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1 - 18 of 18 Results
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The baseline survey on unpaid care work status among women and men in eight districts of Rwanda seeks to understand the care-related dynamics in households, this study utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Drawing on Oxfam’s Household Care Survey (HCS) and the Harvard Analytical Framework (also referred to as the Gender Roles Framework). The survey helps to understand how women, men and children spend their time, how care activities are distributed in the household and the access that households have to basic public services and infrastructure that facilitate their everyday survival. The study also explored the social norms that shape power relations and gender division of care labor.
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This study builds on UN Women’s achievements and experience in supporting women and girls during the COVID pandemic within the East and Southern Africa Region and other parts of the world.
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Assessment of the gender data and capacity gaps in the national statistics system of South Sudan.
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The study identifies a number of challenges including inadequate normative frameworks and infrastructure to support statistical production, large time gaps between household surveys and censuses, limited dissemination and use of gender data and statistics across the NSS, and weak administrative data quality and systems in Malawi.
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This assessment identifies gaps in Sudan’s gender statistics system with findings related to the country’s related frameworks, strategies, production, analysis, and use of gender data and statistics. The findings are expected to provide the basis for the implementation of Making Every Woman and Girl Count (Women Count), UN Women’s flagship gender data and statistics programme in Sudan.
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The Gender Profile gives an overview of Gender Gaps by assessing policy and legal frameworks, the institutional and human resources capacity, the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19 on women and men and recommends key areas of strategic actions to address gender gaps and inequalities
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The ZGC M&E Framework aims to guide gender programmes at the national level and provide guidance on Monitoring and Evaluation.
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The study identifies a number of challenges including inadequate normative frameworks and infrastructure to support statistical production, large time gaps between household surveys and censuses, limited dissemination and use of gender data and statistics across the NSS, and weak administrative data quality and systems in Mozambique.
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This Rapid Assessment, the first of its kind in Niger, aims to highlight the challenges that women may face migrating from, into and through the country. It has been developed based on a desk review of existing literature as well as information received from questionnaires completed by relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations and interviews with UN agencies and other development partners. However, the availability of comprehensive sex-disaggregated data in Niger is limited. As...
Women’s Mediation Capacity in Nigeria: An Analytical Report onthe Gaps and Opportunitiesn the Process.
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In Nigeria, women remain drastically underrepresented in peace processes. This is not entirely due to lack of capacity, but also due to lack of power and access as patriarchy plays a key role in excluding women from formal and informal peace processes. The report is a situational analysis of the participation of women as mediators in conflict resolution in Nigeria. It presents an in-depth understanding of the gaps and challenges of women mediators in the specific context of each of the six...
Assessment of the Utilization of Dialogue and Mediation in the Response to the Farmer–Herder Conflict in Plateau and Kaduna States and the Role of Women in the Process.
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Studies have been carried out to investigate the historical, security, political economy, environmental and humanitarian dimensions of the farmer–herder conflict, but very little attention has been paid to women’s participation in formal and informal mediation processes in the protracted conflict between farmers and herders. It is against this backdrop that this assessment seeks to fill this gap by providing on-the-ground evidence from Kaduna and Plateau States. Broadly speaking,...
Representation of Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopian Labour Force: A Review of National Surveys on Disability Statistics
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This assessment focuses on the representation of persons with disabilities in the workforce of Ethiopia with sex and age disaggregation. The study used all available data sources including national surveys and censuses undertaken by CSA and some administrative data. The report visualizes the available data, shows gaps and areas for improvement, and undergoing efforts to enhance disability statistics.
Assessment of the Gender Responsiveness of Measures for COVID-19 Prevention, Response and Recovery in Ethiopia
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An assessment of the gender responsiveness of COVID-19 related prevention, response and recovery measures adopted in Ethiopia, with recommendations on how the gaps and constraints can be alleviated and potential priorities during the recovery phase.
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The report provides an assessment of progress made by the 2019 UNCT in Ethiopia in mainstreaming gender in the UNDAF cycle of (2016-2020) and makes concrete recommendations on how the identified gaps can be improved.
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Assessment of the mainstreaming of gender in the national statistics system of Ethiopia.
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The ten knowledge products provide practical, evidence-based guidance for UN Women staff in various programming areas and organizational priorities such as Women’s Leadership and Political Participation, Violence against Women, Women Economic Empowerment, Resource Based Management (RBM), Resource Mobilization, Partnerships, Women in Humanitarian Action among others.
Good Practices on Engagement with Traditional Leaders to End Child Marriage & Other Harmful Practices Against Women
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UN Women regional office for East and Southern Africa has collected a number of good practices that are replicable and are feasible within the framework of engagement with traditional leaders and cultural authorities to end harmful practices against women and girls. These are just but a few selected examples of how these stakeholders have contributed to the efforts towards ending child marriage, FGM/C and other harmful practices against women and girls in Africa.
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The gaps identified in this needs assessment report relate to the interrelated areas of: enabling policy environment, data production, accessibility and use for strengthening the gender statistical system in the United Republic of Tanzania. This assessment is extremely relevant to the period when the country is implementing the 2030 global agenda its respective national plans. | https://africa.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications?f%5B0%5D=region_publications%3A2281&f%5B1%5D=resource_type_publications%3A2105&f%5B2%5D=subject_area_publications%3A1300&f%5B3%5D=subject_area_publications%3A1324&f%5B4%5D=subject_area_publications%3A1831 |
This Easy Gravy recipe is so versatile and it’s the perfect compliment to a batch of fluffy mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving! Plus, it only requires a few ingredients and it’s a breeze to make.
This post was sponsored by Argo® Corn Starch. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You are watching: how to make beef gravy with cornstarch
Homemade Gravy Recipe
I was raised on mashed potatoes and gravy. My mom made a roast along with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy (and usually a side of green beans or corn) nearly every single Sunday as I was growing up. I always looked forward to that comforting meal after church!
I know some people skip over the homemade gravy but it can really make all the difference. Plus, when it’s as simple as this recipe, you can whip it up in almost no time!
Refer: how to cook chicken breast in the oven
Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
- Fat drippings from any type of roasted meat
- Chicken or beef broth
- Corn Starch
- Water or milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Gravy
- Cook fat drippings and broth in a saucepan or stove-top safe roasting pan over medium heat until hot.
- Whisk water and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Add to broth in saucepan.
- Stirring constantly with a wire whisk, bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Cornstarch is a Key Ingredient for This Gravy
This recipe is based off of Argo Corn Starch’s original Easy Gravy, and while I stuck to the classic recipe, you can easily make this your own by adding fresh herbs, sausage or mushrooms.
Argo Corn Starch is an ingredient I always have on hand. I’ve used it since I first started cooking and baking and it’s a product I love and trust.
I often find that it is that secret ingredient that gives my recipes a specially something. Like in my super soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies for instance, they wouldn’t have that melt-in-your-mouth texture without the Argo.
I also love to use it to thicken soups, like in my Slow Cooker Beef Stew. And my stir fries and teriyaki sauce wouldn’t be the same without it.
See more: how to make a chuck roast in the oven
It’s also perect for thickening up fruit syrups and fruit fillings. And did you know it helps gives Belgian waffles the best texture around?
Plus, it adds just the right amount of thickening to that deliciously lemony Chicken Piccata. And of course, it’s perfect for Gluten-free baking.
Argo is so frequently the “secret ingredient” in so many things I cook and bake. It thickens things so well and it can give so many things that perfect textural improvement it needs.
Try it in your homemade Thanksgiving gravy this year and see for yourself! | https://coral-beachresortsharjah.com/how-to-make-beef-gravy-with-cornstarch.html |
A single Vireo gilvus was photographed at Jardín Botánico de Quito, Ecuador, by Roger Ahlman (Freile et al. 2019; https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/1277) on 11 April 2017. This bird was first heard calling, later observed and photographed. It responded to playback of nominate subspecies and approached, letting Ahlman to secure a few photographs. This observation was carefully studied by the Comite Ecuatoriano de Registros Ornitologicos (CERO), and it received unanimous votes for acceptance. The dull tone of upperparts, dull buff on underparts, poorly outlined, fairly broad whitish supercilium (and calls) were good characters for V. gilvus.
This is the first documented record for Ecuador and South America.
Reference:
Freile, J. F., A. Solano-Ugalde, D. M. Brinkuizen, P. J. Greenfield, M. Lysinger, J. Nilsson, L. Navarrete & R. S. Ridgely. 2019. Fourth report of the Committee for Ecuadorian Records in Ornithology (CERO) and a revision of undocumented and erroneous records in the literature. Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología 5: 52–79. https://revistas.usfq.edu.ec/index.php/reo/article/view/1277
Juan Freile, March 2020
Comments from
Robbins: “NO. This appears to be
based solely on photographs and a very poor (I'm not certain I can detect a
vireo) audio recording attached to an eBird checklist.
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“1) From the photos in the publication one cannot distinguish a worn Brown-capped (Vireo leucophrys) from a worn Warbling Vireo -- based on my examination of skins in the KU collection. Note that this was in April.
“2) The audio recording offers nothing in support of the identification. Vireos are notorious in responding to non-specific vocalizations (pers. obs.).
“3) The only way that I would accept a record of gilvus in South America is to either have genetic data or have a bird with one or more of the following data: banded/geolocater/transmitter.”
Comments solicited by Remsen from Dan Lane: “I disagree with Mark that this bird cannot be identified to Warbling Vireo with confidence, and feel he is being a far too conservative with his criteria for accepting a record of the species in South America. Comparing the photos of the bird in question:
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“With photos of Vireo leucophrys from Ecuador:
https://ebird.org/media/catalog?taxonCode=brcvir1&sort=rating_rank_desc&mediaType=p®ionCode=EC
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two things jump out immediately.
“1) the species name of V. leucophrys wasn't an accident! The glowing white supercilium contrasts strongly with the eyeline and crown in *every* photo in this series. Furthermore, the crown has a distinctly dark brown (again, a character highlighted in the English name of the species) lower edge where it meets the supercilium, exaggerating the pale eyebrow effect, and almost suggesting the black line present there on V. olivaceus. These characters are missing from the bird in question from Quito.
“2) in the photos of V. leucophrys, there is a strong hint of the warm yellow wash to the underparts contrasting with the whiter throat, even in the most faded or least-saturated. This does not appear in the photos from Quito, where the underparts are fairly uniform buff, with no suggestion of yellow.
“The states of both of these characters in the photos from Quito are consistent with Warbling Vireo, and not with Brown-capped.
“I would agree that the response to playback and the recording made are not strong characters for conclusive ID to Warbling Vireo, but I can at least say that the vocalizations in the recording are of a member of the V. gilvus/leucophrys complex, and are calls given by V. gilvus.
XC182706 Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
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XC105673 Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
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“Personally, I feel absolutely confident that this record is correctly identified as Warbling Vireo, and would be willing to accept it as the first record for South America. Whether it represents a member of the eastern nominate subspecies or western swainsoni-group may not be determinable from the evidence, although obviously likelihood would favor nominate.”
Comments from Jaramillo: “YES. I was going to say no, based on the fact that the looking at the photos in the publication, the color tones are just off to me. A darker cap above the supercilium is not unusual in Warbling Vireo, but the tones there are usually gray toned, olive with a gray wash. This bird, at least in the photo, looks mid brown. But then I saw that the eBird checklist has additional photos, and particularly the one where it is sallying to get a bug, is 100% Warbling Vireo. Here are the additional photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S35871298”
Comments from Claramunt: “NO. I think the evidence is insufficient.”
Comments from Areta: “YES. After carefully studying the photographs and refreshing my experience with V. leucophrys, I think that the bird in the pictures is V. gilvus. I can hardly listen to what is being made by the bird in the recordings, so I cannot comment much on this front.”
Comments from Pacheco: “YES. Based on the comments and examination of the additional evidence I accept that there are reasons to agree to the identification.”
Comments from Bonaccorso: “YES. I think Dan Lane's examination is adequate and justifies the inclusion of Warbling Vireo in the list. Mark, I think we cannot be as conservative as we used to be. These cases will surely increase in frequency as climate patterns keep changing.”
Comments from Dan Lane (who has Stiles’s vote on this one): “Yes to accepting to vote in Gary's place in this instance, and YES to accepting Vireo gilvus onto the SACC list for South America.”
Additional comments from Robbins: “I looked at the additional photos that are in the eBird checklist and I’m not convinced any of the photos demonstrate that the bird has a gray crown vs. a brown crown. As I mentioned before, at this time of year, both species should not be in fresh plumage. We have specimens of leucophrys in our collection (but not from Colombia or Ecuador) that are worn and have very little yellow on the flanks; they appear very similar to worn gilvus. | https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCprop849.htm |
Huge hole in the ocean floor near Australia could cause catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis
JUST above Australia, the sea floor has been torn, creating a huge hole 7km deep. It could cause deadly quakes and tsunamis.
A TEAR in the sea floor seven kilometres deep just north of Australia could cause disastrous earthquakes and tsunamis.
The tear in the Earth’s crust is located in the Banda Sea and measures about 60,000sq km — roughly the size of Tasmania.
Geologists have now discovered the tear is one of the biggest faults on the planet and is running through the Ring of Fire, an area in the Pacific Ocean where a huge number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
According to the United States Geological Survey, 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes and 81 per cent of the world’s worst earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.
The Ring extends from New Zealand, around the top of Australia and past Indonesia. It curls around past Japan and down the West Coast of the United States before ending at the bottom of South America.
Just last month it became even more evident how dangerous the Ring of Fire could be.
On November 22, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 shook the Japanese coast of Fukushima prefecture and tsunami waves followed not long after.
Earlier this month, 84,000 people were left homeless after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 struck western Indonesia. The earthquake killed more than 100 people.
A huge undersea earthquake in 2004 triggered a tsunami that engulfed several countries around the Indian Ocean, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia alone, the vast majority in Aceh, on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island.
In August this year, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit off Queensland’s east coast near Bowen.
It was believed to be Queensland’s biggest quake in 20 years.
The most catastrophic earthquake that occurred along the Ring of Fire was in the 1960s in Chile.
It’s the strongest earthquake on record and had a magnitude of 9.5.
According to University of Technology Sydney’s Geotechnical and Earthquake Engineering senior lecturer Behzad Fetahi, the borders of tectonic plates meet in the Ring of Fire.
“They move away from each other and push each other, it’s one of those very active areas,” he said.
The tear could cause more catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis, not only because it’s on the Ring of Fire, but because earthquakes that already occur around the deep tear could cause it to slip, causing more violent tremors on surrounding islands.
A sudden slip on the tear will release energy in waves, creating violent shaking on earth.
For decades there have been questions about how the tear, located near Indonesia, was formed.
“The hole has been known for 90 years but until now no one has been able to explain how it got so deep,” Australian National University lead researcher Jonathan Pownall said.
HOW WAS THE TEAR FORMED?
Researchers have identified the deep hole, known as the Banda Detachment, was created by subduction, where one tectonic plate moves under another and is forced downwards, sinking through the earth’s crust into the mantle.
Dr Pownall hopes this discovery will help people to assess the dangers of future tsunamis and earthquakes.
“In a region of extreme tsunami risk, knowledge of major faults such as the Banda Detachment, which could make big earthquakes when they slip, is fundamental to being able to properly assess tectonic hazards,” he said.
An Australian National University report on the deep hole said there was no evidence of recent earthquakes occurring over the tear, but researchers can’t rule it out.
The area around the tear is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the Ring of Fire is the most seismically-active zone on the planet. | https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/natural-wonders/huge-hole-in-the-ocean-floor-near-australia-could-cause-catastrophic-earthquakes-and-tsunamis/news-story/c6df4d3263d5768f9bc971e6062b10bd?utm_source=wnd&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=syndicated |
Teacher shortage – the tip of the iceberg
3 February 2011One Comment
Kanupriya J Chatterji
For those of us who work in education, these are exciting times. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RtE) Act (2009) has ensured that all of us – regardless of the sector – private, government, NGO, administration, management, and teachers – are having to engage in a shared discourse. Suddenly, the concerns of the government education system are not the government’s alone, and the hallowed hallways of the most elite private schools are now open to the children of the commonest of common men.
Education is making deep inroads into public consciousness, and the insiders of the world of education have now become de facto purveyors of information and opinion on an Act that is being hailed as India’s passport to superpowerdom in the newly booming knowledge economy of the world.
The Act is revolutionary in that it has finally, after 62 years of independence, recognized the commonsense notion of education as freedom by making education a fundamental right for all children. It has defined some minimum standards and has tried to create benchmarks for what constitutes a school, how schools should be managed and what the overall aims of schools should be. But most importantly it acknowledges the State’s responsibility towards children in a realization of the Supreme Court judgement of 1993 that decreed education to be a fundamental right, one that flows from the right to life and personal liberty. This judgment preserved the spirit of the Constitution of India, and reiterated that leading a life with dignity and personal liberty is not possible unless one has the opportunity for basic education. The Act, thus, ensures that any child who is denied the right to education can now seek redressal in a court of law, and that education and thus the opportunity for a meaningful life is now a justiciable right.
Education, however, is on the concurrent list, and all the good intentions of the Act will remain unfulfilled unless the states, in all their diversity are able to notify rules in cognizance of their unique educational needs and raise the money to create the structures and appoint the personnel to ensure that the provisions of the Act are implemented. The Act has regulated Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTR) to at most 30:1, and has said that this ratio must be met within six months of the commencement of the Act. At first glance, it appears that teacher shortages may be the biggest threat to the implementation of the Act. There are currently 57 lakh sanctioned teaching posts in the government sector, of which about 7 lakh posts remain vacant. It is important to note that the current number of teaching posts is nowhere near adequate, and an alarming 53.2% schools continue to have a PTR much higher than 30:1. It is estimated that in addition to filling existing vacancies, the government will need to appoint an additional 5.1 lakh teachers to meet the 30:1 PTR norm. There is also the matter of high dropout rates (the Prime Minister of India himself put it at 52.79% in February 2005), and the large number of children who continue to remain out of school (about 80 lakh according to recent estimates). Needless to say, once we bring these children (back) to school, we will need teachers for them. The Union HRD Minister has recently said that we need 13 lakh new teachers in order to meet RtE obligations. The Unesco Institute of Statistics, in its report Teachers and Educational Quality: Monitoring Global Needs for 2015 released in June 2010, estimates that to meet the Millennium Development Goal of providing elementary education to all children by 2015, India will need more than 20 lakh new teachers, the greatest inflow of new teachers in the world.
Various estimates peg the teacher shortage at various levels, but one thing is clear from all estimates, the numbers are daunting and the issues surrounding recruitment and appointment of teachers are complex and cannot be generalized. The average national PTR has improved substantially in the last decade, but this has been mainly due to the en-masse appointment of para-teachers in the states with the highest teacher shortages. This is evident from the fact that in 2000, the national average PTR was 50.2:1; this dropped to an impressive 35.7:1 in 2005-6. It is not surprising that the improvement in PTR has coincided with the appointment of para-teachers across the country. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, which faced acute teacher shortages and fiscal deficit in the past decade, have had to hire para-teachers to meet their needs. In fact 9.9% of all elementary teachers (about 5.1 lakh in 2006-7) are para-teachers, and the seven states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, employ 68 per cent of all para-teachers.
The issue of para-teachers is significant in the context of the RtE and teacher shortages because parateachers are defined in various ways by various state governments and there is no parity between states on their qualification norms, training requirements, pay scale, and other service requirements. The common understanding is that any teacher who is appointed by a government on terms and conditions that are different from the regular cadre of teachers in the state is a parateacher. This becomes problematic because the Act clearly provides for a centrally notified acceptable level of qualification, and encourages the creation of a “professional and permanent cadre of teachers”. The Act has mandated that all states must notify teacher shortages within six months and fulfill shortages or seek relaxation for a maximum period of 3 years, within one year of commencement of the Act. Furthermore, the Act has specified that qualifications of all teachers will be as notified by a Central authority (the NCTE has been designated this authority), and that all teachers will need to acquire the notified qualifications within a maximum period of five years. In some states, secondary level education is the minimum qualification for primary level parateachers, and the only training that para-teachers receive is an induction training ranging from 7 days to 2 months. It follows then that in order to preserve the legal standing of para- teachers as teachers, states will have to revisit contract rules and ensure that all necessary qualifications and professional training is acquired by these teachers within the next five years. States like Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have equal qualification requirements for para-teachers and regular teachers will probably find it easier to meet the required PTR.
Average PTRs usually belie the ground reality of the most disadvantaged schools, and as most averages tend to do, they hide the disparities and complexities at various levels of operation. For instance, in many states, although the average state PTR may be acceptable, we will find alarming disparities between districts, blocks, and villages. Urban centres tend to attract more teachers, and needless to say, remote hamlets, which are difficult to access, find it difficult to attract and retain teachers. Sometimes the medium of instruction in the school restricts the number of teachers available. It is far more difficult to find female teachers for girls’ schools in remote areas than it is to find male teachers. At the upperprimary levels, it is more difficult to find math and science teachers, and the norm of at least one teacher per subject group becomes difficult to fulfill. The fallacy of the average PTR becomes evident when we consider that a significant number of schools remain single teacher schools (17.5%, in 2004-5) although average PTRs have consistently improved.
The shortage of teachers is not just about PTR, but more specifically about the rational deployment of teachers with certain qualifications and a certain level of training. The NCTE is currently discussing proposed norms for professional training of teachers with state governments and is likely to make senior secondary followed by 2 years of Diploma in Education (or 4 year B.El.Ed) the minimum norm for primary teachers and graduation followed by B.Ed (or 4 year B.El.Ed) as the norm for upper primary teachers. This will pose a problem for many states whose qualifications do not concur with NCTE norms. As per the current norms, there are 5.48 lakh ‘untrained’ teachers at primary and 2.25 lakh at upper primary levels. The Right to Education Act remains silent on the issue of teacher preparation and development beyond designating NCTE as the authority that will decide norms. In its silence, the Act assumes that the teacher is nothing more than an ‘input’, adequate quantities of which should automatically result in the desired output. This view of teachers tends to strip them of their professional agency and negates the fact that the ethos of teacher preparation and the support systems available to teachers for their own continued professional development are integral in deciding the ethos of the classrooms they teach in and the teaching – learning experiences available to children. When the professional development of teachers is cavalier to the teacher’s professional identity and the social webs of class, caste, gender, language, politics, and various other forms of relational complexities, then these complexities become impossible for the teacher to negotiate on a daily basis, and we have the age old problem of knowledge and skills not being sufficient conditions for motivated teachers and good teaching. Unless policy recognizes that teacher preparation is integral to fulfilling the aims of education – of developing an educated citizenry and thinking individuals who nurture our vibrant democracy – the State guarantee of education will remain only a guarantee of credentials. And teachers will continue to be incapable of unpacking education as freedom, unable to realize the vision of the National Curriculum Framework (2005) of democratic classrooms with authentic learning partnerships between the teacher and the child. Teachers will fail to create the indelible learning experiences, which will inform children’s future life choices, which in turn will determine the fate and future of the spirit of India.
In their 2005 study on ‘Teacher Motivation In India’, for DFID, Vimala Ramachandran and her colleagues have quoted a primary school teacher in Rajasthan as saying, “We have five teachers in our school. One of them is a dakia, who responds to enquiries that come from above and dispatches data/information to the district or block office. The other is a halwai, who manages the midday meal. The third one is perpetually on training, and the fourth is a clerk who has to maintain accounts and pay salaries. Who, then, is left to manage five classes and teach around 200 children?” This teacher’s question highlights a serious concern for the implementation of the RtE Act. The act has relieved teachers of all nonacademic duties, but it is silent on who will take on these non-academic responsibilities. The shortage is not just a shortage of teachers, but a shortage of personnel in the entire education machinery, starting from teacher educators, to mentors, to supervisors, to clerks, to accountants. The repeated highlighting of teacher shortages overshadows these deeper concerns and results in us brushing the elephant in the room (of systemic rust) under the carpet (of teacher shortage).
Some experts actually feel that low qualifications, less training, and low pay is more cost effective, because assessment of student achievement does not show any significant improvement for classrooms in which teachers are more qualified and/or better trained. These findings are usually from comparative analyses of para-teachers with regular teachers. But the evidence is unable to prove causality and ends up supporting the ‘something is better than nothing’ way of thinking. We need to consider the possibility that historically, teacher preparation in our country is so poorly designed and executed that its influence in the classroom is negligible at best, and fails to encourage the teacher in his/her professional path. When teachers teach well and are motivated to understand children and share meaningfully in their learning, it usually represents a supportive environment that may comprise of simple tangible conditions such as good school infrastructure with clean drinking water, a paved approach road as well as intangible support structures such as an effective head teacher and school management, a career path with the option of continued professional development, incentives for good teaching, and a system of mentoring and the opportunity to exercise one’s agency.
The world over, successful education systems are those that have been able to uphold the status of the teaching profession, attracting the best talent and providing pay and professional development opportunities comparable to other professions needing similar levels of qualification and training. The Right to Education Act has set high benchmarks and expectations for the future of education in our country. However, a failure to understand the complexity of this system, and an overemphasis on the hyperbole of teacher shortage will mean that the deeper issues that are the actual disease will get overshadowed by the symptom of teacher shortage. We will rush to hire and train teachers in the next five years, and end up treating the symptom, while the disease will continue to fester, ultimately resulting in a failure of the Right to Education Act. The fear is that there are already enough vested interests waiting for this failure to happen, and once this happens they will grab the opportunity to label it as a failure of education itself. We will have defeated ourselves and our aims of education, and should then stand prepared to be corrected by a market that will take education into its own hands, privileging education only as a vehicle to superpowerdom in the newly booming knowledge economy of the world. Nothing more and certainly nothing less.
Minutes of The Meeting of State Education Secretaries, held on 28th-30th January, 2010, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education and Literacy
Teacher Development and Management, Discussions and suggestions for policy and practice emerging from an International Conference on Teacher Development and Management held at Vidya Bhawan Society, Udaipur from 23rd to 25th February 2009
The author is an independent consultant with an active interest in issues of equity in education. She has a Master’s in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She can be reached at [email protected].
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The Handbook of Historical Linguistics defines history has "inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation."¹ More practically, history is the study of the past. This umbrella term refers to past events as well as the discovery, collection and presentation of information about these events. Typically, historical data is studied in the context of how it relates to humans but it can also include cosmic, geologic and organic history.
BrainMass has detailed sections on Prehistory, Ancient History, Middle Ages, Early Modern, North American and World History. Please explore these sections of the site for more information and solutions pertaining to these subjects.
History provides the only extensive materials available to us to study the human condition, helping us to understand change and how the society we live in came to be. The subject provides us with a framework with which to view our lives and our communities in a broader context. In a mere 15 thousand years, humans went from hunting and gathering to create such improbabilities as the printing press, the Constitution, the airplane and the Internet. The journey is extraordinary and the world humans live in and consume today, from the 99 cent double cheeseburger to the electricity that powers homes can only be properly understood and appreciated with a thorough and broad understanding of the history of our species.
While history also helps us understand and contextualize the world around us, an understanding of it is also necessary to help generate real, effective change in any aspect of our social structure. Whether it is righting past wrongs, changing current injustices or improving current systems of governance, education, etc...,understanding how these systems and institutions came to be is essential. | https://brainmass.com/history |
People’s perception of how well they fit in their environment is a good predictor of satisfaction and duration of participation in that environment. Previous research has shown that person-environment fit (P-E fit) is best when:
- People perceive they are similar to and have congruent values with those in the environment
- Their needs are met within the environment
- They are able to meet the demands of the environment
- They feel they can make a contribution to whatever is happening in the environment.
P-E fit offers one way of investigating the interaction between people with disabilities and their rural communities.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) involves recording situations and events in real-time, either in response to scheduled prompts or as defined events occur. Unlike retrospective methods, which require a participant to remember past events and associations and are susceptible to recall bias, EMA is designed to record events in the time and place where they occur. This makes EMA a good data collection strategy to examine immediate response to a setting, and offers an innovative method for exploring rural P-E fit.
This research examines how disability is associated with fit, and how fit may be shaped by environmental factors. It aims to understand the relationships between the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the individual, which will allow deeper understanding of how changes across time in one area may predict changes in other areas that ultimately impact community participation.
This study will generate new knowledge about the dynamic interaction between personal and environmental factors over time. This knowledge will be immediately useful for rural Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that are constantly intervening at the person and environment level to maximize community participation. This type of information could substantially contribute to accessibility advocacy efforts. Similarly, these results may contribute to intervention and policy development that can maximize participation opportunities for rural people with disabilities.
- Project dates: 2013-2018
- Funded by: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Grant No. H133B130028
- Principal staff: Craig Ravesloot, Ph.D., Tracy Boehm, M.P.H., Tannis Hargrove, M.S., Lillie Greiman, M.A.
- Related projects: | http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/community-participation-independent-living/project-person-environment-fit/ |
in the line-of-sight direction can be inferred from changes in the star’s velocity. This in turn can be measured by monitoring the spectral lines of the star and detecting small bluewards and redwards shifts caused by the Doppler effect.
The observed shift in observed wavelength ∆λ of a light emitting object with a non-zero velocity relative to the observer is given by Eq. 1.1.
∆λ= v c0
λ0 (1.1)
whereλ0is the wavelength emitted by the object,c0is the velocity of light2 andvthe velocity of the star relative to the observer. This equation is only correct fot small velocities i.e. v ≪ c0. The relation between the measurable velocity amplitude K and the physical planet and system parameters is given in Eq. 1.2, which is adopted from (Cumming et al. 1999, Equation 1). In Eq. 1.2 Mp is the planetary mass,M⋆
the mass of the host star, P is the orbital period, e the eccentricity of the planet orbit and Gthe gravitational constant3.
K =2π G
The method is strongly aided by stellar spectral types that exhibit many well sep-arated lines and by large planetary masses. As the observer can only measure the projected movement of the star, the inclination i of the system to the observers line-of-sight introduces an uncertainty if it is unknown. In that case only a lower limit for the mass of the planet can be determined. At inclinations close to zero, i.e.
when the system is observed almost face on, a large portion of the stellar movement would be perpendicular to the line-of-sight of the observer. In such cases, however, the displacement of the star on the night sky can sometimes be large enough to be detected by astrometric measurements. These are often conducted as follow up of RV detections to determine upper limits on the planetary masses (Benedict et al.
2002,2006,McArthur et al. 2004).
In the opposite case, if the inclination of the system instead is close to 90◦, the probability rises that the planet can be seen transiting in front of its host star.
1.1.2 The transit method
The currently most successful exoplanet detection method with 1147 detections to date4 is the transit method. The large number of detections is still constantly increasing, a fresh supply of data being provided by several ground based surveys (e.g. SuperWASP, HATNet, TrES) and, until recently, by two space missions CoRoT and Kepler, all dedicated to the detection of transiting planets. During a transit the planet passes in front of it host star in the line of sight of the observer, causing a decrease in the total measured stellar flux. If the star is approximated as a
2c0= 299 792 458 m s−1
3G= 6.67408±0.00031·10−11
m3kg−1s−2
4www.exoplanets.org (status as of 9th October 2015)
1.1 Exoplanet detection methods homogeneously emitting disc and the planet as a completely dark disk the observable drop in observed flux F or so called transit depth δ ≡ ∆F is proportional to the planet-to-star area ratio as given in Eq. 1.3 where Rp is the planet radius, R⋆ the stellar radius.
δ=Rp R⋆
2
(1.3) As a consequence the planet radius in units of the stellar radius can be inferred from the measured transit depth. In the early days a majority of the planets found with this method were Jupiter sized planets orbiting their host star in very close orbits.
As these planets are receiving a lot of external radiation from their host star they are generally referred to as hot Jupiters. Their detection was further favored by the fact that for a homogeneous distribution of inclinations the probabilitypto observe a transit increases for smaller orbital distances as given in Eq. 1.4 where ap is the semi-major axis of the planet orbit.
p= R⋆
ap
(1.4) Another factor is that the close distance to their host stars result in very short or-bital periods, leading to the transit signal repeating with a frequency of mere days.
Opposed to this, a transit of our Solar System’s Jupiter would only be observable to an outside observer every 11.86 years. With the observation of several transit events the period P can be determined. The inclination of the planet’s orbit i, its semi-major axis in units of the stellar radius ap/R⋆ and the host star’s density ρ⋆ can be derived when combining the measurements of the transit depth δ, total transit durationtT (including ingress and egress), duration of the transit bottomtB
(excluding ingress and egress) and orbital period P (for details see Equation 8, 9 and 13 inSeager & Mallén-Ornelas 2003). The transit method is however not lim-ited to extreme hot worlds. The very successful space missions CoRoT and Kepler have found a multitude of planets. The Kepler survey has even yielded forward a sub-Mercury sized planet (Barclay et al. 2013).
As several constellations can mimic a transit light curve (e.g. a blend by a back-ground binary) RV measurements are desired to additionally determine the plane-tary mass and thus confirm the planeplane-tary nature of an object (Santerne et al. 2013).
While this can be routinely done for large gas giants it is still problematic for lighter planets (and faint host stars) due to limits in the precision reachable with current RV instrumentation. As many planet candidates detected by the space missions Kepler and CoRoT fall into this category, instead of a confirmation of the planetary nature of a candidate the concept of planet validation was brought forward. In this concept a planet is ‘validated’ if the probability of the planetary nature of the ob-ject significantly outweighs the sum of the probabilities of all possible false positive scenarios (Díaz et al. 2014).
1.1.2.1 Characterizing the planetary system
The charm of the transit method does not only lie in the detection of planets, but also in the opportunity that the observation of a transit event gives us to further
Small variations in the mid-transit-time of the periodically reoccurring transit event for instance can reveal additional objects in the system perturbing the transiting planets orbit (Ballard et al. 2011). Such transit timing variations (TTV) in com-bination with transit duration variation (TDV) measurements could in the future lead to the detection of an exomoon (Kipping 2009). TTVs have also been used as means to confirm the planetary nature of Kepler candidates by deriving planetary masses out of reach of RV precision e.g. in the case of the multiplanetary systems Kepler-9 (Holman et al. 2010).
Another benefit of transiting planets is that the spin-orbit alignment of the system can be determined due to the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect when the RV signal of the host star is observed during a planetary transit (Ohta et al. 2005,Winn et al. 2005, 2006). As the star rotates around its own axis, one side will move towards and the other side will move away from the observer. This rotation leads to Doppler broadening of the stellar lines. During transit the planet consecutively occults parts of different velocity of the star, resulting in a distortion of the stellar line profiles.
When measuring the RV signal this distortion mimics a change in RV velocity. The resulting signal reveals the path of the plenary disc over the rotating stellar surface and, thus, the system alignment.
Using the planetary disc as a means to sample different regions of a star can further reveal inhomogeneities in the brightness of the stellar disc. Deviating from the sim-plified model of a homogeneously emitting stellar disc, where the transit depth is given by Eq. 1.3, a real host star will show limb-to-center brightness variations and in some cases dark star spots and bright plages that influence the actual measurable drop in brightness.
1.1.2.2 Stellar limb darkening
The stellar disk shows center to limb brightness variations because, at the limb the line of sight penetrates the stellar sphere at an oblique angle. The photons stemming from an optical depth ofτ = 1 are at the limb, and therefore, produced in a much higher layer of the atmosphere than at the center of the projected stellar disc. As in most cases the temperature drops with increasing stellar radius, therefore the photons reaching the observer from the limb of the stellar disc are produced at a colder environment. This limb darkening i.e. the wavelength dependent drop in specific intensity from the center Iλ(1) towards the limb is often described by a linear (Eq. 1.5) or a quadratic law (Eq. 1.6) (Kopal 1950).
Iλ(µ) =Iλ(1)·[1−u1(1−µ)] (1.5) Iλ(µ) = Iλ(1)·h1−u1(1−µ)−u2(1−µ)2i (1.6) where Iλ(µ) is the specific intensity, µ = cos(ϑ), with ϑ being the angle between the line of sight and the surface normal, and u1 and u2 the linear and quadratic limb-darkening coefficients. | https://9dok.net/article/exoplanet-detection-methods-transmission-spectra-highly-irradiated-extrasolar.q2nplv12 |
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for a Treatment Nurse (RN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the DAY (AM) shift. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to function as a collaborative member of the IDT and provide Patient quality care and optimal clinical outcomes. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Provides accurate assessment, over-sight, and monitoring of Patients for quality medical management and early detection of changes in condition. - Responds promptly to evaluate and remedy Patient concerns and complaints; manages and documents accordingly. - Utilizes professional standards in performing clinical assessment and monitoring in accordance with scope of licensure. - Recognizes AND appropriately responds to emergent and significant change in condition; completes documentation as required. - Effectively communicates accurate assessment detail, medical history, advanced directives, and availability of onsite services to physicians. - Escalates Medical Director’s involvement when needed to facilitate proper medical care and clinical management of a patient. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for a Nursing Supervisor (RN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a PART TIME basis on the WEEKENDS. We are a member of Covenant Care, and our “family” includes over 8,500 professionals in 7 states running 55 skilled nursing facilities, 4 residential care facilities, a therapy services company, and a home health company. Managing risk has been critical to our success in the dynamic long-term care industry. We have a strong commitment to providing our residents with excellent care and service in a pleasant, comfortable setting. What We're Looking For: POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to manage nursing department services on a day-to-day basis to achieve the identified clinical and operational results. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Make clinical rounds of all stations a minimum of two times per day. - Conduct clinical assessment; use critical thinking and coordinate professional standards of care. - Daily management and follow-up of changes-of-condition and other identified issues. - Develop, review, and revise care plans to accurately reflect Resident needs. - Complete nursing assessments and documentation as assigned. - Manage incident/accident practices to comply with state/federal regulations as directed by Director of Nursing (DON). - Supervise nursing staff to maximize clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness. - Assist with completion of licensed nursing staff clinical and medication administration competency skills checklist upon hire, annually, and as needed to maintain proficiencies.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for an experienced LVN Admission Nurse to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the EVENING (PM) shift. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 by healthcare industry professionals who wanted to create a company that would exceed customer expectations through quality care. Since then, our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 57 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care of assigned residents under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The LVN contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through techniques that support and achieve positive outcomes in patient care. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Provides accurate assessment, over-sight, and monitoring of Patients for quality medical management and early detection of changes in condition. - Responds promptly to evaluate and remedy Patient concerns and complaints; manages and documents accordingly. - Utilizes professional standards in performing basic assessment and clinical monitoring in accordance with scope of licensure. - Recognizes AND appropriately responds to emergent and significant change in condition; completes documentation as required. - Effectively communicates accurate assessment detail, medical history, advanced directives, and availability of onsite services to physicians. - Encourages Patients to participate in prescribed therapies, dietary regimen, and activity programs, as appropriate.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for an experienced Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the EVENING (PM) shift. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 by healthcare industry professionals who wanted to create a company that would exceed customer expectations through quality care. Since then, our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 57 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care of assigned residents under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The LVN contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through techniques that support and achieve positive outcomes in patient care. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Provides accurate assessment, over-sight, and monitoring of Patients for quality medical management and early detection of changes in condition. - Responds promptly to evaluate and remedy Patient concerns and complaints; manages and documents accordingly. - Utilizes professional standards in performing basic assessment and clinical monitoring in accordance with scope of licensure. - Recognizes AND appropriately responds to emergent and significant change in condition; completes documentation as required. - Effectively communicates accurate assessment detail, medical history, advanced directives, and availability of onsite services to physicians. - Encourages Patients to participate in prescribed therapies, dietary regimen, and activity programs, as appropriate.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for a Registered Nurse (RN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the NIGHT (NOC) shift. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to function as a collaborative member of the IDT and provide Patient quality care and optimal clinical outcomes. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Provides accurate assessment, over-sight, and monitoring of Patients for quality medical management and early detection of changes in condition. - Responds promptly to evaluate and remedy Patient concerns and complaints; manages and documents accordingly. - Utilizes professional standards in performing clinical assessment and monitoring in accordance with scope of licensure. - Recognizes AND appropriately responds to emergent and significant change in condition; completes documentation as required. - Effectively communicates accurate assessment detail, medical history, advanced directives, and availability of onsite services to physicians. - Escalates Medical Director’s involvement when needed to facilitate proper medical care and clinical management of a patient. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for a Registered Nurse (RN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a PART TIME basis on the DAY (AM) shift. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to function as a collaborative member of the IDT and provide Patient quality care and optimal clinical outcomes. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Provides accurate assessment, over-sight, and monitoring of Patients for quality medical management and early detection of changes in condition. - Responds promptly to evaluate and remedy Patient concerns and complaints; manages and documents accordingly. - Utilizes professional standards in performing clinical assessment and monitoring in accordance with scope of licensure. - Recognizes AND appropriately responds to emergent and significant change in condition; completes documentation as required. - Effectively communicates accurate assessment detail, medical history, advanced directives, and availability of onsite services to physicians. - Escalates Medical Director’s involvement when needed to facilitate proper medical care and clinical management of a patient. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year.
Wagner Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation in Stockton, CA is looking for a Nursing Supervisor/Admissions (RN) to be part of their team. We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the EVENING (PM) shift. We are a member of Covenant Care, and our “family” includes over 8,500 professionals in 7 states running 55 skilled nursing facilities, 4 residential care facilities, a therapy services company, and a home health company. Managing risk has been critical to our success in the dynamic long-term care industry. We have a strong commitment to providing our residents with excellent care and service in a pleasant, comfortable setting. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to manage nursing department services on a day-to-day basis to achieve the identified clinical and operational results. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Make clinical rounds of all stations a minimum of two times per day. - Conduct clinical assessment; use critical thinking and coordinate professional standards of care. - Daily management and follow-up of changes-of-condition and other identified issues. - Develop, review, and revise care plans to accurately reflect Resident needs. - Complete nursing assessments and documentation as assigned. - Manage incident/accident practices to comply with state/federal regulations as directed by Director of Nursing (DON). - Supervise nursing staff to maximize clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness. - Assist with completion of licensed nursing staff clinical and medication administration competency skills checklist upon hire, annually, and as needed to maintain proficiencies.
Do you love serving residents and cultivating relationships with patients and their families? Do you take pride in knowing you are providing top quality care to your patients? Do you want to work at an organization that values treating all people with dignity and respect? CARSON NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER, in CARSON CITY, NV is looking for an experienced CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) to be part of our team. If you answered “yes” to the questions above we want to meet with you today! We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis on the EVENING shift. The hours for that shift are 2:00pm – 10:00pm. There is an $800.00 sign on BONUS for FULL TIME positions. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide each of your assigned residents with routine daily nursing care and services in accordance with the resident's assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors. The Certified Nursing Assistant maintains a homelike environment for the residents, protects and promotes resident rights, and assists the person to maintain independence and control to the greatest extent possible. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Maintain and use current, appropriate clinical knowledge of all required nursing policies and procedures. - Provide the clinical and support services needed to meet all physical and psycho-social needs of the residents and patients. Know and follow the law and company policy about promptly reporting accidents/incidents, injury, or suspected abuse. - Provide support and assistance with grooming, including shower as scheduled, oral care, hair care and nail care. - Provide patient and resident summary of condition at change of shift. - Proper use of techniques and equipment to ensure safe movement of patient/resident and prevent employee injury. - Notifies charge nurse/supervisor of significant changes in condition or concerns promptly including but not limited to: Resident incidents, safety concerns, skin changes, equipment malfunction, and resident health/status change. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year.
Covenant Care is seeking a Director of Staff Development (DSD) to lead and manage the staff development process using available resources to ensure facility staff are competent, qualified, and function within legal, regulatory, and company business objectives.DSD supports facility interviewing, pre-emp-loyment screening, hiring, orientation, discipling, and termination practices. La Jolla Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, located in La Jolla, CA is a beautiful 140 bed facility, strong short-term rehab, cardio/pulmonary specialty, wound care, great nursing support - fantastic team! The Assistant Director of Nursing will collaborate with physicians, staff, and partnering hospitals to care for high acuity patients and maintain quality for the 5 Star rating. GREAT EMPLOYEES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In 2018, Covenant Care admitted 16,100 patients to our skilled nursing facilities in California, Nevada and Illinois. We sent home a higher percentage of patients than our peers and we outperformed them in all 5-star ratings. 100% of our eligible facilities achieved either a Gold, Silver or Bronze National Quality Award. These great outcomes are because of our GREAT EMPLOYEES. WOULD YOU MAKE A GREAT EMPLOYEE? Our Mission Statement is simple. We are family serving families. Whatever your position in the company, as a Covenant Care employee, you are either taking care of a patient or taking care of someone who does. Everyone plays a part in providing excellent service. Every interaction is important and is a reflection of the company. What do you want your patients, their families and your co-workers to say about you? If your goal is to relentlessly pursue quality and value others, then we have a job for you. WHAT DO WE OFFER GREAT EMPLOYEES? - A BALANCED LIFE: Scheduling accommodations for school, kids and second jobs. Paid time off for holidays and vacations to focus on family, travel the world, and self-care. - GOOD HEALTH: Medical/Dental/Vision Plans, Health Savings Accounts and 100% covered preventative care services. - PROTECTION: Life and AD&D Insurance. - FINANCIAL SECURITY: 401K with discretionary matching contribution. - CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Professional growth through continued education and up to $3,500 reimbursement for the purpose of pursuing an applicable degree, license or certificate PLUS $500 towards books and uniforms. - GRATITUDE: Up to $2,000 reward for referring other great employees - PRIDE: Over 20 years of dedicated high-quality post-acute healthcare. A STEP FORWARD EACH DAY! Potential Great Employees ask, “What small step will I take today to improve and be my best?” Whatever hill you are preparing to climb, whatever dream you are chasing, whatever difference you are hoping to make in this world, we would be honored if you would bring your relentlessness, genuine compassion, and quench for quality to join our family at Covenant Care.
Covenant Care is seeking an Assistant Director of Nursing to assist with leading and managing the Nursing Department and utilizing available resources to provide quality, caring services to all residents and patients, and achieve desired clinical and financial results. La Jolla Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, located in La Jolla, CA is a beautiful 140 bed facility, strong short-term rehab, cardio/pulmonary specialty, wound care, great nursing support - fantastic team! The Assistant Director of Nursing will collaborate with physicians, staff, and partnering hospitals to care for high acuity patients and maintain quality for the 5 Star rating. GREAT EMPLOYEES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In 2018, Covenant Care admitted 16,100 patients to our skilled nursing facilities in California, Nevada and Illinois. We sent home a higher percentage of patients than our peers and we outperformed them in all 5-star ratings. 100% of our eligible facilities achieved either a Gold, Silver or Bronze National Quality Award. These great outcomes are because of our GREAT EMPLOYEES. WOULD YOU MAKE A GREAT EMPLOYEE? Our Mission Statement is simple. We are family serving families. Whatever your position in the company, as a Covenant Care employee, you are either taking care of a patient or taking care of someone who does. Everyone plays a part in providing excellent service. Every interaction is important and is a reflection of the company. What do you want your patients, their families and your co-workers to say about you? If your goal is to relentlessly pursue quality and value others, then we have a job for you. WHAT DO WE OFFER GREAT EMPLOYEES? - A BALANCED LIFE: Scheduling accommodations for school, kids and second jobs. Paid time off for holidays and vacations to focus on family, travel the world, and self-care. - GOOD HEALTH: Medical/Dental/Vision Plans, Health Savings Accounts and 100% covered preventative care services. - PROTECTION: Life and AD&D Insurance. - FINANCIAL SECURITY: 401K with discretionary matching contribution. - CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Professional growth through continued education and up to $3,500 reimbursement for the purpose of pursuing an applicable degree, license or certificate PLUS $500 towards books and uniforms. - GRATITUDE: Up to $2,000 reward for referring other great employees - PRIDE: Over 20 years of dedicated high-quality post-acute healthcare. A STEP FORWARD EACH DAY! Potential Great Employees ask, “What small step will I take today to improve and be my best?” Whatever hill you are preparing to climb, whatever dream you are chasing, whatever difference you are hoping to make in this world, we would be honored if you would bring your relentlessness, genuine compassion, and quench for quality to join our family at Covenant Care.
