistance, mediation and training, as well as any action promoting digital arts and electronic music.
SCÈNE NATIONALE AUBUSSON
To support contemporary creation. To host and show performances. To raise an awareness towards performing arts and to develop special activities. | https://media.digitalarti.com/place/search?field_place_region_value_many_to_one=All&tid=34572 |
Communities and Areas at Intensive Risk
Disaster risk reduction and the building of community resilience have emerged as key priorities of governments, businesses (the insurance sector in particular), and national and international communities. While the increasing frequency and intensity of weather-related hazards share part of the responsibility for this emergence, it is also attributable to the increased exposure and vulnerability of communities. Factors contributing to this vulnerability and exposure arise from human choices, and therefore, may be mitigated by strategic planning. It is widely accepted that natural hazards do not create disasters without human risk and exposure. In other words, humans and human institutions can contribute greatly to their own risk – and to their protection – from disasters.
Data is not the same as information, nor does understanding of processes necessarily translate into decision support for hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Accordingly, NASA is engaging the scientific and decision-support communities to develop community groups focused on applying remote sensing, modeling, and related applications in areas at intensive risk. These areas include coastal regions vulnerable to coastal erosion, sea level rise coupled with land subsidence, severe storms, earthquakes and tsunamis; mountainous regions that expose communities to unstable landscape elements such as flash flooding, landslides, and glacial movements; and small island regions that face sea level rise, tropical cyclones and storm surge, and subsidence. Provided below are short descriptions of each CAIR (Communities and Areas at Intensive Risk) project and associated region, along with the overarching programmatic goals and relevant actors.
Coastal Regions
Sea level rise, severe storms, subsidence, earthquakes, and tsunami risks are complex hazards to coastal landscapes. Presently, approximately 200 million people worldwide live along coastlines less than 5 meters above sea level. These populations and related economic activities are exposed to low- to mid-frequency events, but of particularly high severity. For example, though hurricane impacts to the U.S. coastline are relatively uncommon (compared to, for example, tornadoes elsewhere in the U.S.), a single landfalling hurricane brings combined hazards of heavy rainfall, flooding, destructive storm surge, and high winds that impact a large area. Vulnerable persons and property in these areas may be subject to catastrophic disaster impacts with high mortality and asset loss. Two demonstration projects exist to represent the distinct characteristics of risk for coastal regions, with exposure and vulnerability reflected along various continental coastline areas, one focused on the mid-Atlantic and the other on the U.S. Pacific coast.
The Pacific CAIR project uses coastal Global Positioning System networks to infer seafloor displacement due to large earthquakes. Rapid observation of these displacements will improve understanding of the power and scale of a potential tsunami to guide emergency warnings before they reach coastal areas. The initial phase of this project tested successfully on two independent platforms, and received confirmation of the feasibility and reliability to offer the best solution for early detection. Future actions include engagement with local stakeholders and demonstrations of the applicability of these geospatial tools by emergency managers and other decision-making agencies. Promotion of the access and availability of this data also needs to occur, along with potential for testing, and integration into planning and program management.
Multiple locations are included in the Pacific region scenario – Cascadia: coastal regions of California, Oregon, and Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. To date, this team is comprised of actors from NASA: Jet Propulsion Lab, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Central Washington University, University of Washington, and University of Oregon, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: both the Pacific and National Tsunami Warning Centers. Immediate next steps for this team are to: 1) determine a specific region to focus activities, and 2) increase the network of partners and stakeholders to ensure end-user integration of these activities into regular activities.
High Mountain Regions
High mountain areas, glaciers, rocks, and permafrost exist in various configurations of unstable landscape elements (e.g., landforms, bedrock, debris, and water bodies) often located near vulnerable human populations and infrastructure. This project intends to integrate satellite remote sensing with ground data to increase the knowledge and understanding of hazards in high mountain areas due to atmospheric and Earth-surface dynamics.
This team will focus on four key regions: Cascadia, Alaska, the Northern Andes, and Himalayas. While the physics of hazardous events may be similar, the geography is different; therefore, knowledge gained in one region may not be readily applicable elsewhere. For example, glacial surges or advances often trigger glacial lake outburst floods in Alaska; however, in the Himalayas, landslides or glacial calving into lakes, or piping through glacial or ice-cored moraine dams are the primary triggers. For this reason, improved representation of glacier boundary conditions in numerical modeling, better characterization of thermal conditions, interactions with subglacial material, and knowledge of subglacial plumbing are required to understand these hazards.
Transferring knowledge of these landscapes and intensive risk scenarios requires collaboration, establishing trust between scientists and emergency managers, exchange of expertise and understanding, and collaborations focused on local community actors and emergency planners. This demonstration will include selection of a pilot location, determining the needs and vulnerabilities of the pilot area by working with local actors, and developing ensemble approaches (i.e., the use of multiple data from satellites and sensors) needed to identify and address the risks associated with this region.
Small Island Regions
This project is in the research phase. Focus areas under consideration include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. This project seeks to characterize the risks from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis to low-lying communities often isolated and have limitations in their economic and distributive capacities. Possible concepts include the use of Data Cubes – a data processing platform for Earth science data with a focus on remote sensing – and case studies reflecting on efforts in reconstruction and recovery. | https://disasters.nasa.gov/resilience/cair |
Background
==========
Neural processing of emotions engages diverse structures from the highest to the lowest levels of the neuraxis. On one hand, high-order association areas are necessary to understand the significance of an emotional situation, and on the other hand, low level structures must be activated to express the emotion through changes in the rhythm of peripheral organs. The orbitofrontal cortex participates in both of these processes (reviewed in \[[@B1],[@B2]\]) and when damaged, patients lack emotional propriety, and do not show changes in heart rate and skin responses that normally accompany emotional arousal \[[@B3],[@B4]\]. A related medial prefrontal area, in the anterior cingulate, has a role in emotions as well, specializing in the expression of emotions through pathways to autonomic structures in primates \[[@B5],[@B6]\] as well as in rats (e.g., \[[@B7]-[@B12]\]). Both prefrontal regions are connected with the amygdala, a structure with a key role in emotions (reviewed in \[[@B13]-[@B15]\]).
The existence of diverse pathways that underlie emotional processing through the prefrontal cortex in primates has been described in piecemeal fashion in separate studies (for reviews see \[[@B15]-[@B17]\]). It is not clear if pathways from the prefrontal cortex to autonomic structures are circuitous or relatively direct. Another open question is whether previously described pathways from prefrontal areas synapse in autonomic structures \[[@B5],[@B6]\], or merely pass through. This information is critical, because key autonomic structures in the hypothalamus and brainstem are major thoroughfares for numerous and unrelated pathways (for review see \[[@B18]\]). Here we provide direct evidence that pathways synapsing in the hypothalamus link high-level prefrontal association cortex with low-level autonomic structures. These serial pathways may allow direct cortical control of autonomic functions in response to complex emotional situations.
Results
=======
Serial pathways link prefrontal cortices with hypothalamic, spinal, and brainstem autonomic centers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We first investigated if pathways that can transmit information from prefrontal cortex to autonomic centers overlap in the hypothalamus with pathways that innervate the lowest autonomic level in the intermediolateral column of the spinal cord. We addressed this question by placing a bidirectional tracer in orbitofrontal area 12 to investigate if axons from this area terminate in the hypothalamus (Fig. [1A](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). In the same animal, we placed a different retrograde tracer in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord (Fig. [1B](#F1){ref-type="fig"}) to determine if neurons in the hypothalamus project to this spinal autonomic region (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case AV). This approach indicated that the two pathways overlap in the hypothalamus, demonstrated by intermixing of axonal terminations from the prefrontal pathway, and labeled projection neurons giving rise to the lower pathway leading to the spinal cord. Specifically, the pathways overlapped in several hypothalamic centers that are involved in autonomic control, including the dorsal hypothalamic area and tuberomammillary nucleus (Fig. [1C](#F1){ref-type="fig"}, DA, TM), the perifornical nucleus (Fig. [1D](#F1){ref-type="fig"}, Pef), and the fields of Forel (Fig. [1E](#F1){ref-type="fig"}, FF). Axons originating in prefrontal area 12 also reached the lateral hypothalamic area (LA), anterior hypothalamic area, and posterior hypothalamic area. In the same experiment we found that prefrontal area 12 received projections from the basolateral (BL) and lateral (L) nuclei of the amygdala (Fig. [1F](#F1){ref-type="fig"}, red dots).
We then used a different approach to obtain an overview of the origin and relative strength of serial pathways leading from the prefrontal cortex to the hypothalamus, and from the hypothalamus to autonomic regions in the brainstem, in addition to the spinal autonomic center, demonstrated above. We addressed this question by placing a bidirectional tracer in the lateral hypothalamic area (Fig. [2B](#F2){ref-type="fig"}; Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case AX), which has robust and bidirectional connections with prefrontal cortices \[[@B5]\]. We then mapped projection neurons which originated most densely in posterior orbitofrontal (areas 13, 25, O12) and medial (areas 24, 32, 14) prefrontal areas, leading to the hypothalamus (Fig. [2A](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). In turn, axons from the same hypothalamic area terminated in the intermediolateral column (IML) of the spinal cord (Fig. [2E](#F2){ref-type="fig"}), and in several brainstem sites (Fig. [2C,2D](#F2){ref-type="fig"}), including the reticular formation (RF), the parabrachial nucleus (nPB), the raphe nuclei (nRph), the periaqueductal gray (PAG), all of which participate in autonomic control (for reviews see \[[@B17],[@B18]\]). In addition, the amygdala issued projections to the same hypothalamic site, revealed by labeled projection neurons in its basal complex, and in the medial, central, and cortical nuclei (Fig. [2F](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). We confirmed these findings in another case by placing a retrograde tracer in the lateral hypothalamic area (Fig. [3C](#F3){ref-type="fig"}; Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case AW). We mapped projection neurons originating densely from the medial sector of area 25, area 32, the caudal orbitofrontal cortex (areas OPAll, OPro), and in moderate numbers from areas 24, 14, 13, 11 and 12 (Fig. [3A,3B](#F3){ref-type="fig"}) As in the previous case, we found projection neurons in the amygdala (Fig. [3D](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). Double-labeling experiments indicated that a subpopulation of these projection neurons in the amygdala were positive for the calcium binding protein calbindin, but not parvalbumin, which label distinct classes of inhibitory interneurons in the amygdala (e.g., \[[@B19],[@B20]\]). We found double-labeled, and presumably inhibitory projection neurons, mostly in the central and medial nuclei of the amygdala (not shown), confirming and extending previous findings \[[@B21],[@B22]\], but not in the basolateral nucleus (BL), which projects to the hypothalamus as well (Figs. [2F](#F2){ref-type="fig"}; [3D](#F3){ref-type="fig"}).
The connections of prefrontal cortices with the lateral hypothalamic area were bidirectional and showed a specific laminar distribution. Projection neurons in prefrontal cortices originated mostly from the deep layers (V and VI; Fig. [2A](#F2){ref-type="fig"}; [3A,3B](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). Hypothalamic efferents reached all areas of the prefrontal cortex, terminating most densely in layer I, followed by the deep layers (V-VI), and then layers II and the upper part of layer III (Fig. [2A](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). Only a small number of hypothalamic fibres terminated in layer IV (7--10%), and this pattern was seen only in orbitofrontal area OPro, area 32, and to a lesser extent in area 24.
Pathways from medial area 32 synapse in hypothalamic autonomic centers
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The independent observations from the two approaches suggest that descending pathways from the prefrontal cortex to the hypothalamus, and from the hypothalamus to the brainstem and the spinal cord are serially connected. However, because numerous pathways pass through the hypothalamus, it was necessary to determine if labeled axons from the prefrontal cortex synapse there, or simply pass through. We addressed this question at the electron microscopic level by investigating if axons from prefrontal area 32 synapse in hypothalamic autonomic centers (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case AY). We focused on area 32 because we previously found that it is heavily and bidirectionally connected with the amygdala \[[@B23],[@B24]\], and issues robust projections to hypothalamic autonomic areas, including the lateral hypothalamic area, the dorsal hypothalamic area, the posterior hypothalamic area, the perifornical nucleus, the paramammillary nucleus, the supramammillary nucleus and the tuberomammillary nucleus \[[@B5]\]. Consistent with previous findings in macaque monkeys \[[@B5],[@B6],[@B25]\], projections from area 32 did not extend to the endocrine-related paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (for review see \[[@B26]\]), a pathway described in rats (e.g., \[[@B27]\]).
For analysis at the ultrastructural level we focused on synapses formed between axonal boutons from area 32 in the lateral hypothalamic area (LA). We found many synaptic interactions between boutons from axons emanating from area 32 and neuronal elements in the lateral hypothalamic area (Fig. [4](#F4){ref-type="fig"}), and all synapses were asymmetric, suggesting that they are excitatory (n = 143). Boutons from medial area 32 synapsed with spines (55%; Fig. [4A](#F4){ref-type="fig"}) and dendrites (45%; Fig. [4B](#F4){ref-type="fig"}) of the lateral hypothalamic area. The distribution of labeled synapses differed significantly from a randomly selected population of unlabeled synapses in the region (n = 112), most of which involved dendrites (79%), while a smaller proportion (21%) involved spines (X^2^, P \<\< 0.00001). Moreover, there were significant differences in the synaptic features of a sample of labeled (n = 108), in comparison with unlabeled synapses (n = 75). The average area of profiles of labeled boutons (0.701 ± 0.003 μm^2^) was higher than the unlabeled (0.50 ± 0.03 μm^2^; P \< 0.0001), as was the average length of the synaptic density of labeled terminals (0.592 ± 0.015 μm), in comparison with unlabeled terminals (0.382 ± 0.014 μm; P \< 0.0001). These findings indicate that prefrontal axons target a specific population of postsynaptic elements.
We confirmed and extended the above data in another case, by demonstrating synaptic interactions between boutons from prefrontal area 32 and postsynaptic elements of another area engaged in autonomic control, the posterior hypothalamic area (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case BG). Double-labeling for GABA revealed that while a significant proportion of hypothalamic elements were positive for GABA, none formed synapses with boutons from the prefrontal cortex.
Discussion
==========
Combining two independent approaches to label multiple pathways simultaneously, we have demonstrated that the prefrontal cortex has relatively direct access to central autonomic structures. This evidence suggests that high-level prefrontal association areas in the posterior medial and orbitofrontal cortex can rapidly influence autonomic organs in complex emotional situations. This influence reaches as far as the spinal cord, the final central autonomic site, now demonstrated in a primate species. The present data do not directly address whether prefrontal axons terminate directly on projection neurons that innervate spinal or brainstem autonomic centers. However, in view of the massive projections from medial prefrontal cortices to hypothalamic autonomic centers \[[@B5]\], their strong synaptic interactions with presumptive excitatory neurons demonstrated here, and the robust projections leading from the hypothalamus to brainstem autonomic centers (e.g., \[[@B28]\]), it is highly likely that the serial pathways are relatively direct.
Although presumptive support for some of these pathways was provided previously \[[@B5],[@B6],[@B25]\], the possibility was not ruled out that prefrontal axons merely pass through autonomic structures, as do many other pathways \[[@B18]\]. The present study provided compelling evidence that prefrontal axons synapse with autonomic structures in the hypothalamus, terminating as large boutons, comparable in size to the highly efficient thalamocortical system \[[@B29]\]. The serial pathways mapped simultaneously provide the means for orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices to influence the expression of emotions. Orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices are in a strategic position to influence the expression of emotions through their robust and bidirectional connections with the amygdala (e.g., \[[@B23]-[@B25]\],\[[@B30]-[@B36]\]).
Orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices show some key differences in their connections, suggesting that they may have complementary roles in emotions, as summarized in Figure [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}. Orbitofrontal areas share with the amygdala a panoramic view of the entire sensory periphery, through robust connections with cortical areas representing every sensory modality (for reviews see \[[@B37],[@B38]\]). Moreover, the same sites in the amygdala that receive sensory input from the cortex also innervate the orbitofrontal cortex \[[@B24],[@B39]\]. This remarkably specific network provides the orbitofrontal cortex with dual access to the sensory environment: directly from sensory cortices (Fig. [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}, pathway so), and indirectly from the amygdala \[[@B37]\] (pathways s and s\'). The massive indirect pathway through the amygdala may allow the orbitofrontal cortex to extract the emotional significance of events \[[@B37]\]. This interpretation is supported by evidence that neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala respond to sensory stimuli only when they are significant for behavior, and cease to respond when the stimuli lose their motivational value \[[@B40]-[@B42]\].
The pathways from orbitofrontal cortex to the amygdala are equally robust and specific, terminating heavily on presumed inhibitory neurons in the intercalated masses \[[@B24]\] (Fig. [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}, pathway a), which innervate the central nucleus of the amygdala \[[@B43]\] (pathway a\'). In turn, the central nucleus innervates and inhibits hypothalamic and brainstem autonomic structures \[[@B21],[@B22]\] (pathway b). The specific projection of the orbitofrontal cortex on the intercalated masses can essentially quiet the activity of the central nucleus of the amygdala, and allow the hypothalamus and brainstem to be activated in emotional situations (Fig. [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}). This evidence suggests that joint responses of the orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala could effectively signal emotional value of the environment to the autonomic nervous system.
The medial prefrontal cortex differs from the orbitofrontal by its comparatively sparse connections with sensory areas \[[@B44]\], stronger projections to hypothalamic autonomic centers \[[@B5]\], and widespread and diffuse innervation of several nuclei of the amygdala \[[@B24]\], which project to the hypothalamus (for review see \[[@B45]\]; Fig. [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). Therefore, the medial prefrontal cortex has dual access to the emotional motor system: through a direct pathway to hypothalamic and brainstem autonomic centers \[[@B5],[@B6],[@B46]\] (pathway c), and indirectly through the amygdala \[[@B24]\] (pathways d, d1 and d\') and the extended amygdala \[[@B47]\]. The direct pathway from medial area 32 avoids inhibitory interneurons, and forms asymmetric, and presumed excitatory synapses, targeting preferentially spines in the hypothalamus, which are enriched on dendrites of excitatory neurons \[[@B48]\]. A significant component of the second part of the indirect pathway courses from the basolateral nucleus to hypothalamic autonomic centers (pathway d\'). This pathway, which also appears to have excitatory bias, has a role in the process of learning the significance of motivationally relevant cues \[[@B49]\]. If proved to be excitatory in functional studies, then the medial prefrontal cortex may amplify the output of the basolateral nucleus to the hypothalamus (pathway d\'), while also exerting a direct excitatory influence on the hypothalamus through the direct pathway to the hypothalamus (Fig. [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}, pathway c). This evidence is consistent with the designation of medial prefrontal cortex as the emotional motor system \[[@B50],[@B51]\].
Appreciation of emotions is a complex and conscious process that must involve the cortex \[[@B52]\], as the amygdala is activated even when humans are unaware of having \'seen\' masked pictures of fearful faces \[[@B53]\]. Instead, the amygdala may be wired for vigilance and fast reaction when danger lurks, through thalamic pathways that bypass the cortex \[[@B54]\]. Repetitive activation of the remarkably specific and bidirectional pathways linking the amygdala with the orbitofrontal cortex \[[@B24]\] may be necessary for conscious appreciation of the emotional significance of events. Orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices are connected with each other, as well as with lateral prefrontal cortices, which are implicated in cognitive functions \[[@B55]\]. Acting in concert, the prefrontal cortex likely can evaluate emotional events and influence rapidly the lowest levels of the autonomic nervous system for emotional expression.
Conclusions
===========
We demonstrated that serial pathways link relatively directly prefrontal cortices with efferent autonomic structures. Thus, medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, which are associated with appreciation of emotions, project to hypothalamic autonomic centers, which innervate brainstem and spinal autonomic structures. The latter, in turn, innervate peripheral organs whose activity is markedly increased in emotional arousal. The pathways are robust, and at least the medial pathway from area 32 forms excitatory connections in the hypothalamus, which are comparable in size to the highly efficient thalamocortical pathways. Disruption of the prefrontal-autonomic circuits will likely have widespread repercussions in behavior. The hypothalamic sites innervated by prefrontal pathways project onto neurochemically specific structures in the brainstem \[[@B56]\], which broadcast widely to the cortex (e.g., \[[@B57]\]; for review see \[[@B58]\]). In the prefrontal cortex normal function is critically dependent on a delicate balance of transmission by dopaminergic and adrenergic fibers \[[@B59]\]. Damage to orbital and medial prefrontal areas disconnects the prefrontal cortex from the amygdala, from central autonomic structures, and from lateral prefrontal areas associated with executive functions. Such disconnection may help explain why patients with orbitofrontal lesions have inappropriate affect, lack emotional responsiveness, and make poor decisions (for review see \[[@B2]\]). At the opposite extreme, psychiatric conditions characterized by chronic anxiety, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, activate excessively the orbitofrontal cortex \[[@B60]\], and by extension may influence the function and integrity of autonomic structures and peripheral systems, such as the heart.
List of abbreviations
=====================
A, arcuate sulcus; Amy, amygdala; At, axon terminal; BDA, biotinylated dextran amine; BL, basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (mc, magnocellular division; pc, parvicellular division); BM, basomedial nucleus of the amygdala (also known as accessory basal); Ce, central nucleus of the amygdala; Cel, central nucleus of the amygdala, lateral division; Cem, central nucleus of the amygdala, medial division; Cg, cingulate sulcus; cl, claustrum; Co, cortical nucleus of the amygdala; cp, cerebral peduncle; DA, dorsal hypothalamic area; den, dendrite; EM, electron microscopy; fb, fast blue; FF, fields of Forel; fr, fluororuby; fx, fornix; GP, globus pallidus; ic, internal capsule; IM, intercalated masses; IML, intermediolateral column of the spinal cord; L, lateral nucleus of the amygdala; LA, lateral hypothalamic area; Me, medial nucleus of the amygdala; mt, mammillothalamic tract; nBM, nucleus basalis of Meynert; nPB, parabrachial nucleus; nRph, nucleus raphe; nT, nucleus tractus solitarii; ot, optic tract; PA, posterior hypothalamic area; PAG, periaqueductal grey; Pef, perifornical nucleus of the hypothalamus; PLBL, paralamellar basolateral nucleus of the amygdala; Put, putamen; RF, reticular formation; SN, substantia nigra; sp, spine; STh, subthalamic nucleus; T6, spinal thoracic level 6; TM, tuberomammilllary nucleus of the hypothalamus; VCo, ventral cortical nucleus of the amygdala; Vm, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Methods
=======
Surgery
-------
Experiments were conducted on 5 rhesus monkeys (*Macaca mulatta*) according to the NIH guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH pub. 86--23, revised 1996). Experimental protocols were approved by the IACUC at Boston Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and New England Primate Research Center. Surgery was performed under general gas anesthesia (isoflurane) and sterile conditions for injection of neural tracers, as described previously \[[@B39]\]. We determined the stereotaxic coordinates of cortical area 32 and the lateral hypothalamic area, an autonomic center, from magnetic resonance images (MRI), using as reference hollow ear bars filled with betadine salve, which is visible in MRI.
In one animal we injected fluororuby (dextran tetramethylrhodamine, MW 3000, Molecular Probes, cat. \# D3308, Eugene, OR) in prefrontal area 12, and fast blue (Sigma, cat. \# F5756, St. Louis, MO) in the intermediolateral column at the upper thoracic region (T5-T6) to label in the hypothalamus axonal terminations emanating from area 12 and projection neurons in the hypothalamus directed to the spinal cord (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, case AV). In two other animals we injected the retrograde tracer fast blue, or the bidirectional tracer BDA (biotinylated dextran amine, Molecular Probes, cat. \# D-7135, Eugene, OR) in the lateral hypothalamic area to label neurons in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala projecting to the hypothalamus, and BDA labeled axons in the brainstem and spinal autonomic centers, and prefrontal cortex (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, cases AW, AX). In two other animals we injected BDA in medial prefrontal area 32 to investigate if axons emanating from the injection site form synapses with neurons in hypothalamic autonomic centers, including the lateral hypothalamic area and the posterior hypothalamic area (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, cases AY, BG).
Tissue processing and histological procedures
---------------------------------------------
### Tissue sectioning into matched series
After a survival period of 18 days, animals were anesthetized and perfused through the heart with saline followed by 4 l of 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. For electron microscopy 0.2% glutaraldehyde was added to the perfusate. The brain was removed from the skull, photographed and cryoprotected in graded sucrose solutions (10--25% in 0.1 M phosphate buffer), frozen in -75°C isopentane, and cut in the coronal plane at 50 μm in ten series. In a case with BDA injection in the hypothalamus (Fig. [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}), the brainstem and upper thoracic spinal cord were cut in five series. In cases with fluorescent dye injections, one series was mounted and used to map labeled neurons and terminals. After plotting, sections were stained with thionin and returned to the microscope to place architectonic borders.
### Immunocytochemical procedures
In BDA experiments, one series of sections was treated in a Vector ABC Elite solution (PK-6100) overnight and 2--5 min in a 3,3\'-diaminobenzidene tetrachloride (DAB-Plus, Zymed Laboratories).
To simultaneously see if some of the fast blue labeled neurons in the amygdala projecting to the hypothalamus were inhibitory, we conducted standard immunocytochemical procedures in separate series for the calcium binding proteins calbindin and parvalbumin. These markers label distinct classes of inhibitory neurons in the amygdala (e.g., \[[@B19],[@B20]\]). The tissue was washed with 0.1 M PBS (pH 7.4) and preblocked with 10% goat serum (with 0.2% Triton-X) for 1 hour, and incubated for 2--3 days in primary antibody for parvalbumin (1:2,000; mouse monoclonal, Chemicon), or calbindin (1:2,000; mouse monoclonal, Accurate Chemical and Scientific Corp.) for 2--3 days. The tissue was then placed overnight in goat-anti-mouse IgG conjugated with the fluorescent probe Cyanoindocarbocyanine (Cy3, Chemicon, 1:800), or Alexa 488 (Molecular Probes, 1:200) with 0.1% Triton-X and 1% normal goat serum), and rinsed in PBS.
### Tissue processing for electron microscopy
BDA treated sections were processed for electron microscopy. To determine the relationship of BDA labeled boutons from prefrontal area 32 to inhibitory interneurons in the hypothalamus, BDA treated sections were processed for pre-embedding immunocytochemistry for GABA (1:1,000; mouse monoclonal, Sigma, St. Louis, MO) according to the method of Pickel et al. \[[@B61]\]. Tissue sections were mounted, viewed under the light microscope and imaged with a CCD camera while wet. Small blocks of sections with BDA label, or BDA and GABA label in the same section in hypothalamic areas were cut under a dissecting microscope, postfixed in 0.5% osmium tetroxide in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), washed in PBS and dehydrated in ascending series of alcohol, cleared in propylene oxide and embedded in Araldite at 60°C. Ultrathin sections (70 nm) were cut with a diamond knife (Diatome, Fort Washington, PA) using an ultramicrotome (Ultracut, Leica Wein, Austria) and collected on single slot grids. Sections were then stained with saturated uranyl acetate and lead citrate for transmission electron microscopy to view and photograph labeled synapses.
Data Analysis
-------------
### Light and fluorescence microscopy
We viewed tissue under bright-field or fluorescence illumination. We mapped and recorded electronically the injection site as well as projection neurons and axonal terminations. Mapping of retrogradely labeled neurons or axon terminals was conducted using a microscope-computer interface and digital plotter using software developed in our laboratory, as described previously (e.g., \[[@B44]\]), or a commercial system (Neurolucida, MicroBrightField, Colchester, VT). On the side ipsilateral to the injection site we mapped: projection neurons in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala that were retrogradely labeled after hypothalamic injections of the tracers fast blue or BDA; and axon terminals and boutons in the brainstem, spinal cord, and prefrontal cortex, labeled after injection of the bidirectional tracer BDA in the hypothalamus. Maps were obtained from one series of sections, using every section through the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the brainstem, and the thoracic spinal cord, and every other section through the prefrontal cortex. The nomenclature for the prefrontal cortex is according to the map of Barbas and Pandya \[[@B62]\], as modified from the map of Walker \[[@B63]\]. The terminology for the hypothalamus in macaque monkeys varies significantly in the literature, as summarized in a previous study \[[@B5]\]. As in our previous study, the terminology here relies on a combination of classic and modern studies in the human and monkey \[[@B26],[@B64]-[@B67]\], including maps delineated on the basis of neurochemical features \[[@B68],[@B69]\].
### Electron microscopy
Synapses formed between hypothalamic neurons and labeled boutons from axons emanating from prefrontal area 32 were viewed on a JEOL CX-100 microscope at X10,000 and photographed. Photographic negatives were scanned and imported in an image analysis software system (MetaMorph, Universal Imaging). The cross-sectional area of synaptic boutons and the synaptic length were measured and data were imported into Excel for statistical analyses. We used classic criteria for identifying synapses and profiles \[[@B48]\]: aggregation of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic bouton; rigid apposition of the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes and associated widening of the extracellular space; and the presence of pre- and postsynaptic membrane specializations. Asymmetric synapses (type I) were classified by thickened postsynaptic densities and rounded vesicles; and symmetric (type II) synapses by thin postsynaptic densities and pleomorphic vesicles. In heavily labeled boutons the type of the vesicles could not be identified, so we used the postsynaptic density to classify synapses. Dendritic shafts contain mitochondria, microtubules and/or rough endoplasmic reticulum, while dendritic spines lack these organelles. Estimates of unlabeled synapses were made from photographs containing at least one labeled bouton (total area sampled, 1,607.5 μm^2^).
Authors\' contributions
=======================
All authors participated in surgical procedures and mapping pathways; SS conducted the electron microscopic analysis; NR-C, drafted results from the light microscopic analyses; TG and SS drafted the figures; HB designed the experiments and drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgements
================
We thank Dr. Alan Peters for help with EM and helpful discussions, Dr. Ron Killiany for conducting the MRI, Dr. Claus Hilgetag for help with statistical analyses, Mr. Piro Lera for help with graphics, and Ms. Ola Alade, Ms. Marcia Feinberg and Ms. Karen Trait for technical assistance, Dr. P. Sehgal for veterinary care, and Ms. Linda Fernsten for surgical assistance. Supported by NIH grants from NINDS and NIMH.
Figures and Tables
==================
{#F1}
![**Serial pathways from the prefrontal cortex reach central autonomic structures.**Pathways were mapped after injection of the bidirectional tracer BDA in the lateral (LA) hypothalamic area. (A) The first pathway is marked by projection neurons (blue dots) originating most densely from orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal cortices leading to the injection site (brown area in B). (B) The second pathway is marked by labelled axons emanating from the injection site and terminating in several autonomic nuclei (brown lines): (C, D) brainstem nuclei; (E) the thoracic spinal cord; (F) A bidirectional pathway links the amygdala with the same hypothalamic nuclei. The shaded areas in the amygdala show the specific termination zones of axons from orbitofrontal cortex (yellow), and the diffuse termination zone by axons from medial prefrontal cortex (light brown), as described by Ghashghaei and Barbas \[[@B24]\]. The dotted line in A indicates the upper border of cortical layer V, and brown lines show the terminations of hypothalamic axons.](1471-2202-4-25-2){#F2}
{#F3}
{#F4}
{#F5}
######
Summary of cases, injection sites and hemisphere, tracers, and analyses
Case Injection site(s), (hemisphere) Tracer Label type\* \#, areas analysed
------ --------------------------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------------
AV O12, IML (left) fr, fb hypothalamus\* (fr); \# (fb), amygdala\# (fr);
AW LA (right) fb prefrontal cortex\#; amygdala\#
AX LA (left) BDA prefrontal cortex\#,\*; amygdala\#,\*; brainstem, IML\*
AY 32 (right) BDA LA\*; synapses from area 32 in LA (EM)
BG 32 (right) BDA PA\*; synapses from area 32 in PA (EM)
\*Anterograde label; \#retrograde label
| |
This report presents the situation of the two Sorbian languages: Upper and Lower Sorbian. Referring to the Joshua A. Fishman’s Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale, the Author presents the stages in the maintenance of these two languages as well as the activities taken by the minorities towards their protection and revitalization. The situation of the Lower Sorbian language can be perceived as dramatic. Only a small group of people from the oldest generation use it in every‑ day life. The education programs aimed at revitalizing this language (immersion kindergarten Witaj) do not fulfill the hopes placed in them. The linguistic situation in Catholic Upper Lusatia seems to be different. The intergenerational community using the Upper Sorbian language still exists, numerous institutions and associations proposing different cultural and linguistic activities are functioning. Unfortunately, the Sorbs do not make use of the language rights given to them. As a result of their passive attitude, the Sorbian languages do not function in the public life in Lusatia. In face of the demographic changes, strong migration, unemployment in Lusatia and the very low prestige of the Slavonic languages – any revitalization processes are difficult to accomplish. | http://ireteslaw.ispan.waw.pl/handle/123456789/169 |
A female zookeeper has been attacked and killed by a Sumatran tiger in New Zealand.
Police were called to the zoo in Hamilton after reports that a female zookeeper had been attacked by one of the zoo’s five tigers. Police said the woman died at the scene.
The zoo asked all visitors to leave and said it was closing its doors until Thursday. Authorities are investigating to determine exactly what happened.
Zoo visitor Adam Rich told The New Zealand Herald newspaper he saw the tigers and noticed a female zookeeper opening up a gate to allow them access to an outdoor enclosure.
The zoo is owned and operated by the Hamilton City Council.
Council spokesman Jeff Neems said the tiger that attacked the woman is named Oz and is the zoo’s only adult male tiger.
He said Oz was currently safely contained inside his enclosure.
He said the public was never in danger during the incident and that all animals had remained contained in their enclosures.
“Our focus at this time is on providing the adequate support for our staff and family members who have been affected by this tragic incident,” the council said in a statement, adding that they would not be commenting on what went wrong until all investigations had been completed.
Mr Neems said the zoo has 128,000 visitors each year, making it about the fourth most popular zoo in the country. He said he didn’t know how many visitors were at the zoo during the incident.
The zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals set on 62 acres of grounds.
Sumatran tigers are considered critically endangered, with less than 400 of the tiger subspecies still living in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. | https://www.yerepouni-news.com/2015/09/21/female-zookeeper-attacked-and-killed-by-sumatran-tiger/ |
Tässä tietueessa ei ole tiedostoja, ainoastaan metadata.
Kortelainen, Mika
Manninen, Kalle
Oxford University Press
2019
Kuvaus
peerReviewed
Tiivistelmä
A number of papers have compared the effectiveness of private and public schools in different institutional settings. However, most of these studies are observational and do not utilize experimental or quasi-experimental design to evaluate the value-added or the effectiveness of private schools in comparison to public schools. This study focuses on private and public high schools in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. We use two different methods to compare private and public schools, value-added estimation and regression discontinuity design (RDD). Although based on somewhat different assumptions, both methods allow us to evaluate the causal effect of private schools on the exit exam results in high school. We find that private schools perform marginally better than public schools, but the difference in performance is very small and statistically insignificant according to both methods. Various robustness and validity checks strengthen our RDD results and the validity of the discontinuity design. | https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/176084 |
Gene therapy is one of the promising fields of medicine which helps to treat and prevent incurable diseases. Some genetic diseases do not become manifest until well after birth, in some cases not until adulthood. In this case, gene therapy helps to identify and replace defective genes by healthy ones.
Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides arranged along a DNA strand, with start and stop signals, and written in a triplet-based code that scientists can read. Genes dictate the sequences of amino acids that make up the proteins in our bodies. Genetic diseases (diseases caused by defective genes) arise when these genes accumulate mutations, and an understanding of exactly what mutations are is important in understanding what gene therapy is intended to correct. Genetic mutations refer to any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism. Traditionally, geneticists defined mutations operationally; i.e., only in terms of those genotypic changes resulting in some change in the resulting phenotype. However, as scientists developed the ability to measure changes directly in DNA itself, the definition of mutation has expanded to include any alteration in DNA, whether or not the alteration occurs in a gene, and whether or not the altered gene results in an altered phenotype (Walters & Palmer, 1997).
The transcription and translation processes involved in reading the genes that are a natural part of a cell’s own DNA are exactly the same processes used to “read” foreign genes introduced into a cell in the treatment known as gene therapy. The detailed knowledge gained over the past four decades about how these processes work in a living cell is the foundation upon which molecular medicine is built. “Gene therapy is a technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease development” (Gene Therapy, 2005). The fact that all living cells are diploid, i.e. have two copies of every gene, has important implications for genetic disease and for gene therapy. In almost all cases, a single good copy of a gene is sufficient to maintain biological function. That means that in order for an animal to suffer from a genetic deficiency, both copies of a given gene must be defective. That is the main reason that genetic diseases are relatively rare. But since one copy of a gene is usually sufficient for function, doctors do not have to repair nature’s mistake fully; it is enough to replace or repair only one of the defective genes. Efficacy of gene therapy “has been shown in viral diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, influenza, human papillomavirus infection, various hepatitis strains, smallpox, and SARS), neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer disease), cancer, inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), and autoimmune diseases (such as type 1 diabetes mellitus)” (Hood 2004, p. 225).
Gene therapy clinical trials were begun in 1990. Over two hundred clinical trials for a number of additional genetic disorders, as well as cancer and AIDS, have cleared federal regulatory agencies; most are already underway. The scientific and medical communities are watching these trials closely, and so will the public. There will likely be close media coverage of the progress of patients involved in one or another of these medical dramas. The challenges posed by these first trials, scientific, medical, and ethical, are fairly typical of what doctors will see in the treatment of medical problems as wide-ranging as vascular disease, hemophilia, arthritis, and liver disorders (Walters & Palmer, 1997).
“The first actual use of gene therapy began in September 1990, with the treatment of a child suffering from a rare genetic immunodeficiency disease caused by the lack of the enzyme adenosine deaminase” (Grace 1998, p. 39). In spite of great advantages and benefits promised by gene therapy, David, known as “bubble boy”, died in several months. “In September 1999, a patient died from a reaction to a gene therapy treatment at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Human Gene Therapy in Philadelphia” (Thompson 2000, p. 20). In spite of past failures, there were several successful gene therapy trials including Ashanthi DeSilva and Cynthia Cutshall suffered from inherited immune disorder called Severe Combined Immune Deficiency. In 1998, French scientists successfully treated SCID in four children. The same year, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Stanford University and Avigen, Inc. announced successful results in treatment of hemophilia B patients (Thompson 2000, p. 20). Early results were successful and helped to improve immune function.
The main benefits of gene therapy include treatment of incurable diseases and increasing life span. Gene therapy could provide benefits that are wide ranging, and have significant effects on the lives of many people. Unfortunately, the world media decided to concentrate on many of the misuses. Positive education on the use of this technology would help to educate the public about the benefits of gene therapy and its advantages for general public. More positively, gene therapy could lead to development of replacement organs and non-surgical treatment of diseases. This technique would never lead to a completely cloned human being but only to some cells which probably would be able to be induced to specific types of cellular differentiation Many laboratories and industries are gearing up to expand current screening and testing by molecular techniques. Such screening for breast cancer genes and a variety of inborn errors is already available. Gene therapy allows to test, identify genetic deficiencies and ‘correct’ defective genes before the birth. “If they are successful, engineered stem cells may eventually provide a way of permanently curing most, if not all genetically determined diseases of the blood and circulatory system” (Grace 1998, p. 40). Gene therapy allows doctors to treat HIV and AIDS. Gene-based strategies for treating AIDS fall into several distinct categories. Each category is based on the idea that we may never be able completely to rid HIV-infected patients of their virus. Rather, we must focus on neutralizing the virus’s ability to replicate or to express itself in an infected cell. Some of the many approaches currently being explored for AIDS treatment are described in the following sections. The only AIDS treatment currently approved for standard use is aimed at preventing HIV from expressing itself in cells, and centers around a single type of drug, the best known example of which is azidothymidine (AZT). Given the nearly one-hundred-percent lethality of AIDS, and the lack of truly effective therapeutic approaches for controlling HIV expression and function, aggressive development of novel treatment strategies is still desperately needed (Walters & Palmer, 1997). Approaches based on molecular medicine and gene therapy are under active investigation in laboratories all over the world. The underlying rationale for these approaches is that this disease is caused by genes that, through retroviral integration into the human genome, have become the equivalent of endogenous human disease-causing genes, and the affected cells can be treated accordingly. Like most cancers, AIDS is not a disease caused by a single defective gene that can be replaced with a good copy of a known human gene. Walters and Palmer (1997) state that it is useless to plan for any type of genetic improvement if we do not provide an environment within which an individual can best use his strong qualities and obtain support for his weak qualities. Also, “Gene therapy is still a very crude way of treating very complicated problems: it is hard to get new genes to go where they’re needed, and hard to keep them from going where they’re not wanted” (King 2003, p. 23). Social and medical measures are of extreme importance in this regard.
In spite of benefits, gene therapy has some risks for patients and society. The information provided by genetic testing can have profound effects on the lives of those involved, for example in the areas of health insurance and employment. In some cases, germline gene therapy could violate human rights and dignity. “Another concern, shared by people at large, was that full knowledge of the human genome was a scary sort of power, evoking the story of Frankenstein” (Grace 1998, p. 39). The major concern expressed by ethicists is that modern science and biomedicine cannot control genetic mutations and results of experiments. Complex regulations are laid down defining the conditions under which recombinant DNA of any kind could be used in laboratory experiments. Also, “critics of gene therapy fear it is being introduced too quickly and that the adenovirus itself can cause damage to patients” (Palfreyman 2000, p. 9). As genetic information acquires greater predictive value, those individuals with private knowledge that they are endowed with a generally disease-free genotype could choose to pay for minimal or no health insurance, whereas those who knew they were likely to develop a serious malady during their lifetime would want maximal coverage. This would almost surely bankrupt private insurers. This is a uniquely American dilemma, for the United States alone, among the major industrialized countries of the world, relies heavily on private insurers to underwrite medical-care costs for its citizens. The present system places insurers and the insured in an adversarial situation. Insurers want as much information about potential clients as possible, so they can minimize their risk, or at least adjust premiums to reflect the risk; persons seeking insurance want to keep that information away from private insurers, for essentially the same reason.
Genetic problem has a great impact on modern medicine and life of every individual allowing doctors to treat incurable disease and increase life span. Instance, where one prospective parent is known to carry a potentially harmful gene, it is now possible through standard genetic screening techniques to detect the presence of this gene either in the eggs, prior to fertilization in vitro (in those cases where the mother is the sole carrier of the defective gene), or in the cells of the early embryo. Thus the unanticipated harmful consequences in the end may outweigh its anticipated benefits (Walters & Palmer, 1997).
A good deal of tension developed between Research Universities, where nearly all of these experiments with recombinant DNA are taking place, and the surrounding communities. After some of the abortive attempts at gene therapy in the late 1970s, religious leaders had presented a concern about such tinkering with God’s work; the result was formation of a special Presidential Commission on the ethics of gene therapy. Gene therapy can cause certain social and economic changes. For instance, if the majority of humans lived to an average age of 120, much less to 140, it would change social infrastructure and economic environment. Thus, the future will bring technology putting DNA arrays on microscopic slides (chips) which will be able to predict with greater or lesser certainty what common illnesses individuals are susceptible to, when they might get ill and perhaps even when they might die (Walters & Palmer, 1997). Such knowledge would clearly be of great interest for insurance companies and perhaps employers. Society must force legislators to protect genetic (and medical) confidentiality from potential discriminatory practices (Walters & Palmer, 1997).
I believe the duty of scientists is to make sure that any research that is being done finds its way into the public domain as soon as possible so that a regulatory view can be taken on it, both nationally and internationally. The obligation of scientists is to pass that information on. It is not to make those ethical judgments themselves. Most people in the field advocate restricting gene therapy to somatic gene therapy in order to avoid introducing foreign genes into the germ line to be passed to the offspring of the treated individual. The recent suggestions for gene therapy may result in the inadvertent introduction of the therapeutic gene into the germ line of the fetus. In fact, with other new techniques now becoming practical, germ line gene therapy, even as a concept, becomes unnecessary. The reason for skepticism about the relevance of ethics to gene therapy is that a large number of people in positions of authority doubted that ethics would make any difference to the pace or path that gene therapy takes. The requirement of informed consent in recruiting subjects to biomedical research is, however, a relatively recent innovation.
References
Adams, H. A (2004). Human Germline Modification Scale. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 32 (1), 164.
Gene Therapy. (2005). Retrieved 06 April, 2007, form http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml
Grace, E.C. (1998 January-February). Better Health through Gene Therapy. The Futurist, 32 (1), 39-41.
Hood, E. (2004). RNAi: What’s All the Noise about Gene Silencing? Environmental Health Perspectives, 112 (4), 224-226.
King, Nancy M.P. (2003). Accident & Desire Inadvertent Germline Effects in Clinical Research. The Hastings Center Report, 33 (2), 23.
Palfreyman, L. (2000, January 30). US Death Fails to Stop Gene Therapy Scheme. Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England), 9.
Thompson, L. (2000, September). HUMAN GENE THERAPY: Harsh Lessons, High Hopes. FDA Consumer, 34 (5), 19-28.
Walters, L., Palmer, G.L. (1997). The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy. New York: Oxford University Press. | https://graduateway.com/gene-therapy/ |
You are searching about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression, today we will share with you article about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression was compiled and edited by our team from many sources on the internet. Hope this article on the topic Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression is useful to you.
What Inspires Creativity? – 9 Methods to Summon Your Muse
Writers, entrepreneurs, and other creative types have their own ways to nurture their creativity. I always start with a question. “What if…” Outside of my usual place (in a bathtub surrounded by bubbles), I started thinking: What inspires creativity? And how can we spark more creativity?
Consider the world of reading. We’ve all read thrillers that grab our throats and romances that steal our hearts. A book that will keep you up all night. All of these stories started with the seed of an idea.
So I would like to say a few words about how I communicate my creative muse. Here are eight ways I like to use to spark creativity.
1. Unplug
A cluttered mind leaves no room for creative thinking. Disconnect from social media, get up from your computer, go for a walk, and call answering machine. I enjoy long walks to delve into ideas, but even short walks can clear my mind.
2. Contact with nature
When I’m really stuck, I turn to Mother Nature by taking a walk, listening to the birds, or watching the rhythm of the ocean. Gardening is also a passion. Ideas often come to me when I’m elbow-deep in dirt or pruning a rose. The warmth of the sun and the scents of flowers and plants are also often inspirational.
3. The world of reading
Reading books of different genres stimulates the imagination. News topics can also be a starting point. In fact, some of the early inspiration for my novel came from a newspaper article I read about a family separated during World War II.
4. Art Appreciation
Recharge your creative batteries by exploring other forms of artistic expression. For example, I love walking around his gallery of art and I always feel creative energy afterwards.
5. Get Physical
Physical activity is great for clearing the cobwebs in your mind. Be sure to do something fun. For me, it could be swimming, dancing, cycling, snow skiing, Pilates or yoga. Mixing muscle movements keeps exercise fresh and improves mental clarity.
6. Nocturne
Inspiration often treads quietly in the darkness of the night. I keep a notepad on my nightstand where I often write down ideas that lead to breakthroughs. Or, in the early morning, in the quiet space between sleep and wakefulness, when my mind feels natural to dream, I let my mind wander to storylines and other issues.
7. Small bubbles
Long soaks in warm baths are essential for creative muses. Add music, candles, wine, whatever you want. Personally, I’m addicted to bubbles – more is more fun. Bubbles, like snow, obscure the outside world and give room for creativity. muscle pain? Pour in bath salts.
8. Travel and get lost
If the daily grind is dragging you down, take a short break or take a longer walk. The benefits of travel are invisible, but real.
9. Set the scene
Create an environment where creativity can be demonstrated. Pots of tea, instrumental music, pleasant scents, these are the basic necessities of my writing and creative development sessions.
For example, when writing a novel about the perfume industry, I tried to recreate the period in which the book was written, 1939-1947. Coming from a professional background in the fragrance business, I was immersed in the history of vintage perfume. Surrounded by fragrances available during that period, all from my personal collection. From Shalimar to Mitsuko, Normandy to Narcissus His Noir, these perfumes reflected the artistry of their era and helped to conjure up the atmosphere of the novel The Promise of Roses. We then created a vintage perfume list and used this for promotion. Writers and artists can share these types of creative muses with their followers to get them more fully involved in the behind-the-scenes process. .
Other period studies included wartime history, video and audio recordings, fashion, music, and women entrepreneurs. I spoke to people who lived through that era. Her mother shared recollections about details of day-to-day life such as rations. Of course, not all the facts were in the book, but the immersion gave me inspiration and helped me create a real world. . If you find it appealing, so will others.
These techniques are not limited to writers. Everyone can use these methods to invoke their muse, boost their creativity, and engage with their followers.
Take a moment to think about what inspires you. What do you do to express your creativity?
Video about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression
You can see more content about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression on our youtube channel: Click Here
Question about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression
If you have any questions about Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression, please let us know, all your questions or suggestions will help us improve in the following articles!
The article Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression was compiled by me and my team from many sources. If you find the article Fashion As A Form Of Artistic And Creative Expression helpful to you, please support the team Like or Share! | https://vanuatudaily.com/fashion-as-a-form-of-artistic-and-creative-expression-what-inspires-creativity-9-methods-to-summon-your-muse/ |
Are you a UK overstayer or unlawful immigrant who’s continuously lived in the country for at least 20 years? Would you like to end your cat and mouse game with the UK government and be recognized as a legal immigrant? The UK’s immigration Rule 276, or 20 Years Long Residence Rule, gets you covered.
The Gulbenkian Andonian Immigration Team are Highly Respected in the UK Legal Community.
Call 020 7269 9590 or Request a Callback
Get Expert Advice from our Legal Team
The Gulbenkian Andonian Immigration Team are Highly Respected in the UK Legal Community.
You can apply for limited leave or indefinite leave to remain through this legal provision, which is found in paragraph 276ADE of the immigration rules. However, we understand that dealing with the Home Office for any immigration application is normally an exercise that’s full of uncertainties and sometimes disappointment.
On that note, we’ve prepared this comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to show you what’s expected from you and what you need to do to succeed in the application process. With that said, let’s look at who qualifies, how to apply, and what is required for 20 years long residence.
What Does the 20 Years Long Residence Rule has to offer?
Well, if you’ve been in the UK for long and you’d like to extend your stay lawfully, you can get 30 more months to stay in the country lawfully under the Residence Rule. The extended stay is classified as limited leave to remain.
If your 30-month limited leave to remain is about to lapse, you can apply to renew the leave if you wish to continue living in the UK. This second application should be made at least 28 days before the expiry date of the initial leave by filling in the application form FLR (FP).
Under the 20 year rule, you need to obtain successive extensions of stay for a ten year period, during which time your leave to remain here will be discretionary, until such time as you have completed ten years under this route, after which you can apply for permanent residence, that is to say, settlement. So it could be 30 years from the date of the initial grant of leave to remain for a 30 month period before you are able to apply for permanent residence after you have completed ten years under the status.
Who Qualifies for the 20 Years Long Residence Rule?
Any UK overstayer or immigrant with legal status who has lived in the UK continuously for at least 20 years can benefit from the 20 years long residence rule. However, if an overstayer is imprisoned while in the country, the imprisonment period is not included in the total duration of their stay in the country, as far as the 20 Years Long Residence Rule is concerned. The 20-year period calculation is paused once an individual is imprisoned and continues from where the imprisonment ends.
On that note, the requirements for Rule 276 include:
- Meeting the good character requirements.
- A valid limited leave or indefinite leave to remain application
- 20 years of continuous residence in the United Kingdom legally or illegally.
- Be at least 25 years old.
What Does 20 Years of Continuous Residence Mean?
According to paragraph 276ADE, 20 years of continuous residence in the UK means that a UK immigrant has stayed in the country for 20 continuous years without going past the boundaries of the country. Nevertheless, if the applicant is imprisoned at some point within the 20 years, the imprisonment doesn’t break the continuity of the stay. However, the years spent in prison will not be included in the 20-year count.
What Can Break Continuous Residence?
The 20 years of continuous residence can be broken under specific circumstances, including:
- If the applicant has been out of the UK for a total of 18 months within the 20 years of their stay in the country.
- If the applicant has been out of the UK for less than six months and fails to have valid leave to enter the UK when returning or valid leave to remain when leaving the country.
- Incidence of deportation from the UK within the 20 years of their stay in the country.
- If the applicant leaves the UK under circumstances that prevent them from returning to the country lawfully.
- If the applicant has been given a custodial sentence or detained in a non-prison institution (for instance, Young Offender Institution) after being convicted of an offence.
How to Apply for Permission to Stay in the UK Under 20 Years Long Residence?
If you meet the above requirements, you’re possibly wondering what you need to do to submit your initial UK residence application through Rule 276.
Well, here are the steps you’re required to take to submit your application for 20 Years Long Residence to the Home Office.
- Contact our team of immigration solicitors
- Consult them on your individual application
- Provide your identification documents such as passport and biometric information
- Provide supporting documents showing that you’ve actually lived in the UK for 20 continuous years.
- In case you’re invited for an interview, practice interview techniques with our legal team so that you are prepared.
- Show up on the day and respond to the interviewers confidently and truthfully.
Does the Application Process Need Any Documentation?
To support your application with verifiable evidence, you need to attach numerous documents, including:
- Bank statements
- Documents showing your housing or accommodation history in the country, for instance, tenancy agreement copies
- Documents showing your work or employment information, for instance, payslips, employment contracts and work offer letters from employers. Although you are not supposed to be working if you are here illegally or as an overstayer, those who do work show a connection with the UK and evidence that they are here, and that evidence can be counted towards the 20-year residence. Furthermore, the courts appear to accept that someone who has been in the country for a long time can work even with identification documents that do not belong to them, such as false IDs that they have acquired throughout the years, provided that they have not at any stage misled the Home Office as to their true identity in the past, in any applications that they may have made, before the application based on 20 years residence.
How Long Does the 20 Year Long Residence Application Take to be determined?
Considering that the Home Office has a lot of immigration applications to take care of, you will not know the fate of your application immediately when you submit your application. You have to wait for about six months. The waiting period could be shorter or longer sometimes, depending on the backlog the immigration department is dealing with. Doing everything right in your application increases the chances of the approval of your application within a short waiting time.
Just like any other UK immigration application, applying for limited leave or indefinite leave to remain in the UK through the 20 Year Long Residence Rule can be a hectic process. However, it can be an exciting experience when you have experts doing all the complex work for you in the process. At Gulbenkian Andonian, we have highly experienced and caring UK Immigration Solicitors who are happy to offer you more customized 20 Years Long Residence guidance for your application at any time. Reach us today for a consultation session to discuss your UK immigration issue in detail.
Ask our Expert Legal Team
At Gulbenkian Andonian, we pride ourselves on “Excellence, Experience and Efficiency”. With over 35 years of experience on your side, our team of London based lawyers and solicitors have a wealth of experience advising individuals, families and businesses of all sizes to find clarity on UK law.
Whether it is about a complex or straightforward UK immigration issue, buying or selling a property, divorce, employment, corporate matters, making a will, notary services or discussing any legal issue of your choice – Gulbenkian Andonian is here to help!
Call us on +44 (0) 207 269 9590 or fill out the form below, and we will reply to within 24 hours on UK working days.
Neither Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors ltd, nor their employees, agents, consultants or assignees, accept any liability based on the contents of written articles which are meant for guidance only and not as legal advice. We advise all readers to take professional advice before acting. If you would like to consult with a professional lawyer or solicitor to discuss your case, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. | https://www.gulbenkian.co.uk/20-years-long-residence-guidance/ |
ARCH1023 Architecture History Introduction: Modernism and Modernity introduces you to the diverse developments of western architecture from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, examining the theoretical, historical and cultural contexts of the discipline. This course introduces you to influential architectural projects, theoretical writings and design practices from across this period. The course addresses the shifting attitudes towards historical sources, precursors to modernism and the conditions of modernity. The course also selectively addresses pre-eighteenth century periods that were the source for subsequent revival movements. A range of modern architectural debates and problematics are addressed, situating them within an historical context and exploring their contemporary design implications.
undertake academic writing communication with enhanced skills.
undertake research into architectural precedent practices with enhanced skills.
engage in critical and analytical thinking with enhanced skills.
present verbal and visual arguments clearly and concisely with enhanced skills.
This course offers thematic lectures introducing you to key precedent practices, theoretical frameworks and significant debates from the periods covered. Tutorials support the lecture series, and offer opportunities for you to discuss and debate the material in detail, gain skills in presenting short class papers on specific thematic questions relating to the lectures and gain feedback from tutors on the writing of essay and assignment questions, and on your draft and final essay submissions and on your weekly pin-up of analytical and design precedent diagramming and other interpretative architectural representations with critical written annotation.
This course is primarily delivered face-to-face via lectures and tutorials and through the online Canvas site. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
Course Guides are available through the RMIT website, with links provided on Canvas.
Tutor feedback will be given on proposed essay questions, draft and final essay submissions. Tutor feedback will be given on verbal presentations in tutorial presentations to inform the subsequent submission of a class paper. Weekly tutor feedback will be given on diagrammatic or representational reponses to design precedent projects with critical annotation, to inform a reflective edited folio submission at the end of semester. | http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=001680heparta |
Infants internalize what they take in through their senses and _____. A)save it for much later B)forget it immediately C)display it in physical movements such as mouthing D)this cognitive process is visible.
Free
Multiple Choice
C
Q 2Q 2
The first stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory is the _____. A)sensorimotor stage B)preoperational stage C)concrete operational stage D)formal operational stage
Free
Multiple Choice
A
Q 3Q 3
The ability to remember an object or person even though they cannot be seen,touched,or heard is known as A)intentionality. B)object permanence. C)accommodation. D)assisted learning.
Free
Multiple Choice
B
Q 4Q 4
The beginning of language and the ability to pretend signal the beginning of the _____ of cognitive development. A)formal operational stage B)concrete operational stage C)preoperational stage D)sensorimotor stage
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 5Q 5
Jean Piaget believed children _____ their understanding of the world,whereas Lev Vygotsky believed learning is _____. A)construct; co-constructed B)co-construct; constructive C)deconstruct; constructed D)co-construct; deconstructed
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 6Q 6
A prerequisite for promoting cognitive development is _____. A)isolation B)co-construction C)language D)security and attachment
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 7Q 7
Infants' brains become more active when adults respond to their cues and signals for attention through _____. A)arranging the environment to invite exploration and discovery B)carrying out caregiving routines in ways that meet individual needs of infants C)creating meaningful interactions D)All of the answers are correct.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 8Q 8
High-quality early childhood inclusion programs benefit _____. A)children with disabilities B)children without disabilities C)caregivers D)All of the answers are correct.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 9Q 9
The process of gathering information,organizing it,and using it to adapt to the world is known as _____. A)sensory stimulation B)cognitive experience C)intellectual quotient D)learning ability
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 10Q 10
Pretend play is when children A)stop representing things through symbols. B)play alone during early infancy. C)think of their world without directly experiencing it. D)All of the answers are correct.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 11Q 11
Jean Piaget's approach to cognitive development in children differed from Lev Vygotsky's approach in Jean's belief that A)self-talk is internalized into higher levels of mental development. B)cultures influence the course of cognitive development. C)learning can lead to development. D)knowledge is primarily self-constructed.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 12Q 12
Which of the following statements best defines the term "intentionality"? A)It is the ability of a child to construct a plan. B)It is the potential of a child to use his or her experience to construct new knowledge. C)It is the ability of a child to sense and predict his or her future. D)It is the potential of a child to store mental images for his or her thinking processes.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 13Q 13
Knowing and understanding come from the active process of gathering information,organizing it,and finally using it.
Free
True False
Q 14Q 14
According to Lev Vygotsky,social interaction is a prerequisite for children to develop problem-solving skills.
Free
True False
Q 15Q 15
Jean Piaget,but not Lev Vygotsky,believed that interaction promotes cognitive development.
Free
True False
Q 16Q 16
Jean Piaget called infants' skill of taking in new information and processing it "assimilation."
Free
True False
Q 17Q 17
During the preoperational period,children begin to use abstract,logical thought.
Free
True False
Q 18Q 18
Children learn significant concepts from "academic" experiences created for them rather than from real-life,everyday activities. | https://quizplus.com/quiz/121289-quiz-8-cognition |
This invention relates to insulating fabrics.
Heat-insulating fabrics used in blankets include, for example, woven fabrics, such as cotton or wool thermal fabrics, knits, such as acrylic or polyester knits, and nonwovens, such as needle-punched polyesters.
The warmth of blankets made of these materials is directly proportional to the fiber weight of the material. Thus, warm blankets made of these materials tend to be heavy. Blankets made of these materials may also deteriorate rapidly when laundered under commercial conditions, for example, when the blankets are used in a motel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,874 describes a lightweight, inexpensive blanket material that includes one or more foam layers and a reinforcing ply, e.g., of textile fibers. The reinforcing ply is interposed between two layers of foam, or joined to a single foam layer, to provide tear resistance. Flocking on one surface or both surfaces of the foam provides a fuzzy, textured surface. Blankets embodying this technology are sold under the tradename “VELLUX.”
The invention features insulating (e.g., heat-insulating) fabrics and blankets formed of these fabrics.
In one aspect, the invention features a fabric laminate including first and second facing layers and a foam layer interposed between the facing layers, at least one of the first and second facing layers including a veloured nonwoven material.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Both of the facing layers include a nonwoven material, for example, a veloured nonwoven such as a needle-punched veloured material. The foam layer includes a urethane foam, e.g., a polyester or polyether urethane. The fabric laminate has a weight of from about 3 to 12 osy, e.g., from about 4 to 9 osy. The fabric laminate is substantially free of adhesives and binders. The foam layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to 0.500 inch, e.g., from about 0.040 to 0.200 inch. The foam layer has a density of from about 0.7 to 6 lb/ft
In another aspect, the invention features a sleeping blanket including (a) a laminate of a pair of first and second facing layers and a foam layer interposed between the facing layers, at least one of the facing layers comprising a nonwoven material, and (b) a finished edge on one or more of the edges of the sleeping blanket. The nonwoven material may include a veloured nonwoven.
The invention further features a method of making a fabric laminate including laminating a pair of facing layers to opposed surfaces of a foam layer, at least one of the facing layers including a veloured nonwoven material.
Some implementations include one or more of the following features. The laminating step includes flame laminating. Both of the facing layers include a nonwoven material. The method further includes needle-punching fibers to form the nonwoven material. The method further includes re-needling to produce the veloured surface of the veloured nonwoven material.
The invention also features an insulative material including a foam core sandwiched between two facing layers, at least one of the facing layers being laminated to the foam core layer and comprising a veloured nonwoven continuous fabric.
The term “veloured”, as used below, refers to a material that has a relatively smooth, dense face and an opposite, fuzzy face. Veloured nonwovens may be manufactured according to the velouring processes described here or by other processes.
Among the advantages of the invention, the insulating fabrics can be used to form lightweight, relatively inexpensive launderable blankets.
The insulating fabrics utilize air trapped in the foam layer to provide warmth, at relatively low weights. In some implementations, the blankets have a weight of less than about 30 ounces per square yard (osy), more preferably less than about 12 osy, and most preferably about 2.0 to 7.5 osy.
The blankets are launderable under commercial conditions. In some implementations, the blankets can undergo long-term frequent commercial laundering and still maintain a relatively new appearance. Generally, the blankets also exhibit minimal pilling, even after commercial laundering.
The insulating fabrics have desirable drape characteristics. These drape characteristics provide comfort when the fabrics are used in blankets, because the blankets will generally have a sheet-like drape, rather than bunching around the sleeper.
The insulating fabrics have desirable aesthetic qualities such as an attractive appearance and a soft, warm, dry hand. The appearance and hand of the fabrics can be easily varied by using different materials for the facing layers. The facing layer material(s) can be selected to provide a desired balance of aesthetic qualities, weight, launderability, durability and cost, to suit a particular application. By selecting certain facing layers, the heat-insulating fabrics can be made to resemble traditional woven or knitted blanket materials, for example by providing the fabric with a texture and hand similar to wool, velour, or fleece.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
FIGS.
FIGS.
Referring to
Preferably, fabric
Fabric
The foam and facing layers are laminated together using techniques that will be described in detail below. The lamination process does not require the use of a binder, and thus the cells
Suitable materials for the foam layer
Cured, skived foams are manufactured using well-known round block or flat block manufacturing processes which involve foaming a liquid composition within a molding tunnel, removing a block of foamed material from the tunnel and allowing it to cure, and skiving thin layers of foam off of the block on a peeling machine.
Cured cast foams may also be used, e.g., foams manufactured by pouring a thin film of a foaming polymer composition onto a moving belt. Cast foams tend to be relatively more expensive than skived foams, but also generally have a very soft feel and desirable super-absorbent properties.
Preferably, the foam layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to 0.500 inch, more preferably 0.040 to 0.200 inch, and most preferably from about 0.060 to 0.150 inch. Thinner foams are less expensive and provide a more drapeable product, but also provide less thermal insulation. Thicker foams provide greater insulation, but may in some cases result in a fabric that is undesirably “foam-like” and non-drapeable.
Suitable foams generally have a density of from about 0.7 to 6 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft
The facing layers may be of any desired continuous sheet material, including nonwoven webs, polymeric films, or knitted or woven textiles. Suitable facing layers provide the fabric with durability, tear resistance and launderability, and impart desired aesthetic qualities, such as attractive colors and patterns, luxurious textures, good drape, and a soft, warm hand. Preferred facing layer materials also provide moisture vapor transmittability, desirable drape and comfort, and flame retardant properties.
Preferred fibers for the facing layers include polyester, acrylics, polypropylene, rayon, cotton, and blends of these fibers. Other suitable fibers include aramid, carbon, fluorocarbon, glass, phenolic, polyacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide (e.g., NYLON), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyimide, RAYON, TENCEL, and blends of these fibers. Preferably, the fibers are from about 0.5 to 5.0 inches long, and have a denier of from about 0.5 to 20, more preferably 0.5 to 7.
Preferably at least one of the facing layers includes a nonwoven web, more preferably an entangled nonwoven web. The nonwoven web may be entangled using any suitable process, e.g., needling, hydroentanglement, and other mechanical processes that intertwine the fibers in a substantially random way to provide an integral web. Entanglement provides the web with a degree of structural integrity, allowing it to be laminated to the foam layer, and providing the resulting fabric laminate with multi-directional strength without the need for stitching or other additional reinforcement.
Suitable entangled nonwoven webs include needle-punched nonwovens. Needle-punched nonwovens are well known in the textile field, and are typically manufactured by fiber opening, web-forming (e.g., carding, garnetting, airlaying or spunbonding), cross-lapping (horizontal or camel-back), pre-needling and finish needling staple fibers in needle looms. Needle-punching generally involves driving some of the fibers of a web or batt in a vertical direction through the web or batt (upwards and/or downwards) by needling the web or batt with barbed needles. The needling action interlocks the fibers and produces a three-dimensional fabric with greater structural integrity than the initial web or batt.
Suitable needle-punched nonwovens may be formed of any synthetic or natural fibers that are processable in a needle-punch process.
The entangled nonwoven web, e.g., a needle-punched nonwoven, may be veloured, to impart a soft, plush fleece finish to one surface of the veloured nonwoven web and a tight, relatively smooth finish to the opposite surface. A suitable veloured material
Velouring may be accomplished by passing the web through a needleloom velouring machine which needles the web to increase the number of fiber ends on one side of the web. A suitable velouring machine is commercially available from Asselin, and is shown schematically in
When a veloured nonwoven is used as a facing material, the smooth surface is laminated to the foam layer
A soft, fuzzy surface may be imparted to the nonwoven by other processes such as napping, brushing, teaseling, sueding and shearing. However, the needleloom velouring process described above is generally preferred because it tends to improve the tensile strength of the nonwoven web.
It is generally preferred that the fibers be dyed prior to needle-punching and re-needling, as it may be difficult to dye the relatively dimensionally-unstable nonwoven web using conventional piece-dying processes.
Suitable facing layer materials generally have a weight of from about 0.75 to 15 osy, more preferably about 1 to 10 osy. Increasing the weight of the facing material generally increases the thermal insulation, overall weight and cost of the fabric. Lower density facing layers generally provide the fabric laminate with better drape and hand than higher density facing layers.
The fabric may be manufactured using any desired lamination technique. Suitable techniques provide a bond that is substantially continuous over the surface area of the bonded layers. Preferred techniques, for example flame lamination, melt or flow the material at the surface of the foam layer to attach the facing layers to the foam without the use of an adhesive or binder. As noted above, when binders are not used the cells
The lamination process has been found to produce a strong, durable fabric laminate, even when the facing layers and foam layers that are used are relatively weak. The increase in strength that occurs as a result of lamination allows relatively light, low density facing materials to be used, which in turn contributes to the drape, hand and aesthetic properties of the fabric laminate.
To flame laminate the facing layers to the foam layer, the foam layer is exposed to a precisely controlled open gas flame burner, while moving the foam at a controlled speed at a set distance from the flame. The flame temperature, speed of the foam, and distance from the flame are controlled so that a region at the surface of the foam, typically about 0.010 to 0.020 inch deep, is melted slightly. This molten region is then joined under controlled pressure to the facing layers, the molten foam acting as an adhesive to bind the facing layers to the foam. Preferably, two gas burners are used so that both surfaces of the foam layer can be melted simultaneously.
Other suitable lamination techniques include gravure printed lamination using a single or multi-part adhesive, rotary screen or knife over roll lamination, dry web or film hot-melt lamination, or spray adhesive bonding. When adhesives or binders are used, it is preferred that they be cross-linkable, to provide durability and launderability. Suitable adhesives include solvent based, water based, 100% solids and hot-melt adhesives. Preferably, the adhesive is applied in a discontinuous pattern, to allow the fabric to have sufficient drape.
The fabrics discussed above provide good comfort, warmth, and durability when used in sleeping blankets, e.g., blanket
EMC (% Compressibility): Less than about 40%, more preferably less than about 35%;
RC (% Compressive Resilience): At least about 40%, more preferably at least about 45%;
EMT (% Tensile Elongation): Less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 15%;
WT (Tensile Energy): Less than about 20, more preferably less than about 15; and
RT (% Tensile Resiliance): At least 25%, more preferably at least 30%.
A fabric laminate was formed using the following materials and procedures. A polyester needle-punched fabric was veloured using an Asselin velouring machine (commercially available from Deitsch Plastics), to a pile height of approximately 0.050″ to 0.060″, a needled density of about 250 punches per square inch, and a cross-sectional thickness of about 0.040″ to 0.050″. Two sheets of the veloured nonwoven were flame laminated to a skived polyester polyurethane foam sheet (commercially available from General Foam, product style no. 40310005). The foam sheet had a thickness of 0.080″ prior to flame lamination and a density of 1.7 lb/ft
The resulting fabric laminate had a soft hand and good drape. The Handleometer reading (10 mm slot, 4×4″ sample) was 234 grams force in the cross-machine direction and 201 grams force in the machine direction. The material withstood 48 commercial laundering cycles, retaining a generally acceptable appearance and quality. The fabric remained functional and did not have a loose, unkempt appearance. Very little change in appearance was observed after the first 20 cycles.
Two samples of the fabric laminate were tested for compressive and tensile properties, using a Kawabata Evaluation System (available from Texmac, Charlotte, N.C.), with a load level of 50 g/cm
The fabric laminate was also tested to determine its thermal properties, using ASTM D 1518-85 (reapproved 1998). The results were as follows:
Thermal Conductivity Thermal Weight, Thickness (“TC”) Insulation Material (oz/sq.yd) (mm) (W/cm (1/TC) Fabric Laminate 6.882 5.085 6.836 × 10 1591
These results indicate that the fabric laminate would be suitable for use as a blanket material.
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the two opposite facing layers could be different materials or have different characteristics or be laminated in different ways. A facing layer might be laminated on only one side of the foam layer with the other side exposed. That other exposed side could be protected by a fabric or other layer that is not bonded to the foam. The foam layer need not be a single layer, but could be two or more thin layers laminated to each other.
As one example of facing layers of different materials, a waterproof mattress pad may include a nonwoven facing layer on one side, and a waterproof film layer on the other side. Suitable waterproof films are launderable and flexible. Suitable films include vinyls, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, and metallocene derived polyethylenes. Preferably the film is from about 0.2 to 5 mils thick. | https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2002/0197442.html |
It is important that you provide us with the full facts and all relevant information and documents to enable us to present your claim properly. This will not only enable us to set out what you consider the true position to be in your Claim Form (ET1) but it will also help us advise you on the strength of your case.
In the first instance, we will need copies of all documents which may be relevant to your case (including your contract of employment, relevant sections of the staff handbook, appraisal notes, memoranda and emails relating to the issues, copy grievances, correspondence, letter of dismissal if appropriate, appeal documents etc) and a detailed account from you which will later form the basis of your statement to the Employment Tribunal. We need these documents and information to prepare and submit your claim to the Employment Tribunal within applicable time limits.
Another reason we need copies of all documents which may be relevant to your case is that during the proceedings the tribunal is likely to order you to disclose any documents that you have, in your possession or control, which are relevant to your claim.
WITNESSES: We will need to know who might be able to give relevant information to the Employment Tribunal as we may wish to call them as witnesses. This might include current members of your employer’s staff (who may need to be the subject of witness orders to ensure their attendance at tribunal).
We will need to speak to your witnesses during the preparation stage and, in due course, we will need to prepare witness statements for them. You should obtain details of any dates on which they cannot attend a tribunal hearing in the following six – nine months.
CONFIDENTIALITY: You should ensure that you keep knowledge of, and discussion about, your case limited to those who have to be involved. In particular, you do not want information about your claim or our advice to get back to your employer / the other side. | https://www.tsplegal.com/service/employment-law-employees/cost-employment-tribunal-claim/making-your-claim/ |
The importance of learning about the diversity of religion and its impact on higher education, its students, and the world today is something that Grand Valley State University takes seriously. On Saturday, Feb. 22, GVSU’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute, in partnership with Campus Interfaith Resources, hosted the fourth annual Made in Michigan Interfaith Lab (MIMIL) at the Richard M. Devos Center on the Pew Campus.
The day-long conference was attended by students and staff from seven different universities, colleges and seminaries from around West Michigan. The conference included eight different informational sessions guided by knowledgeable guest speakers that covered interfaith topics ranging from an introduction to what interfaith work and dialogues are to frameworks and techniques for being highly engaged in interfaith spaces and how they can help build leadership skills.
Kevin McIntosh, coordinator for GVSU’s Campus Interfaith Resources and campus engagement manager for the Kaufman Institute, said that the main goal of the conference was to strengthen attendees understanding of interfaith work and help identify ways that a deeper understanding of the world’s religions and interfaith dialogues can help bring people together and benefit people both individually and collectively.
“With social justice and interfaith work on college campuses, sometimes it can feel like an island because you’re not really sure who else is doing it,” McIntosh said. “Having an event that brings people from different universities and backgrounds helps make those connections between people that love the work and want to educate others who don’t know what the term interfaith means and how it applies in the real world.”
The conference connected students and faculty from universities like Hope and Calvin College, where religion is an important part of student life and education. With sessions covering topics like intersectionality and interfaith traditions, students were able to share their experiences with interfaith work and discuss why community should not come at the expense of hindering or withholding different identities from one another. Other sessions covered concepts like skills and methods for engaging in challenging conversations and examine best practices concerning difficult issues of religious diversity on campuses and civic environments.
The conference introduced students from a range of majors, grades, backgrounds and colleges which made for a diverse learning experience. Isabella Lieberman, a sophomore accounting major at GVSU, said that she saw the conference as an opportunity to learn more about how interfaith work impacts the ways people interact and view one another and themselves.
“I was interested in the conference because I did a lot of this kind of work in high school and I was excited to learn that I could continue it in my college experience,” Lieberman said. “I think learning about interfaith dialogues helps foster a respect for all of the different religions and it can also help you learn a lot about yourself and your own beliefs and those are things that you will take with you after college.”
At GVSU, the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Campus Interfaith Resources help students begin their interfaith journey through hosting events like the MIMIL conference, interfaith guest speaker events, site visits to local interfaith seminaries, and campus interfaith conversation nights. The Institute and Resource Center also work with many of GVSU’s faith-based student organizations to support and appreciate the richness of interfaith diversity at the university.
McIntosh said he encourages all students, no matter what major they may be or what their religious background is to work on staying educated on interfaith topics, as religion impact almost every post-college career, and being knowledgeable about diverse religions is an important part of being able to correctly and respectfully interact with people of all different backgrounds when you join the workforce after graduation. | https://lanthorn.com/74570/news/gv-hosts-4-annual-mimil-interfaith-conference/ |
By: David Xi-Ken Astor, Sensei
I often speak about the pragmatic and existential importance of validating the information we are learning through direct experience. In that way we come to really “know” something, which is about gaining knowledge. Now I would like to expand on that by sharing with you some of my thoughts on journeying through the unknown, and using the skill of questioning. For you see, questioning is an element of the art of practice. If we do not question our experiences as they unfold though the various situations we find ourselves in, there will be very little change in our worldview, and without change we are just treading water. And when that happens in the middle of the ocean, given enough time, we will tire and drown, or the sharks will find us. The same is also true in our practice. Questioning is mental action that when done skillfully will lead to awakened moments. All Buddhist teachers encourage questioning, because without questions, we have no idea where you are in your training and understanding of Buddhist thought and doctrine. Questioning is a sign of an active mind, silence is another form of emptiness. That can be either good, or not, depending on the wisdom of the act of silence. In a training situation, silence is always unexpected.
As we progress along our life’s journey, it’s difficult to avoid encountering some of the perplexing challenges we humans have confronted again and again. Many of these experiences are related to the big questions that have always confounded the human mind for centuries. This was the driving force that propelled Siddhartha on his quest for universal understanding over 2500 years ago. The big questions are still the same as they were for the Buddha, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Mills, and all other philosophers both Western and Eastern. These are human questions, no matter what side of the world you stand on.
These big questions our serious ones. Yet, popular cultural views of some want to focus on cracking the enigmas like the Da Vinci code. But thank goodness, we also have others that have devoted their lives in bringing into reality the genetic codes that might lead to finding cures for disease. And what about us? We can work on breaking through our personal identity codes and develop even stronger characters, with integrity, ethics, and social values. We can work on breaking through the barriers of other enigmas of our everyday life. In every moment we work for our own liberation.
It was Socrates who lectured in public by saying, “Citizens of Athens: Aren’t you ashamed to be concerned so much about making all the money you can and advancing your reputations and prestige, while for truth and wisdom and the improvement of your souls you have no thought or care?” Well that kind of talk didn’t do him much good did it? He was soon sentenced to death.
Plato believed that the source of philosophy was our responding to the wonder and thrill of discovery in this vast Universe. And the Buddha centuries earlier preached on the importance of breaking through the filters of our illusion into the light that shined on our potential for awakening to answers of the bigger questions. To Plato, the big questions where not just about who we are and how did we get here, or is there a god, he was interested in questions on the nature of reality, or what is truth, beauty, or virtue. He thought thru the best type of political systems and the limits of knowledge itself. He wondered about courage, social justice, and the character of moderation. I often wonder what it would be like if Plato and Siddhartha would have met to discuss their notion of the big questions. What an encounter that would have been.
One of my all time favorite journalist is Bill Moyer, who said, “Every journalist worth his or her salt knows that the towering question of our time is ‘What is the human spirit?’” Dr. Nuland, a physician and spiritual philosopher believes that the question ‘what is the nature of human kind?’ would answer, “It is our ability to seek the spirit and wonder of our Universe”.
The Buddha knew that all concerned people on the path seek to resolve these questions, and by doing so, gain intelligence, wisdom, and the ability to live more deeply. One thing I might add to what Dr. Nuland said about human nature is the word ‘curiosity’. To seek the wonder and spirit of this world, first requires a driving energy that sparks our curiosity. This is a life long passion. Our Buddhist path is a life long journey, and one of constant learning. It is never ending. Learning is causality itself. Our mind is always changing and adapting to our new found knowledge. The historian Daniel Boorstin called the human animal the “asking animal.” And I might add that in asking, we are questioning our experiences, and in doing that, we begin to validate the answers to our questions. Our instinct to question everything is what drives us to grow and thrive. It is found in the child’s cry of “Why?” When we don’t question our experiences and grow with the answers, life is not worth living. We remain stuck with our ego-centered-mind wondering what’s what, and with no answer, remains distracted.
When we repress our natural tendency to question, we are likely to plow ahead without taking a good hard look at what we are doing and why. And whether we realize it or not, we buy into ready-made systems of thought, habits, and beliefs that are sold to us by our culture, our families, our friends, and especially the media. We surrender our thinking ability to others, and like the blind, we struggle to find our way in the dark. For in the dark we will be, and remain, until we find the path again. This reminds me of being in a herd of buffalo that follow each other over the cliff to their doom. The Buddha challenges us to first find the path to liberation for ourselves, then to act as guides for others to follow along the way. We lead by example. A part of leadership is skillful questioning.
We seem to be living in times that have lost how to question. How can we rekindle our questioning spirit’s passionate curiosity, so that we can engage more dynamically in the grand adventure of life? How do we go about answering for ourselves the big questions that will not go away? How can we wonder about, rediscover maybe, and plunge deeper into reality, so we can understand for ourselves what it is like to seek the spirit and wonder that is all around us if we take the time to awaken to its reality?
When we activity explore some of these big questions, it will not always provide us with final answers, as it didn’t for Plato. So why do we do it? Because it will help us learn to question more deeply so we can respond to life’s ultimate questions more wisely, effectively, and productively in our own reliable way. As our rational-mind expands, it will result in our ability to develop the skills for developing the questions that matter in our personal life. Without asking questions, the lessons gained in the Four Noble Truths will not work for us. We question in order to change. We change in order to stand more firmly on this Buddhist platform of ours. Questioning determines the nature of this change. This should be the focus of our zazen.
The big questions appear from our personal questioning process. We don’t know it at the time, but our little questions have a tendency to point to the bigger ones, until we awaken to the wisdom of questioning itself. The art of questioning is a wisdom practice and the quintessential component in a Buddhist practice. What we become awakened to is the fact that it is sometimes more useful and productive to know the questions than all the answers. Sometimes just listening to another person’s question is enough to help us farther along on our own path of discovery. As we progress along in our practice we will become attuned to this type of inquiry, we will become increasingly more aware of not only the particular questions we are most compelled to confront, but also aware of the methods, resources, and cultural traditions that are most likely to steer us in a skillful direction. We will also grow in our ability to ask questions that are more to the point of where we are stuck. As a seeker on this path one day we will become finders. Questions lead to finding answers. This is the type of process that is utilized in koan study, for example.
When we choose to step on this Buddhist path, especially in monastic training, life is asking us a big question. In whatever particular form it appears to us personally, it is up to us to look deeply within ourselves so we can articulate it in order to improve the interconnectiveness we all share. It is through the ongoing personal process of undertaking this kind of larger existential quest that life’s most pragmatic challenges are clarified. The Buddha understood this all to well, as it reflects his experience on the spiritual path of discovery, that finally was realized under the “tree of enlightenment”. A question I ask you now, “Are you up to the challenge, the quest, the search for truth and meaning, the seeking required to find the answers to your questions?” Whatever and however you make your quest, you many discover that final answers to the big questions of life are still elusive, but you will doubtless be able to deal with these questions much more effectively as your practice flourishes.
From a spiritual perspective, I know how unsettling so many of these questions are when lacking answers. It is always an issue in the beginning of one’s study or formal training. But understand that doubt, skepticism, and even dissatisfaction can propel us into wiser exploration and deeper inquiry. Doubt can be a profound spiritual motivator. Doubt is unsettling to the ego. This is a good thing from a Zen perspective. It shakes us up. A Zen teacher will say “cultivate great doubt”. Questions are easy, answers are not. The big questions often don’t have answers as we expect them to be revealed to us. The answers take a different type of body-mind perspective. This perspective is what we work so hard to cultivate from our cushions. Perhaps one question you can work on in your contemplative practice is “Why now?” I think this is a good question to ask regarding anything that happens to us. For you see, the answer to this question, is the answer to all of the big questions.
As far as the questioning process goes, each life has its own best inner direction. The Buddha himself had two question, which have formed the basis of the Buddhist path for us today. They are, What is the nature of suffering and its cause? and What are the practical steps to the end of this suffering? These two questions, to which he responds in his core lesson of the Four Noble Truths, can act like healing medicine with those two basic questions functioning respectively as the diagnosis and the cure. When it comes to the practical art of questioning and the practice of authentic rigorous self-honesty, realizing your own core question is crucially important for developing an authentic Buddhist practice. You can never go wrong if you start with considering these three: What do I want? Whom or what do I trust? What do I feel compassionate towards? | https://orderengagedbuddhists.com/2014/02/22/developing-the-art-of-questioning/ |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/382,022, filed Mar. 6, 2009.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to financial investment management, and more specifically, to a computerized investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method for open-ended investments.
2. Description of the Related Art
The largest segment of open-ended investments is the field of mutual funds. A mutual fund is a professionally managed type of collective investment scheme that pools money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities. The mutual fund will have a fund manager that trades the pooled money on a regular basis. Currently, the worldwide value of all mutual funds totals more than $26 trillion.