Employee Bonus - $1000 Applicable for anyone hired between 4/1/2019- 6/30/2019 (Paid out after 90 days) Courtyard Healthcare Center in Davis, CA is looking for experienced Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) to be part of their team. With the new CNA staffing requirements, we are excited to start adding motivated new CNA's to our team now!! We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include healthcare professionals in over 28 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California and Nevada. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide each of your assigned residents with routine daily nursing care and services in accordance with the resident's assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors. The Certified Nursing Assistant maintains a homelike environment for the residents, protects and promotes resident rights, and assists the person to maintain independence and control to the greatest extent possible. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Maintain and use current, appropriate clinical knowledge of all required nursing policies and procedures. - Provide the clinical and support services needed to meet all physical and psycho-social needs of the residents and patients. Know and follow the law and company policy about promptly reporting accidents/incidents, injury, or suspected abuse. - Provide support and assistance with grooming, including shower as scheduled, oral care, hair care and nail care. - Provide patient and resident summary of condition at change of shift. - Proper use of techniques and equipment to ensure safe movement of patient/resident and prevent employee injury. - Notifies charge nurse/supervisor of significant changes in condition or concerns promptly including but not limited to: Resident incidents, safety concerns, skin changes, equipment malfunction, and resident health/status change. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement.
Employee Bonus - $1000 Applicable for anyone hired between4/1/2019- 6/30/2019 (Paid out after 90 days) Courtyard Healthcare Center in Davis, CA is looking for experienced Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) to be part of their team. With the new CNA staffing requirements we are excited to start adding motivated new CNA's to our team now!! We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include healthcare professionals in over 28 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California and Nevada. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide each of your assigned residents with routine daily nursing care and services in accordance with the resident's assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors. The Certified Nursing Assistant maintains a homelike environment for the residents, protects and promotes resident rights, and assists the person to maintain independence and control to the greatest extent possible. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Maintain and use current, appropriate clinical knowledge of all required nursing policies and procedures. - Provide the clinical and support services needed to meet all physical and psycho-social needs of the residents and patients. Know and follow the law and company policy about promptly reporting accidents/incidents, injury, or suspected abuse. - Provide support and assistance with grooming, including shower as scheduled, oral care, hair care and nail care. - Provide patient and resident summary of condition at change of shift. - Proper use of techniques and equipment to ensure safe movement of patient/resident and prevent employee injury. - Notifies charge nurse/supervisor of significant changes in condition or concerns promptly including but not limited to: Resident incidents, safety concerns, skin changes, equipment malfunction, and resident health/status change. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement.
Pacific Hills Manor is looking for a LAUNDRY ASSISTANT to join our team! If you are dedicated, energetic, and take pride in a job well done with a good eye for detail, we are looking for YOU! This position is to work on a FULL TIME basis. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Laundry Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing the facility and as may be directed by the Executive Director and/or Manager, Housekeeping/Laundry to assure that the facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, and that an adequate supply of linen is on hand at all times to meet the needs of the residents. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Properly clean all facility linen and resident clothing (using required procedures). - Provide all laundry services in a safe manner and use proper infection control measures. - Properly fold all washed linen and clothing, and remark as necessary for identification. - Promptly deliver cleaned linen and clothing to proper locations. - Knowledgeable of all required laundry policies and procedures, techniques, analyses, systems and processes. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Covenant Care is an equal opportunity employer.
Los Altos Subacute & Rehab in Los Altos, CA is looking for a JANITOR to join our team! If you are dedicated, energetic, and take pride in a job well done with a good eye for detail, we are looking for YOU! This position is to work on a PART TIME basis. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Housekeeping Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing the facility and as may be directed by the Executive Director, Housekeeping/Laundry Manager and/or Maintenance Manager, to assure that the facility is maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Dust all counters and furniture, and empty all trash receptacles. - Clean windows, bed rails, door knobs, hall rails, etc in assigned area. - Clean showers, stock all bathrooms, and sweep and mop all floors (including behind the door). - Housekeeping chemicals always kept in locked cart or locked janitor closets when not in active use. - Knowledgeable of all required housekeeping policies and procedures, techniques, systems, and processes. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Covenant Care is an equal opportunity employer.
Parking Lot Attendant The parking attendant works from 6:45am -8:15 am monitoring the parking lot. Pacific Coast Manor is a skilled nursing facility. This position monitors who enters the lot so that parking slots can remain availble for elderly visitors. Directs visitors who are permitted to be in parking lot. Perfect hours if you want to go to a job before you go to your fulltime day job. Very friendly work environment. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 by healthcare industry professionals who wanted to create a company that would exceed customer expectations through quality care. Through modest and focused growth, our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 57 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities. We have created an environment where all of our employees interact with all Covenant Care patients, residents, family members and employees, in a manner that demonstrates genuine human caring. We have chosen the concept of family relationships and interactions to describe this human caring. As an employee of Covenant Care during our daily work is done in a manner that exemplifies the Covenant Care Mission: "We are family serving families." To learn more about Covenant Care and our recent successes, please click on the following link to view our Quality Report. By selecting the ‘green dots’ you can view the embedded videos of our happy residents and patients and hear their stories! http://www.covenantcare.com/Portals/1/QRFlipbook2014b/index.html - Covenant Care is an equal opportunity employer. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to oversee the parking lot so that it is only utilized by permitted visitors/vendors. .
Do you love serving residents and cultivating relationships with patients and their families? Do you take pride in knowing you are providing top quality care to your patients? Do you want to work at an organization that values treating all people with dignity and respect? Los Altos Subacute & Rehab, in Los Altos, CA is looking for an experienced CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) to be part of our team. If you answered “yes” to the questions above we want to meet with you today! We are Families serving Families and our nurses are a valued piece of that vision. This position is to work on a FULL TIME, basis on the night shift. The hours for that shift are 11:00PM - 7:00AM. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide each of your assigned residents with routine daily nursing care and services in accordance with the resident's assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors. The Certified Nursing Assistant maintains a homelike environment for the residents, protects and promotes resident rights, and assists the person to maintain independence and control to the greatest extent possible. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Maintain and use current, appropriate clinical knowledge of all required nursing policies and procedures. - Provide the clinical and support services needed to meet all physical and psycho-social needs of the residents and patients. Know and follow the law and company policy about promptly reporting accidents/incidents, injury, or suspected abuse. - Provide support and assistance with grooming, including shower as scheduled, oral care, hair care and nail care. - Provide patient and resident summary of condition at change of shift. - Proper use of techniques and equipment to ensure safe movement of patient/resident and prevent employee injury. - Notifies charge nurse/supervisor of significant changes in condition or concerns promptly including but not limited to: Resident incidents, safety concerns, skin changes, equipment malfunction, and resident health/status change. We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. - Tuition Reimbursement. Our Covenant Care employees approach each day with our philosophy that "We Are Family Serving Families". This simple statement embodies our culture and surrounds all that we do from daily interactions with our patients to how we treat our patients, families and co-workers. Covenant Care was founded in 1994 and our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 55 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities, which are located in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Ohio. We take pride in the fact that we have sent over 8,000 patients home or to a more independent-living care setting over the last year.
Covenant Care is seeking a Director, Business Development to lead and manage the facility's sales, marketing and admissions, to provide the number of referrals and admissions that are required to meet or exceed facility census and revenue goals, by accomplishing the specific business goals. La Jolla is a beautiful 140 bed facility, strong short-term rehab, cardio/pulmonary specialty, wound care, great nursing support - fantastic team! The Director of Business Development will collaborate with physicians, staff, and partnering hospitals to drive business and relationships for the 5 Star rating. GREAT EMPLOYEES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In 2018, Covenant Care admitted 16,100 patients to our skilled nursing facilities in California, Nevada and Illinois. We sent home a higher percentage of patients than our peers and we outperformed them in all 5-star ratings. 100% of our eligible facilities achieved either a Gold, Silver or Bronze National Quality Award. These great outcomes are because of our GREAT EMPLOYEES. WOULD YOU MAKE A GREAT EMPLOYEE? Our Mission Statement is simple. We are family serving families. Whatever your position in the company, as a Covenant Care employee, you are either taking care of a patient or taking care of someone who does. Everyone plays a part in providing excellent service. Every interaction is important and is a reflection of the company. What do you want your patients, their families and your co-workers to say about you? If your goal is to relentlessly pursue quality and value others, then we have a job for you. WHAT DO WE OFFER GREAT EMPLOYEES? A BALANCED LIFE. Scheduling accommodations for school, kids and second jobs. Paid time off for holidays and vacations to focus on family, travel the world, and self-care. GOOD HEALTH. Medical/Dental/Vision Plans, Health Savings Accounts and 100% covered preventative care services. PROTECTION. Life and AD&D Insurance. FINANCIAL SECURITY. 401K with discretionary matching contribution. CAREER DEVELOPMENT. Professional growth through continued education and up to $3,500 reimbursement for the purpose of pursuing an applicable degree, license or certificate PLUS $500 towards books and uniforms. GRATITUDE. Up to $2,000 reward for referring OTHER GREAT EMPLOYEES and last, but certainly not least, PRIDE. Over 20 years of dedicated high-quality post-acute healthcare. A STEP FORWARD EACH DAY! Potential Great Employees ask, “What small step will I take today to improve and be my best?” Whatever hill you are preparing to climb, whatever dream you are chasing, whatever difference you are hoping to make in this world, we would be honored if you would bring your relentlessness, genuine compassion, and quench for quality to join our family at Covenant Care. Covenant Care is an equal opportunity employer.
Covenant Care was founded in 1994 by healthcare industry professionals who wanted to create a company that would exceed customer expectations through quality care. Through modest and focused growth, our "Family" has grown to include over 8,000 healthcare professionals in over 57 healthcare and rehabilitation centers. We care for over 4,000 residents and patients in our facilities. We have created an environment where all of our employees interact with all Covenant Care patients, residents, family members and employees, in a manner that demonstrates genuine human caring. We have chosen the concept of family relationships and interactions to describe this human caring. As an employee of Covenant Care during our daily work is done in a manner that exemplifies the Covenant Care Mission: "We are family serving families." To learn more about Covenant Care and our recent successes, please click on the following link to view our Quality Report. By selecting the ‘green dots’ you can view the embedded videos of our happy residents and patients and hear their stories! http://www.covenantcare.com/Portals/1/QRFlipbook2014b/index.html We reward our employees’ contributions to our success by offering competitive compensation and benefits. A highlight of the many employee benefits available at Covenant Care includes: - Covenant Care pays the majority of employee medical coverage. - You pay less for benefits as contributions for medical, dental, and vision are pre-tax deductions. - Company-paid holidays. - Company-paid vacation with an increased benefit based on years of service. - Company-paid sick days per year. - Company-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. - Company-paid time off to attend the funeral of an immediate family member. - 401(k) Retirement Savings Account. Covenant Care is an equal opportunity employer. POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Dietary Manager in the overall operation of the Dietary Department. KEY JOB FUNCTION: - Assist in the preparation of food in accordance with planned menus, diet plans, recipes, and portions. - Review and process diet changes, food preferences, and menus prior to preparation of food. - Ensure all meals are properly prepared and appealing in presentation for each resident/patient. - Assist in checking trays for menu and diet preference accuracy. - Ensure that food and supplies are available for the next meals and assist in inventory, and storing incoming food and supplies. - Assist with all dietary department documentation and report any hazardous conditions, equipment, accidents and incidents. | https://careers-covenantcareca.icims.com/jobs/search |
In the cascade of canceled flights, rescheduled events, and transitions from physical to virtual interactions over the past year, one polite demurral caught my attention: it came with a citation. The potential visitor preferred not to Zoom, linking to a letter from the Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education that encouraged “lectures [to be] held in the presence of students and teachers, in accordance with the Norms of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium. . . . [T]eaching and research must develop in an environment where students and teachers carry out their activities in contact with others, in communion and sharing.”
While many meetings can transition to an online format, there is a distinctive quality of physical presence. The University of Notre Dame seems to have recognized this qualitative difference, as demonstrated by its engaging in extraordinary efforts to provide in-person experiences of education and community, particularly for undergraduate students, during this unusual academic year.
Integral human development, within the Keough School, is defined as “the development of each person and the whole person.” The idea of “the whole person” acknowledges the different dimensions of a person. There are different ways to describe this complexity; Western philosophy has debated for centuries the “mind-body problem,” referring to two dimensions of the person, namely the intellectual and the corporeal presence.
Presence and diplomacy
The Keough School of Global Affairs is preparing students for relationship-intense professions in fields such as peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, international cooperation, and various forms of diplomacy. In-person classes prepare students for global affairs careers understood ideally as physically present, interactive professions.
Let us take diplomacy as an example of the power—the necessity—of in-person presence. As with education, diplomacy remains a field where physical presence is vital. Hosting luncheons and dinners, welcoming delegations, and speaking informally with colleagues in the hallways and during breaks, are part of the daily life of diplomats. In fact, “face-to-face” meetings have been recognized as part of “the essence of diplomacy.”
Summitry—international meetings at the highest levels of government involving direct communication between political leaders—became an established component of interstate relations after the Second World War. Yet this is not a recent development triggered by modern travel: physical presence had been the hallmark of diplomacy well before the Congress of Vienna in 1815 codified and regularized the exchange and presence of ambassadors. Before telephones and emails, such physical presence enabled communication and relationship building. Today, physical presence remains essential. Countries continue to find value in maintaining a diplomatic corps, even when cable news and emails abound.
Recent reflections demonstrate that while having some meetings and conversations online can help ambassadors and diplomats manage their time more efficiently, it cannot replace physical encounters. For example, Jorge Descallar, who previously served as Spain’s Ambassador to Morocco, the Vatican, and the United States of America, explained that “digital online platforms are not well suited to conduct multilateral diplomacy, where face-to-face interaction between and among interlocutors, side conversations and discussion over a cup of coffee provide room for maneuver and an eventual compromise. It is not easy to develop a friendly bond with another diplomat who is thousands of kilometres” away.
Last September another expert observed that “[s]ince the pandemic broke out, not a single major diplomatic breakthrough has been observed . . . [i]n fact, diplomacy has been largely sidelined as it’s squeezed between bad politics on one side and poor working methods on the other.” Further, the “lack of personal contact with colleagues and counterparts left diplomats with a general loss of information and a sense of deep discomfort.”
The convenience of virtual encounters can nonetheless lead to an unsatisfying diplomatic experience.
Digital diplomacy
Of course “digital diplomacy” has its advantages. It is an emerging field in diplomatic studies. If we define diplomacy as “the art of the continuous and peaceful management of international relations,” we can see how digital possibilities can overcome distance and offer tremendous speed. As Nicholas Westcott, former chief information officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, wrote: “The Internet allows regular and close, even intimate and trusted, relationships between people who may never have met face-to-face. Those relations may be closer than with many people living more physically close. It enables communities to build or maintain themselves without physical proximity.”
“How, then, to balance the physical and the virtual?”
In addition, digital diplomacy brings logistical advantages such as cost-savings on travel, increased efficiency of information flow, and the elimination of agonizing over drafts of seating charts and table arrangements.
There are, however, serious limits to virtual diplomacy and digital relationship building. Physical proximity matters. “Face-to-face” is not only about eye contact, but also about the encounter of “the whole person.” The credibility of a person and her trustworthiness is built and extended by physical presence.
How, then, to balance the physical and the virtual?
One suggestion in the context of diplomacy is to “make a clearer distinction between the successive stages of diplomatic practice,” eliminating travel for some preliminary stages but ensuring that negotiations can occur physically, particularly at critical stages. While informative briefings can occur virtually, more sophisticated interactions seem to require finesse that private chats in a webinar are insufficient to handle. Physical presence is necessary in order for the diplomat fully to interpret situations, have discreet sidebar conversations, and read the full range of verbal tones and physical cues.
In the academy
Likewise, in the academic environment, certain meetings and conferences can effectively convert to an online format. Often, this is most effective when relationships have been previously established in person over time. The Nanovic Institute for European Studies, acknowledging that the virtual meetings are now de rigueur, has enhanced connections with our Catholic Universities Partnership during the pandemic. Still, these connections had been forged over a decade through annual meetings and other visits. Face-to-face encounters have built trust over the years by providing a sense of a person’s full presence. This reserve of trust, a form of social capital, has allowed all parties to steer the network through the era of virtual presences imposed upon us by the pandemic.
“Hosting 'the whole person' is not possible in the virtual world.”
Other academic initiatives cannot translate. For example, the Nanovic Institute has regularly hosted a leadership program in the summer. For ten days, leaders from Catholic universities spend time on campus in 40 hours of instruction on leadership skills, philanthropy development, and program and organizational evaluation. A critical element of the success of the program is the time outside of the presentations: time spent eating together, developing a network, taking time to reflect outside of their daily work environment, and celebrating Mass together in the All Saints Chapel in Jenkins Nanovic Halls. Physical presence is key to the experience of hospitality, which is itself part of the designed course experience. Hosting a webinar, even when done effectively, has fewer opportunities to attend to details and robustly welcome the guest.
On hospitality
Indeed, like many academic and outreach units across this and other universities, the Nanovic Institute has a tradition of hosting events and visitors. In our case, the Institute’s physical hospitality flows from a deep and articulated sense of the Catholic mission of respecting human dignity and relationality. Details matter, and it is in this cultivated attention that we realize community. Thus, we provide detailed logistics for a car seat for a visitor traveling with an infant, we arrange for a visitor’s spouse to have a reserved music room to practice her instrument, we dash across campus to find a particular requested meal or refreshment.
These moments recall a passage from Kazuo Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day, when the butler recalled that “Lord Darlington remarked to me: ‘By the way, Stevens, Lord Halifax was jolly impressed with the silver the other night. Put him into a quite different frame of mind altogether.’” The passage describes an off-the-record meeting between the Lord and the German Ambassador; the butler concludes that “it is not simply my fantasy that the state of the silver had made a small, but significant contribution towards the easing of relations.” Attention to the details can yield unexpected fruits and set the stage for building relationships, the space for scholarship, and the refreshment of fellows and visitors.
The point of hospitality is to offer a person a “home away from home.” This makes sense only if the person has actually left home. Hosting “the whole person” is not possible in the virtual world, however well-executed. Detailed hospitality, while not an end in itself, bears many fruits.
As educational institutions and diplomats emerge from the current situation, an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of encountering each other in person presents itself. Even as online encounters continue, and as institutions and states look to long-term budgeting, planning and carbon considerations, the value of in-person meetings and diplomacy must not be underestimated. Whatever philosophers may say about the “mind-body” problem, from the perspective of integral human development it is clear that, whenever possible, body as well as mind must be present, if the whole person is to be recognized and encountered.
Monica Caro is senior associate director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies.
This article is part of a series of blog posts published by the Keough School of Global Affairs. Dignity and Development provides in-depth analysis of global challenges through the lens of integral human development. | https://nanovic.nd.edu/news/the-power-of-presence/ |
Osgood Schlatters disease is a common knee condition in adolescents. It is characterised as an injury to the growth plate at the top of the tibia (shin bone) just below the knee.
The muscle group at the front of the thigh is the quadriceps, these muscles attach to the patella (knee cap), which then attaches to the top of the tibia (shin bone) via the patellar tendon. In individuals who have not yet finished skeletal growth, a growth plate exists where the patella tendon inserts into the shin bone. Every time the quadricep muscles contract, they pull on the patellar tendon which in turn pulls on the tibia’s growth plate. When this force is too high or repetitive, irritation to the growth plate may occur. Irritation will lead to pain and sometimes an increased bony prominence at the front of the shin, known as Osgood Schlatters.
What are the symptoms of Osgood Shlatters?
Pain is generally localised to the front of the knee just beneath the knee cap. The pain may increase during activities requiring strong quadricep contractions, for example, jumping, squatting, going up and down stairs or running. The area where the patellar tendon attaches on to, known as the tibial tuberosity, may be tender to touch or kneel upon. There may also be a visible bony prominence or swelling present at the top of the shin bone.
Osgood Schlatters gradually resolves as the patient finishes growing and the growth plate within the knee disappears. Physiotherapy is very useful for patients with this condition as it can reduce pain and allow for increased activity levels. Treatment may include soft tissue massage, stretching, icing, taping/bracing, biomechanical correction, activity modification advice, and exercises to target strength and flexibility of specific muscles. | http://www.dynamicphysio.co.nz/osgood-schlatters |
This book is based on “The Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future,” a research project funded by the British Library and the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), the latter a UK agency supporting higher education research. The three authors are mass communications and information studies academics affiliated with the University of Leicester (Gunter) and University College London (Nicholas and Rowlands). It is clear that two decades of rapid change in information and communication technologies (ICT) have changed the way people communicate, conduct business, and gather news. The basic focus of this project was to determine the significance of these changes for higher education, specifically how they affect student learning and whether teaching methods and the role of libraries will also have to change. In other words, to what degree have older information sources been supplanted and has the Internet engendered new information-seeking behavior?
The authors focused on what they call the Google Generation, born 1994 and later—one generation younger than the Ys, born between 1978 and 1993—and they carefully document pre-Internet and early Internet behaviors, such as viewing television, reading books, and reading or watching news, and the rise of what they call the “information society.” Their fourth chapter examines the evidence for the concept of the Google Generation, considers the defining characteristics of Web 2.0 tools and technologies, and finds a higher degree of user literacy among the Google Generation than in older research subjects. Learning styles of the Google Generation have a more social orientation through the encouragement of group work via blogs and wikis. The fifth and sixth chapters examine the implications of new technology in the distribution of content and the emergence of digital scholarship, while examining implications for librarians. One of the more interesting parts of the research focuses on commonly held assumptions about the Google Generation (e.g., their preference for visual information, their ability to multitask, and their impatience with delay) and examines the research literature for each.
Although this report has a research-based component, it depends heavily on an exhaustive review of the literature. The 30-page bibliography cites studies published between 1979 and 2008. A review of the literature would have to include more recent reports from EDUCAUSE, OCLC, ACRL, Pew, and others. Details of this project and associated reports may be found at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/infostudies/research/ciber/downloads.
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Erikson was a Neo-Freudian. He has been described as an "ego psychologist" studying the stages of development, spanning the entire lifespan. Each of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development is marked by a conflict for which successful resolution will result in a favourable outcome, and by an important event that this conflict resolves itself around.
Favorable outcomes of each stage are sometimes known as "virtues", a term used in the context of Erikson's work as it is applied to medicine, meaning "potencies." Erikson's research suggests that each individual must learn how to hold both extremes of each specific life-stage challenge in tension with one another, not rejecting one end of the tension or the other. Only when both extremes in a life-stage challenge are understood and accepted as both required and useful, can the optimal virtue for that stage surface. Thus, 'trust' and 'mis-trust' must both be understood and accepted, in order for realistic 'hope' to emerge as a viable solution at the first stage. Similarly, 'integrity' and 'despair' must both be understood and embraced, in order for actionable 'wisdom' to emerge as a viable solution at the last stage.
The Erikson life-stage virtues, in order of the eight stages in which they may be acquired, are: 1.Basic trust vs. basic mistrust - This stage covers the period of infancy. 0-1 year of age. - Whether or not the baby develops basic trust or basic mistrust is not merely a matter of nurture. It is multi-faceted and has strong social components. It depends on the quality of the maternal relationship. The mother carries out and reflects their inner perceptions of trustworthiness, a sense of personal meaning, etc. on the child. If successful in this, the baby develops a sense of trust, which “forms the basis in the child for a sense of identity“. 2.Autonomy vs. Shame - Covers early childhood -... | https://www.studymode.com/essays/Erickson-1370705.html |
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It’s estimated that 7.7 million American adults have PTSD, but only a fraction of them receive treatment. This may be because many people are unaware of what PTSD is, or they don’t know that there is help available. In this article, we will discuss what post-traumatic stress disorder is, its symptoms and possible treatments from a PTSD rehab.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This event can be something as major as military combat or child abuse, or it can be something as minor as a car accident. Regardless of the cause, people with PTSD often relive the event through nightmares and flashbacks, and they may avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma. They may also feel constantly on edge, anxious and irritable. It’s important to know that treatment is available and you can find a PTSD rehab.
What Causes PTSD?
As we mentioned, PTSD can be caused by any type of traumatic event. This could be something that happened to you personally, or it could be something that you witnessed. It’s important to remember that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. It’s thought that a combination of genetic, psychological and social factors play a role in who does and doesn’t develop the condition.
For example, if you have a history of mental health conditions, you may be more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event. This is because your brain may react to the trauma differently than someone without a mental health condition. Psychological factors, such as how you perceive the event and how well you cope with stress can also play a role. Social factors, such as whether or not you have a support system, can also affect your risk of developing PTSD. If you don’t have people to talk to about what happened, you may be more likely to develop the condition.
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of PTSD so that you can get help if you need it. The most common symptoms are:
- Re-experiencing the event through flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoiding anything that reminds you of the event
- Having negative thoughts and feelings about yourself, other people or the world
- Feeling constantly on edge and being easily startled
- Experiencing physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or sweating
Since everybody experiences trauma differently, some symptoms can go much deeper then what has been mentioned and can require professional help for identifying.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
Everyone experiences trauma differently, so not everyone who has PTSD will have the same symptoms. This can make identifying PTSD sometimes difficult and hard to recognize within yourself. However, there are four main types of symptoms: intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood.
Intrusive thoughts are perhaps the most defining symptom of PTSD. These are thoughts, images or memories of the traumatic event that come into your mind without you wanting them to. You may have flashbacks, which are when you feel like you’re reliving the event. For example, you may hear a loud noise and think it’s a bomb going off. You may also have nightmares about the event.
Avoidance is another common symptom of PTSD. This can manifest itself in different ways, but essentially, you’re trying to avoid anything that reminds you of the trauma. This may mean avoiding people, places or things that remind you of the event. For example, if you were in a car accident, you may avoid driving or being a passenger in a car. You may also try to numb your feelings by drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Negative changes in thinking and mood are also common in people with PTSD. You may have negative thoughts about yourself or the world around you. For example, you may think that the world is a dangerous place and that people can’t be trusted. You may also feel detached from other people or have difficulty experiencing positive emotions. You may feel numb, hopeless or even depressed.
Mood swings are also common, and you may find yourself feeling angry, irritable or easily agitated. You may have trouble sleeping or concentrating. You may also start to take more risks than you normally would.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. PTSD can be a very debilitating condition, but treatment is available and you can get better.
What Treatment Is Available for PTSD?
Rehab centers for PTSD offer a variety of treatments that can help people manage their symptoms and start living healthier, happier lives. These treatments may include therapy, medication, and other complementary therapies. If you’re considering a PTSD rehab, it’s important to find a center that offers a program that’s right for you. The staff at a PTSD rehab center will be able to help you understand your options and choose the best course of treatment for your needs. With the right help, you can start to heal the trauma of your past and move on with your life.
The most common is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of talk therapy. CBT can help you to change the negative thoughts and beliefs that you have about the world and yourself. It can also help you to deal with the memories of the trauma in a more healthy way. Other types of therapy that may be used to treat PTSD include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), exposure therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).
In addition to therapy and medication, there are other complementary therapies that can be helpful for treating PTSD. These therapies can include art therapy, yoga, and acupuncture. Complementary therapies can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. They can also be used in conjunction with other treatments to provide a more holistic approach to healing.
Existential crises are common among our clients at Omega Recovery. These feelings of emptiness often lead to toxic habits and behaviors. In these cases, existential exploration and finding a sense of life purpose is critical in the healing process. We offer all of the therapies and treatments need to address issues related to PTSD, addiction, and mental health. If you or a loved one is struggling, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you heal. | https://omegarecovery.org/what-to-expect-when-going-to-a-ptsd-rehab/ |
Chromosomes are duplicated during the ____ of the cell cycle.
a.
G2 phase
b.
S phase
c.
G1 phase
d.
metaphase
e.
prophase
Eukaryotic chromosomes are composed of:
a.
karyotypes.
b.
DNA only.
c.
proteins only.
d.
chromatin.
e.
circular chromatin.
The mitotic spindle is made of:
a.
condensin.
b.
Z rings.
c.
microtubules.
d.
motor proteins.
e.
histones
Homologous chromosomes can be identified and/or characterized by:
a.
paternal chromosomes only.
b.
maternal chromosomes only.
c.
those chromosomes that do not have partners.
d.
the different centromere positions in the maternal vs. paternal chromosomes.
e.
their similar and characteristic staining patterns.
____ contain identical DNA sequences and are held together by ____ during mitosis.
a.
Sister chromatids; cohesin proteins
b.
Daughter chromosomes; ionic bonding
c.
Daughter chromosomes; hydrogen bonding
d.
Sister chromosomes; histone proteins
e.
Sister chromatids; spindle fibers
____ organized on chromosomes carry the information that controls the functions of the cell.
a.
Proteins
b.
Asters
c.
Histones
d.
Genes
e.
Nucleosomes
In a human cell at prophase I, there are ____ tetrads.
a.
92
b.
46
c.
23
d.
2
e.
4
Nucleosomes are best described as:
a.
eukaryotic DNA associated with histone proteins.
b.
prokaryotic DNA associated with nonhistone proteins.
c.
eukaryotic DNA associated with nonhistone proteins.
d.
prokaryotic DNA associated with histone proteins.
e.
eukaryotic DNA associated with scaffolding proteins.
In a prometaphase cell, the:
a.
spindle fibers pull chromosomes to opposite sides of the cell.
b.
mitotic spindle is beginning to assemble.
c.
nucleolus disappears.
d.
nuclear envelope is visible with the light microscope.
e.
duplicated chromosomes become visible with the light microscope.
In unwound chromatin, nucleosomes are organized into large coiled loops held together by:
a.
condensins.
b.
scaffolding proteins.
c.
histones.
d.
kinetochore proteins.
e.
centromere
Compare and contrast the general processes of asexual and sexual reproduction.
Homologous chromosomes undergo synapsis during:
a.
anaphase II.
b.
prophase I.
c.
telophase II.
d.
anaphase I.
e.
prophase II.
A nucleosome consists of DNA wrapped around scaffolding proteins.
__________________
True
False
To control the cell cycle:
a.
the anaphase-promoting complex stimulates DNA replication.
b.
Cdks are active only when they are released from cyclins.
c.
the activity of Cdks stays the same throughout the cell cycle.
d.
M-Cdk inhibits mitosis.
e.
cyclins fluctuate during the cell cycle.
Eukaryotic chromosomes consist of:
a.
linear DNA molecules complexed with negatively charged histone proteins.
b.
circular DNA molecules complexed with negatively charged histone proteins.
c.
circular DNA molecules complexed with positively charged nonhistone proteins.
d.
circular DNA molecules folded to fit inside a bacterial cell.
e.
linear DNA molecules complexed with positively charged histone proteins.
A bacterial chromosome consists of a:
a.
circular DNA molecule smaller than the cell.
b.
linear DNA molecule many times larger than the cell.
c.
circular DNA molecule many times larger than the cell.
d.
linear DNA molecule smaller than the cell.
e.
linear or circular DNA molecule smaller than the cell
A cell in the G2 phase:
a.
is in mitosis.
b.
has visibly distinct chromosomes.
c.
has twice the amount of DNA present in a telophase nucleus.
d.
lacks a visible nuclear membrane.
e.
is in cytokinesis.
To prevent disastrous consequences, the eukaryotic cell cycle is controlled by:
a.
environmental signals.
b.
the mitochondria.
c.
replication.
d.
a series of cell cycle checkpoints.
e.
a very detailed, rigid genetic program.
Cytokinesis in plant cells occurs via the formation of a(n):
a.
mitotic spindle.
b.
Golgi complex.
c.
cell wall.
d.
cell plate.
e.
aster.
During which stage of meiosis do the sister chromatids separate?
a.
anaphase I
b.
anaphase II
c.
metaphase II
d.
metaphase I
e.
telophase II
The function of nucleosomes is to:
a.
prevent DNA strands from tangling.
b.
help DNA replicate.
c.
make RNA synthesis possible.
d.
prevent RNA from tangling with DNA during transcription.
e.
prevent histones from tangling.
During prophase I, each chiasma represents:
a.
the site where sister chromatids are connected.
b.
a newly formed haploid gamete.
c.
the remnants of the nuclear envelope.
d.
the remnant of the nucleolus.
e.
a site of crossing-over.
In fungi and protists, gametes produced by ____ of haploid cells fuse to form a ____ zygote, which then undergoes ____ to restore the haploid chromosome number.
a.
meiosis, diploid, mitosis
b.
mitosis, diploid, mitosis
c.
meiosis, haploid, mitosis
d.
mitosis, diploid, meiosis
e.
mitosis, haploid, meiosis
During prophase, ____ is(are) compacted into visible chromosomes.
a.
centrioles
b.
tetrads
c.
centromeres
d.
chromatin
e.
kinetochores
What evolutionary advantage is provided by sexual reproduction?
a.
making clones
b.
removal of all genetic mutations
c.
increased genetic diversity
d.
production of genetically identical offspring
e.
making polyploidy possible
Gametophyte plants produce gametes using:
a.
polyploidy.
b.
mitosis.
c.
fertilization.
d.
sporogenesis.
e.
meiosis.
The ____ is responsible for the separation of the chromosomes during the ____ of mitosis.
a.
centromere; telophase
b.
cell wall; anaphase
c.
mitotic spindle; interphase
d.
mitotic spindle; anaphase
e.
kinetochore; prophase
The cell cycle of a typical somatic cell consists of the ____ and M phases.
a.
meiosis I
b.
crossing-over
c.
interphase
d.
mitosis
e.
meiosis II
An animal with a diploid number of 36 chromosomes will have ____ chromosomes in its gametes and ____ chromosomes in its somatic cells.
a.
18; 36
b.
18; 18
c.
36; 72
d.
36; 36
e.
36; 18
A cell is dividing by binary fission. What can you conclude?
a.
The cyclin-Cdk complex is no longer phosphorylating enzymes.
b.
The cell is prokaryotic.
c.
The cell cycle is out of control.
d.
Homologous chromosomes have already paired.
e.
Mitosis has taken place without cytokinesis.
The M phase of the cell cycle involves two main processes:
a.
mitosis and cytokinesis.
b.
meiosis I and meiosis II.
c.
mitosis and meiosis.
d.
homologous pairing and crossing over.
e.
interphase and mitosis.
When is a cell in metaphase?
a.
The chromosomes are visible as threadlike structures.
b.
The nuclear envelope is clearly visible.
c.
The chromosomes are aligned at the midplane of the cell.
d.
The chromosome are separated into distinct groups at opposite poles of the cell.
e.
Cytokinesis is occurring.
At the completion of oogenesis, ____ are produced.
a.
one egg cell and three polar bodies
b.
four sperm cells
c.
haploid spores
d.
four egg cells
e.
male gametes
Plant hormones known as ____ stimulate mitosis.
a.
cohesins
b.
growth factors
c.
cytokinins
d.
cyclins
e.
scaffolding proteins
During prophase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes lie side by side. This phenomenon is known as:
a.
chromatid pairing.
b.
paternal pairing.
c.
DNA replication.
d.
parental pairing.
e.
tetrad formation
Once nerve cells become mature, they do not typically undergo cell division. Based on your knowledge of the cell cycle, you might predict that mature nerve cells become arrested in the ____ of the cell cycle.
a.
G1 phase
b.
S phase
c.
G2 phase
d.
prophase
e.
G0 phase
What is the function of kinetochores?
a.
Kinetochores are the site of DNA synthesis.
b.
Kinetochores are involved in cytokinesis.
c.
Kinetochores regulate the length of the cell cycle.
d.
Kinetochores attach to microtubules during mitosis.
e.
Kinetochores anchor spindle fibers to the centrioles
Cytokinesis in animal cells involves contraction of a ring of ____ microfilaments.
a.
cyclin plus actin
b.
cyclin plus myosin
c.
actin plus myosin
d.
tubulin plus actin
e. | https://superiortermpapers.org/please-answer-all-the-multiple-choice-questions-with-correct-answer-and-as-well-answer-the-rest-off-all-questions-biology/ |
The document is an assimilation of materials and tools developed to assist operators and stakeholders make sound decisions based on effective mine closure planning. It takes a multi-disciplined approach to closure planning, with the guidance of toolkits to enable adequate implementation of the said objectives.
Key to any mine closure planning is understanding the needs and objectives of the various stakeholders, both internal and external to the mining operation. The engagement of these stakeholders should be undertaken throughout the life cycle of the mining operation. The toolkit indicates apparatus needed for community engagement, this includes ways to conduct community impact assessment, community profiling and mapping, gap analysis, active listening, risk management, partnerships and facilitation. A closure plan should ideally capture or attempt at a balancing the expectations and viewpoints of the various stakeholders.
The closure plan should also be conducted in several key stages, at the beginning of mining operations a conceptual closure plan should be developed (this would involve risk and opportunity assessment and management and target goals and outcomes). The conceptual phase should be goal oriented and involve as many practical outcomes as necessary to capture the life of the project. The conceptual plan, over the life cycle of the operation, would be transformed into a more detailed closure plan using contextual information derived from stakeholder engagement and detailed project feasibility studies. The detailed closure plan should consist of action plans for each goal envisaged with probability cost estimates which allows room for annual review and updating. This detail should also capture scenarios for dealing with project risks and sudden closure of operations.
The decommissioning and post closure phases should be conducted with active participation and input from the closure planning group so as to ensure not only focus on the social and environmental issues but also to ensure that the years of closure planning are not undermined and objectives during the planning phases are met.
Finally, any effort to develop a mining closure plan should be mindful of the various challenges that operators might face. For instance, during exploration it might not be financially feasible for the exploration companies to plan on mining closure especially where mineable resources have not yet been identified. Also managers need to keep in mind the likelihood of change in ownership structures where the burden of closure changes plus any costs associated, this corresponds with a change in management structures with the challenge being able to maintain a consistent effort in closure practices. The document is designed to assist at arriving at a mutually beneficial closure outcome, where diligent thought and application of best practices are utilised to arrive at the desired outcome. | http://www.eisourcebook.org/782_StarkePlanningforIntegratedMineClosureToolkit.html |
The Impact of Food Insecurity on the Home Emotional Environment Among Low-Income Mothers of Young Children.
Objectives Household stressors, such as food insecurity, contribute to the home emotional environment and negatively affect child development. Little research on this topic has been conducted among very young children. This study aimed to examine the relationship between food insecurity and the home emotional environment, as well the extent to which the relationship may be mediated by maternal symptoms of depression. Frequency of praise, affection, and discipline of young children by mothers were examined as markers of the home emotional environment. Methods Data were collected in a cross-sectional study of mothers of children under the age of five (N = 4231). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between level of food security and frequency of praise and discipline of children. Mediation analysis using the KHB method was conducted to test whether maternal mental health mediated the relationship between food insecurity and each outcome. Results Low and very low food security were significantly associated with higher odds of disciplining children with high frequency. Controlling for all covariates, frequency of praise was not significantly associated with level of household food insecurity. Differences in praise and discipline frequency were found by language of interview, maternal education, and employment. Conclusions for Practice Parent-child interactions, specifically related to discipline, are related to food insecurity. Further research should consider cultural patterns and mechanisms behind the relationship between food insecurity and the home environment. Household stressors begin affecting children at young ages, and early intervention is essential to prevent further negative sequelae as children grow older.
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The community of St Bernadette's is involved in many events within the community.
It is our responsibility to partner and engage with parents and the local and wider community. At St Bernadette's we have a shared vision and responsibility in which we collaborate with other community agencies and organizations to support and engage our families in meaningful and culturally respectful ways, and listen to parents to ensure that they continuously have the information and tools to guide their children’s learning. | http://www.sbivanhoe.catholic.edu.au/school-community/15/p/introduction/ |
This is the fourth entry in Act I of Push Me, Pull You, the Center’s series on (co-)authorship. For a full list of posts in this series, visit the main Push Me, Pull You page.
History museums have traditionally told other people’s stories. These stories might include the founding of a city or town; the rise of an industry and the families it supported (or exploited); or the home life of a powerful politician, author, inventor, or robber baron. The subjects of these stories rarely speak for themselves. But practice in public history is evolving, and increasingly history organizations seek to involve input from the people and communities represented in the stories they tell. For more than two decades, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience has been leading the way through an intensive process of co-authorship with community members in the creation of their exhibitions and programs.
We asked Cassie Chinn, the Wing Luke’s deputy executive director, to talk about her experiences doing this work and to reflect on what it means to co-author someone else’s story.
The Wing Luke’s community process allows your museum staff to co-author exhibitions with community members. Can you elaborate on that process a bit? How do you manage the tension between authorship and ownership of the stories being represented in the shows?
I started at the Wing Luke Museum in 1992 as a college intern. It was then that I found out the museum had conducted an oral history with my grandmother Ruby Chinn. Sitting on the worn-out carpet, under the desk of a makeshift office, I read her interview and found out stories about my grandmother and my family that I had never known. I learned my great grandmother had an arranged marriage, with a rooster standing in for her husband-to-be, who was off in America. From her, I learned about strength and perseverance and that a promise made under the stars was a promise to keep.
Since that time I’ve had the privilege of sharing in the stories, lives, struggles, and dreams of so many others. At the museum we create exhibitions directly with community members who share their personal stories and perspectives to create moving, insightful, and inspiring exhibitions.
While no two projects unfold exactly the same, there’s a rhythm to the process:
- Getting to know one another. Each exhibition project begins with informal outreach, often away from the museum itself, as staff gets to know community members, their needs and passions, and the dynamics of communities as a whole.
- Let’s meet. Eventually, staff gather together a “community advisory committee” (CAC) for the exhibition, generally 10–12 volunteers, sometimes as many as 20. The CAC meets monthly for about a year to determine the exhibition’s main messages, major themes, and storyline; look, feel, and design; and education activities and public programs.
- Let’s create something new together. Facilitated by staff, meetings include brainstorming, listening, reflection and deepened understanding, and prioritizing and decision-making, along with sharing stories, experiences and personal mementos, moments of artmaking with drawing and sometimes even movement exercises, and of course—what better way to connect—sharing meals together. CAC members bring in other community members to the project, contributing oral histories, photographs, artifacts, and documents. We then all get together to celebrate the exhibition opening with family and friends, museum members, and the public at large.
As with any relationship, it’s helpful to have some shared expectations upfront. While you won’t see your own individual vision in its entirety in the final exhibition, hopefully you will see bits and pieces of it woven together with the input of others, creating a richer outcome than any one individual could have conceived at the beginning. It will take time to get to know one another, energy to come to consensus, and effort to make room for all to have shared ownership, but in the end, it’s worth it. Together, we are stronger.
What are the skills and expertise your exhibitions staff need to have in order to do this kind of work successfully? What differentiates a co-author of exhibitions from a more traditional curator?
Staff members must be community organizers and resource-getters to make this community vision happen. We are others-centered—perhaps sometimes to a fault. Standing at the intersection of many perspectives, staff are highly skilled in communication—not just in presenting information but in receiving it, reflecting it back out, and connecting it with others. Importantly, staff have heightened awareness of the subtlety involved in understanding individual personalities and group dynamics. Sometimes it’s when someone doesn’t say anything at all that speaks the most. We have an incredible willingness to learn, courage to invite new ideas, and flexibility to respond in creative and dynamic ways.
Ultimately, our desire is to know communities intimately. What breaks their hearts breaks ours, what fuels their passion fuels ours. As I reflect on nearly 20 years of doing this work, the stories and lessons of so many still resound inside me. During our exhibition on Asian Pacific American veterans, I recall sitting at my desk in the silence of one early morning, reading the story of a community member, who shared his account as a soldier on night patrol during the US-Vietnam War, and learning about courage, bravery, and pain. While we worked with community members on our PI: Made in America art exhibition, I learned the value and worth of working towards consensus building rather than settling for majority rules. And during our exhibition on immigration after 1965, working with many first-generation immigrants and refugees, I learned about the fears, struggles, uncertainties, hopes, and dreams of many, and came to know the experience of my grandfather the most, even though he had immigrated some 60 years earlier.
Do you think (or perhaps you know) most of the visitors to your museum understand the process behind your exhibitions? Based on your evaluation and visitor feedback, how does that knowledge influence their perception of the shows? Is there, for example, any expressed longing for a more authoritative, single “author”?
In 2008, we moved into a new facility, growing from a 10,000-square-foot renovated garage with an average annual attendance of 12,000 (50% of that in school tours) to a 60,000-square-foot historic 1910 Chinatown hotel with an updated average annual attendance of 45,000 (with just 10% in school tours). In the process, we’ve continued to engage community members directly in the creation of exhibitions and continue to rely on their support. (We affectionately refer to them as our Community Loyalists.) But at the same time, we have also widened our impact to newcomers, who are less familiar with us and how we go about our work (also affectionately referred to as our Hometown Strangers).
As we have transitioned to new realities in our new home, we have found that the majority of our visitors don’t understand the process behind our exhibitions. We try to share with them about it as best we can—through signage, our tour guides, and photographs of our CAC members alongside exhibition credit panels. We also provide avenues for visitors themselves to share their stories and experiences and join with us in the creation of an exhibition after its formal opening reception. And perhaps that’s been the best way to bring out our approach to exhibitions. As visitors share a part of themselves, they come to recognize and have a deepened appreciation for the multiplicity of voices, experiences, and perspectives in our exhibitions. It’s as if time spent in our exhibitions is time spent with someone else, person to person. And well, perhaps through the text panels, photographs, artifacts, documents, and multimedia installations—all of the stuff of exhibitions—in the end, that might be the best way to describe it: getting to know someone, meeting together, and creating something new. | https://www.pewcenterarts.org/post/push-me-pull-you-cassie-chinn |
Q:
Inserts into MySQL table going onto separate rows
I'm working within Laravel Spark and am inserting values into a MySQL table. I'm performing a series of inserts such as
DB::table('nameOfTable')->insert(['id' => $user['id']]);
DB::table('nameOfTable')->insert(['name' => $user['name']]);
The values are being inserted into the table properly, but each value is being placed on its own row. There's got to be a simple reason, but I haven't found any luck doing searches. Thanks in advance.
A:
Each line of code you have in your question was designed to insert a row by itself. In order to insert more than one value in the same row (AKA insert various column values in the same row), all you have to do is include more values inside the array that is being passed to the insert function:
DB::table('nameOfTable')->insert(['id' => $user['id'],'name' => $user['name']]);
The previous line of code should work fine. I personally prefer to write the code as follows since it is cleaner to read for us mortals xD:
DB::table('nameOfTable')->insert(array(
'id' => $user['id'],
'name' => $user['name']
));
| |
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Wins Sustainable Investing Act, First State ESG Bill in U.S.!
Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs crashed the gates of entrenched pension and public investment policy in winning the Sustainable Investing Act, which passed the Illinois legislature and was signed by Governor Pritzker in August, 2019. Public Act 101-473, the first state ESG bill in the U.S., provides that all state and local government entities, including pension funds, that hold and manage public funds should integrate material, relevant, and useful sustainability factors into their policies, processes, and decision-making. The Act provides a stronger focus on labor rights and human capital factors, including responsible contractor policies.
“To fulfill our fiduciary duty, effectively manage risk, and maximize returns for
our $32 billion investment portfolio, we need to focus on more than just short-term gains and traditional indicators,” said Treasurer Frerichs. “We believe additional risk and value-added factors need to be integrated into the decision-making process. These sustainability factors do not replace traditional financial and technical indicators. They serve as a complement to traditional analysis, providing an additional layer of data that our analysts and fund managers can use to better assess the risk profile and return potential of individual investments.”
The Sustainable Investing Act goes into effect January 1, 2020. What does the Act do?
Codifies sustainable investing as a best practice for public fund managers in Illinois;
Applies to all public investments by the state, local governments, and public entities, including pension funds;
Establishes a framework for public fund managers to consider ESG risks and other factors in their investment portfolios and a method for implementation.
While not an ESG disclosure bill like in Europe and nearby Ontario, the passage of the Act is an unprecedented breakthrough in the inexorable march toward mainstreaming responsible investment in the U.S. There has been a sea change underway in the institutional investment and corporate world for two decades, spurred by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), which launched in 2006, and by U.S. DOL Interpretive Bulletin 2015-01, which confirmed the legality and importance of including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations by pension funds governed by ERISA. These two milestones supported the realignment of the stewardship of workers’ capital with long-term responsible investing.
In 2018, responsibly invested US assets climbed to over $12 trillion, according to US SIF, one quarter of all US investment assets under professional management. Since 2010, responsibly invested US assets have grown by over 20% per annum. In addition to a growing list of pension funds, foundations and university endowments, major banks, insurance companies and private asset managers, such as Blackrock, Vanguard, Fidelity, and Federated/Hermes employ this framework or are moving in this direction. There are hundreds of rating and reporting standards that provide a path to implement and measure ESG performance.
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs at The Century Foundation/Heartland event in 2018
Frerichs was first elected Illinois State Treasurer on November 4, 2014, and re-elected on November 6, 2018. The Treasurer actively manages $32 billion. He is recognized for his leadership in responsible investment, good corporate governance, and reinvesting in the people and communities of Illinois.
The Sustainable Investing Act was introduced as HB 2460 by Representative William Davis in the Illinois House on February 13, 2019. It was picked up and sponsored by Senator Iris Y. Martinez, who had introduced identical legislation earlier in the session. After considerable debate and some negotiations with representatives of local governments, the bill passed both houses on May 29. The Governor signed the Act on August 23, 2019.
“Integrating sustainability factors helps investors obtain a more complete view of a company or fund’s long-term risk and return prospects,” said Treasurer Frerichs. “That’s why we spearheaded passage of the Sustainable Investing Act, which positions all state and local government entities that manage public funds to integrate sustainability factors into their investment processes.”
The Illinois bill will require that sustainability factors include, but are not limited to:
Corporate governance and leadership factors
Environmental factors
Social capital factors
Human capital factors
Business model and innovation factors
Thus, the Act uniquely utilizes some of the sustainability framework pioneered by SASB, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. SASB is an independent body started in 2011 to foster “high-quality disclosure of material sustainability information to meet investor needs and make capital markets more efficient,” according to the group.
Those of us who are familiar with ESG may appreciate the drill-down that is provided by adding “human capital” and “business model and innovation factors.” While human capital factors have traditionally been included in the “S” in ESG, there have long been complaints that the “S”—especially with regards labor relations-- is given short shrift. The Act specifies that:
“Human capital factors that recognize that the workforce is an important asset to delivering long-term value, including factors such as labor practices, responsible contractor and responsible bidder policies, employee health and safety, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and incentives and compensation.”
The addition of business model and innovation factors is critical. As the Office notes, the impact of sustainability issues on innovation and business models including corporate strategy and other innovations in the production process are integral to a company’s financial and operating performance. The Act pushes for factors that reflect:
“….an ability to plan and forecast opportunities and risks, and whether a company can create long-term shareholder value, including factors such as supply chain management, materials sourcing and efficiency, business model resilience, product design and life cycle management, and physical impacts of climate change.”
The Act requires that affected public agencies incorporate ESG policies into their existing investment policies, and that those policies will be published and implemented. It adds that public agencies will integrate sustainability factors into their decision-making, investment analysis, portfolio construction, due diligence, and investment ownership with the goal of maximizing returns, minimizing risk, and effectively executing their fiduciary duties. Compliance with the Act will be determined by the regular processes of auditing and evaluation.
The Treasurer’s Office has volunteered to assist public agencies in the state, offering its own sustainable investment policies as a model and providing additional guidance. It says that the Act provides sufficient flexibility such that individual managers are able to adapt and customize how the factors are considered to their specific requirements.
While the opposition to the bill claimed that the Treasury was trying to “impose its values,” the response was that the legislation was more about being “value-oriented,” focusing on long-term value-creation and enhanced risk management.
As my co-author Annie Malhotra and I pointed out in the Responsible Investor Handbook (2016, Routledge/Greenleaf Publishing), innumerable meta-studies, conducted by prestigious universities and leading researchers, found significant evidence of the positive impact of responsible investment and good corporate governance strategies on a company performance. Today there is a growing recognition that ESG performance of companies is tied to their sustained success, affecting not only investment returns but workers, jobs and communities.
This victory represents a huge step forward in the US policy conversation around sustainable finance. The Heartland Network applauds Treasurer Frerichs and his entire team, the Illinois Legislature, and the Governor for the remarkable achievement. If Illinois can pass a law that “contributes to a more just, accountable, and sustainable” state, the idea just might catch on.
PS For more information about the Illinois Sustainable Act, contact: | https://www.heartlandnetwork.org/single-post/2019/10/03/illinois-treasurer-michael-frerichs-wins-sustainable-investing-act-first-state-esg-bill-i |
Bangladesh emerged as an independent country on 26 March 1971 when the nation declared its breaking out of Pakistan's colonial rule. It all began with the Declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 'undisputed leader' of the people. Soon thereafter followed the Proclamation of Independence of 10 April 1971, providing the nation with its first constitution (see The Daily Star, 10 April 2018). Put into effect on 26 March 1971, the first interim constitution was promulgated by the Constituent Assembly, composed of the 'elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh'. The Proclamation formally legalised Bangladesh's independence, gave the country the name Bangladesh, established the 'Constituent Assembly' for framing a Constitution, and installed the historic interim government with the President as its head. Importantly, the Proclamation recognised that “the will” of the people of Bangladesh would be “supreme”, while declaring 'equality, human dignity and social justice' as the fundamental principles of the new republic. Briefly, the first founding constituent document adopted the principles of popular sovereignty, democracy, and social inclusivity as constitutional identities.
After the physical liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan on 16 December 1971 but before the founding Constitution was adopted, the country embraced the parliamentary form of democracy – 'the manifest aspiration of the people'. This significant transition was effectuated through the Provisional Constitution of Bangladesh Order of 11 January 1972, promulgated by the President. A few months later, the Constitution Drafting Committee met in its first meeting on 10 April 1972. The Committee held over seventy meetings and several public consultations after which it readied the draft constitution by early October 1972. The Constitution Bill was introduced in the Constituent Assembly on 12 October 1972.
On 4 November 1972, the 'people of Bangladesh', acting through the Constituent Assembly, adopted the nation's founding Constitution that came into force on 16 December 1972, ceremonially coinciding with the nation's victory day. The Constitution of Bangladesh has been a revolutionary, autochthonous document based on supreme sacrifices of the people who liberated Bangladesh.
The above-noted two pre-Constitution instruments recognised deliberative democracy and popular sovereignty as founding values. Drawing upon these and other values for which the nation had long fought, the founding Constitution entrenched four 'high ideals' as its fundamental principles – 'nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism'. These fundamental constitutional cores were indeed the nation's identity principles. By one reading, except for 'democracy', other three fundamental principles seem to be new to the first interim Constitution. In reality, however, that is not the case. The other three principles are integral to 'democracy'. Even hegemonic Bangalee nationalism, which is an affront to inclusive constitutionalism, can be made to come to terms with 'democracy' when one takes seriously the opening words of the Constitution – “We the people” – within which is included any non-Bangalee group or people. That this is the light in which all fundamental principles of the Constitution have to be understood and interpreted is evident in the entrenchment of popular sovereignty and constitutional supremacy in article 7. Nevertheless, the lack of recognition of other nations was deficient at the time in terms of inclusive democracy. That deficiency is somewhat remedied in 2011 in the newly inserted article 23A.
Apart from the four fundamental cores, the Constitution's edifice was also premised upon the values of the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights and freedom, and equality and justice – social, economic, and political. To my mind, thus, the first principle of the Constitution has been a liberal and deliberative democracy.
Unfortunately, however, the trajectory of Bangladeshi democracy has been a chequered one. In 1975, assailment of democracy came from within internal forces of politics. And, after the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu in August 1975, the nation fell prey to forces of un-constitutionalism extrinsic to politics. It had for long sixteen years been under the grip of lingering autocracy, transitioning to democracy only in 1991. Even thereafter, Bangladeshi democracy remained unconsolidated, illiberal, and quite exclusionary. During the autocratic regimes, the four fundamental cores of the Constitution were drastically compromised and defaced. Occasionally there were parliaments, but the general elections were sham and engineered. Corruption and terrorisation of politics reached an alarming state.
Post-1991 democracy in Bangladesh has remained equally non-deliberative and unstable. This scenario is largely attributable to pre-1991 politico-constitutional crises. Another culprit is the practice of predatory politics. It seems that the greatest challenge to democracy is ensuring effective participation of the people through free, fair, and competitive elections. First and foremost, democracy cannot sustain without a fair and competitive election and the existence of tolerative multiple political parties. Beyond that, a truly effective democracy, which the founding Constitution had mandated, requires a complete accountability of those in charge of powers to those from whom the state-power originates. These goals were indeed the founding aspirations of the Constitution itself.
By contrast, the challenge of ensuring free and competitive elections has been in the centre of a lasting democratic crisis in Bangladesh, beginning at least in 2007 when a two-year-long emergency was imposed. In the last decade or so, that democratic crisis culminated in many deviations from practices of liberal democracy. For example, the system of election time care-taker government was abolished first by a questionable judicial intervention and then by a hastily enacted non-consensual constitutional amendment. Tagged with this has been the second example of non-competitive general elections of 2014, boycotted by major political parties. A consequence has been the absence of an opposition party in the current parliament, despite the officially declared opposition. Further importantly, 152 out of contestable 300 seats were elected without contestation of any sort. Because of the so-diagnosed crisis of democracy, we have witnessed in recent times serious strains on the principle of respect for human rights, dignity, and liberty of the people. Not to blame any political party, but it is reasonable to conclude that this state of affairs is not compatible with the vision of democracy the founding Constitution aspired for.
A constitution of any nation is its autobiography (Justice Albie Sachs) in the sense that it grows with the aspiration and goals of that nation. Seen in this light, the founding aspiration of a deliberative democracy based on the higher values of justice, rule of law, and responsible governance was to continually guide Bangladesh's politics. Almost 50 years into the Constitution's founding, that transformative aspiration has remained largely unfulfilled. To be optimistic, however, there is much to reply on democratic resilience and the power and agency of the people, the makers of the Constitution.
The writer is a Professor of Law, University of Dhaka. | http://assetsds.cdnedge.bluemix.net/law-our-rights/news/founding-constitution-and-our-state-democracy-1656550 |
The Future of Work
The truths we know about working life are undergoing some dramatic changes. New behaviours and emerging technologies are changing how work is organized and the activities we engage in. This is driven by a number of themes that are expected to fundamentally change working life. Join us and explore.
Mobile and digital technologies are expanding into more and more areas of society, business and private life. This development comes with opportunities for fundamental innovation. New forms of communication will emerge and the arising business opportunities are endless and will span across all societies, organizations and individuals. It will change how businesses are organized, as well as how we organize work, collaborate and share. We call this new emerging society – of which we have only seen the beginning – a networked society
So what will be the implications for the Sport and PA Sector.?
We want to explore and answer some of these questions and share them across the sector...
Want to join us by sponsoring this work? | https://www.sportsthinktank.com/the-future-of-work.html |
- Is imprisonment an effective punishment?
- Should body piercing/tattooing be banned?
- Should learning foreign language be made mandatory in schools?
- Are chat rooms safe?
- Is censorship effective/appropriate?
- Teachers should be paid according to performance.
- Press rights/freedom of press should be severed.
- Human cloning is a boon/bane.
- Ban on mobile phones in certain areas.
- Should paparazzi be banned?
- Gender equality is a must in every nation.
- Severe eligibility criteria should be set for diplomats and statesmen.
- Use of arms is essential for personal security in high tension areas.
- Should casinos be banned?
- Computers should be provided for free to students.
- Ban on keeping certain animals as pets.
- Juvenile criminals should be subjected to psychiatrist treatment.
- Proper diet and sleep is very essential.
- Use of fireworks should be banned.
- Juvenile criminals should be sentenced like adult criminals.
- Sex education should be mandatory in schools.
- Vaccinations should be made compulsory.
- Wrestling/boxing should be banned.
- Immigration laws should be severed/relaxed.
- Use of animals for any form of entertainment should be banned.
- Voting should be mandatory.
- Use of solar power should be made mandatory in tropical regions.
- Drinking should not be permitted without a license.
- People should be made aware of pollution and its harmful effects.
- There should be a standardized system of measurement all over the world.
- Which is better: Hamlet or Macbeth?
- Paper is the most useful thing on the Earth.
- Being a single parent can also be fun.
- Life without Internet is impossible.
- Working women face more difficulties than housewives.
- Do ghosts exist?
- Is there life after death?
- Unsolicited phone calls/junk mail be banned.
- Use of artificial sweeteners.
- Do movies actually inspire people?
- Fad diets can be life-threatening.
- Tipping for service should be banned.
- Charity/community service should be made compulsory.
- Is Internet dating harmful?
- Small towns/villages are better than metro cities.
- Finance education should be compulsory in high school.
- Safety measures in college laboratories.
- Beauty pageants set false rules on beauty.
- All citizens in the world should have the right to practice any religion.
- Advancement in technology is a boon/bane for children.
- The history of abortion
- Contraceptives and their role in society’s history
- Discrimination at school and its impact on the students
- The impact of bilingualism on school progress
- Who should be held liable for students’ progress – parents or school?
- The Internet and its control measures: how justifiable they are?
- Should education be free?
- Marijuana legalization: pros and cons
- How justifiable are vaccines?
- The impact of dieting on weight loss: does it bring more harm than good?
- The latest facts about anorexia
- Latest stats about obesity and its reasons
- Should mandatory physical training be a part of school education?
- Sleep disorders: causes and effects
- Can parents impose a vegetarian lifestyle on their under-age children?
- The role of religion in society
- How does technology affect our daily communication?
- Equality: what is it and can it be achieved?
- The hazards of alcoholism
- Should the drinking age be changed in the US?
- Should the government legalize drugs?
- Can distance education be considered effective?
- How far is social media affecting our lives?
- Spam abuse: its effect on our communication
- Cyber theft: should we introduce stricter laws?
- How is plastic surgery affecting our self-esteem?
- Eating disorders and their psychological causes
- How far should social workers go in controlling domestic violence?
- Should prostitution be legalized?
Read also: | https://topicsmill.com/speech/persuasive-speech/persuasive-speech-topics-for-high-school/ |
Population growth combined with outdated urban infrastructure will be a major challenge for
cities in the next decades. Urban infrastructure refers to the physical networks that create,
move, and store resources and people for a city. Two of the essential characteristics of
infrastructure under pressure from rapid changes are its resilience and adaptivity. Resilience
is the ability of a system to withstand and recover from shocks. Adaptivity is the ability of a
system to change and learn under stress; it is a subset of resilience.
The aim of this research is to identify principles and opportunities for hidden infrastructure
which will assist developed, growing cities towards adaptivity. The research focuses on
Cambridge because it has a small population but fast growth and high social inequality. Much
effort has been expended by cities to predict and prepare for urban growth. However, high
level planners usually focus first on visible infrastructure. Only secondarily do they consider
hidden infrastructure such as water, wastewater, and electricity, which is the focus of this
research.
Qualitative data is collected, coded, and then mapped using GIS. The qualitative data
comes from interviews, field notes, and grey literature. The data is processed in an SQLite
database for categorisation and data coding. The outcomes are shown on a GIS map of
Cambridge. Conflicts and coincidences of key concepts are thus represented spatially and
across infrastructure networks. The benefits of this process are that it allows intuitive, spatial
visualisation of concerns and conflicts.
Several key principles for adaptivity emerge from the findings, with the most interesting
characterised by balance or conflict. Timing and anticipation is necessary to ensure that a
city continues to function, yet planning too carefully can reduce adaptivity. The inhabitants
of a city may prevent change, but they have the potential to defend or drive adaptivity, for
example by resisting damaging developments and promoting useful ones. The size and shape
of infrastructure networks, unsurprisingly, affect adaptivity of the city, but not always in in the
way one might expect. Distributed or local infrastructure has benefits, but faces challenges in
implementation. Finally, existing infrastructure, if used intelligently, can actually support the
adaptivity of a city.
There are practical implications for this research. The Devolution Deal is an opportunity,
as is the opening of the Cambridge North Station and the existence of co-operative housing
developments. Planners need to adopt and champion new models of infrastructure, especially
distributed and smart infrastructure. There is much scope for further investigation. The
most important and obvious limitation is that currently most of the sources of qualitative
data are from Cambridge’s elite; it would be worthwhile to interview or survey non-elite
Cambridge residents to represent their views. This research may establish an engineer- and
planner-friendly means of representing qualitative data in a visual and interactive way, which
could potentially be integrated with existing data hub platforms for smart cities. | https://www-esdmphil.eng.cam.ac.uk/about-the-programme/dissertations/students/rachel-arthur |
Amid Global Market Uncertainty, CFOs Can Still Act Decisively
Disruption from the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus has rippled across industries, markets and economies, feeding into unprecedented levels of corporate uncertainty. For the chief financial officer, managing cashflows and navigating through this rapid and radical market volatility will be an increasingly uphill battle for the foreseeable future.
While businesses scramble to develop and deploy contingency plans in real-time, CFOs are tasked with mitigating their organization’s exposure, understanding risk to their fiscal outlooks and developing projections for long-term impact without a clear recovery timeline. PwC’s COVID-19 CFO Pulse Survey found that finance leaders are bracing for an economic downturn, with 80% of respondents identifying a potential global recession as their top concern with respect to COVID-19.
As market turmoil and rapid change continues, a CFO’s ability to remain confident and act decisively will be tested and having the agility to simultaneously pivot strategically and operationally will prove critical for continuity.
“CFOs are already managing a complex set of accounting and finance responsibilities,” said Sara Baxter Orr, Global Head, CFO Practice at Anaplan. “With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and global market economic shifts, finance leaders are under an immense amount of pressure to make strategic decisions based on increasingly changing dynamics.”
Achieving this level of agility requires gathering and analyzing large quantities of data that change rapidly, a feat that many financial tools and solutions are not adequately equipped to handle.
“To stabilize cash flows, CFOs across industries are making tough decisions in a situation where a proven playbook doesn’t exist,” said Baxter Orr. “They will be balancing immediate triage decisions while focusing on longer-term recovery plans. In understanding the implications of revenue streams and collectability, balancing the workforce, and evaluating where variable operating expenses might be shifted or reduced, the office of the CFO needs to rely on more modern solutions and technologies that streamline processes and deliver insights.”
While most companies aggregate and analyze data, the level of accuracy and efficiency is largely dependent on the tool being leveraged. Manual tools like spreadsheets are often fragmented, tedious and prone to error, opening the door for data to be misrepresented and misinterpreted. When every extra dollar of cash reserve counts and solvency is on the line, finance teams can’t afford to spend valuable time aggregating, validating and consolidating data in disparate spreadsheets.
Leveraging a connected financial planning approach can arm CFOs with stronger insights for strategic decision making. With a connected solution, data from the farthest points of the business—from sales professionals and modelers to product developers and supply merchants—is collected and validated automatically within a single, unified environment. For example, CFOs will need to be in constant communication with supply chain leaders to understand production realities and disruptions. With most teams working remotely, cloud technologies will become even more critical for finance teams to ensure they have visibility into real-time data from different teams across the organization. This single source of truth ensures all functions across the enterprise are represented and enables finance teams to better align objectives with operational tactics and financial plans. Having the capability to aggregate data collaboratively and in real-time across the organization, CFOs are armed with a more accurate and holistic view of the businesses’ activities and outcomes.
“Being able to quickly ‘model out’ changing scenarios across the business—at a very rapid pace and have them connect to each other—is something CFOs haven’t always had at their fingertips. These technology advancements have put more precise information and insights into the hands of the CFO.” said Baxter Orr.
With the ability to model outcomes against any number of variables changing in real time, CFOs will be better equipped to utilize available levers to lessen short-term exposure and drive long-term liquidity. With fast access to actionable insights and the agility to pivot quickly, CFOs can feel confident acting decisively in unchartered waters. | https://www.anaplan.com/blog/amid-global-market-uncertainty-cfos-can-still-act-decisively/ |
On Tuesday, Corker and Alexander wrote to VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki calling on the VA to conduct a “thorough, open and transparent” audit following reports of neglect at some of its medical facilities, including allegations that up to 40 patients may have died because of delayed care at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The senators also asked Shinseki to provide specific information regarding the average time Tennessee veterans are waiting for care at VA facilities.
The full text of the letter to Petzel is below. Click here for a copy of the signed letter.
Dear Under Secretary Petzel:
We write to you today to request an update on the steps taken by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in response to issues raised in the October 23, 2013 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report entitled “Healthcare Inspection Emergency Department Patient Deaths Memphis VA Medical Center (MVAMC) Memphis, Tennessee.”
As you know, the OIG has verified many troubling allegations at the MVAMC Emergency Department. With claims of delayed care in the Emergency Department of the MVAMC prompting an OIG investigation in 2012 and this 2013 OIG report linking three deaths at the MVAMC to poor quality care, it is extremely important the VHA monitor its facilities and personnel to ensure that tragedies like this do not occur again. Our veterans deserve the best possible care available, and incidents like these and allegations of delayed care leading to the deaths of veterans at the Phoenix VA Health Care System are deeply troubling.
We therefore ask for a detailed update on the implementation of the recommendations made and agreed to in the October 23, 2013 OIG report. Further, we ask that you provide us with information on any other issues preventing our veterans from receiving timely and appropriate care at the MVAMC. Now more than ever, it is imperative that the VA present a transparent accounting of the issues it faces and the steps it will take to address these challenges.
Thank you for your timely consideration of this matter.
Sincerely, | https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E626C0CF-A4BF-4A19-8EEE-FD3AE17FE4D4 |
Coffee shop with anti-police stance getting mixed reactions
An Oakland coffee shop has received mixed reaction over its stance on law enforcement. Hasta Muerte coffee in Oakland's Fruitvale District has been serving up controversy over who they refuse to serve. (KGO-TV)
KGO
by Carlos Saucedo
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 09:26PM
OAKLAND, California --
A California coffee shop has received mixed reaction over its stance on law enforcement.
Hasta Muerte Coffee in Oakland has been serving up controversy over who it refuses to serve.
Last month an Oakland police sergeant was turned away.
"Not only did they not want to talk to him, but they wouldn't even sell him a cup of coffee," said Sgt. Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers' Association.
He sent the coffee shop a letter expressing a desire to start a dialogue on their stance. Donelan is still waiting for a response but reaction from the community has been swift.
"We've been overwhelmed with the reaction. Businesses have been writing to us, lots of messages from people and emails," described Donelan.
"We had a little girl and her mother show up at the lineup over the weekend here in downtown Oakland to provide coffee to the entire lineup," he said.
"Hasta Muerte" Coffee opened its doors in the Fruitvale neighborhood last November but as of late, has been getting attention for who isn't welcomed.
Hasta Muerte - Spanish for "until death" - posted an image on their Instagram page showing the support they've received, including messages that read "everybody hates the police" and "keep it up." Owners at the shop have declined to comment on their controversial position.
Oakland council member Noel Gallo has reached out to the business hoping to try to resolve any differences between it and the cops.
"I think that at this point, they're not willing to sit down and define or redefine their practice," said Gallo. "I know there's been some police questions and issues but I don't think this is a way to resolve it." | |
This is the title of a new paper in J. Neuroscience by Alexander Leff and company (Jennifer Crinion, Karl Friston, and Cathy Price among others) at the Wellcome Trust Centre, University College London. The report is beautifully straightforward and fills an important gap in our understanding of the pathways that support the processing of meaningful speech.
They set out to test two competing hypotheses regarding information flow in the temporal and frontal lobes during the processing of intelligible speech. One hypothesis, put forward by Sophie Scott and Richard Wise, suggests that the pathway for intelligible speech projects anteriorly into the temporal lobe from primary auditory cortex. The other hypothesis, recently promoted by us (Hickok & Poeppel, 2000, 2004, 2007), but by no means unique to us (it is a rather conventional view), holds that the posterior STS is an important projection target for acoustic speech information on its way to being comprehended.
They didn't see much bilateral activation (must be something in the London water because we have just finished a similar experiment and see TONS of activation on both sides -- more on this in the future), but that's not the point of the paper. Notice that there are foci of activation in the posterior as well as anterior STS, and an inferior frontal area as well that falls within BA47, outside of Broca's region.
They then used dynamic causal modeling and Baysian parameter estimation to determine the model of information flow among these three nodes that best fit their data. Of 216 models tested -- all possible combinations of input (squares with arrows) and interactions between ROIs (dotted lines), diagram on left -- the winning model (right diagram) had sensory input entering the network only via pSTS and projecting in separate pathways to aSTS on the one hand and IFG on the other.
In other words, information flow is not exclusively anterior from primary auditory cortex, nor is it flowing in parallel from A1 to aSTS and pSTS, but rather projects first posteriorly and then anteriorly within the temporal lobe; i.e., the ventral stream runs through the pSTS.
In proposing an exclusively anterior-going pathway from primary auditory cortex, Scott and Wise were particularly persuaded by three observations. (i) monkey data suggested anterior projections from the auditory core, (ii) their own imaging data suggested an anterior focus of activity for intelligible versus unintelligible speech, and (iii) semantic dementia involves word level semantic deficits and has anterior temporal degeneration as a hallmark feature. Their proposal was quite reasonable in light of these facts, but it just didn't seem to pan out: (i) monkey data is useful as a guide, but may not generalize to humans especially when language systems are involved, (ii) subsequent experiments looking at intelligible speech, such as the present one, clearly identified posterior activation foci, and (iii) it seems that the deficit in semantic dementia is to some extent supramodal, i.e., may be well beyond the linguistic computations that appear to be supported by the pSTS, and lesion (stroke) evidence implicates posterior temporal regions in word-level semantic deficits.
Know that we know a bit more about the nature of information flow in this network, it's time to try to figure out exactly what these different regions might be doing. Our suggestion regarding the posterior STS is that it supports phonological processing of some sort. This still makes sense I think. But what is the anterior STS doing?
I'm glad you like the paper (I'm an author). Alex Leff and I have been using the same paradigm and analysis techniques with a largish number of aphasic patients who have varying degrees of speech comprehension impairment. We're hoping this will help us to work out what the different parts of the network are up to.
Sounds perfect. Please keep us updated! | http://www.talkingbrains.org/2008/12/cortical-dynamics-of-intelligible.html |
The scale of harm from shale gas to health is uncertain, but the danger of exacerbating climate change is not, two professors of public health have warned.
In an editorial for this week’s British Medical Journal, David McCoy and Patrick Saunders said:
“Although we can’t be certain about the scale of harm that shale gas production will bring to local communities and the immediate environment, it will exacerbate climate change. And on these grounds alone, the risks clearly and considerably outweigh any possible benefits.”
Dr McCoy, professor of global public health at Barts and London School of Medicine, and Dr Saunders, visiting professor of public health at University of Staffordshire, dismissed industry arguments about the environmental benefits of shale gas in the UK.
They said:
“Although it may offer some environmental benefit if produced and used efficiently, and if it displaces “dirtier” sources of energy like coal from the energy mix, this does not hold true for countries like the UK that have already phased out coal.
“The argument that shale gas is relatively clean and can assist with our transition to a sustainable energy system is thin, if not hollow. It also implies an unacceptable indifference from proponents of the industry to the global threat posed by climate change.”
They added:
“Methane, the main component of shale gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that leaks directly into the atmosphere at different points in the production and supply line, producing an additional global warming effect.”
The academics have previously co-authored two health impact assessments on shale gas for the health charity, Medact.
In this week’s editorial, they said the hazards and effects on health of shale gas developments depended on many factors. These included, they said, how many shale gas wells were drilled and over what land area, the size and proximity of local populations; how the industry behaved and was regulated, as well as local factors.
They conceded that shale gas production may not be a population level health threat on the scale of tobacco, sugar, alcohol, or motor vehicle pollution. But they added:
“Some evidence shows that it increases the risk of negative health and environmental outcomes, including increased risk of cancer, adverse birth outcomes, respiratory disease, and mental wellbeing.”
Public health review
Public Health England (PHE) published a review in 2014 of the potential public health impacts of pollution resulting from shale gas extraction. This concluded:
“The potential risks to public health from exposure to the emissions associated with shale gas extraction will be low if the operations are properly run and regulated.”
This report has been criticised for looking only at emissions from shale gas sites and for failing to take account of the most recent research.
There have been calls for an updated report, including a petition with nearly 6,000 signatures delivered to PHE in August 2017.
In May this year, the Energy Minister, Lord Henley, said PHE “continue to review evidence on the potential public health impacts of emissions associated with shale gas extraction and have not currently identified any significant evidence that would make it change its views”.
PHE told DrillOrDrop a team of three-to-four staff focus “part of their time on onshore oil and gas”. They also have responsibility for assessing impacts from chemical incidents, air quality and industrial emissions.
The organisation said there was “an on-going process to identify new peer-reviewed papers” on shale gas health impacts. These were “assessed, summarised and reviewed to identify any new areas of public health concern”. | https://drillordrop.com/2018/06/09/climate-change-risks-of-fracking-outweigh-benefits-bmj-editorial/ |
The election of Donald Trump raises many questions about the future role of science and evidence in policy making. Many of us are deeply troubled that some transition team members, senior administration officials and people nominated to head up federal agencies have a history of attacking scientists and misrepresenting science.
We’re concerned as well that an emboldened Congress may attempt to pass legislation that cuts science out of existing public health and environmental laws, and cut funding for research critical to understand our changing planet – putting at risk the health and well-being of Americans and people around the world.
Across the major issues that confront us—from disease outbreaks to climate change to food safety to cybersecurity—people benefit when our nation’s policies are informed by scientific knowledge unfettered by inappropriate political or corporate interference.
That is why, in this moment, it is essential for scientists across our nation and across disciplines and institutions to lay out our community’s expectations for how President-elect Trump and Congress should use science to govern.
And that is why I am proud to join with more than 2300 other scientists across all fifty states in signing onto an open letter to President-elect Trump and the 115th Congress, urging them to set a high and sturdy bar for integrity, transparency and independence in using science to inform our nation’s policies.
Among our signers are 22 Nobel Laureates as well as leading scientists who have provided high quality, independent scientific counsel to both Republican and Democratic Presidents for decades. We are scientists in government agencies, universities, private industry and non-governmental organizations. We are physicists, social scientists, chemists, earth scientists, biologists, health scientists and more.
Together, we are calling on the incoming Administration and Congress to:
- Appoint officials to lead federal agencies who have a unvarnished track record of respecting science as a key input into policy-making;
- Ensure that federal agencies encourage and welcome scientists regardless of religious background, race, gender or sexual orientation.
- Ensure that federal scientists are able to conduct their work without political or private-sector interference, freely communicate their findings to Congress, the public and scientific colleagues and be able to disclose any censorship of or other abuses of science without fear of retaliation; and
- Provide resources sufficient for scientists to conduct policy-relevant research in the public interest
We make clear what is at stake. Without investments in science in the public interest and policies that draw upon scientific evidence, the letter states, “children will be more vulnerable to lead poisoning, more people will be exposed to unsafe drugs and medical devices, and we will be less prepared to limit the impacts of increasing extreme weather and rising seas.”
We intend this statement to give members of the incoming administration and Congress a clear understanding of the standards we will hold them to; to give journalists and citizens across the nation our take on what to look out for; and build upon and extend related calls for the Trump administration to name a nationally respected science advisor.
Posted in: Science and Democracy
Support from UCS members make work like this possible. Will you join us? Help UCS advance independent science for a healthy environment and a safer world. | https://blog.ucsusa.org/peter-frumhoff/how-the-trump-administration-and-congress-should-use-science-to-govern |
The method involves identifying each of a set of uninterrupted power supplies based on a communication protocol, and reading data in a managing module i.e. network management card, of each supply. A global autonomy of the power supplies is determined with respect to an electrical apparatus. The apparatus is shutdown when shutdown criteria of the apparatus are satisfied, where the criteria are based on shutdown duration of the apparatus. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for switching off an electrical apparatus supplied by a set of electrical energy sources (2) an electrical apparatus supplied by a set of electrical energy sources (3) a system comprising a set of electrical energy sources. | |
More than 90% of your daily routine is comprised of various habits that create your behaviours. Most of these habits are performed subconsciously, which means that you are so used to doing them you don’t even think about them on a conscious level.
What separates the positive and negative people is that the positive people have habits and behaviours that are conducive to success, whilst the negative people have ones that facilitate failure in their lives.
Remember: you control your habits – they do not control you. Your life is the culmination of all the daily behaviours that you have chosen. You are where you are right now because of the behaviours that you have adopted in the past.
It is important to identify which habits in your life lead to negative consequences and which lead to positive rewards. The challenge with changing is there may not be instant gratification. If you change your habits, you’re not necessarily going to see an immediate effect. It is for this reason that people struggle with diets or can’t stop drinking, smoking, or spending money, because they can’t control the instant gratification that is delivered.
Experts in hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which is the art and science of personal excellence, believe that it takes around 21 to 28 days to form the basis of a new habit or behaviour. The time it takes to replace an old one is inconclusive because it depends entirely on the person and how long they have owned it.
As with any newly learned behaviour, you may well experience some internal resistance for the first week or more. This is natural and it’s not going to be easy, so you have to mentally prepare for this challenge ahead of time. After you survive this first week, you will find that your new habit and behaviour becomes easier and easier to do and soon you don’t even have to think about doing it at all.
Here are a few useful tips to help you change your habits.
Do just one habit at a time: This is really important as changing habits is difficult, even with just one habit. If you do more than one habit at a time, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Keep it simple, allow yourself to focus, and give yourself the best chance for success.
Make a record: Just saying you’re going to change a habit is not enough of a commitment. You need to actually record what you are going to do.
Make a plan: This will ensure you’re really prepared. The plan must include: your reasons and motivations for changing; obstacles; triggers; people who will support you; and other ways you are committed to being successful.
Establish strong motives: You have to be very clear why you are changing your habit. If you are doing it for someone else with no real will then you are setting yourself up to fail.
Analyse your obstacles: If you have tried to change this habit before and it hasn’t worked, reflect on the reasons why and work out what stopped you from succeeding. Record every obstacle then create a plan of how to overcome them.
Identify your triggers: What situations trigger your current habit? Most habits have multiple triggers. Identify all of them and record them in your plan.
Ask for help: Get your family and friends and co-workers to support you. Ask them for their help, and let them know how important this is to you.
Become aware of self-talk: You talk to yourself, in your head, all the time and may not be consciously aware of what you are programming yourself with. Start listening to those thoughts because they can easily derail any habit, change or goal if you’re not careful.
Stay positive: You may well have some negative thoughts and the most important thing is to realise when you are having them and convert them into more positive thoughts. You are totally capable of doing this.
Avoid toxic people: There will always be people who are negative, who try to get you to revert to your old habit. Be ready for them and confront them. You don’t need them to try to sabotage you, you need their support, and if they can’t support you then avoid them if you can.
Use visualisation: Create a vivid picture, in your head, where you are successfully changing your habit. Visualise yourself doing your new habit. Your subconscious doesn’t know the difference between what is real and what is artificial so you will project yourself into the desired state by constantly rehearsing for it.
Reward yourself: When you succeed, you deserve to reward yourself and this will incentivise and motivate you to keep going with whatever you are trying to achieve.
Take The 30 Day Challenge: Allow about 30 days to implement a new habit. This will help you to stay focused and consistent and build a routine. This is a round number and the successful outcome will vary from person to person and habit to habit. It is very good starting point.
About the author
Liggy Webb is widely respected as a specialist in the field of modern life skills. As a presenter, consultant and author she is passionate about her work and improving the quality of people’s lives. She has researched and developed a range of techniques and strategies to support individuals and organisations to cope more effectively and successfully with the demands and challenges of modern living.
Liggy is an international consultant for the United Nations and travels extensively working in a variety of worldwide locations. She is also the founding director of The Learning Architect an international learning and development organisation that specialises in behavioural skills, based in the UK.
Liggy’s new book Resilience, Published by Capstone, is out on 15 February 2013. For a free mini eBook and toolkit email [email protected]
Visit www.liggywebb.com to view Liggy’s latest TV interview and to find out more. | https://charitylearning.org/2013/02/keeping-your-resolutions-alive/ |
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Mathematics > Numerical Analysis
Title: An Exact Rescaling Velocity Method for some Kinetic Flocking Models
(Submitted on 28 Oct 2014)
Abstract: In this work, we discuss kinetic descriptions of flocking models, of the so-called Cucker-Smale and Motsch-Tadmor types. These models are given by Vlasov-type equations where the interactions taken into account are only given long-range bi-particles interaction potential. We introduce a new exact rescaling velocity method, inspired by a recent work of Filbet and Rey, allowing to observe numerically the flocking behavior of the solutions to these equations, without a need of remeshing or taking a very fine grid in the velocity space. To stabilize the exact method, we also introduce a modification of the classical upwind finite volume scheme which preserves the physical properties of the solution, such as momentum conservation. | https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.7617 |
Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar, November 15 – In November, GGGI have been exploring potential investments in agriculture, forestry and fishery value chains that not only increase economic and social development, but also reduce deforestation pressures and increase the extent of mangrove forests. GGGI investment, forestry policy and bio-economy specialists have been consulting with communities, NGOs and government in the Ayeyarwady Delta to understand the factors that are critical to achieve fully inclusive, sustainable success, and support national goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation in coastal areas.
The conservation of mangrove forests is a notable policy priority for Myanmar. Mangroves are widely acknowledged to offer life-saving protection to coastal communities against the impact of extreme weather events, storm surges and tropical cyclones. In addition their contribution to climate change adaptation, mangrove forests store up to 400% more carbon than other forest types (particularly in their soils) which makes their conservation important to maintaining the stability of global climate. Unfortunately, Myanmar’s mangrove forests are disappearing at the highest rates of any country in Asia, and therefore have a disproportionate impact on greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
The potential economic, social and environmental benefits of finding a solution to ensuring the sustainability of forest management are very timely for the Delta. The potential investments in mangrove conservation, and associated value chains could significantly contribute to achievement of Myanmar’s Nationally Determined Contribution targets, as well as key sectoral polices and strategies for climate change mitigation and REDD+, adaptation and sustainable development.
In a series of workshops and site visits, GGGI facilitated discussions on the range of current forestry and fishery value chain activities in the region to assess what stakeholders see as the barriers to developing or scaling up these activities.
The establishment of community forestry projects are seen as a useful means to stabilize and reforest mangrove forests. Local communities strongly recognize the importance of mangroves to provide households with firewood, house and boat building materials. However, a frequently overlooked benefit from mangroves is that they provide natural habitat for Myanmar’s highly sought-after mud-crabs, prawns, blood cockles, and other fish species. Some of these lucrative delicacies provide income for large numbers of landless rural households in the Delta.
Consistent stories were heard during the mission. Existing laws restrict those wanting to own and manage lands. In some communities up to 70% of the population may be effectively landless. There is a shortage of livelihood opportunities in the Delta, and many are forced to seasonally migrate to cities to find work. Mangroves and other forests are often illegally logged as people have no other household cooking fuel options, or have no other option to make an income. There is a large demand for mangrove fuel wood and charcoal from the Delta that reaches as far as Yangon. The catches of crabs, fish and prawns are falling due to lost mangrove habitat, leading to fishers to selling all they catch, including juveniles and females with eggs. This is leading to a cycle of debt for many landless people of the Delta, and as stated by a spokesperson of the Department of Fisheries “we need to conserve the mangroves to increase fishery value chains; their destruction is the primary reason for recent fishery stock depletion”.
Due to their remote location and unaffordable transport costs, many are unable to travel to the markets to sell their goods. Instead they rely on selling to a buyer who comes to them but are forced to sell at often half the market price. Many landless people want to diversify their incomes but lack access to affordable finance without a land title, or knowledge of market demands.
“Community Forestry could ensure people’s rights to sustainable use of forest resources, improve people’s livelihoods also in fishery value chains. These synergies between social, environmental and economic benefits are good examples of what green growth is about”, says Dr. Aaron Russell, Country Representative for GGGI in Myanmar.
Initial value chain analysis shows that with the right financial, technological and institutional interventions, integrated community-based mangrove-fisheries management could be sustainable, would provide more diversity in incomes for the landless, thereby strengthening incentives to maintain and reforest mangroves.
In addition to mudcrab value chains, supplementary value chains that have the potential to contribute to these communities’ incomes are to integrate coconut palm or nipa palms and other shade trees around fish/prawn/crab ponds or integrated with the existing farms in agroforestry arrangements. Coconuts provides food, offers many applications for natural coconut fibres, and have the potential for export of virgin coconut oil. Nipa palm similarly has useful fibres, can be useful for livestock feed and there are indications of export demand for nipa palm buds. In addition, there are numerous natural extracts from mangroves that are used across south-east Asia as dyes and pigments, and even with medicinal properties that are underexplored in Myanmar. While individuals can improve their incomes on individually owned land, the sustainability of mangroves and recovery of many fishery species are more likely to be achieved if the economic needs of the whole community are taken into account.
The mission team concluded that the promotion of community forestry and associated value-chains should form a key component of GGGI’s Coastal Landscape Restoration program. This early analysis will feed into further in-depth integrated value chain assessments by GGGI to design tailored solutions and interventions that are pro-poor and lead to socially inclusive benefits from direct and indirect use of restored and protected mangrove areas. | https://gggi.org/unlocking-sustainable-community-forestry-in-the-ayeyarwady-delta/ |
What is virtual reality? What can it do? What can’t it do? What is it good/bad for? These are some of the many questions we ask on the first day of our course, Virtual Reality Design (Virtual Reality for Interdisciplinary Applications from 2017–2018). Since 2017, professors Ole Molvig of the History Department and Bobby Bodenheimer of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering have been co-teaching this course annually to roughly 50 students at a time. With each offering of the course, we have significantly revamped our underlying pedagogical goals and strategies based upon student feedback, the learning literature, and our own experiences. What began as a course about virtual reality has become a course about interdisciplinary teamwork.
Both of those terms, interdisciplinarity and teamwork, have become deeply woven into our effort. While a computer scientist and a historian teach the course, up to ten faculty mentors from across the university participate as “clients.” The course counts toward the computer science major’s project-class requirement, but nearly half the enrolled students are not CS majors. Agile design and group mechanics require organizational and communication skills above all else. And the projects themselves, as shown below, vary widely in the topic and demands, requiring flexibility, creativity, programming, artistry, and most significantly, collaboration.
This focus on interdisciplinary teamwork, and not just in the classroom, has led to a significant, if unexpected, outcome: the crystallization of a substantial community of faculty and students engaging in virtual reality related research from a wealth of disciplinary viewpoints. Equipment purchased for the course remain active and available throughout campus. Teaching projects have grown into research questions and collaborations. A significant research cluster in digital cultural heritage was formed not as a result of, but in synergy with, the community of class mentors, instructors, and students.
Evolution of the Course
Prior to offering the joint course, both Bodenheimer (CS) and Molvig (History) had previously offered single-discipline VR based courses.
From the Computer Science side, Bodenheimer had taught a full three-credit course on virtual reality to computer science students. In lecture and pedagogy this course covered a fairly standard approach to the material for a one semester course, as laid out by the Burea and Coiffet textbook or the more recent (and applicable) Lavalle textbook (Lavalle 2017). Topically, the course covered such material as virtual reality hardware, displays, sensors, geometric modeling, three-dimensional transformations, stereoscopic viewing, visual perception, tracking, and the evaluation of virtual reality experiences. The goal of the course was to teach the computer science students to analyze, design, and develop a complex software system in response to a set of computing requirements and project specifications that included usability and networking. The course was also project-based with teams of students completing the projects. Thus it focused on collaborative learning, and teamwork skills were taught as part of the curriculum, since there is significant work that shows these skills are best taught and do not emerge spontaneously (Kozlowski and Ilgen 2006). This practice allowed a project of significant complexity to be designed and implemented over the course of the semester, giving a practical focus to most of the topics covered in the lectures.
From History, Molvig offered an additional one credit “lab course” option for students attached to a survey of The Scientific Revolution. This lab option offered students the opportunity to explore the creation of and meaning behind historically informed re-constructions or simulations. The lab gave students their first exposure to a nascent technology alongside a narrative context in which to guide their explorations. Simultaneous to this course offering, Vanderbilt was increasing its commitment to the digital humanities, and this course allowed both its instructor and students to study the contours of this discipline as well. While this first offering of a digital lab experience lacked the firm technical grounding and prior coding experience of the computer science offering, the shared topical focus (the scientific revolution) made for boldly creative and ambitious projects within a given conceptual space.
Centering Interdisciplinarity
Unlike Bodenheimer, Molvig did not have a career-long commitment to the study of virtual reality. Molvig’s interest in VR comes rather from a science studies approach to emergent technology. And in 2016, VR was one of the highest profile and most accessible emergent technologies (alongside others such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, CRISPR, blockchain, etc). For Molvig, emergent technologies can be pithily described as those technologies that are about to go mainstream, that many people think are likely to be of great significance, but no one is completely certain when, for whom, how, or really even if, this will happen.
For VR then, in an academic setting, these questions look like this: Which fields is VR best suited for? Up to that point, it was reasonably common in computer science and psychology, and relatively rare elsewhere. How might VR be integrated into the teaching and research of other fields? How similar or dissimilar are the needs and challenges of these different disciplines pedagogical and research contexts?
Perhaps most importantly, how do we answer these questions? Our primary pedagogical approach crystallized around two fundamental questions:
- How can virtual reality inform the teaching and research of discipline X?
- How can discipline X inform the development of virtual reality experiences?
Our efforts to answer these questions led to the core feature that has defined our Virtual Reality Design course since its inception: interdisciplinarity. Rather than decide for whom VR is most relevant, we attempted to test it out as broadly as possible, in collaboration with as many scholars as possible.