Since 1940, there have been three basic types of investment companies in the United States: open-end funds, also known in the US as mutual funds; unit investment trusts (UITs); ETFs; and closed-end funds. Similar funds also operate in Canada. However, in the rest of the world, mutual fund is used as a generic term for various types of collective investment vehicles, such as unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (OEICs), unitized insurance funds, and undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities (UCITS).
Massachusetts Investors Trust (now MFS Investment Management) was founded on Mar. 21, 1924, and, after one year, it had 200 shareholders and $392,000 in assets. The entire industry, which included a few closed-end funds represented less than $10 million in 1924.
The stock market crash of 1929 hindered the growth of mutual funds. In response to the stock market crash, Congress passed the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These laws require that a fund be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and provide prospective investors with a prospectus that contains required disclosures about the fund, the securities themselves, and fund manager. The SEC helped draft the Investment Company Act of 1940, which sets forth the guidelines with which all SEC-registered funds today must comply.
Since the Investment Company Act of 1940, a mutual fund is one of three basic types of investment companies available in the United States. Mutual funds can invest in many kinds of securities. The most common are cash instruments, stock, and bonds, but there are hundreds of sub-categories. Stock funds, for instance, can invest primarily in the shares of a particular industry, such as technology or utilities. These are known as sector funds. Bond funds can vary according to risk (e.g., high-yield junk bonds or investment-grade corporate bonds), type of issuers (e.g., government agencies, corporations, or municipalities), or maturity of the bonds (short- or long-term). Both stock and bond funds can invest in primarily U.S. securities (domestic funds), both U.S. and foreign securities (global funds), or primarily foreign securities (international funds).
Most mutual funds' investment portfolios are continually adjusted under the supervision of a professional manager, who forecasts cash flows into and out of the fund by investors, as well as the future performance of investments appropriate for the fund and chooses those which he or she believes will most closely match the fund's stated investment objective. A mutual fund is administered under an advisory contract with a management company, which may hire or fire fund managers.
Mutual funds are subject to a special set of regulatory, accounting, and tax rules. In the U.S., unlike most other types of business entities, they are not taxed on their income as long as they distribute 90% of it to their shareholders and the funds meet certain diversification requirements in the Internal Revenue Code. Also, the type of income they earn is often unchanged as it passes through to the shareholders. Mutual fund distributions of tax-free municipal bond income are tax-free to the shareholder. Taxable distributions can be either ordinary income or capital gains, depending on how the fund earned those distributions. Net losses are not distributed or passed through to fund investors.
Running a mutual fund involves costs, including shareholder transaction costs, investment advisory fees, and marketing and distribution expenses. Funds pass along these costs to investors in a number of ways. Mutual fund fees and expenses are charges that may be incurred by investors who hold mutual funds.
Generally, unlike past performance of the fund, expenses are very predictive. Funds with high expenses ratios tend to continue to have high expenses ratios. An investor can examine a fund's “Financial Highlights” which is contained in both the periodic financial reports and the fund's prospectus, and determine a fund's expense ratio over the last five years (if the fund has five years of history). It is very hard for a fund to significantly lower its expense ratio once it has had a few years of operational history. This is because funds have both fixed and variable expenses, but most expenses are variable. Variable costs are fixed on a percentage basis. For example, assuming there are no breakpoints, a 0.75% management fee will always consume 0.75% of fund assets, regardless of any increase in assets under management. The total management fee will vary based on the assets under management, but it will always be 0.75% of assets. Fixed costs (such as rent or an audit fee) vary on a percentage basis because the lump sum rent/audit amount as a percentage will vary depending on the amount of assets a fund has acquired. Thus, most of a fund's expenses behave as a variable expense and thus, are a constant fixed percentage of fund assets. It is therefore, very hard for a fund to significantly reduce its expense ratio after it has some history. Thus, if an investor buys a fund with a high expense ratio that has some history, he/she should not expect any significant reduction.
There are 3 broad investment categories for mutual funds (equity, bond, and money market—in declining order of historical returns). That is an over simplification but adequate to explain the effect of expenses. In an equity fund where the historical gross return might be 10%, a 1% expense ratio will consume approximately 10% of the investor's return. In a bond fund where the historical gross return might be 8%, a 1% expense ratio will consume approximately 12.5% of the investor's return. In a money market fund where the historical gross return might be 5%, a 1% expense ratio will consume approximately 20% of the investor's historical total return. Thus, an investor must consider a fund's expense ratio as it relates to the type of investments a fund will hold.
Mutual funds bear expenses similar to other companies. The fee structure of a mutual fund can be divided into two or three main components: management fee, nonmanagement expense, and 12b-1/non-12b-1 fees. All expenses are expressed as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund.
A management fee for the fund is usually synonymous with the contractual investment advisory fee charged for the management of a fund's investments. However, as many fund companies include administrative fees in the advisory fee component, when attempting to compare the total management expenses of different funds, it is helpful to define management fee as equal to the contractual advisory fee+the contractual administrator fee. This “levels the playing field” when comparing management fee components across multiple funds.
Contractual advisory fees may be structured as “flat-rate” fees, i.e., a single fee charged to the fund, regardless of the asset size of the fund. However, many funds have contractual fees which include breakpoints, so that as the value of a fund's assets increases, the advisory fee paid decreases. Another way in which the advisory fees remain competitive is by structuring the fee so that it is based on the value of all of the assets of a group or a complex of funds rather than those of a single fund.
Apart from the management fee, there are certain non-management expenses which most funds must pay. Some of the more significant (in terms of amount) non-management expenses are: transfer agent expenses (this is usually the person you get on the other end of the phone line when you want to purchase/sell shares of a fund), custodian expense (the fund's assets are kept in custody by a bank which charges a custody fee), legal/audit expense, fund accounting expense, registration expense (the SEC charges a registration fee when funds file registration statements with it), board of directors/trustees expense (the disinterested members of the board who oversee the fund are usually paid a fee for their time spent at meetings), and printing and postage expense (incurred when printing and delivering shareholder reports).
Fees and expenses borne by the investor vary based on the arrangement made with the investor's broker. Sales loads (or contingent deferred sales loads (CDSL)) are not included in the fund's total expense ratio (TER) because they do not pass through the statement of operations for the fund. Additionally, funds may charge early redemption fees to discourage investors from swapping money into and out of the fund quickly, which may force the fund to make bad trades to obtain the necessary liquidity. For example, Fidelity Diversified International Fund (FDIVX) charges a 1 percent fee on money removed from the fund in less than 30 days.
An additional expense which does not pass through the statement of operations and cannot be controlled by the investor is brokerage transaction commissions. Brokerage transaction commissions are incorporated into the price of the fund and are reported usually 3 months after the fund's annual report in the statement of additional information. Brokerage transaction commissions are directly related to portfolio turnover (portfolio turnover refers to the number of times the fund's assets are bought and sold over the course of a year). Usually the higher the rate of the portfolio turnover, the higher the brokerage transaction commissions. The advisors of mutual fund companies are required to achieve “best execution” through brokerage arrangements so that the commissions charged to the fund will not be excessive.
According to data from Greenwich Associates presented in testimony to the House Committee on Financial Services (Harold Bradley of American Century Management, Mar. 12, 2003), mutual funds pay an average of between 5.1 and 5.5 cents per share in commissions to make securities transactions—a rate that has not changed significantly in the past decade.
Existing shareholders in open-ended investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, hedge funds, etc., are continuously and dually monetarily disadvantaged when new shares or units are purchased by new investors. Additionally, the same situation occurs when exiting shareholders redeem their shares in the investment vehicle.
New shares in existing mutual funds are bought without consideration to the brokerage transaction commissions (or trading costs) that were paid in acquiring the fund's existing portfolio, thus giving the new investors a slight price advantage, and at the same time creating a slight price disadvantage to existing shareholders.
Thus, a computerized method for open-ended investments solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method includes the steps of providing a computer processor, providing computer readable memory in communication with the computer processor, and providing a computer display in communication with the computer processor. It should be understood that the purchase is being made by a client as purchaser, and the same goes for liquidation. The investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method is utilized when liquidating or purchasing shares (particularly, for open-ended investments), and includes the steps of calculating a total net asset of a mutual fund, determining a number of shares outstanding for the mutual fund, and calculating a net asset value per share for the mutual fund. It should be understood that the mutual fund is used only as an example of an open-ended investment.
In the method of purchasing shares, total net assets of a mutual fund are first calculated. The number of shares outstanding for the mutual fund is then determined and a net asset value per share for the mutual fund is calculated. A brokerage transaction commission, which is a set of fees inherent in the open-ended investment process, is then added onto the net asset value per share, and the new net assets are calculated. The new outstanding shares are then determined, and the new net asset value per share for the mutual fund is finally determined.
Similarly, in the computerized investment liquidation adjustment method, the total net assets of the mutual fund are initially calculated. The number of shares outstanding for the mutual fund is then determined and a net asset value per share for the mutual fund is calculated. The brokerage transaction commission is then subtracted from the net asset value per share, and the new net assets are calculated. The new outstanding shares are then determined, and the new net asset value per share for the mutual fund is finally determined.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
FIGS. 1-3
The present invention, with a view to , relates generally to an open-ended investment model. More specifically, the invention is a method for calculating a net asset value per share, with or without an added brokerage transaction commission, and charging individual shareholders upon purchase or liquidation of shares of the mutual fund, rather than removing brokerage transaction fees, etc. from all shareholders in the mutual fund.
Investors who want to sell shares of a closed-end fund can do so at any time that the stock exchange is open at the then-current market price. The market price of a closed-end fund's shares differ from, and are often well below, the NAV of those shares. Shares of open-end funds and UIT's, by contrast, can be redeemed only at the NAV determined at the end of the day.
A net asset value, or NAV, is the current market value of a fund's holdings, less the fund's liabilities, usually expressed as a per-share amount. For most funds, the NAV is determined daily, after the close of trading on some specified financial exchange, but some funds update their NAV multiple times during the trading day. Typically, but not in all situations, the public offering price, or POP, is the NAV plus a sales charge. Open-end funds sell shares at the POP and redeem shares at the NAV, and so process orders only after the NAV is determined. Closed-end funds (the shares of which are traded by investors) may trade at a higher or lower price than their NAV; this is known as a premium or discount, respectively. If a fund is divided into multiple classes of shares, each class will typically have its own NAV, reflecting differences in fees and expenses paid by the different classes.
Net Asset Value (NAV) is a term used to describe the value of an entity's assets less the value of its liabilities. The term is commonly used in relation to collective investment schemes. It may also be used as a synonym for the book value of a firm. For collective investment schemes (such as US mutual funds and hedge funds), the NAV is the total value of the fund's portfolio less its liabilities. Its liabilities may be money owed to lending banks or fees owed to investment managers, for example.
Investment companies are corporations or trusts that are in the business of buying and selling securities. Such companies issue shares that are bought by investors. The value of an investment company's shares is measured, by adding up the value of the securities it owns (and any other assets), subtracting liabilities, and dividing by the number of outstanding shares. This figure is known as the investment company's “net asset value” (NAV). It is typically calculated once per day, at the close of the financial markets.
For the valuation of assets and liabilities, different methods are used depending upon the circumstances, the purposes of the valuation or the regulations that may apply. For funds, the most common method of valuation is to use the market value of the assets. The NAV describes the company's current asset and liability position.
Existing shareholders in open-ended investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, hedge funds, etc., are continuously and dually monetarily disadvantaged, when new shares are purchased by new investors (as will be described in detail below). Additionally, the same situation occurs when exiting shareholders redeem their shares in the investment vehicle.
FIGS. 1-3
Referring to , the method of the present invention is discussed. Of course, as will be evident, the following examples refer to mutual funds, even though the method would also be relevant to all open-ended investment vehicles. Additionally, in these examples sales charges, if any, have been omitted.
Currently, new shares in existing mutual funds are bought without consideration to the brokerage transaction commissions (or trading costs) that were paid in acquiring the fund's existing portfolio, thus giving the new investors a slight price advantage, and at the same time creating a slight price disadvantage to existing shareholders.
For example, a new mutual fund is started whereby the original investors buy 1,000,000 shares at $10.00 per share for the total amount of $10,000,000.00. If the mutual fund manager invests, the full $10,000,000.00, and assuming that the stock brokerage transaction commission average is 0.5%, and assuming the portfolio assets remain unchanged, then the next day's asset value would change to $9.95 per share ($10,000,00 less 0.5%=$9,950,000, divided by 1,000,000 shares=$9.95 per share).
In the above example, after the original investors paid the $10.00 offering price, the new investors would pay $9.95 per share, 0.5% less than then the original investors. This discrepancy will always exist when new shares are purchased.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
120
200
300
With reference to , with respect to the present invention, the initial choice, starting with 100, that the pending shareholder has to answer is whether they are buying shares or liquidating shares and this is indicated with decision block . If the shareholder is buying shares of the mutual fund, the shareholder is directed to block or, more specifically, to . Alternatively, If the shareholder is liquidating shares of the mutual fund, the shareholder is directed to block or, more specifically, to .
FIG. 2
Since in the first example, the shareholder is purchasing more shares, attention is directed to and to rectify the above discrepancy solution would be to charge new investors the 0.5025125% fee for their portion of the existing brokerage transaction commissions, so they would pay the same $10.00 per share as the existing shareholders.
220
230
240
Initially, the total net assets have to be calculated in box . Next, a determination of the number of shares outstanding is found in box . Now, the Net Asset Value or NAV per share is calculated in box .
250
260
270
280
At this point, in box , the calculation of the fee would be to add 0.5025125% on to the shareholders purchasing the shares. It should be understood that the 0.5025125% is used as an exemplary percentage. The calculation of this fee would flow into the assets of the mutual fund. As accumulated brokerage transaction commissions change each day because of the trading of the positions in the mutual fund, the brokerage transaction commission's percentage could be changed on a daily basis. In box the new net assets are calculated and, in box , the new outstanding shares are determined. Finally, the new net asset value per share is determined, in box and the shares are sold to the shareholder.
FIG. 3
As shown in , the method can be similarly used to solve the problem of maintaining the true asset value of existing shareholders when there are share liquidations by some existing shareholders.
By way of example, currently when existing shareholders redeem shares in a mutual fund, the shares are liquidated at net asset value. This liquidation does not taking into account any brokerage transaction commissions that would ultimately occur on the assets of the liquidated positions.
For example, a mutual fund has $9,950,00 in net assets with 1,000,000 shares outstanding or a net asset value of $9.95 per share. Liquidating shareholders would redeem their shares at $9.95 per share, leaving the remaining shareholders in the mutual fund assuming any present or future brokerage transaction commissions related to the redemptions.
Using similar figures, for a purchase, after the original investors paid the $10.00 offering price, the new investors would pay $9.95 per share, 0.5% less than then the original investors. This discrepancy will always exist when new shares are purchased.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
120
200
300
With reference to again, the initial choice, starting with 100, that the new shareholder has to answer is whether they are buying shares or liquidating shares and this is indicated with decision block . If the shareholder is buying shares of the mutual fund, the shareholder is directed to block or, more specifically, to . Alternatively, if the shareholder is liquidating shares of the mutual fund, the shareholder is directed to block or, more specifically, to .
FIG. 3
Since in the above example, the shareholder is selling or liquidating more shares, attention is directed to and to rectify the above discrepancy solution would be to charge new investors the 0.5025125% fee for their portion of the existing brokerage transaction commissions, so they would pay the same $10.00 per share as the existing shareholders.
320
330
340
Initially, the total net assets have to be calculated in box . Next, a determination of the number of shares outstanding is found in box . Now, the Net Asset Value or NAV per share is calculated in box .
350
At this point, in box , the calculation of the fee would be to subtract 0.5% from the new shareholders. The calculation of this fee would flow into the assets of the mutual fund. As accumulated brokerage transaction commissions change each day because of the trading of the positions in the mutual fund, the brokerage transaction commission's percentage could be changed on a daily basis.
360
370
380
In box the new net assets are calculated and, in box , the new outstanding shares are determined. Finally, the new net asset value per share is determined, in box and the shares are sold. Thus, the liquidating shareholders would be charged their portion of the assumed brokerage charges (in this case 0.5%). They would receive $9.95 less 0.4975 cents=$9.90025 per share. The 0.5% would flow into the assets of the mutual fund.
The method of the present invention would protect the true asset value of existing shareholders in an open-ended vehicle, and not economically penalize them on a continuous basis whenever shares are bought by new investors or redeemed by existing ones.
As noted above, the daily stock brokerage expenses that are charged for the buying and the redemption of the mutual fund may be calculated on a daily basis. Alternatively, the expenses may be calculated using a static percentage, such as 0.5%, for example, on a daily basis that approximates the stock brokerage charges, with this percentage changing periodically. Using the example given above for a closing total net asset of the fund being $9,950,000, the stock brokerage transaction commissions to assemble this existing portfolio would be $49,750, or 0.5% of the total net assets. The purchasers of shares of this fund the next day would be charged an additional 0.5025125% on their purchases. These charges would flow to the assets of the fund. Shareholders who redeem their shares the next day would have 0.5% deducted from their proceeds, which would then flow to the assets of the fund. Alternatively, the mutual fund could calculate the expenses on a daily basis based upon the stock brokerage transaction commissions paid on their existing portfolio, and this would be adjusted accordingly on a daily basis. Once again, using the examples set forth above, if the closing total net assets of the fund are $8,770,123, then the stock brokerage transaction commissions to assemble the existing portfolio would be $28,064, or 0.32% of the total net assets. The purchasers of shares of this fund the following day would then be charged an additional 0.32103% on their purchases. These charges would flow to the assets of the fund. Shareholders who redeem their shares the next day would have 0.32% deducted from their proceeds, which would then flow to the assets of the fund.
Using the examples given above, under the prior art method for redemption of shares, the total net assets of a mutual fund, assuming 0.5% in accumulated stock brokerage transaction commissions, is $9,950,000, with 1,000,000 shares outstanding and a net asset value per share of $9.95. For 100,000 shares redeemed at $9.95 per share, this yields $995,000, with the new net assets of the mutual fund being $8,955,000, with 900,000 new shares outstanding, thus yielding a new net asset value per share of $9.95. Using the present inventive method, the 100,000 shares are redeemed at $9.90025 per share (as opposed to the prior art value of $9.95), which is calculated by the 0.5% brokerage transaction fee being deducted from the net asset value per share. This results in a new net asset value of the mutual fund equal to $8,959,975, which for 900,000 new outstanding shares results in a new net asset value per share of $9.956 per share, which is greater by 6/10 of a cent than in the prior art system.
Similarly, for buying of new shares, the total net assets of the prior art mutual fund, assuming 0.5% in accumulated stock brokerage transaction commissions, is $9,950,000, with 1,000,000 shares outstanding and a net asset value per share of $9.95. For 100,000 shares purchased at $9.95 per share, this yields $995,000, with the new net assets of the mutual fund being $10,945,000, with 1,100,000 new shares outstanding, thus yielding a new net asset value per share of $9.95. Using the present inventive method, the 100,000 shares are purchased at $10.00 per share (as opposed to the prior art value of $9.95), which is calculated by the 0.525125% brokerage fee being added to the net asset value. This results in a new net asset value of the mutual fund equal to $10,950,000, which for 1,100,000 new outstanding shares results in a new net asset value per share of $9.95 per share. It should be understood that the mutual fund examples given above are shown merely as examples of open-ended investments, and the present inventive method may be applied to any suitable type of open-ended investment.
FIG. 4
400
406
408
402
404
It should be understood that the calculations may be performed by any suitable computer system, such as that diagrammatically shown in . Data is entered into system via any suitable type of user interface , and may be stored in memory , which may be any suitable type of computer readable and programmable memory. Calculations are performed by processor , which may be any suitable type of computer processor and may be displayed to the user on display , which may be any suitable type of computer display.
402
404
402
408
Processor may be associated with, or incorporated into, any suitable type of computing device, for example, a personal computer or a programmable logic controller. The display , the processor , the memory and any associated computer readable recording media are in communication with one another by any suitable type of data bus, as is well known in the art.
408
408
Examples of computer-readable recording media include a magnetic recording apparatus, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and/or a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM, ROM, etc.). Examples of magnetic recording apparatus that may be used in addition to memory , or in place of memory , include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (ED), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable)/RW.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a flowchart of an investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a flowchart of an investment purchase adjustment method according to the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a flowchart of an investment liquidation adjustment method according to the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a block diagram illustrating system components for implementing the investment liquidation and purchase adjustment method according to the present invention. | |
Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The key to reversing the rapidly spreading epidemic of chronic disease is to address the underlying causes and solutions for chronic disease, which are primarily driven by the lifelong, daily interaction among an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices.
Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centred focus of medical practice to a more patient-centred approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.
An integrative, evidence-based healthcare approach - practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
Integrating best medical practices - functional medicine integrates conventional medical practices with complementary or alternative medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet and exercise; use of laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programmes, or stress-management techniques. | http://cornellnutrition.co.uk/page7.html |
Suitable for family holiday, friendly families, groups of pensioners, students and groups of workers. Enjoy every one who wants to relax actively and passively.
Story building in the valley at the weir Moravian Thaya, surrounded by meadows and surrounding forests, offering comfortable accommodation for up to 16 people. You will spend a pleasant holiday in peace. The surrounding beautiful countryside so. Czech Canada offers unspoiled nature. During the day trips around (Dačice, Telč, Slavonice, Jemnice, Landstejn, Roštejn, J. Hradec, N. Bystřice, Trebon, and others. ). Active use of time in and relaxation associated with bathing. Hiking and biking trails.
Swimming is possible at the building the pool AZURO 7.3 x 3.7m with a depth of 1.2 meters, heated by a heat pump with operation from May to October. Bathing in the river Thaya.
As a further 4.5 m trampoline, table tennis, table football for 4 persons, fireplace, sandpit, barbecue, covered terrace of 50 m2 with entrance to the meadow, you can sit in a pub …
Free high speed Internet access throughout the building and outside.
The first mention of the mill at the River Thaya date from 1369 and are also the first mention of the existence of the village.
Ideal for 2-4 friendly families or small groups of friends or work groups (meetings, seminars, team building events, celebrations …).
Near the mill there are sports where you can play football, tennis, volleyball and other sports. Part of this sport is also a playground with swings, slide and sandbox. This area is located approximately 500 meters from the mill.
YEAR-ROUND OPERATION – central heating.
GEAR
Accommodation in two separate floors:
Ground floor:
- large lounge with access to large covered terrace
- Bedroom (4 people)
- bathroom, 2 toilets
- kitchen
- GROUND FLOOR IS A WHOLE DISABLED!
1st Floor:
- 3 bedrooms
- bathroom, WC
Heating: Automatic – central heating.
Transport, parking: Drive directly to the building – free parking.
Dačice bus to stop, even in Vnorovice (600 m). Train to Dačice or Urbanec (2 km – walk).
FOOD
This cozy pub outside the main building (traffic does not disturb the guests! ): Beer (Pilsen Kozel 12 and 11), Kofola, ice cream, coffee, tea, variety of alcoholic and soft drinks, fast Jida, branded wines …
EQUIPPED VILLAS
Large lounge with access to the covered terrace (beautiful view of the meadow, river and weir), fully equipped kitchen – stove with oven, microwave, kettle, fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, high speed Internet + FREE WIFI. Fireplace, barbecue, sun loungers by the pool AZURO – 7.3 × 3.7 m, depth 1.2 m, a heated heat pump to operate from May to October, jumping 4.5 m trampoline, table tennis, table football for 4 persons fireplace with facilities. Other sports facilities nearby – tennis, football, volleyball. | https://vnorovice.cz/en/mill/ |
Language acquisition or in other words, learning a second language, is an important concept in terms of making students think in a different way than they have ever done before. Words and sentence structure are different from their native language and this supports intellectual development greatly. Language acquisition is also an important aspect of International Mindedness and intercultural understanding as every language comes with its own culture.
Students at Melbourne Montessori School have the opportunity to begin or continue to advance their ability in a language of choice. In Junior School our Cycle 1 to Cycle 3 children enjoy Italian:
We start with a very gentle introduction to the second language of Italian in Cycle 1 with games, artefacts and songs. Our Italian teacher enjoys finding natural, spontaneous opportunities to invite the interest of our youngest learners as a fun way of gradually introducing Italian words into conversation.
In Cycle 2 Italian, children begin to understand and use Italian within the world of their own experience and imagination with some topics drawn from other areas of learning including exchanging simple personal information and opinions, and creating and performing short skits in the language. They start to recognise, read and locate items of information in short texts and write short sentences and paragraphs.
In Cycle 3 Italian, children learn Italian and now make logical attempts to find meaning from written and spoken material and begin to use resources such as bi-lingual dictionaries. They learn strategies for retaining language information for later use in new applications and develop an understanding of how parts of the language system works. They are not only learning another language but also learn about cultural differences associated with a language other than English. Children are encouraged to speak in Italian and apply their learning in a number of situations and activities such as instructions, reading, stories, role-playing, dialogue, performance, singing with actions, reciting and games.
From Cycle 4 onwards, our Senior School students can choose from Italian, French or Mandarin. This is integrated into the classroom environment and taught and studied independently using a range of online resources and materials. Students immerse themselves in a foreign language; exploring the culture and advancing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
In Mandarin, for example, our Cycle 4 and 5 students learn how to:
- Use many of the basic Chinese language used in daily life.
- Provided with learning activities for the students to get a better understanding of the Chinese culture.
- Engaged in a variety of fun and engaging activities.
- Develop overall language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Open up new pathways and opportunities later in life.
The intention of our Senior School language programs is:
- To enable students to communicate in the target language, in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes.
- To provide a platform for students to explore, in greater depth, the culture of the language and its people.
- To reflect on how language is constructed and manipulated in order to achieve the intended outcome.
- To equip students with language that will allow them to engage in conversation.
- To provide students with an insight into the culture of the language.
- To reflect on how language is constructed and compare it to that of the learner.
But don’t just take our word for it! Here are some more scientifically informed reasons to study a second language:
Twenty-Five Reasons to Study Foreign Languages
(from Auburn University)
- Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
- Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
- Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
- Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
- Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
- Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
- International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
- Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
- Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
- A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
- Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.
- Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
- Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
- One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
- Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
- Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
- The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
- The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
- Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalise one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
- Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
- Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
- As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
- One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
- Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
- Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness. | https://melbournemontessori.vic.edu.au/why-should-i-study-a-second-language/ |
Thank you, from the Foods of the World Forums!
|
|
Small batch blueberry jam
|Post Reply|
|Author||
|
Topic Search Topic Options
|
pitrow
|
Master Chef
Joined: 22 November 2010
Location: Newberg, Oregon
Status: Offline
Points: 1030
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Posted: 19 July 2016 at 11:39
|
|
Well, as is typical this time of year, my blueberry bush is exploding and I was looking for something beyond blueberry pie (and muffins, and pancakes, etc.) to do with them and I came across this interesting recipe for small batch, honey-sweetened, blueberry jam. It looked interesting, especially since I love honey, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
The recipe is simplicity itself...
1.5 pounds blueberries
8 oz honey
juice of half a lemon (I didn't have any lemons so I used 1 tablespoon of lime juice)
Wash the berries, then add to a large skillet. Apparently a wide skillet with straight sides is best because we want the berries in a thin layer so the heat can penetrate quickly. More on that later.
Mash the berries well and mix in the honey and lemon juice.
Bring to a boil and reduce for about 10 minutes. When you draw a spatula or spoon through it, it should leave a clear trail for a little bit.
That's it, you're done. At this point you can store it in the refrigerator, or process in a water bath canner for longer storage.
The recipe makes 2-3 half pints of jam. I was able to get a pint jar and a half pint jar full.
Now, back to why you use the wide skillet instead of a pot. From what I read you need the berries to heat up rapidly, otherwise the pectin from the berries won't react correctly and the jam won't setup nice and firm. I suppose if you want to make syrup that would be fine. This is also the reason why it makes a very small batch. The original recipe warned not to try to double the recipe because it won't setup right, instead make several small batches and combine them.
Anyway, I love the taste of this stuff and will definitely make some more as soon as the next batch of berries from my bush are ready. I might experiment with some herbs in the mix as well. Maybe sage, or mint. Or maybe some lavender from my bush. We'll see.
|
|
Mike
Life in PitRow - My often neglected, somewhat eccentric, occasionally outstanding blog
|Sponsored Links|
|
gonefishin
|
Master Chef
Joined: 20 September 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 1778
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
I really need to plant a blueberry and a raspberry bush this year!
Thanks for sharing, sounds great
|
|
Enjoy The Food!
|
Tom Kurth
|
Chef's Apprentice
Joined: 10 May 2015
Location: Alma, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 251
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
We just had blueberry syrup on pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon for dinner tonight. Perhaps you would like this recipe. It's from Taste of Home.
Blueberry Syrup
1/4 C brown sugar
1 T cornstarch
1/4 C orange juice
1 C blueberries
1/4 t vanilla
Combine sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in OJ until smooth. Stir in berries. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cook and stir 1-2 additional minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
The original recipe was attached to a puff pancake recipe. For use with regular pancakes, I thinned with about 1/4 C water.
Best,
Tom
|
|
Best,
Tom
Escape to Missouri
|
Margi Cintrano
|
Master Chef
Joined: 03 February 2012
Location: Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 6258
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
Sounds delightful ( both these blueberry recipes )
|
|
Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina. | http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/small-batch-blueberry-jam_topic4653.html |
Disabled and Elderly Members of the community (DIADEM), a 3-year project,
funded by the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme, to assist older
adults when accessing, completing, and submitting online forms, by developing
web-based assistive technologies that adapt the online form according to users'
needs. A user-centred approach is adopted to gain insights into the challenges
faced by 80 older adults in three European countries as they interact with a
representative sample of public service-based online forms. A thematic analysis
is then carried out on the data, which revealed five over-arching themes that
relate to the challenges faced by users: assistance, trust, layout, the
technology paradigm, and language. From these themes, 23 online form design
guidelines are derived, which provide valuable guidance for the development of
the DIADEM application and for e-Government online form design for an ageing
population in general.|
Keywords: Accessibility; Assistive technology; Older adults; e-Government; Online forms
|Speech-based navigation and error correction: a comprehensive comparison of two solutions||| BIBAK | Full-Text||17-31|
|Jinjuan Feng; Shaojian Zhu; Ruimin Hu; Andrew Sears|
|Speech-based navigation and error correction can serve as a useful
alternative for individuals with disabilities that hinder the use of a keyboard
and mouse, but existing solutions available in commercial software are still
error-prone and time-consuming. This paper discusses two studies conducted with
the goal of improving speech-based navigation and error correction techniques.
The first study was designed to improve understanding of an innovative
speech-based navigation technique: anchor-based navigation. The second study
was longitudinal, spanning seven trials, and was intended to provide insights
regarding the efficacy of both traditional target/direction-based navigation
and anchor-based navigation. Building on earlier studies that employed similar
methodologies and interaction solutions, this paper also provides an informal
evaluation of a new correction dialogue. Although the two solutions resulted in
the same level of efficiency, the underlying strategies adopted were different,
and the anchor-based solution allowed participants to generate better quality
text and was perceived to be easier to use. These results suggest that the
anchor-based solution could be a promising alternative, especially for novice
users as they learn how to use speech-based dictation solutions. The findings
of these studies need to be further validated with the involvement of users
with disabilities.|
Keywords: Speech-based interaction; Navigation; Error correction; Empirical evaluation; Assistive technology
|Quantitative assessment of mobile web guidelines conformance||| BIBAK | Full-Text||33-49|
|Markel Vigo; Amaia Aizpurua; Myriam Arrue; Julio Abascal|
|Conformance metrics for the mobile web can play a crucial role as far as
engineering mobile websites are concerned, especially if they are automatically
obtained. In this way, developers can have an idea in numeric terms of how
suitable their developments are for mobile devices. However, there are a
plethora of devices with their own particular features (screen size, formats
support, etc.) that restrict a unified automatic assessment process. This paper
proposes a tool-supported method for device-tailored assessment in terms of
conformance with Mobile Web Best Practices 1.0, including the definition of
five quantitative metrics for automatically measuring mobile web conformance:
Navigability, Page layout, Page definition, User input and Overall score. The
behaviour of these metrics was analysed for different devices and different web
paradigms, both mobile web pages and their equivalent desktop pages. As
expected, the results show that mobile web pages on more capable devices score
higher. In addition, 20 users took part in an experiment aimed at discovering
how conformance-based scores relate to usability dimensions. The results
demonstrate that automatic scoring approaches strongly correlate with usability
scores obtained by direct observation, such as task completion time and user
satisfaction. This correlation is even stronger for the device-tailored
assessment than the one that assumes a general profile for all devices. For
instance, results show a strong negative correlation between Overall score and
task completion time: ρ (9)=-0.81, (p<0.05) for the generalist approach
and ρ (9)=-0.88 for the device-tailored one, entailing that mobile web
guidelines and the metrics based on their conformance capture usability
aspects. This result challenges the widely accepted belief that conformance to
guidelines does not imply more usable web pages, at least for web accessibility
conformance.|
Keywords: Mobile web; Usability; Metrics; Device-tailored evaluations
|Development of a system usability assessment procedure using oculo-motors for input operation||| BIBA | Full-Text||51-68|
|Minoru Nakayama; Makoto Katsukura|
|This paper investigates the relationship between oculo-motors, such as eye-movement and pupillary change, and the conventional subjective "usability" index, using time-domain and frequency-domain approaches, with the objective to determine the possibility of evaluating interaction through oculo-motors. An evaluation experiment was conducted by operating a target on a computer display using mouse, keyboard and key pad as input devices. The results show that there is a significant correlation between pupil size and SU-score, which is an established subjective evaluation index for system usability. Cross spectrum densities (CSD) between horizontal and vertical eye-movements and coherence as standardized CSD also significantly correlate with the results of the SU-scores and error rates. To determine the frequency range of CSD and coherence for usability assessment, frequency components used as factors were extracted using factor analysis. According to the correlation coefficients between these and the performance of factor scores for predicting the conventional metrics, factor scores of CSD are better indices for assessing usability than factor scores of coherence. These two results suggest that pupil size and index of eye-movement as oculo-motor indices based on time-domain and frequency-domain approaches can provide information about a system's overall usability regarding the input operation task.|
|BlinkWrite: efficient text entry using eye blinks||| BIBAK | Full-Text||69-80|
|I. Scott MacKenzie; Behrooz Ashtiani|
|In this paper, a new text entry system is proposed, implemented, and
evaluated. BlinkWrite provides a communication gateway for cognitively able
motor-impaired individuals who cannot use a traditional eye-tracking system. In
contrast to most hands-free systems, BlinkWrite allows text to be entered and
corrected using a single input modality: blinks. The system was implemented
using a scanning ambiguous keyboard, a new form of scanning keyboard that
allows English text to be entered in less than two scanning intervals per
character. In a user study, 12 participants entered text using the system with
three settings for scanning interval: 1,000, 850, and 700ms. An average text
entry rate of 4.8wpm was observed with accuracy>97%. The highest average
text entry rate was achieved with the scanning interval of 850ms.|
Keywords: Blink typing; Hands free text-entry; Eye typing; Scanning ambiguous keyboard; Assistive technologies
|Game accessibility: a survey||| BIBAK | Full-Text||81-100|
|Bei Yuan; Eelke Folmer; Frederick C. Harris|
|Over the last three decades, video games have evolved from a pastime into a
force of change that is transforming the way people perceive, learn about, and
interact with the world around them. In addition to entertainment, games are
increasingly used for other purposes such as education or health. Despite this
increased interest, a significant number of people encounter barriers when
playing games due to a disability. Accessibility problems may include the
following: (1) not being able to receive feedback; (2) not being able to
determine in-game responses; (3) not being able to provide input using
conventional input devices. This paper surveys the current state-of-the-art in
research and practice in the accessibility of video games and points out
relevant areas for future research. A generalized game interaction model shows
how a disability affects ones ability to play games. Estimates are provided on
the total number of people in the United States whose ability to play games is
affected by a disability. A large number of accessible games are surveyed for
different types of impairments, across several game genres, from which a number
of high- and low-level accessibility strategies are distilled for game
developers to inform their design.|
Keywords: Game accessibility; Disability; Strategy; Impairment
|The accessibility of university web sites: the case of Turkish universities||| BIBAK | DOI||101-110|
|Serhat Kurt|
|The Web has become a part of daily life, and yet web accessibility remains
an important issue because of continuing accessibility problems involving many
web users. Universities utilize the Web for many purposes, and therefore,
university Web sites must be accessible for all. This paper presents the
results of an evaluation of the level of accessibility of Turkish university
homepages. A sample of university homepages was reviewed using multiple
techniques based on The World Wide Web Consortium suggestions. The results
indicated that all university homepages show some accessibility problems.
Several recommendations are provided based on the research findings.|
Keywords: Accessibility; Post-secondary education; Programming and programming languages; Computer-mediated communication; Multimedia/hypermedia systems
|Pervasive technologies and assistive environments: social impact, financial, government and privacy issues||| BIB | Full-Text||111-114|
|Ilias Maglogiannis; Fillia Makedon; Grammati Pantziou; Lynne Baillie|
|Behavior monitoring for assistive environments using multiple views||| BIBAK | Full-Text||115-123|
|Dimitrios I. Kosmopoulos|
|This work presents an approach to behavior understanding using multiple
cameras. This approach is appropriate for monitoring people in an assistive
environment for the purpose of issuing alerts in cases of abnormal behavior.
The output of multiple classifiers is used to model and extract abnormal
behavior from both the target trajectory and the target short-term activity
(i.e., walking, running, abrupt motion, etc.). Spatial information is obtained
after an offline camera registration using homography information. The proposed
approach is verified experimentally in an indoor environment. The experiments
are performed with a single moving target; however, the method can be
generalized to multiple moving targets, which may occlude each other, due to
the use of multiple cameras.|
Keywords: Behavior monitoring; Homography; SVM; Hidden Markov model
|Extracting spatiotemporal human activity patterns in assisted living using a home sensor network||| BIBAK | Full-Text||125-138|
|Dimitrios Lymberopoulos; Athanasios Bamis; Andreas Savvides|
|This paper presents an automated methodology for extracting the
spatiotemporal activity model of a person using a wireless sensor network
deployed inside a home. The sensor network is modeled as a source of
spatiotemporal symbols whose output is triggered by the monitored person's
motion over space and time. Using this stream of symbols, the problem of human
activity modeling is formulated as a spatiotemporal pattern-matching problem on
top of the sequence of symbolic information the sensor network produces, and is
solved using an exhaustive search algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed
methodology is demonstrated on a real 30-day dataset extracted from an ongoing
deployment of a sensor network inside a home monitoring an elder. The developed
algorithm examines the person's data over these 30 days and automatically
extracts the person's daily pattern.|
Keywords: Human activity model; Spatiotemporal activity patterns; Sensor networks
|Analyzing motoric and physiological data in describing upper extremity movement in the aged||| BIBAK | Full-Text||139-150|
|Gaurav N. Pradhan; Navzer Engineer; Mihai Nadin; B. Prabhakaran|
|Cognitive functions, motoric expression, and changes in physiology are often
studied separately, with little attention to the relationships or correlations
among them. The study presented in this paper implements an integrated approach
by combining motion capture (action) and EMG (physiological) parameters as
synchronized data streams resulting from the action and associated
physiological data. The reported experiments were designed to measure the
preparatory movement capabilities of the upper extremities. In particular,
measurement of changes in preparatory activity during the aging process is of
interest in this context, as the attempt is to develop means to compensate for
loss of adaptive capabilities that aging entails. To achieve this goal, it is
necessary to quantify preparation phases (timing and intensity). Motion capture
and EMG parameters were measured when subjects raised their arms without
constraint (condition one) and raised their arms while holding a ball (second
condition). Furthermore, on comparing aging and young participants, it was
confirmed that with aging the temporal relationships between actual movement
and the preceding EMG signal change.|
Keywords: Aging; Analysis of variance; Factor analysis; Electromyogram; Motion capture
|Accessible interactive television using the MPEG-21 standard||| BIBAK | Full-Text||151-163|
|Evangelos Vlachogiannis; Damianos Gavalas; George E. Tsekouras; Christos N. Anagnostopoulos|
|In this paper, the accessibility of interactive television (iTV) is
discussed as a primary factor for its satisfactory adoption and commercial
success. The work presented here is undertaken in the context of a research
project that focuses on delivering iTV services to disabled children. This
objective is accomplished through the utilization of the arising MPEG-21
standard. Based on that standard, iTV accessibility is investigated in terms of
metadata and content adaptation. The novelty of the contribution lies on a
systematic methodology that deals with a wide range of accessibility problems,
as opposed to previous studies that focus mostly on users with only one
specific disability.|
Keywords: Accessible interactive TV; MPEG-21; Content adaptation approach; Metadata; Pervasive environments; Collaborative filtering
|Design and evaluation of haptic effects for use in a computer desktop for the physically disabled||| BIBAK | DOI||165-178|
|Brian Holbert; Manfred Huber|
|The human-computer interface remains a mostly visual environment with little
or no haptic interaction. While haptics is finding inroads in specialized areas
such as surgery, gaming, and robotics, there has been little work to bring
haptics to the computer desktop, which is largely dominated today by the
GUI/mouse relationship. The mouse as an input device, however, poses many
challenges for users with physical disabilities, and it is believed that a
haptically enhanced interface could have significant impact assisting in target
selection. This paper presents a study intended to evaluate haptic effects used
with a force feedback mouse on a computer desktop and a prediction algorithm
designed to focus those effects on the desired target. Results of the
experiment were partially successful and indicated future directions for
improvement. The paper introduces the proposed framework and presents
experimental results from targeting tasks using differing haptic effects with a
group of physically disabled users.|
Keywords: Haptic interface; Haptic mouse; Targeting; Target prediction
|A cognitive framework for robot guides in art collections||| BIBAK | Full-Text||179-193|
|Dimitrios Vogiatzis; Vangelis Karkaletsis|
|A basic goal in human-robot interaction is to establish such a communication
mode between the two parties that the humans perceive it as effective and
natural; effective in the sense of being responsive to the information needs of
the humans, and natural in the sense of communicating information in modes
familiar to humans. This paper sets the framework for a robot guide to visitors
in art collections and other assistive environments, which incorporates the
principles of effectiveness and naturalness. The human-robot interaction takes
place in natural language in the form of a dialogue session during which the
robot describes exhibits, but also recommends exhibits that might be of
interest to the visitors. It is also possible for the robot to explain its
reasoning to the visitors, with a view to increasing transparency and
consequently trust in the robot's suggestions. Furthermore, the robot leads the
visitors to the location of the desired exhibit. The framework is general
enough to be implemented in different hardware, including portable
computational devices. The framework is based on a cognitive model comprised of
four modules: a reactive, a deliberative, a reflective and an affective one. An
initial implementation of a dialogue system realising this cognitive model is
presented. main ontology.|
Keywords: HCI; Dialogue system; Cognitive architecture; Recommender system; Explanations
|Dynamic mix zone: location data sanitizing in assisted environments||| BIBAK | Full-Text||195-205|
|Zhengyi Le; Yi Ouyang; Guanling Chen; Fillia Makedon|
|Pervasive technology has been widely used in assistive environments and
aware homes. The issue of how to preserve the privacy of patients being
monitored has been attracting more public concerns. In assistive environments,
location data of patients are collected through sensors for behavior patterns
analysis, and they can also be shared among researchers for further research
for early disease diagnosis. However, location information, even though
de-identified, also introduces the risk of privacy leakage. A series of
consecutive location samples can be considered as a trajectory of a single
person, and this may leak private information if obtained by malicious users.
This paper discusses this problem and proposes a location randomization
algorithm to protect users' location privacy. Two privacy metrics according to
location privacy are defined and used to evaluate the proposed approach. A
method using dynamic mix zones is proposed to confound trajectories of two or
more persons.|
Keywords: Location privacy; Assisted living; Sensor networks
|A scalable and self-adapting notification framework for healthcare information systems||| BIBAK | Full-Text||207-216|
|Anthony E. Okorodudu; Leonidas Fegaras; David Levine|
|There has been a great interest in publish/subscribe systems in recent
years. This interest, coupled with the pervasiveness of light-weight electronic
devices, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants, has opened a
new arena in publish/subscribe networks. Currently, many broker overlay
networks are static and rarely change in structure. Often, a network overlay
structure is predefined or manually modified. This paper presents a dynamic
broker network for disseminating critical lab and patient information in a
Healthcare information system. The reported work builds upon previous network
optimization research on ad hoc publish/subscribe networks. The underlying
framework utilizes user-defined cost functions to satisfy quality of service
constraints. In essence, the broker network optimization problem is reduced to
an incremental search problem to generate low cost network configurations.
Certain reliability issues are also addressed by providing a scheduling
algorithm to selectively retransmit information and handle broker connectivity
failures.|
Keywords: Publish/subscribe; Broker overlay network; HIPAA; Healthcare information system
|An assistive environment for improving human safety utilizing advanced sound and motion data classification||| BIBAK | Full-Text||217-228|
|Charalampos Doukas; Ilias Maglogiannis|
|This paper presents the concept and an initial implementation of an
assistive awareness system that may be used for human activity interpretation
and emergency recognition in cases such as elder or patient falls and distress
speech expressions, thus improving their safety. Awareness is achieved through
collecting, analyzing and classifying motion and sound data. The latter are
collected through sensors equipped with accelerometers and microphones that are
attached to the human body and transmit movement and sound data wirelessly to
the monitoring unit. The detection of fall incidents has been proven to be
feasible by applying Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and spectrogram
analysis on sounds. The classification of the sound and movement data is
performed using a variety of advanced classification techniques. Evaluation
results provide a performance comparison between the evaluated classifiers and
indicate the high accuracy and the effectiveness of the proposed
implementation. The system architecture is open and can be easily enhanced to
include patient awareness based on additional context (e.g., physiological
data).|
Keywords: Patient status awareness; Emergency event detection; Movement and sound analysis; SVM classification
|In memory of Professor Hiroshi Tamura||| BIB | Full-Text||229-230|
|Takao Kurokawa|
|Innovations in user sensitive design, research and development||| BIB | DOI||231-233|
|Ray Adams; Alan Newell; Peter Gregor|
|User-Sensitive Inclusive Design||| BIBAK | DOI||235-243|
|A. F. Newell; P. Gregor; M. Morgan; G. Pullin; C. Macaulay|
|Although "User-Centred", "Participatory", and other similar design
approaches have proved to be very valuable for mainstream design, their
principles are more difficult to apply successfully when the user group
contains, or is composed of, older and/or disabled users. In the field of
design for older and disabled people, the "Universal Design", "Inclusive
Design" and "Design for All" movements have encouraged designers to extend
their design briefs to include older and disabled people. The downside of these
approaches is that they can tend to encourage designers to follow a traditional
design path to produce a prototype design, and only then investigate how to
modify their interfaces and systems to cope with older and/or disabled users.
This can lead to an inefficient design process and sometimes an inappropriate
design, which may be "accessible" to people with disabilities, but in practice
unusable. This paper reviews the concept that the authors have called
"User-Sensitive Inclusive Design", which suggests a different approach to
designing for marginalised groups of people. Rather than suggesting that
designers rely on standards and guidelines, it is suggested that designers need
to develop a real empathy with their user groups. A number of ways to achieve
this are recommended, including the use of ethnography and techniques derived
from professional theatre both for requirements gathering and for improving
designers' empathy for marginalised groups of users, such as older and disabled
people.|
Keywords: User-Centred Design; Inclusive Design; Universal Design; Older and disabled people
|The effect of previous exposure to technology on acceptance and its importance in usability and accessibility engineering||| BIBAK | DOI||245-260|
|Andreas Holzinger; Gig Searle; Michaela Wernbacher|
|In Usability and Accessibility Engineering, metric standards are vital.
However, the development of a set of reciprocal metrics -- which can serve as
an extension of, and supplement to, current standards -- becomes indispensable
when the specific needs of end-user groups, such as the elderly and people with
disabilities, are concerned. While ISO 9126 remains critical to the usability
of a product, the needs of the elderly population are forcing the integration
of other factors. Familiarity and recognisability are not relevant to someone
with no experience and therefore no referent; however, acceptance becomes a
major factor in their willingness to learn something new and this acceptance
requires trust based on association. Readability and legibility are of less
relevance to a blind person than to someone with failing eyesight. This paper
describes some usability metrics ascertained on the basis of experiments made
with applications for elderly people throughout the summer term of 2007. The
factors that influence the older users' acceptance of software, including the
extent of their previous exposure to technology, are evaluated in order to
provide short guidelines for software developers on how to design and develop
software for the elderly. The evaluation of the expectations, behavior,
abilities, and limitations of prospective end-users is considered of primary
importance for the development of technology. A total of N = 31 participants
(22 women/9 men) took part in various tests. The participants' ages ranged from
49 to 96 years with an average age of 79. Five of the tests were designed for a
PDA or cellular phone, one test was designed for a laptop PC. Of the total of
55 tests, 52 tests provided sufficient data to evaluate the results. In 23 of
the tests, all tasks were completed. As a main outcome, it can be
experimentally proved that the acceptance is related to a factor, which is this
paper is called PET (Previous Exposure to Technology). This is discussed in
light of the aforementioned metrics.|
Keywords: Usability metrics; Acceptability; Previous experience; Previous knowledge; Acceptance; Acceptability; Technology acceptance model
|The barriers that older novices encounter to computer use||| BIBAK | Full-Text||261-266|
|Anna Dickinson; Roos Eisma; Peter Gregor|
|A course on computers was run for computer beginners aged over 55. An
iterative and flexible approach aimed to ensure that students' anxieties and
difficulties were addressed as the course proceeded. Several layers of
difficulty were encountered, ranging from initial difficulties understanding
Windows systems and the working of the mouse to more fundamental and long-term
problems such as repeatedly forgetting to move the focus before typing or
failing to recognize onscreen objects and understand their behaviours.
Inclusive design approaches should benefit from detailed recording of barriers
to use, but the diversity of the user population will also necessitate
flexibility to ensure inclusivity.|
Keywords: Older adults; Barriers; Inclusion
|Dialogue based interfaces for universal access||| BIBAK | Full-Text||267-274|
|Christian R. Huyck|
|Conversation provides an excellent means of communication for almost all
people. Consequently, a conversational interface is an excellent mechanism for
allowing people to interact with systems. Conversational systems are an active
research area, but a wide range of systems can be developed with current
technology. More sophisticated interfaces can take considerable effort, but
simple interfaces can be developed quite rapidly. This paper provides an
introduction to the current state of the art of conversational systems and
interfaces. It describes a methodology for developing conversational interfaces
and gives an example of an interface for a state benefits website. The paper
discusses how this interface could improve access for a wide range of people
and how further development of this interface would allow a larger range of
people to use the system with enhanced functionality.|
Keywords: Dialogue; Universal access; Conversational system; Conversational interface
|User modelling and cognitive user support: towards structured development||| BIBAK | DOI||275-293|
|Peter Eberle; Christian Schwarzinger; Christian Stary|
|Model-driven engineering approaches have turned out useful when handling
different perspectives on human-computer interaction, such as user profiles and
problem-domain data. Their latest flavour, Model-Driven Architecture (MDA),
targets towards platform-independent models (PIMs) and adjacent transformation
mechanisms to adapt to user needs and tasks. Although in the field of user
modelling and its major application domain, namely adaptive hypermedia systems
(AHS), considerable effort has been spent on adaptation towards user needs, a
structured development approach could not be established so far. User-oriented
application designs are highly distinctive and can hardly be compared or mapped
to novel or existing developments without major re-engineering effort. This
paper develops an understanding of existing capabilities of already applied
user-modelling techniques from a model-based perspective. Revealing the context
of user models and user modelling allows determining general concepts for
representing and processing knowledge for adaptation. The obtained findings
show primarily technically motivated approaches, rather than designs grounded
in findings from human factors. For human-centred design, a shift is suggested
towards distributed cognition as a methodological and operational frame of
reference for user modelling. This could help overcome existing limitations in
adaptation. The corresponding research agenda requires directions on how to map
psychological constructs to user-model elements and adaptable user-interface
elements, such as mapping field dependence to content annotation features, in a
transparent and empirically grounded way.|
Keywords: User modelling; Model-driven architecture; Adaptation; Cognitive support; Psychological constructs; Transformation; Adaptive hypermedia systems
|Inclusive design: beyond capabilities towards context of use||| BIBAK | Full-Text||295-305|
|Darren Reed; Andrew Monk|
|Inclusive design is oriented to a particular outcome, to ensure that
products and services address the needs of the widest possible audience.
Approaches towards achieving this aim include the use of ergonometric data to
predict product exclusion and the participation of extreme users in a design
team. This discussion paper extends these approaches by comparing the inclusive
design process to the design process that has evolved for Interaction Design
within Human Computer Interaction, and in so doing identifies additional issues
and processes. Potential ways practicing designers in an Inclusive Design
context might approach these concepts are suggested. True Inclusive Design must
engage the widest population as actual users not just potential users. This
objective can only be achieved through a move from a view of Inclusive Design
as solely concerned with individual capabilities to a view of Inclusive Design
set in a social context.|
Keywords: Inclusive design; Design by society; Design process model
|User sensitive research in e-learning: exploring the role of individual user characteristics||| BIBAK | Full-Text||307-318|
|Andrina Granic; Ray Adams|
|The increasing need for active and accessible learning in the inclusive
knowledge society drives the demand for e-learning that engages users much more
effectively than ever before. In this context, it is crucial to conduct
research that embraces innovation in user sensitive design, or else influential
individual user differences may be overlooked. The objective of this paper is
to explore the creation of successful e-learning systems that are able to
increase users' learning performance and enhance their personal learning
experiences. The paper reports two converging and complimentary approaches,
namely case studies and experimentation. First, case studies are used to
explore the extent to which effective e-learning systems comply with eight
specific factors. Of the eight, accessibility, individual differences and
student modeling turn out to be the weakest points in current practice. Second,
an empirical study investigates the influences of user individual user
differences on users' learning outcomes in an e-learning environment. The
experiment found that individual differences in motivation to learn and
expectations about e-learning significantly impacted users' learning
achievements. Third, based on these studies, improvements in research
methodology are identified towards greater consideration of user sensitive
research issues, thus enabling us to outline improved experimental procedures.
Further experiment results should provide us with better insights into the
arguments needed to carefully assess benefits of developing and involving a
user model in an e-learning application. Consequently, evaluation and
justification could now encompass both system performance as well as user
performance.|
Keywords: User sensitive research; User individual characteristics; User modelling; Intelligent user interfaces; e-learning systems
|The design-by-adaptation approach to universal access: learning from videogame technology||| BIBAK | DOI||319-336|
|Ifan D. H. Shepherd; Iestyn D. Bleasdale-Shepherd|
|This paper proposes an alternative approach to the design of universally
accessible interfaces to that provided by formal design frameworks applied ab
initio to the development of new software. This approach, design-by-adaptation,
involves the transfer of interface technology and/or design principles from one
application domain to another, in situations where the recipient domain is
similar to the host domain in terms of modelled systems, tasks and users. Using
the example of interaction in 3D virtual environments, the paper explores how
principles underlying the design of videogame interfaces may be applied to a
broad family of visualization and analysis software which handles geographical
data (virtual geographic environments, or VGEs). One of the motivations behind
the current study is that VGE technology lags some way behind videogame
technology in the modelling of 3D environments, and has a less-developed track
record in providing the variety of interaction methods needed to undertake
varied tasks in 3D virtual worlds by users with varied levels of experience.
The current analysis extracted a set of interaction principles from videogames
which were used to devise a set of 3D task interfaces that have been
implemented in a prototype VGE for formal evaluation.|
Keywords: User interfaces; Transfer; Adaptation; Videogames; Virtual geographical environments; GIS
|A diversity-sensitive evaluation method||| BIBAK | DOI||337-356|
|Alexandros Mourouzis; Margherita Antona; Constantine Stephandis|
|This paper presents an evaluation method, along with the underlying theory,
for assessing interactive systems and specifying their quality in terms of
universal access. The method is an adaptation of traditional walkthroughs and
is aimed to incorporate user diversity, for example in terms of individual
abilities, skills, background, levels of expertise, equipment used, etc., as
key input to evaluation. The method aims at addressing as many as possible of
the qualities of a system that might affect diverse users throughout their
usage of the system and which, ultimately, have an impact on the system's wide
acceptance. The proposed method, described here, extends the cognitive
walkthrough method by introducing a simulation of the users' reasoned action
process in order to assess whether users can, and will be, in favour of
accessing, exploring, utilising and, ultimately, adopting a system.
Additionally, the method allows considering in the assessment process various
aspects of diversity among target users and use conditions, rather than
assessing for the so-called average user, aiming at incorporating
accessibility, usability and acceptance as intrinsic measurements. Finally, the
paper presents ORIENT, a prototype inspection tool developed as a means to
further facilitate experts in conducting such walkthroughs in practice, and
which offers step-by-step guidance throughout the process until final
reporting. Preliminary experiences with the application of the method in the
domain of e-Services are also discussed.|
Keywords: Evaluation; Universal access; System acceptance; Design for all
|Toward web accessibility for older users||| BIB | DOI||357-358|
|Anna C. Cavender; Jeffrey P. Bigham|
|An ethnographical study of the accessibility barriers in the everyday interactions of older people with the web||| BIBAK | Full-Text||359-371|
|Sergio Sayago; Josep Blat|
|Older people experience many barriers when they access to the web. However,
little is known about which barriers limit more (or less) their daily
interactions. This paper presents some findings based on an ethnographical
study of the everyday interactions of nearly 400 older people with the web over
3 years. Difficulties remembering steps, understanding terms and using the
mouse are more severe than problems perceiving visual information,
understanding icons and using the keyboard. This is largely explained by
inclusion, independence and socialization, which are the three key components
of real-life web use. This paper also shows that these aspects should be
considered in other areas of web and ICT accessibility, as technophobia is not
the only experience in the interactions of older people with the web, and both
social relationships and life experiences beyond technologies need to be taken
into account apart from age-related changes in abilities. These findings
suggest that the current focus on compensating for age-related changes in
functional abilities needs to be widened. Working towards making the web more
accessible should not be divorced from real-life use. This paper discusses
implications for web (and ICT) design, training and support.|
Keywords: Ethnography; Web accessibility; Older people
|A survey of technology accessibility problems faced by older users in China||| BIBAK | Full-Text||373-390|
|Dengfeng Yao; Yunfeng Qiu; Hairui Huang; Zaixin Du; Jianqing Ma|
|Internet accessibility for older users has become an important issue to
promote inclusion and participation in the Information Society. This paper
proposes an investigation into the technology accessibility problems faced by
older users in China. The research reported here was conducted by means of an
exploratory survey with a Web-based questionnaire and discussions with older
users at meetings. The study had 180 valid answers and involved representatives
from each of the 25 provinces of China. The results show that 39% of the
participants cannot or can only partially access information, because of
various kinds of accessibility problems. Many participants indicated that the
main problems in accessing the Internet were health barriers, circumstances
barriers, and Internet design barrier. The possible reason for these
difficulties could be that the government doesn't foster a social environment
conducive to helping the elderly to get online and that it does not provide
services for the elderly designed to help them access information
electronically. The poor rate of accessibility industry for the elderly, as
well as the lack of Chinese accessibility laws, is an important issue that must
be dealt with to promote greater Internet accessibility for the elderly.|
Keywords: Accessibility; Survey; Older users; Internet
|Designing accessible experiences for older users: user requirement analysis for a railway ticketing portal||| BIBAK | Full-Text||391-402|
|Özge Subasi; Michael Leitner; Norman Hoeller; Arjan Geven; Manfred Tscheligi|
|This article presents the results of a survey that shows that older users
differ in their attitude and experience towards the Internet not only according
to their age or to their previous knowledge with Internet services, but also
according to what they are expecting from this media. The aim of this study was
to collect information about barriers on usage and perception of an online
ticketing service for a nationwide public railway company, in order to enhance
the notion of "accessibility" toward a broader understanding including
non-technical accessibility factors as semantic accessibility and/or procedural
accessibility. The results of the survey with 1,208 participants and
additionally focus groups, interviews and qualitative analysis of user feedback
indicate that in order to improve and optimize the usage of the online system
for older adults, it is necessary to develop a system which is not only
universally accessible, but also satisfies the specific expectations of senior
users. This article concentrates on designing accessible user experiences and
presents several recommendations to the area and for WCAG 2.0 according to the
results.|
Keywords: Universal accessibility; User experience; Older adults; Experience centeredness; Perceived accessibility
|Web accessibility guideline aggregation for older users and its validation||| BIBA | Full-Text||403-423|
|Giorgio Brajnik; Yeliz Yesilada; Simon Harper|
|Web site-evaluation methodologies and validation engines take the view that all accessibility guidelines must be met to gain compliance. Problems exist in this regard, as contradictions within the rule set may arise, and the type of impairment or its severity is not isolated. The Barrier Walkthrough (BW) method goes someway to addressing these issues, by enabling barrier types derived from guidelines to be applied to different user categories such as motor or visual impairment, etc. However, the problem remains of combinatorial explosion of possibilities when one has to consider users with multiple disabilities. In this paper, a simple set theory operation is used to create a validation scheme for older users by aggregating barrier types specific to motor impaired and low-vision users, thereby creating a new "older users" category from the results of this set union. To evaluate the feasibility and validity of this aggregation approach, two BW experiments were conducted. The first experiment evaluated the aggregated results by focusing on quality attributes and showed that aggregation generates data whose quality is comparable to the original one. However, this first experiment could not test for validity, as the older users category was not included. To remedy this deficiency, another BW experiment was conducted with expert judges who evaluated a web page in the context of older users. In this second experiment, it was found that there is no significant difference between the aggregated and the manually evaluated (by experts) barrier scores, and that the same barriers are identified using experts and aggregation, even though there are differences in how severity scores are distributed. From these results, it is concluded that the aggregation of barriers is a viable alternative to expert evaluation, when the target of that aggregation could not be evaluated manually or it would not be feasible to do so. It is also argued that aggregation is a technique that can be used in combination with other evaluation methods, like user testing or subjective assessments.|
|Validating the effectiveness of EvalAccess when deploying WCAG 2.0 tests||| BIBAK | DOI||425-441|
|Amaia Aizpurua; Myriam Arrue; Markel Vigo; Julio Abascal|
|While automatic tools are not intended to replace human judgment, they are
crucial in order to develop accessible websites. The release of WCAG 2.0 has
caused great expectation, as it is supposed to be precisely testable with
automated review tools. Therefore, more effective tools could be developed.
However, so far few tools applying WCAG 2.0 have been developed. This paper
presents an evaluation framework which has been updated in order to evaluate
the new tests. In addition, it describes a validation process carried out in
order to verify the effectiveness of the new version of the evaluation tool.
The effectiveness is validated by conducting a quantitative and qualitative
analysis of the results obtained by applying both versions of the tool (the one
implementing WCAG 1.0 and the one implementing WCAG 2.0) to a set of selected
web pages, as well as by manual evaluation of an expert for detecting the
possible false positives and false negatives produced by each tool.|
Keywords: Web accessibility guidelines; Tool effectiveness; Automatic evaluation
|Technology skill and age: what will be the same 20 years from now?||| BIBAK | Full-Text||443-452|
|Vicki L. Hanson|
|Is current research on computing by older adults simply looking at a
short-term problem? Or will the technology problems that plague the current
generation also be problematic for today's tech-savvy younger generations when
they become "old"? This paper considers age-related and experience-related
issues that affect ability to use new technology. Without more consideration of
the skills of older users, it is likely that applications and devices 20 years
from now will have changed such that this "older" generation finds themselves
confronting an array of technologies that they little understand and find
generally inaccessible. Recent evidence suggests that older adults bring
specific strengths to Web browsing. A fuller investigation of these strengths
and how to design to optimize for strengths of older users has the potential to
address the need for usable technology for this increasingly important
demographic.|
Keywords: Aging; Web; Cognition
|Use of force plate instrumentation to assess kinetic variables during touch screen use||| BIBAK | DOI||453-460|
|Curtis B. Irwin; Thomas Y. Yen; Robert H. Meyer; Gregg C. Vanderheiden; David P. Kelso; Mary E. Sesto|
|Touch screens are becoming ubiquitous technology, allowing for enhanced
speed and convenience of user interfaces. To date, the majority of touch screen
usability studies have focused on timing and accuracy of young, healthy
individuals. This information alone may not be sufficient to improve
accessibility and usability of touch screens. Kinetic data (e.g. force,
impulse, and direction) may provide valuable information regarding human
performance during touch screen use. Since kinetic information cannot be
measured with a touch screen alone, touch screen-force plate instrumentation, | http://www.hcibib.org/UAIS10 |
To minimize the financial risk to the dependent of government employees caused by their death and to secure their retirement life, on approval of Nepal Government Citizen investment Trust has been running the insurance fund project since Nepali calendar year 2062/63.It is mandatory to all Government Employees to contribute Rs. 200 from their monthly salary and the same amount Rs. 200 is added up by Nepal Government as insurance premium to the Insurance Fund. Citizen Investment Trust has facilitating to insured the general life insurance of insured sum Rs. 100,000 for twenty years life from insurance fund and has providing the insurance benefit as mentioned on the Civil Service Act 2049 (Sec.40.a). | https://nlk.org.np/funds/civil-service-insurance-fund/ |
Liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis: A systematic review with meta-analysis.Marot A, Dubois M, et al.
PLoS ONE 2018 [Electronic Resource] 13(1): e0190823.
Aims
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess alcohol relapse and 6-month survival rates in transplanted patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) compared to patients with alcoholic cirrhosis who underwent elective liver transplantation and non-responders who were not transplanted.
Interventions
The databases Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched until 10 June 2017 for studies published in all languages that included patients with AH who underwent liver transplantation, and included data relative to alcohol consumption or survival after liver transplantation. Manual searches were also conducted, and two reviewers screened abstracts presented presented between 2014 and 2017 at the Liver Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Congress of the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Data extraction was performed independently by two investigators and discrepancies resolved by discussion, or consultation with a third author. Methodological quality of cohort studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
Participants
11 studies were included in the analysis.
Outcomes
The primary measured outcome was alcohol relapse defined as any alcohol consumption after liver transplantation. Secondary measured outcomes included harmful drinking defined as binge, frequent, regular or daily drinking, and 6-month survival.
Follow-up
6 months
CET Conclusions
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates relapse rates in liver transplant recipients transplanted for alcoholic hepatitis. In the 11 studies identified, the pooled relapse rate was 22%, reduced to 14% when stringent selection criteria were applied. The authors argue that in selected patients, transplant for AH without a period of abstinence can be justified. Unfortunately, the review is hampered by poor quality, heterogeneous underlying evidence and publication bias. The authors present a number of subgroup analyses and comparisons with patients undergoing elective transplant for alcoholic cirrhosis, but significant heterogeneity and small study/patient numbers lead to wide confidence intervals and very few additional robust conclusions can be drawn. It is unclear how many of the comparisons and subgroup analyses were prespecified, as the review protocol was not prospectively registered with PRISMA. | https://www.transplantevidence.com/ttw-detail.php?id=1041 |
That's a rubbish disguise: Burglar caught after using transparent bin to cover his face in nightclub robbery
Burglar stole goods worth 13,000 Yuan ( around £1,300) in nightclub robbery
He was captured on CCTV but used a bin to cover up his face
Thief was still caught by police - because the bin he used was transparent
There have been robberies throughout history that have stumped police by their cunning and intelligence... but this certainly wasn't one of them.
This burglar attempted to hide his identity by putting a bin over his head as he robbed a nightclub in Yimen County, Yunnan Province, China.
Cunning disguise: A burglar attempted to conceal his identity during a nightclub robbery in China - by placing a transparent bin over his head
But unfortunately for him, the bin was transparent - meaning police could easily make out face from CCTV footage.
The club's manager said: 'He at first turned off the lights at the door and then around an hour later he came to the 2nd floor, but this time he wore himself a trash bin on his head.'
The burglar, who stole goods worth 13,000 Yuan ( around £1,300), was arrested a few days later by police.
| |
The effect of a thiazolidinedione drug, troglitazone, on glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus poorly controlled with sulfonylurea and metformin. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The thiazolidinediones are a new class of antidiabetes medication that enhances the actions of insulin in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. Data have been lacking on their use in combination with both sulfonylurea and metformin among patients for whom insulin is the usual therapeutic alternative for improved glycemic control. To determine the effects of troglitazone on hemoglobin A(1c) level in patients treated with maximum tolerated doses of sulfonylurea and metformin who have hemoglobin A(1c) levels of at least 0.085 (8.5%). This trial was completed before troglitazone was taken off the U.S. market. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, followed by an open-label extension during which all patients received troglitazone. 16 outpatient clinics in Canada. 200 patients (mean age, 59 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hemoglobin A(1c) levels at least 0.085 (8.5%) (mean hemoglobin A(1c) level, 0.097 [9.7%] and mean fasting plasma glucose level, 12.9 mmol/L [233 mg/dL]) while receiving maximum doses of sulfonylurea and metformin. Levels of hemoglobin A(1c), fasting plasma glucose, total insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Troglitazone, 400 mg/d, when added to sulfonylurea and metformin, significantly decreased hemoglobin A(1c) level by 0.014 +/- 0.002 (95% CI, 0.0167 to 0.0109; P < 0.001) (1.4% +/- 0.2% [CI, 1.67% to 1.09%]) and insulin by 19 +/- 4 pmol/L (CI, 30 to 10 pmol/L; P < 0.001). At 6 months, 43% of troglitazone-treated patients achieved hemoglobin A(1c) levels of 0.08 (8%) or lower compared with 6% of placebo recipients. Efficacy was maintained at 12 months. The thiazolidinedione troglitazone, at a dosage of 400 mg/d, is effective when used in combination with sulfonylurea and metformin. Thiazolidinediones may therefore offer an effective alternative to insulin for patients treated with sulfonylurea and metformin who do not achieve adequate glycemic control.
| |
The Harold Matthews Newcastle Knights were defeated 16-14 by the Parramatta Eels in a thrilling Grand Final match at Pepper Stadium.
It was tough contest in the middle from the outset with the Knights’ gritty display of defence managing to contain an energetic Parramattta Eels side in attack.
Yet in the sixteenth minute it was Parramatta to score first via Charbel Taispale after solid groundwork from Hyrum Wichmann. Kyle Schneider slotted the conversion to make it 6-0.
The Knights hit back six minutes later when halfback Phoenix Crosslands puzzled the defence with a dummy pass to score just right of the posts. Madden’s conversion tied up the score at 6-6.
The teams went into the sheds level at 6-6.
Seven minutes into the second stanza a Madden penalty goal, which bounced favorably off the post, gifted the Knights a two-point lead.
But moments after Parramatta’s William Kei was over with Schnieder’s kick extending the Eel’s score to 12-8.
Parramatta’s Taispale then bagged a double in the corner, this time kicker Schneider missing a challenging sideline conversion, 16-8.
Just five minutes before full time, the game was turned up a notch when winger Timana Alexander scored, making it easier for Madden to convert his try by grounding it between the posts.
With the score now separated by two points, 16-14, and just minutes left of play, the Knights fought courageously in attack.
A dazzling run by Jock Madden looked like the Knights were in for a sure try, but the five-eighth was held up in goal.
Despite a steely show of determination, the young Knights were unable to make up the two-point deficit and were defeated 16-14 by the Parramatta Eels.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 14: (T: Crossland, Alexander; G: Madden 2/2, P: 1)
Parramatta Eels 16: (T: Taispale 2, Kei G: Schneider 2/3).
Team:
1. Matthew Smith, 2. Teva Mataora, 3. Shaun Casey, 4. Toby Marks, 5. Bradman Best, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Phoenix Crossland, 8. Lachlan Pope, 9. Cameron Davies, 10. Kingsley Jennings, 11. Ross Haidle, 12. Joel Dark, 13. Brock Gardner. Interchange: 14. Tyran Ott, 17. Tom Baker, 19. Timana Alexander, 20. Sam Jones. | https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2016/05/07/courageous-harold-matts-defeated-in-gf/ |
Elsa, the cat found nearly frozen on an Essex roadside last month, has died.
Advertisement
Article content
Despite showing some signs of improvement over the past week, she continued to suffer long-term damage from hypothermia, Windsor/Essex Humane Society staff wrote in a post on the organization’s Facebook page.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Elsa the cat dies after 25 days in humane society care Back to video
Her foster mother, a staff veterinarian, rushed Elsa to an emergency vet after the cat woke up crying Saturday morning, the post said. Her body temperature was low.
“The Humane Society veterinarian who has been treating her consulted with the emergency veterinarian, and both agreed that the kindest option was to let her go,” a second post read.
“She passed peacefully in the arms of her foster mama. We all hoped to give Elsa the happy ending she deserved, but sadly, sometimes that’s out of our hands.”
On Jan. 9, an OPSCA officer found the orange and white cat sitting by Trembley Side Road, suffering greatly from both the cold and serious neglect.
Advertisement
Article content
Her hair was so matted that it had trapped urine and cat litter to her skin, causing her flesh to rot. Although veterinarian staff decided she needed surgery to remove the necrotic tissue, her unstable condition meant they had to treat the problem topically.
The cat’s weight — 18 pounds — and the fact it had been spayed and declawed, indicate it belonged to someone recently.
-
Elsa the cat not out of the woods yet, Humane Society says
-
Windsor-Essex Humane Society seeks answers after pet cat found nearly frozen
-
Humane Society may lose enforcement authority under court ruling
Humane society staff also discovered Elsa had severe problems with the bones and tendons in her paws caused by untreated complications from a previous declawing procedure. With the cat’s condition still too unstable to operate, staff treated her pain with medication.
Veterinarians estimated Elsa was four years old.
“Please hug your kitties tight tonight, and give them an extra treat in Elsa’s memory,” the humane society’s second post said.
The humane society is continuing to investigate Elsa as a potential case of pet abuse. Anyone with information about this cat or its past owner is encouraged to call 519-966-5751, ext. 16.
Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or online at www.catchcrooks.com . | https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/elsa-the-cat-dies-after-25-days-in-humane-society-care |
The invention relates to a method and a system for quickly starting a Buck circuit. The method comprises the following steps: constructing a first transcendental equation set; performing finite power series expansion on the first transcendental equation set to obtain a first power series expansion set; obtaining topological parameters of the Buck circuit; substituting topological parameters into the first power series expansion group, and simplifying the topological parameters to obtain a second power series expansion group; calculating a correction coefficient of the second power series expansion group, and endowing the correction coefficient to the second power series expansion group to obtain a third power series expansion group; converting the third power series expansion group to obtain initial turn-on time and turn-off time; carrying out binary Newton iterative calculation according to the initial turn-on time and turn-off time, and obtaining final turn-on time and turn-off time; and realizing quick start of the Buck circuit according to the final turn-on time and turn-off time. According to the invention, the starting speed of the Buck circuit can be effectively improved. | |
Here, we’ll build a visually striking collage-style image using silk and material elements, and a limited colour palette. Focusing on my piece ‘Black on Black’, we’ll explore how to create an abstract feel with the addition of natural elements – such as a horse head and human hair – and experiment with a different grid structure to give the piece its ultimate impact.
In this tutorial I’ll also explain how to recreate one of the most striking aspects of this piece – its limited colourway – and how to achieve the right balance using limited shades. The images I’ve used here have all been selected from stock photography websites, so think about the kind of image you want to create before starting and have a look for some of your own.
01 Start off by sketching the basic layout and grid structure of your piece. Here, I’ve gone for an arched structure, which is something I’ve wanted to play with for a while.
02 Select your stock images – choosing a variety of silk and material elements, and a few random objects (I’ve gone for a horse head and human hair) – and remove the white backgrounds in Photoshop. Using the Pen tool, create a path around the images. Ctrl/right-click the image once you’ve closed the path, before clicking Make Selection, hitting Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I to invert the selection and then pressing Delete.
03 Once you’ve cut out the main images, it’s time to create a grid structure. Using your sketch as a reference, start creating your basic grid – I’ve created a simple colour grid. This will help you keep the shape and structure of the collage.
04 Next, we’ll sort out the colour overlays and levels. Start by changing the colours of the cut-out elements of the collage: desaturate them first, then simply go to Layer Style>Color Overlay and set Blend Mode to Multiply. Select a mid grey shade, hit OK and convert the elements into smart objects, adjusting the levels if need be.
05 The beauty of this piece lies in the interesting elements hidden within each of your stock images –you’ll need a keen eye to spot these. With the material references, for example, I tend to go for the areas with the most ripples in each image. I also play with the colour contrasts to find other detailed sections within the silks.
06 Create a new canvas with all the elements that you’ve cut out. This will serve as a palette from which you can easily construct your final image.
07 Open a new A4-sized document in Photoshop at 300dpi. Fill it with 100% black. Next, transfer your grid structure and place it over the new canvas. Group the guides, send this to the back (Ctrl/Cmd+])and lock the layer. Begin selecting your elements and start building up the structure.
08 Fill any empty spaces with smaller, more detailed silk elements. Make these a lighter shade of grey to really give the image some pop. To achieve the light grey tone, simply adjust the levels by raising the whites. Duplicate the smaller elements and place them as you desire.
09 Adding a drop shadow to the silk elements will lend extra dimensions to the structure, so select the layer beneath the element you want, make a new layer, choose a soft brush and start to paint under the silk element. Adjust the opacity to around 50-60% and you’ll get a nice, even, drop shadow effect.
10 Now open your random images and repeat the process in step 04 to adjust the colour overlays and levels. Use these images to breathe some abstract life into your work.
11 This next stage involves adding a sense of life and increasing the surreal feel of the piece. Start by collecting smaller imagery that will tell a story within the work – I’m depicting a new world in mine. Once again, I’ve arranged the new elements on a single page for ease of reference. When you’re ready, place your imagery onto the piece, duplicating any parts as desired.
12 I’m also adding a hair element into my piece, which I’ve tucked nicely between the silks. The hair strands need to look sharp and crisp, so I’ve sharpened the image by going to Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask. I set Amount to 50%, Radius to 40px and Threshold to 0, and hit OK.
13 Let’s bring some vectors in now. Simplicity is the key to achieving a nice balance in the piece. Open Illustrator and create two simple circles on top of each other using the Ellipse tool. Select both circles, go to Pathfinder>Exclude and change the fill colour to black. Create more vectors, and copy and paste them onto your element sheet.
14 Drag your vector elements onto your artwork and place them into your desired position. Make sure you tuck a few of them behind the silk elements – this will add a real sense of dimension to your work. Now drag the horizontal line onto your artwork. Change the hue to a colour you think will work and rotate the line to 45 degrees. Remove the grid from the background and save the piece. Then flatten, rename and save the image again.
Dines
Since receiving a BA Hons in Graphic and Typography Design in 2007, London-based graphic designer Dines has built a firm client and fan base in London, working with clients such as MTV, Defected Records, Nike and Channel 4. He is also the founder of award-winning digital design group Studio Blup. | https://www.creativebloq.com/create-slick-abstracts-limited-palette-9114319 |
Our menu changes with the seasons but always includes all our best sellers and classic favourites.
With a range of dishes including Fish, Chicken, Pork, Beef, Duck and Lamb, along with a few Vegetarian options, there is something to suit everyone's taste.
All our dishes are made using traditional recipes, exactly like the ones you use at home, we don't use any preservatives, flavourings or artificial colourings, just good healthy ingredients. Where possible we source the ingredients for our dishes from local suppliers.
Our frozen meals are all available in single portions with some of the most popular also available as double portions but if you are having a larger dinner party we can provide all our meals in larger portions.
OUR CURRENT MENU
SOUP – 1.50/3.00
Our every changing selection includes:
Chicken and Rice
Cream of Carrot
Cauliflower
Pea and Coriander
Mushroom
Lentil
Cream of Tomato
POULTRY
Chicken Breast in Tarragon Sauce 5.00
Chicken in a Peach Sauce 4.50
Chicken Madeira 5.00
Country Style Chicken 4.50
Roast Chicken, Gravy & Stuffing 4.50
Chicken Curry 4.50
Chicken Cacciatore 4.50
Spanish Chicken and Potato Stew 4.50
Coq Au Vin 4.75
Thai Chicken Curry 4.50
Spring Chicken Casserole 4.50
Duck Breast with Honey & Chilli 5.25
BEEF
Lasagne Priced By Weight
Shepherd’s Pie 4.50
Pasta Bolognaise 4.50
Beef Bourguignon 4.50
Beef Pot Roast and Mash 4.75
Mince, Tatties and Peas 4.50
Chilli con Carne and Rice 4.50
FISH
Fish Cakes 4.50
Fish pie 4.50
Haddock and Parsley Sauce 4.50
Honey Soy Salmon 4.50
PORK
Pork Stroganoff 4.50
Pork, Chorizo, Butter Bean Stew 4.50
Normandy Pork 4.50
LAMB
Fruity Moroccan Lamb 4.50
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties 4.50
Lamb & Rosemary Casserole 4.50
Irish Stew 4.50
Roast Lamb Mash Peas Minty Gravy 4.75
Lamb Massamam Curry and Rice 4.50
Lamb Pie 4.50
VEGETARIAN
Macaroni Cheese 3.75
Veg Haggis, Neeps and Tatties 4.50
Vegetarian Lasagne Priced by Weight
Mushroom Stroganoff 4.50
Chargrilled Vegetable and Tomato Penne 4.50
SIDE DISHES
Mashed Potato 1.00
Boiled Rice 1.00
PUDDINGS
Eves Pudding 2.50
Fruit Crumble 2.50
Sticky Toffee Pudding 2.50
Creme Brulee 2.50
Chocolate Mousse 2.50
Lemon Mousse 2.50
Bakewell Tart 10.00
Toffee Tart 7.50
Apple Tart 9.00
Lemon Cheesecake 9.50
Hazelnut Meringue 18.50
Mango, Peach Melba, Lemon or Raspberry Meringue Roulade 18.50
Chocolate Roulade 16.00
WHOLE CAKES From 11.00
Flavours include:
Frosted Lime Sponge, Chocolate Fudge, Orange Fudge, Angel Food Cake, Red Velvet, Victoria Sponge, Carrot, Coffee, Passion, Lemon and Elderflower Drizzle Cake,
CELEBRATION CAKES
We have a range of celebration cakes that are suitable for any occasion. With prices from £20 for an 8-10 portion cake.
Flavours include Chocolate Fudge, Frosted Lime, Coffee, Orange Fudge, Lemon and Elderflower Drizzle, Red Velvet, Angel Food Cake, Passion Cake and Victoria Sponge.
We can also make some of our cakes dairy free or with no gluten containing ingredients.
For special birthday we can customise your cake with solid chocolate numbers, chocolate stars and hearts, sweeties, messages, butterflies, flowers and lots of other lovely things - just ask.
Click here for our menu of items made with non gluten containing ingredients.
We prepare all our dishes in our kitchen in Bruntsfield where we also use nuts so we cannot guarantee that any of our dishes is nut free.
Please ask us if you need any information on allergens in any of our products. | https://www.alacarteedinburgh.co.uk/our-menu |
Pranayama, otherwise called yogic breathing is the technique for hushing the breath. Prana has been characterized as the air which moves through the body.
Pranayama comprises of three sections: controlled inward breaths, controlled exhalations and holding the breath. When you do every one of the three parts, it is called sahita, while doing just the holding breath without the other two is called kevala. You should begin with sahita till kevala appears. This is a method that controls all that is related to prana.
Our breathing is made of two demonstrations of inward breaths and exhalations. These events are followed in cycles where inward breaths and exhalations succeed each other, where you take in air into the lungs and then release some of it once again from the lungs. In the middle of the inward breath and exhalation, there is a short gap which gets away from our consideration. This is called respiration and is typically finished in four seconds in the resting stage. We breathe about fifteen times each minute. You can take in around 400 cubic centimeters or 0.4 liters in a full minute. When you do deep inward breaths, you take in extra 1.6 liters of air and 2 liters on the whole. At the season of deep exhalations, you toss out all these 2 liters of air but still your lungs contain another 1.5 to 2 liters of air.
Accordingly, the aggregate lung limit of the human body for a typical individual is around 5 liters. The measure of air that you can breathe out through deep exhalation after a deep inward breath is called as Vital Capacity. Separating this number by the heaviness of the body gives you the Vital Index, which demonstrates the ability to inhale and in addition the imperativeness of the body and its productivity in the body’s capacities. General routine with regards to yogic breathing has been appeared to increment yogic relaxing. This raises the essentialness of the body and effectiveness of the body’s capacities. | https://pilatesandyogafitness.com/understanding-pranayama-the-yogic-breathing-and-its-benefits/ |
Are You Having Issues With Your Mail-In Ballot?
If you’ve faced problems requesting, receiving or submitting a mail-in ballot, we’d like to hear from you.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:31am
-
N.Y. Accuses Religious Health Cost-Sharing Group of Misleading Consumers
Regulators say a major group is misrepresenting cost-sharing plans, saddling people with unpaid medical bills.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:27am
-
Vanessa Guillen Died ‘in the Line of Duty,’ Army Officials Say
The determination means the slain Army specialist’s family is entitled to military life insurance, final pay and allowance.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:17am
-
2020 Election Questions and Answers: Trump vs Biden
Here is a guide on how to vote, how the election process works, when we will know who won and more.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:15am
-
The 2020 Presidential Election: The Questions Voters Have
We're answering some of your questions about the 2020 election.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:07am
-
Dept. of Justice Accuses Google of Illegally Protecting Monopoly
A victory for the government could remake one of America’s most recognizable companies and the internet economy that it has helped define.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 3:54am
-
Stimulus Deal: Pelosi Reports Progress as McConnell is Against Proposal
The top Senate Republican told colleagues that he had advised the White House against striking a pre-election deal with Democrats to deliver pandemic aid, fearing political repercussions.