Our course is co-taught by a computer scientist and a humanist. Furthermore, we invite faculty from across campus to serve as “clients,” each with a real-world, disciplinary specific problem toward which virtual reality may be applicable. While Molvig and Bodenheimer focused on both questions, our faculty mentors focused on question 1: is VR surgery simulation an effective tool? Can interactive, immersive 3D museums provide users new forms of engagement with cultural artifacts? How can VR and photogrammetry impact the availability of remote archeological sites? We will discuss select projects below, but as of our third offering of this course, we have had twenty-one different faculty serve as clients representing twelve different departments or schools, ranging from art history to pediatrics and chemistry to education. A full list of the twenty-four unique projects may be found in Appendix 1.
At the time of course planning, Vanderbilt began a program of University Courses, encouraging co-taught, cross disciplinary teaching experiments, incentivizing each with a small budget, which allowed us to purchase the hardware necessary to offer the course. One of our stated outcomes was to increase access to VR hardware, and we have intentionally housed the equipment purchased throughout campus. Currently, most available VR hardware available for campus use is the product of this course. Over time, purchases from our course have established 10 VR workstations across three different campus locations (Digital Humanities Center, The Wond’ry Innovation Center, and the School of Engineering Computer Lab). Our standard set up has been the Oculus Rift S paired with desktop PCs with minimum specs of 16GB RAM and 1080GTX GPUs.
As the design of the joint, team-taught and highly interdisciplinary course was envisioned, several course design questions presented themselves. In our first iteration of the course, a condensed and more accessible version of the computer science virtual reality class was lectured on. Thus Bodenheimer, the computer science instructor, lectured on most of the same topics he had lectured on but at a more general level, and focused on how the concepts were implemented in Unity, rather than from a more theoretical perspective that was present in the prior offering. Likewise, Molvig brought with him several tools of his discipline, a set of shared readings (such as the novel Ready Player One (Cline 2012)) and a response essay to the moral and social implications of VR. The class was even separated for two lectures, allowing Bodenheimer to lecture in more detail on C#, and Molvig to offer strategies on how to avoid C# entirely within Unity.
Subsequent offerings of the course, however, allowed us to abandon most of this structure, and to significantly revise the format. Our experience with how the projects and student teams worked and struggled led us to re-evaluate the format of the course. Best practices in teaching and learning recommend active, collaborative learning where students learn from their peers (Kuh et al. 2006). Thus, we adopted a structured format more conducive to teamwork, based on Agile (Pope-Ruark 2017). Agile is a framework and set of practices originally created for software development but which has much wider applicability today. It can be implemented as a structure in the classroom with a set of openly available tools that allow students to articulate, manage, and visualize a set of goals for a particular purpose, in our case, the creation of a virtual experience tailored to their clients specific research. The challenge for us, as instructors, was to develop methods to instrument properly the Agile methods so that the groups in our class can be evaluated on their use of them, and get feedback on them so that they can improve their practices. This challenge is ongoing. Agile methods are thus used in our class to help teams accomplish their collaborative goals and teach them teamwork practices.
Course Structure
We presume no prior experience with VR, the Unity3D engine, or C# for either the CS or non-CS students. Therefore the first third of the course is mainly focused on introducing those topics, primarily through lecture, demonstration, and a series of cumulative “daily challenges.” By the end of this first section of the course, all students are familiar with the common tools and practices, and capable of creating VR environments upon which they can act directly through the physics engine as well as in a predetermined, or scripted, manner. During the second third of the course, students begin working together on their group projects in earnest, while continuing to develop their skills through continued individual challenges, which culminate in an individual project due at the section’s end. For the second and third sections of the course, all group work incorporates aspects of the Agile method described above, with weekly in-class group standups, and a graded, bi-weekly sprint review, conducted before the entire class. The final section of the course is devoted entirely to the completion of the final group project, which culminates in an open “demo day” held during final examinations, which has proven quite popular.
Three-fifths of our students are upper level computer science students fulfilling a “project course” major requirement, while two-fifths of our students can be from any major except computer science. Each project team is composed of roughly five students with a similar overall ratio, and we tend to have about 50 students per offering. This distribution and size are enforced at registration because of the popularity of the CS major and demand for project courses in it. The typical CS student’s experience will involve at least three semesters of programming in Java and C++, but usually no knowledge of computer graphics or C#, the programming language used by Unity, our virtual reality platform. The non-CS students’ experience is more varied, but currently does not typically involve any coding experience. To construct the teams, we solicit bids from the students for their “top three” projects and “who they would like to work with.” The instructors then attempt to match students and teams so that everyone gets something that they want.
It is a fundamental assertion of this course that all members of a team so constructed can contribute meaningfully and substantially to the project. As it is perhaps obvious what the CS students contribute, it is important to understand what the non-CS students contribute. First, Unity is a sophisticated development platform that is quite usable, and, as mentioned, we spend significant course time teaching the class to use it. There is nothing to prevent someone from learning to code in C# using Unity. However, not everyone taking our class wants to be a coder, but they are interested in technology and using technical tools. Everyone can build models and design scenes in Unity. Also, these projects must be robust. Testing that incremental progress works and is integrated well into the whole project is key not only to the project’s success as a product, but also to the team’s grade. We also require that the teams produce documentation about their progress, and interact with their faculty mentor about design goals. These outward-facing aspects of the project are key to the project’s success and often done by the non-CS students. Each project also typically requires unique coding, and in our experience the best projects are one in which the students specialize into roles, as each project typically requires a significant amount of work. The Agile framework is key here, as it provides a structure for the roles and a way of tracking progress in each of them.
Since each project is varied, setting appropriate targets and evaluating progress at each review is one of the most significant ongoing challenges faced by the instructors.
Projects
A full list of the twenty-four projects may be found in Appendix 1.
Below are short descriptions and video walkthroughs of four distinctive projects that capture the depth, breadth, and originality fostered by our emphasis on interdisciplinarity in all aspects of the course design and teaching.
Example Project: Protein Modeling
The motivation for this project, mentored by Chemistry Professor Jens Meiler, came from a problem common to structural chemistry: the inherent difficulty of visualizing 3D objects. For this prototype, we aimed to model how simple proteins and molecules composed of a few tens of atoms interact and “fit” together. In drug design and discovery, this issue is of critical importance and can require significant amounts of computation (Allison et al. 2014). These interactions are often dominated by short-range van der Waals forces, although determining the correct configuration for the proteins to bind is challenging. This project illustrated that difficulty by letting people explore binding proteins together. Two proteins were given in an immersive environment that were graspable, and users attempted to fit them together. As they fit together, a score showing how well they fit was displayed. This score was computed based on an energy function incorporating Van der Waals attractive and repulsive potentials. The goal was to get the minimum score possible. The proteins and the energy equation were provided by the project mentor, although the students implemented a Van der Waals simulator within Unity for this project. Figures 1 and 2 show examples from the immersive virtual environment. The critical features of this project worth noting are that the molecules are three-dimensional structures that are asymmetric. Viewing them with proper depth perception is necessary to get an idea of their true shape. It would be difficult to recreate this simulation with the same effectiveness using desktop displays and interactions.
While issues of efficiency and effectiveness in chemical pedagogy drove our mentor’s interest, the student creators and demo day users were drawn to this project for its elements of science communication and gamification. By providing a running “high score” and providing a timed element, users were motivated to interact with the objects and experience far longer than with a 2D or static 3D visualization. One student member of this group did possess subject matter familiarity which helped incorporate the energy function into the experience.
Example Project: Vectors of Textual Movement in Medieval Cypress
Professor of French Lynn Ramey served as the mentor for this project. Unlike most other mentors, Prof. Ramey had a long history of using Unity3D and game technologies in both her research and teaching. Her goal in working with us was to recreate an existing prototype in virtual reality, and determine the added values of visual immersion and hand tracked interactivity. This project created a game that simulates how stories might change during transmission and retelling (Amer et al. 2018; Ramey et al. 2019). The crusader Kingdom of Cyprus served as a waypoint between East and West during the years 1192 to 1489. This game focuses on the early period and looks at how elements of stories from The Thousand and One Nights might have morphed and changed to please sensibilities and tastes of different audiences. In the game, the user tells stories to agents within the game, ideally gaining storytelling experience and learning the individual preferences of the agents. After gaining enough experience, the user can gain entry to the King’s palace and tell a story to the King, with the goal of impressing the King. During the game play, the user must journey through the Kingdom of Cyrus to find agents to tell stories to.
This project was very successful at showcasing the advantages of an interdisciplinary approach. Perhaps the project closest to a traditional video game, faculty and students both were constantly reminded of the interplay between technical and creative decisions. However, this was not simply an “adaption” of a finished cultural work into a new medium, but rather an active exploration of an open humanities research project asking how, why, when, and for whom are stories told. No student member of this group majored in the mentor’s discipline.
This project is ongoing, and more information can be found here: https://medievalstorytelling.org.
A video walkthrough of the game can be seen below.
Example Project: Interactive Geometry for K–8 Mathematical Visualization
In this project, Corey Brady, Professor of Education, challenged our students to take full advantage of the physical presence offered by virtual environments, and build an interactive space where children can directly experience “mathematical dimensionality.” Inspired by recent research (Kobiela et al. 2019; Brady et al. 2019) examining physical geometrical creation in two dimensions (think paint, brushes and squeegees), the students created a brightly lit and colored virtual room, where the user is initially presented with a single point in space. Via user input, the point can be stretched into a line, the line into a plane, and the plane into a solid (rectangles, cylinders, and prisms). While doing so, bar graph visualizations of length, width, height, surface area, and volume are updated in real-time while the user increases or decreases the object along its various axes.
Virtual Reality as an education tool has proven very popular, both amongst our students and in industry. No student member of this group specialized in education, but all members had of course first hand experience learning these concepts themselves as children. The opportunity to reimagine a nearly universal learning process was a significant draw for this project. After this course offering, Brady and Molvig have begun a collaboration to expand its utility.
A video demonstration of the project can be seen below.
Example Project: Re-digitizing Stereograms
For this project, Molvig led a team to bring nineteenth-century stereographic images into 21st century technology. Invented by Charles Wheatstone in 1838 and later improved by David Brewster, stereograms are nearly identical paired photographs that when viewed through a binocular display, a single “3D image” was perceived by the viewer, often with an effect of striking realism. For this reason, stereoscopy is often referred to as “Victorian VR.” Hundreds of thousands of scanned digitized stereo-pair photos exist in archives and online collections, however it is currently extremely difficult to view these as intended in stereoscopic 3D. Molvig’s goal was to create a generalizable stereogram viewer: capable of bringing stereopair images from remote archives for viewing within a modern VR headset.
Student interest quickly coalesced around two sets of remarkable stereoscopic anatomical atlases, the Edinburgh Stereoscopic Atlas of Anatomy (1905) and Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy from the Stanford Medical Library. Driven by student interest, the 2019 project branched into a VR alternative to wetlab or flat 2D medical anatomy imagery. This project remains ongoing, as is Molvig’s original generalized stereo viewer, which now includes a machine learning based algorithm to automated the import and segmentation of any stereopair photograph.
Two demonstrations of the stereoview player are below, the first for medical anatomy images, the second are stereophotos taken during the American Civil War. All images appear in stereoscopic depth when viewed in the headset.
Challenges
This course has numerous challenges, both inside and outside of the classroom, and we have by no means solved them all.
Institutional
Securing support for co-teaching is not always easy. We began offering this course under a Provost level initiative to encourage ambitious teaching collaborations across disciplines. This initiative made it straightforward to count co-teaching efforts with our Deans, and provided some financial support for the needed hardware purchases. However, that initiative was for three course offerings, which we have now completed. Moving forward, we will need to negotiate our course with our Deans.
We rely heavily on invested Faculty Mentors to provide the best subject matter expertise. So far we have had no trouble finding volunteers, and the growing community of VR engaged faculty has been one of the greatest personal benefits, but as VR becomes less novel, we may experience a falloff in interest.
Interdisciplinarity
This is both the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of this course. Securing student buy-in on the value of interdisciplinary teamwork is our most consistent struggle. In particular, these issues arise around the uneven distribution of C# experience, and perceived notions of what type of work is “real” or “hard.” To mitigate these issues, we devote significant time during the first month of the course exposing everyone to all aspects of VR project development (technical and non-technical), and require the adoption of “roles” within each project to make responsibilities clear and workload distributed.
Cost
Virtual reality is a rapidly evolving field, with frequent hardware updates and changing requirements. We will need to secure new funding to significantly expand or update our current equipment.
Conclusions and Lessons Learned
Virtual reality technology is more accessible than ever, but it is not as accessible as one might wish in a pedagogical setting. It is difficult to create even moderately rich and sophisticated environments, without the development expertise gleaned through exposure to the computer science curriculum. A problem thus arises on two fronts. First, exposure to the computer science curriculum at the depth currently required to develop compelling virtual reality applications should ideally not be required of everyone. Unfortunately, the state of the art of our tools currently makes this necessary. Second, those who study computer science and virtual reality focus on building the tools and technology of virtual reality, the theories and algorithms integral to virtual reality, and the integration of these into effective virtual reality systems. Our class represents a compromise solution to the accessibility problem by changing the focus away from development of tools and technology toward collaboration and teamwork in service of building an application.
Our class is an introduction to virtual reality in the sense that students see the capability of modern commodity-level virtual reality equipment, software, and these limitations. They leave the class understanding what types of virtual worlds are easy to create, and what types of worlds are difficult to create. From the perspective of digital humanities, our course is a leveraged introduction to technology at the forefront of application to the humanities. Students are exposed to a humanities-centered approach to this technology through interaction with their project mentors.
In terms of the material that we, the instructors, focus most on in class, our class is about teamwork and problem-solving with people one has not chosen to work with. We present this latter skill as one essential to a college education, whether it comes from practical reasons, e.g., that is what students will be faced with in the workforce (Lingard & Barkataki 2013), or from theoretical perspectives on best ways to learn (Vygotsky 1978). The interdisciplinarity that is a core feature of the course is presented as a fact of the modern workforce. Successful interdisciplinary teams are able to communicate and coordinate effectively with one another, and we emphasize frameworks that allow these things to happen.
Within the broader Vanderbilt curriculum, the course satisfies different curricular requirements. For CS students, the course satisfies a requirement that they participate in a group design experience as part of their major requirements. The interdisciplinary nature of the group is not a major requirement, but is viewed as an advantage, since it is likely that most CS majors will be part of interdisciplinary teams during their future careers. For non-CS students, the course currently satisfies the requirements of the Communication of Science and Technology major and minor.
Over the three iterations of this course, we have learned that team teaching an interdisciplinary project course is not trivial. In particular, it requires more effort than each professor lecturing on their own specialty, and expecting effective learning to emerge from the two different streams. That expectation was closer to what we did in the first offering of this course, where we quickly perceived that this practice was not the most engaging format for the students, nor was it the most effective pedagogy for what we wanted to accomplish. The essence of the course is on creating teams to use mostly accessible technology to create engaging virtual worlds. We have reorganized our lecture and pedagogical practices to support this core. In doing this, each of us brings to the class our own knowledge and expertise on how best to accomplish that goal, and thus the students experience something closer to two views on the same problem. While we are iteratively refining this approach, we believe it is more successful.
Agile methods (Pope-Ruark 2017) have become an essential part of our course. They allow us to better judge the progress of the projects and determine where bottlenecks are occurring more quickly. They incentivize students to work consistently on the project over the course of the semester rather than trying to build everything at the end in a mad rush of effort. By requiring students to mark their progress on burn down charts, the students have a better visualization of the task remaining to be accomplished. Project boards associated with Agile can provide insight into the relative distribution of work that is occurring in the group, ideally allowing us to influence group dynamics before serious tensions arise.
This latter effort is a work in progress, however. A limitation of the course as it currently exists is that we need to do a better job evaluating teams (Hughes & Jones 2011). Currently our student evaluations rely too heavily on the final outcome of the project and not enough on the effectiveness of the teamwork within the team. Evaluating teamwork, however, has seemed cumbersome, and the best way to give meaningful feedback to improve teamwork practices is something we are still exploring. If we improved this practice, we could give students more refined feedback throughout the semester on their individual and group performance, and use that as a springboard to teach better team practices. Better team practices would likely result in increased quality of the final projects. | https://jitp.commons.gc.cuny.edu/interdisciplinarity-and-teamwork-in-virtual-reality-design/ |
TCL operates on a quality point system that is dependent on grades earned. Grades assign a rating for the quality of work in a course. Semester hour credits represent the number of credit hours for which the student registers for the semester. The grade earned determines the number of quality points per credit hour. Each grade has a grade-point equivalent. The Grade Point Average (GPA) equals the sum of quality points earned divided by the number of credit hours carried. Any prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
The following grades are recorded on transcripts and grade records at TCL. | https://www.tcl.edu/about-tcl/consumer-information/grading-system/ |
Location: Washington, DC — USAOrganization: The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) is an independent, member-based global industry association based in Washington, D.C., that promotes greater understanding of and a more favorable climate for private equity investing in emerging markets. EMPEA’s 185 members represent more than $400 billion in assets under management. EMPEA convenes private equity practitioners to discuss pan-emerging issues, researches key industry trends, and collaborates with national and regional venture capital associations.
EMPEA produces research and industry statistics relevant for private equity practitioners and service providers, asset managers and local and regional venture capital associations. EMPEA research is widely used as industry reference data and disseminated in the market via publications, press articles, conference or workshop content, custom research for EMPEA members and the EMPEA website.
Assisting with the initial one-time migration of EMPEA’s existing database of private equity funds to a newly designed online platform.
Maintaining the online platform on an ongoing basis by researching funds and their activities (using subscription and public sources) and updating the database.
Soliciting participation from EMPEA’s members and the broader industry in the data collection process.
Producing reports and analytics for both the public and EMPEA members.
Assisting with the execution of member surveys and other original research initiatives.
Supporting EMPEA’s Research Director in upgrading and maintaining EMPEA’s library of industry research (e.g., member news, surveys, reports, presentations, press) and administering the distribution of content through EMPEA’s website and news products.
Working with the Research Director to provide as-needed analysis of trends and developments in emerging markets private equity for inclusion in EMPEA-authored articles, reports, and presentations.
The qualified candidate has 1?3 years experience or equivalent, ideally with some exposure to the financial sector and/or emerging markets. Previous experience working in a research capacity is highly desired.
For more information, and to apply, view the full description (PDF). | https://nextbillion.net/job-research-assistant-emerging-markets-private-equity-associati/ |
Identifying the best machine learning algorithm for a given problem continues to be an active area of research. In this paper we present a new method which exploits both meta-level information acquired in past experiments and active testing, an algorithm selection strategy. Active testing attempts to iteratively identify an algorithm whose performance will most likely exceed the performance of previously tried algorithms. The novel method described in this paper uses tests on smaller data sample to rank the most promising candidates, thus optimizing the schedule of experiments to be carried out. The experimental results show that this approach leads to considerably faster algorithm selection.
2015
Authors
van Rijn, JN; Abdulrahman, SM; Brazdil, P; Vanschoren, J;
Publication
Advances in Intelligent Data Analysis XIV
Abstract
One of the challenges in Machine Learning to find a classifier and parameter settings that work well on a given dataset. Evaluating all possible combinations typically takes too much time, hence many solutions have been proposed that attempt to predict which classifiers are most promising to try. As the first recommended classifier is not always the correct choice, multiple recommendations should be made, making this a ranking problem rather than a classification problem. Even though this is a well studied problem, there is currently no good way of evaluating such rankings. We advocate the use of Loss Time Curves, as used in the optimization literature. These visualize the amount of budget (time) needed to converge to a acceptable solution. We also investigate a method that utilizes the measured performances of classifiers on small samples of data to make such recommendation, and adapt it so that it works well in Loss Time space. Experimental results show that this method converges extremely fast to an acceptable solution.
2014
Authors
Abdulrahman, S; Brazdil, P;
Publication
Proceedings of the International Workshop on Meta-learning and Algorithm Selection co-located with 21st European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, MetaSel@ECAI 2014, Prague, Czech Republic, August 19, 2014.
Abstract
The vast majority of studies in meta-learning uses only few performance measures when characterizing different machine learning algorithms. The measure Adjusted Ratios of Ratio (ARR) addresses the problem of how to evaluate the quality of a model based on the accuracy and training time. Unfortunately, this measure suffers from a shortcoming that is described in this paper. A new solution is proposed and it is shown that the proposed function satisfies the criterion of monotonicity, unlike ARR.
2016
Authors
Abdulrahman, SM; Brazdil, P;
Publication
CoRR
Abstract
2017
Authors
Cachada, M; Abdulrahman, SM; Brazdil, P;
Publication
Proceedings of the International Workshop on Automatic Selection, Configuration and Composition of Machine Learning Algorithms co-located with the European Conference on Machine Learning & Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discovery in Databases, AutoML@PKDD/ECML 2017, Skopje, Macedonia, September 22, 2017.
Abstract
Machine learning users need methods that can help them identify algorithms or even workflows (combination of algorithms with preprocessing tasks, using or not hyperparameter configurations that are different from the defaults), that achieve the potentially best performance. Our study was oriented towards average ranking (AR), an algorithm selection method that exploits meta-data obtained on prior datasets. We focused on extending the use of a variant of AR* that takes A3R as the relevant metric (combining accuracy and run time). The extension is made at the level of diversity of the portfolio of workflows that is made available to AR. Our aim was to establish whether feature selection and different hyperparameter configurations improve the process of identifying a good solution. To evaluate our proposal we have carried out extensive experiments in a leave-one-out mode. The results show that AR* was able to select workflows that are likely to lead to good results, especially when the portfolio is diverse. We additionally performed a comparison of AR* with Auto-WEKA, running with different time budgets. Our proposed method shows some advantage over Auto-WEKA, particularly when the time budgets are small.
2018
Authors
Abdulrahman, SM; Brazdil, P; van Rijn, JN; Vanschoren, J;
Publication
Machine Learning
Abstract
The access to the final selection minute is only available to applicants.
Please check the confirmation e-mail of your application to obtain the access code. | https://www.inesctec.pt/en/publications?id=1990&reference=people |
The 5 “Moments of Need” in Corporate eLearning and How to Address Them
According to the “Five Moments of Need” model set forth by Bob Mosher & Conrad Gottfredson, there are moments when a learner requires certain bits of information in order to perform assigned tasks more efficiently and effectively. In addition, these moments allow learners to expand their knowledge base and skill sets. As such, each “moment of need” should be viewed as an opportunity to improve performance and build upon learners’ strengths while fine-tuning their weaknesses.
- Learning for the first time.
This need can be addressed in a variety of ways. You can create an eLearning course that allows learners to acquire new information or develop new skill sets, or even perform a task that has not been carried out before. Many eLearning courses, modules, or training events, can be modified to meet this need, which will serve as a foundation upon which the learners can continue to build their skills or expand their knowledge pertaining to the subject matter. One of the most effective ways to help learners to acquire new knowledge is to show them the benefits associated with learning this information or behavior. For example, you can design a training module which walks them through a particular task that they will be required to perform on-the-job and then let them know all of the real-world applications for the new knowledge they are absorbing. You can also design activities which they can complete on their own (such as self paced eLearning courses), so that they are able to go at their own pace and learn these new concepts when it is most convenient for them.
- Expanding knowledge base.
This moment of need pertains to situations wherein learners want to learn more about a particular subject or need to expand their knowledge base/skill sets in order to perform a certain task. For example, a learner may want to acquire more information about a specific job responsibility in order to enhance his/her performance. Accordingly, a learner may need to build upon a skill that he/she feels that it might be useful in the near future in order to complete a work task. You can incorporate this moment of need by assessing learners’ current knowledge through exams and surveys, so that you can offer them the eLearning courses/modules, or other support tools that would enable them to build upon what they've already learned. You can also give them access to resources or references that would help them to enhance their level of understanding through self-studies.
- Remembering and applying learned concepts.
This occurs when learners must apply information or skills they've already acquired in the past. For instance, if a learner is on-the-job and is trying to remember how to complete a transaction through the POS system, an employee manual or online guide can become an invaluable tool. Typically this moment of need happens in real time. As such, the learners must be able to access the information quickly and conveniently, so that they can acquire the information they need to know almost immediately. Therefore, the best way to incorporate this moment into your deliverables is to develop quick, bite sized modules or online references that offer key pieces anywhere, anytime, such as on mobile devices.
- When things don't go according to the plan.
This moment occurs when things go wrong and learners need immediate access to support tools that will help them remedy the issue. This often comes in the form of a help desk, FAQ, online forum, or live chat. This can be one of the most spontaneous moments of need in eLearning, simply because learners cannot anticipate when a problem will arise. For example, a learner might suddenly encounter a problem with his/her mobile device and then venture online to see if anyone else has the solution. When a problem arises, learners might look to see if any other learner has run into the same issue via Twitter or Facebook, or turn to the company's blog for additional support. Through this process, they are unknowingly expanding their knowledge base and learning new information that they may need in the future.
- When change occurs.
This takes place when learners must make changes to the way they currently carry out a task or update the comprehension of an already learned concept. For example, if a company is updating its policies due to compliance issues, learners would have to modify their understanding of the policies in order to stay current with rules and regulations. This is often one of the most challenging moments of need, as it requires a learner to unlearn a concept and then learn a new one, even if it's in direct conflict with the concept he/she has previously learned. To incorporate this moment of need into your deliverable you can create quizzes, which assess learners periodically, to ensure that they are up-to-date with changes that have occurred. If their quizzes or exams results reveal that they aren't knowledgeable about changes that have been made, then you direct them to the resources where they can acquire the updated information. You can also create a message board or notification system within your eLearning course design that gives learners the opportunity to find out about changes as soon as possible.
These eLearning “moments of need” tips can be applied to virtually any eLearning event/course/module in order to make it more meaningful and effective for the learner. While the first two moments are generally more structured, which makes them powerful additions to your eLearning course design, the last three are ideal for more informal learning, such as performance support.
Do you need to know about the implementation of the five “moments of need” model using support platforms and knowledge management tools? Then, you can read the Implementing the Five Moments of Need Model article.
References:
B. Mosher & C. Gottfredson. (2011) Innovative Performance Support: Strategies and Practices for Learning in the Workflow. MacGraw-Hill Companies. | https://elearningindustry.com/use-5-moments-of-need-model-in-corporate-elearning |
Covering a range of building types including new housing, social housing, temporary site offices and a retail outlet.
The project covers a range of types of buildings including new housing, social housing, temporary site offices and a retail outlet. An important aspect of the project is trialling the technology in a variety of building types to ensure that it can cater for a wide range of needs.
Internet-enabled monitoring and control of the built environment is a project, part-funded by the Technology Strategy Board (formerly DTI) under the Technology Programme, involving a consortium of several industrial partners. Information captured in the research phase of the project will be used for the measurement of building performance. Energy performance will be measured by the use of sensors looking at electrical appliance consumption, lighting consumption, indoor air quality, space temperatures, humidity and the presence of pollutants. Key to the project will be the use of the internet to transfer the information for remote analysis.
The technology can be used to enhance security, making people feel safer in their own homes. It will also support the healthcare of the elderly and the infirm with low temperatures determining the potential for hypothermia.
The sensors, when correctly positioned, can detect potential fire risks by sensing smoke and could in principle also sense overheating of electrical supply lines. There is the potential for energy bills to be managed by using the internet-enabled technology to monitor space and water heating, making people more aware of how their energy is being used.
Overall the consortium consists of eight partners covering a broad spectrum of the industry. Persimmon is the lead partner, the others being Laing O Rourke, Adam International, University of Strathclyde, Mitchells and Butlers, Dundee City Council, Ayrshire Housing and BRE.
As part of the overall project the technology is being deployed at five sites: | https://www.bregroup.com/projects-reports/project-internet-enabled-technologies-in-buildings/ |
Medical technology is becoming more and more advanced all the time. Previously incurable diseases are now curable, and what may have once been terminal prognoses of weeks can now be extended to months or even years. However, choices must always be made regarding where investment should be placed. Should we invest in prolonging the lives of those destined to die, many of whom are elderly? Alternatively, should we instead focus our efforts on trying to cure other diseases, such as those that can affect children and young adults? Or, should we even be trying to cure diseases and illnesses like these at all?
Extending Lives
Arguments can be made for investment in this technology on the basis of several ethical frameworks. The first of these is duty, or deontological ethics. Deontological ethics state that in any given situation it is necessary to take the action that has the best direct consequence , regardless of the subsequent consequences.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative is an extension of deontological theory that is useful when approaching this problem, as it can make it clearer which is the right action to take. In summary, it states that ‘when one acts, one must put oneself in the place of those who are being affected’ . It is possible now, in our current state of being fit and healthy, that we could claim that we would not want our lives to be extended if we were terminally ill. However, if we did suddenly find ourselves suffering from a terminal illness, it is incredibly likely that we would have a different outlook and that we would want to be able to have access to any technology that could extend our life. Therefore, to satisfy the Categorical Imperative, if we would want the technology to be available for ourselves in that situation, we could not oppose investment in it when the situation is not applicable to us.
Another ethical framework that can be used as justification is consequentialism, specifically Jeremy Bentham’s Utility Principle, which dictates that ‘one should choose those actions that result in the greatest happiness for the greatest number’ . It is important to look at how many people the treatment of a single terminally ill person would benefit. In the vast majority of cases, a terminally ill person has friends and family who will all want the person to be able to live longer. These people would all be negatively affected by the death of the patient. Therefore, it would be in the interest of these people to extend the life of the patient if possible- for example if treatment could make the difference between a parent dying when their child was 15 and dying when their child was 18 this would be enormously beneficial for the child. This is before even considering the ‘value’ of the person’s life outside of their inner circle, and the impact that losing them sooner rather than later would have in that sense.
Extending More Lives?
However, the Utility Principle could also be used as a justification for not investing in this type of medical technology. Currently, a large proportion of the innovative health care technologies are focused on the purpose of extending lives of terminally ill patients. Ideally, these technologies should instead be intended for life support and primarily used as ‘a bridge to recovery’. They should only be utilised if in the future the patient is likely to be able to resume independent living with the aid of suitable post medical care. It could be argued that the quality of life for many terminally ill patients dependant on these machines is incredibly poor with many needing constant aid to perform simple tasks like eating, talking and walking. Often, they can be in a state which severely impacts their ability to do anything which contributes to society. Therefore, the allocation of these resources such as ventilators or ECMO machines to those suffering from the effects of their terminal illness is incredibly wasteful. Alternatively, a more sensible approach is to divert resources to tend to patients that could respond to care and be treated effectively, instead of increasing the ever growing investment into the futile care of terminally ill patients. Money used to fund such expensive machinery and technology should be redirected towards prevention and cure research. The outcome may lead to the discovery of effective prevention strategies as well as cures for these terminal illnesses and possibly many others, which overall could benefit a greater number of people. This satisfies the Utility Principle. Furthermore, all individuals stricken by the specific illness can be treated which allows them once again positively contribute to the greater good of society.
A second reason to oppose the investment in these technologies is that one of the major problems faced in the world right now is overpopulation. The current global population is 7 billion, and this figure is expected to double within the next 80 years. Biocentrism is “an environmental ethical stance that suggests that ecological concerns should be put, over human priorities when decisions about right and wrong action actions have to be made” . The planet’s exponentially growing population has become incredibly perilous to humans and the environment they live in. Humans are the seen to be the main perpetrators of rainforest destruction, increased rates of carbon dioxide emissions, natural disaster frequency, ozone deterioration, and the loss of biodiversity . Action must be taken immediately to serve justice for this environmental destruction caused. Therefore, it is vital to reset the natural mortality rate via ceasing any technological advancements made in support of life extension for terminally ill patients.
Initial Decision
Our initial group decision is to side with the arguments against this question. This is because we believe that the quality of life for terminally ill patients that require this technology is insufficient to justify further investment into extending their lives, and that investing elsewhere could benefit a greater number of people in the long term.
References
David Copp, The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory, (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2006), pg. 425
Matthew C Altman, Kantian and Applied Ethics: The Uses and Limits of Kant’s Practical Philosophy, (Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011), pg. 30
– Ibo Van de Poel and Lamber Royakkers, Ethics, Technology and Engineering, (Wiley-Blackwell, 2011 ), pg 81
“How The Rise Of Medical Technology Is Worsening Death | Health Affairs”. 2019. Healthaffairs.Org. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20171101.612681/full/.
Online Guide To Ethics And Moral Philosophy”. 2019. Caae.Phil.Cmu.Edu. http://caae.phil.cmu.edu/cavalier/80130/part2/sect9.html.
“What Is Life Support?”. 2019. Webmd. https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/what-is-life-support.
Robbins, Paul, 1967- author. Environment And Society : a Critical Introduction. Chichester, West Sussex :John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2014. | https://www.ethicsforge.cc/should-we-invest-in-healthcare-technologies-that-are-primarily-intended-to-extend-the-life-of-terminally-ill-patients/ |
‘Empire’ the hit FOX show returned on September 24, 2015. This show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with anticipation, gets them to sing along to the R&B and hip hop hits in the show. Empire portrays a recently wealthy African-American family that has overcome difficulties and persevered with a passion for music. The family consists of Andre, the oldest son of Cookie and Lucious Lyon, Jamal, the middle child and Hakeem, the youngest. The family tries to grow their music company, despite obstacles along the way, such as Jamal’s father not accepting his sexuality, Andre’s battle with bipolar disorder, and Cookie returning from prison only to get the cold shoulder from her youngest son, Hakeem. Season one ended with Lucious Lyon, the owner of Empire and father to Andre, Hakeem and Jamal, played by actor Terrence Howard, giving over the company to his middle son Jamal, played by actor Jussie Smollett. Lucious discovers that he is not dying from ALS only to be arrested for murder. Season 2 depicts Lucious’s life in prison.
Empire had made its way onto Rotten Tomatoes ‘Top TV Dramas’ list and is ranked at number 6 on the Rolling Stones ‘20 best TV shows of 2015 So Far’. The recognition it has is well deserved. Oakland Mills students have described the show as ‘funny and suspenseful’ with its predominantly African-American cast the show pushes boundaries and makes their audience laugh. Empire manages to grab viewers attention with their real life situations and risqué topics. The shows keeps on getting bigger and bigger with every new episode. Empire has managed to get an array of amazing actors, even having a few guest stars such as Chris Rock, Ludacris , Snoop Dogg and Becky G. Season 2 continues Wednesday, November 11 at 9/8c on Fox. | https://omscroll.com/2015/11/04/empire-hear-the-lyons-roar/ |
Pachacuti sent spies to regions he wanted in his empire and they brought to him reports on political organization, military strength and wealth. The Incas themselves called their empire Tawantinsuyo (or Tahuantinsuyu) meaning 'Land of the Four Quarters' or 'The Four Parts Together'. 2005 Saints Roster, "Inca Gender Relations: from household to empire.” Gender in cross-cultural perspective. https://www.history.com/topics/south-america/inca. Emmy Performers, Aldo Promo Code June 2020, After his death, Manco Inca served as the emperor until his death in 1544. New Moon, 4(4), 44. Morris, Craig and von Hagen, Adrianna (2011).
Ayar Uchu decided to stay on the top of the cave to look over the Inca people. The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, also known as Conquest of Peru, was one of the most important campaigns in the Spanish colonization of the Americas.After years of preliminary exploration and military skirmishes, 168 Spanish soldiers under conquistador Francisco Pizarro, his brothers, and their native allies captured the Sapa Inca Atahualpa in the 1532 Battle of Cajamarca. Traditionally the son of the Inca ruler led the army.
Although Tawantinsuyu was comprised of more than 100 distinct ethnic groups among its 12 million inhabitants, a well-developed societal structure kept the empire running smoothly. Young adults only reached full maturity and independence once they had married. Attempting to keep the peace, the Spanish installed a young prince named Manco Inca Yupanqui as a puppet king, a move that backfired during a spirited rebellion in 1536. The expanding reach of the Inca state, Tawantinsuyu, prompted strategic logistical considerations. Pachacuti is thought to have built Machu Picchu, either as a family home or summer retreat, although it may have been an agricultural station.. Miss Jenn,
This relationship between the genders may have been complementary. The highest such inspector, typically a blood relative to the Sapa Inca, acted independently of the conventional hierarchy, providing a point of view for the Sapa Inca free of bureaucratic influence.. Charlotte, Nc Zip Code, Their walls are of very well cut stones and each lodging is surrounded by its masonry wall with doorways, and has its fountain of water in an open court, conveyed from a distance by pipes, for the supply of the house. "The Four Regions"), also known as the Incan Empire and the Inka Empire, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. Fla. Nunavut Capital, Below that may have been the Willaq Umu, literally the "priest who recounts", the High Priest of the Sun. , Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro and his brothers explored south from what is today Panama, reaching Inca territory by 1526.
Its leaves were used in moderate amounts to lessen hunger and pain during work, but were mostly used for religious and health purposes. He entreated rulers of neighboring tribes to peacefully join his empire with the promise of abundant wealth. The royal standard or banner was a small square flag, ten or twelve spans around, made of cotton or wool cloth, placed on the end of a long staff, stretched and stiff such that it did not wave in the air and on it each king painted his arms and emblems, for each one chose different ones, though the sign of the Incas was the rainbow and two parallel snakes along the width with the tassel as a crown, which each king used to add for a badge or blazon those preferred, like a lion, an eagle and other figures. Ancient Lives. Numerical information was stored in the knots of quipu strings, allowing for compact storage of large numbers. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in the city of Cusco.
Peruvian historian María Rostworowski said, "I bet my life, the Inca never had that flag, it never existed, no chronicler mentioned it". When the Incas and the Spanish finally met in battle in 1532, the Incas had the greater numbers. The minute he proclaimed that, he turned to stone. I would like to be updated on latest event Girls and mothers would also work around the house to keep it orderly to please the public inspectors. Within its boundaries, the empire was a symbol of diversity, both geographically and demographically. As with other ancient Americas cultures, the historical origins of the Incas are difficult to disentangle from the founding myths they themselves created. Black Strappy Flat Sandals, These constructs have survived for centuries, with no use of mortar to sustain them. The Inca believed in reincarnation. Manco tried to use this intra-Spanish feud to his advantage, recapturing Cusco in 1536, but the Spanish retook the city afterwards. Its last stronghold was conquered by the Spanish in 1572. The number of people inhabiting Tawantinsuyu at its peak is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 4–37 million. The best kept example of its architecture is Machu Picchu. aqueducts and terraces) to increase productivity and occasional feasts. Blessed With Twins Message, Gerard, K. (1997). The Inca people were a pastoral tribe in the Cusco area around the 12th century. The coming of the Spanish into Inca led the spread of diseases, particularly influenza and chickenpox, which decreased the output of the working class as well as the nobility. Upon ascending to the throne in 1471, Topa Inca Yupanqui pushed the southern border of the empire to the Maule River in modern-day Chile, and instituted a tribute system in which each province provided women to serve as temple maidens or brides for celebrated soldiers. The Sacred City is one of the most significant archeological sites left by the Incas, Fascinating culture and Inca heritage of this beautiful country. © 2020 A&E Television Networks, LLC. While Cusco was essentially governed by the Sapa Inca, his relatives and the royal panaqa lineages, each suyu was governed by an Apu, a term of esteem used for men of high status and for venerated mountains. The people who were already living in Cusco fought hard to keep their land, but Mama Huaca was a good fighter. Vikings Raiders Trade Rumors, Atlanta Falcons New Uniforms 2019, Impressive shrines were built throughout the kingdom, including a massive Sun Temple in Cusco that measured more than 1,200 feet in circumference.
Steenberg United Vs Richards Bay, Toggle text. 2013 49ers Vs Seahawks, However, the Incas have left an impressive linguistic legacy, in that they introduced Quechua to many areas where it is still widely spoken today, including Ecuador, southern Bolivia, southern Colombia, and parts of the Amazon basin. Where this staff landed, the people would live. Johnny Johnson All On The Line, La Reina Del Flow Temporada 2, Originally it was thought that Quipu were used only as mnemonic devices or to record numerical data. Helmets made of wood, cane, or animal skin, often lined with copper or bronze; some were adorned with feathers, Round or square shields made from wood or hide, Cloth tunics padded with cotton and small wooden planks to protect the spine. These numbers were stored in base-10 digits, the same base used by the Quechua language and in administrative and military units. Atahualpa was never let go and was charged of treason and crimes against the Spanish state. Marriages were typically within classes and resembled a more business-like agreement. In addition, the main official language of the Inca Empire was the coastal Quechua variety, native to modern Lima, not the Cusco dialect. Pachacuti's son Túpac Inca Yupanqui began conquests to the north in 1463 and continued them as Inca ruler after Pachacuti's death in 1471.
In modern times the rainbow flag has been wrongly associated with the Tawantinsuyu and displayed as a symbol of Inca heritage by some groups in Peru and Bolivia. Vikings: War Of Clans Infirmary,
The Inca fulfilled this ransom, but Pizarro deceived them, refusing to release the Inca afterwards. The Nazca Lines are an exceptional collection of geoglyphs in the southern desert of Peru. Disputes between the sons of Emperor Huayna Capac triggered the Incan civil war giving the Spanish conquerors an upper hand in acquiring support from the local leaders. Icelandic Runes Translator, Spellforce 2 Demons Of The Past Walkthrough, , The second smallest suyu, Antisuyu, was northwest of Cusco in the high Andes. Bolstered by the military capabilities of two uncles, Viracocha Inca defeated the Ayarmaca kingdom to the south and took over the Urubamba Valley. This process was first used on a large scale by the Pucara (c. 300 BC–AD 300) peoples to the south in Lake Titicaca and later in the city of Tiwanaku (c. AD 400–1100) in present-day Bolivia. After his death, Manco Inca served as the emperor until his death in 1544. Most families did not invest very much into their child until they reached the age of two or three years old. At its height, the Inca Empire included Peru, western and south central Bolivia, southwest Ecuador and a large portion of what is today Chile, north of the Maule River. Unsurprisingly, onlooking Spaniards believed women were treated like slaves, because women did not work in Spanish society to the same extent, and certainly did not work in fields. Smallpox was only the first epidemic. How To Clean Fabric Sofa Stains, The Spaniards took advantage of the effects of chewing coca leaves. Engraving, 1595 from the Bettmann Collection. 2010 Cardinals Roster, They traveled for a long time. More died of disease than any army or armed conflict.Historians differ as to whether the illness of the 1520s was smallpox; a minority of scholars claim that the epidemic was due to an indigenous illness called Carrion's disease. 3 Seater Recliner Sofa, A family was considered disadvantaged if there was not a married couple at the center because everyday life centered around the balance of male and female tasks. Túpac Inca's most important conquest was the Kingdom of Chimor, the Inca's only serious rival for the Peruvian coast. Coca leaves were also used as an anaesthetic during surgeries. In 1980 he enacted a constitution giving ...read more, Che Guevara was a prominent communist figure in the Cuban Revolution who went on to become a guerrilla leader in South America. Aston Origin Frequency Response, Later, the struggle between the Spanish and the Incas involved a shift in allegiance with parties avenging the deaths of their leaders or rising in rebellion against Spanish rule.
For hundreds of years, until the ...read more, Augusto Pinochet (1915-2006) was a Chilean dictator born in Valparaíso, Chile.
Spellforce 2 Demons Of The Past Walkthrough. The Spanish transliterated the name as Tahuatinsuyo or Tahuatinsuyu. These numbers, stored in quipu, could be calculated on yupanas, grids with squares of positionally varying mathematical values, perhaps functioning as an abacus. Shiny Cotton Fabric, Suede Boots, More than 500 years ago, the empire of the Inca was the biggest nation in the world. The jungle or Selva has two parts, the high and the low Selva.
According to some versions of their origin myths, they were created by the sun god, Inti, who sent his son Manco Capac to Earth through the middle of three caves in the village of Paccari Tampu. At the time of the Incan Civil War an Inca army was, according to Diego de Rosales, subduing a revolt among the Diaguitas of Copiapó and Coquimbo.. Known as Rapa Nui to its earliest inhabitants, the island was christened Paaseiland, or Easter Island, by Dutch ...read more, At the time Spanish conquistadores arrived in 1532, the Inca Empire stretched along the South American coast from Ecuador to south-central Chile. The Peruvian coast was also the most populous and economically active region of the Inca Empire, and employing coastal Quechua offered an alternative to neighboring Mochica, the language of the rival state of Chimu. His son, Sinchi Roca, became the second emperor of the Inca.
The name Tawantinsuyu was, therefore, a descriptive term indicating a union of provinces.
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While William Faulkner's novel As I Lay Dying did not originally receive good reviews, it has become one of his most popular novels, probably because nowadays its subject matter is more accepted and because other authors have followed him in his complex narrative techniques. Here are some intriguing features to Faulkner's work:
It has the best of Southern gothic as it combines the violent and grotesque, the darkly comic, satiric, and absurd. Certainly the Burden family is both ridiculous and pathetic, crossing farce with anguish as theyare in scenes that arouse disgust, sadness, and sympathy. When, for instance, Cash breaks his leg and his family pours concrete on it, the action causes him to have a terrible infection, but it is so inane that it is humorous. Or when Dewey Dell is seduced because she believes the drug store clerk when he gives her pills filled with talcum powder. Yet, there is a sensibility and perceptiveness in the insanity at times. For example, Cash observes what seems even more true today,
"Sometimes I think it ain't none of us pure crazy and ain't none of us pure sane untill the balance of us talk him that-a-way. It's like it ain't so much what a fellow does, but it's the way the majority of folks is looking at him when he does it."
There is a complex, unique narrative technique; fifteen narrators give the novel an undefinable tone. The mix of the comically vernacular with the modernist stream-of-consciousness elicits laughter from many a reader at such nonsequiturs, for instance, as Varderman's exclamation, "My mother's a fish!"
The novel is unique in its presentation as well as its narration. The plot is fragmented much as a cubist painting, exploring no fixed objective truth. The various narrators attempt to define themselves as they each approach existential questions. In plot, too, Faulkner's novel is very modernist and, like Hemingway, the author leaves much to the intuition of the reader.
There is an unusual development of some characters, but with Cash as the only one maturing and the father degenerating into total selfishness as Darl is committed to a mental hospital. Darl is telepathic with his twin sister Dewey Dell and foretells her pregnancy; He also intuitively knows that there mother has died with he and Jewel stop to fix a wheel when they are hauling lumber.
This question is really directed at your opinion--the student's opinion. I can give you some suggestions to help you formulate your opinion though. Early critics rated the book as immoral overall because of controversial topics. It was also rated by some as being bereft of social commentary. It was also rated as confusing and obscure because of Faulkner's peculiar (others say "innovative") narrative style. Of course, over time, these exact points that earned early critical censure became the points that gained Faulkner the most fame and his eventual 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature and later 1954 Pulitzer Prize for The Fable.
Well, if you want my personal opinion, I vividly remember reading this book for the first time. At first I thought it wasn't anything special, but as the book developed and the various storylines became more complete, I was completely caught up in the partial narratives that the book gives us and the way that gradually, bit by bit, like a jigsaw, a bigger, fuller picture is formed.
This is one of my favorite novels and it might be the most "accessible" of Faulkner's masterpiece works. As I Lay Dying explores Faulkner's major themes of identity, personal relationship to (local, family, and cultural) history and the differing perspectives we all walk around with in our heads.
The structure of the novel is strongly conducive to the themes of subjectivity and individuality and culturally oriented perspective.
The prose is electric, urgent, and rhapsodic in a way that no other author I've read - outside of Walt Whitman - has ever approached.