-
4 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 3:44am
-
College Students Are Missing From Campus. Will Their Missing Votes Make a Difference?
Some House candidates, typically Democrats, can usually count on support from students living on college campuses, but many of those students are now living back home.
-
4 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 3:44am
-
Washington Post
Live updates: Prospects for coronavirus relief bill dim as McConnell urges White House to reject deal
Nearly 60,000 new infections were reported in the United States on Tuesday, and at least 8,239,000 have been reported since February.
-
2 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 5:01am
-
Nearly 300,000 more people have died in U.S. than in a typical year because of coronavirus
Since February, more than 8.1 million infections and 219,000 fatalities have been reported in the United States.
-
16 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 3:45pm
-
New homes on the range: Weary city dwellers escape to Montana, creating a property gold rush
Even with a spike in covid-19 cases, Montana is booming with buyers seeking to flee the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice protests — for good.
-
16 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 3:30pm
-
12 hours inside Oregon’s Almeda Fire
On the morning of Sept. 8, a brush fire lurched to life in a dry brush field north of Ashland along Almeda Drive in southwest Oregon. It would grow to burn more than 3,200 acres and destroy 3,000 structures.
-
17 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 2:43pm
-
Major RNC, Trump fundraiser Elliott Broidy pleads guilty to acting as unregistered foreign agent
Broidy admitted conspiring to accept millions after helping to secretly lobby the Trump administration on behalf of Malaysian and Chinese interests.
-
17 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 2:12pm
-
DHS led the way on past health crises, but it has been less visible during the coronavirus outbreak
The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has emphasized sanctuary cities and immigration over covid-19.
-
19 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 12:20pm
-
Republicans have the power to vote in Barrett. Sen. Booker implored them to have grace.
Sen. Cory Booker brought his colleagues a simple sermon: “The only thing that heals this body is what I call a revival of civic grace.”
-
20 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 11:47am
-
Breonna Taylor grand jury was not given option to bring homicide charges, anonymous juror says
The grand jury did not agree with prosecutors that the officers who shot Taylor were justified or that wanton endangerment charges were the only charges that should be brought in the case, the juror said.
-
20 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 11:24am
-
L.A. Times
U.S. deaths are about 300,000 higher than expected since the coronavirus arrived
The U.S. has experienced about 300,000 'excess deaths' since the coronavirus came to America, and two-thirds of them can be attributed to COVID-19, the CDC says.
-
8 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 11:07pm
-
Trump, stirring up more chaos in final stretch, may be exhausting the voters he needs
President Trump's closing message is a lot like his presidency: chaotic, controversial and notable for anger and theatrics. It may repel the electorate.
-
12 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 6:53pm
-
White House, Democrats inch toward coronavirus stimulus package, including more checks
Democrats and the Trump administration have been talking for three months about what the next COVID-19 economic relief package should include.
-
13 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 6:18pm
-
Can people carry guns into polling places? You might be surprised
Armed far-right groups and Trump's rhetoric have voting rights groups and officials looking to prevent intimidation at polling places within the confines of state gun laws.
-
19 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 12:00pm
-
Healthcare for millions of Californians is on the line in the election
The choice between Trump and Biden on healthcare raises high stakes for California.
-
20 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 11:00am
-
The concerted campaign that got public health experts to declare racist policing a crisis
It took years for the American Public Health Assn. to say that police violence threatens the health of not just victims and their families, but entire communities.
-
21 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 10:00am
-
Jonah Goldberg: A possible 2016 repeat has liberals panicked
The fear of hidden Trump voters and a Biden flub is almost an existential dread.
-
2 days ago, 19 Oct 20, 7:07pm
-
Supreme Court agrees to rule on Trump's immigration policies, but not until next year
Trump's immigration policies were declared illegal by lower courts but were temporarily cleared to go forward by the Supreme Court.
-
2 days ago, 19 Oct 20, 3:22pm
-
USA Today
'We will come after you': Voters report personalized emails pressuring them to vote for Donald Trump
The Proud Boys, a far-right group with a history of violent confrontations, denied responsibility and condemned the emails: "It wasn't us."
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:47am
-
Today in History for October 21st
Highlights of this day in history: Thomas Edison perfects workable electric light; Anthrax scare claims first of two U.S. postal workers in Washington, DC; Britain wins Battle of Trafalgar; Actress and author Carrie Fisher born. (Oct. 21) …
-
4 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 3:21am
-
Called out for 'voter intimidation,' Florida officer faces discipline for wearing 'Trump 2020' mask at polling place
The police officer, who was photographed while in line to vote, violated policies by promoting a political candidate, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said.
-
5 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 2:48am
-
Vanessa Guillén, Fort Hood soldier who went missing in April, died 'in the line of duty,' Army says
Guillén's family will receive Army benefits, such as allowances, compensation for expenses, life insurance and a funeral with full military honors.
-
5 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 2:30am
-
Trump in Pennsylvania: US 'crushing the virus'
Speaking to a crowd of thousands in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, President Donald Trump declared that the United States was "crushing" the coronavirus. (Oct. 20)
-
5 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:51am
-
New Texas rule that allows social workers to turn away 'vulnerable' LGBTQ or disabled clients sparks outrage, calls for reversal
The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously last week to remove protections for LGBTQ clients and clients with disabilities.
-
6 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:48am
-
Anya Taylor-Joy ages down for 'The Queen's Gambit'
Anya Taylor-Joy used different walks and body language to play her character in the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit" at ages ranging from early teens to early 20s. "It was a science experiment for me," says the 24-year-old actress. (Oct. 20) …
-
6 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:46am
-
County in Washington state sees high voter turnout
The largest county in Washington state is expecting a turnout of 90 percent for the November election. (Oct. 20)
-
6 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:01am
-
CNN: National
The Hummer is making a comeback -- and this time, it's all-electric
The Hummer is back. But it's a much different truck than it used to be.
-
5 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 2:42am
-
Florida's falling lizards are getting used to cold winter temperatures
During a cold snap in southern Florida in January, residents were warned to watch out for paralyzed lizards falling from trees.
-
8 hours ago, 20 Oct 20, 11:18pm
-
Army says Vanessa Guillen died 'in the line of duty' and affords family some benefits
The death of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen occurred "in the line of duty," Fort Hood officials announced Tuesday.
-
6 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:29am
-
Breonna Taylor grand juror says panel wasn't given a chance to consider homicide charges
A Kentucky judge ruled Tuesday that a grand juror may speak publicly about the case presented by the state Attorney General against police officers who served a no-knock warrant at Breonna Taylor's home the night she was killed.
-
5 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 2:34am
-
Opinion: Democrats will restore America
With two weeks left before Election Day and millions of Americans already casting their ballots, President Donald Trump still has not indicated what his policy agenda would be for a second term. He has ping-ponged from one message to another, from di…
-
6 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 1:08am
-
Early voting numbers are breaking records. Here's what we don't know yet
The facts are overwhelming. More than 28 million Americans have already voted for president, as an election system tweaked for the pandemic meets an electorate that doesn't want to wait for November 3 to be heard.
-
1 day ago, 19 Oct 20, 9:32pm
-
Melania Trump to make first campaign appearance in months
First lady Melania Trump will join President Donald Trump at his Erie, Pennsylvania, rally on Tuesday evening, according to a White House official. It will be the first lady's first in-person appearance at a campaign event, outside of August's Republ…
-
2 days ago, 19 Oct 20, 4:29pm
-
How to stay safe when voting in person
And we're off!
-
33 days ago, 18 Sep 20, 10:30am
-
Fox News
50 Cent doubles down on opposition to Joe Biden's tax plan: 'I don’t want to be 20cent'
Rapper 50 Cent said Joe Biden's plan to tax some New York City residents at 62% was 'a very, very bad idea'
-
2 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 5:04am
-
Ingraham: Biden alliance with teachers' unions should alarm women wary of Trump
President Trump could make gains among women by pointing out Joe Biden's support of teachers' unions who have pushed to keep schools closed to in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic, Laura Ingraham suggested Tuesday.
-
2 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:49am
-
BuzzFeed News panned for suggesting CNN's Toobin 'can't be the only one masturbating on Zoom calls'
BuzzFeed News drew backlash Tuesday for suggesting that what CNN star Jeffrey Toobin was allegedly caught doing this week was actually more common than people think.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:47am
-
Border Patrol arrests nearly 300 illegal immigrants in 18 hours
U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas, with the help of local law enforcement, arrested nearly 300 suspected illegal immigrants in a span of 18 hours last week, according to authorities.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:31am
-
Ben Carson blasts Biden's plan for American suburbs: 'We want people to be able to have choice'
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson sounded the alarm Tuesday over Joe Biden's plan to reinstall an Obama-era low-income housing regulation that the Trump administration rolled back in July.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:11am
-
This Day in History: Oct. 21
Thomas Edison perfects a workable electric light at his lab in New Jersey. President Richard Nixon nominates Lewis F. Powell and William H. Rehnquist to the U.S. Supreme Court.
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 4:00am
-
Pollster who predicted 2016 result says Trump on track to win again with help of 'hidden' support
With two weeks left until Election Day, 35 million Americans having already voted, and most polls showing Joe Biden leading President Trump, Trafalgar Group chief pollster Robert Cahaly told “Hannity” Tuesday the incumbent is likely to be reel…
-
3 hours ago, 21 Oct 20, 3:53am
-
Clayton Kershaw delivers vintage performance to help Dodgers to Game 1 win
Clayton Kershaw gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a vintage performance in Game 1 of the World Series and he was rewarded with enough offense to get past the Tampa Bay Rays. | https://onlineinsider.com/news/u-s/ |
If you are asked how a watch works, one of the first things you might do is open one up and look at the parts inside. This is exactly what physicists have been doing to atoms for decades now. Using particle accelerators, researchers bombard atoms with tiny probes, such as protons or electrons. Modern accelerator designs generally fall into two categories-linear and circular. As their names suggest, linear accelerators, or linacs, accelerate particles along a straight path, while circular accelerators accelerate particles in a circular orbit. The prototypical circular accelerator is the cyclotron. Your computer monitor, a very simple linear accelerator, accelerates electrons from the electron source in the back to the screen in the front to energies up to 30,000 electron volts. By comparison, the world's largest cyclotron—TRIUMF—accelerates protons to energies up to 520,000,000 electron volts. At maximum energy the protons are travelling at 75% the speed of light, fast enough to take you from the earth to the moon in 2 seconds. | http://www.physicscentral.com/explore/pictures/cyclotron.cfm |
67 B.R. 692 (1986)
In re WINDSOR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC., t/a Norcross-Rust Craft Greeting Card Publishers, Debtor.
Bankruptcy No. 82-03714K.
United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Pennsylvania.
November 24, 1986.
As Amended December 4, 1986.
Edward C. Toole, Jr., Mary F. Walrath, Douglas J. Smillie, Andrew A. Giaccia, Philadelphia, Pa., for debtor/Windsor Communications.
William Schaps, Philadelphia, Pa., Trustee Pinto Trucking.
Stephen Raslavich, Philadelphia, Pa., for Pinto Trucking.
*693 OPINION
DAVID A. SCHOLL, Bankruptcy Judge.
On September 2, 1986, the second day on the bench, we were presented with seven (7) adversarial proceedings in which the Debtor in the above-entitled case was seeking to collect various accounts receivable. We were later advised that these cases were the tail-end of a series of more than seventeen hundred (1,700) such adversarial proceedings instituted by this Debtor alone since the bankruptcy filing in this case as an involuntary Chapter 7 case on August 5, 1982, and its conversion to Chapter 11 on August 25, 1982.
The following day, September 3, 1986, among the matters before us were twenty (20) accounts receivable adversarial proceedings filed by the Counsel for the Trustee in the case of Pinto Trucking Service, Inc., Bankruptcy No. 85-04573K.
The number of accounts receivable proceedings before us has continued to flow since these beginnings. In the majority of these cases, the Defendants failed to respond, and the Debtor-Plaintiffs have sought default judgments. Nevertheless, we were unable to decide exactly how to handle these matters, because we were aware that the pertinent provisions of the Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984, P.L. 98-353 (BAFJA), codified at 28 U.S.C. § 157, were variously interpreted by not only this Court, but by courts across the country, in classifying these apparently garden-variety accounts receivable proceedings as either "core" or "noncore" proceedings. The Code dictates that a determination as to whether any proceedings before it are core or noncore is to be made by a bankruptcy court "on the judge's own motion or on timely motion of a party," 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(3), presumably at an early stage in the proceedings. Thus, we are constrained to reach a conclusion on the issue forthwith.
The significance of this determination does not affect the issue of whether we, as a bankruptcy court, can hear the case. Rather, at issue is whether we can "hear and determine" the matter, per 11 U.S.C. § 157(b)(1), or are required to hear it and then "submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the district court," which has exclusive power to enter a final order in a noncore matter. 28 U.S.C. § 157(c)(1). The core-noncore determination was, then, critical in arriving at the procedure to be utilized in deciding these matters.
We must confess, moreover, that our view as to the proper procedure was colored by our observation that a large percentage of these cases result in defaults, and that not only the labor of producing findings of fact and conclusions of law, but the seemingly empty formality of submitting an uncontested matter to the district court for a final order struck us as the height of wastefulness of the time of both our Court and the District Court. Thus, our initial reaction was to reach a determination that these matters were core proceedings if such a result could possibly be squared with BAFJA.
In order to assist our determination, we asked Counsel for the Debtor in this case and Counsel for the Trustee in Pinto Trucking to submit Briefs on this issue. Somewhat to our surprise and chagrin, Counsel for the Trustee for Pinto Trucking ultimately declined our invitation, stating that he believed that such proceedings were noncore. Windsor's Counsel submitted a Brief concluding that, while Counsel believed that actions brought exclusively to recover tangible property and proceedings in which actions to recover tangible property were mixed with proceedings to collect accounts receivable were core proceedings, garden-variety accounts receivable proceedings were noncore.
These views of creditors' attorneys have caused us to rethink our initial reaction. Nevertheless, for perhaps more sophisticated reasons than our initial, purely pragmatic considerations, or, perhaps more accurately stated, because none of the more sophisticated arguments outweigh the accurate common sense of our initial *694 reactions, we continue to believe that such garden-variety accounts receivable actions can and should be determined to be core proceedings. We shall therefore so treat all such matters before us which have not yet proceeded to final judgment as core proceedings, and shall proceed to so "determine" such cases, per 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(3), in the future.
The underlying reason for the divergence of results in this area is the loose draftsmanship of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2), which, in defining what is and is not a core proceeding, states as follows:
(2) Core proceedings include, but are not limited to
(A) matters concerning the administration of the estate;
(B) allowance or disallowance of claims against the estate or exemptions from property of the estate, and estimation of claims or interest for the purposes of confirming a plan under chapter 11 or 13 of title 11 but not the liquidation or estimation of contingent or unliquidated personal injury tort or wrongful death claims against the estate for purposes of distribution in a case under title 11;
(C) counterclaims by the estate against persons filing claims against the estate;
(D) orders in respect to obtaining credit;
(E) orders to turn over property of the estate;
(F) proceedings to determine, avoid, or recover preferences;
(G) motions to terminate, annul or modify the automatic stay;
(H) proceedings to determine, avoid, or recover fraudulent conveyances;
(I) determinations as to the dischargeability of particular debts;
(J) objections to discharges;
(K) determinations of the validity, extent, or priority of liens;
(L) confirmations of plans;
(M) orders approving the use or lease of property, including the use of each collateral;
(N) orders approving the sale of property other than property resulting from claims brought by the estate against persons who have not filed claims against the estate; and
(O) other proceedings affecting the liquidation of the assets of the estate or the adjustment of the debtor-creditor or the equity security holder relationship, except personal injury tort or wrongful death claims.
The difficulty with this list is that it is illustrative rather than exclusive, and several of the categories, particularly §§ 157(b)(2)(A) and (O), are extremely broadly stated.
Varying results on the determination of account receivable actions as core or noncore were reached by different judges of this Court in the space of a few brief months in 1985. In several of the Windsor proceedings, e.g., Windsor Communications Group, Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Adversary No. 82-2465, Slip Op. at 2 (Bankr. E.D.Pa. Opinion and Report filed April 18, 1985); Windsor Communications Group, Inc. v. Five Towns Stationery, Inc., 53 B.R. 293, 296 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1985); and Windsor Communications Group, Inc. v. Grant, Adversary No. 84-0782, Slip Op. at 14 (Bankr.E.D.Pa. Report to District Judge Pollak, filed March 1, 1985), the Honorable William A. King, Jr. consistently held that such proceedings were noncore.
Apparently supporting this conclusion is an Opinion by Chief Judge John P. Fullam of our District Court in an appeal in a case of the Honorable Thomas M. Twardowski of this Court in In re George Woloch, Inc., 49 B.R. 68 (E.D.Pa.1985). That case arrived in the district court in an unusual case procedural posture, i.e., in an appeal from a denial of a Motion to Dismiss, the purpose and intent of which Chief Judge Fullam indicated was unascertainable. Id. at 70 n. 1. Nevertheless, presuming that the appellants desired a jury trial, which they demanded and which the Chief Judge believed could not be provided by the bankruptcy court, Chief Judge Fullam withdrew *695 the reference of the matter to the bankruptcy court and stated: "The debtor seeks to characterize this dispute as a `core' proceeding, but I conclude that it is plainly a `related' proceeding." 49 B.R. at 70.
However, several weeks later, Emil F. Goldhaber, Chief Judge of this Court, admittedly unaware of the Woloch decision, rendered a directly contrary Opinion in In re Franklin Computer Corp., 50 B.R. 620 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1985). In contrast to Judge Fullam's brief treatment of the issue, Judge Goldhaber's Opinion is among the most lengthy and reflective on the subject, and Judge Goldhaber himself adhered to this decision in subsequent decisions. E.g., In re Alloy Metal Wire Works, 52 B.R. 39, 40 (Bankr.E.D.Pa.1985). In his ruling, Judge Goldhaber opined that an accounts receivable proceeding could be classified as core under either 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(A), (E), or (O).
In our determination, we shall attempt to answer four (4) different questions which have arisen in our study of this issue, as follows:
1. May an accounts receivable proceeding be reasonably said to fall within any of the categories of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)?
2. Does the decision of the Supreme Court in Northern Pipeline Construction Co. v. Marathon Pipeline Co., 458 U.S. 50, 102 S.Ct. 2858, 73 L.Ed.2d 598 (1982), require, from a constitutional vantage point, that such proceedings be determined to be noncore?
3. Irrespective of this Court's independent analysis of this issue, is it bound to follow the Woloch decision, since it was rendered by the district court?
4. What are the practical consequences of the decision?
There appears to be no doubt that, at least in one sense, an accounts receivable proceeding concerns the administration of the collecting debtor's estate, and effects the liquidation of the assets of the debtor's estate, per 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(A) or § 157(b)(2)(O). However, the same could be said of almost any proceeding which has any impact on the debtor. If these provisions are read broadly, it is difficult to imagine what sort of proceedings would not be core. Perhaps it was the intention of Congress to have bankruptcy courts classify nearly every proceeding which touches the debtor in any respect whatsoever as a core proceeding. However, even those courts which have held accounts receivable proceedings to be core have drawn some distinctions between such proceedings and other sorts of proceedings which in some sense concern administration and effect the liquidation of the debtor's estate, but which these same courts conclude that Congress, with the shadow of Marathon upon it, must have meant to exclude from determination by Article I bankruptcy judges.
In a broad sense, an accounts receivable proceeding could also be classified as a turnover action, per 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(E). See In re National Equipment and Mold Co., 60 B.R. 133, 135-36 (Bankr.N.D.Ohio 1986). However, as particularly the court in the Matter of Century Brass Products, Inc., 58 B.R. 838, 840-43 (Bankr.D.Conn.1986), points out, turnover actions are historically proceedings in the nature of replevin actions rather than actions for money damages. Also, it must again be observed that a broad reading of § 157(b)(2)(E) could render any affirmative action by a debtor a turnover proceeding and, hence, a core proceeding.
In recognition of implicit limitations on a too-broad reading of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(A), (E), or (O), most of the cases which have held accounts receivable actions to be core proceedings have done so in opinions which draw at least one of two general distinctions between such proceedings and other sorts of proceedings which these courts would agree should be labelled as noncore. The first is that, in such an action, a substantial nexus exists between the proceeding and the bankruptcy estate; the second is that accounts receivable cases generally raise simple issues of state law, which can be relegated to Article I courts.
*696 The first distinction is emphasized in two (2) successive decisions by the bankruptcy court in Matter of Baldwin-United Corp., 52 B.R. 541 and 48 B.R. 49 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 1985). In the initial decision, the court holds that an accounts receivable proceeding, even when complicated with counterclaims, is a core proceeding. Accord: National Equip., supra. However, in the later Baldwin decision, an action by the debtor against four (4) insurers which allegedly breached contracts with the debtor, the courts holds the matters before it to be noncore. Other courts making a similar "nexus" analysis include Harley Hotels, Inc. v. Rain's International, Ltd., 57 B.R. 773, 780 (M.D.Pa.1985); In re Pied Piper Casuals, Inc., 50 B.R. 549, 551 (Bankr.S.D. N.Y.1985); and In re Lion Capital Group, 46 B.R. 850, 859-61 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.1985).
The second distinction is emphasized by the decisions in In re Bucyrus Grain Co., 56 B.R. 204, 206 (Bankr.D.Kan.1986); and Franklin Computer, supra. In Bucyrus, the court is swayed by "what will best assure an economical and expeditious administration of the debtor's estate" in what it terms as "a critical part of the administration of the bankruptcy estate traditionally pursued by the Bankruptcy Court." 56 B.R. at 206. In Franklin Computer, Chief Judge Goldhaber points to the fact that, in such matters, "the issues generally are straight forward and merely require the utilization of well accepted principles of law," causing him to conclude that "[t]he American icons of Mom, apple pie and the flag are not in jeopardy because bankruptcy judges may enter final orders on disputes of accounts receivable." 50 B.R. 626.
In sum, we do not consider it unreasonable to conclude that accounts receivable proceedings fall within 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(A), (E), or (O), even if these sections are not given their broadest possible reading. In fact, most of the cases holding such matters to be noncore do not do so on the ground that such matters could not conceivably fall within these provisions, but because they believe that to so interpret 28 U.S.C. § 157 would be directly contrary to the result, the holding, or both, of Marathon. Cases in this category include Century Brass, supra; In re Maislin Industries, U.S., Inc., 50 B.R. 943 (Bankr.E.D.Mich.1985); and In re Atlas Automation, Inc., 42 B.R. 246 (Bankr.E.D. Mich.1984). One court, In re Satelco, Inc., 58 B.R. 781, 787-90 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.1986), has suggested that, if 28 U.S.C. § 157(2)(b)(O) is interpreted so broadly as to include accounts receivable proceedings within its scope, it is unconstitutional and must be so declared. This observation leads to the consideration of the second and most difficult issue raised by this case, the impact of Marathon.
Certain portions of the opinions in Marathon, particularly the concurring opinion authored by now Chief Justice Rehnquest and joined by only Justice O'Connor, gives strong support to these decisions. While not willing to address the broad issue of the constitutionality of former 28 U.S.C. § 1471, as was the plurality, the Chief Justice concurs due to his concern that Article I judges will otherwise be deciding "traditional actions at common law" which "arise entirely under state law" and of which the method of adjudication has always been "the traditional common-law mode of judge and jury." 458 U.S. at 90, 102 S.Ct. at 2881.
We note, in this vein, that the National Bankruptcy Conference has taken the position that "Congress intended such actions to be noncore" because "this is so close to the Marathon type cause of action." R. Greenfield, The National Conference's Position on the Court System Under the Bankruptcy Amendment and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984, and Suggestions for Rule Promulgation, 23 HARVARD J. ON LEGISLATION 357, 365 (1986).
However, we believe that these views represent a "worst possible case scenario" interpretation of Marathon, viewing Marathon as a constitutional threat to the exercise of jurisdiction by the reconstituted bankruptcy courts in almost every matter which comes before them. While it is of course not inconceivable that the Supreme *697 Court will address the exercise of jurisdiction by the bankruptcy courts under BAFJA and determine that these amendments have not cured the elements which the Court found offensive to the Constitution in the previous version of the Code, this result seems unlikely for two (2) reasons. First, no constitutional challenge to the courts' actions has been mounted in any of the many cases where accounts receivable actions have been found to be core proceedings, including the decisions by Judge Goldhaber in this court. It seems to us quite an over-reaction to credit a constitutional attack before it is even attempted.
Secondly, the Supreme Court, in opinions drafted by Justice O'Connor, who joined the Chief Justice in the Marathon plurality, has indicated that the broadest reading of the language of the Marathon plurality has been ruled out. In the first of these Thomas v. Union Carbide Agricultural Products, Inc., 473 U.S. 568, 105 S.Ct. 3325, 87 L.Ed.2d 498 (1985), the Court upheld the power of non-Article III Arbitrators of the Environmental Protection Agency to determine disputes arising under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, reversing a district court decision holding that Act unconstitutional on the basis of Marathon.
It must be conceded that certain language of Justice O'Connor in Thomas, 473 U.S. at ___, 105 S.Ct. at 3335, 87 L.Ed.2d at 422, reiterates a broad reading of Marathon as prohibiting non-Article III courts from "issuing binding orders in a traditional contract action arising under state law." However, the subsequent opinion of Justice O'Connor in Commodity Futures Trading Comm'n v. Schor, ___ U.S. ___, 106 S.Ct. 3245, 92 L.Ed.2d 675 (1986), diminishes the likelihood that the fact that accounts receivable actions are traditional, state court contract actions renders a delegation to the bankruptcy courts to hear and determine them unconstitutional. In that case, the Court was faced with a challenge of the practice of the Plaintiff agency of hearing state-law counterclaims related to actions against brokers brought before it. In upholding the power of the Plaintiff to hear such counterclaims in the face of a challenge based on Marathon, Justice O'Connor states that "there is no reason inherent in separation of powers principles to accord the state law character of a claim talismanic power in Article III inquiries." 106 S.Ct. at 3259. See also id. 106 S.Ct. at 3260 ("the magnitude of an intrusion on the Judicial Branch can only be termed de minimums") and 3261 ("The sole fact that [a claim] is resolved by a federal rather than a state tribunal could not be said to unduly impair state interests, . . . ").
These observations lead us to agree with the observation that the Supreme Court had merely ruled on the constitutionality of 28 U.S.C. § 1471, and that the Court's statement in Marathon may not impact on the adjudication of accounts receivable cases under the Code as amended by BAFJA. See Baldwin-United, 52 B.R. at 544-45; Franklin Computer, 50 B.R. at 623-24; and Lion Capital, 46 B.R. at 858-59.
We would also observe that giving too broad an impact to the statements of Chief Justice Rehnquist in his concurring opinion in Marathon that Article I judges cannot adjudicate traditionally state law claims appears as illogical as giving too broad a reading to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(A) and (O). Allowance or disallowance of claims against the estate similarly involve adjudication of solely state-law claims but, except for "personal injury tort or wrongful death claims," such matters are expressly designated as core proceedings. 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(B). See Marathon, 458 at 96-97, 102 S.Ct. at 2884 (White, J., dis.op.); and Pepper v. Litton, 308 U.S. 295, 304, 60 S.Ct. 238, 244, 84 L.Ed. 281 (1939).
Determinations of the validity of liens and replevin-like turnover actions, which we agree with Windsor's counsel are clearly core, will also turn on adjudications of state law issues, but such proceedings are expressly designated as core proceedings. 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(K), (E). In fact, we note that, while the State courts of Pennsylvania entrust initial decisions in matters in which money damages of $20,000.00 or *698 less only are sought, as in most accounts receivable actions, to non-judicial arbitrators, the entrustment of certain types of actions regularly decided by bankruptcy judges, such as matters involving title and possession of real estate and injunctive and declaratory relief, to arbitrators is not permitted. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 7361(b)(1), (b)(2), and Pa.R.Civ.P. 1301. This observation suggests that there is absolutely nothing "talismanic" about the nature of accounts receivable actions which should render them, of all proceedings, off-limits to a bankruptcy judge.
We therefore are not willing to conclude that Marathon has any direct bearing upon the determination of whether accounts receivable actions are core proceedings under BAFJA. We are aware of no legislative history or indication in the text of BAFJA which supports the statements of the National Bankruptcy Conference that Congress intended that accounts receivable actions be noncore. Rather, Congress expressed only a desire to preclude bankruptcy-court adjudication of personal injury and wrongful death actions. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 157(b)(2)(B) and 157(b)(5). We do not believe, therefore, that Marathon, any constitutional principle enunciated therein, or any response thereto by Congress, requires that we treat accounts receivable proceedings as noncore matters.
The decision in In re Arnold Print Works, Inc., 54 B.R. 562 (Bankr.D.Mass. 1985), aff'd, 61 B.R. 520 (D.Mass.1986), puts before us the third issue, i.e., whether we are bound by Chief Judge Fullam's decision in Woloch, despite our own proclivity towards a contrary decision. In Arnold, after reciting at length the reasoning in, particularly, Franklin Computer, Baldwin United, and Lion Capital, and concluding that it is "strongly inclined to agree with the aforementioned authorities . . . [which] result in a classification of [such] a matter as core," 54 B.R. at 567, the bankruptcy court concludes that "in the interests of avoiding inconsistencies," id., at 568, it is obliged to adhere to the "unequivocal" holding by the district court in the same district in Mohawk Industries, Inc. v. Robinson Industries, Inc., 46 B.R. 466 (D.Mass.1985), that such proceedings are noncore matters.
In researching this issue, we have uncovered but three (3) cases which state that bankruptcy courts are absolutely bound by decisions of the district court where they are sitting. In re Maisson, 57 B.R. 227, 229 (Bankr.E.D.Mich.1985); In re Investment Sales Diversified, Inc., 49 B.R. 837, 846 (Bankr.D.Minn.1985); and In re V-M Corp., 23 B.R. 952, 954-55 (Bankr.W.D. Mich.1982). Cf. In re Hubbard, 23 B.R. 671, 673-74 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 1982) (bankruptcy court bound by only district courts in the Sub-division of the district, which review its decisions.)
However, other courts have stated that bankruptcy courts must follow the decisions of district courts where they are sitting only insofar as required by the doctrine of stare decisis. See In re Bill Ridgway, Inc., 4 B.R. 351, 353 (Bankr.D.N.J. 1980). Further, as Judge Norton stated in In re Henry, 38 B.R. 24, 17 (Bankr.N.D.Ga. 1983), "[t]he doctrine of stare decisis . . . is not an immutable principle." Rather, although admittedly with great hesitation, bankruptcy courts have refused to follow decisions by other courts in its district on the basis of this principle. See In re Thompson, 59 B.R. 690, 694-95 (Bankr.W. D.Tex.1986) (bankruptcy court refuses to follow decision of Court of Appeals in its Circuit); and In re Riposo, 59 B.R. 563, 565-66 (Bankr.N.D.N.Y.1986) (bankruptcy judge refuses to follow decision of his predecessor).
Muddying the issue of whether we are bound to follow Woloch is the presence of Franklin Computer and Alloy Metal Wire, both post-Woloch decisions by the Chief Bankrtupcy Judge in our district which were inconsistent with Woloch. In In re Brent-Piskell, 12 B.R. 352, 357 (Bankr.S.D.Cal.1981), the court, while not following the decision of a brother judge in that case, states: "As a matter of comity and professional courtesy, brother judges in the same district are accustomed to following *699 each other's decisions." See also, e.g., Buna v. Pacific Far East Line, Inc., 441 F.Supp. 1360, 1365 (N.D.Cal.1977); and Eaton Lane & Cattle Co. v. Rocky Mountain Investments, 28 B.R. 890, 892 (Bankr. D.Colo.1983). Also notable is the presence of a the district court decision which appears contrary to that of Chief Judge Fullam in a neighboring district by Judge Rambo in Harley Hills, supra.
The foregoing cases teach that we must give great deference to, but we need not blindly follow, decisions of our local district court. The statement in Woloch regarding the core-noncore issue is dictum and it is not clear that the parties to that action cited Chief Judge Fullam to any of the numerous authorities cited herein which directly addressed the core-noncore issue.
Clearly, we do not have a contrary prior decision in Woloch as "unequivocal" as the Mohawk decision which the court in Arnold ultimately felt bound to follow. Ironically, it is the Franklin Computer decision which has been widely cited by many of the foregoing cases as the law of this district. Unlike the situation facing the court in Arnold, the history of decisions in this district prevents us from achieving total consistency on this issue no matter what decision we reach.
Therefore, we do not believe that the answers to any of the first three (3) legal questions which we indicated at the outset that we must answer mandate a decision one way or the other on this issue. We therefore turn to consideration of the practical consequences of the decision. As we indicated in the third paragraph of our Opinion, we were initially and continue to be struck with the needless taxing of our time and that of the district court in submitting proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the district court for its review, per 28 U.S.C. § 157(c)(1), in the simplest of cases, which are frequently uncontested. We should note that our views are shared by at least one member of our bar, if not, apparently, by Counsel for the Debtor in this case and Counsel for the Trustee in Pinto Trucking. S. Usdin, Accounts Receivable as "Core" Matters, BANKRUPTCY STRATEGIST, Volume III, NO. 6 (April, 1986).
There are, however, some countervailing practical considerations. One is the "safety" of treating the matter as noncore. The district court, and higher appellate courts, could not conceivably reverse treatment of such a matter as noncore, even if those courts believed that such matters should be classified as core. A district court would scarcely be likely to send proposed findings and conclusions back to the bankruptcy court with instructions to issue a final determination. Also, review of the district court's order would be only with the Court of Appeals, rather than adding a layer of an easy appeal to the district court from a final bankruptcy court determination. Thus, the finality of treatment of accounts receivable cases as noncore is the safer approach to treatment of such cases. Also, it is true that district court review reduces the rather slight but still present possibility of bankruptcy court error in such matters.
However, on the other hand, a decision that such matters are core will result in a possibility of appellate review directly on the subject, rather than having the district court address the matter in an appeal which does not actually present the pertinent issue squarely, as in Woloch. Making extra work because of paranoia of Marathon or because a greater possibility of appellate court reversal exists does not seem to us to be judicious.
A response to the "make-work" argument is that counsel for the plaintiff-debtors can be requested to prepare the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in defaults and mildly-contested cases, and therefore valuable court time will not be drained on such undertakings. However, this Court ascribes to the theory that someone always ultimately pays for every apparent gratuity of which one takes advantage. In this case, it is clear to see who will pay: the hours spent in preparing such findings and conclusions will appear as entrees in fee petitions of debtors' counsel, at *700 rates averaging $150.00 hourly. Ultimately, then, the debtors' estates, and the creditors, will pay for this "make-work."
In light of all of the foregoing, although we consider the question to be very close, we find no reasons to alter our original impression that we should determine such matters to be core proceedings. Moreover, we continue to believe that it is greatly in the best interest of all of the participants in the bankruptcy process that we conclude, as we do, that garden-variety accounts receivable actions are core proceedings. We do, however, recognize that different results may be in order if a dispute presented is of a more complex nature than a garden-variety accounts receivable action and requires us to construe difficult or unusual principles of state law. See, e.g., the Baldwin-United decisions supra.
We therefore intend to enter final determinative Orders in the Windsor and Pinto Trucking cases upon the submission, by Counsel for the respective Plaintiff, of proposed Orders and Affidavits in compliance with Bankruptcy Rule 7055 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55.[1]
NOTES
[1] The Windsor cases noted as on our list as before us on September 2, 1986, identified by name of Defendants and Adversarial Numbers only are:
(1) Paula Wolfe and Mary Bos Cardin Adversary No. 82-4356K
(2) Martale, Inc. Adversary No. 85-0427K
(3) Harnicks Happy House Adversary No. 82-3909K and (4) Adversary No. 82-4895K
(5) Stephen Gross Adversary No. 84-0181K
(6) Twins Card Shop Adversary No. 82-3980K
(7) Cary's Camera Shop Adversary No. 84-0968K
We also note that we have papers relevant to cases involving:
River Vale Pharmacy Adversary No. 82-4300K Harry Cheebookjian Adversary 84-0439K
The Book Rack & Card Shop, Inc. Adversary No. 84-0959K in our possession.
The Pinto Trucking cases before us involved:
(1) Airline Air Freight Adversary No. 86-0724K
(2) J.F. Moran Adversary No. 86-0725K
(3) Maven Video Adversary No. 86-0726K
(4) TMA Airlines Adversary No. 86-0727K
(5) W.R. Zanes & Co. Adversary No. 86-0728K
(6) All Freight Packers Adversary No. 86-0732K
(7) Enterprises Shipping Adversary No. 86-0733K
(8) American EMO Transportation, Inc. Adversary No. 86-0734K
(9) VANCO/Cal Cartage Adversary No. 86-0735K
(10) Rainbow Air Express Adversary No. 86-0736K
(11) Vantage Graphics Adversary No. 86-0737K
(12) Sunday Import Adversary No. 86-0738K
(13) Gil-Med Adversary No. 86-0739K
(14) Unex Shipping Co. Adversary No. 86-0740K
(15) Sunkyong International, Inc. Adversary No. 86-0741K
(16) Joseph Kanbaz Co. Adversary No. 86-0742K
(17) J. Kanbaz Co. Adversary No. 86-9743K
(18) Trojan Air Freight Adversary No. 86-0744K
(19) Branko Forwarding Adversary No. 86-0745K
(20) Vanco Distribution Adversary No. 86-0746K
| |
The customer has the right to dissolve the agreement in case of delivered goods on the basis of an order with ALBEPRO, if there is a consumer purchase, in accordance with article 7: 5 of the Dutch Civil Code.
With the exception of used goods (margin products), semiconductor materials, electronic components such as ICs, resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs and potentiometers, these will not be returned after purchase.
The term starts at the moment that the ordered items are dispatched. If the customer has not returned the delivered goods to ALBEPRO after this period, the purchase is a fact. The customer is obliged, before proceeding to return, within the period of 7 days after delivery to report to ALBEPRO. The customer must prove that the delivered goods have been returned in time (no later than 10 days after delivery), for example by means of proof of mail delivery. The return of the delivered goods is entirely at the expense and risk of the buyer.
Buyer will be responsible for, and pre-pay, all return shipping charges and shall assume all risk of loss or damage to product while in transit to us.
We recommend that you use a traceable method of shipping for your protection.
We can issue a refund after the product returned to us in new / original condition including the original packaging of the product.
20 % of item price will be charged for handling upon return.
All postage and insurance are NOT refundable.
All shipping cost caused by the return is paid by the buyer.
After receipt of the return product and check, the purchase amount minus the shipping costs and 20 % of item price will be charged for handling upon return will be transferred to the account number known to us.
Only undamaged products in unopened, undamaged packaging are accepted. Send your order sufficiently with your name, order number and 'return' to: | https://www.albepro.nl/return.html |
These very good Instant Pot recipes are straightforward to execute, satisfying, and full of loads of butternut squash and apples galore. Plus, they’re certain to please your quarantine crew or your newfound obsession with cooking as soon as, consuming thrice (ah, meal prep). And for those who’re actually fortunate, you should still be capable of savor them outdoors and crack open a fall brew. For extra recipes we’re digging of late, take a look at Easy Five-Ingredient Lunches to Make Again and Again, Easy Fall Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Want to Make a Billion Times, and 5 Instant Pot Recipes We’ll Be Making All Year Long.
Prompt Pot Butternut Squash Pasta
recipe by Shinta Simon, meals blogger at CaramelTintedLife.com
Makes 6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Prepare dinner time: 25 minutes
18 oz (512 grams) butternut squash peeled and cubed
2 Tbsp butter (could be changed with olive oil)
1 onion finely chopped
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
5-6 sage leaves roughly chopped (could be changed with assorted dried herbs)
4 cups inventory (use hen or vegetable inventory)
1 Ib (450 grams) penne pasta comparable to Barilla model
1 tsp white pepper powder
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp paprika powder
½ cup grated parmesan (elective)
⅓ cup milk (could be changed with almond milk)
Flip the Prompt Pot to “Sauté” mode within the “Extra” setting.
Add the butter, adopted by the onions, garlic, and sage (or assorted herbs). Sauté for a few minutes till the sage releases its aroma and the onions flip translucent.
Add the cubed butternut squash and stir to mix it with the remainder of the substances.
Add the hen (or vegetable) inventory and blend.
Placed on the lid of the Prompt Pot and switch the vent to “Sealing” place, and swap to “Guide” mode (Strain Prepare dinner mode), in “Excessive” Strain setting. Set the cooking time for 4 minutes.
As soon as the Prompt Pot beeps, do a fast launch, i.e. flip the vent from sealing to venting place to launch the steam shortly. As soon as all of the steam has launched, the stress valve comes down and the Prompt Pot lid is secure to open.
Open the lid and utilizing a spatula, break down the cooked squash to a purée-like consistency. Now add the penne. Be sure that the penne is submerged below the liquid with a view to let the pasta prepare dinner evenly.
Placed on the lid of the Prompt Pot, and with the vent in “Sealing” place, in “Guide”mode, in “Excessive” Strain setting, set the time for five minutes. (For firmer, al dente pasta, cut back the cooking time from 5 to 4 minutes.) Let the Prompt Pot launch steam naturally (pure stress launch). As soon as the valve comes down, the Prompt Pot lid is secure to open.
Open the lid and add the white pepper powder, nutmeg, and paprika powder, adopted by the parmesan cheese.
Add the milk and provides it an excellent stir. Serve heat.
Word: You’ll be able to improve the amount of butternut squash and water or inventory if you’d like a creamier pasta. For a vegan choice, change butter with olive oil, change milk with almond milk, and skip the Parmesan cheese.
Hillbilly Pot Roast with Taters
recipe by Stephanie Laska, founding father of DIRTY, LAZY, KETO and creator of The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Cookbook, printed by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Makes 6 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Prepare dinner time: 75 minutes
2 Tbsp avocado oil, divided
8 oz sliced white mushrooms
2 medium inexperienced bell peppers, seeded and chopped
16 oz radishes, trimmed
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 2-lb roast
1 cup beef inventory
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Press Sauté button in your Prompt Pot and set the timer for Quarter-hour. Warmth 1 Tbsp of oil in pot and add mushrooms, bell peppers, radishes, onion, and garlic. Sauté greens and stir till onions are caramelized (with lid off), about 10-Quarter-hour. Word that radishes is not going to be absolutely cooked.
Take away veggies and add remaining 1 Tbsp oil into the Prompt Pot. Sprinkle salt and pepper on all sides of the roast and place into Prompt Pot. Press Sauté button and set timer for 10 minutes. Brown meat on either side for five minutes, leaving the lid off.
Take away roast and return the steel grate to the bottom of Prompt Pot. Set roast on the grate. Pour inventory and Worcestershire sauce over meat. Safe lid and press the Strain Cooker button. Set the excessive stress setting to 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, use fast stress launch, then take away the lid.
Add vegetable combine again to the Prompt Pot. Safe lid and choose Strain Cooker setting for five minutes on excessive stress. (Word: The greens will prepare dinner whereas it takes the Prompt Pot 5-10 minutes to stand up to the suitable stress earlier than the timer begins.) When the timer goes off, use the fast stress launch.
Let the roast and the veggies sit within the Prompt Pot for five minutes earlier than serving.
Prompt Pot Tuscan Hen Stew
recipe by Denise Bustard of wholesome meals weblog Sweet Peas & Saffron (pictured above)
Makes 4-6 servings
Prep time: Quarter-hour
Prepare dinner time: 40 minutes (10 minutes at excessive stress, 20 minutes to return to stress, and 10 minutes to naturally depressurize after cooking by way of)
6-8 boneless skinless hen thighs
2 carrots (sliced)
2 celery ribs (sliced)
1 onion (diced)
2 tomatoes (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
12 child potatoes (halved)
1 3/4 cup hen inventory
2 Tbsp white wine
1 tsp fennel seeds (crushed with the facet of a knife)
1/2 tsp salt
1 sprig rosemary
After cooking:
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
¼ cup water
Non-compulsory: Crusty bread
Add the hen, carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, hen inventory, wine, fennel, salt, and rosemary to the chrome steel insert of an Prompt Pot.
Set the steam launch deal with to the “Sealing” place, place the lid on the Prompt Pot, and prepare dinner on excessive stress for 10 minutes.
When the Prompt Pot beeps, enable it to sit down for 10 minutes (pure stress launch). After 10 minutes, rigorously flip the steam launch deal with to the “Venting” place to launch the remaining stress.
Stir collectively the water and cornstarch, then add to the pot with the balsamic vinegar.
Choose the “Sauté” button on the Prompt Pot and simmer for two or so minutes, till the stew is thickened to your liking.
Serve with crusty bread.
Prompt Pot Korean Brief Ribs
recipe by Chef Michael Ollier, Certified Angus Beef ® brand
Makes 4 servings
Prep time: Quarter-hour
Energetic prepare dinner time: Quarter-hour
Inactive prepare dinner time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
2 lbs Licensed Angus Beef ® bone-in chuck brief ribs (3-4 inches lengthy) or ribs of alternative
2 tsp kosher or sea salt
1 tsp recent cracked black pepper
1 tsp canola oil
2 Tbsp minced ginger, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch scallions, sliced, whites and greens separated
1 apple, peeled, cored, and lower into 3-inch chunks
1 Bosc pear, peeled, cored, and lower into 3-inch chunks
1 Tbsp sesame oil
⅓ cup soy sauce
¼ cup apple juice
Set Prompt Pot to “Sauté.” Season brief ribs evenly with salt and pepper. As soon as Prompt Pot has preheated, add canola oil and sear brief ribs on at the very least two sides. Switch brief ribs to a clear plate.
Mix 1 Tbsp ginger, garlic, scallion whites, apple, pear, sesame oil, soy sauce, and apple juice in a blender. Mix on excessive for 1 minute; switch purée to Prompt Pot.
Return brief ribs to the pot, affix lid, and set to “Strain-Prepare dinner Excessive” for 50 minutes. As soon as cooked, enable 20 minutes for Prompt Pot to naturally depressurize. Open launch valve to permit any remaining steam to flee.
Take away brief ribs from the pot and transfer to a clear slicing board. Stir reserved ginger to the liquid and set to “Sauté.” Simmer for 7 minutes, pressure, and skim away fats.
Glaze brief ribs with diminished liquid and garnish with scallion greens.
Prompt Pot Apple Cider
recipe from the weblog Corrie Cooks
Makes 8 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Prepare dinner time: Quarter-hour
4 inexperienced apples
4 crimson apples
2 medium oranges
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp cardamom pods
1½ cups brown sugar
water to cowl the fruits
1 cup recent cranberries
Minimize the apples and the oranges into quarters.
Add all of the substances into the Prompt Pot.
Add sufficient water to cowl all of the fruits.
Prepare dinner at excessive stress for 10 minutes.
Do a fast stress launch and mash the fruits just a little.
Prepare dinner at excessive stress for five minutes.
Look ahead to a pure stress launch.
Open the lid and pressure the combination.
Serve with cranberries, a slice of orange, and cinnamon sticks.
For entry to unique gear movies, celeb interviews, and extra, subscribe on YouTube! | https://alltimebdjobnews.com/best-instant-pot-recipes-to-make-this-fall-mens-journal/ |
Search for this book in the Dublin City Library Encore system and arrange a suitable location for loaning it.
The bonds of family are tested in the wake of a profound tragedy, providing a look at the darker side of our society. Night Sleep Death The Stars is a gripping examination of contemporary America through the prism of a family tragedy: when a powerful parent dies, each of his adult children reacts in startling and unexpected ways, and his grieving widow in the most surprising way of all .Stark and penetrating, Joyce Carol Oates’s latest novel is a vivid exploration of race, psychological trauma, class warfare, grief, and eventual healing, as well as an intimate family novel in the tradition of the author’s bestselling We Were the Mulvaneys.
Joyce Carol Oates is a novelist, critic, playwright, poet and author of short stories and one of America’s most highly respected literary figures. She has written some of the most enduring fiction of our time, including We Were the Mulvaneys, which was an Oprah Book Club Choice, and Blonde, which was nominated for the National Book Award. She is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Princeton University and a recipient of the National Book Award and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction.
This novel is about the soul and the heart of a family. John Earle “Whitey” McLaren is the patriarch of a well-situated American family. He witnesses police violence and intervenes, thus bringing himself into danger. He dies as a result of a severe injury leaving his wife and his five adult children without their center. Each child has to cope with his legacy, both on a material and figurative level, with their own position within the family and with their lives devastated by the death or their father. Jessalyn, the widow, has even more difficulties in finding her place back in reality. Over time, she learns to regain control over her goals and plans in life, which has an effect on the structure of the whole family.
Along with this family epos, Joyce Carol Oates drafts a picture of contemporary America and its current topics of resentment, inequality and racism. We look upon the story from the many different angles of the family members. Often they are in dialogue with the deceased “Whitey”, often in an inner dialogue (sometimes additional information is added in brackets). Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars describes how each family member copes and survives the loss of the family’s center and finds their new places for themselves in life and for their souls. Stadtbücherei Frankfurt am Main, Germany
|Author||
|
Joyce Carol Oates
|Nominating Library||
|
Stadtbücherei Frankfurt am Main, Germany
|Publisher||
|
Fourth Estate
Search for this book in the Dublin City Library Encore system and arrange a suitable location for loaning it.
This search result is offered as a helping hand to find books in the Library Ireland Encore System. Some results may not be accurate where book titles have common words with similar titles. | https://dublinliteraryaward.ie/books/night-sleep-death-the-stars/ |
Kylie and Kendall Jenner have been enjoying a wintry vacation in Aspen. Their mom Kris Jenner and her man Corey Gamble are there too.
Along with a few friends and Kylie’s daughter Stormi Webster, the crew have been staying in a rental home.
The over 20,000 square foot, 4-storey mansion has 7 bedrooms, 9 baths, a fireplace, an in-home theater, a pool & spa, a bowling alley and more!
To rent the property it will cost you $450,000 a month! They have been there for at least 3 days which would mean their bill stands at $45,000.
The house is also on sale for $75 million. | https://www.virginradiodubai.com/trending/updates/pritis-gossip/post/how-much-is-too-much-to-spend-on-holiday/ |
Before you start changing a room’s decor in your home, you must ask yourself a few questions to get the best results. Here are all our tips on the subject.
If you are thinking of making some changes in your home and need help figuring out where to start, we wanted to bring you the essential keys so you can choose your new room. It would help if you had a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
For this, we recommend you consider the following 7 points, which will allow you to make a well-considered decision.
Decorating can be a fun and exciting task with many benefits. It entertains us, and it is good to take care of our home. However, some people have more taste for aesthetics, and others give little importance to the choice of colors, materials, etc. If you’re ready for change, this is where it’s happening!
In the rest of this article, we want to show you what questions you need to ask yourself before you start decorating because a first organization and a clear objective is the first step to take.
The questions you need to ask yourself before decorating your bedroom
You may have a natural gift that decorating may be one of your passions and hobbies. If you like decorating magazines and furniture stores and are a compulsive buyer of decorative patterns, this article can help you organize your ideas better.
What will the room be used for?
These are the first questions we need to ask ourselves before decorating. This may seem logical and fundamental, of course. However, we rarely think about how many things we want to do there. Once you know the main activity of the room, you can better think about the furniture and its arrangement.
Also, if it’s big enough, you can decorate it to do another activity, for example, in the case of a bedroom with a corner designed for physical exercise.
What lighting for the bedroom?
It is essential to know if the room has many hours of light per day or month, as this varies depending on the choice of furniture and the color of the walls.
For example, if the room is warm and there is a lot of sun, you can opt for cool colors, curtains, and blinds to be more comfortable during the warmer months. However, if the room you want to change receives very little sunlight, always consider warm colors, such as furniture in yellow, white, and pastel colors, to make it look brighter.
How long will you be in the room?
You’re going to invest less money decorating a room you use than others. In other words, the number of hours you will spend in this room can also determine the budget you want to use.
What are my favorite colors?
The idea here is to paint the room with something other than your favorite color. Besides, even if you like it a lot, you can get tired after a while. It is better to combine your favorite color with another wall of another color or with colorful fabrics, cushions, and curtains of various shapes and colors that connect.
You can also play with the furniture, as it has shapes and colors that can be adapted.
What do you want the piece to express?
It is essential to know what we want to express in the room. That is, how we want it to feel when we walk in, or another person walks through the door. We can take inspiration from the cities or countries we have visited and loved.
What will happen to the house in the coming months?
It is essential to know if you are still going to spend time in the room whose decoration you want to change because spending money and effort on something that could “expire” in a few months will not be worth it. Sadness.
If you are expecting a baby or have a family member living with you at home, it is essential to modify and prepare the room to your liking, which is convenient and efficient.
What is missing from the room and its decoration?
At a glance, we can see what is missing in the room. We can think of the furniture we need, for example, an armchair, a chest of drawers, or a mirror.
Here are a few simple tips to better decorate your home
Below, we give tips to avoid problems during your next remodeling.
- Invest in quality furniture and pieces. Sometimes “cheap” can end up being expensive. Indeed, many inexpensive pieces of furniture do their job, but they break easily and can frustrate us.
- In a room, find the focal point and use it as the center of attention.
- Avoid blocking entrances or exits with furniture.
- Add tables and spotlights near the armchairs.
- If you have large pieces of furniture, like an armchair or a bookcase full of books, look for another focal point with another large piece of furniture.
You must ask yourself these questions to determine the type of room you want to create. Indeed, starting to make changes without clear objectives will only be a waste of time if you realize too late that an element does not fit there, for example.
So if you’re considering altering a room in your home, ask yourself these questions, and you’ll be sure to get the best results. | https://eteslic.com/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-to-choose-the-perfect-decoration-for-your-bedroom/ |
- This event has passed.
Saturday, September 18
Naturalist Niche: Early Bird Walk
Time: 7:30 am - 10:00 am
Cost: Includes Park admission. Advance registration required.
Event Navigation
Start Flock to the Rock out with a bevy of birds! This early bird walk was designed to start before the Park opens to ensure participants get the best chance to encounter a variety of birds. Taking place during fall migration also enhances the number of species expected to be in our area. This hike is considered moderate and is the prelude to our 13th Annual Flock to the Rock event which starts at 10am. Click here to see what birds you might see during your hike. Space is limited and advance registration is required for this hike. Book your spot below. | https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/event/naturalist-nice-early-bird-walk/ |
In our own image: savior or destroyer? the history and future of artificial intelligence / George Zarkadakis.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781504686426 (sound recording : hoopla Audio Book)
- ISBN: 150468642X (sound recording : hoopla Audio Book)
- Physical Description: 1 online resource (1 audio file (13hr., 49 min.)) : digital
- Edition: Unabridged.
- Publisher: [United States] : Blackstone Audio : 2016.
Content descriptions
|Restrictions on Access Note:||
|
Digital content provided by hoopla.
|Participant or Performer Note:||
|
Narrated by Gildart Jackson.
|Summary, etc.:||
|
A timely and important book that explores the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence as we approach the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution. George Zarkadakis explores one of humankind's oldest love-hate relationships: our ties with artificial intelligence, or AI. He traces AI's origins in ancient myth, through literary classics like Frankenstein to today's science fiction blockbusters, arguing that a fascination with AI is hardwired into the human psyche. He explains AI's history, technology, and potential; its manifestations in intelligent machines; its connections to neurology and consciousness, as well as-perhaps most tellingly-what AI reveals about us as human beings. In Our Own Image argues that we are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution-poised to enter the age of artificial intelligence as science fiction becomes science fact. Ultimately, Zarkadakis observes, the fate of AI has profound implications for the future of science and humanity itself.
|System Details Note:||
|
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Search for related items by subject
|Subject:||Technology. | https://evergreen.lib.in.us/eg/opac/record/20662758 |
Q:
Merge two pandas dataframes using float index
I have two DataFrame's having different columns, but I would like to merge them by aligning them on rows. That is, say I have those two dataFrames
df1 = pd.DataFrame(np.arange(12).reshape(6, 2), index=np.arange(6)*0.1, columns=['a', 'b'])
df1
a b
0.0 0 1
0.1 2 3
0.2 4 5
0.3 6 7
0.4 8 9
0.5 10 11
df2 = pd.DataFrame(np.arange(8).reshape(4, 2), index=[0.07, 0.21, 0.43, 0.54], columns=['c', 'd'])
df2
c d
0.07 0 1
0.21 2 3
0.43 4 5
0.54 6 7
I want to merge df2 with df1 such that the rows of df2 are aligned with the nearest neighbor index from `df1. The end result would be:
a b c d
0.0 0 1 NaN NaN
0.1 2 3 0 1
0.2 4 5 2 3
0.3 6 7 NaN NaN
0.4 8 9 4 5
0.5 10 11 6 7
I appreciate any ideas on how to tackle this efficiently.
A:
Since you mention close
df2.index=[min(df1.index, key=lambda x:abs(x-y)) for y in df2.index]
pd.concat([df1,df2],1)
Out[535]:
a b c d
0.0 0 1 NaN NaN
0.1 2 3 0.0 1.0
0.2 4 5 2.0 3.0
0.3 6 7 NaN NaN
0.4 8 9 4.0 5.0
0.5 10 11 6.0 7.0
| |
TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND ART
(a) Die Cushion Device of Hydraulic (Servo) Type
(b) Die Cushion Device of Electric (Servo) Type
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
Solution to Problem
Advantageous Effects of Invention
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Structure of Die Cushion Device
First Embodiment
<General Drawing Process>
<Additional Remarks on the General Function of the Die Cushion>
<Description of the Die Cushion Device>
[Principles of Die Cushion Pressure Control]
<Controller of the Die Cushion Device>
<Description of Procedures Through Operating Waveforms>
Structure of Die Cushion Device
Second Embodiment
Structure of Die Cushion Device
Third Embodiment
Structure of Die Cushion Device
Fourth Embodiment
Structure of Die Cushion Device
Fifth Embodiment
[Modification]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
The present invention generally relates to die cushion devices for press machines, and more particularly, to a die cushion device for a press machine that can cope with high-speed operations of the press machine, can have a smaller size, and can be provided at a lower price.
PTL 1 discloses a die cushion device of a hydraulic servo type that performs throttle control with a proportional valve.
In this die cushion device, a proportional valve is placed on the lower chamber side of a hydraulic cylinder supporting a cushion pad, and a desired die cushion pressure is generated by controlling the proportional valve to have an appropriate aperture.
This die cushion device has the advantages that: the die cushion pressure can be controlled with the use of the proportional valve or the like; a pressure change can be caused as needed; and the diameter of the hydraulic cylinder can be smaller, which implements a pit-less device or smaller devices, since the die cushion device can be used at a relatively high pressure.
On the other hand, this die cushion device has the disadvantage that all the energy used for the die cushioning function is converted into heat, since a pressure is generated by reducing the oil flow. Also, it is necessary to prepare a cooling function (a cooling system) that is compatible with the capability of the device, though using such a cooling system is considered a waste, in view of the environmental friendliness. This applies to devices of all hydraulic types. When the slide velocity is low during a die cushioning operation, compression of the oil in the hydraulic cylinder becomes slower, and the booster responsiveness is more likely to become lower (the boosting time tends to become longer).
PTL 2 discloses a die cushion device of an electric servo type.
In this die cushion device, the discharge outlet of a hydraulic pump/motor is connected directly to the lower chamber of a hydraulic cylinder supporting a cushion pad. The torque of an electric motor connected to the rotating shaft of the hydraulic pump/motor is controlled, and the pressure in the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder (the die cushion pressure) can be freely controlled.
This die cushion device has an advantage that the energy required for the die cushioning function to which the cushion pad is subjected when the press machine executes the die cushioning function is regenerated as an electric energy via the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic pump/motor, and an electric motor, and accordingly, a higher energy efficiency is achieved. In addition, even if the slide velocity is low, the die cushion pressure can be suitably controlled, and a higher pressure controllability than that of a die cushion device of a hydraulic (servo) type can be achieved.
On the other hand, this die cushion device has a disadvantage that a large-capacity electric motor is required to generate the necessary power for the die cushioning function at the same time when the die cushioning function is performed. If the electric motor has a larger capacity, the device becomes larger in size, and the power receiving facilities also require a large capacity. As a result, the system inevitably becomes complicated, and the price becomes higher. Therefore, the die cushion device of the electric servo type is an inefficient device in terms of capital investment, though such a die cushion device has a high energy efficiency.
In addition, in order to release the oil pushed away (displaced) from the hydraulic cylinder to the low-pressure side via the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor) at the time of impact, the angular velocity of the motor (the inertia moment) needs to be rapidly accelerated by the displaced oil, and a surge pressure is easily generated as a reaction to the acceleration.
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-142312
PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-315074
The conventional die cushion devices disclosed in PTL 1 and 2 have both advantages and disadvantages.
The present invention is made to combine many advantages of the die cushion device of the hydraulic servo type that performs throttle control with a proportional valve as disclosed in PTL 1, and of the die cushion device of the electric servo type disclosed in PTL 2, while resolving and eliminating the disadvantages of the die cushion devices.
The present invention aims to provide a die cushion device for a press machine that can improve the die cushion pressure controllability without generation of a surge pressure, regardless of the slide velocity, has high energy efficiency by virtue of an energy regenerating function, and can realize downsizing and price reduction.
To achieve the above objects, a die cushion device for a press machine of a first aspect of the present invention includes: a hydraulic cylinder for supporting a cushion pad and generating a die cushion pressure when a slide of the press machine moves downward; a proportional valve and a hydraulic pump/motor connected in parallel between a lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and a low-pressure source; an electric motor connected to a rotating shaft of the hydraulic pump/motor; a die cushion pressure command issuer for outputting a predetermined die cushion pressure command; a pressure detector for detecting a pressure in the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder; and a controller for controlling an aperture of the proportional valve and a torque of the electric motor in a manner that the die cushion pressure becomes equal to a pressure corresponding to the die cushion pressure command, based on the die cushion pressure command and the pressure detected by the pressure detector.
1
The invention according to claim involves both a control function of a hydraulic servo type that performs throttle control with a proportional valve, and a control function of an electric servo type that uses a hydraulic pump/motor (and an electric motor). The aperture of the proportional valve and the torque of the electric motor are controlled in a manner that the die cushion pressure becomes equal to a pressure corresponding to the die cushion pressure command. Particularly, when a die cushioning function is performed, the liquid displaced from the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder can be released to the low-pressure source side via the proportional valve and the hydraulic pump/motor. Accordingly, the electric motor can have a smaller capacity than in a case where the die cushion pressure is controlled solely by an electric motor (and a hydraulic pump/motor). As a result, the device can be made smaller in size and less expensive.
The quantity of liquid discharged from the proportional valve (by a valve differential pressure) is several times (three to ten times) larger than the quantity of liquid displaced by the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor), with respect to the same price standard and to the same installation space (the device size).
In addition, the quantity of liquid released from the hydraulic pump/motor to the low-pressure source can be reduced by controlling the proportional valve to open beforehand at the time of impact. Accordingly, generation of a surge pressure as the reaction to the acceleration torque required for angularly accelerating the inertia moment of the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor) can be restrained. Even if the slide velocity becomes low while a die cushioning function is being performed, the die cushion pressure can be controlled with a high responsiveness by controlling the torque of the electric motor. Thus, the die cushion pressure controllability can be improved.
In a second aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes a regenerating unit for regenerating an energy applied to the hydraulic cylinder when the press machine executes die cushioning function, the energy being used for the die cushioning function, as an electric energy via the hydraulic pump/motor and the electric motor. With this arrangement, the energy efficiency can be made higher than that of a hydraulic servo type (involving only a proportional valve) by which all the energy used for the die cushioning function is converted into heat.
To cope with high-speed operation of pressing, a device of the hydraulic servo type becomes smaller in size, and less expensive (in terms of the initial cost). However, where a die cushion device is formed only by the hydraulic servo system, the energy efficiency is poor due to pressure loss of the proportional valve, and heat is generated. As a result, the running cost becomes higher. In view of the energy efficiency, the electric servo method using the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor) is also employed, and the energy required for the die cushioning function is regenerated as an electric energy, in this manner, the energy efficiency is made higher.
In a third aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to the first or second aspect of the invention further includes slide velocity detecting means that detects the velocity of the slide. In the third aspect of the present invention, the controller the controller controls the proportional valve based on the velocity detected by the slide velocity detecting means when the velocity is larger than a predetermined value at a time of performing die cushioning function of the press machine, and releases part of a pressure liquid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder to the low-pressure source via the proportional valve. Here, various instruments may be employed as the slide velocity detecting means. For example, it is possible to employ an instrument to detect the slide velocity directly with a sensor, or an instrument to determine the slide velocity by detecting the angular velocity of the crankshaft that moves the slide and performing an arithmetic operation based on the detected angular velocity signal.
Most of the press machines that can cope with high-speed operations are those of mechanical types. Typical examples of them include press machines of a crank mechanism type or an eccentric-gear mechanism type. In the press machines of such types, the slide velocity characteristically becomes lower as the bottom dead point becomes closer, and the slide velocity is zero at the bottom dead point. That is, while molding that requires a die cushioning function is being performed, the slide velocity is high during a very short period of time at the beginning of the molding (at the time of impact with the cushion pad), but becomes unlimitedly lower as the molding progresses and the bottom dead point becomes closer.
If a die cushion device is formed only by the electric servo method using the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor) to cope with cases where the slide velocity is higher than a predetermined value (for a high-speed period that is extremely short) during a die cushioning operation in the above circumstances, the price of the product becomes higher, and the device becomes larger (or becomes overengineered). To counter this problem, the hydraulic servo system by which the aperture of the proportional valve is controlled in synchronization with extremely short high-speed periods is used as well as the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric servo motor) that operates during most of the molding period. In this manner, a die cushion device that can cope with high-speed operations with a relatively high efficiency can be realized in a small space and at a low price.
When the slide velocity becomes lower than the predetermined value (or when the slide becomes slower), the proportional valve is not used (the aperture is set at zero: a blocked state), and only the electric servo method using the hydraulic pump/motor (and the electric motor) is implemented. Accordingly, large part of the energy required for the die cushioning function can be regenerated as an electric energy, and the die cushion pressure controllability during low-speed operations can be improved.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the die cushion device for the press machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the controller controls an aperture of the proportional valve at a time of performing the die cushioning function of the press machine, based on the die cushion pressure command, the pressure detected by the pressure detector, and the velocity detected by the slide velocity detecting means.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through fourth aspects of the present invention further includes: slide velocity detecting means for detecting a velocity of the slide; and an angular velocity detector for detecting an angular velocity of one of the hydraulic pump/motor and the electric motor. In the fifth aspect of the invention, the controller controls a torque of the electric motor at a time of performing a die cushioning function of the press machine in a manner that a die cushion pressure becomes equal to a pressure corresponding to the die cushion pressure command, based on the die cushion pressure command, the pressure detected by the pressure detector, the velocity detected by the slide velocity detecting means, and the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detector.
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device according to any one of the first through fifth aspects of the present invention further includes a slide position detector that detects the position of the slide. In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion pressure command issuer outputs the die cushion pressure command, based on the slide position detected by the slide position detector.
In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through sixth aspects of the present invention further includes a die cushion position detector that detects the position of the cushion pad. In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the controller uses a die cushion position signal detected by the die cushion position detector as a position feedback signal for controlling the electric motor when a product knockout operation is performed or the hydraulic cylinder is independently moved upward or downward. With this arrangement, the position of the hydraulic cylinder (the cushion pad) can be controlled during a period when pressing (or the die cushioning function) is not performed, and the ascending operation (the product knockout operation) is performed during that period. Here, the knockout operation is the operation to knock a product out of a metal mold.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through seventh aspects of the present invention, the hydraulic cylinder includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders arranged in parallel with respect to the cushion pad, and the proportional valve and the hydraulic pump/motor are connected to lower chambers of the respective hydraulic cylinders via a shared pipe.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through eighth aspects of the present invention, the hydraulic pump/motor includes a plurality of hydraulic pumps/motors each having a pressure liquid supplied from the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder via a branch pipe, and the electric motor includes a plurality of electric motors respectively connected to the plurality of hydraulic pumps/motors and subjected to torque control. With this arrangement, each one of the hydraulic pumps/motors and electric motors can be a general-purpose device having a relatively small capacity even in a large-sized press machine.
In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through ninth aspects of the present invention, the proportional valve includes a plurality of proportional valves to each of which a pressure liquid is provided from the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder via a branch pipe, and an aperture of each of the proportional valves is controlled.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the first through third, sixth, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of sets of the hydraulic cylinder, the proportional valve, the hydraulic pump/motor, the electric motor, and the pressure detector are provided for the single cushion pad. With this arrangement, the die cushion device can be formed from a plurality of lines of devices arranged in parallel. Also, the capacity of each of the devices (the proportional valves, the hydraulic motors, the electric motors, and the like) can be made smaller, and pressure control can be performed on the respective lines independently of one another.
In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention further includes slide velocity detecting means that detects the velocity of the slide. In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the controller individually controls an aperture of the proportional valve for each hydraulic cylinder at a time of performing die cushioning function of the press machine, based on the die cushion pressure command, the pressure detected by the pressure detector, and the velocity detected by the slide velocity detecting means.
In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the present invention further includes: slide velocity detecting means that detects the velocity of the slide; and a plurality of angular velocity detectors that detect the respective angular velocities of the hydraulic pumps/motors or the electric motors. In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the controller controls a torque of each of the electric motors at a time of performing die cushioning function of the press machine in a manner that a die cushion pressure in each of the hydraulic cylinders becomes equal to the pressure corresponding to the die cushion pressure command, based on the die cushion pressure command, the velocity detected by the slide velocity detecting means, the respective pressures detected by the pressure detectors, and the respective angular velocities detected by the angular velocity detectors.
In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the die cushion device for the press machine according to any one of the eleventh through thirteenth aspects of the present invention further includes a plurality of die cushion position detectors for the respective hydraulic cylinders, and the die cushion position detectors detect the position of the cushion pad. In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the controller uses the respective die cushion position signals detected by the die cushion position detectors as position feedback signals for controlling the electric motors driving the corresponding hydraulic cylinders, when a product knockout operation is performed or each of the hydraulic cylinders is independently moved upward or downward.
According to the eleventh through fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the hydraulic cylinders can be controlled independently of one another. Accordingly, even when an eccentric load is applied onto the cushion pad, a die cushion pressure in accordance with the eccentric load can be generated, and position control can be performed to maintain the cushion pad in a horizontal position, regardless of the loads applied when a product knockout operation is performed or the cushion pad is independently moved upward or downward.
According to the present invention, a proportional valve of the hydraulic servo type and a hydraulic pump/motor (and an electric motor) of the electric servo type are connected in parallel between a low-pressure source and the lower chamber of a hydraulic cylinder that generates a die cushion pressure, and the aperture of the proportional valve and the torque of the electric motor are controlled in a manner that the die cushion pressure becomes equal to a pressure corresponding to a die cushion pressure command. Accordingly, a surge pressure is not generated, and the die cushion pressure controllability can be improved, regardless of the slide velocity. Also, the energy efficiency can be made higher by virtue of the energy regenerating function. Further, the device size can be reduced, and lower prices can be realized.
The following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of die cushion devices for press machines according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
50
is a diagram showing the structure of a first embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention. is an enlarged view of a hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in .
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
100
101
102
101
100
101
103
The press machine shown in includes a frame (columns) , a slide , and a bolster (a bed) . The slide is guided movably in a vertical direction by a guide unit placed in the frame . The slide moves up and down in by a crank mechanism including a crankshaft through which a rotational drive force is transmitted by a drive unit not shown in the figure.
25
101
102
24
103
103
A slide position detector that detects the position of the slide is placed on a side of the bolster of the press machine, and an angular velocity detector that detects the angular velocity of the crankshaft is provided to the crankshaft .
201
101
202
102
201
202
301
An upper mold is attached the slide , and a lower mold is provided to the bolster . The metal mold (the upper mold and the lower mold ) in this embodiment is used for molding a product in a form of a hollow cup with closed top (a drawn shape).
203
201
202
203
2
1
203
2
3
23
2
2
A pad plate (blank holding plate) is provided between the upper mold and the lower mold . The lower portion of the pad plate is supported by a cushion pad via cushion pins , and a material is set on (in contact with) the upper portion of the pad plate . The cushion pad is supported by a hydraulic cylinder , and a die cushion position detector that detects the position of the cushion pad is provided to the cushion pad (or to the portion linked to the hydraulic cylinder or piston).
203
1
101
201
201
202
1
203
With the material (a disk-like plate in this example) being set on the pad plate that is supported by the cushion pins and stands by in a predetermined initial position, the slide moves downward. At the point where the upper mold is brought into contact with the product, pressing (drawing) of the product is started. Plastic working (deformation processing) is performed on the material between the upper mold and the lower mold , and at the same time, the material is pressed from below and is supported via the cushion pins and the pad plate with a predetermined force required for preventing formation of wrinkles and cracks that are often formed in a radial direction of the disk-like material at the time of drawing. The force applied at this point is the die cushion pressure, and is constantly applied during the drawing process.
101
203
3
2
Since the slide collides with (or is impulsively brought into contact with) the material (and the pad plate ) when the pressing is started, an impact force (a surge pressure on the hydraulic cylinder ) is easily applied to the cushion pad . Since the impact force is larger than a predetermined die cushion pressure. Therefore, the molded product is broken, the metal mold is damaged, and the durability life of the machine is adversely affected (the die cushion device might be damaged in some cases).
3
2
10
4
3
3
6
5
4
60
21
3
3
70
10
5
c
a
c
FIG. 4
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
The die cushion device includes, as main components, the hydraulic cylinder supporting the above described cushion pad , a proportional valve and a hydraulic pump/motor connected in parallel between a pressurizing chamber (hereinafter referred to as the “lower chamber”) of the cushion pressure generating side of the hydraulic cylinder and a low-pressure source , an electric motor (a servomotor) connected to the rotating shaft of the hydraulic pump/motor , a die cushion pressure command issuer (see ), a pressure detector that detects a pressure in the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder , and a controller that controls an aperture of the proportional valve and a torque of the electric motor (see and ).
3
3
2
a
The piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is linked to the cushion pad .
FIG. 2
21
3
3
3
10
4
8
a
c
c
As shown in , the pressure detector that detects the pressure in the lower chamber is connected to a pipe connected to the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder , and the proportional valve and the hydraulic pump/motor are connected to the pipe via a check valve of a forced-release drive type.
7
3
3
6
7
c
Also, a safety valve (a relief valve) is connected between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and the low-pressure source . The safety valve is used for preventing damage in the hydraulic equipment when an abnormal pressure is generated (when the die cushion pressure cannot be controlled, and an abnormal pressure is generated in an unexpected fashion).
6
6
21
c.
The pressure in an accumulating device used as the low-pressure source is set at approximately 0.5 to 1 Mpa, and the accumulating device serves as a tank. The pressure in the low-pressure source is detected by a pressure detector
3
9
9
21
b.
Meanwhile, the pipe connected to the pressurizing chamber (hereinafter referred to as the “upper chamber”) of the descending side of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to an accumulating device . The pressure in the accumulating device is detected by a pressure detector
40
41
9
13
9
40
11
15
The pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor is accumulated in the accumulating device via a check valve . If the accumulation of pressure oil in the accumulating device is sufficient, the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump circulates and is cooled in a hydraulic oil cooler in a low-pressure state via an unloading operation valve .
10
12
11
42
If the pressure oil is released from the proportional valve while the die cushion is operating, heat is generated by the throttling of the pressure oil, and therefore, the hydraulic oil needs cooling. Reference numeral designates a water solenoid valve for supplying cooled water to the hydraulic oil cooler , and reference numeral designates a filter.
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
8
3
2
9
3
3
3
3
5
a
a
b
b
b
The pressure oil accumulated in the accumulating device is used as a pilot pressure for opening and closing a two-way valve of the proportional valve , which includes the two-way valve and an electromagnetic proportional flow control valve , via the electromagnetic proportional flow control valve . In addition, at the time of controlling (driving), the pressure oil accumulated in the accumulating device is also used as the pilot pressure for forcibly opening a check valve of the forced-release drive type which is a valve for preventing falling of the hydraulic cylinder (or the cushion pad coupled thereto) under the weight thereof at the time of non-controlling (non-driving). Further, the pressure oil accumulated in the accumulating device is made to constantly act on the upper chamber (the volume on the rod side) of the hydraulic cylinder , so as to facilitate up-and-down movement of the hydraulic cylinder (or so that the hydraulic cylinder can be moved up and down only through the torque of the electric motor ).
26
10
22
5
5
9
6
7
14
A spool position detector for detecting the aperture of the proportional valve is attached to the proportional valve , and an angular velocity detector that detects the angular velocity of the electric motor is provided to the motor shaft of the electric motor . Between the accumulating device and the low-pressure source , there are lines which respectively connect a relief valve ′ and a magnetic orientation switching valve (a depressurization valve) .
3
3
3
10
4
3
3
c
c
The die cushion pressure from the above described hydraulic cylinder is generated by controlling the pressure in the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder , that is, by controlling the aperture of the proportional valve and the torque of the hydraulic pump/motor that are respectively connected to the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder .
3
The following is a description of the principles of the die cushion pressure control by the hydraulic cylinder .
3
Where the cross-sectional area of the hydraulic cylinder on the die cushion pressure generating side is represented by A,
3
the volume of the hydraulic cylinder on the die cushion pressure generating side is represented by V,
the die cushion pressure is represented by P,
5
the torque of the electric motor is represented by T,
5
the inertia moment of the electric motor is represented by I,
5
the viscosity resistance coefficient of the electric motor is represented by DM,
5
the friction torque of the electric motor is represented by fM,
4
the displacement volume of the hydraulic pump/motor is represented by Q,
101
3
3
a
the force applied from the slide onto the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is represented by F,
the velocity of the cushion pad generated when the cushion pad is pushed by the press is represented by v,
3
the inertia mass of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder and the cushion pad is represented by M,
3
the viscosity resistance coefficient of the hydraulic cylinder is represented by DS,
3
the friction force of the hydraulic cylinder is represented by fS,
the angular velocity of the servomotor rotating when pushed by the pressure oil is represented by ω,
the modulus of volume elasticity of the hydraulic oil is represented by K,
the proportional constants are represented by k1 and k2,
v
the quantity of oil released by the proportional valve is represented by q,
the amount of proportional valve commands is represented by R, and
v
the proportional valve flow coefficient is represented by C,
the static behaviors can be expressed by the following mathematical formulas (1) and (2):
P=∫K
v·A−k
Q·ω−q
V
dt
v
((1)/) (1)
q
=R·C
√P
v
v
(2)
T=k
·PQ
2/(2π) (3)
The dynamic behaviors can be expressed by the following mathematical formulas (4) and (5), as well as the mathematical formulas (1) and (2):
PA−F==M·dv/dt+DS·v+fS
(4)
T−k
·PQ
I·dω/dt+DM+ωfM
2/(2π)= (5)
101
3
3
2
3
3
a
c
According to the above formulas (1) through (5), the force transmitted from the slide to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder via the cushion pad compresses the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder to generate the die cushion pressure.
10
4
4
5
5
While the die cushion pressure is maintained by the proportional valve , the oil is released (or the aperture is controlled). At the same time, the hydraulic pump/motor is made to function as a hydraulic motor by the die cushion pressure. When the rotating shaft torque generated in the hydraulic pump/motor is balanced with the drive torque of the electric motor , the electric motor is rotated (or is made to function in a regenerative manner), to restrain increase in the pressure.
10
5
In short, the die cushion pressure is determined by the aperture of the proportional valve and the drive torque of the electric motor .
10
5
At this point, to stably control a die cushion pressure value according to a set value which is preliminary set, the die cushion pressure P, the motor angular velocity ω, the cushion pad velocity v (or the press machine sliding velocity) generated as a result of the push by the press are detected, and are used for the compensation for determining the aperture of the proportional valve and the torque of the electric motor . Also, the position of the die cushion is detected to control the product knockout operation. The position of the slide is detected to obtain the timing to activate the die cushion.
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
70
10
5
80
70
is a schematic view of the die cushion device including the controller controlling the aperture of the proportional valve and the torque of the electric motor , and a power regenerating unit , is a block diagram specifically showing the controller .
FIG. 4
70
72
74
76
72
72
72
a
b.
As shown in , the controller includes a die cushion pressure controller , a die cushion position controller , and a selector . The die cushion pressure controller further includes an electric motor controller and a proportional valve controller
101
60
25
60
72
72
a
b.
A die cushion pressure value according to the position of the slide is set beforehand in the die cushion pressure command issuer , and, based on a slide position signal detected by the slide position detector , the die cushion pressure command issuer outputs a die cushion pressure command to the electric motor controller and the proportional valve controller
23
62
101
62
2
2
Meanwhile, a signal indicating the die cushion position (or the cushion pad position) is supplied from the die cushion position detector to a die cushion position command issuer , and is to be used for generating an initial value in generation of the position command value. After the slide reaches a bottom dead point and the die cushion pressure control ends, the die cushion position command issuer outputs a die cushion position command to control the die cushion position (or the position of the cushion pad ), so that the product knockout operation is performed, and the cushion pad is made to stand by in the initial position.
25
22
72
74
101
103
24
72
74
5
22
72
10
26
72
a
b.
A slide position signal and a motor angular velocity signal are supplied from the slide position detector and the angular velocity detector , respectively, to the die cushion pressure controller and the die cushion position controller , and a slide speed signal about the slide calculated from the angular velocity signal of the crankshaft detected by the angular velocity detector is also supplied to the die cushion pressure controller and the die cushion position controller . Further, an angular velocity signal indicating the angular velocity of the electric motor is supplied from the angular velocity detector to the electric motor controller , and a proportional valve aperture signal indicating the spool position (or the aperture) of the proportional valve supplied from the spool position detector is supplied to the proportional valve controller
70
10
10
70
5
5
82
FIG. 3
Based on the above described various input signals, the controller outputs an aperture command for controlling the aperture of the proportional valve , to the proportional valve . The controller also outputs a torque command for controlling the torque of the electric motor , to the electric motor via a servo amplifier (see ).
101
2
3
203
1
2
101
3
4
4
21
24
103
22
72
5
4
5
72
5
5
82
84
a
a
a
FIG. 3
As described above, after the time of impact (or the time when the slide is brought into direct or indirect contact with the cushion pad ), a pressure is generated in the hydraulic cylinder via the metal mold, the pad plate , the cushion pins , and the cushion pad , because of the power of the slide . The pressure oil pushed away (displaced) from the hydraulic cylinder causes the hydraulic pump/motor to function as a hydraulic motor, and pushes away (displaces) and causes the hydraulic pump/motor to rotate. At this point, based on the input die cushion pressure command, the die cushion pressure signal detected by the pressure detector , the slide velocity signal detected and calculated by the angular velocity detector of the crankshaft , the angular velocity signal detected by the angular velocity detector of the electric motor, and the like, the electric motor controller causes the torque of the electric motor to act on the pressurizing side, so as to generate a pressure (a die cushioning function). When the rotating shaft torque generated in the hydraulic pump/motor is balanced with the drive torque of the electric motor , the electric motor controller causes the electric motor to rotate (a regenerating function). As shown in , the power generated by the electric motor is regenerated in an alternating-current power supply via the servo amplifier and a servo power supply having a power regenerating function.
3
6
10
72
21
24
26
b
a
The pressure oil displaced from the hydraulic cylinder is also released into the low-pressure source (a tank) via the proportional valve . At this point, the proportional valve controller controls the aperture and causes generation of the die cushion pressure, based on the input die cushion pressure command, the die cushion pressure signal detected by the pressure detector , the slide velocity signal detected and calculated by the angular velocity detector of the crankshaft, the proportional valve aperture signal detected by the spool position detector , and the like.
72
10
72
10
b
b
In a mechanical press of a crank or link mechanical type, the proportional valve controller controls the aperture of the proportional valve , only when the production rate (the number of cycles/hour) is high, the slide position is higher than the bottom dead point, and the slide velocity is high. The proportional valve controller does not control the aperture of the proportional valve (an aperture 0=fully closed), when the production rate is low (the slide velocity is low in the entire cycles), or when the slide position is close to the bottom dead point though the production rate is high, and the slide velocity is low.
5
72
10
72
72
72
5
10
72
72
a
b
a
b
a
b
While the die cushion pressure control through the control of the torque of the electric motor by the electric motor controller and the die cushion pressure control through the control of the aperture of the proportional valve by the proportional valve controller are performed at the same time, the electric motor controller and the proportional valve controller control the torque of the electric motor and the aperture of the proportional valve , respectively, so that the die cushion pressure being controlled through the cooperative control by the electric motor controller and the proportional controller become equal to the die cushion pressure indicated by the die cushion pressure command.
101
70
On the other hand, when the slide reaches the bottom dead point (or when the press molding is completed), the controller is switched from the die cushion pressure controlling state to a die cushion position controlling (maintaining) state.