The book is open to interpretation yet offers a variety of concrete ideas about art and life, sanity and self-involvement, and a sense of individual purpose.
There is love and there is folly. There is humor and surprise. And there is a underlying notion conveyed of a whole world of (fictional) possibilities.
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The criminal song is considered as a phenomenon of urban folklore functionally linked to the criminal community as an archaic subculture. The author characterises the plot structure of the criminal song: the system-building characters, their plot function, and typical motives. The article poses the question as to the thematic typology of the criminal song. It is emphasised that the bearer of the criminal song characteristics,...
The analysis of Vladimir Monomakh’s “autobiogrpahy” in the context of the confession-reflexion form brings the author to the conclusion that repentance is the central motif dominating the logic of the plot in the second part of the Instruction.
1.
Поучение
Владимира Мономаха // Памятники литературы Древней Руси: Начало русской литературы: XI— начало XII века....
The author analyses the works of singer songwriters, i. e. lyrics of bard songs and rock poetry, from the point of view of their plot and their place in the typology of texts. The author identifies a discrepancy between the principles of building the plot of songs and the methods of creating the poetic model of the world in the central and peripheral areas of this type of songs....
The plot structure of the poem by a Russian author of the Pushkin era A. Podolinsi is characterised in comparison with the context of Russian Romanti-cism and the conceptual constants of Russian cultural consciousness. The au-thor identifies the function ...
... extremely popular in Central Europe X—XII centuries, and hagiographies and old Russian chronicles related geographically to the events that took place in the basin of the Upper Oka. The author identified several direct and indirect parallels of the plot. Among them, there is a description of the activities of the Adalbert-Gaudentius brothers and the legendary Radim and Vyatko brothers. The story describing the tragic death of hieromonk Kuksha is similar to the ones describing the killing of Adalbert ...
This article described the structure forming function of biblical motifs in the plot relating to the spiritual struggle between the good and the evil for the soul of the persona. The author identifies the role of intertextual connection in the formation of the image of poetic I.
1. Гиржева Г. Н. Поэтика лирики ...
Using the rock opera Orpheus and Eurydice (1975) and Hip-hopera: Orpheus & Eurydice (2018), we analyse interpretations of the ancient myth in today’s popular culture. We demonstrate how the plot and motif transformations of the pre-text bridge the gap between history and modernity. In both the rock opera and the hip-hopera, the ancient theme of descent into the kingdom of the dead in the name of love merges with its semiotic double: the ...
... axiological aspect. The issues of true and false values, the visible and invisible worlds and the border between them, and the meaning of human life are examined as the central problem of the text. It is shown that the image of Wallace and the related plot are deter-mined by the choice between the eternal and earthly values, this and the other worlds. The image of the narrator embodies the opposition between the catego-ries of faith and doubt shaping the inner collision of the short story.
1. Кагарлицкий ...
... K.Ryleyev pays special attention to an antithesis, showing that Prince Igor concedes to passions throughout his life whereas Princess Olga is always guided by a moral imperative. This antithesis is the main artistic means, and the cornerstone of the plot. The analysis of the main characters shows that Princess Olga, the ruler of the Russian land, is the epitome of the ideal Russian female character. The authors conclude that there are hagiographical references in depicting her image.
1. Вацуро ...
The analysis of R. L. Stevenson's story "Markheim" shows an essential role of Christmas motifs in the semantic space of the work. There are various forms of expressing this motif in the key moments of the plot. The value space of the main character is connected to the Christian values inherent in Christ-mas motifs, and the story line develops along the rules of a Christmas story.
1. Амелина Е. Е. Феномен двойничества в ...
Georges Perec is a French author, literary experimenter, and member of the Oulipo group, whose works are strongly influenced by pictorial art. This paper explores various ways in which pictorial art affects the plots, style, lan¬guage, structure, and composition of Perec’s poetics. It is argued that the three most important functions of visual art in Perec’s prose are plot-forming, structural, and conceptual-stylistic ones.
1. Балаш А. Н. Изображение ...
This article analyses such problems of the legal regulation of civil transactions with common use land plots as the legality of land lease, methods of maintaining the legal status of the land, and informing land owners, land users and other economic entities about the establishment of the legal status.
1.
Земельный
кодекс Российской ...
Alexander Galich, a prominent singer-songwriter, built a gallery of socio-psychological types, central to which was the image of the ordinary Soviet person. This article focuses on the motif of death/immortality as a plot component describing the fate of a small person in Galich’s poetry. The place of the ordinary person in Galich’s creative ‘characterology’ is identified. The groundwork for a classification of the ordinary person types is laid and key ...
This article studies the Coot and Moorhen breeding in urban conditions. Seven years’ (1999—2003, 2006 -2007) field studies resulted in the compilation of an atlas of the Kaliningrad region’s nesting birds. The city territory was divided into 206 plots of an area of 1 km2. The urbanisation rate was estimated on a scale of 1 to 5. Kaliningrad is home to 208 breeding pairs of coots and 56 of moorhens. The Coot is more widespread (present in 25.2 % of the plots) than the Moorhen (13.6 %). The population ...
... basic frame scenario is executed with high precision, i.e. using a complete set of ideationally significant slots, the biblical quasi-anthroponym prodigal son determines how deeper meanings associated with the poetic interpretation of that eternal plot develop in the text. The inheritance of meanings is carried out both explicitly and implicitly, whereas the poetic interpretation of the biblical plot retains an essential connection with the basic protoframe. In most contexts, the meanings of ...
... hagiographic topics in I. S. Shmelev’s novel The Inexhaustible Chalice, which are expressed through different components of the novel’s literary structure — ranging from the individual traits of the main character, Ilya Sharonov, to twists of the plot and the milestones of his biography. We maintain that in terms of the genre this novel resembles both the lives of the righteous and the lives of the venerable. The novel conforms to the canons of hagiographic texts because of the presence of a righteous ...
This article analyses the significance of private subsidiary farming for peasant settlers during late Stalinism. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of private land plots and the livestock number at peasant farms. It is concluded that subsidiary farming played a key role in the survival strategy of kolkhoz members in a post-war Soviet village.
1. Аксененок Г. А., Григорьев В. К., Пятницкий ...
... in the United States // The Blackwell Companion to Philosophy / ed. N. Bunnin, E. P. Tsui-Lames. Oxford, 1996. P. 1—24.
23. Soames S. Philosophical analysis in the twentieth century. Princeton, 2003. Vol. 1, 2.
24. Story of analytic philosophy: plot and heroes / ed. by A. Biletzki, A. Matar. L., 1998.
25. Stroll A. Twentieth-century analytic philosophy. N.Y., 2000.
26. Talisse R. B., Scott F. A. Pragmatism: a guide for the perplexed. L., 2008.
analytic philosophy, history of philosophy, ...
The analysis of Byron’s poem includes the examination of its mythopoetic images and the testing situation constituting the framework of the plot structure. The author comes to a conclusion about the dominants of Byron’s axiological system.
1. Байрон Дж. Г. Собр. соч. : в 4 т. М., 1981. Т. 3.
2. Берковский Н. Я. Лекции и статьи по зарубежной ...
... in a literary work. Thanatological motifs are among the most widespread finales in the world literature. The article deals with the characteristic features of such endings, their typology determined by the nature of death, the narrative structure of plot situations, and the modality of motifs. The research is based on short stories by F. Sologub, who often addressed this theme.
1.
Силантьев И.
В
. Поэтика мотива. М., 2004.
2.
Сологуб Ф
. Собр. соч....
The title and text of Lomonosov’s spiritual Meditation is considered within the system of an integrated context of meanings. The role of the title is identified through its connection with the structural and semantic framework of the poetic plot.
1. Даль В. И. Толковый словарь живого великорусского языка : в 4 т. М., 2001.
2. Кржижановский С. Д. Поэтика заглавий. М., 1931.
3. Ломоносов М. В. Полн....
This article clarifies the significance of the phenomenon of Old Belief in the artistic heritage of A. Kuprin. The sources of Old Believer images in the writer's work, as well as their influence on the plot of his works, are investigated. A hypothesis is put forward about the significant influence of L. Tolstoy and A. Chekhov on the formation of the author's idea of old-timers. The thesis of the crucial importance of stereotypes ingrained in the people ...
... Demel R. Sergiusz Piasecki (1901—1964). Życie i twórczość. Łomianki, 2012.
4. Piasecki S. Bogom nocy równi. Gdańsk, 1989.
5. Piasecki S. Piąty etap. Łomianki, 2014.
Nefagina G.
genre, poetics, adventure paradigm, diary, oneiric texts, plot parallelism, ideological novel, psychological portrait
63-70
This article analyse the motif-image of the mirror and its functions in the novel of the American writer O. Grushin. The author identifies the plot structuring role of the reflection as a method of creating the psychological portrait of the character and the reflection phenomena as a means of the personality’s self-identification and a marker of its disintegration.
1. Бахтин М. М....
This article considers works of two famous Russian poets of the first third of the 19th century. Both works depict the violation of the sixth commandment - ‘thou shalt not kill’. An axiological analysis of the plot and composition structure of both poems shows that the central problem is forgiving enemies – completely amoral persons that violate moral laws and do evil.
1. Гладков Б. И. Толкование Евангелия. СПб., 1913.
2....
This article compares two short stories by A. P. Platonov separated by a ten-year inter¬val but following the same plot scheme. Both works address the idea of “enteral return,” therefore they can be considered in the context of the problem of “Platonov and Nietzsche.”
1. Дмитровская М. «Огненная Мария» // «Страна философов» ...
... книжности XI—XV вв. // Труды отдела древнерусской литературы. СПб., 2008. Т. 59. С. 115—132.
Dorofeeva L.
Old Russian book studies, Old Russian literature, translated hagiography, humble person, typology, plot, biography, saint, feat of a saint, St Nicholas, Symeon Metaphrast
96-100
... interaction between space and text in A. Eppel’s short stories. The correlation between the fictional and text spaces at the level of lexis is analysed on the basis of the short story On a dark warm night. The author proves the isomorphism of the plot and the reading process.
1.
Андреев О.
А., Хромов Л.
Н
. Учитесь быстро читать.
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yugzone
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fastread
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(дата обращения: 14.05.2011).
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Вежбицка ...
... between wedding and funeral themes is considered in the framework of mythopoetical ideas of the identity of life and death. The authors analyse the explicit and implicit language markers of the given meanings and emphasise the multi-tier character of plot and language organization of the short story.
1. Аверинцев С. С. София-Логос : словарь. Киев, 2000.
2. Брокгауз Ф. А., Ефрон И. А. Энциклопедический словарь : в 86 т. Ярославль,...
... Игореве» : в 5 т. СПб., 1995. Т. 5. С. 30—39.
11. Лермонтов М. Ю. Полное собрание стихотворений : в 2 т. Л., 1989. Т. 2.
Vasilyeva I.
cognitive linguistics, literary studies, literary dreams, text, plot, composition.
100-106
This article analyses the mythological and folklore concepts affecting the semantics of proper names in the short story, as well as the connection between the anthroponym and the thematic and plot levels of the work. The author identifies the meaning, functional, and axiological elements of the proper name.
1.
Димитрова Лиляна.
Българско-руски речник. Варна, 2000.
2.
Кононов Н.
Магический ...
... processes taking place on the border of the real merging with the imaginary, Otherworldly. The author shows the role and organization of these poetical paradigms in the text, the center of which is the idea of Destiny. It is reflected not only in the plot twists and turns, but also in the formation of characters, the creation of the book composition, as well as in numerous intertexts.
1. Байетт А. С. Джинн в бутылке из стекла «соловьиный глаз» / пер....
... became central to Russian Romanticism. An analysis of the poem in the axiological aspect shows that A. Veltman – as well as other Russian poets – is interested in the moral and psychological reasons behind this phenomenon rather than social ones. The plot structure and the author’s position suggest that robbery is depicted in the poem as a cardinal sin that cannot be justified; it forces a person to abandon the moral law and leads to spiritual death.
1. Вельтман А. А. Муромские ...
... genre of the Instruction of Vladimir Monomakh is considered as a "deed" and "confession and selfreport" (M. Bakhtin) and is related to the fact that the way a text is created is determined by non-literary considerations; the internal plot unfolds as a confession. The creation of the Instruction is interpreted as a deed, which determines the way to salvation for a lay prince.
1.
Поучение
Владимира Мономаха // Памятники литературы Древней ...
This article compares the poetics of two works by Hesse and Frisch brought together by a similar topic and complex of motives up to identical plot elements. It is shown that the problem of self-identification is solved differently by two writers: Hesse’s solution lies in Klein’s rejection of the role and mask of Wagner, which was imposed on him by the society, through a voluntary death,...
This article considers one of the most complex works of Byron. The author focuses on the key motif in the plot of the philosophical drama. The analysis shows that Byron’s interpretation of the Biblical events makes it possible to conclude that, striving for absolute freedom, the human being is incapable of protecting themselves from the spiritual captivity ...
... of the unambiguous assessment of moral and ethical evaluation and emphatic characterological art image. The tale “Things Are Not What They Seem” brings together an ensemble of inserted structures, changing the prism of the axiological system, the plot and the meaning of the novel. It creates a wide variability of axiological senses, and the changable axiological poetics of the novel.
1. Байет А. С. Ангелы и насекомые. М., 2000.
2. Бейтс Г. У. Натуралист ...
... specific stages in the development of the image of the main character were identified; a nuclear-peripheral motif model was built where the movement of motifs from the nucleus to the peripheral zone demonstrates the importance of a particular event at the plot level of the novel. The movement of story and fable motifs reflects the evolution of the main character’s relations towards reality and its conscious refusal to become a part of a post-war society.
1. Головань О. В. Семантико-ассоциативная ...
... functions were identified. The analysis of the recreational resources of border districts helped to determine the directions in which the transformation of rural areas into consumer spaces was moving. The major development trajectories of rural areas were plotted using the non-endogenous approach and differentiated by the district types. The rural areas of the North-West borderlands were confirmed to have a unique and diverse resource potential that is sufficient to ensure their sustainable development ...
... Андерсена «Снежная королева» в образовательном пространстве // Молодой ученый. 2015. № 22.1. С. 39—41.
Dorofeeva L. G.
Andersen, Christianity, Romantic period, genre, theme, plot, hero, axiology, space, time
55-63
... Biblical references in the text suggest a link between one of the main characters, the boy Astr, and the image of Christ. Although well in line with the anthropology of enlighten-ment, the idea of the salvation of the universe, which is central to the plot of the novel, and the image of the saviour, the child that is ‘not of this world’, are counterposed to Christian philosophy.
1. Ринекер Ф., Майер Г. Библейская энциклопедия Брокгауза. URL: https:// ...
This paper considers the dynamics of acoustical activity and the impact of hay harvesting and cattle grazing on the nesting of Corncrake Crex crex on three plots in the Ryazan, Vladimir, and Novgorod regions. Peak acoustic activity is achieved in June. The survival of nests and broods of up to 5-day old nestlings depends on the time span of hay harvesting (from 3 up to 68 %).
In total, from 48 to 88 % of ...
... presents a comprehensive analysis of the novel of the Polish émigré author Erzy Kosiński written in the English language. The image of the main character is considered in the typological comparison with the prece-dent images of world literature; the plot and composition structure is de-scribed; the genre is identified. Using the analysis of the novel’s key episodes, the article stresses the meaning-creating function of the reflection technique. The receptive field of the novel is identified.
1....
... work 1805—75. Phaidon, 1975.
15. Brandes G. Andersen som Eventyrdigter // Samlede Skrifter. Danmark. Andet Bind. Nordisk Forlag. Kjøbenhavn-Kristiania, 1919.
Dorofeeva L. G.
C. H. Andersen, Romanticism, genre, context, Christianity, character, plot, poetics
46-54
... mythopoetic semantics of cycle and mutual transition. Ekphrastic descriptions are both explicit and implicit in Kononov’s short story. The authors conclude that in “Svetotomia”, the text produces ekphrasis and at the same time, ekphrasis shapes the plot, and painting and photography create autobiography.
1. Барт Р. Camera lucida. Комментарий к фотографии / пер. с фр., послесл. и коммент. М., 2011.
2. Дашкова Т. Визуальная репрезентация ...
... In this interpretation, being in itself appears as a text. Philosophizing as such is realized in various forms of textualization, which are the focus of this article. Verbal textualization (single words, paremia, aphoristics, parables, detailed plots, hermeneutic interpretations, conceptual systems) does not exclude visual, activity-driven textualizations and their mutual translations. Philosophy is capable of taking on diverse, dissimilar forms. It is as diversified as the paths of human ...
... novel towards a difficult, yet clear victory of life over death. I trace how the autobiographical character- narrator gradually turns to God and faith. I prove that, in the novel’s poetics, the author uses such a technique as the compression of the plot and the idea into two symbolic metaphors — the dance in the crematory and the zoo, which stand for resurrection and the triumph of life in the tragic space of Königsberg/Kaliningrad — a city devastated by the war.
Berdyaev, N.A., 1995. Tsarstvo ...
... explores the forms of representation of Orpheus’s dual semantics as the archetypical poet and musician as well as of the general motifs of temptation/seduction and selling one’s soul. It is established that, perceived as a single source of meanings and plots, the myth encourages the musical and poetical culture of the 20th/early 21st centuries to exploit deep¬er levels of the mythological metasystem and to build new cultural mythologies. Contemporary artists transform the traditional models of mythical ...
... "leaving the community" though analyzing the legal nature of the farmstead and district land tenure formed through placing land in personal ownership, individual allotments, and complete division of rural lands into farmsteads and isolated land plots. It is shown that the reform legislation did not suggest legal discrimination of the community, which retained its administrative, economic, and land-related functions.
1. Вронский О. Г. Государственная власть России ...
... Pushkin’s short story ‘The blizzard’, Zhukovsky's ballad ‘Svetlana’, from which Pushkin borrowed the epigraph, and Burger's ‘Lenora’, which was twice used by Zhukovsky in different contexts. Differences in the functioning of the traditional plot are considered against the background of the interrelation and interdependence between fate, chance, and free will. In a Christian reading, the attitudes of the main characters of the three works to God's providence explain the motives behind ... | https://journals.kantiana.ru/eng/search/?q=plot |
This post is written based on true events!
In 2016, two of my friends started looking for their first home here in Edmonton for their growing families. After understanding the monthly mortgage payment commitment including interest payment, both decided to cap their purchase price at less than $400,000.
Interestingly and coincidentally, both ended up purchasing a home almost at the same price, but not within the maximum limit they initially committed to, but for around $475,000 ($75,000 or 19% more than they initially decided). Not to my surprise, they both were extremely happy and satisfied with their purchase; both felt they have found a good home for the price they paid.
The same year one of my other friends started looking for his first car and he decided to buy a used car and cap his purchase price at less than $8,000. He wanted to use the cash he had and avoid taking any liability for a new or expensive car. Interestingly, he ended up getting a new car for $25,000 by taking a liability of $18,000. Once again, not to my surprise, he was extremely happy and satisfied with his purchase; he felt he got a good car for the price he paid.
I am sure you will have witnessed some similar stories in your life. One question here is paramount:
Why, in the end, are we all happy with our decisions?
Cognitive science has long proven that human beings have the tendency to rationalize every decision by retroactively ascribing positive attributes. This phenomenon is called choice-supportive bias or post-purchase rationalization.
For example, in the above two examples, my friends are likely to ignore or downplay the disadvantages of the option they choose and amplify the advantages. And the exact opposite for the option they didn’t choose, i.e. downplay the advantages and amplify the disadvantages.
Two psychologists, Linda Henkel of the Fairfield University and Mara Mather of the University of California, conducted an experiment in 2006 to test the role of beliefs about choices and decisions. In the experiment, participants were given five different choice scenarios; each scenario had two options for participants to choose one from. For example, in one scenario, they had to choose one of the two car options based on positive and negative features.
They all selected one of the two options in all five scenarios and were asked to return after one week. At that point, Henkel and Mather “reminded” each participant about the options they had chosen in each scenario but they intentionally misled participants by giving two options that were not their own. They were then asked to give their reasons and explanations on why they had made those choices. Surprisingly, participants believed and favoured all their options regardless of whether they had chosen them or not.
We have the tendency to rationalize our actions by fitting some logic to them — our unconscious, uninformed and egoistic mind hinders our ability to accept our irrationality. Therefore, it is important to have a framework that not only helps to make a rational decision but also guides us on how we should be thinking about our decisions. | https://www.learninvest.ca/post/so-you-think-you-make-good-decisions-or-find-great-deals |
Seen in retrospect, Russia’s demand for a written response was a trap, one neither the U.S. nor NATO yet recognizes, writes Scott Ritter.
Back in December, Russia sent the U.S. and NATO two draft treaty documents spelling out its demands for security guarantees related to NATO’s posture in Eastern Europe. These demands came in a climate of tension fueled by both a Russian military buildup bordering Ukraine, and U.S. and NATO hysteria over what they deemed an imminent Russian military incursion into Ukraine.
The written replies that arrived on Jan. 22 failed — as expected — to address any of Russia’s concerns, including the red line of continued NATO expansion. Rather, the U.S. and NATO listed alternative pathways to diplomatic engagement, including arms control and limits on military exercises, and they now couch the ongoing crisis as a choice between accepting the diplomatic offramp they dictated, or war.
Russia, however, is far too sophisticated to allow itself to be boxed into such a corner. In the weeks and months ahead, Russia will be the one dictating the outcome of this crisis — which will be a resounding Russian victory.
The Russian buildup in its western and southern military districts, as well as in Belarus, has two purposes. The secondary goal is to demonstrate Russia’s ability, at a time and place of its choosing, to project sufficient military power into Ukraine to overwhelming defeat the Ukrainian armed forces and bring down its government.
To be clear, Russia has threatened neither of these outcomes. It maintains that the military buildup is simply an exercise designed to ensure it can respond to NATO’s aggressive expansion of forces along its western flank. It traces the confrontation to NATO’s “original sin” of expansion.
Historical fact supports the Russian interpretation: The Russian mantra of “not one inch eastward” is derived from an oral promise made by former Secretary of State James Baker to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at the time of German reunification. But Russia’s goal is not to score debating points, but rather to reverse NATO policy and posturing it deems harmful to its national security.
To this end, the primary purpose of Russia’s military buildup is to expose the political, military and economic impotence of the U.S./NATO partnership by a range of crises — independent of any military incursion into Ukraine — for which the U.S. and NATO have no viable response other than to give in to most, if not all, of Russia’s demands for security guarantees. | https://gaypagessa.com/2022/01/31/checkmate-in-ukraine/ |
FIELD OF INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This invention relates to methods for the low cost, accelerated development of methanol and/or dimethyl ether (“DME”) to propylene (DTP) catalysts and corresponding fixed bed catalytic processes from discovery to commercial readiness.
In order to scale-up a fixed bed methanol (or DME) to propylene (MTP or DTP) catalytic process, it is necessary to define the impact of time on stream, residence time, catalyst particle size, shape and other characteristics, and temperature profile on reaction rate and selectivity, and deactivation rate of the catalyst.
The first step in a traditional scale-up program generally involves the selection and definition of the intrinsic properties of the catalyst. This step is typically performed isothermally with a diluted, crushed or powdered catalyst to minimize mass transfer limitations. A process variable study is performed to determine the impact of space velocity, pressure, and residence time on reaction rate and selectivity. Activity and selectivity maintenance are then determined over a six to twelve month operating period. At the end of the operation, a second process variable study is performed to determine whether these properties have changed during time on stream. Next, a commercial form of the catalyst is tested in an isothermal reactor. The commercial catalyst is of a larger particle size than the crushed catalyst and may have a special shape to minimize pressure drop during operation. The larger particle size generally results in a lower reaction rate and a selectivity loss due to limitations on mass transfer of reactants or products in and out of the catalyst pores. Operations generally consist of performing process variable studies at the beginning and end of an activity and selectivity maintenance run. This operation can be run in a laboratory scale reactor and typically lasts approximately one year.
The final step in the scale-up process is to test the commercial catalyst under adiabatic conditions, normally in a demonstration scale reactor containing one or more reactor tubes. The tubes in the demonstration scale reactor would have internal diameter of approximately 1 inch. In some cases, to further explore heat transfer effects, a configuration containing up to about 6-8 tubes arranged at commercial spacing could be used. In an exothermic reaction, the temperature profile depends upon the degree to which heat is continuously removed, as in a tubular reactor, or the reactor is simply a fixed bed reactor without a specific heat removal capability. The temperature profile can have a significant impact on selectivity, reaction rate, and activity maintenance. The test run also provides a measure of the tendency for the catalyst to produce hot spots or temperature runaways. Here again, the operating period can exceed one year.
This sequential approach typically takes in excess of three years to complete and may not provide all of desired data. For many catalysts, the reaction rate and selectivity may be a function of residence time as well as time on stream. This can be the result of changes in the catalyst state or form, due to exposure for extended periods of time, or it may be due to the changing gas and liquid composition from the reactor inlet to the outlet. Examples would include oxidation from water formed during conversion, formation of a support over layer, poisoning, e.g., by reaction with hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, etc. In addition, surface catalytic reactions and buildup of feed and products in the pores can result in reductions in mass transfer to the catalyst.
More recently, High Throughput Experimentation (HTE) techniques have been proposed as a source of data for new catalysts and processes. These HTE experiments are normally performed under conditions that minimize heat and mass transfer effects. Small volumes (less than 2 ml) of catalyst and high heat transfer rates are utilized. This approach is useful for comparing the intrinsic properties of an array of candidate catalysts but does not provide the data required for scale-up. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,882 and 6,869,799.
In addition, there are several studies where high throughput experimentation has been proposed for use in the development of multi-channel reactors, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,087, and for optimization of Co—Ru FT catalysts, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,662.
A large portion of the worldwide petrochemical industry is concerned with the production of light olefin materials and their subsequent use in the production of numerous important chemical products via polymerization, oligomerization, alkylation and similar well-known chemical reactions. Light olefins include ethylene, propylene and mixtures thereof. These light olefins are essential building blocks for the modern petrochemical and chemical industries. The major source for these materials in present day refining is the steam cracking of petroleum feeds. For various reasons including geographical, economic, political and diminished supply considerations, a source other than petroleum has long been sought for the massive quantities of raw materials that are needed to supply the demand for these light olefin materials. A great deal of the prior art's attention has been focused on the possibility of using hydrocarbon oxygenates, and particularly methanol, as a prime source of the necessary alternative feedstock. Oxygenates are particularly attractive because they can be produced from such widely available materials as coal, natural gas, recycled plastics, various carbon waste streams from industry and various products and by-products from the agricultural industry. The art of making methanol from these types of raw materials is well established.
Essentially two major techniques have been discussed for conversion of methanol to light olefins (“MTO”). The first of these MTO processes is based on early German and American work with a catalytically conversion zone containing a zeolitic type of catalyst system. Representative of the early German work is U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,263. This '263 patent discloses a series of experiments with methanol conversion techniques using a ZSM-5-type of catalyst system wherein the problem of DME recycle is a major focus of the technology. Although good yields of ethylene and propylene were reported in this '263 patent, they unfortunately were accompanied by substantial formation of higher aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, which the patentees speculated might be useful as an engine fuel and specifically as a gasoline-type of material. In order to limit the amount of this heavier material that is produced, the patentees of the '263 patent propose to limit conversion to less than 80% of the methanol charged to the MTO conversion step. This operation at lower conversion levels necessitated the recovering and recycling not only unreacted methanol but also substantial amounts of a DME intermediate product. The focus of the '263 patent invention was therefore on a DME and methanol scrubbing step utilizing a water solvent in order to efficiently recapture the light olefin value of the unreacted methanol and of the intermediate reactant DME.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,373 recognized that a commercial plant would have to operate at a pressure substantially above the preferred range disclosed in the '263 patent in order to make commercial equipment of reasonable size possible with commercial mass flow rates. The '373 patent recognized that the higher pressure zeolitic MTO route results in a substantial additional loss of DME caused by dissolution of substantial quantities of DME in the heavy hydrocarbon oil by-product recovered from the liquid hydrocarbon stream withdrawn from the primary separator.
4
+
Because of an inability of this zeolitic MTO route to control the amounts of undesired C hydrocarbon products produced by the ZSM-5 catalyst system, a second MTO conversion technology was developed based on the use of a non-zeolitic molecular sieve catalytic material. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,095,163, 5,126,308 and 5,191,141. This second approach to MTO conversion technology was primarily based on using a catalyst system comprising a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve (SAPO) and especially SAPO-34. This SAPO-34 material was found to have a number of advantages, including very high selectivity for light olefins with a methanol feedstock and consequently very low selectivities for the undesired corresponding light paraffins and the heavier materials.
However, the problem of DME co-production is also present in the SAPO process discussed above. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,263, a relatively high pressure DME absorption zone is taught utilizing a plain water solvent in order to recapture and recycle the DME intermediate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,373 focused on utilizing a more efficient DME solvent in the DME absorption zone and recommended that a portion of the methanolic feed to the MTO conversion reactor be diverted to the DME absorption zone in order to more efficiently recapture the DME contaminant from the olefin product stream.
2
3
2
3
It has been found however, that if a portion of the methanol feed to the MTO conversion zone is diverted to the DME absorber as suggested in the '373 patent in order to recover DME more efficiently, there is substantial co-absorption of light olefins into the methanol solvent associated with this scheme. This greatly complicates the design of an efficient product work-up flow scheme for a SAPO based MTO conversion zone. For example, when the DME absorption zone is operated with a methanol solvent at scrubbing conditions including a temperature of about 54° C. (129° F.) and a pressure of about 2020 kPa (293 psi) with a 99.85 mass-% methanol solvent, at least 12.3 mass-% of the Colefins and 40.3 mass-% of the Colefins charged to the DME scrubber are co-absorbed in the DME-rich liquid solvent bottom stream withdrawn from the scrubber. When this DME-rich solvent stream is recycled to the MTO conversion zone, a substantial internal circuit of light olefins is created which acts to substantially increase the size of the MTO conversion zone and the rate of detrimental coking on the catalyst contained therein due to the fact that these Cand Colefins are reactive and can undergo polymerization and condensation to form coke precursors.
2
2
3
2
3
In typical operations in the above-mentioned process of the '373 patent, and in related processes of U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,289 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,414, using a Zeolite catalyst, the Zeolite catalyst is disposed in a single uniform bed or in a plurality of series-connected packed bed reactors, each containing the same Zeolite catalyst. The methanol is first converted in part to produce a mixture of methanol, DME and HO, typically using an AlOdehydration catalyst that usually is contained as a bed in a packed bed reactor. Details of a suitable AlOcatalyst are disclosed in EP 0 448 000 B1 and DE 197 23 363 A1.
2
3
2
3
+
In the series-connected reactor embodiment, such as described in the '414 patent, a first partial stream of the partially converted methanol output of the AlOcontaining reactor, consisting of a vapor mixture of methanol, DME, HO and, optionally, additional steam is introduced into the first Zeolite catalyst containing series-connected reactor, a first intermediate product mixture is withdrawn from the outlet of such first reactor and is charged into the second series-connected packed bed reactor. A second partial stream of the first vapor mixture is also supplied to the second series-connected packed bed reactor. Product mixture is withdrawn from the last one of the series-connected packed bed reactors and cooled. A fraction of such product mixture rich in propane is separated and residual substances are obtained, which are in part gaseous and contain C hydrocarbons. At least part of the residual substances are recirculated into at least one of the packed bed reactors. Usually, the zeolite catalyst is disposed as beds in a maximum of four or five series-connected packed bed reactors. The separation of the fraction rich in propane may be effected in a manner known per se, for instance by distillation or by adsorption.
The Zeolite catalysts used in the conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene become progressively deactivated during use. A major portion of such deactivation results from the formation of a carbon overlayer on the catalyst surface. It is therefore necessary periodically to regenerate the catalyst by removing the carbon overlayer to the extent possible. This is generally accomplished by treating the catalyst beds with high temperature hydrogen, or combination of oxygen and an inert gas. Regeneration of the zeolite catalyst with a hydrogen containing stream is performed at temperatures typically in the range of 200 to 600 degree C., while regeneration with oxygen, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,845, is performed at higher temperatures typically in the range of 300 to 700 degree C. Aged methanol/methyl ether conversion catalysts can be regenerated in conventional manner by contacting the catalyst at elevated temperature with an oxygen-containing gas such as air to effect controlled burning of coke from the deactivated catalyst. While such a conventional regeneration procedure can restore catalytic activity diminished by coke formation on the catalyst during methanol/methyl ether conversion, regeneration in this manner must be conducted in the absence of organic reactants and preferably in a separate regeneration zone which is remote from the methanol/methyl ether conversion zone. Furthermore, catalyst regeneration by controlled burning of coke produces water and carbon dioxide, and water at high temperatures can permanently destroy the structure of the zeolite catalyst and thus can actually diminish catalytic activity in some instances. There is, therefore, a continuing need to develop additional catalyst regeneration procedures which can be employed to restore the diminished activity of the zeolite-based catalysts which have been used to promote the conversion of methanol and/or methyl ether to hydrocarbon products selectively enriched in light olefins.
There is a continuing need to develop better methods for efficient operation and regeneration of deactivated methanol/DME conversion catalysts and to devise methods that allow such materials to be developed in an efficient and cost effective manner.
5
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This invention relates to a low cost, accelerated method for determining an advantageous combination of reactor structures, catalyst characteristics, catalyst bed structures and process conditions for scaling up from discovery to commercial readiness a plug-flow catalytic process for producing propylene from methanol (and/or DME) having high propylene productivity and selectivity and minimizing production of heavy (C) hydrocarbons, catalyst poisoning and deactivation, and in which the catalyst can be efficiently regenerated. The plug-flow catalytic process generally involves reacting methanol vapor on a first catalyst to obtain a first vapor mixture containing DME, and wherein a product mixture containing propylene is produced from the DME containing vapor mixture in a set of series-connected plug-flow reactors having catalyst beds preferably containing zeolite-containing catalysts.
The method of the invention involves the use of high throughput laboratory scale catalytic process development apparatus that includes one or more composite multistage series-connected laboratory scale plug-flow reactors for simulating a set of series-connected plug-flow reactors, wherein separate series-connected pluralities of the stages of the laboratory scale reactor correspond to separate ones of the series-connected plug-flow reactors. The method further involves performing successive simulation steps involving successively testing of one or more catalysts in one or more forms in a plurality of catalyst bed configurations in the stages of the multistage laboratory reactors under a plurality of sets of process conditions. The characteristics and compositions of the effluents of the laboratory scale reactor stages are measured during each simulation step, and the results of such measurements are used to help determine the choice of catalyst bed characteristics and process conditions in subsequent simulation steps for improving the productivity and selectivity of the conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene.
2
The process conditions under which the testing is performed include various sets of temperatures, pressures, flow rates and relative partial pressures of methanol, DME, HO and reaction products in the catalyst beds of the various stages of the laboratory reactors. The testing of the catalysts includes determining the effects, in the various sets of process conditions, of catalyst activity, surface acidity and dopants on the performance and deactivation of the catalysts in various portions of the series-connected fixed bed reactors over time. The testing of catalyst bed configurations can include the testing of the effects of various configurations of catalyst beds in the laboratory scale reactor stages, including varying the catalyst characteristics from one laboratory scale reactor stage to the next.
Deactivating carbon layers deposited on the surface of zeolite containing catalysts may range from a carbon, which is relatively loosely bound to the catalyst surface and can be easily removed during regeneration, to δ carbon, which is very tightly bound to the catalyst surface and requires a much more severe treatment during regeneration in order to remove it. The testing of zeolite containing catalysts in accordance with the invention includes determining the amounts and types of carbon deposited on the catalyst surface in the different laboratory scale reactor stages under various different operating conditions, the regeneration conditions required to remove such carbon overlayers from the catalyst surface in each of the reactor stages, and investigating the trade-offs between treating the catalysts with hydrogen or oxygen under temperature conditions severe enough to provide adequate regeneration, while not so severe to cause an unacceptable degree of sintering of the catalyst. The method of the invention further includes the investigation of the effects on the catalysts of other deactivating species that may be present in the reactant feeds or products, such as ammonia, aromatics, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, and the investigation of methods of regenerating catalysts that have been deactivated in some measure by such species.
The data generated as a result of this testing enables the design of a methanol and/or DME to propylene catalytic system in which the catalyst characteristics, partial pressures of methanol, DME and steam feeds, temperatures and flow rates are optimized for the productivity and selectivity of propylene and catalyst life. The generated data will also define optimal regeneration conditions for regenerating the catalyst in the different longitudinal portions of the catalyst beds in the commercial scale series-connected reactors.
The term “plug-flow reactor”, as used herein refers to fixed bed reactors, packed bed reactors, trickle bed reactors and monolithic reactors operating either in a once through or a recycle mode. The term “laboratory scale plug-flow reactor” as used herein, refers to a plug-flow reactor in which each reactor stage has an internal diameter of less than 4 inches, preferably less than 2 inches, and more preferably less than 1 inch; a length of less than 8 feet, preferably less than 4 feet, more preferably less than 1 foot; and a catalyst charge of less than 800 grams, preferably less than 400 grams, more preferably less than 25 grams (excluding inert diluent particles charged to the reactor).
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In the conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene, it is desirable to the extent practicable to maximize the productivity and selectivity to propylene and the ratio of propylene to ethylene, and to minimize the production of higher molecular weight (C) hydrocarbons. It is also important to minimize to the extent practicable the deactivation of the zeolite containing catalysts in the series-connected plug-flow reactors used in the process. An important component of this deactivation results from the carbon overlayer formation on the catalyst surface. The degree of difficulty involved in regenerating the zeolite containing catalysts by removing the carbon overlayer is also an important consideration in the commercial scale catalytic conversion system design.
The inventors have found that, in the conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene in a plug-flow reactor system that includes a plurality of series-connected plug-flow reactors having catalyst beds preferably containing zeolite catalysts, the increasing partial pressure of the olefin products in the reactant vapor mixture being supplied to the successive plug-flow reactor stages can result in the product olefins reacting in the presence of the zeolite catalyst to form undesirable higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and deactivating carbon layers on the catalyst surface. Such reactions not only decrease the productivity and selectivity to the desired propylene product, but also significantly shorten the catalyst life. By controlling the acidity and strength of the catalysts in the catalyst beds of the successive commercial scale series-connected plug-flow reactors, and to vary this property in a controlled way longitudinally within the individual catalyst beds, it is possible, in accordance with the invention, to minimize these undesirable reactions, to maximize the productivity and selectivity to propylene of the catalyst system, and to extend the catalyst life.
An optimal set of reactant and product partial pressures, flow rates, temperatures, catalyst beds structures and longitudinal variation in catalyst activity levels in the catalyst beds of a set of series-connected plug-flow reactors in a methanol and/or DME to propylene catalytic conversion system depends upon the particular type and characteristics of the catalyst or catalysts being used and the physical characteristics of the series-connected reactors, and may be different for different conversion system configurations. The method of the invention investigates this multivariable space to generate data for a favorable set of operating conditions and trade-offs for a commercial scale reactor system having high productivity and selectivity of propylene with good catalyst life and catalyst regeneration characteristics.
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2
As illustrated by the data in the following tables, it has been determined that various treatments, additives and operating conditions can increase the productivity and selectivity to propylene of zeolite containing catalysts in plug-flow reactors. Tested reaction temperatures were 370, 420, and 470° C. Five commercially a available catalysts were chosen to undergo this test (catalyst loading amount 0.5 g, diluted to 3 ml, WHSV=2 h, the reactants were 80 wt % methanol and 20 wt % HO). The product distributions at these temperatures are profoundly different as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Product distribution at various temperatures
Catalyst (Si/Al)
T(° C.)
CH<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>
C<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>5</sub>+
C<sub>3</sub><sup>=</sup>/C<sub>2</sub><sup>=</sup>
HZSM-5 (25)
370
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.8
15.2
18.3
64.2
1.6
420
2.6
2.1
0.7
3.4
12.8
19.0
59.5
1.6
470
6.4
7.2
0.9
10.2
7.0
15.8
52.6
1.4
HZSM-5 (38)
370
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.9
15.2
18.8
63.6
1.8
420
2.5
2.3
0.7
3.6
14.2
19.1
57.7
1.6
470
6.5
7.9
0.8
10.7
6.8
15.6
51.7
1.4
HZSM-5 (62)
370
0.4
0.7
0.3
1.3
10.7
18.1
68.5
1.9
420
2.1
2.0
0.7
3.3
12.7
18.5
60.8
1.7
470
7.4
6.7
0.9
9.6
7.7
14.7
53.1
1.4
HZSM-5 (99)
370
0.4
2.5
0.2
5.0
6.0
19.2
66.8
2.0
420
1.6
5.3
0.4
11.1
7.1
21.3
53.1
2.1
470
5.5
11.0
0.6
21.7
4.2
18.8
38.4
2.0
HZSM-5 (360)
370
0.3
7.7
0.2
9.4
2.5
19.4
60.4
1.2
420
0.8
6.4
0.3
17.4
3.2
24.4
47.6
2.7
470
5.0
9.6
0.4
25.0
2.2
20.5
37.3
2.6
(catalyst loading amount 0.5 g, diluted to 3 ml, WHSV = 2 h<sup>−1</sup>)
+
=
=
=
=
=
The 5 selected catalysts were proton form HZSM-5 from different vendors and having the different Si/Al ratios indicated in parenthesis. In all instances, the methanol conversion was 100%. At lower reaction temperatures, main products over all catalysts were C5 gasoline distillates, butane and propane. Propylene and ethylene were only produced at very low selectivity and low C3/C2 ratios. MTG is the dominating reaction. At higher temperatures, the selectivity towards C3 increases, i.e., MTO and MTP become more significant at higher temperatures. We thus select 470° C. as the reaction temperature for further screening experiments. Furthermore, an important conclusion may be drawn from the data in Table 1. Under the tested conditions, the MTP selectivity significantly depends on the Si/Al ratio of the materials. At high Si/Al, not only does propylene yields increase, the C3/C2 ratio increase as well.
−1
Two experiments testing the effects of WHSV have been carried out, one in a 16 channel parallel reactor system, the other one using the single fixed-bed reactor. In the parallel reactor experiment, one catalyst, the proton form HZSM-5 with Si/Al=62 was loaded into 16 reactor channels with various amounts, in order to achieve WHSV=2, 5 and 10 h, respectively. At the stable states, the methanol conversion in all reactor channels was 100%, and the products distributions at different WHSV are listed in Table 2.
TABLE 2
Product distribution at different WHSV.
WHSV
CH<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>
C<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>5</sub>+
C<sub>3</sub><sup>=</sup>/C<sub>2</sub><sup>=</sup>
2
7.4
6.7
6.9
9.6
7.7
14.7
53.1
1.4
5
6.3
13.7
0.4
18.3
2.4
17.5
42.4
1.3
10
4.2
12.8
0.4
17.4
4.3
19.5
41.5
1.4
Catalyst HZSM-5(62), T = 470° C.
2+
−1
FIG. 3
The single bed reactor experiment used a Mg exchanged MgZSM-5(260), with Si/Al=260. Again the reaction temperature was 470° C. However, because of the different inner diameter of the reactors, the contact time is different from that for the parallel reactor experiment. Tested WHSV in this experiment were 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 h. The results are shown in .
TABLE 3
Product distribution at different WHSV.
WHSV
CH<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>
C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>
C<sub>4</sub>
C<sub>5</sub>+
C<sub>3</sub><sup>=</sup>/C<sub>2</sub><sup>=</sup>
2
0.9
9.0
0.1
32.4
1.6
28.1
27.9
3.6
4
0.6
10.3
0.1
34.3
1.7
26.0
27.1
3.4
8
0.9
7.1
0.1
36.5
0.8
28.5
26.1
5.2
12
1.0
6.6
0.1
36.6
0.7
27.8
27.3
5.5
16
1.2
6.2
0.1
37.9
0.5
24.2
30.1
6.1
20
1.2
6.0
0.1
36.6
0.4
22.4
33.5
6.1
24
1.1
5.8
0.1
35.4
0.4
21.9
35.3
6.1
Catalyst MgZSM-5(260), T = 470° C.
=
=
=
=
From both experiments it is observable that, for the MgZSM-5 catalyst having a Si/Al ration of 260, propylene yields increase with increasing WHSV=2 until WHSV=16, then slightly drops. C3/C2 increases with WHSV to almost a constant value (6.1). In addition, one also sees the effect of adding a Group II dopant such as Mg to the system, where the yield and C3/C2 both increase from those with the Mg free catalyst. Data such as the above helps guide further experimentation in accordance with the method of the invention to define a commercial scale system in which all of the series-connected reactors operate at or near optimal practical conditions.
FIG. 1
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
13
15
26
13
27
15
17
28
15
29
17
30
17
17
29
11
13
31
31
13
Referring to of the drawings, the composite multistage laboratory scale plug-flow reactor of a first embodiment of a reactor useful in performing the method of the invention is made up of three series-connected stages , and each of which contains a bed of catalyst particles , and . A sampling valve is connected between the output of the first reactor stage and the input to the second reactor stage and has an output for sampling the effluent from the first reactor stage for analysis. A sampling valve is connected between the output of the second fixed bed reactor stage and the input to the third fixed bed reactor stage and has an output for sampling the effluent from the second reactor stage for analysis. A sampling valve is connected to the output of the third fixed bed reactor stage and has an output for sampling the effluent of the third reactor stage for analysis. The output of the third reactor stage is connected through the valve to, e.g., a product accumulator (not shown). The feed to the multistage fixed bed reactor , which normally is fresh reactant feed, is connected to the inlet of the first fixed bed reactor stage from a source . A sampling valve may also be installed in the line between the feed source and the inlet to the first fixed bed reactor stage in order to permit analysis of the feed.
11
33
11
11
33
11
33
The multistage fixed bed reactor is contained in a temperature control device that, for the exothermic methanol and/or DME conversion reaction, can contain a material, such as circulating boiling water, for extracting heat from the reactor in order to maintain the multistage reactor at a substantially constant temperature. Other forms of temperature control device can also be used for extracting heat from the reactor to retain it at a substantially constant temperature. For instance, the temperature control device can include a fluidized sand bath heater in which the multistage reactors are immersed.
19
21
23
11
11
Each of the catalyst beds , , and in the reactor stages of the multistage reactor replicates a longitudinal portion of the catalyst bed of a large plug-flow reactor or of one of the catalyst beds in a set of series-connected plug-flow reactors, and permits the measurement and analysis of the characteristics and performance of successive longitudinal portions of a large catalyst bed, or of one of the catalyst bed in a set of catalyst beds, thereby allowing determination of longitudinal gradients in reactor characteristics and performance that heretofore have been inaccessible. While reactor has been shown as having three series-connected stages, it is equally possible to have a larger number of series-connected stages, e.g., four or six stages, in order to analyze the performance of the composite catalyst bed or set of beds at a greater number of points along its length.
For the study of the zeolite catalyzed conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene and other unsaturates, the analysis of the feed and the effluent from the reactor stages can include, e.g., conventional GC/MS or UV or IR characterization of the reactant and product stream(s), and/or analysis of the catalyst system by XRD, diffuse reflectance IR or other spectroscopic techniques that are well known in the art. These studies would allow the performance attributes of the system to be quantified as a function of the longitudinal position in the catalyst bed or set of beds. Such knowledge allows the system to be optimized with direct knowledge of the catalytic reaction kinetics and performance attributes of each point and permits the design of catalyst systems in which, e.g., the catalyst particles may have different chemical or physical characteristics in different longitudinal portions of the catalyst bed or set of beds so as to operate at peak productivity or selectivity to propylene as a function of the local environment.