74
70
62
23
22
5
76
In the die cushion position controlling state, the die cushion position controller of the controller outputs a torque command value calculated with the use of the die cushion position command input from the die cushion position command issuer , the die cushion position signal from the die cushion position detector , the angular velocity signal from the angular velocity detector , and the like, to the electric motor via the selector .
74
101
301
101
301
3
2
202
202
3
10
At this point, the die cushion position controller suspends the operation of the die cushion device for a predetermined period of time after the slide starts moving upward, so that the product is not damaged by interference among the slide , the product , and the die cushion device. After that, the hydraulic cylinder (or the cushion pad ) is moved upward to knock the molded product, which is closely attached to the lower mold , out of the lower mold . The hydraulic cylinder is then returned to the initial position (the standby position), and waits for the next cycle. In the die cushion position controlling (maintaining) state, the proportional valve is not used (a fully-closed state).
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
and are waveform charts showing the variations in respective physical quantities caused by a die cushioning function when the slide of the press machine is operated in one cycle as an example of a basic operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 5(A)
FIG. 5(A)
101
5
203
2
74
70
23
22
5
In , while the slide moves downward from the top dead point (1100 mm in FIG. (A)), the die cushion (the pad plate and the cushion pad ) stands by in the initial position (200 mm in ). As described above, the die cushion position controller of the controller controls (maintains) the position by outputting an electric motor torque command calculated with the use of the die cushion position command during the standby period, the die cushion position signal from the die cushion position detector , the motor angular velocity signal from the angular velocity detector , and the like, to the electric motor .
25
101
When the slide position signal from the slide position detector reaches the die cushion initial position (or the vicinity thereof) as the slide moves downward (an impact), the die cushion device switches from the die cushion position controlling (maintaining) state to the die cushion pressure controlling state.
5
3
4
5
101
10
4
3
10
5
5
FIG. 6
FIG. 3
In the initial stage in the die cushion pressure controlling state, the slide velocity at the point where the slide position reaches the die cushion initial position (150 mm) is approximately 850 mm/s (FIG. (B)), and the displacement volume of oil displaced by the hydraulic cylinder exceeds the total displacement volume displaced by the hydraulic pump/motor and the electric motor . Therefore, before the slide velocity becomes lower than 500 mm/s (until around 2.15 s) as the slide further moves downward, the proportional valve and the hydraulic pump/motor are used in parallel, as shown in . In addition, part of the oil displaced from the hydraulic cylinder is released to the low-pressure side by the proportional valve while the die cushion pressure is secured (while throttling is performed), as shown in . Part (the remaining quantity) of the oil is pushed (displaced) and released to the low-pressure side via the hydraulic pump/motor while the die cushion pressure is secured by the electric motor (while the torque is applied in the opposite direction from the direction of rotation).
FIG. 4
10
5
3
10
10
5
10
4
10
As shown in , the proportional valve and the electric motor control the die cushion pressure, based on the slide velocity (or the speed of the hydraulic cylinder ), the die cushion pressure command, and the die cushion pressure signal. The proportional valve also controls the die cushion pressure based on the proportional valve aperture signal (and an oil quantity signal indicating the quantity of oil passing through the proportional valve , if a flow rate detector is provided), and the electric motor also controls the die cushion pressure, based on the motor angular velocity signal, while these two controllers compensate each other. In a case where the pressure oil is drawn out and released by the proportional valve , a dramatically larger volume of oil can be processed than in a case where the hydraulic pump/motor pushes away (displaces) and releases pressure oil, though the proportional valve is small in size (or has a compact exterior). Even if the slide velocity at the start of the die cushion pressure control becomes considerably higher than the slide velocity of this example (850 mm/s), the die cushion pressure control can be performed without any problems.
FIG. 6(A)
FIG. 6(B)
FIG. 6(A)
3
10
4
is a waveform chart showing the change during one-cycle in the quantity of oil displaced by the hydraulic cylinder , the quantity of oil (A) passing through (released from) the proportional valve , and the quantity of oil (B) displaced by the hydraulic pump/motor . is an enlarged view of the relevant part of the waveforms of .
FIG. 6(B)
4
3
10
In the example shown in , the largest displacement quantity (l/min) of oil by the hydraulic pump/motor is almost half the largest displacement quantity (l/min) of oil by the hydraulic cylinder , and the quantity of oil equivalent to the difference of oil quantities passes through the proportional valve .
10
3
10
3
4
5
At the time of impact, control is performed beforehand to open the proportional valve . Therefore, most of the displacement quantity from the hydraulic cylinder at the time of impact is discharged from the proportional valve . The displacement quantity of oil from the hydraulic cylinder at the time of impact prevents the hydraulic pump/motor and the electric motor (the inertia moment) from being subjected to rapid angular acceleration, and accordingly, generation of a surge pressure can be prevented.
101
3
4
5
5
4
10
When the slide velocity becomes lower than 500 mm/s as the slide moves downward, the displacement quantity from the hydraulic cylinder is smaller than the sum of displacement volumes by the hydraulic pump/motor and the electric motor . Accordingly, the electric motor displaces and releases the oil only through the hydraulic pump/motor while securing the die cushion pressure. It should be noted that, when the slide velocity becomes lower than 500 mm/s, the proportional valve is maintained in a fully-closed state.
5
4
5
FIG. 4
The electric motor generates the die cushion pressure through a hydraulic motor function of the hydraulic pump/motor as shown in . Therefore, the electric motor applies a torque in the opposite direction from the direction of rotation (or has a power generating function), and the energy generated at this point is regenerated for a power supply.
101
Thereafter, molding (drawing) is performed until the slide reaches the bottom dead point.
101
FIG. 5(C)
Since the molding comes to an end when the slide reaches the bottom dead point, the die cushion pressure drops (becomes weaker) (in the neighborhood of 2.5 s in ).
23
5
2
FIG. 5(A)
When the drop in the die cushion pressure is completed, the control operation is switched from the die cushion pressure control to the die cushion position control (maintenance). In the die cushion position control operation, a torque command calculated with the use of the die cushion position command, the die cushion position signal from the die cushion position detector , and the like is output to the electric motor , as in the standby operation in the initial position. The position control is then performed to knock the product out of the mold and return the cushion pad to the initial position (the standby position) ().
FIG. 7
FIG. 8
FIG. 7
FIG. 7
FIG. 8
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
52
is a diagram showing the structure of a second embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention. is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in . It should be noted that, in and , the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in and are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and specific explanation of them will not be repeated herein.
FIG. 7
FIG. 8
3
3
3
The die cushion device of the second embodiment shown in and differs from the die cushion device of the first embodiment mainly in that the single hydraulic cylinder is replaced with two hydraulic cylinders and ′.
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
54
3
3
3
3
56
c
c
b
b
That is, in the die cushion device of the second embodiment, the two hydraulic cylinders and ′ are arranged in parallel with respect to the cushion pad . The lower chambers and ′ of those hydraulic cylinders and ′ are connected by a shared pipe , and the upper chambers and ′ of the hydraulic cylinders and ′ are connected by a shared pipe .
FIG. 8
10
10
10
a
b
Also, as shown in , a proportional valve ′ includes a four-way valve ′ and an electromagnetic proportional flow control valve ′.
10
10
a
a
FIG. 2
FIG. 8
With the functions of the configuration being taken into consideration, the proportional valve may be opened while the pressure oil is drawn from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side. Although the two-way valve shown in may suffice, the four-way valve ′ is of a type commonly used in the general public (more general), and such four-way valves are produced in large numbers. Accordingly, such a four-way valve is relatively inexpensive. Pressure oil ports are used in parallel (P→B+A→T, for example, as shown in ), so as to secure a sufficient flow rate.
3
3
3
3
9
3
6
3
3
2
2
b
b
b
b
b
Also, in the die cushion device of the second embodiment, a pressure applied to the upper chambers and ′ (on the rod sides) of the hydraulic cylinders and ′ is different from that in the first embodiment. While the relatively high pressure accumulated in the accumulating device acts on the upper chamber in the first embodiment, the low pressure of the low-pressure source acts on the upper chambers and ′ in the second embodiment. Since the mass linked to the cushion pad is large in the press machine of the second embodiment, the force of gravity serves as the power for lowering the cushion pad .
2
4
In both the first and second embodiments, the power for lowering the cushion pad is constantly applied during regular operations, and the movement switching between descending and ascending can be performed only through the torque of the hydraulic pump/motor , without an operation to switch valves or the like.
FIG. 9
FIG. 13
FIG. 9
FIG. 1
130
is a diagram showing the structure of a third embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention. is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in . It should be noted that the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and specific explanation of them will not be repeated herein.
FIG. 9
FIG. 13
4
1
4
2
4
3
3
3
6
5
1
5
2
5
3
4
1
4
2
4
3
22
1
22
2
22
3
5
1
5
2
5
3
c
In the die cushion device of the third embodiment shown in and , three hydraulic pumps/motors -, -, and - are arranged in parallel between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and the low-pressure source via branch pipes. Electric motors -, -, and - are connected to the rotating shafts of the hydraulic pumps/motors -, -, and -, respectively. Angular velocity detectors -, -, and - are provided to the rotating shafts of the electric motors -, -, and -, respectively.
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
The torque control of the electric motors -, -, and - is performed in the same manner as the torque control of the single electric motor of the first embodiment. However, the capacity of those electric motors -, -, and - can be one third of the capacity of the single electric motor .
FIG. 10
FIG. 14
FIG. 7
140
10
is a diagram showing the structure of a fourth embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention. is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in FIG. . It should be noted, that the same components as those of the second embodiment shown in are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the second embodiment, and specific explanation of them will not be repeated herein.
FIG. 10
FIG. 14
10
1
10
2
6
54
3
3
3
3
c
c
The die cushion device of the fourth embodiment shown in and differs from that of the second embodiment in that two proportional valves - and - are arranged in parallel between the low-pressure source and the shared pipe connecting the lower chambers and ′ of the hydraulic cylinders and ′, via branch pipes.
10
1
10
2
10
10
1
10
2
10
The control of the apertures of the respective proportional valves - and - is performed in the same manner as the control of the aperture of the single proportional valve ′ of the second embodiment. However, the quantity of oil flowing through each of the proportional valves - and - is a half of that flowing through the single proportional valve ′.
FIG. 11
FIG. 15
FIG. 11
FIG. 7
150
is a diagram showing the structure of a fifth embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention. is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in . It should be noted that the same components as those of the second embodiment shown in are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the second embodiment, and specific explanation of them will not be repeated herein.
FIG. 7
FIG. 11
FIG. 15
3
3
3
3
2
54
10
5
3
3
3
c
c
In the die cushion device of the second embodiment shown in , the lower chambers and ′ of the hydraulic cylinders and ′ arranged to the left and right of the cushion pad are connected by the shared pipe , and the aperture of the proportional valve ′ and the torque of the electric motor are controlled in the same manner as in a case where the single hydraulic cylinder is controlled. However, the die cushion position of the fifth embodiment shown in and differs from that of the second embodiment of a single line in that the left and right hydraulic cylinders and ′ are controlled independently of each other, and the die cushion device is a two-line die cushion device having the left and right lines.
4
1
4
2
10
3
3
6
4
1
4
2
10
3
3
6
c
c
More specifically, hydraulic pumps/motors (two hydraulic pumps/motors -L and -L arranged in parallel) and a proportional valve L are arranged in parallel between the lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and the low-pressure source , and hydraulic pumps/motors (two hydraulic pumps/motors -R and -R arranged in parallel) and a proportional valve R are arranged in parallel between the lower chamber ′ of the other hydraulic cylinder ′ and the low-pressure source .
5
1
5
2
5
1
5
2
4
1
4
2
4
1
4
2
22
1
22
2
22
1
22
2
5
1
5
2
5
1
5
2
Electric motors -L, -L, -R and -R are connected to the rotating shafts of the hydraulic pumps/motors -L, -L, -R and -R, respectively, and angular velocity detectors -L, -L, -R and -R are provided to the rotating shafts of the electric motors -L, -L, -R and -R, respectively.
3
3
23
23
2
21
21
3
3
3
3
a
a
c
c
Along with the left and right hydraulic cylinders and ′, die cushion position detectors and ′ that detect the left and right positions of the cushion pad are also provided, and pressure detectors and ′ that detect the pressures of the lower chambers and ′ of the left and right hydraulic cylinders and ′ are further provided.
3
3
5
1
5
2
5
1
5
2
10
10
The pressures of the left and right hydraulic cylinders and ′ are controlled by driving the electric motors -L, -L, -R and -R, and the proportional valves L and R of the respective hydraulic cylinders.
FIG. 12
is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the controller of the die cushion device having the above described structure.
70
72
74
76
1
76
2
76
76
2
72
72
72
70
70
a
b
FIG. 4
This controller ′ includes a die cushion pressure controller ′, a die cushion position controller ′, and selectors -L, -L, -R, and -R. The die cushion pressure controller ′ further includes an electric motor controller ′ and a proportional valve controller ′. The controller ′ has the same structure as the controller shown in .
70
70
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
5
1
5
2
5
1
5
2
70
1
2
10
10
FIG. 4
FIG. 12
The controller shown in receives a single motor angular velocity signal, a single die cushion pressure signal, a single proportional valve aperture signal, and a single die cushion position signal, and generates and outputs a single electric motor torque command and a single proportional valve aperture command. On the other hand, the controller ′ shown in receives four motor angular velocity signals L, R, L and R, two die cushion pressure signals (L) and (R), two proportional valve aperture signals (L) and (R), and two die cushion position signals (L) and (R), and generates and respectively outputs electric motor torque commands L, L, R, and R to the four electric motors -L, -L -R, and -R. The controller ′ also generates and outputs respective proportional valve aperture commands (L) and (R) for the two proportional valves L and R.
3
3
2
In the die cushion device of the fifth embodiment, the left and right hydraulic cylinders and ′ attached to the cushion pad are controlled independently of each other. Accordingly, a horizontally long cushion pad can be operated (moved upward and downward) in a horizontal state, for example. Also, the respective devices (such as the hydraulic pumps/motors, the electric motors, and the proportional valves) in each of the left and right lines can be formed by small-sized devices.
Although example cases where oil is used as the operating fluid of a die cushion device have been described in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to them, and water or some other fluid may be used. That is, in the embodiments, hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic pumps utilizing oil are used. However, the present invention is not limited to them, and it is of course possible to use hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic pumps utilizing water or some other fluid. Also, the die cushion device according to the present invention can be used not only for crank presses, but also for various kinds of press machines including mechanical presses.
The hydraulic cylinder(s) provided to the cushion pad are not limited to those of the above described embodiments. For example, two hydraulic cylinders may be provided at a front portion and a rear portion of the cushion pad, or four hydraulic cylinders may be provided at a front portion, a rear portion, a left portion, and a right portion of the cushion pad.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above described examples, and various changes and modifications may of course be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention.
1
2
3
3
4
4
4
1
4
2
4
3
4
1
4
1
4
2
4
2
5
5
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
1
5
1
5
2
5
2
6
9
10
10
10
1
10
2
10
10
21
21
22
22
1
22
2
22
3
23
23
25
26
30
54
56
60
62
70
70
72
72
72
72
72
72
74
74
76
76
1
76
2
76
1
76
2
80
82
84
100
101
102
201
202
203
301
a
a
a
a
b
b
. . . cushion pins, . . . cushion pad, , ′ . . . hydraulic cylinders, , ′, -, -, -, -L, -R, -L, -R . . . hydraulic pumps/motors, , ′, -, -, -, -L, -R, -L, -R . . . electric motors, . . . low-pressure source, . . . accumulating device, , ′, -, -, L, R . . . proportional valves, , ′ . . . pressure detectors, , -, -, - . . . angular velocity detectors, , ′ . . . die cushion position detectors, . . . slide position detector, . . . spool position detector, . . . alternating-current power supply, , . . . shared pipes, . . . die cushion pressure command issuer, . . . die cushion position command issuer, , ′ . . . controllers, , ′ . . . die cushion pressure controllers, , ′ . . . electric motor controllers, , ′ . . . proportional valve controllers, , ′ . . . die cushion position controllers, , -L, -L, -R, -R . . . selectors, . . . power regenerating unit, . . . servo amplifier, . . . servo power supply, , frame (columns), . . . slide, . . . bolster, . . . upper mold, . . . lower mold, . . . pad plate, . . . product
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a diagram showing a structure of a first embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in .
FIG. 3
is a schematic view of the die cushion device including a controller and a power regenerating unit.
FIG. 4
FIG. 3
is a block diagram showing the controller of in greater detail.
FIG. 5
shows waveform charts showing variations in the respective physical quantities of the position, velocity, and load (pressure) during a die cushion pressure operation in a case where the slide of the press machine is operated in one cycle as an example of a basic operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 6
shows waveform charts showing a variation in the quantity of oil during a die cushion pressure operation in a case where the slide of the press machine is operated in one cycle as an example of a basic operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a diagram showing a structure of a second embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 8
FIG. 7
is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in .
FIG. 9
is a diagram showing a structure of a third embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 10
is a diagram showing a structure of a fourth embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 11
is a diagram showing a structure of a fifth embodiment of a die cushion device for a press machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 12
FIG. 11
is a block diagram showing the controller of the die cushion device shown in .
FIG. 13
FIG. 9
is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in .
FIG. 14
FIG. 10
is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in .
FIG. 15
FIG. 11
is an enlarged view of the hydraulic circuit surrounded by the dot-and-dash line in . | |
We had a beautiful spring day in Kansas City cleaning up the river with 115 fantastic volunteers. Kansas City is the largest city centered on the Missouri River and has a growing population of people that love this long neglected river. It feels so good to be back working there with those wonderful KC people.
The morning started with an electrical storm that delayed boat boarding for 50 minutes. Rather than sit around waiting, most of the volunteers grabbed trash bags and scoured the forest around the parking lot for trash. And Riverfront Park really needed the help!
Then everyone boarded boats and cleaned up 7 miles of floodplain forest, some areas which we had never reached with a clean-up before.
Volunteers loading on boats after a rain storm. Photo copyright by Melanie Cheney.
Our local friends at Healthy Rivers Partnership, Vicki Richmond and Susie Burton, took a group of volunteers to the mouth of the Blue River, where they cleaned up the beaches and netted trash right from the river. A crew from Rivermiles, the hosts of the MR340, took out a crew and so did Justin Pyberg, a Mo. Dept. of Conservation agent from Lafayette County. Plus River Relief's diehard crew of volunteer boat operators.
The trash piled up quick! Our biggest group of the day, Girl Scout Troop #1622, brought 7 kids and 3 adults and they worked hard. The scouts nearly swept the Trash Contest! For the first time, the trash contest was directed by Yassi Armer-Shabazz, who has been doing River Relief clean-ups since he was a baby.
Lunch was cooked up by our brand new crew of lunch chefs - JD Enke from Ivanhoe Mason Lodge No. 446 and "Uncle Tom" Scrivner joined Jen Davis and Kris Mattern to grill up brats, hot dogs and burgers for the hungry volunteers. Thank you lunch crew!
Keep posted for more results as we compile them!
104 Total Bags of Trash Collected
4 Tires on Rim
28 Tires off Rim
4 Tire Treads
Winner - Broken Ceramic "Fishing Angel" | https://riverrelief.org/event/kansas-city-missouri-river-clean-up-2018/ |
Netflix’s new film, How It Ends (written by apparent newcomer Brooks McLaren and directed by David M. Rosenthal), is a tense survivalist narrative that can be summarized as a post-apocalyptic road trip. It’s fun, and if you already have a Netflix subscription, it’s worth the watch.
The film starts by introducing us to Will (Theo James) and Sam (Kat Graham), a young professional couple who are having a baby together. Shortly after learning it’s a boy, Will leaves Sam at their new home in Seattle to visit Sam’s parents in Chicago. This trip comes with an ulterior motive: he is asking Sam’s father, Tom (Forest Whitaker), for his blessing to marry her.
Tom is a former military man and severe. His wife, Paula (Nicole Ari Parker), attempts to mediate an increasingly tense dinner, but to no avail. The two men are at each other’s throats by the end of the night, and Paula asks Will to leave. The following morning, Sam calls Will, disappointed in the outcome of the evening–but while on the call, something strange happens in Seattle; there’s a mysterious rumbling, Sam notes that something’s wrong, and then the connection’s cut. Soon, all flights are canceled at the airport, and there’s a news report that they’ve lost power all along on the west coast after some sort of earthquake; almost immediately afterward, they lose power in Chicago, too. And not just power, but cellular and GPS networks all drop out.
Will returns to Tom and Paula. Paula goes to a safe place with family friends, while Will joins Tom in a cross-country journey to get to Sam. Fairly early into their adventure, after a major crisis, they take on one more party member: Indian reservation mechanic Ricki (Grace Dove), whom they hire on to make sure their car keeps running. From then on out, the movie becomes about the group’s efforts to get to the west coast as society continues to crumble around them.
In many ways, How It Ends reminded me of post-apocalyptic fiction like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road or Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower. Parable, in particular, with its gradual societal collapse, and its prominent roadway forest fire scene, seems like an obvious source of inspiration for the film.
The actual cause of the catastrophe here is never explained. We are given some theories, some suggestions, but nothing really makes sense. We’re kept in the dark throughout, just as our characters, who are not in any position to even stumble across the bigger picture.
The movie’s strengths rest in its relationships. From the very first moments, I thought that Will and Sam had great chemistry, and I was invested in them, though to be frank, Kat Graham radiated a lot more personality even in her relatively few scenes, and I would’ve preferred a movie with Sam as the protagonist over Will. While Will is initially a fairly blank, bland personality, the archetypal fit young white male action protagonist, he grew on me over time–we’re shown that he’s intelligent, a skilled negotiator, and quick to adapt, while also being sensitive and sympathetic. Tom, in contrast, is such a belligerent hardass that it took longer for me to like him, but his survival skills and constant control over the chaos make him important to the success of the quest. And as time passes, he softens and becomes more humane to Will. By the end, they have a very touching relationship with Tom as almost a surrogate father.
My favorite character was Ricki. She thinks she’s tougher and more prepared for the outside world than she is; while she’s fleeing a hard life, she finds that the collapsing society all around them is far sicker and more grotesque than anything she anticipated. Her presence in the story is a trembling light, as she brings a naive positivity. Will becomes sort of a moral balance between the hard-nosed pragmatism of Tom and the too-trusting faith of Ricki. To survive, Will leans more and more in the direction of Tom, even as Tom is softened somewhat by Will; in the end, that shift means that Ricki eventually finds herself in a situation that she can no longer tolerate. Her outcome is a sad question mark.
My major complaint with the movie is that it ends far too abruptly. I’d be fine if we never really understood what was happening in the broader scheme of things, but we basically end in the middle of the action. We don’t know what will happen to the characters, in the next two weeks or even the next two minutes. It was jarring and felt more appropriate for a mid-season television episode’s finale than the conclusion of a film.
If “character-focused post-apocalyptic road trip thriller” sounds like something you can get behind, though, you should check it out. It’s not perfect, but it’s…a good ride. | https://goingpewpew.com/2018/07/15/review-how-it-ends/ |
Dear Fellow Survivalist;
I don’t know when or where I first heard it, but there’s an important concept that we should all understand as part of our self-defense strategy. That is, “To one who understands weapons, anything can be a weapon.” We see this best portrayed in Jackie Chan’s movies, where he uses anything from a stepladder to a broom as a weapon.
Granted, that’s Hollywood and we all know it is unrealistic. I personally don’t have Jackie’s martial arts ability or his ability to improvise and would prefer to avoid doing so on the spur of the moment. Even so, the fact that he does so, so successfully, illustrates what I’m saying. Just because I can’t effectively hold off an attack with a feather duster, doesn’t mean that nobody can.
Probably the most important key to being able to use unconventional objects as weapons, is seeing them as such. One can’t really use an umbrella as a weapon, as long as they are just seeing it as something to keep the rain off their head. But once you decide it can be used as a weapon, you start looking at it differently, thinking about how you would use it as a weapon.
I was faced with the need to think unconventionally about weapons a number of years ago, when the violence caused by the drug cartels in Mexico started getting serious. At the time, I was traveling into Mexico two to four times per week. But Mexican law doesn’t allow me to carry my pistol there. Being caught with even one bullet in the car would earn me a 20 year prison term in a Mexican prison. I’ve seen those; they’re not a place you would want to visit, let alone spend 20 years there.
When we can’t use guns, most of us start thinking about what else we can fall back on. For me, that usually means a bow, knife or sword. But the reality is, none of those are in the least bit effective against gun-wielding thugs, when I’m trapped inside my vehicle.
As I’ve previously discussed, using a gun while inside a vehicle is difficult. But this was even worse. I didn’t have a gun. All I had was a knife and the vehicle I was driving. Fortunately, that vehicle was a full-sized custom van; two tons of Detroit steel.
Let me ask you this question. If you were a bad guy, holding a gun on some dude driving a large, heavy vehicle, what would you do if he hit the gas and came straight for you?
I suppose the right answer is to stand your ground and put steel on target. That’s the macho answer, at least. But the reality is that most people forget to be macho when faced by real danger. Oh, they might be macho enough in their own right; but somehow that’s hard to maintain when real danger is looking you in the eye.
Well, the one time I had to use that van as a weapon, the guy broke and ran. I apparently managed to convince him that I was going to pin him against the wall with my grille and he didn’t like that idea. He ducked, and that gave me the opportunity I needed to turn my wheel and go on down the street, escaping him.
Granted, I’m not going to recommend a vehicle, no matter how large, as a primary weapon for anybody to use. But when you don’t have anything else effective to use, use what you have. That’s definitely better than just accepting that you’re a victim.
The other thing we have to realize in a case like this is that what I did was extremely dangerous. If the guy pointing the gun at me had been any good with that gun, he could have put a round in my head, ending my life. I had to balance that risk against the risk of losing my life, if he managed to kidnap me. Considering how few people survive those kidnappings, I decided that attacking with my van was the less risky move.
But before you think it was a careless move, let me assure you that it wasn’t. I had thought through my options ahead of time and prepared for such a move. Knowing that I was essentially unarmed, other than a combat knife and my van, I had spent time thinking through how I would use that van to my advantage. I had also spent time working with the handling characteristics of the van, so I would know how fast I could accelerate, how fast I could stop and how tight a turn I could make.
Like any “real weapon” we need to know what we can do with an unconventional one, like a vehicle, before attempting to use it as a weapon. As much as practically possible, we need to think through the potential scenarios and decide how we will react. And we need to practice those reactions, committing them to muscle memory, so that we don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking, when we need them.
That worked out well for me, in that one case; but I really wouldn’t want to try it again. For one thing, I’m driving a much smaller vehicle now. For another, I really don’t like taking chances with my life. But then, the bad guy with the gun had already decided that for me. So, are you ready to use your vehicle as a weapon, if you need to? Maybe you should think that one through a bit and try out a few maneuvers. It doesn’t hurt to be ready, just like it doesn’t hurt to keep your powder dry and your survival gear close at hand. | https://www.selfrely.com/using-your-vehicle-as-a-weapon/ |
How many whole numbers between 1 and 100 are equal to 6 times a number?
Therefore, there are 16 such numbers.
(100-0)/6=16.667. only whole numbers means 16 but that is because you have started the range at 0 (it takes a full 6 count to get to a whole number on the first step). the answer would be 17 for 101-200 and 201-300.
All numbers are equal to 6 times a number. So all 100 numbers can be expressed that way.
On the other hand, I think you meant 6 times a *whole* number. Those are what we call multiples of 6.
The shortcut for figuring out the number of multiples of 6 in the range 1 to 100 is to divide 100 by 6 and drop the remainder.
Do you mean from 6 x 1 = 6, all the way up to 6 x 16 = 96? That would be 16 of them. | https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20180621110817AAK49iY |
A non-flavored daily fruit and vegetable dietary supplement to support overall health. *NEW & IMPROVED RECIPE*
Made with 7 organic fruits and vegetables. 25% of your daily recommended value of vitamins A, B, C, D, E. 6g of fiber. No sugar added.
Serving size: 2 teaspoons (7 g.)
Calories per serving: 15
Directions: Add 2 teaspoons to beverage of choice or to any recipe.
Ingredients: Inulin (Chicory Root) • Dehydrated whole organic fruits and vegetables (Spinach, Sweet potato, orange, maitake mushroom, broccoli, pumpkin and Papaya)
No dairy, no eggs, no soy, vegan, peanut-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, nut-free, non-GMO. | https://lynqlife.com/products/empowdered-blend |
IT would be easier to say what is not than what is worn this year. We will first establish the fact that the polonaise has triumphed over all the assaults that have been made on it, that long skirts are more in disfavor than ever, and that the few that have been attempted are packed away in trunks to wait and see what can be done with them next winter.
Now that we are quite certain of retaining the polonaise, which for a moment was doubtful, there in a perfect furor in its behalf; it is made of all sizes and shapes - short, long, full, scanty, open, and close; but the essential point is that it is worn always and every where, of all fabrics and colors, and for evening toilettes as well as walking suits.
Laces have regained immense popularity, and every article of lace is put in use; hut as the permanence of this favor is not assured, people take care to use their laces without cutting them. I will give a few examples of the way in which this as done.
A point of black Chantilly lace can be made into a mantelet or a tunic; for the first, take the point in the middle of the upper edge, slip it down to the bottom of the waist (I must not forget to say that this arrangement can only be done on the person herself or a lay figure), and then, at the bottom of the waist, make several pleats, which are fastened to the belt; put three lappets underneath, make two pleats on the sides and two in the middle, and the mantelet is finished.
To transform the point into a tunic, reverse it in such a manner that the lower point comes at the top; fold this point back on itself, and pleat it so as to form of the part thus folded a pleated basque. The front ends of the lace point are then draped and trimmed with bows. A lace fichu worn on the corsage completes the toilette. I specify these two styles, but there are a hundred different ways of transforming points either into manteletes or tunics. The simplest as well as the least expensive and most convenient of all is to take the point with both hands in the middle of the back and gather it up until it is of the size of a large fichu, then to put it on the waist, cross the ends in front, and tie them carelessly behind, either at the waist or lower down on the dress if the point is large enough. The pleats are fastened on the top, at the back of the neck, with a large pin, which is concealed by a bow of black ribbon with long ends.
Ribbons are worn more than ever : in front, behind, on both shoulders, and on one shoulder alone. Madame Emile de Girardin used to say that ribbons were the emblem and most beautiful ornament of woman, and that she could not wear too many of them. I do not agree with her, at least as to the second part of her opinion, and think that just now almost too many of them are worn. They are made of all imaginable and hitherto unimaginable kinds - half moire and half faille, or half faille -and half gauze, rather thick, with fine satin stripes that look like streaks of lightning traversing the color; of two shades on dresses of the same tints, dark violet or dark blue on one side, and light violet or light blue on the other; of two different colors, to suspend a medallion or cross from the neck, black on one side and the color of the dress on the other - that is, grey, blue., or green; in short, ribbons are made even of ecru coutil with white stripes, or else with ecru and white squares.
Children's dresses are extremely fanciful, judging from the following type of a dress lately made for a girl of from ten to twelve years old: Black boots and blue stockings. Half-short dress, showing the stockings, of black taffetas with high waist and long, almost tight sleeves. The skirt is trimmed with a single pleated flounce. Polonaise of white muslin de laine, open in front over the black waist and skirt, and trimmed on the edge with a narrow blue velvet ribbon set between two similar ribbons of black velvet, and a fringe of alternate blue and white tassels. Black straw hat, trimmed with a torsade of blue and white ribbon, and a cluster of three feathers on the side, the first black, the second blue, and the third white.
English embroidery is very much used for trimming dresses for children of all ages, seldom, however, of the color of the material, except on white; for instance, Ecru and dark blue are used on white; Ecru is also used on red or blue.
Every day literally we see new fabrics appear; there are lace grenadines with lace designs running over the grenadine ground, brocaded grenadine: and grenadine with tufted stripes. This last fabric is one of the prettiest and most original of this rich season. It is generally made of. two shades;. the darker shade is reserved for the satin stripe, and forms small tufts which are separated by a small space. In light and dark brown the effect of this fabric is charming. There are also new challies, with wide stripes alternately satin and rough -surfaced, and of a pale ecru tint; these challies, which never fray, are made into polonaises, which are worn over silk skirts of all kinds, even black, and also black velvet.
As to bonnets, alas! they are no longer bonnets, or even shakos, but church spires, higher and more overloaded than ever. 'There is no perceptible difference between bonnets and round hats; their height and even shape are the same. In general they match the dress with which they are worn, and are made, like it, of two shades or colors like those used for the dress. The veil is rather long and square, and falls in front over the bust.
Jet and, in general, glass bends of all colors are much used for the embroidery which trims very rich dresses. Ecru fabrics are embroidered with garnet or blue turquoise beads; and gray fabrics with violet, garnet, or blue beads. This kind of embroidery, of course, is executed only on summer silks, with the exception of black grenadine, which is richly embroidered with jet. | http://bustles-and-bows.co.uk/ParisFash.htm |
Fort Neugrad is a military fort southeast of Helgen.
The fort has two interior zones: Fort Neugrad and Fort Neugrad Prison. It is initially occupied by bandits, but if you progress through the Stormcloaks quest line, a garrison of the Imperial Legion will move in.
A garrison may also move in if you clear out the bandits dwelling inside. The garrison depends on who currently controls Falkreath itself.
While the bandits are occupying the fort, a boss-level bandit leader will be awaiting in the southeast room upstairs in the main fort. He will ignore you until you open his door. He holds a Fort Neugrad library key, which opens an otherwise pickable lock in the south side of the dining hall downstairs. Inside is a hostile mage by the name of Brandish.
The Imperial army will take control of the fort if you clear it out, or if you advance the Stormcloaks quest line up to the Liberation of Skyrim quest (Liberate Falkreath step).
The walls and fortifications have been repaired, and a stable and forge area have been built in the courtyard area. Inside areas have also been partially renovated to show the occupation as well, and a new selection of regular chests are scattered about inside and out. Any corpses left will have been removed, along with the boss-treasure chests, although any weapons the bandits dropped on death remain. The garrison will react to you as a trespasser inside the fort/prison, unless you are a member of their faction, but as long as you keep moving, you're free to loot any of the new items without consequence. However, if you are allied with the faction controlling the fort, you can get rest, food and a borrowable horse in this fort.
In the room after descending the stairs but before descending down to the prison cells, there is an apprentice-locked chest behind the shelves to your right as you leave the room.
One Fort Neugrad Prison key can be found on a barrel close to the passage from the prison room into the natural caves during Rescue from Fort Neugrad.
The nearby lake contains a hidden entrance into the prison. Just outside this underwater entrance, there is a half-overturned sunken rowboat with a treasure chest inside.
The upstairs exit from the fort to the tower on top contains a locked chest with a treasure map inside; the treasure is located across the lake, behind some rocks (map). Going clockwise around the lake from there also nets you two gold ore veins.
The chest referred to in the treasure map is sometimes absent; reading the map should spawn the chest, but does not. This bug is most likely due to the scripting errors in version 1.2 of the official patch.
This page was last modified on 10 May 2018, at 18:14. | https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Fort_Neugrad |
PLAINVIEW – Spurred in part by growth in academic and athletic offerings as well as online programs, Wayland Baptist University posted an 8.48 percent enrollment growth as a system, with a record 6,385 total students enrolled for the fall term.
In Plainview, a 12.94 percent enrollment hike was felt as dormitories reached 95 percent capacity. A total of 533 students are living on campus, up 11.5 percent. A total of 1,422 students are recorded for the campus. The freshman class grew to 247, up 12.8 percent from last year, and transfer students rose by 63 percent, a record number for the campus.
Undergraduate student enrollment rose 11.69 percent on the Wayland home campus with 1,089 total for the fall; graduate students in Plainview grew by 17.2 percent. The Virtual Campus, which oversees Wayland’s online programs and offerings, felt a nearly 15 percent hike for the year, with 2,408 students enrolled. While those students are counted with the home campus to which they are attached, the growing numbers are evidence of the continued popularity of online programs for their flexibility and convenience.
While part of the local growth could be attributed to new athletic programs – including men’s and women’s wrestling, competitive cheer and dance and the reinstatement of football to begin in Fall 2012 – as well as new majors and graduate programs, Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Claude Lusk feels there is a deeper reason.
“In the midst of tough economic times, I believe this speaks to the value of a Wayland education. The quality faculty and programs as well as the diverse opportunities both academically and athletically are what we believe bring students to us,” Lusk said. “You don’t grow without faculty and staff working hard and believing in what the Wayland experience is, and our students see that.
“These things also don’t happen without a team effort from our admissions, student services and financial aid folks, and I’m extremely proud of them.”
Several campuses system-wide experienced great growth over 2009, with the campus in Aiea, Hawaii, leading the race with a 41 percent hike. The campus recorded a jump from 290 students to 409, with growth spread evenly over undergraduate and graduate areas. The Sierra Vista, Ariz., campus grew nearly 29 percent for the year, with 370 total students recorded for 2010. Anchorage, Alaska, had an 11 percent hike to 558 students; San Antonio and Fairbanks, Alaska, both grew about 7.5 percent to 1,758 and 171 students, respectively. Phoenix campus had five percent growth (228 total) and Lubbock grew by 2.26 percent to 680 students.
“That same experience in Plainview is replicated on our other campuses as well,” Lusk noted.
System wide, graduate programs grew by 9.25 percent, spurred in great part by new programs in graduate studies and growth of current programs. In terms of credit hours, the Wayland system saw growth as well, with a 9.85 percent hike to 43,582 hours. Plainview campus recorded a nearly 12 percent spike in hours to 14,613, evidence that students have begun taking more full course loads than when the economic recession first hit. | https://www.wbu.edu/news-and-events/archives/2010/october/enrollment.htm |
Q:
Infimum measure of unions
Let $X$ be a metric space with $f:\mathcal{P}(X)\rightarrow[0,\infty]$, such that $f(\emptyset)=0.$ And let $\hat{E}_{a}=\{E\in\mathcal{P}(X):\text{diam}(E)\leq a\}$.
Now we define
$$m_a(Y)=\inf\{\sum_{n=1}^\infty f(E_n):E_n\in \hat{E}_a, Y\subset\cup_{n=1}^\infty E_n\}$$
and
$$m(Y)=\lim_{a\rightarrow 0}m_a(Y).$$
How do I prove that $m(\cup_{n=1}^\infty U_n)\leq\sum_{n=1}^\infty m(U_n)?$
What I thought of:
First let $U=\cup_{n=1}^\infty U_n$ and
$$m_a(U_n)=\inf\{\sum_{k=1}^\infty f(E_k^n):E_k^n\in \hat{E}_a, U_n\subset\cup_{k=1}^\infty E_k^n\}.$$
Then
$$m_a(U)=\inf\{\sum_{i=1}^\infty f(A^i):A^i\in \hat{E}_a, U=\cup_{n=1}^\infty U_n\subset\cup_{i=1}^\infty A^i\},$$
since $U_n\subset\cup_{k=1}^\infty E_k^n$, we can take as $A_i=\cup_{k=1}^\infty E_k^i$.
However does it still hold that $\cup_{k=1}^\infty E_k^n\in \hat{E}_a$? And how would I continue?
A:
Notice first that each $m_a$ is an outer measure, hence satisfies
$$ m_a\left(\bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} U_n \right) \leq \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} m_a (U_n). \tag{*}$$
Moreover, for each fixed $U$ the function $a \mapsto m_a(U)$ is non-increasing. Consequently we always have $m(U) \geq m_a(U)$ for all $a > 0$. So
$$ m_a\left(\bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} U_n \right) \leq \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} m (U_n) $$
and taking $a \to 0^+$ gives the desired claim.
If you need to prove $\text{(*)}$ (and I suspect so, based on your thought), you may rely on the following very standard result.
Lemma. Let $X$ be a non-empty set and assume that
$\mathcal{S}$ is a cover of $X$ containing $\varnothing$, and
$f : \mathcal{S} \to [0, \infty]$ is a function satisfying $f(\varnothing) = 0$.
Then the set function $\mu^{\star} : \mathcal{P}(X) \to [0, \infty]$ defined by
$$ \mu^{\star}(E) = \inf\bigg\{ \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} f(E_n) : \{E_n\} \subseteq \mathcal{S} \text{ and } E \subseteq \bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} E_n \bigg\} $$
is an outer measure on $X$.
Proof. $\mu^{\star}(\varnothing) = 0$ and the monotonicity is trivial from the definition of $\mu^{\star}$. So it suffices to check the countable subadditivity.
To this end, let $E = \bigcup_{i=1}^{\infty} E_i$ and for each $\epsilon > 0$ and $i$, pick $\{E_{i,n}\}_{i=1}^{\infty}$ such that $E_i \subseteq \bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} E_{i,n}$ and $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} f(E_{i,n}) \leq \mu^{\star}(E_i) + \epsilon 2^{-i}$. Then $\{ E_{i,n} \}_{i,n=1}^{\infty} \subseteq \mathcal{S}$ satisfies $E \subseteq \bigcup_{i=1}^{\infty}\bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty} E_{i,n}$ and
$$ \mu^{\star}(E)
\leq \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} f(E_{i,n})
\leq \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\mu^{\star}(E_i) + \epsilon. $$
Letting $\epsilon \to 0^+$ proves the desired result. ////
| |
This is simple, but takes time. All snowflakes were made folding circles of paper (cut using plates, saucers & cups as templates) & snipping away. They were sewn together in strands, use an ordinary sewing needle & thread, sew several stitches per snowflake. Vary the sizes of snowflakes to get a random look, hang up each strand before starting the next, so u can see how they look. I tied them onto the curtain rail hooks so I can move them carefully along the rail for different effects.
A Beaded Snowflake Craft for Kids: Math & Fine Motor Activity
Here is a snowflake craft that will give your preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten kids an opportunity to practice fine motor skills and math concepts. Kids can work on counting, patterning, constructing and deconstructing numbers with this fun winter themed activity. | https://www.pinterest.ph/081289me/snowflakes-art/ |
Falluja decries 'dirty tricks campaign'
Hundreds of Fallujans gathered on Tuesday to deny accusations that residents had killed Shia Muslims and that the city was harbouring alleged senior al-Qaida member Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
22 Jun 2004 17:41 GMT
Predominantly Sunni Falluja has hailed the stand of al-Sadr
The crowd held banners calling for national unity, and chanted slogans hailing the young Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, describing him as a national leader.
In an interview with Aljazeera correspondent Udai al-Katib, Shaikh Abd Allah al-Janabi, head of the Shura Council of Mujahidin, accused the US-led occupation of a "dirty tricks campaign".
Al-Janabi said occupation forces were trying to initiate an internal Iraqi conflict by holding Fallujans responsible for the deaths of six Iraqi Shia Muslim drivers earlier this month.
"We in Falluja have nothing to do with their deaths. As for the allegation of mutilating the bodies of the drivers, I assure everyone that this never happened," Shaikh al-Janabi said.
An investigation carried out by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and US marines proves Falluja's innocence, according to the city's deputy governor.
Shura council chief Al-Janabi: We shall not fight our countrymen
"CPA officials and investigators from the US marines went to Ramadi (capital of Anbar governorate which includes Falluja) and inspected police records and the city's morgue, but did not find evidence against the Falluja people," Mahmud Ibrahim al-Juraisi said.
A number of protesters told Aljazeera's correspondent that nothing would deflect them from their faith and commitment to national unity.
'Strong enough'
The protesters in Falluja rejected the US claim that Saturday's air raid on their city targeted an alleged safe house of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The attack claimed 22 lives.
Abd Al-Hamid al-Falluji, preacher of al-Furqan mosque, told the crowd Falluja is strong enough and does not need to harbour al-Zarqawi.
"Falluja does not need al-Zarqawi to defend it. Everybody knows that Falluja's men love to die for God's cause as much as the infidels love to live," al-Falluji said.
Iraqi interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, defended the US strike. However, Iraqi officers belonging to the battalion entrusted by the US occupation forces to keep law and order said the dead consisted mostly of women and children and no foreign fighters.
| |
Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to successfully convey or share ideas and feelings dealing with knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech and language, communication is composed of two categories - verbal and nonverbal ("What is .. Communication"). Nonverbal Communication is defined as communication without words. It includes obvious behaviors such as facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice, | https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Babies-And-Nonverbal-Communication-FJNZZ42SZBT |
We investigate the use of an auxiliary network of sensors to assist radio resource management in a cellular system. Specifically, we discuss the number and placement of sensors in a given cell for estimating its signal coverage. Here, an "outage" is said to occur at a location if the mobile receiver there has inadequate signal-to-noise ratio (SiVR-based outage) or, using another criterion, inadequate signal-to-interference ratio (SIR-based outage); and the "outage probability" is the fraction of the cell area over which outage occurs. A design goal is to confine the number of sensors per cell to an acceptable level while accurately estimating the outage probability. The investigation uses a generic path loss model incorporating distance effects and spatially correlated shadow fading. Our emphasis is the performance prediction accuracy of the sensor network, rather than cellular system analysis per se. Through analysis and simulation, we assess several approaches to estimating the outage probability. Applying the principle of importance sampling to the sensor placement, we show that a cell outage probability of ∼ P o can be accurately estimated using ∼ 10/Po power-measuring sensors distributed in a random uniform way over base-mobile distances from 50% to 100% of the cell radius. This result applies to both SNR-based and SIR-based cases, in both indoor and outdoor environments. | https://www.researchwithrutgers.com/en/publications/sensor-networks-for-estimating-and-updating-the-performance-of-ce |
Do You Have the Skills to Deal on a Global Scale?
In the dark days of technology, when faxes were the fastest way to communicate with clients, I was contacted by a Japanese company to do some design and illustrations for them. They had seen my work in the New York Daily News, which, unlike their rival, The New York Times, was strictly a New York City paper. Someone in the company’s New York office was a fan of my work and that’s how I caught their notice. I was excited at the prospect of working with a client outside of America and, in a conversation with my sister, who was a foreign diplomatic and trade studies student at the University of Pennsylvania, she sat me down for some much needed lessons on dealing with the Japanese. Without that advice, I would have insulted the executives I was slated to meet.
“First, remember to bow when bowed to and bow slightly lower than the person who bowed to you,” she imparted. Okay. I had gotten that from watching the Shogun miniseries on TV.
“When you are handed a business card,” she continued with the lesson, “hold it gently by the lower corners with both hands, look at it with reverence and place all the cards you get on the table in front of you and NEVER put them in your back pocket! You’ll need to refer to everyone by using ‘San’ at the end of their names.”
The lesson went on for about an hour and I was glad she had prepared me for the meeting. “And hold back your weird sense of humor!” she warned me at the end of our conversation. I did have a strange sense of humor that sometimes wasn’t appreciated by American clients, so it was good advice for dealing with the Japanese.
The meeting went well with the exchange of business cards, their cards being printed on the front in Japanese and the back in English with their photos on the cards, which was unusual back then for anyone’s card but as they handed me their cards, they pronounced their names and instructed me to call them by American surnames. My contact person, Minuro Yoshida, instructed me to call him, “Mike.” As I was a fan of Japanese cinema and TV, I was perfectly able to pronounce Japanese names and used “Yoshida San, “etc. for the half-dozen executives who were in attendance. “Yoshida San had previously met with me at my studio, which was jam packed with Japanese transforming robots and Godzilla posters in the original Japanese and during my meeting with his fellow executives, he was obviously telling them of my fandom for Japanese culture.
They decided to give me the project and that was my entry into the international market. As the project went on, “Mike” was kind enough to guide me through some “touchy” parts of dealing with his firm. There would be no contract as the Japanese were men of their word. WHile I was a bit nervous, more so about misunderstandings, everything went smoothly and they were a great client.
Over the next couple of years, I found my popularity rising in Japan as requests for interviews on radio shows and further projects would come in by fax and my peers envied me aloud for my international status.
Further intrusions into the global market came through stock images and being at the right functions in New York City, as well as working for companies that dealt on a global scale. Today, my clients are almost exclusively non-American and I have to say, I prefer it that way. Culturalisms are still an important part of working across national lines and the world has surpassed the U.S. in many ways of doing business.
With the internet, any business can reach across borders to do global business. PayPal, as one internet payment service, along with most credit cards, allows the transfer of funds in any monetary denomination. But what you put out there about your business may be offensive to others. The rules of manners are usually observed for others in this nation but it has to be taken farther when dealing with the world.
Understanding WE are also Foreigners
The old cliché of the “ugly American” still exists. This was the belief among American tourists that everyone in the world should speak English and if they don’t, yelling in English will make one understood. Well, almost everyone in the world does speak English and most of them speak it better than most Americans. More good news, most people in the world speak at least three languages while Europeans speak and average of five languages. In America, we study either Spanish, French or German for one to three years but without practice, often lose the ability quickly… if it’s ever really learned. It’s not really the language barrier that becomes a problem with foreign business dealings but cultural differences as well as the use of colloquialisms.
Colloquialisms are the little sayings that are particular to a certain culture and/or pop culture reference that may not translate outside of your language/culture. “Cockney” for instance, is hardly recognized in England, much less other nations. Speech patterns among those of us from Brooklyn, which include swear words as adjectives, as well as verbs, are considered offensive to the rest of the world.
Cultural differences, as mentioned in the passages of my dealings with the Japanese, are tricky and MUST be respected for a strong working relationship. In some cultures, negotiation is part of doing business while in others, it’s considered insulting. Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to learn more about other cultures before a business relationship begins. Some handy tips to form the basics of dealing with other cultures are:
Understand relativism: Some things are relative to a particular frame or reference, such as a language or a culture. Understand that people from other cultures will have an entirely differently value system.
Stay away from religion: There are cultures that believe passionately in their religions and what strikes you as unreal, may be another person’s daily life and an important part of their existence. If you’ve ever seen a Twitter account where the person identifies their religion, along with their business information, it’s a safe bet they find their beliefs an important part of how they do business. In the long run, that will hurt you. Every nation knows modern business acumen and that overrides religious tenants with the exception of days of sabbath and certain holy days.
Know proper business acumen: I was pleasantly surprised that when communicating via email with foreign clients that if they didn’t respond within 24 hours, they were very apologetic for the lapse in communication. Americans have a bad habit of not returning emails or telephone calls. Even in America, it’s considered rude. Even if you are snt a message from a foreign company that you might consider spam (not the dead Nigerian millionaire emails, of course), it’s best to reply with a polite thank you but explain it doesn’t meet your business needs at the present time. One minute of your time may save a future opportunity.
By the same token, if you make any sort of promise or call to action, follow through! Your word is your bond with most cultures.
Be upfront and open: We all make mistakes and a slip from one party may cause a misunderstanding or be an insult. In every culture, an apology and attempt to alleviate the situation is always appreciated. Do not get defensive and do not make accusations.
Humor can be misunderstood: As my sister so aptly put it, I have a weird sense of humor and making sure I held back on any humor when meeting with the Japanese executives was the correct thing to do. Even with that, Yoshida San pointed out later that the other executives enjoyed my humor during our meeting. I thanked him but to this day I have no idea what they found funny. Stay away from humor. Keeping a conversation light and friendly may be considered humor in many cultures and too friendly in others. Be polite and business-like. If you smile while speaking, it comes through as positive and that is always appreciated by any culture.
You are not better, smarter or superior in any way: The playing field is always level. Respect in any dealing is the proper approach. In my corporate experience, witnessing some loudmouth decide he/she was going to play alpha dog to executives from another firm, The entire conference room froze. In one meeting, viewing new technological products, a fellow coworker insulted the products by informing the visiting executives that they had inferior products as she had checked out a sample and it didn’t work. One of the executives was very disturbed at that news and apologized profusely. When he examined the product, he calmly explained that she hadn’t removed a small tab that was labelled, “remove tab before using.” You could cut the embarrassment in the room with a knife. The coworker was nicknamed “Tabby” and lived with that for the rest of her time with the company, which wasn’t too long.
Saving “face”: Be aware that people from some cultures have an indirect way of making a point and will use third parties to communicate sensitive or difficult issues; this is, in their view another way of saving you from the embarrassment of direct confrontation. There are many cultures that deal indirectly or use “unusual” negotiating tactics that are not unusual to them. For example, a foreign client might insist you promised a 50% discount on their next order. While you are 100% sure you never said that, it would be an insult to them to claim you never said that. You are directly accusing them of lying and being dishonorable. Instead, the proper comeback is to negotiate by explaining that you had quoted that for a billion pieces of your product but would be happy to offer a 20% discount for their standing order of a million units. They might respond with an offer of 30% and you can meet in the middle with 25%. now your profit margin before quoting any prices or discounts and when unsure in the heat of the moment, put the question of quoted discounts on a third patron your side of the table and promise to get back to them with an “attractive offer.” Being apologetic may bruise your ego but it will save the relationship and no one will think less of you in the scheme of this type of negotiation.
Learn a bit of the language: Just the offer of “hello,” “good-bye,” and “thank you” in a client’s native language is greatly appreciated by others. When I start dealing with a foreign client, the first thing I do is to apologize for not speaking their language and state my appreciation for their ability to speak English. They usually apologize for their English, to which I respond, “your English is better than mine!” The humor puts them at ease and breaks the “ugly American” syndrome. When there is a misunderstanding due to the language barrier, I apologize for not understanding, explaining my stance and work to create a middle ground that pleases both parties. Misunderstandings happen, even between people of the same language and culture. If you work it out calmly, everyone will appreciate it.
Know the implications of doing business overseas: Familiarize yourself with importing/exporting rules, regulations and costs BEFORE you quote any prices for foreign clients. What kind of tariffs are you facing? Who will pay those fees? What kind of delay will happen in customs? How fast can fees be transferred to your bank? These are all parts of doing business just as shipping/delivery costs are part of any deal within the United States.
English is hard: English is the hardest language to learn as we have multiple meanings for some words. When speaking to a foreign client, speak slowly, and avoid using abbreviations and acronyms as much as possible. Avoid slang or reference to pop culture or national sports stars as these may be unknown in many in other countries. Follow up any spoken conversation with the main points in an email just to make sure everything is understood and ask for feedback or any questions.
Finding Foreign Clients
Thanks to the same internet that allows us to communicate across the globe, it’s easy to find clients in other nations. By searching out companies that deal with your field of business, you can then use sites such as LinkedIn or Google searches to find the person you need to contact at those companies. Just like client contact with any company in the U.S., the world keeps shrinking in terms of dealing globally. Reaching out to foreign companies is no different.
When I started providing blog content, I was approached by a company in Canada to write an article. Once that was published, I wrote to blogs in other countries, using a link to that content and inquired if they were interested in my providing content for them. A blog publishing firm in Germany had seen that content on the Canadian blog and agreed to put my content in one of their English language blog. From there, I was able to contact other blogs in England, Australia, India, Italy, Russia, Singapore and elsewhere to inquire if they were interested in English language content. With the exception of Antarctica, I now have clients on every continent.
When my content is published, I Google the title and see what other blogs and news sources pick up the content and that gives me other prospective clients to approach. Sure, there is always competition from writers in those countries, as anywhere, but by opening my client search to the world, rather than just the U.S., or the town in which I live, I have greater opportunities for income and I have made some close friends in other nations who will no doubt have a couch I can stay on when I travel around the world. | https://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/do-you-have-the-skills-to-deal-on-a-global-scale/ |
“7 Ways to be Happier” written by Bren Koger.
Are you struggling with finding ways to be happier?
Life can be challenging at times, but being happy is paramount to having a great life.
That’s why I want to share 7 ways to be happier.
Before we can get starts, let’s start with the definition.
Wikipedia defines happiness as is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
Who wouldn’t want to live a life ranging from contentment to intense joy?
We live in a messy world and some things are out of our control. But Happiness always exists within us.
If we can manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. we can achieve our goals and gain success in life.
Number one is always going to be gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is very close to the top of the emotional scale. It is on the same level as feelings of love. Gratitude is the key to success in every area of your life. It’s hard to be angry or depressed when you are in a state of gratitude and appreciation.
Every day make a list of 10 things you are grateful for and think about this list before you go to bed at night. Your subconscious mind will marinate on it and bring more into your life.
P. S. Include in this list the things you are struggling with too. There is always a seed of opportunity in any setback or disappointment.
Take a walk in a park or just sit on your front steps and take in all the beauty that surrounds you. Do this periodically throughout the day, Especially if you work inside. It will be an instant pick-me-up.
It’s hard to feel emotions that are a high vibration if we are filling or bodies with low vibrational foods. Foods that are overly processed are not giving us the vital nutrient’s we need. It can make us feel sluggish and run-down. Probiotics help us have a healthy gut flora so that we can absorb those nutrients. Try my breakfast chopped salad for a period of a week or two and see if it changes how your body feels.
Add some sort of physical exercise to your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be joining a gym. It could be walking, bike riding or gardening. More vigorous exercise like running or a spinning class 3 times a week is even better.
We are social creatures and studies show the more connected we feel the healthier and happier we are. Call a friend and make time for coffee or lunch. P.S. be selective about your social circle. Only allow the people that are uplifting and supportive.
Practice meditation with an awareness of your breath to retrain any negative thinking.
Follow your passion. We all know what it feels like to be in a flow of activity that you love… time falls away. You deserve to do what you love.
Happiness is a decision. Happiness is a matter of choice. With these seven tips you are not only going to live a happier life but be well on your way to achieving greater success and health. | https://www.imconsultantservices.com/7-ways-to-be-more-happy/ |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C §119 to European Patent Application No. 07120783.1 filed on Nov. 15, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a digital signal receiving apparatus.
1
70
1
70
71
70
72
70
73
74
FIG. 4
FIG. 5
A known digital signal receiving apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2001-4736A (hereinafter, referred to as reference , see ) for example. is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration related to a digital signal receiving apparatus disclosed in the reference . As illustrated therein, the digital signal receiving apparatus receives a desired signal S contained with a correlated noise signal N as an ambient noise, by an antenna . Then, the digital signal receiving apparatus down-converts the received signal to a desired frequency band at a high-frequency processing portion . Further, the digital signal receiving apparatus generates a corresponding digital signal (S″+N″) by converting the signal from analog to digital at an A/D converting portion and outputs the digital signal to a noise-filtering unit .
70
75
70
77
76
70
78
74
In addition, the digital signal receiving apparatus receives the noise signal N by means of another antenna . Then, the digital signal receiving apparatus down-converts the received noise signal N to a desired frequency band at a high-frequency processing portion of a reference noise signal-output portion . Further, the digital signal receiving apparatus generates a reference noise signal Nr, which is correlated to the noise signal N, by converting the signal N from analog to digital at an A/D converting portion , and outputs the digital signal to the noise-filtering unit .
74
79
71
80
79
81
The noise-filtering unit generates a noise cancel signal AN via an adaptive filtering-portion on the basis of the reference noise signal Nr, and filters out the noise signal N by adding the digital signal (S″+N″) inputted from the antenna to the noise cancel signal AN at an adder . A filter coefficient of the adaptive filtering portion is successively updated so that the noise signal N (N″) is reduced to a minimum by the filter coefficient updating portion .
70
1
75
76
77
78
75
75
79
However, according to the digital signal receiving apparatus of the reference , the antenna and the reference noise signal-output portion (the high-frequency processing portion and the A/D converting portion ) are required for receiving the noise signal N, thus leading to an increase of a size of a circuit. In this case, it is necessary not to input a desired signal S to the antenna . In other words, if the desired signal S is inputted to the second antenna , the desired signal S may be also generated as the noise cancel signal AN at the adaptive filtering portion and the desired signal S may sometimes be filtered our or removed.
2
2
2
2
17
18
18
17
18
17
18
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
18
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
c
d
c
d
a
b
c
d
a
b
c
d
a
b
Another digital signal receiving apparatus has been proposed in Japanese Patent No. 2005-45314A (hereinafter, referred to as reference , see ). The reference numerals described below related to Reference are depicted in of Reference . The digital signal receiving apparatus according to the reference includes an adaptive filter (), filter controlling means () and demodulating means (). The adaptive filter () includes an adaptive mode and a non-adaptive mode. In the adaptive mode, a filter coefficient is successively updated and an ambient noise is filtered out in a signal-receiving standby state for receiving a desired signal. In the non-adaptive mode, updating of the filter coefficient is stopped in a signal-receiving state for receiving the desired signal. The filter controlling means () controls switching of the adaptive mode and the non-adaptive mode of the adaptive filter (). The demodulating means () demodulates an output (correlation signal) of the adaptive filter () and generates a demodulated signal. The adaptive filter () includes an adaptive filter portion (, ) and a filter coefficient-updating portion (, ). At the adaptive filter portion (, ), the filter coefficient is changed in accordance with a change of the ambient noise in the signal-receiving standby state. The filter coefficient updating portion (, ), successively updates the filter coefficient of the adaptive filter portion (, ) so as to reduce the ambient noise to a minimum. When detecting means () judges a possible presence a desired signal in a situation where the apparatus is in a signal-receiving standby state, the filter controlling means switches the adaptive filter from an adaptive mode to a non-adaptive mode so as to stop updating the filter coefficient.
In such a case, in the signal-receiving standby state, the adaptive filter successively updates the filter coefficient and filters the ambient noise, reacting to the adaptive mode. On the other hand, in the signal-receiving state for receiving the desired signal, the adaptive filter stops updating the filter coefficient reacting to the non-adaptive mode. In other words, in the non-adaptive mode, the adaptive filter filters the ambient noise by use of the filter coefficient updated for filtering the ambient noise in the adaptive mode. Accordingly, in the signal-receiving state for receiving the desired signal, even when the ambient signal and the desired signal have a correlation, the ambient signal is Altered by the adaptive filter and the desired signal is received appropriately. In addition, even when the ambient signal and the desired signal have a correlation, the ambient signal and the desired signal can be selectively received because the filter controlling means controls the switching of the adaptive mode and the non-adaptive mode. Accordingly, the size of the circuit can be reduced in comparison with a configuration of the circuit in which the ambient signal and the desired signal are separately received.
However, in this type of digital signal receiving apparatus, when a level of an output (correlation signal) of the adaptive filter is rapidly changed due to a pulse-shaped interfering wave contained, a logic of a demodulated signal based upon the output may be demolished. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately judge a demodulating code for a desired signal and may not be possible to demodulate the signal precisely.
A need thus exists for providing a digital signal receiving apparatus which can demodulate a desired signal precisely even when the desired signal contains therein a pulse-shaped interfering wave.
1
2
2
According to an aspect of the present invention, a digital signal receiving apparatus includes: an adaptive filter receiving a signal and adapted to switch between an adaptive mode for updating successively a filter coefficient thereof and for filtering out a correlated ambient noise from the signal by use of the filter coefficient and a non-adaptive mode for discontinuing updating of the filter coefficient and for filtering out the correlated ambient noise from the signal by use of the filter coefficient updated in the adaptive mode; a signal processing portion generating an auto-correlation signal based upon the received signal from which the correlated ambient noise is filtered out by the adaptive filter; a detection-judging portion having a first smoothing filter generating a first smoothed signal by smoothing the auto-correlation signal, the detection-judging portion judging a possible presence of a desired signal in the signal when a signal level of the first smoothed signal is greater than a reference level and an absence of a desired signal in the signal when the signal level of the smoothed signal is smaller than the reference level; wherein said first smoothed signal (A(t)) and said second smoothed signal (A(t)) are compared in order to generate a detection signal representing a judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal, said second smoothed signal (A(t)) having a convergence speed slower than that of the first smoothing filter; a filter controlling portion switching an actual mode of the adaptive filter from the adaptive mode to the non-adaptive mode when the detection judging portion judges the possible presence of the desired signal and switching the actual mode of the adaptive filter from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode when the detection-judging portion judges the absence of the desired signal; a limiting portion limiting a signal level of the auto-correlation signal to the signal level of the first smoothed signal; and a demodulating portion demodulating the auto-correlation signal having the signal level limited by the limiting means so as to generate a demodulated signal, wherein the input to the demodulator is limited to the level of a smoothed signal, said smoothed signal being generated from the input of the detection judging portion.
In this case, even in the event where a pulse-shaped interfering wave contained rapidly changes a level of a correlation signal, the changing amount of the level is limited to a level of the smoothed signal by the limiting portion. The demodulating portion demodulates the correlation signal, of which a signal level is limited as described above, and generates a demodulated signal. Therefore, the logic of the demodulated signal is not demolished by such a pulse-shaped interfering wave, thereby enabling to demodulate the desired signal more precisely.
FIGS. 1
2
3
4
An embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to , , and .
FIG. 1
10
10
10
10
10
is a block view illustrating a system of an FSK (Frequency shift Keying) digital signal receiving apparatus . The FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is configured to receive a signal, for example, transmitted from a transmitter carried by a user. The signal is hereinafter referred to as a desired signal. The FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is switched between operation modes, which are a signal-receiving state, in which the apparatus receives the desired signal, and a signal-receiving standby state, in which the apparatus is in a standby state for receiving the desired signal.
FIG. 1
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
As illustrated in , the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus incorporates therein an antenna , a first frequency-converting portion , an A/D converting portion , a second frequency-converting portion , a frequency band limiting portion , an adaptive noise-filtering unit , a signal-processing portion , a demodulating portion , a detecting portion , and a filter controlling portion .
11
10
11
10
11
The antenna is structured basically to be inputted with a desired signal. Therefore, when the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in the signal-receiving state, the antenna is inputted with an ambient noise as well as the desired signal. However, when the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in the signal-receiving standby state, the antenna is inputted with an ambient noise.
12
11
13
13
12
13
14
The first frequency-converting portion converts a frequency of a signal emitted from the antenna and generates an intermediate-frequency signal to be outputted to the A/D converting portion . The A/D converting portion converts the signal outputted by the first frequency-converting portion from an analog form to a digital form and generates a discrete digital signal. The A/D converting portion outputs the discrete digital signal to the second frequency-converting portion .
14
13
15
15
14
15
1
16
1
The second frequency-converting portion converts a frequency of the discrete digital signal outputted by the A/D converting portion and generates a base band signal to be outputted to the frequency-band limiting portion . The frequency-band limiting portion limits a frequency band of the base band signal outputted by the second frequency-converting portion and generates a bandlimited signal. The frequency-band limiting portion further outputs the bandlimited signal as a received signal X to the adaptive noise-filtering unit , which received signal X may contain at least one ambient noise component as a noise signal.
16
16
16
1
16
16
1
10
a
b
a
The adaptive noise-filtering unit is configured as an adaptive filter for reducing a correlated noise from among the ambient noise. The adaptive noise-filtering unit includes an adaptive filtering portion , of which a filter coefficient is variable and adapted in response to the change in the received signal X, and a filter coefficient updating portion , which successively updates the filter coefficient of the adaptive filtering portion so as to filter out a correlated noise from the received signal X when the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in the signal-receiving standby state.
16
1
15
16
16
1
16
16
1
16
16
16
1
10
16
1
16
1
16
16
17
1
1
a
c
c
d
c
d
d
b
a
In the adaptive noise-filtering unit , the received signal X transmitted by the frequency-band limiting portion may be outputted to the adaptive filtering portion via a delaying portion so as to generate a signal. The received signal X and the signal generated via the delaying portion are outputted to an error calculating portion , so that an error signal of the received signal X and the signal generated via the delaying portion is obtained or extracted by the error calculating portion . The error calculating portion outputs the error signal as an interfering-wave filtered signal e. When the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in a signal-receiving standby state for receiving a desired signal, the adaptive noise-filtering unit outputs the interfering-wave filtered signal e to the filter coefficient updating portion in addition to the received signal X, thereby optimizing a characteristic of the adaptive filtering portion (adaptive mode). The adaptive noise-filtering unit outputs, to the signal-processing portion , a signal (interfering-wave filtered signal e) generated by removing or filtering out a stable interfering-wave corresponding to a current operation condition, such as a correlated noise, from the received signal X.
17
1
16
16
17
18
19
d
The signal-processing portion is inputted with the interfering-wave filtered signal e, i.e., a signal transmitted by the error calculating portion of the adaptive noise-filtering unit , and then calculates an auto correlation of the signal The signal-processing portion then outputs a correlation signal X(t) as an auto-correlation signal to the demodulating portion and the detecting portion .
18
17
20
The demodulating portion generates a demodulated signal based upon the correlation signal X(t) outputted by the signal-processing portion and outputs the demodulated signal to the filter controlling portion and a non-illustrated external circuit.
19
19
17
1
19
2
19
2
19
1
2
1
2
19
1
2
19
19
20
a
b
a
c
c
c
The detecting portion includes a first smoothing filter , which smoothes the correlation signal X(t) of the signal-processing portion and generates a smoothed signal A(t), a second smoothing filter (smoothing filter ), which smoothes the correlation signal X(t) at a convergence speed slower than that of the first smoothing filter and generates a smoothed signal A(t), and a comparator , which compares levels of the smoothed signals A(t) and A(t). When the level of the smoothed signal A(t) is greater than that of the smoothed signal A(t) (reference level), the comparator outputs a first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”. Meanwhile, when the level of the smoothed signal A(t) is smaller than that of the smoothed signal A(t), the comparator outputs a second detection signal representing “judgment of an absence of the desired signal”. The detecting portion outputs either the first detection signal or the second detection signal to the filter controlling portion and the non-illustrated external circuit. Here, the first detection signal for “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” is outputted in a case where a desired signal is detected or in a case where a desired signal is possibly detected. The second detection signal for “judgment of an absence of a detection of a desired signal” is outputted in a case where a desired signal is not detected.
1
1
19
2
19
1
2
19
a
b
c
In the event where the interfering-wave filtered signal e (correlation signal X(t)) changes greatly, such as when a desired signal is received, the smoothed signal A(t) rises immediately after receiving the desired signal, corresponding to the first smoothing filter having a fast convergence speed. Meanwhile, the smoothed signal A(t) rises gradually after receiving the desired signal, corresponding to the second smoothing filter having a slow convergence speed. Therefore, in a case where a desired signal is received, a level of the smoothed signal A(t) turns to be greater than the level of the smoothed signal A(t) (reference level). Therefore, the comparator outputs the first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”.
1
19
a,
The following equation (1) expresses the smoothed signal A(t) outputted by the first smoothing filter
A
t
A
t−
·{X
t
A
t−
1()=1(1)+μ1()−1(1)} (1),
and
2
19
b,
the following equation (2) expresses the smoothed signal A(t) outputted by the second smoothing filter
A
t
A
t−
·{X
t
A
t−
2()=2(1)+μ2()−2(1)} (2),
here, μ2 is smaller than μ1. Both μ2 and μ1 are smoothing coefficients,
19
20
20
16
16
16
16
10
16
17
1
1
1
17
b
a
a
When the detecting portion transmits the first detection signal, which represents “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”, to the filter controlling portion , the filter controlling portion controls the filter coefficient updating portion to discontinue updating the filter coefficient of the adaptive filtering portion (non-adaptive mode). In this case, in the adaptive filtering portion of the adaptive noise-filtering unit , the last filter coefficient determined immediately before receiving the first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” is retained. Therefore, when the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in a signal-receiving state for receiving a desired signal, the adaptive noise-filtering unit basically outputs, to the signal-processing portion , the signal (interfering-wave filtered signal e) generated by removing or filtering out a stable interfering-wave corresponding to a signal-receiving standby state, such as a correlated noise, from the received signal X. The interfering-wave filtered signal e is outputted to the signal-processing portion .
20
20
16
20
18
19
20
16
20
20
16
20
c
When the filter-controlling portion is not inputted with the first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”, the filter-controlling portion switches a current mode of the adaptive noise-filtering unit from a non-adaptive mode to an adaptive mode. Further, the filter-controlling portion receives a demodulated signal from the demodulating portion as well as a first or second detection signal from the comparator and judges, based upon the demodulated signal and the first or second detection signal, whether a signal being received is a desired signal. Therefore, not only when the filter-controlling portion is not inputted with the aforementioned first detection signal, but also when the demodulated signal is not a desired signal, the adaptive noise-filtering unit is switched from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode. Specifically, when the filter controlling portion judges, based upon the demodulated signal, a characteristic of the signal being received and the signal is judged not to exhibit the characteristic of a desired signal, the filter controlling portion switches a current mode of the adaptive noise-filtering unit from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode. For example, the filter controlling portion judges that the signal does not exhibit the characteristic of a desired signal, when the signal exhibit a monotonic characteristic, a characteristic of an interfering wave, or the like.
16
20
20
16
16
16
20
a
As described above, the adaptive noise-filtering unit is switched to the adaptive mode by the filter-controlling portion when (1) the filter-controlling portion does not receive a first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” and/or (2) a signal being received is not a desired signal. In this case, in the adaptive noise-filtering unit , updating of the filter coefficient of the adaptive filtering portion is resumed. In other words, the adaptive noise-filtering unit is retained in the non-adaptive mode until the first detection signal representing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” disappears in the filter-controlling portion and/or until the signal being received is judged not to be a desired signal.
18
Described below is the demodulating portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
18
18
18
18
21
22
a
b
a
As illustrated in , the demodulating portion includes a pulse noise filter and a demodulator . Further, as illustrated in , the pulse noise filter includes a comparator and a selector .
21
1
1
21
22
The comparator is inputted with the correlation signal X(t) and the smoothed signal A(t) and compares the levels of both signals X(t) and A(t). The comparator then outputs a control signal corresponding to the comparison result to the selector .
22
1
21
21
22
18
1
18
b
b
The selector is inputted with the correlation signal X(t), the smoothed signal A(t) and the control signal outputted by the comparator . Based upon the control signal of the comparator , the selector outputs, to the demodulator , either the correlation signal X(t) or the smoothed signal A(t), of which level is smaller than that of the other one. In this case, the signal is outputted to the demodulator in the form of a pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t).
18
a,
The following equation (3) expresses the pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t) outputted by the pulse noise filter
Y
t
X
t
A
t
()=min{(),1()} (3).
18
1
a
As is apparent from the equation (3), the pulse noise filter implements a minimization to limit the upper limit of the correlation signal X(t) to the level of the smoothed signal A(t), thereby generating a pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t).
FIG. 4
FIG. 1
1
1
19
1
1
1
18
18
1
a
b
b
is a time chart illustrating one example for explaining a transit of the correlation signal X(t) and the smoothed signal A(t) over a period of time. In an event where the level of the correlation signal X(t) changes greatly such as when a desired signal is received, the smoothed signal A(t) rises immediately after receiving the desired signal, corresponding to the first smoothing filter (smoothing filter ) having a fast convergence speed. The pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t) exhibits its level corresponding to an upper limit of the correlation signal X(t) limited to the level of the smoothed signal A(t). The level of the smoothed signal A(t) during receiving a desired signal is set to a level appropriate for a logical judgment of a demodulated signal. When the pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t) is outputted to the demodulator , a demodulated signal is generated by the demodulator , as illustrated in . Therefore, even when a level of the correlation signal X(t) rapidly changes in response to a pulse-shaped interfering wave contained therein, such as an impulse noise, because the upper limit of the changes in the level of the pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t) is limited to the level of the smoothed signal A(t), the logic of the demodulated signal based upon the pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t) is prevented from being demolished due to for example a pulse-shaped interfering wave.
FIG. 3
Next, an example of a signal processing according to the embodiment will be generally described below with reference to .
10
11
12
13
14
1
1
1
16
As illustrated, a signal inputted to the digital signal receiving apparatus via the antenna is outputted as an intermediate-frequency signal by the first frequency-converting portion . The intermediate-frequency signal is outputted as a discrete digital signal by the A/D converting portion . The discrete digital signal is outputted as a base band signal by the second frequency-converting portion . The base band signal is outputted as a bandlimited signal (received signal X) by the frequency-band limiting portion S. The bandlimited signal is obtained or extracted as an interfering-wave filtered signal e by the adaptive noise-filtering unit adapted to remove or filter out an interfering wave.
1
17
1
18
1
19
Secondly, the interfering-wave filtered signal e is outputted as a correlation signal X(t) by the signal-processing portion configured to calculate an auto correlation of the interfering-wave filtered signal e. The correlation signal X(t) is outputted as a demodulated signal by the demodulating portion configured to demodulate a desired signal based upon the correlation signal. In this case, an upper limit of the correlation signal (pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t)) is limited to a level of the smoothed signal A(t) of the detecting portion . Therefore, even in circumstances where a pulse shaped interfering wave is contained in the correlation signal, it is possible to prevent the logic of the demodulated signal from being demolished, as described above.
19
20
20
16
16
16
a
The correlation signal is outputted further as a detection signal by the detecting portion , which judges a possible presence of a desired signal and an absence of a desired signal, based upon the correlation signal. The demodulated signal and the detection signal are both outputted to the filter-controlling portion , and a filter control signal is generated by the fitter controlling portion to be outputted to the adaptive noise-filtering unit . As described above, the adaptive noise-filtering unit (adaptive filtering portion ) is controlled in a stable manner.
As described above, the following effects are generated according to the embodiment.
1
18
18
a
b
(1) Even in the event where a pulse-shaped interfering wave contained rapidly changes a level of a correlation signal (pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t)), the changing amount of the level is limited to a level of the smoothed signal A(t) by the pulse noise filter . The demodulator demodulates the correlation signal (pulse-noise filtered signal Y(t)), of which a signal level is limited as described above, and generates a demodulated signal. Therefore, the logic of the demodulated signal is not demolished by such a pulse-shaped interfering wave. That is, a demodulating code for the desired signal is judged accurately, thereby enabling to demodulate the desired signal more precisely.
20
16
16
20
16
16
(2) In a case where a signal being received is not a desired signal even if “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” is implemented, the filter controlling portion switches an actual mode of the adaptive noise-filtering unit from a non-adaptive mode to an adaptive mode. Accordingly, updating of the filter coefficient by the adaptive noise-filtering unit is resumed, and a signal being received, which is not a desired signal, is filtered out as ambient noise. Further, the logic of the demodulated signal is prevented from being demolished due to a pulse-waved interfering wave contained. As a result, the filter controlling portion is prevented from erroneously judging a signal being received to be a desired signal, and further the adaptive noise-filtering unit is prevented from being switched from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode erroneously, thereby enabling to avoid the adaptive noise-filtering unit from erroneously learning a desired signal as ambient noise.
16
10
16
16
20
16
16
1
(3) In a non-adaptive mode, the adaptive noise-filtering unit uses a filter coefficient updated for the purpose of filtering out a correlated ambient noise during an adaptive mode and filters out ambient noise. Therefore, even when the ambient noise is correlated to a desired signal in a situation where the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is in a signal-receiving state for receiving a desired signal, the adaptive noise-filtering unit filters out the ambient noise not the desired signal. As a result, it is possible to receive the desired signal appropriately. Further, even if the ambient noise is correlated to the desired signal, the adaptive noise-filtering unit is enabled to selectively receive either the ambient noise or the desired signal by the filter controlling portion controlling the adaptive noise-filtering unit to switch between an adaptive mode and a non-adaptive mode. In this case, being compared with a case in which a circuit configured to receive an ambient noise and a desired signal selectively, the adaptive noise-filtering unit can be a circuit with a reduced size. For example, it is possible to omit an antenna for receiving a noise signal and a noise signal outputting circuit, as described in reference .
19
16
20
(4) The detecting portion implements “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”, which switches the adaptive noise-filtering unit from an adaptive mode to a non-adaptiver mode. Therefore, it is possible for the filter controlling portion to discontinue updating the filter coefficient without waiting for a judgment of a signal being received between an ambient noise and a desired signal. Therefore, the desired signal is prevented from being reflected to a filter coefficient as an ambient noise until the signal being received is identified as the desired signal. The desired signal is further prevented from being filtered out after the signal being received is identified as the desired signal. That is, until the signal being received is identified as the desired signal, the desired signal is prevented from being generated as a noise-canceling signal, thereby enabling to prevent deterioration of sensitivity in receiving a desired signal.
(5) For example, in a case of an analog signal receiver, when an interfering wave exists within a band, amplitude of a desired wave (FSK signal) needs to be greater than that of the interfering wave (noise). When the amplitude of the desired wave is smaller than that of the interfering wave, the desired wave may not be demodulated. Meanwhile, because a digital signal receiving apparatus is employed according to the embodiment, even under a circumstance where amplitude of the noise is greater than that of the FSK signal it is possible to demodulate the FSK signal.
The embodiment may be modified as described below.
2
2
2
According to the embodiment, the smoothed signal A(t) is employed as a reference level for the purpose of implementing “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal”. In this case, the smoothed signal A(t) can be a fixed or variable value. Alternatively, a predetermined and fixed reference level can be employed in stead of the smoothed signal A(t).
10
16
According to the embodiment, the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus includes the adaptive noise-filtering unit . Alternatively, another adaptive noise-filtering unit may be added, which filters out a non-correlated ambient noise.
10
According to the embodiment, the FSK digital signal receiving apparatus is employed as a digital signal receiving apparatus. Alternatively, an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) or PSK (Phase Shift Keying) digital signal receiving apparatus can be employed, as a non-limiting example.
The digital signal receiving apparatus mentioned above is applicable to a vehicle. In this case, the digital signal receiving apparatus may be operatively associated with a radio communication with a transmitter carried by a user, so that an electronically driven locking and unlocking of a door of the vehicle, an engine start or an engine stop is confirmed. Further, the digital signal receiving apparatus may be operatively associated with a radio communication with a transmitter carried by a user, so that actuations of electric apparatuses, such as a power window apparatus, a slide door apparatus, a sun roof apparatus are controlled. That is, the digital signal receiving apparatus can be applicable to systems in which a non-communication state (signal-receiving standby state) of a desired signal exists.
1
2
2
According to an aspect of the present invention, a digital signal receiving apparatus includes: an adaptive filter receiving a signal and adapted to switch between an adaptive mode for updating successively a filter coefficient thereof and for filtering out a correlated ambient noise from the signal by use of the filter coefficient and a non-adaptive mode for discontinuing updating of the filter coefficient and for filtering out the correlated ambient noise from the signal by use of the filter coefficient updated in the adaptive mode; a signal processing portion generating an auto-correlation signal based upon the received signal from which the correlated ambient noise is filtered out by the adaptive filter; a detection-judging portion having a first smoothing filter generating a first smoothed signal by smoothing the auto-correlation signal, the detection judging portion judging a possible presence of a desired signal in the signal when a signal level of the first smoothed signal is greater than a reference level and an absence of a desired signal in the signal when the signal level of the smoothed signal is smaller than the reference level wherein said first smoothed signal (A(t)) and said second smoothed signal (A(t)) are compared in order to generate a detection signal representing a judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal, said second smoothed signal (A(t)) having a convergence speed slower than that of the first smoothing filter; a filter controlling portion switching an actual mode of the adaptive filter from the adaptive mode to the non-adaptive mode when the detection-judging portion judges the possible presence of the desired signal and switching the actual mode of the adaptive filter from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode when the detection-judging portion judges the absence of the desired signal; a limiting portion limiting a signal level of the auto-correlation signal to the signal level of the first smoothed signal; and a demodulating portion demodulating the auto-correlation signal having the signal level limited by the limiting means so as to generate a demodulated signal, wherein the input to the demodulator is limited to the level of a smoothed signal, said smoothed signal being generated from the input of the detection judging portion.
In this case, even in the event where a pulse-shaped interfering wave contained rapidly changes a level of a correlation signal, the changing amount of the level is limited to a level of the smoothed signal by the limiting portion. The demodulating portion demodulates the correlation signal, of which a signal level is limited as described above, and generates a demodulated signal. Therefore, the logic of the demodulated signal is not demolished by such a pulse-shaped interfering wave, thereby enabling to demodulate the desired signal more precisely.
The filter controlling portion judges based upon the demodulated signal whether a signal currently being received is the desired signal and the filter controlling means switches the actual mode of the adaptive filter from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode when the signal currently being received is not the desired signal.
In a case where a signal being received is not a desired signal even if “judgment of a possible presence of a desired signal” is implemented, the filter controlling portion switches an actual mode of the adaptive filter from a non-adaptive mode to an adaptive mode. Accordingly, updating of the filter coefficient by the adaptive filter is resumed, and a signal being received, which is not a desired signal is filtered out as ambient noise. Further, the logic of the demodulated signal is prevented from being demolished due to a pulse-waved interfering wave contained. As a result, the filter controlling portion is prevented from erroneously judging a signal being received to be a desired signal, and further the adaptive filter is prevented from being switched from the non-adaptive mode to the adaptive mode erroneously, thereby enabling to avoid the adaptive filter from erroneously learning a desired signal as ambient noise.
As described, it is possible to provide a digital signal receiving apparatus which demodulates a desired signal precisely even when a pulse-shaped interfering wave is contained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a block view illustrating a digital signal receiving apparatus according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
is a block view illustrating a detailed structure of a pulse noise filter illustrated in ;
FIG. 3
is a block view for schematically explaining a signal processing according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4
is a time chart illustrating one example for explaining a transit of a correlation signal and a smoothed signal over a period of time according to the embodiment; and
FIG. 5
is a block view illustrating a known digital signal receiving apparatus. | |
.
Model: COL 051 NCAA Big Ten Conference School Tapestry Th
Description:
Show some school spirit with this woven tapestry throw. Use this tapestry as a room accent bed covering throw blanket or wall-hanging. This tapestries measure 48 inches x 60 inches and has decorative fringes on all sides.
This Item Is Sold By: | http://products.pricewatch.com/product.aspx?aid=568054683 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.