FIG. 11
In one example of a full product analysis, an Agilent 6890 GC was used. An online analysis method was conducted using a PLOT-Q capillary column and a FID to perform a full analysis of all product components. shows a typical chromatograph of the reactor down-stream components analyzed by Agilent 6890 GC. All components are well separated in the chromatograph, and allow quantitative determinations of their amounts.
13
15
17
13
15
17
19
21
23
19
21
23
The catalyst beds in the reactor stages , and may be a crushed or powdered catalyst or a commercial-size catalyst. Most measurements made in gathering data for the scale up of a catalytic reactor are preferably made with the reactor operating in a substantially isothermal regime. In order for the reactor stages , and to operate in a substantially isothermal regime, the cobalt-based catalysts in the beds , and are diluted with an inert particulate matter, typically in a ratio of up to about 8-10 to 1. For measurements being made with the reactor operating in a substantially adiabatic regime, the catalyst in the beds , and is less diluted, and depends on the heat of reaction of the process under study and reactor diameter. The ratio of catalyst particles to diluent particles in a catalyst bed depends upon a number of factors, including the amount of heat generated by the reaction and the activity of the catalyst particles in the bed. The appropriate ratio for a given reaction, catalyst, reactor diameter and catalyst particle size can easily be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art by a simple experiment.
A commercial-size catalyst in a fixed bed reactor typically has particle size of about 1 to 5 mm. the catalyst particles can be in any one or more a variety of shapes, e.g., round, tubular, trilobe, toroidal, etc. The crushed or powdered catalyst, which is typically formed by crushing a commercial-size catalyst, typically has a particle size of about 0.10-0.20 mm. the crushed or powdered catalyst particles are normally preferably as small as can be obtained while still retaining a performance qualities of the catalyst. The interior diameter of a reactor stage should be about 10 times the diameter of the smaller of the diluent or catalyst particles and the minimum would typically be in the range of about 10 to 50 mm (0.4 to 2 inches) for a bed containing commercial-size catalyst particles and diluent. Crushed or powdered catalyst particles are typically more active than the commercial-size catalyst particles because of lower mass transfer resistance. Therefore, in order for a reactor containing a bed of crushed or powdered catalyst to operate at the same temperature as a similar reactor containing commercial-size catalyst, the ratio of inert diluent particles to catalyst particles in the bed of crushed or powdered catalyst particles normally needs to be higher than that of the bed containing commercial-size catalyst particles in order that the heat release per unit volume of the to catalyst beds is the same.
11
The interior diameter of a reactor containing crushed catalyst, can, if desired, be smaller, in the range of about 5 to 12 mm, than that of a reactor containing the commercial size catalyst. For reasons of flexibility in the use of the multistage reactor in different applications, however, it may be preferable that the crushed catalyst bed have the same interior diameter as that required for a bed containing commercial-size catalyst particles. Alternatively, the interior diameter of a reactor being used with a bed of crushed or powdered catalyst particles may be reduced by the use of a thermally conductive sleeve within the reactor.
11
19
23
13
17
11
The minimum height of a reactor stage is determined either by mixing or heat release considerations. For isothermal operation, if mixing is the limiting factor, the height should be sufficient to avoid bypassing. Typically, this would be at least about 50 times the average diameter of the particles, or about 50 to 250 mm (2 to 10 inches) for a reactor stage containing a bed of commercial-size catalyst particles. Because the feed is progressively converted as it traverses the stage of the multistage reactor , the concentration of fresh feed in the successive reactor stages decreases from one stage to the next. If it is desired to have constant conversion in each reactor stage, the lengths of the catalyst beds - can be progressively longer in each of the successive reactor stages -. If the reactor is to operate in the adiabatic regime, one would tend to use a lower ratio of inert diluent and a larger diameter reactor.
FIG. 2
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
11
11
35
11
11
11
35
33
35
33
11
35
11
Referring to of the drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a reactor useful in performing the method of the invention in which elements that are the same as in the embodiment illustrated in are numbered similarly. This second embodiment includes a composite multistage reactor that is the same as the multistage reactor of . A composite multistage probe reactor , in which each reactor stage can be the same as the corresponding reactor stage of multistage reactor , is operated in parallel with the multistage reactor . Both of the multistage reactor and the probe reactor are contained in a temperature control device that can be the same as the types discussed above. If desired, the probe reactor can be contained in a temperature control device separate from the temperature control device in which the reactor is contained, thereby permitting the operation of the probe reactor at a temperature different from that of the multistage reactor .
35
37
39
41
43
45
47
49
37
39
50
37
51
39
41
52
39
53
41
54
41
31
37
31
37
37
55
37
35
57
39
39
41
59
41
41
43
45
47
35
19
21
23
11
The composite reactor has three series-connected reactor stages , , and that contain catalyst beds , and , respectively. A sampling valve is connected between the output of probe reactor stage in the inlet of the probe reactor stage and has an output for sampling the effluent from reactor stage . A sampling valve is connected between the output of reactor stage and the input of reactor stage and has an output for sampling the effluent from the reactor stage . A sampling valve is connected between the output of reactor stage and, e.g., a product accumulator (not shown), and has an output for sampling the effluent from reactor stage . The fresh reactant feed from source is connected to the inlet of the first probe reactor stage . A control and sampling valve can be connected between the source in the inlet to the first probe reactor stage for selectively controlling the amount of feed to the probe reactor and to permit the sampling of the feed for analysis. Also connected to the inlet to the first probe reactor stage is a source of a material to be controllably added to the input of the first probe reactor stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition on the characteristics and performance of the stages of the probe reactor . A source is connected to the inlet of the second probe reactor stage for selectively adding a material to the input of such a second probe reactor stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition on the characteristics and performance of the second and third probe reactor stages and . A source is connected to the input of the third probe reactor stage for selectively adding a material to the input of such probe reactor stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition on the characteristics and performance of the third probe reactor stage . In this embodiment of the invention, the catalyst beds , and of the probe reactor are preferably the same as the catalyst beds , and of the multistage reactor , respectively.
35
11
35
11
35
11
11
35
55
57
59
35
The use of the composite multistage probe reactor allows one to measure the transient response of the system to permanent or temporary changes in the feed composition at any stage of the multistage reactor by comparing the characteristics and performance of the relevant stages of the probe reactor over time in response to the change in input with the characteristics and performance of the corresponding stages of the multistage reactor . Introduction of a change in gas or liquid input to the third reactor stage of the probe reactor allows one to measure the impact of the changed component on the reaction rate and selectivity of the third reactor stage catalyst bed of the multistage reactor with time. Introduction of the change to the second probe reactor stage allows one to measure the impact on the second and third stage catalyst beds of the multistage reactor . This is equivalent to measuring the response to a change in conditions of any small segment of the catalyst bed in a commercial-size fixed bed reactor. For example, raising the gas feed rate to any reactor stage of the probe reactor by having one of the sources , or and additional fresh feed into the stage of the probe reactor to which it is connected, would allow the investigation of the changes in incremental performance of that stage and following stages resulting from the change in input over time.
55
57
59
35
35
35
It is also possible to use the sources , or to vary the concentrations of the trace components present in the fresh feed in a selected probe reactor stage, for instance by adding fresh reactant feed having a higher or lower concentration of such trace components, in order to quantify the effect of such trace components on various parts of the composite catalyst bed under a full range of operating conditions. By doing this it would be possible to map the critical longitudinal portions of the composite catalyst bed in a commercial system in which the catalyst is most vulnerable to poisoning or other inhibitory reactions caused by poisons or other natural byproducts of the reaction being practiced. The probe reactor , and other versions of probe reactor as discussed below with relation to other Figures, can also be used to investigate the transient response of a reactor to temporary changes in the composition of the feed or prior stage effluent to various points in a composite catalyst bed by temporarily adding the materials of interest to a selected stage of the probe reactor and monitoring the time dependent response of that stage and following stages of the probe reactor to such added materials both during and after the time that such materials are added.
FIG. 3
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
101
11
101
103
13
15
11
105
107
13
13
101
109
15
17
11
111
113
15
15
101
107
15
117
119
15
15
101
101
31
121
101
11
101
Referring to of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment of a reactor useful in performing the method of the invention in which elements that are the same as in the embodiments of are numbered similarly. In this embodiment, the probe reactor can consist of a single fixed bed reactor stage whose inlet is selectively fluid dynamically linked to a selected stage of the composite multistage fixed bed reactor . Other configurations for the single stage probe reactor are discussed below. The valve is connected between the output of the first reactor stage and the input of the second reactor stage of the multistage reactor and has outputs and for selectively sampling of the effluent of the reactor stage and selectively connecting a portion of the effluent of the reactor stage to the input of the probe reactor , respectively. The valve is connected between the output of the reactor stage and the input to the reactor stage of the multistage reactor and has outputs and for selectively sampling of the effluent of reactor stage and selectively connecting a portion of the effluent of reactor stage to the input of probe reactor , respectively. The valve is connected between the output of reactor stage and a product accumulator and has outputs and for selectively sampling of the effluent of reactor stage and selectively connecting a portion of the effluent of reactor stage to the input of probe reactor , respectively. The probe reactor also receives inputs from the feed source and from a source . The probe reactor and the catalyst bed contained therein in this embodiment of the invention is preferably the same as the reactor stage and catalyst bed contained therein in the multistage reactor following the one having a portion of its effluent connected to the input of the probe reactor . The single stage probe reactor may, for example, be used to perform the same investigations as were described above with relation to the multistage probe reactor embodiment of .
FIG. 4
FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 2
35
35
35
11
11
35
123
13
15
11
125
127
13
13
39
129
15
17
11
131
133
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15
41
31
37
37
35
37
55
37
35
57
39
39
41
59
41
41
43
45
47
35
19
21
23
11
Referring to of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment of a reactor useful in performing the method of the invention in which elements that are common to the embodiments of are numbered similarly. In this embodiment, the probe reactor consists of a composite multistage series-connected laboratory scale plug-flow reactor in which the reactor stages may be the same as the multistage series-connected probe reactor depicted in of the drawings. In this embodiment, however, the stages of the probe reactor are selectively fluid dynamically linked to selected stages of the composites multistage series-connected reactor by selectively connecting a portion of the effluent of one or more stages of the composite multistage series-connected reactor to one or more selected stages of the probe reactor . The valve is connected between the output of the first reactor stage and the input of the second reactor stage of the multistage reactor and has outputs and for selectively sampling the effluent of the first reactor stage and connecting a selected portion of the effluent of reactor stage to the inlet of probe reactor stage , respectively. The valve is connected between the output of reactor stage and the input to reactor stage of the multistage reactor and has outputs and for selectively sampling the effluent of reactor stage and selectively connecting a portion of the effluent of reactor stage to the input of probe reactor stage , respectively. The fresh reactant feed from the source is connected to the input of the first probe reactor stage . Control and sampling valves (not shown) may be connected in the line between the fresh reactant feed and the probe reactor stage to control the amount of fresh reactant feed supplied to the probe reactor and to permit the analysis of its content. Also connected to the input to the first probe reactor stage is a source of a material to the selectively added to the input of the first probe reactor stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition to the stages of the probe reactor . A source is connected to the input of the second program per stage for selectively adding a material to the input of such a second program per stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition on the second and third probe reactor stages and . A source is connected to the input of the third probe reactor stage for selectively adding a material to the input of such probe reactor stage for ascertaining the effect of such addition on the third probe reactor stage . In this embodiment of the invention, the catalyst beds , and of the probe reactor are preferably the same as the catalyst beds , and of the multistage reactor , respectively.
FIG. 3
101
101
101
101
11
11
101
101
Referring again to of the drawings, the probe reactor can consist of a substantially fully back-mixed reactor instead of a single stage fixed bed reactor stage , such as discussed above. The distribution a catalyst, feed and products in the back-mixed probe reactor a substantially uniform and so, if the probe reactor receives only effluent from a stage of reactor , it corresponds to a single, narrow, horizontal slice at the inlet of the catalyst bed of the stage of multistage reactor following the stage that has a portion of its effluent connected to the input of the probe reactor . By controlling the relative concentrations of fixed bed reactor stage effluent and fresh feed, it will is possible for the back-mixed probe reactor to simulate any selected horizontal slice of the fixed bed reactor stage whose effluent is connected to the back-mixed probe reactor. The back-mixed probe reactor can, for instance, be a two-phase fluidized bed reactor, a three-phase slurry reactor, or a three phase ebulated bed reactor.
FIGS. 2
3
4
101
35
11
11
In the embodiments of , and of the drawings, stages of the probe reactor and receive as inputs combinations of controlled amounts of one or more of the fresh reactant feed, effluent from a selected stage of the multistage reactor and other feeds. Such other feeds may, for instance, consist of additional fresh reactant feed, additional product gases or liquids produced during the reaction taking place in the composite multistage reactor , or contaminants that may be present in the fresh feed used during operation of a commercial reactor.
The reactant and other material feeds, and reaction products and byproducts in reactor effluents supplied or generated in the embodiments of the invention described herein may be either gaseous, liquid or mixed phase (such as e.g., gas/liquid or two or more immiscible liquids). Feeds and effluents consisting of gases can be handled using well known conventional back pressure regulators and gas flow control systems with mass flow controllers. Controlled amounts of liquids can be pumped in high-pressure environments using known pumps such as a Ruska pump or a Syringe pump. If the effluent from a reactor stage or the feed contains multiple phases, particularly if such phases are immiscible, such as water and hydrocarbons or liquid and gas, it is important to avoid slug flow. In such case, sampling valves may consist of e.g., iso-kinetic sampling valves such as available from Prosery AS, or splitters such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,168. Alternatively, the stream may be sampled immediately after a static mixer such as available from Prosery AS, which homogenizes the multiphase stream. In combining immiscible feeds or feeds and effluent to a reactor stage, or in conducting the multiphase effluent from the outlet of one reactor stage to the inlet of the following reactor stage in a series-connected multistage reactor, it is typically the practice to manifold of the streams into a line having a high Reynolds number similar in concept to a fuel injection system in an automobile engine. Alternatively, static mixers such as available from Prosery AS or from Admix, Inc., Manchester, N.H., can also be used.
In the plug-flow zeolite catalyzed conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene, deactivation can occur by a number of mechanisms which may vary as a function of the catalyst's longitudinal position in the reactor. The presence of unsaturated molecules, which are primary products in the DME conversion step, can lead to formation of carbon containing overlayers which retard overall catalytic activity; and the nature and reactivity of these carbon phases can vary as a function of the conditions under which they were formed. The nature and effect of various modes of deactivation on the performance of different segments of the fixed bed system is not well understood, and ways to mitigate deactivation by controlling a catalyst's chemical or physical properties or by adding other substances that will minimize their ability to form coke or to facilitate the removal of coke once formed, is of high importance. The present invention provides for a method for using a laboratory scale multistage plug-flow reactor to investigate the overall mechanism of deactivation as a function of longitudinal position within a full scale reactor, and provides a means for developing improved regeneration methods without the need for full scale operations.
The method of the current invention using composite multistage series-connected laboratory scale plug-flow reactors, enables the investigation of catalyst deactivation under normal operating methanol and/or DME to propylene conditions, and under conditions that simulate specific deactivation agents and pathways by addition of external agents such as olefins, dienes, acetylenes, aromatics and other unsaturates to the feed gas for the methanol and/or DME to propylene process. The overall degree or percent of deactivation can be varied by changing the operating conditions such as temperature, flow rate, feed gas composition, pressure for the methanol and/or DME to propylene process, or the time under which deactivation occurs. By taking this approach it is possible to study the extent and reversibility of deactivation as a function of the degree of deactivation that has occurred or to study the nature of the deactivation process as a function of the position of the catalyst in the composite catalyst bed of the reactor system.
In accordance with the invention, the catalyst is subjected to conditions under which deactivation occurs, the extent of deactivation is quantified, the catalyst is then subjected to some form of regeneration process, and the extent to which activity or other performance properties were reacquired is determined by some form of methanol and/or DME to propylene activity/performance test. The catalyst can also be subjected to some form or surface or bulk analytical characterization method to determine the nature of chemical or physical property changes that occurred during the deactivation process and/or during the regeneration process. The procedure thus allows one to determine the nature of deactivation as function of catalyst position within the reactor and the efficacy of various regeneration procedures for that mode of deactivation. This information provides the basis for developing an integrated method for regenerating a methanol and/or DME to propylene catalyst system in a full scale system without the need for operating in a full scale PDU or larger reactor system.
A major area of concern in understanding and controlling the characteristics and performance of a fixed bed reactor is the adsorption or reaction of a feed component, product or byproduct with the catalyst surface. For instance, in the zeolite catalyzed conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene or higher olefins, materials such as olefins, aromatics, ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide can tie up active catalyst sites, reduce reaction rate and adversely impact product selectivity. The reactions caused by these materials can take time to equilibrate and can also take time to be released after removal of the material from the feed stream to the reactor.
Ammonia is known to react with acid sites on zeolites, causing activity to vary. Upon removal of the ammonia (or other heteroatom containing molecules) from the feed, hydrogen can be used to remove the ammonia from the catalyst surface. In investigating the effects of ammonia on different portions of the composite catalyst bed, ammonia can be added to the inlet of any of the stages of probe reactor, thereby replicating the effect of the presence of ammonia in the feed to a selected longitudinal slice of the composite catalyst bed. By controlling the conversion level in a given catalyst slice, e.g., by adjusting temperature and/or flow rate and/or reactant partial pressures in a probe reactor stage, it is possible to define the effect of the ammonia under various operating conditions. By varying the hydrogen concentration in the feed to one or more probe reactor stages, it is possible, for example, to investigate the effect of increased hydrogen on the ammonia-contaminated catalyst in different portions of the composite catalyst bed, e.g., the bed with the greatest activity decline.
35
101
11
Aromatics can be tightly held on a zeolite catalyst for conversion of methanol and/or DME to propylene, which can reduce available surface for alcohol or ether activation, thereby making chemisorption of the feed the rate limiting step. By varying the concentrations of aromatics (or other unsaturates) in the feed to selected stages of the probe reactor or and comparing performance of the relevant probe reactor stages with the corresponding stages of the multistage reactor , it is possible to determine the impact of these molecules on reaction rate and selectivity. The use of a multi-stage probe reactor allows for testing of the impact at various conversion levels by e.g., by adjusting temperature and/or flow rate and/or reactant partial pressures.
35
101
11
The addition of steam to a fixed bed reactor in zeolite catalyzed conversion of methanol or DME to propylene or higher olefins is believed to have a positive impact on reaction rate under some conditions, while having a negative effect under other conditions. Adding controlled amounts of steam or other oxygen containing molecules to selected stages of the probe reactor or would permit the study of the impact of the added water on reaction rate and selectivity in selected longitudinal slices of the composite catalyst bed by comparing the characteristics and performance of the relevant stages of the probe reactor with the corresponding stages of the multistage reactor .
35
101
35
101
Surface or carbidic carbon present on a zeolite catalyst for conversion of methanol or DME to propylene or higher olefins will usually affect activity in a negative way. Heavier unsaturates present on or in a catalyst particle has a similar impact on their performance; and may represent a key pathway for catalyst deactivation. In general, carbon and heavy hydrocarbon deposits on a catalyst inhibit the diffusion of reactants to the catalyst surface and the removal of reaction products from the catalyst surface. This tends to lead to activity reduction via unwanted side reactions with deposits on the catalyst surface or with the diffusion limited reactants or both. In the case of beds containing commercial-size catalyst particles where the diffusion path is the longest, this sort of diffusion limitation can limit overall catalyst life and require costly steps to maintain system performance. Adding different molecular weight fractions of aromatics or other unsaturates to the zeolite catalyst bed or at a selected stage of the probe reactor or allows the determination of what portion of the composite catalyst bed is impacted the most. The effects of various regeneration techniques such as by the addition of hydrogen, steam, oxygen or a light solvent can also be determined by controlling the feeds to the relevant stages of the probe reactor or , thereby to define the preferred regeneration technique.
FIG. 5
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Referring now to of the drawings, the series-connected reactor stages of the composite multistage fixed bed reactor can be arranged in parallel with one another in a temperature control device for a more compact and convenient configuration. In this arrangement the composite multistage laboratory scale reactor is made up of three series-connected reactor stages , and which are disposed in temperature control device constituted by a heated or cooled fluidized sand bath . The reactant feed gas is preferably connected from a source file a through a preheat coil , which is also disposed in the fluidized sand bath , to the inlet of the first reactor stage . Any liquid is fed from the feed pump through the preheat coil to the inlet of reactor . Sampling valves may be connected in the both the gas and liquid feed lines for sampling the gas and liquid feeds. The preheat coil is used to heat the gas and liquid feeds to the appropriate temperature for being supplied to the multistage reactor . The outlet of reactor is connected to the inlet of reactor through a sampling valve . The outlet of reactor stage is connected to the inlet of reactor stage through the sampling valve , and the outlet of reactor stage is connected through a sampling valve to the separator . Each of the sampling valves , and have an outlet selectively connected to a probe reactor for supplying effluent to the probe actor . Each of the sampling valves , and also has an outlet to permit sampling of the effluent from the respective reactor stage to whose output of the sampling valve is connected.
FIG. 6
FIG. 5
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Referring now to of the drawings, there is illustrated schematically, an arrangement of three composite multistage series-connected laboratory scale fixed bed reactors , and and arranged in a fluidized sand bath . The stages of each of the multistage reactors are arranged in parallel with one another in the same manner as the stages of the reactor in , and each of the multistage reactors , and is preferably preceded by a preheat coil that can be the same as the preheat coil illustrated in of the drawings. A single-stage probe reactor , which can be any of the types described above with relation to probe reactor of of the drawings, is arranged between the series-connected reactors and in the fluidized sand bath and selectively receives inputs of either the reactant feed or the effluent of any of the reactor stages of the series connected reactors and by means of sampling valves (not shown) that may be the same as the sampling valves , and illustrated in of the drawings. Each of the reactors , , and receives reactant feed from sources , , , and , respectively, that can be all the same feed source. The outlets of the last stages of each of the reactors , , , and are preferably connected to the separators or product accumulators , , and , respectively, which all may be constituted by a single separator or product accumulator.
FIGS. 5 and 6
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The arrangements of have the advantage that the fluidized sand bath need not be so deep as it would be if the reactors were arranged vertically, and in that the sampling valves , and can be situated above the fluidized sand bath and so are accessible for maintenance or adjustment during operation of the multistage reactors. If the effluents from the stages of the multistage reactors contain multiple phases, the transfer lines connecting the outlet of one reactor stage to the inlet of the following reactor stage need to be configured in such a way as to avoid a slug flow in the lines. As described above, this can be accomplished using lines having high Reynolds numbers or with the use of static mixers. The sampling valves , and can be iso-kinetic sampling valves, although other arrangements such as described above can also be used. Additionally, the conduits connecting the outlet of one reactor stage to the inlet of the following series-connected reactor stage are designed for non-slugging flow, for instance by using static mixers.
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FIGS. 2 through 4
FIGS. 5 and 6
Having a plurality of composite multistage series-connected reactors disposed in a common temperature environment, such as constituted by the fluidized sand bath , or as described above with relation to of the drawings, permits the simultaneous investigation of various characteristics of a catalytic process for substantially accelerating the scaling up of the reaction to commercial application. For instance, using the configuration of as an example, if the multistage reactor contains crushed catalyst particles diluted with an inert diluent for isothermal operation, and the reactor contains commercial scale catalyst particles also diluted with an inert diluent for isothermal operation, and the reactor contains commercial scale catalyst particles in a concentration suitable for adiabatic operation, the kinetic, mass transfer and heat transfer characteristics of the catalytic process can be investigated simultaneously in the isothermal reactors, and the resulting reactor model derived from the data obtained from the isothermal reactors can be confirmed by the data obtained from the adiabatic reactor.
11
Other experiments to be performed that aid in the scaling up of a catalytic process include, for example, investigating the characteristics of a plurality of different catalysts simultaneously. Alternatively, a crushed catalyst in the catalyst beds of one multistage series-connected reactor could be compared with a plurality of different shapes or sizes of commercial-size versions of the catalyst in the catalyst beds of other multistage series-connected reactors, all disposed in a common constant temperature department. In an alternative arrangement, it is also possible to have different catalysts in different reactor stages of the multistage series-connected reactor for testing the catalysts in series. Using such an arrangement, one can design a layered composite catalyst bed in which the intrinsic behavior of each catalyst layer is matched to the local kinetic and mass transfer environment, so that the overall response of the system is varied longitudinally so as to obtain behavior characteristics in each longitudinal portion of the composite reactor that are optimum for process performance. If a plurality of multistage series-connected fixed bed reactors is disposed in separate, independently controllable temperature control devices, a plurality of different heat removal levels can be investigated in parallel.
FIG. 7
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Referring now to of the drawings, the module contains a plurality of parallel laboratory scale fixed bed reactor stages - through -. The module includes a temperature control device surrounding the module for controlling the temperature of the ambient experienced by the reactor stages - through -. In the case of an exothermic reaction, such as methanol and/or DME conversion to propylene, the temperature control device may consist of an enclosure containing circulating boiling water, or fluidized sand bath heater in which the multistage reactors are immersed, for extracting heat from the reactor stages - through -
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Each of the reactor stages - through -contain a catalyst bed - through -. The modules and can be identical to the module , and contain a plurality of parallel fixed bed reactor stages - through -and - through -, respectively. Each of the parallel reactor stages in the modules and contain catalyst beds - through -and - through -, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet of each of the reactor stages in module is connected to the inlet of the corresponding reactor stage in module , and the outlet of each of the reactor stages in module is connected to the inlet of the corresponding reactor stage in module . Thus, the series-connected reactors stages -, - and - form a composite multistage series-connected fixed bed reactor. Similarly, the other sets of series connected reactor stages in the modules , and also form composite multistage series-connected fixed bed reactors. The modules , and may contain any desired number of parallel reactor stages depending upon the application. For instance, each module might contain four or eight or even 16 parallel reactor stages. Is also possible to have additional modules of parallel reactors stages, with each of said parallel reactors stages being connected in series with the corresponding reactor stages of the preceding and succeeding modules. For instance, there might be four or six modules in a given application.
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The modules and are surrounded by temperature control devices and , respectively, that may be the same as, or common with, the temperature control device that surrounds the module . Sampling valves - through -are connected between the outlet of each reactor stage in the module and the inlet of the corresponding reactor stage in module . Sampling valves at - through -are connected between the outlets of each of the reactor stages in module in the inlet of the corresponding reactor stage in module . Fresh reactant feed is fed from a source through control valves - through -to the inlets of each of the reactor stages - through -of module for supplying controlled amounts of reactant feed to the inlets of the respective reactor stages. The fixed bed reactor also receives fresh reactant feed gas from the source at its inlet, and has its outlet connected to the inlets of the reactor stages - through -through control valves - through -, respectively, for supplying controlled amounts of effluent from the reactor to the reactors - through -
FIG. 7
In a commercial-size fixed bed reactor, the proportion of fresh feed and reaction products and byproducts varies continuously along the length of the catalyst bed. At the inlet there is 100% fresh reactant feed and zero reaction products and byproducts. As the fresh feed is consumed in the catalyst bed of the reactor, the proportion of fresh feed decreases and the proportion of reactant products and byproducts increases longitudinally along the catalyst bed. The multiple parallel-serial reactor arrangement of can be used to perform a number of different kinds of experiments. For instance, all of the reactor stages can contain the same catalyst and the composition of the feed can be varied from stage to stage. Alternatively, the composition size or configuration of the catalyst particles can be varied from reactor stage to reactor stage in each of the reactor stages can receive the same feed.
2
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In accordance with the method of the invention, the rate of disappearance of methanol or DME reactants and appearance of products and byproducts of the reactions occurring are measured as they occur at successive points along the composite cobalt-based catalyst bed. In particular, at each reactor stage the relative amounts of olefins, aromatics, CO, COHO and hydrocarbons are determined, e.g., by GC Mass Spectroscopy, or Quadripole Mass Spectroscopy. Tracer molecules, such as alkyl substituted olefins, aldehydes or ketones, or higher alcohols can be added to the reaction stream at selected points and in selected amounts for investigating system properties such as the kinetics of discrete reaction steps e.g., aromatization, and the relative structural sensitivity to changes in molecular shape or unsaturated content of the chemisorption sites on the catalyst particles, along the composite bed.
Using the above longitudinal data, the kinetics and mass transfer characteristics of the system can be investigated as they vary along the composite catalyst bed. The effects of physical variations in catalyst particles, such as particle size and shape and pore diameter and tortuosity can also be investigated longitudinally along the composite bed by repeating the measurements of the relative amounts of the zeolite catalyzed reaction products and byproducts present in the effluents of each of the reactor stages of the composite multistage series-connected fixed bed reactor with the catalyst beds containing catalyst particles having the relevant physical characteristics. For determining mass transfer characteristics, the catalyst beds in the reactor stages of the composite reactor during one of these sets of measurements preferably contains crushed or powdered catalyst particles.
In accordance with the method of the invention, the analysis of the system can also include an investigation of the structure—function effects of the zeolite catalyzed reaction e.g., redox states, crystalline phases of the zeolite or internal or external acid sites and corresponding oxides, carbides and protonated phases. Such investigation can also include the investigation of the service and bulk properties of the zeolite catalytic sites and their effects on the activity of the catalyst. For instance, the metallic cobalt at the catalytic sites on the catalyst particles can form inter-metallic oxides with the catalyst support particles that are not catalytically active. Additionally the individual acid catalytic sites on the catalyst particles can be affected thereby reducing the effective surface acidity, which results in a corresponding reduction in the catalyst activity. This investigation can be accomplished by investigating the catalyst particle characteristics in situ e.g., by XRay or Mossbauer Spectroscopy, or by measuring characteristics of the catalyst particles removed from a fixed bed reactor stage, such as a probe reactor. The measurements can be performed using various techniques, such as temperature programmed reduction or temperature programmed oxidation techniques, acid-base titration, ammonia chemisorption and surface spectroscopy techniques such as XRay absorption, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, or laser photoionization.
Kinetics
FIGS. 1 through 7
Heretofore, it has been the practice to measure the kinetics of a fixed bed catalytic system only by measurements taken at the inlet and the outlet of the catalyst bed, so that the measurements are averaged over the length of a catalyst bed. In analyzing the kinetic performance of such a reactor, it was necessary to make assumptions concerning the kinetic order of the reaction. Typically, it was assumed that the order of the reaction remained constant along the length of the catalyst bed in the reactor. Applicants have found that this assumption was in many cases incorrect. With the use of the multistage series-connected fixed bed reactor of the present invention as described above with relation to any of the , it is possible to investigate longitudinal variations in the kinetics of a plug-flow catalytic system along the length of the catalyst bed of the reactor.
FIG. 7
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Using the multiple parallel-serial reactor arrangement illustrated in of the drawings as an example, a multistage series-connected laboratory scale reactor can be used in accordance with the method of the invention to develop scale-up data for investigating the integral, differential and intrinsic kinetics of a plug-flow catalytic reactor system as a function of the longitudinal position along the catalyst bed of the reactor. For example, to determine the integral kinetics of a fixed bed reactor system, the catalyst beds in the reactor stages of modules , and and the reactor can contain the catalyst intended for use with the system. The parallel reactor stages - through -in the module receive varying proportions of fresh feed from the source and effluent from the reactor . For instance, the valves - through -and valves at - through -can be set such that reactor stage - receives 100% fresh feed and no effluent, and the reactor stages - through -receive successively decreasing proportions of fresh feed and increasing proportions of effluent. In this arrangement, the successive reactor stages - through -are equivalent to successive, longitudinally-spaced slices of the catalyst bed of a fixed bed reactor, with reactor stage - being equivalent to the slice at the inlet of the catalyst bed and reactor stages - through -operating at conditions equivalent to slices of the catalyst bed positioned at successive longitudinal positions along the composite bed. The reactor stages in modules and can be used to provide data for slices of the catalyst bed being scaled-up that are intermediate the slices of the successive reactor stages in module . For example, if reactor is operated at 90% conversion, its effluent will contain 10% of the amount of fresh feed at its inlet with the remainder of the effluent being reaction products and byproducts. If reactor stage - receives 88% fresh feed and 12% effluent from the reactor , the composition of the feed at the inlet to reactor stage - will be 89.2% fresh feed with the remainder being reaction products and byproducts. If the reactor stages -, - and - are each run at 3% conversion, their effluents will contain 97% fresh feed, 94.1% fresh feed and 92.3% fresh feed, respectively, with the remainder being reaction products and byproducts. Thus, the compositions and proportions of fresh feed and reaction products and byproducts in the reactor stages in modules and are equivalent to those at successive longitudinal slices in the catalyst bed of a fixed bed reactor.
In order to determine the integral kinetics of the catalytic system formed by a composite multistage series-connected fixed bed reactor as a function of longitudinal positions in the catalyst bed, it is necessary to analyze the inlet feed stream and composition and outlet feed stream and composition, normalized, for instance to STP per standard liter of feed, at each of the successive longitudinal slices of the catalyst bed. For instance in a zeolite catalyzed reaction, one would measure how many moles of DME or methanol were consumed and how much product and byproduct were produced in each reactor stage. The conversion, or an equivalent quantity, such as the remaining concentration of fresh feed, is then plotted versus the residence time, which corresponds to successive longitudinal positions along the catalyst bed as the reactant feed traverses the catalyst bed. The slope at each point along the resulting curve is equal to the Reaction Rate for the system. The reaction rate is then plotted on a log-log plot versus the concentration of the fresh feed along the reactor catalyst bed. If the resulting curve is a straight line, the integral kinetics of the system is a constant along the length of the catalyst bed. If the line is horizontal, the system has first-order kinetics. If the line has a positive slope, the system has positive order kinetics greater than one. If the line has a negative slope, the system has negative order kinetics.
Graphical Methods for Data Analysis
If the resulting curve on the log-log plot is not a straight line, then the integral kinetics of the system varies along the length of the reactor catalyst bed. In this case, it is necessary to do a regression analysis to fit the curve to an equation relating the reaction rate to the concentration of feed. Differentiating that equation, either graphically or mathematically, gives the Rate Model Correlation as a function of longitudinal position along the catalyst bed. A representative graphic technique is discussed in , John M. Chambers, Chapman and Hall, May 1983, ISBN: 0412052717.
In order to determine the effects of temperature and pressure on the integral kinetics of the system, the above-described experiment can be run at different temperatures and at different pressures. The experiment can also be run using different size catalysts. For example, the experiment can be run using the intended commercial size and shape catalyst and also with a diluted crushed or powdered catalyst.
FIGS. 1-7
FIG. 7
The intrinsic and differential kinetics, free of mass transfer and heat transfer effects, of the composite multistage series-connected fixed bed catalytic system of the invention can also be investigated for purposes of scale-up to a commercial system using the systems depicted in of the drawings. Using the system depicted in as an example, the catalyst beds of the reactor stages include very finely crushed or powdered catalyst particles in order to avoid mass transfer effects, and the catalyst is highly diluted to avoid heat transfer effects. Additionally, the diameter of the reactor should preferably be small, typically about 5 to 12 millimeters to further avoid heat transfer effects. This can be accomplished by using a smaller diameter reactor or by using a heat conductive sleeve in each reactor stage to reduce its diameter. The depth of the catalyst bed in each of the reactor stages is typically between about 5 and 10 centimeters. The same series of measurements and calculations are performed as described above for determining the integral kinetics of the system. In determining the differential kinetics of the system the amount of conversion in each reactor stage should be very small, e.g. less than 20 percent, preferably about 2 to 5 percent in the case of a methanol and/or DME conversion reaction. The measurements can be performed at different temperatures and pressures in order to investigate the effects of temperature and pressure on the intrinsic and differential kinetics of the system.
FIG. 7
FIG. 1
FIG. 7
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While these kinetics measurements have been described with relation to , it would also be possible to use the other disclosed reactor systems such as that described with relation to or of the drawings, using enough series-connected reactor stages to give the necessary of longitudinal information along the composite catalyst bed. A significant advantage of the system of of the drawings is that the use of the reactor to supply the effluent to all of the reactor stages in module means that each of the reactor stages in the module receives exactly the same reaction products and byproducts and trace elements, thereby replicating actual reactor conditions more exactly and eliminating errors resulting from variations in the composition of the feed to the reactor stages. Additionally, the composition of the inputs and outputs from all of the reactor stages can be sampled substantially simultaneously to give a snapshot of the reactor's performance at a given moment. The sampling of the composition of the inputs and outputs from the reactor stages can also be repeated periodically while the reactor system continues to operate thereby investigating the performance of the reactor system as a function of time on stream to see what aspects of the reactor performance change and in what longitudinal zones of the overall catalyst bed the changes occur. This data is useful in investigating the catalyst stability, among other things.
Mass Transfer
Methods of investigating the mass transfer characteristics of a catalytic process in a plug-flow reactor typically involve a comparing the conversion versus residence time characteristics at a given set of operating conditions of a finely crushed catalyst with that of a commercial-size catalyst. The crushed catalyst is screened to a narrow particle size range, preferably one that is close to the minimum obtainable catalyst particle size that still retains its catalytic properties. This minimum catalyst particle size depends on the characteristics of the specific catalyst being used, and can be determined by simple experimentation. In the more simple method for determining the mass transfer characteristics, the finely crushed and screened catalyst is assumed not to have any mass transfer limitations, so that any difference in the conversion versus residence time characteristics between the crushed catalyst and the commercial-size catalyst is assumed to be the result of mass transfer limitations. For a given feed, the effluent of the two reactors is sampled to determine the amount of conversion. Alternatively, the input flow rates of the two reactors can be adjusted (i.e., the input flow rate to the crushed catalyst in reactor is increased, or the input flow rate to the commercial-size catalyst reactor is decreased) so that each of the reactors has the same percentage conversion, and that difference in residence times is attributed to mass transfer limitations in the commercial-size catalyst.
In a more rigorous and technically exact method of determining the mass transfer characteristics of a commercial-size catalyst, the finely crushed catalyst is not assumed to have zero mass transfer limitations, and the Thiele Modulus of the commercial catalyst is determined from the ratio of the observed reaction rates of the crushed and commercial-size catalysts and the ratio of their particle sizes. The Effectiveness Factor for the commercial-size catalyst can then be determined from a plot of the effectiveness factor versus the Thiele Modulus. This method is described in Hougen and Watson, Chemical Process Principles, Part III, Kinetics and Catalysts, pp. 998-1000, Wiley, March 1966, which is incorporated herein by reference.
A problem with both of these methods is that they does not give any information concerning longitudinal variations in mass transfer performance along the reactor catalyst bed and basically assumes that the mass transfer characteristics are uniform from input to output. This assumption is incorrect for many catalytic systems, and the inability to investigate the longitudinal variations in mass transfer characteristics in a fixed catalyst bed has meant that information which would allow the optimization of the catalyst bed along its length has not been available.
FIG. 1
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In accordance with the method of the present invention, the catalyst beds of the fixed bed reactors are segmented longitudinally into at least three series-connected stages and the effluent of each of the stages is sampled to determine the amount of conversion occurring in each longitudinal segment of the catalyst bed. Referring again to of the drawings, in accordance with the present invention, each of the reactors and includes three or more reactor stages with sampling valves between the output of each stage and the input of the succeeding stage for measuring the content of the effluent of each stage. The temperature control device maintains both of the reactors and in a common thermal environment. The reactors and both receive the identical reactant input feed from the source . In performing a basic mass transfer investigation, the sources , and are preferably not used. The catalyst beds , and in reactor stages , and of reactor contain a finely crushed and screened or powdered catalyst mixed with enough inert diluent particles so that the operation of the reactor is essentially isothermal. Typically, in an exothermal reaction such as DME conversion, the ratio of diluent particles to crushed catalyst particles is up to about 10 to 1.
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The catalyst beds , and in reactor stages , and of reactor are composed of commercial-size catalyst particles that also may be mixed with a lesser percentage of inert diluent particles so that the operation of reactor is also essentially isothermal. Typically, in an exothermic reaction such as methanol or DME conversion, the ratio of inert diluent particles to catalyst particles is about 1 to 1 up to about 10 to 1, and can be determined by simple experimentation.
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To investigate the longitudinally-dependent mass transfer characteristics of the commercial-size catalyst in accordance with the method of the invention, each of the reactors and receive the identical reactant feed from the source and the pressure and the feed rate for each of the two reactors is held constant. The conversion versus residence time relationship is obtained for each stage of the reactors and from the difference in the amount of reactant feed at the inlet and outlet of each reactor stage and the flow rate, for a given set of operating conditions.
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Graphical Methods for Data Analysis
A Mechanistic Study of Fischer
Tropsch synthesis using transient isotopic tracing. Part
Model identification and discrimination
FIG. 13
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In the simplified method of determining mass transfer limitations, the Effectiveness Factor for the commercial-size catalyst is obtained for the commercial-size catalyst at each stage of the reactor by taking the ratio of the Observed Reaction Rates of the commercial-size catalyst and the crushed catalyst for each reactor stage. The Observed Reaction Rate is obtained for each reactor and by plotting the cumulative conversion of reactant and corresponding cumulative appearance of the product and byproducts (if any) versus residence times at the outputs of the reactor stages of each reactor and fitting curves to the data using well-known techniques. See, e.g., , John M. Chambers, Chapman and Hall, May 1983, ISBN: 0412052717. See also, --1: , van Dijk et al., Sections 3, 5 and 5.2. & . The slope of the resulting curve for the product at any residence time or conversion level for one of the reactors or is the Observed Reaction Rate, K(conversion per unit of residence time) for such reactor for such product. If mass transfer were not limiting, the Kwould be independent of particle diameter. A comparison of the plots of Kversus conversion for the two reactors defines the longitudinal areas of the composite catalyst bed of the reactor containing the commercial-size catalyst in which mass transfer through the catalyst pores is limiting. The Effectiveness Factor for a catalyst in a reactor is equal to the Kdivided by the Intrinsic Reaction Rate, Kfor such catalyst in the reactor. In the simplified method, the crushed catalyst is assumed not to have any mass transfer limitations, so that its Kis equal to the Kfor the catalyst. Therefore, the Effectiveness Factor for the commercial-size catalyst at any point along the composite catalyst bed of reactor is equal to the ratio of the Kof the commercial-size catalyst to that of the crushed catalyst at such point along the catalyst beds.
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If the Hougen and Watson method is used, the Kof the crushed catalyst is not assumed to be equal to the K. According to this method, it is possible, using the graph of of the drawings, to determine the Thiele Modulus for the commercial-size catalyst at any point along the catalyst bed from the ratio of K's at such point and the ratio of the particle diameters of the commercial-size and crushed catalysts. For instance, if the ratio of the particle diameter of the crushed catalyst to that of the commercial-size catalyst is 0.2, and the ratio of Kof the commercial-size catalyst to that of the crushed catalyst is 0.34 at a given point along the catalyst beds, the Thiele Modulus at that point is about 9. Using the graph of , the Effectiveness Factor for the commercial-size catalyst at that point along the composite catalyst bed of reactor is about 0.27. The determination of the longitudinally dependent Effectiveness Factor for the catalyst bed containing the commercial-size particles can be performed repeatedly during running of the reactors and to determine the effect of time on stream on the mass transfer characteristics of the fixed bed catalyst system. The measurements can also be repeated at different operating conditions of temperature and pressure in order to investigate the longitudinally dependent effects of changes in these parameters on the mass transfer characteristics of the composite catalyst bed of the fixed bed reactor .
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Because the Effectiveness Factor is the ratio of Kto the K, it is possible to calculate the Kfor a catalyst from the Effectiveness Factor and the Kfor a given longitudinal point along the catalyst bed. Since Kis the same for the crushed and commercial-size catalysts, the Effectiveness Factor for the commercial-scale catalyst at any point along the catalyst bed can be determined from the Kfor the crushed catalyst at that point and the K.
For reactions, such as methanol and/or DME to propylene conversion, in which different reaction pathways are possible in different longitudinal portions of the catalyst bed of the fixed bed reactor, e.g., conversion of methanol to higher olefins or to propylene or to carbon, it is important also to characterize the behavior of the different kinetic pathways producing the product and various byproducts that can exist for the system as they vary along the length of the composite catalyst bed of the reactor in order to explore the longitudinally dependent kinetic and mass transfer space for the system, and to distinguish between the occurrence of mass transfer and kinetic effects in the system. When this space has been explored, the mass transfer performance of reactant to product for the system operating at a given set of conditions that involve an optimal set of trade-offs for the particular catalyst can be investigated.
In scaling-up a reactor to commercial size, is preferable to confirm the mass transfer characteristics determined under isothermal conditions in the manner described above in an adiabatic reactor. In an adiabatic reactor, the amount of diluent for the commercial-size catalyst is reduced and the tube diameter is controlled so that its thermal performance mirrors that expected for the commercial-size reactor.
Heat Transfer Effects
Understanding the heat transfer performance of a fixed bed reactor is critical to maximizing the productivity at which the reactor can be run. For methanol and/or DME conversion, the reaction rate is higher at higher temperatures. However, if the temperature is allowed to become too high, there is a danger of temperature runaways. The temperatures in the catalyst bed of a fixed bed reactor can vary both longitudinally and laterally within the catalyst bed. Excess heat is preferably removed through the walls of the reactor to a medium such as circulating boiling water or a fluidized sand bath.
FIG. 2
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The reactor system illustrated in of the drawings can also be used to investigate heat transfer characteristics of a methanol and/or DME conversion plug-flow reactor system. For example, the catalyst beds in the reactor stages , and of the reactor can contain a mixture of crushed catalyst and inert diluent particles, and the catalyst beds in stages , and of the multistage reactor can contain mixtures of full-size catalyst particles and inert diluent particles. And both cases the ratios of catalyst particles to inert diluent particles are selected so that the reactor's and operate substantially isothermally. The catalyst beds of the reactors and are instrumented with thermocouples (not shown) to measure in the temperatures at successive longitudinal positions along the catalyst beds, both in the central portion of the bed cross-section and near its periphery. In addition, the effluent of each of the reactor stages is sampled by sampling valves , and of multistage reactor and sampling valves , and of multistage reactor . Lateral heat transfer effects can be further studied by inserting conductive sleeves in the reactor stages in order to decrease the catalyst bed diameter so that the heat generated in the central portion of the bed has less distance to travel to the heat sink formed by the reactor walls and the temperature control device surrounding the reactor walls. Successively thinner heat conductive sleeves can be used to incrementally increase of the diameter of the catalyst bed until the bed diameter is such that the heat that cannot be adequately removed from the central portion of the bed through the reactor walls.
Temperature and product measurements are preferably repeated for different reactor flow rates, pressures, and productivities, both at Start of Run and during the reactor's time on stream as the reactor lines out. The effect on heat transfer characteristics and other process parameters, such as conversion, selectivity and kinetics, of using catalyst particles of various sizes and shapes in the catalyst bed can also be investigated using the method of the invention. The data obtained from such measurements permits one to investigate and gain an understanding of how the heat transfer properties of the reactor system affect reactor performance over the entire multivariable space in which the commercial-size reactor might operate.
FIG. 10
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Referring now to of the drawings, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of apparatus useful in performing the method of the invention which can be used for investigating the longitudinally dependent mass transfer, kinetics and heat transfer characteristics of a fixed bed reactor. The laboratory scale plug-flow reactor contains a bed of commercial sized catalyst particles. Reactor is supplied with fresh reactant feed from the source . Effluent from the reactor is supplied to fixed bed reactor stages - through -through control valves - through -for feeding controlled amounts of effluent from reactor to such reactors. Each of the reactor stages - through -contains a narrow catalyst bed - through -of catalyst particles mixed with enough inert diluent particles so that the catalyst beds operate in a substantially isothermal mode. The source also supplies controlled amounts of fresh reactant feed to the inlets of the reactor stages - through -through control valves and - through -. The effluents from the reactor or stages - through -can be sampled by means of sampling valves - through -
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If the reactor is operated at a given conversion level, e.g. 80%, the input to the individual reactor stages - through -can represent any degree of conversion from zero to 80% by using the control valves - through -and - through -to adjust the ratio of reactor effluent to fresh feed being supplied to the individual reactor stages - through -. Thus, if the valves - and - are adjusted such that reactor stage - receives only effluent from the reactor , and the thickness of the catalyst bed - is such that it performs an additional 5% conversion on such effluent, the catalyst bed - is equivalent to a cross-sectional slice of a fixed bed reactor in which the conversion between 80 and 85% takes place. Similarly, if the valves - and - are adjusted such that the input to reactor stage - is equivalent to the effluent of a reactor operating at 40% conversion, and the thickness of the catalyst bed - is such that it performs an additional 5% conversion on such effluent, the catalyst bed to an - is equivalent to a cross-sectional slice of a catalyst bed in which the conversion between 40 and 45% takes place. Thus, the catalyst beds - through -can replicate the performance of a cross-sectional slice of a fixed bed reactor positioned at any longitudinal position along the catalyst bed.
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The catalyst beds - through -need not all have the same composition. For instance, the beds - and - could contain crushed and commercial-size catalyst particles, respectively, in each case mixed with an amount of inert diluent particles such that the beds operate in isothermal mode. In this case the mass transfer, heat transfer and kinetics characteristics of a cross-sectional slice of a catalyst bed located at any longitudinal position in the catalyst bed can be investigated. In a different application, the catalyst beds - through -could contain catalyst particles of different chemical or physical composition. In order to prevent heat loss or gain in the effluent from the reactor being fed to the reactor stages - through -, the connecting tubing and valves are preferably surrounded by insulating material and the entire system comprising the reactor and the reactor stages - through -can be surrounded by a temperature control device, or alternatively, the reactor and reactor stages - through -can be surrounded by separate temperature control devices, depending on the needs of the application. Additionally, the reactant feed from the source being supplied to the reactor stages - through -can be heated before it is supplied to such reactor stages by well-known indirect heating means such as a coil in a sand bath or an infrared furnace (not shown) in order to have the appropriate temperature conditions in the catalyst bed inlet portions of such reactor stages.
FIGS. 2
4
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The apparatus disclosed in , , and can also be used to investigate other operating parameters of a plug-flow reactor for scale-up or other purposes in accordance with the method of the invention. For example, the longitudinally dependent activity maintenance of a catalyst bed can be investigated as a function of time on stream under different conditions of temperature, pressure and catalyst shape and size. Other longitudinally dependent process parameters that can be investigated using the method of the invention include the effects of different space velocities, reaction products and by-products, different operating temperatures and pressures, time on stream, and different catalyst sizes and shapes, on matters such as e.g., conversion, productivity, kinetics and selectivity, and on changes in catalyst physical and chemical properties such as active site crystal size, oxidation, and growth of an over-layer of support on the surface of the catalyst active sites.
Using present invention, the time for scale-up of the methanol and/or DME to propylene catalytic conversion process from discovery to commercial scale application can be significantly reduced. For example, in one particularly advantageous configuration, four multi-stage reactors of the type described above can be operated in parallel. In this embodiment, the stages of one of the reactors are loaded with crushed catalyst. This reactor provides Intrinsic Reaction Rate and selectivity data. The stages of the second reactor are loaded with commercial-size catalyst. The data from this second reactor can be used to define the degree of mass transfer limitation (Effectiveness Factor) based on a direct comparison of the relative residence times in the reactors containing the crushed catalyst in the commercial-size catalyst required to achieve a given amount of conversion. By obtaining conversion data at a series of residence times, it is possible to determine the Effectiveness Factor and hence the Effective Diffusivity with conversion or residence time. This data also provides information on the impact of mass transfer on selectivity. A third, probe reactor can be operated in parallel with the previous two reactors. This probe reactor can either be a shallow fixed bed reactor or a back-mixed reactor. Flow can be directed to the appropriate actor from any of the reactor beds in the previous two reactors. In addition, additional gases or liquids can be added to the probe reactor to determine the rates of adsorption or surface property changes on the catalyst. This information can provide valuable insight in modeling the fixed bed reactor. Finally, an adiabatic reactor can be operated in parallel to test the reactor model developed from the previous reactors. Operation of the series reactors in this parallel mode allows for much faster generation of the required scale-up data. In fact, all the required scale-up data, including deactivation and regeneration data, at one temperature can be obtained in one to two years, for a savings of several years of development time. A further improvement to the experimental design would be to operate several four reactor sets at the same time. These sets can be operated at different temperature, pressure, and feed compositions. The set producing the optimum economics can be used for the commercial design. The cost of operating several parallel sets of series reactors simultaneously is a small expense when compared to the potential savings associated with accelerating the scale-up of a new catalyst to a full-scale commercial operation.
In an adiabatic reactor, it is possible to produce hot spots in the reactor, which may cause the adiabatic reactor to run away. Also, in an adiabatic reactor, because reaction parameters, such as temperature, kinetics parameters, etc., can change continuously, it is difficult to measure the reaction parameters by direct measurement. Dividing an adiabatic reactor into multistage series-connected reactor stages can help determine reaction parameters at different locations along a flow direction of the reactor, but it is difficult to keep continuities of the reaction parameters, especially temperature, between adjacent reactor stages.
Therefore, it is difficult to directly measure reaction parameters in an adiabatic reactor, and to exactly and securely determine reaction characteristics in the adiabatic reactor, such as kinetics, mass transfer, heat transfer etc.
FIG. 12
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illustrates a schematic diagram of a composite multistage laboratory scale plug flow reactor . The reactor includes first, second and third series-connected reactor stages , and , each having a catalyst bed , and . The reactor further includes a fresh reactant conduit which connects an inlet of the first reactor stage to a source , so that the source can provide feeds, which are normally fresh reactants, to the first reactor stage . The reactor further includes connecting conduits and to connect the first and second reactor stages and , and the second and the third reactor stages and , respectively. A first sampling valve is disposed between the first and second reactor stages and , and has an output to facilitate sampling effluents from the first reactor stage . Here in this document, a device is said to be disposed between two stages of the reactor does not necessarily mean that the device is physically disposed between the two stages of the rector but that the device is between the two stages of the reactor along a flow of reactants. A second sampling valve is disposed on the conduit and has an output for sampling effluents from the second reactor stage . A third sampling valve is disposed between an outlet of the third reactor stage and a device, such as a fourth reactor stage or a product accumulator (not shown) and has an output for sampling effluents from the third reactor stage . A sampling valve connected to the fresh reactant conduit may also be provided in order to permit analysis of the feeds.
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In one embodiment, the reactor stages , and are isothermal reactor stages, which are used together to simulate an adiabatic reactor. Thus, temperature control devices , and are provided to control the temperature of the reactor stages , and respectively. A preheater (not shown) may be disposed between the source and the first reactor stage to preheat the feeds from the source so that when the feeds flow into the first reactor stage , the feeds have already reached a desired temperature for the feeds. Alternatively, the preheater can also be disposed in the first reactor stage .
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In one embodiment, when using the isothermal reactor stages , and to simulate the characteristics of an adiabatic reactor, the temperature setting for each of the temperature control devices , and should be determined first. Generally, for a given catalytic process, based on data derived from operating the adiabatic reactor in practice, the temperature setting for the first temperature control device and temperature variation in the first reactor stage can be determined. Then, based on information from the first reactor stage , the temperature setting of the second temperature control device can also be determined, and so on. Thus, after the temperature settings of each of the temperature control devices , and is determined, the reactor stages , and can be used to simulate the characteristics of the adiabatic reactor.
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In this embodiment, the temperature of the temperature control devices , and are defined as T, T and T, which are different from each other. Different catalytic processes may have different T, T and T settings. Alternatively, a common temperature control device (not shown) can be provided to control the temperatures of reactor stages , and together.
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Thus, the isothermal reactor stages , and can respectively simulate successive catalyst bed slices of a catalyst bed of a larger adiabatic reactor. Thus, the characteristics of the catalyst bed, which is simulated by the catalyst beds , and , are determined. Because it is relatively easy to operate the isothermal reactor stages, characteristics associated with the larger adiabatic reactor can be determined by simulating the adiabatic reactor using the isothermal reactor stages. In this embodiment, the first, second and third reactor stages , and can be arranged upright.
For a particular catalytic process between at least two successive reactors, for example a particular catalytic process in a multistage series-connected reactor stages, if an effluent fluid from one reactor stage is homogeneous, such as in a gas phase, transferring effluent fluid can be quite straightforward by using a properly sized and shaped tube connecting an outlet of one reactor stage to an inlet of a following reactor stage. In many catalytic processes, however, the effluent from a reactor stage may be in a multiphase state, meaning that it includes one or more gaseous fluids, which are fluids in gas phase (such as gases, vapors or mixtures of gases and vapors), and one or more liquid fluids, which are fluids in one or more liquid phases (such as water phase, oil phase, other immiscible phases and partial emulsion phases, etc.)
The multiphase fluid is often a multi-component fluid, each component being in its own state, which can be a single-phase state or multiphase state. If the multi-component fluid is in thermodynamic equilibrium, the fluid can be transferred directly by a tube connecting two successive reactor stages.
However, in certain catalytic processes, such as hydrodesulphurization etc., the multi-component fluid may not be in thermodynamic equilibrium. So, when the multi-component fluid is transferred directly through the tube connecting the outlet of one reactor stage to the inlet of the following reactor stage, the states of the components may vary during the transfer such that continuity or consistency of the fluid between adjacent two reactor stages may be broken. Thus, it is difficult to use the multistage series-connected reactor stages to model a plug reactor and to measure and optimize the corresponding catalytic processes.
FIG. 13
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illustrates a schematic diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a catalytic process development apparatus includes a composite multistage laboratory scale plug flow reactor which includes first and second series-connected reactor stages and . The reactor stages and include catalyst beds and , respectively. The catalytic process development apparatus further includes temperature control devices and disposed on the reactor stages and respectively, and a fresh reactant conduit . The fresh reactant conduit is connected an inlet of the first reactor stage to a source so that the source can provide feeds which are normally fresh reactants to the first reactor stage . In this embodiment, the catalytic process development apparatus further includes a separator , first and second effluent conduits , a gas conduit and a liquid conduit . The first conduit is connected an outlet of the first reactor stage to an inlet of the separator . The gas conduit and the liquid conduit connect the separator to an inlet of the second reactor stage . The second effluent conduit connect an outlet of the second reactor to a following device (not shown), such as another separator. The reactants from the source are fed into the first reactor stage . A multiphase effluent fluid from the first reactor stage is sent into the separator , wherein gaseous fluid(s) in the multiphase fluid are separated from liquid fluid(s), and both are introduced into the second reactor stage through the gas conduit and the liquid conduit respectively.
FIG. 13
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Referring to , the catalytic process development apparatus further includes a flow restrictor disposed on the gas conduit to control flow resistance in the gas conduit , resulting in a gas pressure difference (pressure drop) ΔP between two sides of the flow restrictor . Assuming a gas pressure in the first reactor and the separator is P, a gas pressure in the second reactor is P. Thus, P>P due to the flow restrictor , and ΔP=P−P.
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In one embodiment, ΔP is large enough so that it can drive the liquid fluid in the separator to enter into the liquid conduit and to flow into the second reactor stage but is also small enough so that it can not affect reactions in the second reactor stage . The flow restrictor can be a restricting valve, an orifice, or other restricting means etc. When properly sized and shaped, the gas conduit can function as the flow restrictor . The flow resistance of the gaseous fluid can be adjusted by many ways, such as electrical, electromagnetic, pneumatic, mechanical or thermal ways etc., which are familiar to those ordinary skills in the art. The electromagnetic ways are preferred.
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Additionally, the catalytic process development apparatus further includes a differential pressure sensor (not shown) disposed across the flow restrictor or two ends of the gas conduit to measure the ΔP. Combined ΔP and physical properties of the gaseous fluid, information about a mass flow rate of the gaseous fluid can be determined.
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In one embodiment, if ΔP is too small, the liquid fluid can not flow but accumulate in the separator . If ΔP is too large, the liquid fluid may keep flowing until all the liquid fluid in the separator is transported to the second reactor stage . When the liquid fluid in the separator is drawn out, the gaseous fluid may flow through the liquid conduit . Thus, ΔP is reduced due to an extra pathway for the gaseous fluid. Then, the liquid fluid begins to accumulate in the separator and blocks the liquid conduit . Subsequently, the ΔP restores to a desired value little by little, and the liquid fluid starts to flow again. Thus, the flow rates of the gaseous and liquid fluids may fluctuate with respect to time because of fluctuation of the ΔP, which is disadvantageous to the second reactor stage.
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In a preferred embodiment, the catalytic process development apparatus includes a liquid level sensor disposed in the separator . The liquid lever sensor monitors variation of a liquid level in the separator . Liquid sensor signals from the liquid level sensor are used to control the flow restrictor to generate a suitable ΔP to drive the liquid fluid in such a manner that the liquid level is maintained at a desired substantially constant level. Thus, the fluctuation of the fluids in the separator can be eliminated. When the liquid fluid is transferred stably through the liquid conduit , the liquid mass flow rate information can also be obtained by using the measured ΔP in combination with physical properties of the liquid fluid.
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In one embodiment, in certain low pressure reactions including low pressure FT synthesis etc., a small pressure drop ΔP may still be too big to tolerate, especially when the reactor stage is long or there are many reactor stages. Additionally, in the process of adjusting ΔP to maintain the liquid level by the liquid level sensor and the flow restrictor , the fluctuation of ΔP may also affect liquid flow in the first reactor stage .
FIG. 14
FIG. 13
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illustrates a similar schematic diagram as the diagram of . In this embodiment, the flow restrictor is removed from the gas conduit , so, there is no pressure drop ΔP on the gaseous fluid. Meanwhile, a liquid pump is disposed on the liquid conduit . The liquid level signals are used to control the liquid pump to maintain the liquid level at the desired constant level. Additionally, because an output pressure of the liquid pump is approximately equal to its input pressure, it does not create a pressure drop between the first and the second reactor stages and .
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In this embodiment, the liquid pump includes a positive displacement pump or a centrifuge pump etc. Additionally, the liquid pump can have metering capability, which can be used to obtain the liquid flow rate information directly. In order to cause the liquid fluid to be distributed uniformly in the second reactor stage , a sprayer or similar spraying devices (not shown) can be adopted inside the reactor stage . Alternatively, a check valve (not shown) may be disposed on the liquid conduit and located behind the liquid pump to prevent the liquid fluid in the liquid conduit from reflux.
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In the embodiments of the present invention, the gaseous fluid and the liquid fluid in the effluent of the first reactor stage are separated in the separator , and then transported to the second reactor stage . Thus, possible interactions between the gaseous fluid and the liquid fluid in the effluent during transport can be minimized, and the potential of altering the states of the components in the effluent by fluid distribution and recombination processes can be reduced. The continuity or consistency of the components of the fluid can be maintained between the first and second reactor stages and . Additionally, separation of the gaseous fluid and the liquid fluid also makes it easy for sampling the fluids for species analysis, whether continuously or intermittently, on-line or off-line.
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As mentioned above, in certain catalytic processes, there are different types of liquid phases for the multiphase effluent fluid. In one example of the FT synthesis, its effluent may contain water phase liquid(s) and oil phase liquid(s). In order to transport such multiphase fluid uniformly, an agitation device (not shown) can be provided to cause homogenization of the multiphase fluid. The agitation device may include a mechanical stirring device, a magnetic stirring device or an ultrasonic stirring device etc. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic stirring device is provided, which can be installed near a bottom of the separator . The ultrasonic stirring device can provide sufficient homogenization of the liquid fluid, while having minimum interference to the performance of the liquid level sensor and also without significantly increasing liquid temperature.
FIGS. 13-14
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Referring to , if the separator is operated in a temperature which is higher than that of the first reactor stage , portions of volatile species in the liquid phase in the separator may be evaporated and enter into the gas phase so as to alter the states of the species. If the separator is operated in the temperature which is lower than that of the first reactor stage , portions of vapors in the gas phase in the separator may be condensed and enter into the liquid phase so as to also alter the states of the species. As a result, variations in the effluent from the first reactor stage can be produced during its transfer to the second reactor stage . Therefore, for certain catalytic processes, it is preferred that the temperature of the separator is the same as that of the effluent from the first reactor stage . Thus, the states of the species of the effluent are preserved.
FIG. 15
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Referring to , for example, in order to keep the temperature of the separator being the same as that of the effluent of the first reactor stage , the separator is integrated into the first reactor stage . The integrated first reactor stage and the separator can enjoy operation simplicity and also minimize the potential of altering the states of the components.
707
The composite multistage reactor can include three or more series-connected reactor stages. The outlet of each of the reactor stages can connect to a separator. The separator and the reactor stage can be separate from or integrated with each other. All the reactor stages can also be arranged upright along a vertical line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a schematic representation of a composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactor in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2
is a schematic representation of a composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactor and a parallel multistage, series-connected, probe reactor in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3
is a schematic representation of a composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactor and a fluid dynamically linked, single stage probe reactor in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4
is a schematic representation of a composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactor and a fluid dynamically linked, multistage, series-connected, probe reactor in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 5
is a schematic representation of a multistage, composite series-connected, fixed bed reactor disposed in a constant temperature environment in the form of a fluidized sand bath in accordance the invention;
FIG. 6
is a schematic representation of a plurality of composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactors disposed in the common fluidized sand bath in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 7
is a schematic representation of a plurality of composite multistage, series-connected, fixed bed reactors configured to receive controlled variable inputs in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 8
is a graph useful for determining the Thiele Modulus of a catalyst;
FIG. 9
is a graph of the Effectiveness Factor versus Thiele Modulus for a catalyst;
FIG. 10
is a schematic representation of a plug-flow reactor arrangement in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11
is a typical chromatograph of the reactor down-stream components of MTP/DTP Products;
FIG. 12
is a schematic representation of a multistage, composite series-connected, isothermal plug flow reactor in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 13
illustrates an assembled, schematic diagram of reactors and a separator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14
illustrates an assembled, schematic diagram of the reactors and the separator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 15
illustrates an assembled, schematic diagram of the reactor and the separator in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. | |
One of the main options for electoral reform doesn’t meet the Liberals’ own “gender equity” test
So much for that idea.
Well, so much for that idea!
It turns out the best evidence we have shows preferential ballots – one option the Liberals are considering to replace our current voting system – may have trouble meeting their own stated criteria for reform.
During a press conference Wednesday, Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef listed “inclusiveness” and “gender equity” as two key outcomes of any electoral reforms.
That builds on what Monsef outlined as the main principles driving the Liberal government’s forthcoming changes to the electoral system last month, namely that any reforms need to increase diversity in the House of Commons.
That also echoes what Trudeau told an NGO that advocates for gender-inclusive workplaces earlier this month in New York when he was honoured for naming a gender-equal Cabinet.
Trudeau told the group Canada needs “to do more to address issues that negatively impact women,” adding that includes “achieving parity, not just in Cabinet, but Parliament as a whole.”
Hate to burst their bubbles, but if we’re going to talk about “inclusiveness” and “gender equity,” the evidence shows preferential ballot, in the way some Liberals are suggesting it be used, might not be the best way to get more women elected.
Here’s part of the confusion: preferential – or “ranked balloting” – isn’t an alternative electoral system on its own so much as a way of counting votes. It can be used in either a proportional system like many of those in Europe or in a majoritarian system like Canada’s first-past-the-post system.
If pursued by the Liberal government as currently expressed, preferential voting wouldn’t constitute a form of proportional representation and would merely change the way votes are counted under first-past-the-post – maintaining Canada’s unfair winner-take-all system.
Many of the worst features of first-past-the-post – such as false majorities, wasted votes, and strategic voting – would remain unchanged.
A good case study to look at on this question is Australia. Australia is unique in that voters elect its two houses using preferential ballot. But while its House of Representatives is majoritarian (first-past-the-post), its Senate is elected using proportional representation.
So with the same group of voters casting preferential ballots on the same day using two different systems, it turns out overwhelmingly more women are consistently elected to Australia’s Senate under proportional representation compared to representatives under a first-past-the-post type system:
A similar pattern plays out around the world.
Several countries that use proportional representation consistently elect more women to their national parliaments than Australia’s preferential ballot/majoritarian system – or Canada’s current system, for that matter:
But, hey – that only matters if you think “gender equity” and increasing “diversity in the House of Commons” are important outcomes of any electoral reforms, right?
Photo: Canada2020. Used under Creative Commons license.
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We’re an award-winning non-profit news organization that covers topics like social and economic inequality, big business and labour, and right-wing extremism.
Help us build so we can bring to light stories that don’t get the attention they deserve from Canada’s big corporate media outlets. | https://pressprogress.ca/one_of_the_main_options_for_electoral_reform_doesnt_meet_the_liberals_own_gender_equity_test/ |
For more than a decade, states, districts, schools, and teachers have devoted enormous energy to closing achievement gaps between rich and poor students and among students from different racial and ethnic groups. But how much progress has been made in narrowing these gaps? Although the specifics depend on which gauge of achievement is used, the basic answer is clear by any measure—not enough.
In a study for the Center on Education Policy, consultants Naomi and Victor Chudowsky and I looked at trends in achievement gaps from 2002 through 2009 at grades 4, 8, and high school on the state tests used for No Child Left Behind accountability. To address some of the well-publicized limitations of state tests, we analyzed not only gaps in percentages of students scoring proficient—the coin of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) realm—but also gaps in average scores on both state tests and the main assessment of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).
We found some nuggets of positive news. Black-white and Latino-white achievement gaps on state reading and math tests narrowed during these years in a majority of states with sufficient trend data. And when gaps shrunk, it typically wasn’t at the expense of higher-performing students—usually both groups made gains, though the lower-performing group improved at a faster rate. Gaps for Native American students and poor students narrowed less often, however.
NAEP, which differs from most states’ tests in content, rigor, and other features, offers an additional take on achievement gaps. The latest results from the main NAEP show mixed progress over the past two decades in narrowing gaps. Our own study, which focused on 2005 through 2009, found that even in the same state, gaps sometimes narrowed on the state test but widened on NAEP or vice versa.
Yet another indicator, the long-term trend NAEP, provides a forty-year historical perspective. Since the 1970s, African American-white gaps and Latino-white gaps on the long-term NAEP have narrowed significantly in both reading and math (except for the Latino-white gap in reading for 13-year-olds). But much of this improvement took place in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Although there has been some waxing and waning of progress since then, many gaps on the long-term NAEP were roughly as large in 2008 as they were twenty years ago.
Our own study acknowledges that achievement gaps on state tests also remain wide and persistent. In 2009, black-white gaps amounted to 20-30 percentage points in many states, and Native American-white gaps were about as large. Latino-white gaps in proficiency often hovered around 15 to 20 percentage points, while gaps between low-income and more advantaged students were in the 25-point range. If current rates of progress were to continue unchanged, and if other critical factors stayed the same, it could take decades to close these gaps in many states.
All of these findings point to the need for more intensive, fresh, and far-reaching strategies to address achievement gaps. A wealth of ideas for reducing gaps—from improving access to veteran, well-trained, and high-performing teachers to addressing out-of-school factors—are explored in
Narrowing the Achievement Gap: Perspectives and Strategies for Challenging Times
published by Harvard Education Press. (This volume also includes a chapter summarizing our data from the CEP study.)
A final observation: For all its flaws, NCLB made every school keenly aware of the size of its achievement gaps and made closing them a high national priority. Let’s make sure the next version of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act doesn’t leave us without the tools to monitor achievement gaps or the pressure to do something about them.
About the Author:
Nancy Kober is a consultant to the Center on Education Policy and contributor to
Narrowing the Achievement Gap: Perspectives and Strategies for Challenging Times
edited by Thomas B. Timar and Julie Maxwell-Jolly (Harvard Education Press, 2012). | http://hepg.org/blog/slow,-erratic,-and-underwhelming%E2%80%94progress-in-narro?feed=blogs |
Mina’s life is turned upside down when she learns that her husband Babak was innocent of the crime for which he was executed. The authorities apologise for the mistake and offer the prospect of financial compensation. Mina starts a silent battle against a cynical system for her own and her daughter’s sake. Just as her money is running out, a stranger named Reza knocks at her door, saying he has come to repay a debt he owed to Babak. Mina is guarded at first, but increasingly lets Reza into her life, unaware of the secret that ties them to one another. Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam masterfully present guilt and atonement, a classic trope of Iranian film, as a cinema of small, precise gestures and spaces. Maryam Moghaddam excels in the role of a Mina caught between loneliness and her struggle for self-determination.
Festivals
Labels & Line Ups
Credits
- Cast
- Maryam Moghadam
- Alireza Sani Far
- Pouria Rahimi
- Avin Poor Raoufi
- Mohammad Heidari
- Screenplay
- Behtash Sanaeeha
- Maryam Moghadam
- Mehrdad Kouroshniya
- Cinematography
- Amin Jafari
- Editing
- Ata Mehrad
- Behtash Sanaeeha
- Music
- Hossein Ghourchian
- Abdolreza Heydari
- Sales
- TOTEM FILMS
- Production
- CARACTERES PRODUCTIONS
- Production
- FILMSAZAN COOPERATION
Press
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An absorbing tale of grief and guilt, this compelling drama...has a slow-burn power.
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Finely crafted and deeply compelling drama.
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A story of resilience in a society that puts enormous limits on women.
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All of the actors are excellent but Moghaddam is nothing short of magnificent.
Behtash Sanaeeha
Iran
Born in shiraz in 1980, Behtash Sanaeeha is graduated in civil engineering(BA),later he left his master program in architecture and started to write scripts and directing short films, documentaries and commercials .He also wrote and directed two animated tv series and a TV fiction film. In 2015 he directed his first feature film, RISK OF ACID RAIN.
Selected Filmography
Maryam Moghaddam
Maryam Moghaddam is an Iranian actress and director. She is best-known for her role in the Jafar Panahi's and Kambuzia Partovi's film CLOSED CURTAIN (2013), which premiered at the 63rd Berlinale. She was educated at the International School of the Performing Arts in Sweden before making her film debut in ZERO HEIGHTS (1994). Her latest directorial work is the film BALLAD OF A WHITE COW (2021) co-directed with Behtash Sanaeeha. | https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/the-ballad-of-a-white-cow/action/trailer |
Eldercare: The new frontier of work–family balance
In the UK the number of people 65 and older is expected to double by 2050 to 19 million. With an ageing population and greater longevity, more family members will need to step in as caregivers. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development added a question about the impact of caregiving responsibilities on employee absences to its 2014 Absence Management Report. While the report indicates that caregiving has a slight to moderate impact on absence, at present few employers have policies in place to support caregivers beyond the minimum required by law. This article explores the relationship between eldercare and work and suggests that employers should create supportive workplaces that help employees balance the two roles.
Work–family balance is a popular topic in the media, with the discussion usually focusing on the challenges of having a career and raising a family at the same time. However, there is another issue that should be part of the conversation – eldercare. As lifespans increase around the world and more working adults care for ageing family and friends, eldercare is an emerging issue for organisations and their employees. According to a report by Carers UK (2013), ‘by 2017 the UK will reach the tipping point for care when the numbers of older people needing care will outstrip the numbers of working age family members currently available to meet that demand’.
In this article I will discuss the impact of eldercare on the health and well-being of caregivers, explore the relationship between employment and eldercare, explain why working is good for caregivers and describe how employers can play a positive role in helping employees deal with eldercare responsibilities. I will begin with a personal story, because it explains what inspired me to study the intersection of eldercare and work.
An eldercare odyssey
Until she was 85 years old my mother lived on her own and enjoyed good health. I never gave much thought to what would happen if she could not care for herself. As is often the case, my introduction to eldercare began with a phone call that went something like this: ‘Hello, Lisa. This is Helen. Your mother passed out at church, the paramedics are here and she refuses to go to the emergency room.’ This call began a two-year odyssey that included three hospital stays, major surgery, two stints in a rehabilitation facility, frequent outpatients tests and regular follow-up visits with doctors. In addition to coordinating my mother’s medical care, I arranged in-home help and home modifications, worked out health insurance issues and managed her finances and household needs while she was hospitalised. The most difficult role was providing emotional support as my mother struggled with the loss of her independence and, at times, resisted getting the treatment and help she needed.
The call came at a challenging time for me professionally – one week after I had completed the first year of my first tenure-track academic job. Fortunately this happened during the summer when I had more flexibility, but a couple of months later I found myself juggling a demanding job and my mother’s care. As an only child, balancing the two roles was particularly challenging even with support from my spouse, extended family and friends.
At a stressful time like this, as only an academic would do, I turned to the literature to try to make sense of my predicament. What I discovered was a compelling topic that was understudied compared to other work–family issues. As a result, I stumbled into a new and unexpected research area. Studying it helped me understand my own experience and launched a new research agenda as I encountered friends and colleagues who said ‘Me too’. Here are some highlights of what I learned as both a researcher and a caregiver.
Effect on caregiver health and well-being
One definition of eldercare is informal care of ageing family and friends that may entail addressing a combination of physical, psychological, medical, household and financial needs (Smith, 2004). Care recipients may live with their caregivers, remain in their own homes or live in a residential facility. Examples of typical eldercare responsibilities include: providing direct care such as bathing and feeding; coordinating medical care; managing medication; arranging in-home services; offering emotional support; handling finances; and providing transportation to appointments. Eldercare is psychologically distinct from childcare because the need for care often begins with an unexpected emergency and usually increases over time as the care recipient becomes more dependent. Eldercare can also generate complex emotions because of the role reversal of children caring for parents, and the surfacing of unresolved family issues (Smith, 2004).
Research indicates that all types of caregivers experience more stress than non-caregivers (Lee, 1997), but eldercare seems to produce more psychological strain than childcare (Duxbury et al., 2011). Indeed, eldercare affects the physical, psychological and economic health of caregivers, which is collectively known as ‘caregiver burden’ (George & Gwyther, 1986). Numerous meta-analyses have revealed how eldercare impacts caregiver health and well-being. Vitaliano et al. (2003) found that caregivers have a slightly greater risk for health problems than non-caregivers. Pinquart and Sörensen (2003) found that four dimensions of psychological health – depression, stress, self-efficacy and well-being – are affected more strongly than physical health. They also found that the characteristics of caregivers and care recipients make a difference. For example, spouses fare worse than adult children who provide care, and caregivers of people with dementia are the most negatively affected of all groups. The daily stress of caring for a dementia patient, especially a spouse, has been associated with increased depressive symptoms, decreased immune function and elevated markers of inflammation (McGuire et al., 2002; Gouin et al., 2012).
While there are various methodological limitations in the academic research, and some contradictory results, it is clear that certain groups – such as women, ethnic minorities and people with lower socio-economic status – experience more negative outcomes (Pinquart & Sörenson, 2003, 2005, 2006). Public policy research in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada reaches the same conclusion (Carers UK, 2013; Feinberg & Choula, 2012; Schroeder et al., 2012). Another finding is that having greater financial resources and stronger informal support systems positively affects physical and psychological outcomes (Pinquart & Sörenson, 2007). Thus, inequality of outcomes is evidence of a social equity dimension to burdens of eldercare, although the issue is seldom discussed in these terms.
Balancing caregiving and employment
Because caregiving responsibilities and careers tend to peak around the same time – between the ages of 45 and 64 – another important area of inquiry is the effect of eldercare on work (Carers UK, 2013). Although employed caregivers report higher levels of work-family conflict (Zuba & Schneider, 2013) and experience more stress than non-caregivers (Keene & Prokos, 2007), there is no conclusive evidence that the stress of eldercare translates into negative work outcomes (Zacher et al., 2012).
Although research results are ambiguous about the extent to which eldercare disrupts work, anyone who juggles both roles knows that spillover is inevitable. The most extreme reaction to an increase in caregiving responsibilities is to reduce work hours permanently or drop out of the workforce entirely, leading to a phenomenon known as the ‘caregiver penalty’. This refers to the long-term financial impact of lost earnings, employment-related benefits and pension contributions (Feinberg & Choula, 2012). Again, both academic and public policy research agree that women, especially those in low-skilled and low-status jobs, as well as low-income workers and ethnic minorities, are most likely to reduce their hours or leave the workforce (e.g. Austen & Ong, 2014; Feinberg & Choula, 2012).
For caregivers who stay in the workforce, being absent from work is also unavoidable. Boise and Neal (1996) define absenteeism as days missed, lateness, leaving work early or during the workday and other interruptions resulting from caregiving responsibilities. Absenteeism is an interesting variable to study because employees with children tend to miss more work than those caring for elders, even though managers perceive eldercare to be particularly disruptive (Katz et al., 2011). This may be because parents experience regular interruptions, whereas eldercare frequently entails brief but intense periods of care (Boise & Neal, 1996). Boise and Neal also found that women caring for elders experienced more absenteeism than men, again demonstrating the inequality of outcomes.
Although combining work and eldercare does not result in more absenteeism, it may impact productivity when employees focus their time and attention on care issues during the workday. This phenomenon is known as ‘presenteeism’ (Smith, 2004). For example, caregivers may worry about the care recipient, plan what needs to be done at night or spend time on the phone coordinating care (Zuba & Schneider, 2013). Since most healthcare providers and other services are primarily open during business hours, caregivers often have no choice but to make calls during the day. While they may try to do this during lunchtime or breaks, it is likely that calls will be returned at other times. In my own experience, I would make calls during a long train commute, only to have them returned while I was in class or during office hours.
You’re better off if you work
While there are challenges to balancing work and eldercare, employed caregivers receive psychological benefits from working. Within the work–family literature, there are two schools of thought on the dual roles of caregiver and employee (McMillan et al., 2011). According to scarcity theory (Marks, 1977), the demands of eldercare and work compete for a person’s time and energy, ending in a zero-sum game where one role impinges on the other. In contrast, enhancement or enrichment theory says that people with dual roles are better off because the benefits of each role positively spill over into the other (Greenhaus & Powell, 2006). For example, work may provide financial resources to arrange outside care, increase self-esteem, foster a sense of personal accomplishment, provide access to social support systems outside of family and friends and offer respite from caregiving duties (Utz et al., 2012; Zuba & Schneider, 2013). At the same time, successfully navigating the challenges of caregiving and finding benefit in the experience can lead to personal growth, enhanced relationships and clarification of goals (Davis et al., 1998; Parkenham, 2005).
In an analysis of the scarcity versus enhancement debate, Reid et al. (2012) conclude that psychological outcomes are highly individualised in that ‘some caregivers may find their employment adds to their stress, whereas others do not; indeed some may find that it provides respite from caregiving and enhances their well-being’. They also conclude that someone can feel stressed and be productive at the same time, and what seems to make the most difference is caregivers’ ‘subjective assessment of the effect that caregiving is having on work performances’. Therefore, how someone views her ability to juggle eldercare and work may be a more important determinant of role conflict than more objective measures of interference.
Employers can help
Research shows that having a supportive employer may help reduce work–family conflict generally (Kelly et al., 2014) and lessen the psychological strain of eldercare in particular (Zacher & Winter, 2010). However, most employer work-life integration programs still focus on childcare (Kim et al., 2011). Thus there is scope for employers to play a meaningful role in helping employees deal with their eldercare needs, especially at a time when governments are reducing expenditures on health care and social services (Schroeder et al., 2012).
Employer eldercare assistance takes three basic forms: compliance with family leave laws; formal programmes and services; and informal support from managers and supervisors. Although family leave laws vary greatly from country to country, careful adherence to these policies is the minimum that organisations can do to support employees with eldercare needs (Pearce & Kuhn, 2009). In countries with weaker social safety nets, private employers may be more likely to offer formal eldercare benefits such as information and referrals, insurance and financing for care, services such as onsite daycare and respite care, paid leave that exceeds the legal mandates and work schedule modifications (Yang & Gimm, 2013). However, recent research in both the United Kingdom and United States indicates that formal employer eldercare services are not widely available (Carers UK, 2013; Feinberg & Choula, 2012).
Of all the formal employer services mentioned above, employees seem to desire and benefit the most from work schedule modifications, such as flexible hours (Dembe et al., 2012). Similar to family leave laws, flexible work arrangements differ from country to country, and also by industry and type of job. For example, control over work hours is available primarily to professional and managerial employees in the United States (Sweet et al., 2014).
Some of the most interesting findings about employer eldercare support centre on employee perception. Employees who perceive their employer to be supportive are less likely to experience stress regardless of whether they actually take advantage of programmes and services (Zacher & Schulz, in press). However, even when formal organisational eldercare services are available employees tend not to use them (Dembe et al., 2012). This may be due to employers not publicising the services and/or encouraging employees to use them or employees not knowing or thinking to ask about them. Another explanation is that employees, especially women, may perceive a stigma attached to disclosing eldercare issues at work and fear negative career repercussions (Kim et al., 2011). Thus, employers who cultivate a work culture the supports work–family balance are more likely to have employees who feel comfortable disclosing care needs at work (Zuba & Schneider, 2013).
Conclusion
Several conclusions about the relationship between eldercare and work can be drawn from the research presented in this article. First, certain groups experience a greater caregiver burden, resulting in inequality of health, well-being and economic outcomes. To remedy this, policy makers should recognise and address the social equity dimension of eldercare. Second, perceptions impact the degree to which eldercare affects work outcomes. If people perceive that they are able to cope with the demands of both roles, or if they have personal resources and social support, or if their employers are supportive, then they may experience less stress, strain and work–family conflict. Thus, building individual resiliency is key to positive outcomes. Third, for formal employer support programmes to be effective, employees need to know about them, feel comfortable asking about them and be assured that there will be no penalty for using them. Thus, education and training of supervisors and manager is critical to increasing employee awareness and use of eldercare programmes.
With the engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, private employers, the voluntary sector and families, eldercare can be addressed proactively before emergencies happen. Just as parents have ‘the talk’ with their teenage children about life and the future, perhaps the time is right for adult children to institute ‘the talk’ when their parents and other elders reach a certain age. This talk would encompass what is needed to ensure both the health and safety of the elder and the well-being of the caregiver. As populations age and more people balance caregiving and work, eldercare must become part of a critical conversation at home, at work an in the media.
Lisa Calvano is Assistant Professor of Management at West Chester University, USA
[email protected]
References
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McGuire, L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K. & Glaser, R. (2002). Depressive symptoms and lymphocyte proliferation in older adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 192–197McMillan, H.S., Lane Morris, M. & Atchley, E.K. (2011). Constructs of the work/life interface. Human Resource Development Review, 10(1), 6–25.
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Pearce, J.A. & Kuhn, D.R. (2009). Managers’ obligations to employees with eldercare responsibilities. University of Richmond Law Review, 43(4), 1319–1372.
Pinquart, M. & Sörensen, S. (2003). Differences between caregivers and noncaregivers in psychological health and physical health: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 18(2), 250–267.
Pinquart, M. & Sörensen, S. (2005). Ethnic differences in stressors, resources, and psychological outcomes of family caregiving for older adults: A meta-analysis. The Gerontologist, 45, 90–106.
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Smith, P. (2004). Elder care, gender, and work. Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law, 25(2), 351–399.
Sweet, S., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Besen, E. & Golden, L. (2014). Explaining organizational variation in flexible work arrangements. Community, Work & Family, 17(2), 115–141.
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Yang, Y.T. & Gimm, G. (2013). Caring for elder parents: A comparative evaluation of family leave laws. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 41(2), 501–513.
Zacher, H., Jimmieson, N.L., & Winter, G. (2012). Elder-care demands, mental health, and work performance. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17(1), 52–64.
Zacher, H. & Schulz, H. (in press). Employees’ eldercare demands, strain, and perceived support. Journal of Managerial Psychology.
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Zuba, M. & Schneider, U. (2013). What helps working informal caregivers? The role of workplace characteristics in balancing work and adult-care responsibilities. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 34, 460–469. | https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-28/march-2015/eldercare-new-frontier-work-family-balance |
Abstract A rocket stove which serves as a cheaper and more safer alternative to conventional method of cooking, employing the use of solid fuels has been developed. The construction was done with our locally available metallic materials for the body and combustion chamber of the stove, using teak (khaya grandifoliala) wood ash as an insulator. An analysis of the thermal and mechanical properties of the insulating wall, fuel magazine, combustion chamber, and chimney were also performed; the law of energy conservation was used to determine the stove thermal efficiency which is 37.3%, while the Newton’s law of cooling was used to determine the convection heat transferred by the stove body (150864 J/kg) and Stefan-Boltzmann law was used to determine the amount of heat radiated by the stove body (49.2 J/kg), thus, signifying its suitability for home heating. A less expensive but very effective materials mixture containing galvanized steel and wood ash were found to have thermal properties comparable to that of fired vermiculite and stainless steel materials which are more expensive in other improved stove designs. | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/10254/ |
Experts are now suggesting a more tailored approach for men and women with high blood pressure due to a difference in dementia risk. In a new study from George Institute, researchers found that a link between mid-life cardiovascular events and dementia was similar in both men and women. But for blood pressure, the results were not the same.
To examine sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors for dementia, information from the UK Biobank was analyzed. This large-scale biomedical database recruited 502,489 people aged 40 – 69 years between 2006 and 2010. All participants were dementia-free at the start of the study.
It was found that several factors influenced a greater risk of dementia to a similar degree in both men and women. These factors included current smoking status, diabetes, high levels of body fat, stroke history, and low socioeconomic status.
The surprise came when they looked at blood pressure. The relationship with dementia between the sexes was different. Although the reason for this differing outcome was not clear, the authors proposed some possible explanations.
“Biological differences between women and men may account for the sex differences we saw in the relationship between blood pressure and the risk of dementia,” said lead author Jessica Gong.
“But there may also be differences in medical treatment for hypertension. For example, women are less likely to take medication as prescribed by their healthcare provider than men and may be taking more medications and experiencing more side effects.”
No Treatments for Dementia
There are currently no effective treatments for dementia, so trying to reduce the risk of the disease by encouraging healthy lifestyles should be a priority. The results of this study outline how important blood pressure management, in particular, is for the management of dementia.
Dementia recently overtook heart disease as the leading cause of death in women in Australia where the study took place. It is quickly becoming a global epidemic, currently affecting an estimated 50 million people worldwide, and is projected to triple by 2050. Associated deaths are known to be higher in women compared to men.
With studies such as this, researchers can find ways to reduce the risk of dementia with lifestyle changes. This study helps to show the importance of blood pressure management, especially in women. For those who have high blood pressure, changing to a healthier diet and adopting a daily exercise regime could reduce the risk of the disease. | https://www.belmarrahealth.com/dementia-risk-factors-is-same-for-both-men-women-but-not-high-blood-pressure/ |
The Cook is responsible for preparing dishes excellent standard and quality for our guests, developing a gastronomic team evolving with trends and fashion. The jobholder will be responsible for the proper efficiency and profitable functioning of assigned station.
Also, the jobholder is responsible for preparing and cooking meals, checking ingredients for freshness, arranging and garnishing the dishes. The Cook will also be in charge of ensuring that the kitchen and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained.
Check all food before leaving the station and ensure that food is of excellent standard and taste.
Ensure that all food items are ready for service with the standards preparation time.
Implement company policy and procedures and health and safety codes.
Implement HACCP policies, procedures and standards of practice, as per the HACCP manual. | https://www.columbia-restaurants.com/careers/vacancy/cook |
A UK-wide consortium that will unite expertise in technology metals has been launched by more than 40 UK organisations, pledging £1.6M to help direct policy and ensure a sustainable supply of these valuable resources.
The Technology Metals Circular Economy Centre (Met4Tech), which includes the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials (BCSECM) will provide a joined-up approach that will allow the UK to supply and use techmetals from secondary and primary sources and ensure they are used in a sustainable way.
Techmetals are the specialist constituent metals essential for practically all low carbon and digital technologies, examples are rare earth elements, cobalt and lithium. They are often at risk of supply disruption, have low recycling rates and poorly understood flows and yet are subject to rapidly increasing demand. For the UK to achieve its 2050 climate change targets it must have secure and responsibly sourced supplies of techmetal raw materials.
Dr Paul Anderson, Co-Director of the Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials, explains: “Techmetals form an integral part of many high-tech and clean energy technologies including fuel cells, electrolysers, wind turbines and electric vehicles. For the UK to achieve its ‘Green Industrial Revolution’ it will be essential to secure and manage efficiently its supplies of these metals, and the Met4Tech is designed to provide a platform for achieving this.”
The UK currently has world-leading techmetals expertise. Through Met4Tech, this expertise will collaborate to create a new techmetals circular economy that will generate economic, social and environmental benefits for multiple stakeholders.
Potential benefits include:
- Reducing risks in access to supply
- Creating more sustainable and responsible supplies
- Innovation in component, product, system design, manufacturing and business models
- Potential for export-led economic growth.
Members of the new consortium include the Universities of Exeter, Manchester and Leicester alongside the Faraday Institution, the British Geological Survey and over 40 partners from across the value chain. Together, these partners have pledged £1.6 million in support, to take part in interdisciplinary research interventions, crossing engineering, chemistry, geology and social sciences.
Building on a track record of over £62M recent awards for research related to critical elements and techmetals, the new centre will build on the existing work between the BCSECM and consortium partners whilst also creating a National Techmetals CE Roadmap for practical use by industry and in Government policy making.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
- The Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials (BCSECM) and the Critical Elements and Materials (CrEAM) Network is leading on a UK Critical Materials Policy Commission due to be launched in 2021
- The BCSECM and the University of Exeter led on the development of the Critical Elements and Materials (CrEAM) Network to bring together specialists from across the entire UK supply chain in critical materials to develop strategies to mitigate supply risks of critical elements and materials. | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2020/new-consortium-unites-the-uks-techmetal-leaders-to-support-uk-net-zero-2050-target |
The COVID-19 presents several challenges including concern for our health and the health of others, disruption in our typical schedules and routines, uncertainty regarding future containment measures, as well as financial and employment instability for many. Much has changed in a short amount of time.
It is normal to feel anxiety in response to a threat. Anxiety helps us take necessary steps to protect ourselves and others. Too much anxiety, however, can have the opposite effect. Rather than taking helpful steps to reduce the threat, extreme anxiety can drive behaviors that can make the situation worse. We call this the problem about the problem. Or generating “dirty” pain to try to overcome “clean” pain.
Pain is inherent in living. We get sick, loved ones die, we have economic downturns, and we encounter crises. This is a normal part of living, no matter how abnormal the situation. We call this “clean pain.” An important step to increasing resiliency and coping with difficult situations, is to be open to the pain life hands us. Openness prevents us from reacting unskillfully to problems which can create “dirty pain” – or more pain than the original situation created. Openness also prevents us from avoiding or denying problems, and it compels us to respond effectively. After all, not responding in a calm and thoughtful manner will create more problems.
To be open to life’s pain means allowing ourselves to feel what is there – whether it is sadness or anxiety or anger – and feeling that feeling without judging it as good or bad. All feelings come and go. That is a promise. So, when we have intense feelings, we may want to name the feeling “I’m having feelings of anxiety” and then allow ourselves to feel the feelings as they rise and fall. And fall they will. No feeling lasts forever, not even overwhelming fear.
To be open to life’s pain also means behaving well, even though the world isn’t behaving as we would like it to. Regardless of the level of stress and uncertainty, we should tend to our physical needs of eating, exercising, and sleep. This is to not only to take care of ourselves, but also to make it so we can take care of others.
People who survive tremendously difficult situations are often those who are the first to give to others. Even with social distancing in place, we can spend more time with loved ones and we can engage in activities that can help the community in general such as grocery shopping for an elderly person or calling a friend who is in distress. Our ability to behave well and to maintain equanimity in these conditions requires deliberate and intentional re-commitment many times a day. Our children, our partners, our friends and co-workers will benefit immeasurably. Research shows that in families, businesses and groups that are experiencing anxious turmoil do much better if even just one person in the group is emotionally well-regulated.
Finally, the way we think about crises is important. We can think we are doomed and give in to acting poorly or not acting at all. Or we can think of crises as opportunities for us to grow stronger, to help one another, and to start or deepen our practices, such as prayer and meditation. And we can make sure we continue, or start good physical health habits such as exercise and better sleep habits. We can be grateful for what we do have, even if we are surrounded by loss. With each breath we take there is opportunity for good things to happen. | https://www.psychologistsmidland.com/post/a-healthy-psychological-approach-to-covid-19 |
As a school, we place an importance on reading, not just in lessons, but also allowing the children to explore their love of reading in their spare time; as well as giving them the responsibility to help and guide others to explore their reading interests.
This academic year, we have started our Pupil Librarian programme whereby all the children from Year 3 to 6 were given the opportunity to become Librarians.
Interested children came to a meeting where teachers talked about what a Librarian does. This year we were blown away that nearly 60 children came to the meeting!
All the children have been put on a rota between now and the end of the academic year. There are two librarians on duty each break time; this is an opportunity for other children to visit the library to change their books and read a book. The Librarians on duty have jobs to do whilst they are in the library; to organise the fiction and non-fiction books, scan books in and out for other children and help children to choose a book.
Each term, the Librarians will receive their Librarian badge as well as, what we hope will be, a very inspiring opportunity!
In Spanish this week, the children in Year 4 had to spell from memory some of the vocabulary they had learnt about family!
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This week, the children in the Hedgehog Nursery room (6 months to 2 years) were excited to explore the Nursery rhyme Old McDonald had a farm. The children had lots of fun exploring a farm tray using all their senses! | https://www.sherbornehouse.co.uk/school-life/pupil-librarians |
Job Description:
JOB SUMMARY
Partners with and supports key stakeholders' teams to implement reporting and quality improvement projects in support of BSWH's strategy to deliver high-quality, safe care and achieve excellence in accordance with regulatory statues, policies and procedures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE
Performs concurrent and retrospective medical record review to investigate quality and/or patient safety concerns and to identify performance improvement opportunities.
Supports and/or facilitates quality and patient safety initiatives to improve safety and foster an environment of service excellence through successful interventions, data analysis and development of action plans.
Develops and disseminates ongoing and ad hoc reports to ensure clinicians, administrators, medical staff committees and corporate teams receive timely and accurate data to meet their needs in ensuring quality care and patient safety within their departments.
Collaborates in the development and presentation of educational materials designed to educate staff and management about patient safety processes.
Identifies regional, system, and industry best practices, providing feedback to leaders and team members.
Participates on quality improvement teams as requested by leadership.
Participates in unit and/or facility huddles.
Supports the ZERO Harm rounding process as directed by leadership.
Supports and/or facilitates departmental processes that ensure facility compliance with regulatory body requirements.
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Basic knowledge of patient safety and quality improvement principles and concepts
Basic knowledge of Texas, Joint Commission and CMS standards
Verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills
Competent in the use of computers, and related software applications
Able to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships
Able to facilitate and support patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
Able to analyze data and prepare reports
Able to appropriately prioritize tasks to meet desired deadlines
BENEFITS
Our competitive benefits package includes the following
- Immediate eligibility for health and welfare benefits
- 401(k) savings plan with dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%
- Tuition Reimbursement
- PTO accrual beginning Day 1
Note: Benefits may vary based upon position type and/or level
QUALIFICATIONS
- EDUCATION - Associate's or 2 years of work experience above the minimum qualification
- EXPERIENCE - 2 Years of Experience
JOB SUMMARY
Keywords: Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple , Quality Improvement Coordinator 1 (Remote), Other , Temple, Texas
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# Plant-based digital data storage
Plant-based digital data storage is a futuristic view that proposes storing digital data in plants and seeds. The first practical implication showed the possibility of using plants as storage media for digital data. New approaches for data archiving are required due to the constant increase in digital data production and the lack of a capacitive, low maintenance storage medium.
## Initial experiments
With the help of two biotechnologists, they encoded a basic computer program in Python Programming language into Nicotiana benthamiana. They first encoded a “Hello World” computer program into a DNA code, synthesized it and cloned this coded DNA into a plasmid-vector to be used further for transformation into Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The encoded program was reconstructed from the resulting seedlings with 100% accuracy by showing “Hello World” on the computer screen. Their approach demonstrated that artificially encoded data can be stored and multiplied within plants without affecting their vigor and fertility. It also takes a step forward from storing data into a naked DNA molecule. It is inherent in progeny and authentically reproducible while the reduced metabolism of the seeds provides an additional protection for encoded DNA archives.
That was the first practical implication of utilizing a multi-cellular, eukaryotic organism for storing digital data in the world. It goes beyond plant genome manipulations for biotechnological research and plant breeding. It takes the advantage of multi-cellular organisms and serves to propagate the encoded information in daughter cells. The host organism is able to grow and multiply with the embedded information, and every cell of the organism contains a copy of the encoded information; therefore, it avoids the costs of synthetic production of multiple copies of the same encoded information. Moreover, in contrast to naked DNA, which can be affected by unfavorable environmental conditions like excessive temperature, in desiccation/re-hydration conditions, DNA stored in a seed is protected against alterations and degradation over time without the need of any active maintenance. Insertion of short computer programs into plants could also serve to provide a detailed description of a given variety, since the need for such labeling has already been expressed. As for manipulating and storing archives, their approach leverages a new look at accessing, browsing and reading information. 1g of DNA could store exabytes of data and it is a huge, capacitive storage medium. DNA protected within a seed of a living plant could be easy to access when hand-held readers will become a reality. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant-based_digital_data_storage |
Kakabadse A, Kakabadse NBrings a practical edge to leadership theory. Discusses all the issues which contribute to an understanding of leadership, including: the functions of transactional and transformational leadership; today’s reality which is characterized by fragmentation; diversity of stakeholders and also of agendas; the discordant balance between accountabilities and responsibilities; the significance of culture in shaping the leader’s role; the impact of power and the role of politics; the influence of traits and of determination (‘born to be great’ versus ‘ I strove hard and achieved it alone’); and the influence of demographics, including that of gender and ethnicity. . Contains a chapter on ‘Developing leaders’ which lacks focus and provides no clear recommendations. Contains, nevertheless, much to expand even a knowledgeable reader’s perception of leadership.
Archives for November 22nd, 2000
Book News, PublicNet: 22 November, 2000
Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2000
Until now the Cinderella of the education make-up of England and Wales, further education has now discovered its role in Labour’s modernised service.FE colleges will be at the heart of the drive to meet the skills and productivity challenge of the new economy.
Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2000
New figures show that regional inequality may be enhanced rather than reduced by new technology.The phrase ‘north-south divide’ may well be superseded by ‘digital divide’ to denote those areas where business start-ups and e-commerce capability is booming, and those where it is not. | https://www.publicnet.co.uk/2000/11/22/ |
The following terms are commonly used by secondary school counselors and admissions personnel when working with college-bound students’ in admissions, choice of testing and in discussing college life.
ACADEMIC RECORD – Transcript of grades, courses, credits and related academic information kept on file by the school. The transcript often includes grade point average (GPA) and/or rank in class. Standardized test scores may or may not be recorded on the transcript.
ACCELERATED STUDY - A college program of study completed in less time than is usually required, most often by attending classes in the summer and/or by taking extra courses during the regular academic terms. Completion of a bachelor’s degree program in three years is an example of accelerated study.
ACCREDITATION - Recognition by an organization or agency that a college meets certain acceptable standards in its educational programs, services and facilities. Regional accreditation applies to a college as a whole and not to any particular programs or courses of study at the college. Specialized accreditation of specific types of schools may also be determined by a national organization.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PROGRAM - A service of the College Board that provides high schools with course descriptions in college subjects and Advanced Placement Examinations in these subjects. High schools implement the course and administer the examinations to interested students’ who are then eligible for advanced placement, college credit, or both, on the basis of earning satisfactory scores.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE - A degree granted by a college or university after the satisfactory completion of a two-year full-time program of study or its part-time equivalent. In general, the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree is granted after students complete a program of study similar to the first two years of a four-year college curriculum. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) is awarded by many colleges upon completion of technological or vocational programs of study.
BACHELOR’S OR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE - A degree received after the satisfactory completion of a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its part-time equivalent) at a college or university. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) are the most common baccalaureates.
BRANCH CAMPUS - A small campus connected to, or part of, a large institution. Generally, students spend the first two (2) years at a branch campus and then transfer to the main campus to complete a baccalaureate degree. A branch campus provides students with a smaller and more personal environment which can help the student mature personally and academically before moving to a larger setting.
COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP) - A program of examinations in undergraduate college courses that provides students’ and adults the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement. The examinations are used by colleges to award credit to entering freshman and adults completing their education. They are also used by business, industry, government and professional groups to satisfy educational requirements for advancement, licensing and admission to training programs.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE (CSS) - A service of the College Board that assists postsecondary institutions, state scholarship programs and other organizations in the equitable distribution of a student’s financial aid funds by measuring a family’s financial strength and analyzing its ability to contribute to college costs. CSS provides the Profile Form with which students may apply for institutional aid at some private colleges.
COMBINED BACHELOR’S/GRADUATE DEGREE - A program to which students are accepted for study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The programs usually can be completed in less time than two individual programs. (Such degrees are also called dual programs).
COOPERATIVE (“CO-OP”) EDUCATION - A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government.
CREDIT HOURS - The number of hours per week that courses meet are counted as equivalent credits for financial aid and to determine a student’s status as full-time or part-time. Upon successful completion of a course, credit hours are applied to graduation requirements.
CROSS-REGISTRATION - The practice, through agreements between colleges, of permitting students enrolled at one college or university to enroll in courses at another institution without formally applying for admission to the second institution.
CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE - A grade point average that is based on all previously completed work (see Grade Point Average).
DEFERRED ADMISSION - The practice of postponing enrollment for one year after acceptance to a college.
DISCOVERY/SEEK: These programs are available for students who qualify for comprehensive academic and financial support at New York City 4-year and 2-year schools. The program is designed to encourage students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds an opportunity to succeed on a more level playing field. These programs provide counseling, tutorial services and a financial aid stipend for educational expenses.
DOUBLE MAJOR - Any program of study in which a student completes the requirements of two majors concurrently.
EARLY ACTION PLAN - A student applies to an institution early in the senior year and receives an early notification of his/her admission to the institution. If the student is accepted, he/she is NOT obligated to attend that institution.
EARLY DECISION PLAN - A students applies to an institution early in the senior year and receives an early notification of his/her admission status. It is a contract between the student and the institution. If the student is accepted, he/she is obligated to attend that institution.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS - Limited English Proficient students who speak English as a second language and who wish to take college-level courses need to demonstrate proficiency in English. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam is a commonly used test to determine the level of English language proficiency.
EOP/HEOP - The (Higher) Educational Opportunity Program is for students who qualify for comprehensive academic and financial support at New York public and private 4-year schools. The program is designed to encourage students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds an opportunity to succeed on a more level playing field. These programs provide counseling, tutorial services and a financial aid stipend for educational expenses.
ESL - An English as a Second Language program offers a variety of courses and schedules to meet the needs of a diverse population with limited English proficiency.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) - A system used by many schools for evaluating the overall scholastic performance of students. It is found by first determining the number of grade points a student has earned in each course completed and then dividing the sum of all grade points by the number of hours of coursework carried. It is calculated by multiplying the number of hours given for a course by the student’s grade in the course. The most common system of numerical values for grades is A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0.
GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS - General term that describe the outright gift of a sum of money to a students.
GREEK LIFE - The influence of sororities and fraternities on the campus life of an institution.
HONORS PROGRAM - Any special program for exceptional students that offers the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or some combination of these characteristics.
INTERNSHIPS - Short-term, supervised work experiences, usually related to a student’s major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full or part-time, on or off campus, paid or unpaid. Students teaching and apprenticeships are examples of internships.
MATRICULATION - A point in college admissions when a student is formally admitted into a curriculum, under standard college procedures. A student must be matriculated in order to apply for financial aid and/or try out for intercollegiate athletic programs.
NON-MATRICULATED - A students has either not been formally admitted into a curriculum or has been academically dismissed. This classification excludes a student from financial aid and /or intercollegiate athletics.
OPEN ADMISSIONS - The college admissions policy of admitting high school graduates and other adults generally without regard to conventional academic qualifications, such as high school subjects, high school grades and admission test scores. Virtually all applicants with high school diplomas or their equivalents are accepted when an institution adheres to an open admissions policy.
RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) - Programs conducted by certain colleges in cooperation with the United States Air Force, Army and Navy. Local recruiting offices can supply detailed information about these programs, as can participating colleges.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS - Most colleges and universities require that a students spend a minimum number of terms taking courses on campus (as opposed to independent study or transfer credits from other colleges ) to be eligible for graduation. Also, residency requirements can refer to the minimum amount of time a student is required to have lived in a state in order to be eligible for in-state tuition at a public (state-controlled) college or university.
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION – Same as EA, but a student may apply to only one institution.
RETENTION RATE - The number and percentage of returning students at a given college.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS - An admissions procedure by which the college considers each student’s application as soon as all required credentials, such as school records and test scores, have been received. The college usually notifies applicants of its decision within 4-12 weeks.
STUDENTS DESIGNED MAJOR - An academic program that allows students to construct a major field of study not formally offered by the college. Often non-traditional and interdisciplinary in nature, the major is developed by the students with the approval of a designated college officer or committee.
SUITCASE COLLEGE - A term used by students to describe a college whose students’ frequently go home on weekends, thereby creating a less active students life on campus during weekends.
TAP - Tuition Assistance Program of NY State is a financial aid program based on an established formula. Money awarded can only be used at a New York State college or university.
WAIT LIST - A student is not offered admission, but is placed on a waiting list should an opening occur. After a certain time, if an opening is not available, the student receives a rejection notice.
WORK STUDY - An arrangement by which a student combines employment and college study. The employment may be an integral part of the academic program (as in cooperative education and internships) or simply a means of paying for college (as in Federal Work-Study Program).
YIELD - The percentage of accepted students who will actually matriculate at an institution. | https://www.irvingtonschools.org/Page/4292 |
Introduction {#s0005}
============
Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is required in 5--6% of critically ill patients, and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis, is associated with especially high mortality rates of 50--80% [@bib1]. AKI patients requiring RRT also have a high frequency of multiorgan failure or hemodynamic instability [@bib2].
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was proposed as an alternative to intermittent dialysis in hemodynamically unstable patients, because it is better tolerated, due to the gradual removal of fluid and uremic toxins [@bib3], [@bib4], [@bib5].
Although previous studies have identified several prognostic factors for mortality associated with CRRT, such as sepsis, higher APACHE II scores, oliguric AKI, the presence of coma, higher SOFA scores, and the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT, each study found different results according to the indication for CRRT and the severity of the disease [@bib6], [@bib7], [@bib8], [@bib9], [@bib10], [@bib11]. Therefore, the prognostic factors for patients requiring CRRT still remain somewhat obscure.
Confused classification of patients with regard to the severity and features of their disease, may lead to difficulties in identifying the factors affecting the prognosis of CRRT. Nevertheless, we attempted to assess the characteristics of patients undergoing CRRT treatment. Therefore, this study was focused on AKI patients with hemodynamic instability undergoing CRRT. We evaluated the risk factors for mortality within 90 days after the initiation of CRRT in patients with AKI and hypotension.
Methods {#s0010}
=======
Study population {#s0015}
----------------
The inclusion criteria were a clinical diagnosis of AKI and hypotension. AKI was defined by a twofold increase in serum creatinine, a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of \>50%, or a reduction in urine output \<0.5 mL/kg/hour for 12 hours [@bib12]. Hypotension was defined by an initial mean arterial pressure \<60 mmHg, or the use of vasopressors such as dopamine or norepinephrine, to maintain systolic blood pressure \>100 mmHg when continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) was started. A total of 108 patients were treated with CVVHDF in the medical-surgical intensive care unit from February 2008 to August 2010. Normotensive patients and those who had end-stage renal disease or malignancy were excluded. We identified 67 patients who had AKI and hypotension at the initiation of CVVHDF. All enrolled patients were followed for \>90 days.
Treatment modality {#s0020}
------------------
CVVHDF was performed with the multiFiltrate (Fresenius Medical Care, Fürth, Germany) and the Ultraflux AV600S dialyzer (surface area=1.4 m^2^) (Fresenius Medical Care, St. Wendel, Germany) through double-lumen catheters inserted into the internal jugular or femoral vein. Blood flow rates were maintained between 100 and 150 mL/minute and the predilution replacement method was used. Anticoagulation was performed with heparin or nafamostat.
Investigated parameters {#s0025}
-----------------------
Demographic data including age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, and clinical parameters such as duration of hospitalization, ventilator use, cause of hypotension, urine output before the initiation of CVVHDF, previous surgical intervention, and type of anticoagulation, were collected. Laboratory parameters, including C-reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, blood pH and chest radiographic information were also gathered at the initiation of CVVHDF.
SOFA scores and APACHE II scores were employed to evaluate the severity of disease.
Patients were assigned to two groups \[RIFLE-I (injury) and RIFLE-F (failure)\] with increasing severity of RIFLE stage. We compared demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters as well as mortality between these two groups.
We also compared demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters between the survivors and non-survivors to identify the risk factors for mortality in hypotensive AKI patients treated with CVVHDF.
Statistics {#s0030}
----------
Data are presented as mean (standard deviation) or median and range. Between-group analyses were made using unpaired Student *t* tests. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher\'s exact test. Cox regression analysis was used to show the adjusted odds ratio of investigated parameters. Variables with a *P*\<0.10 in univariate analyses were included for multivariate analysis. Hazard ratios with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals are reported. A *P*\<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results {#s0035}
=======
Baseline data and severity of illness {#s0040}
-------------------------------------
Basic demographic data are shown in [Table 1](#t0005){ref-type="table"}.
A total of 67 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 69±14 years, and 42/67 (62%) were male. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (47%), followed by diabetes mellitus (31%). The median length of hospital stay was 13±18 days. Twenty-two out of 67 (32%) patients had undergone surgical intervention within the previous month. Forty-five out of 67 (66%) patients received ventilator care and 36/67 (53%) patients showed pulmonary edema on chest radiography before the initiation of CVVHDF. Oliguria, defined by a urine output\<500 mL within 12 hours before the initiation of CVVHDF, occurred in 48/67 (71%) patients. Thirty-four out of 67 (51%) patients received loop diuretics.
The most common cause of hypotension was septic shock (37/67, 55%), followed by cardiogenic shock (20/67, 30%) and hypovolemic shock (10/67, 15%). The mean APACHE II score was 32±7 and mean SOFA score was 13±4. Mean values for blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were 62±34 mg/dL and 3±4 mg/dL, respectively.
In univariate analysis, the rate of oliguria before the initiation of CVVHDF was significantly higher in the RIFLE-F group than in the RIFLE-I group (81% vs. 58%, respectively; *P*=0.04). There was no difference in 90-day mortality between the two groups (73% vs. 73%, respectively; *P*=0.99).
Outcomes and predictors of survival {#s0045}
-----------------------------------
The mortality rate of the hypotensive AKI patients who received CVVHDF was 73% (49/67).
[Table 2](#t0010){ref-type="table"} shows univariate comparisons of clinical characteristics and laboratory findings between survivors and nonsurvivors.
There were no significant differences in survival rates according to the cause of shock; septic shock (12/37, 32%), cardiogenic shock (4/20, 20%), hypovolemic shock (2/10, 20%).
In univariate analysis, the rate of use of mechanical ventilation was significantly higher for the non-survivor group than the survivor group (76% vs. 44%, respectively; *P*=0.02). Oliguria before the initiation of CVVHDF occurred significantly more often in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (80% vs. 50%, respectively; *P*=0.03). The mean APACHE II score was significantly higher for the non-survivor group than for the survivor group (34±7 vs. 29±7, respectively; *P*=0.01), as well as the SOFA score (13±4 vs. 11±4, respectively; *P*=0.03).
Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that a urine output\<500 mL for 12 hours before the initiation of CVVHDF was the only significant risk factor for 90-day mortality (odds ratio=2.1, confidence interval=1.01--4.4, *P*=0.048) ([Table 3](#t0015){ref-type="table"}). Comorbidities, cause of shock, clinical severity scores, degree of metabolic acidosis, and type of anticoagulation were not found to contribute to the mortality rate.
Discussion {#s0050}
==========
This study shows that a decreased urine output \<500 mL for 12 h before the initiation of CVVHDF, is an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality. This result suggests that early initiation of CVVHDF may be associated with improved survival and that a decrease in urine output could be a parameter used to determine the time of CVVHDF initiation in hemodynamically unstable patients.
Several previous trials have investigated the prognostic factors for mortality of patients undergoing CRRT; these studies found different prognostic factors [@bib8], [@bib10], [@bib11]. One study showed that metabolic acidosis and earlier initiation of CRRT were associated with the survival of patients with AKI receiving CRRT [@bib10]. In another study, the independent prognostic factor for mortality in AKI patients treated with CRRT was found to be the APACHE II score [@bib7]. In the current study, univariate analysis showed that arterial pH and APACHE II score were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. However, multivariate analysis did not show that these factors were significant predictors of mortality.
Bouman et al. [@bib13] defined early hemofiltration as treatment started when urine output is decreased \<30 mL/hour for over 6 hours and reported that early dialysis did not affect mortality. Bae et al. [@bib11] reported that lower mean arterial blood pressure and lower serum bicarbonate levels measured the day after CRRT may predict a poor prognosis. These conflicting results might be caused by differences in disease severity and study populations, because we examined prognostic factors in a group with more severe disease and hemodynamic instability.
Our study indicates that urine output may be an important parameter for the determination of the optimal time for CRRT. Fluctuations in blood pressure affect renal blood flow and GFR due to renal autoregulation [@bib14]. A marked reduction in renal perfusion may overwhelm autoregulation and precipitate an acute fall in GFR.
After Bellomo et al. [@bib12] first suggested the RIFLE criteria for the classification of the severity of AKI and patient prognosis, many attempts have been made to prove the usefulness of these criteria. Studies report that when CRRT is applied at the "injury stage" when severity is relatively low, the mortality of patients decreases [@bib15], [@bib16], [@bib17], [@bib18], [@bib19]. In addition, a recent domestic study also showed that the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in patients who received CRRT in the injury stage of the RIFLE criteria, when compared with those in the failure or loss stages [@bib20]. However, the current study showed that there was no difference in 90-day mortality between the RIFLE-I group and the RIFLE-F group. Our results suggest that starting treatment prior to the RIFLE-I stage may represent the optimal timing for CRRT. Further studies using the RIFLE criteria as a prognostic factor are needed to support this idea.
There are some limitations to our study. Firstly, it is a retrospective, observational, single-center study, with all the inherent limitations of such investigations. Further, our study could not rule out the selection bias included in variable clinical conditions and the size of the study group was relatively small. Therefore, further prospective, multiple-center, large-group studies will be needed to clarify the factors affecting prognosis in hemodynamically unstable AKI patients receiving CRRT.
In conclusion, a decreased urine output \<500 mL for 12 h before the initiation of CVVHDF, is an independent prognostic factor for mortality in AKI patients with hemodynamic instability treated with CVVHDF. This result suggests that early initiation of CRRT before a decrease in urine output is beneficial.
Conflict of interest {#s0055}
====================
The authors declare there is no conflict of interest.
######
Baseline characteristics of hypotensive acute kidney injury patients treated with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF)
All patients (*n*=67) RIFLE-I (*n*=26, 39%) RIFLE-F (*n*=41, 61%) *P*
--------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ------
Demographic characteristics
Age (y) 69±14 66±17 71±12 NS
Male, *n* (%) 42 (62%) 16 (62%) 26 (62%) NS
Death, *n* (%) 49 (73%) 19 (73%) 30 (73%) NS
Diabetes mellitus, *n* (%) 21 (31%) 5 (19.2%) 16 (39%) NS
Hypertension, *n* (%) 32 (47%) 11 (42%) 21 (51%) NS
Clinical parameters
Duration of hospitalization (d) 13±18 13±15 14±21 NS
Previous surgical intervention, *n* (%) 22 (32%) 13 (50%) 9 (22%) NS
Ventilator use, *n* (%) 45 (66%) 16 (62%) 29 (73%) NS
Pulmonary edema on chest x-ray 36 (53%) 15 (58%) 21 (51%) NS
Urine output\<500 mL for 12 h before initiation of CVVHDF, *n* (%) 48 (71%) 15 (58%) 33 (81%) 0.04
Loop diuretic therapy, *n* (%) 34 (51%) 17 (65%) 17 (41%) NS
Cause of shock NS
Septic shock, *n* (%) 37 (55%) 14 (54%) 25 (61%)
Cardiogenic shock, *n* (%) 20 (30%) 8 (31%) 10 (24%)
Hypovolemic shock, *n* (%) 10 (15%) 4 (15%) 6 (15%)
Anticoagulation NS
Nafamostat, *n* (%) 21 (31%) 10 (39%) 13 (32%)
Heparin, *n* (%) 26 (39%) 9 (35%) 17 (42%)
No anticoagulation, *n* (%) 20 (30%) 7 (27%) 11 (27%)
Severity score
APACHE II score 32±7 32±7 33±7 NS
SOFA score 13±4 14±3 12±4 NS
Laboratory findings on initiation of CVVHDF
BUN (mg/dL) 62±34 55±31 67±35 NS
Serum creatinine (mg/dL) 3±4 3±1 4±4 0.02
C-reactive protein (mg/dL) 9±7 10±8 8±7 NS
pH 7.3±0.1 7.3±0.1 7.2±0.1 NS
WBC (/mm^3^) 14,000±7,000 16,000±8,000 13,000±7,000 NS
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 11±3 11±2 10±3 NS
Platelets (×10^3^/mm^3^) 140±70 130±70 150±110 NS
######
Univariate comparisons of demographic and laboratory findings between survivors and non-survivors in hypotensive acute kidney injury patients treated with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF)
Survivors (*n*=18) Non-survivors (*n*=49) *P*
--------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------------ ------
Demographic characteristics
Age (y) 65±17 70±13 NS
Male, *n* (%) 12 (67%) 30 (63%) NS
Diabetes mellitus, *n* (%) 7 (39%) 14 (29%) NS
Hypertension, *n* (%) 9 (50%) 23 (47%) NS
Clinical parameters
Duration of hospitalization, (d) 10±15 15±19 NS
Previous surgical intervention, *n* (%) 4 (22%) 18 (38%) NS
Ventilator use, *n* (%) 8 (44%) 37 (76%) 0.02
Pulmonary edema on chest x-ray, *n* (%) 6 (33%) 30 (61%) 0.06
Urine output\<500 mL for 12 h before initiation of CVVHDF, *n* (%) 9 (50%) 39 (80%) 0.03
Loop diuretic therapy, *n* (%) 8 (44%) 26 (53%) NS
Cause of shock
Septic shock, *n* (%) 12 (67%) 25 (51%) NS
Cardiogenic shock, *n* (%) 4 (22%) 16 (33%) NS
Hypovolemic shock, *n* (%) 2 (11%) 8 (16%) NS
Anticoagulation
Nafamostat, *n* (%) 3 (17%) 18 (37%) NS
Heparin, *n* (%) 6 (33%) 20 (41%) NS
No anticoagulation, *n* (%) 9 (50%) 11 (22%) NS
Severity score
APACHE II score 29±7 34±7 0.01
SOFA score 11±4 13±4 0.03
Laboratory findings on initiation of CVVHDF
BUN (mg/dL) 64±31 62±35 NS
Creatinine (mg/dL) 4±2 3±3 NS
C-reactive protein (mg/dL) 6±7 9±7 0.1
pH 7.3±0.1 7.2±0.1 0.03
WBC (/mm^3^) 14,000±7,000 14,000±7,000 NS
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 11±3 10±3 NS
Platelets (×10^3^/mm^3^) 160±120 120±80 NS
######
Multivariate Cox proportional hazards ratio of 90-day mortality after the initiation of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF)
Odds ratio 95% Confidence interval *P*
----------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------------------- -------
SOFA score 1.1 0.99--1.18 0.1
Urine output\<500 mL for 12 h before initiation of CVVHDF 2.1 1.01--4.4 0.048
| |
Dr. Nikolas Provatas uses computer modelling and simulations to understand how to design better materials and products from the atomic scale up.
and how this can be scaled up for industrial applications. Many of these problems come from or are motivated directly from companies wanting to know how to optimize materials and their performance for certain applications.
The internal structure of materials influences how well things like aircraft, automobiles, bridges, buildings and other structures perform. For example, an automobile made with lighter alloys like aluminum or magnesium requires less metal, which saves manufacturing costs, and lighter vehicles use less gas, which saves consumers money.
Your background is in both material physics and engineering. How do you apply that experience to the research you do today?
I’m what you would call a computational material scientist. I create theories and then test these theories using computer modeling and simulations to understand how to design a better material or product from the atomic scale up. How matter selfassembles has a direct impact on how a material will function – how strong it will be, how ductile, how it will conduct electricity and how heat will pass through it. This is fundamental physics that will help industry produce smarter materials faster.
understanding how the material is processed and structured will influence how it will perform in the real world. This is a very big issue for manufacturers and product developers.
Compute Canada is important to your research?
Compute Canada is like my virtual lab. It provides most of the cycles and storage for my work and my students’ work. Turning an idea into innovation means being able to scale up problems using parameters and system sizes that are relevant to industry. It’s not possible to do that on a desktop computer.
Is any of your research funded by industry?
About half is presently. For example, I am working with Novelis (which has its global technology centre based in Kingston) to understand microstructure and phase development in aluminum sheet. By linking the microstructure to the cooling and chemistry, Novels hopes to learn how to optimize their process to produce a better material. I also have a new project with IBM, as part of the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2Mi), to understand how circuit boards packaged at their Bromont facility can be designed at the microstructure scale to hold up against stresses during the manufacturing process. Again, the linchpin is being able to run this modeling off the Compute Canada platform to produce results for these folks.
What is the main benefit to using computer modeling?
Computational models are cheaper, less time consuming and more efficient than trial and error experiments in the lab. With trial and error, you never know for sure if you’ve hit the jackpot, if the material you’ve chosen is any better than what you started with. Simulation will make it possible to go into a virtual laboratory, synthesize virtual materials and processes using Compute Canada resources and then go to the plant floor to manufacture a better semiconductor, advanced steel or aluminum or even biomaterial.
What are your responsibilities as the Scientific Site Director at the Compute Canada node at McGill University?
I see my role as directing the scientific mission of the (McGill HPC) centre. Researchers care about the science that needs this computing. They want the computing itself to be easy to access, efficient and reliable for the work they do. We’re the service providers that make that happen. We do the dirty work, whether it’s setting up the software, the right kind of storage, the right compute configuration. We also need to be looking at where big science fields like genomics, materials science, neurology, aerodynamics, etc., are heading and pre-emptively design our machine and teams to serve niche areas that are going to have a major impact on the economy and society.
Brain research is another science that relies on powerful computational resources. How are Compute Canada and the McGill HPC Centre facilitating advances in this important field?
Dr. Allan Evans here at McGill is the only Canadian participant of an international team of researchers internationally participating in the Human Brain Project (a $1.6-billion initiative to translate the complexities of the human brain into a multilayered supercomputer simulation). He also leads the CANARIE-funded CBRAIN project which is developing a platform for distributed processing and sharing of 3D/4D brain imaging data across five Canadian research centres. Both projects would use Compute Canada centres to ensure doctors and researchers have easy access to the data and can translate it into practical knowledge about brain development and disease.
This computing infrastructure is located at universities. How do you see industry benefiting?
There are three main benefits. First, collaborating with academia means turning $1 in industry investment into $3 or $4 when matched by one of several generous Canadian and provincial matching programs. You’d have to be insane as an industrialist to not take advantage of that. In return, industry directly benefits from the academics’ research, which relies on Compute Canada resources. That could be learning to design a better strength-to-weight alloy, a better liquid crystal or a better polymer. Then there are the students who are trained to exploit the critical link between HPC, basic research and real-world applications. About half of my students have gone to industry or industry-related jobs. They are providing the foundation for more tech-savvy industries that make computing part of their existence.
In addition to the computing infrastructure, how do you see Compute Canada helping to advance this sector?
We’re still a long way from being able to virtually engineer — from the microstructure up — materials with a certain properties to serve a targeted application. To get there, first we need a culture of education that sees modelling as part of a bigger whole. Compute Canada has a vital role in terms of teaching about what HPC is, how to use HPC and how to integrate it into research and development as an enabling tool. There also has to be a coordination nationally for a platform that ensures researchers can easily access, push and analyze data, and work collaboratively on data without having to know the technical nitty gritty stuff. That’s where I see Compute Canada’s role becoming even more important in the future. | https://www.computecanada.ca/research/condensed-matter-physics/ |
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is working with community colleges in North Carolina to explore how these institutions can play a role in improving community health and contribute to the goals of the Trust’s Healthy Places NC initiative. Launched in 2012, Healthy Places is investing up to $100 million to improve the health of residents in 10 to 12 of North Carolina’s rural, financially disadvantaged counties, many of which are home to high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Healthy Places grantmaking is driven by community concerns, as well as the Trust’s assessment of the prospect for sustainable, long-term change. Funded projects originate from the community because local leaders know best what they and their neighbors need to lead healthier lives. To date, the Trust’s Healthy Places initiative has invested in Halifax, Beaufort, McDowell, Rockingham, Burke, Edgecombe and Nash counties.
The role of community colleges, particularly in rural areas, extends beyond the academic. Rural community colleges are often the only postsecondary institution in their community, and as such serve as a workforce trainer, employer, community convener, cultural ambassador, and change agent. In each of these capacities, community colleges are positioned to make significant contributions to improving the health and wellness of community residents.
The seven community colleges serving counties where Healthy Places grantmaking is underway play these roles and more. To better leverage the positive impact of these institutions on the communities they serve, the Trust brought in MDC to investigate and analyze the colleges’ current and potential roles in improving health outcomes and influencing healthy behaviors.
MDC is a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization that has been publishing research and developing programs focused on expanding opportunity, reducing poverty, and addressing structural inequity for nearly 50 years.
The seven colleges are:
Beaufort County Community College (Washington)
Edgecombe Community College (Tarboro)
Halifax Community College (Weldon)
McDowell Technical Community College (Marion)
Nash Community College (Rocky Mount)*
Rockingham Community College (Wentworth)
Western Piedmont Community College (Morganton)
The analysis consisted of two main activities. MDC first brought together representatives of the colleges, including four college presidents, to Winston-Salem for a two-day meeting. During the meeting these leaders learned about Healthy Places’ efforts in their communities and discussed how the institutions see their role in addressing their community’s health needs.
The second phase of MDC’s research included visits to each of the community colleges. MDC met with faculty, staff, and students to explore the colleges’ current programs and offerings intended to address health needs on campus and in the community at large.
From those visits, MDC produced a paper outlining next steps for encouraging community colleges to increase the role they play in advancing health outcomes on campus, as well as in their service areas. Next steps for the effort include exploring specific projects colleges can undertake to better provide health-related programming to faculty, staff, students, and surrounding communities; learning how to more effectively communicate existing programs and opportunities with students and community residents; reimagining the campus as a community destination and resource; and continuing to support and increase opportunities for the colleges to partner with community-based institutions and local businesses. The colleges will also form a learning community to ensure that best practices are shared between institutions.
Read MDC’s analysis here.
*Nash Community College joined the effort after MDC’s analysis was complete, and, as a result, is not mentioned in the final paper. | https://kbr.org/news/healthier-learning-healthier-communities/ |
Lushly textured, intricately patterned, and riotously colored, not to mention steeped in history, Uzbek rugs have enthralled collectors for centuries. Once part of the Persian Empire, Uzbekistan has a long tradition of exquisite textiles, with artisans passing skills from one generation to the next. The goal of the School of Traditional Carpet Weaving, Embroidery & Natural Dyeing is to revive, preserve and pass on to future generations the motifs, designs, and techniques of Bukharan traditional carpet weaving.
The school, located in the ancient city and artistic hub of Bukhara, was founded by UNESCO in 2001 when Uzbekistan was beginning to revive its historical craft heritage, and experienced craftsman were few and far between. Multi-talented artist, Fatillo Kendjaev, who studied forgotten Uzbek artistic techniques with old masters, was the first director of the school. A passionate teacher, he trained around 300 apprentices, including family members, local community members, and people from around Uzbekistan. Faltillo says that all of the masters at the school are extremely talented, especially his wife, Firuza Khamraeva, who teaches natural dyeing and weaving.
Artisans at the school undertake extensive research to reproduce hand-woven designs from previous centuries. Simultaneously, they are working on innovating unique carpet designs of their own, tying strikingly-colorful, naturally-dyed silk and wool yarn in Bukhara-style double knots on tall handlooms.
Under Communist rule in the 20th century, Uzbek crafts were looked at with suspicion, thought to be too closely tied to feudal history, and therefore antithetical to modernizing society. Thankfully, however, since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Uzbek artists and craftspeople have approached their creative practices with renewed vigor. The works produced by The School of Traditional Carpet Weaving, Embroidery & Natural Dyeing represent the renewed freedom and cherished history of Uzbekistan’s people, and proudly demonstrate their excellence in craft to a global audience. | http://ifamstories.org/artists/fatillo-kendjaev/ |
A large number of species of wild birds which occur naturally in European territory are in decline. To reverse this trend, the European Union (EU) is introducing a general system prohibiting practices (killing and capturing of birds, destruction of nests, taking of eggs, etc.) which threaten the conservation of bird species. The protection arrangements put in place also include the designation of special protection areas (SPAs) for endangered birds and migratory species which are subject to protective measures and habitat management measures.
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds.
Directive 2009/147/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds.
Member States of the European Union (EU) shall take measures to guarantee the conservation and govern the exploitation of wild birds naturally occurring in the European territory in order to maintain their population at a satisfactory level, or to adapt their population to that level.
The disappearance or deterioration of habitats represents a threat to the conservation of wild birds. Their protection is therefore essential.
re-establish destroyed biotopes and create biotopes.
Member States shall create special protection areas (SPAs) for threatened species of birds and for migratory birds (see Annex I). These areas are to be situated in the birds’ natural area of distribution and may include wintering and nesting grounds or staging posts along migration routes.
Member States shall pay particular attention to wetlands, which are in decline across Europe. They shall also create conditions favourable to the survival or reproduction of the species occurring in special protection areas. To this end, they shall take the necessary steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting the birds. They shall also assess the impact of projects likely to have a significant effect on the designated areas and take appropriate measures to avoid them.
The special protection areas (SPAs), together with the special areas of conservation (SACs) under the "Habitats" Directive (92/43/EEC), form the Natura 2000 European network of protected ecological sites.
trade in and the keeping of live or dead species the hunting and capture of which are not permitted (this prohibition also applies to any parts or derivatives of a bird).
Under certain conditions, Member States may derogate from the provisions laid down for the protection of wild birds. However, the consequences of such derogations must not be incompatible with the conservation objectives specified in the Directive.
Member States must promote research for the purposes of the management, protection and wise exploitation of the species of wild birds occurring in the European territory (see Annex V).
methods for the large-scale or non-selective killing of birds are prohibited (see Annex IV).
The list of species which may be hunted is provided in Annex II (Part A gives the list of species which may be hunted throughout the EU, and Part B the list of species which may be hunted in certain countries only).
This Directive replaces Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 (more commonly known as the “Birds” Directive), which was the oldest EU legislative text relating to nature. However, the modifications made are purely formal. The “Birds” Directive established for the first time a general system for the protection of all species of wild birds naturally occurring in the territory of the Union. It also recognises that wild birds, which include a large number of migratory species, are a shared heritage of the EU Member States and that their conservation, to be effective, requires cooperation on a global scale. | http://lifealbufera.org/index.php/en/directives/birds |
This study is concerned with the examination of factors responsible for the utilization of public primary healthcare services in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State. Primary health care (PHC) can be considered the first level of contact between the patient and the health care system. The Andersen Model of Healthcare Utilisation was used as theoretical guide and frame of analysis in the study. The model is a conceptual framework developed and used to understand health behaviour and possible reasons for utilization of available healthcare facilities and services. The study is a survey research design. A total of 295 respondents were sampled for the study. These include 285 members of the public who were sampled through a multi stage cluster sampling for questionnaire administration and 10 other respondents (Doctors, Nurses, and Community Health Extension Workers) who were purposively sampled for in-depth interview. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative instruments for data collection. The findings revealed that awareness has influence on the utilization of PHC services in the study area. It also revealed that even though there is high rate of patronage of PHC facilities in the area, respondents reported facing problems associated with availability of drugs, healthcare personnel for effective PHC delivery. It recommended that the government should ensure compliance with the WHO benchmark for PHC delivery.
Keywords: Primary health care, Awareness, Availability, Access, Health workers behaviour
Either the Editor, the Editorial Board (individually or collectively) or the Development and Management Study Group (DMSG) assumes any responsibility for statements of facts or opinions in the papers published and are therefore absolved of any legal liability. The authors are in every way responsible for the contents of individual articles.
Reproduction of any sort, including photocopying of this journal or portions of it, or any storage whatsoever, by any person(s) without prior permission of the copyright owners, is prohibited. | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijdmr/article/view/186544 |
Progressive muscle relaxation can be a great relaxation technique to induce ease and peace into your body, and help get rid of stress. You can do so by slowly tensing and relaxing different muscle groups. Walk yourself through a Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise using the script below.
Resource inspired and adapted from Baylor.edu and TherapisAid.com
If you are in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: | https://cerebral.com/care-resources/progressive-muscle-relaxation/index.html |
This Ph.D. dissertation examines the seven joy statements in the Book of Qoheleth (2.24-25; 3.12-13; 3.22; 5.17-19; 8.15; 9.7-9; 11.8-9) in order to understand their literary nature and effects. The thesis question which this dissertation attempts to answer is: Can scepticism and ironic correlations be found in the joy statements of Qoheleth? After examining the thesis question, the conclusion was drawn (thesis): Even if there is no scepticism in the joy statements of Qoheleth, one must be sceptical about any interpretation of them. In other words: Any reading of the joy statements in Qoheleth must be viewed as indeterminate. This conclusion was drawn not only on the basis of the literary nature and effects of the joy statements alone, which were indeterminate, but in the light of scepticism as a philosophy and because of possible correlations with irony. The methodology for examining the thesis question is progressive. Each chapter of the dissertation provides additional information from the most basic upwards in an attempt to answer the question. Each chapter and section are critically assessed and conclusions drawn. The methodology of this dissertation is as follows: Chapter one provides a careful analysis of key terms in Qoheleth: Chapter two provides a detailed exegesis of the joy statements. Chapter three provides a form critical analysis of the joy statements with special attention to their literary form in the overall literary structure of the book and within their overall (1.12-2.26; 3.1-15; 3.15-22; 5.7-6.9; 8.1-10.20; 9.1-12; 11.7-12.7) and immediate (2.17-26; 3.9-15; 3.18-22; 5.15-6.2; 8.10-17; 9.7-10; 11.8-9) contexts, additional exegetical notes, and with reference to Qoheleth's overall content and ethos. Chapter four provides an overview of the philosophy of scepticism and the view there is a sceptical traditional in the Hebrew Bible. | https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.513155 |
The average age of Nepalese citizens is 21.6 years with 57.9% of our population lying in between the group of 15-65 age bracket (Nepal Population, 2018). This shows that in the current time, youth population is highest in our country which shows we have enormous amount of opportunities lying ahead of us.
This huge youth population also shows that today our country requires active participation of young minds in every sector – in politics as well. Nepal has now become a democratic country which means that people can rule for themselves and by themselves. This means that today young minds have the full freedom and opportunity to become a part of political arena of Nepal.
To know what is the status quo of youth in politics of Nepal and how it can develop in the future, we interviewed five experts from the political science sector of Nepal who have set an example of how young minds should become a part of politics in Nepal.
A perspective of Nepal Students Union:
Nepalese youth have always played a very important role in case of politics of Nepal as said by Mr. Nainsing Mahar, the President of Nepal Students Union. He cited examples saying “Nepalese youth showed an active participation in the various political reforms of Nepal whether it be in the formation of a multiparty democracy or in the case of Maoist insurgency or while ruling out monarchy from the country by protesting against former King Gyanendra’s rule.
As explained by Mr. Mahar, “All these political transformations took place and became successful in the leadership of young politicians. Yet, we haven’t been able to take this factor into consideration today. Whether it be the State or the political parties, none of these stakeholders have given our young minds a chance to exhibit their potential in politics which is a very upsetting fact.”
As further explained by Mr. Dilliram Subedi, Vice President of Nepal Students’ Union, “It is important to develop a logical attitude and critical thinking amongst our people to see the growth of healthy politics in our nation and this thinking can be instilled by the young minds. All the young minds of our country, whether or not they are related to a political party need to be aware of the political scenario and also need to praise the good and criticize the bad happening in politics and only then will our country move ahead in the path of development.”
Usually, in case of young minds in politics of Nepal, we have seen them conducting violence, coming out in the roads and protesting, doing Nepal Bandhas etc. in the name of conducting political activities.
Clarifying this, Mr. Prem Bahadur Shahi, Central Committee Member of Nepal Students Union stated “These things are usually seen and observed in the exterior. However, the true reality of youth participation is different. Today, young leaders in politics have been able to make major transformations in the education system of the country because of their determination. These positive aspects of youth leadership in politics is overlooked and ignored very often.”
Also, he further clarified stating, “In some of the previous cases, it had become crucial for young political leaders to come out in the roads in order to get their voices heard and the issues resolved. Nevertheless, we wish to see changes in the way how political reform takes place in our country. We hope to see youth political leadership going forward in Nepal in a peaceful and creative manner avoiding all the violent activities and this is a probable case given that young minds are today becoming educated.”
Ms. Ranju Darshana – A lady who leads by example:
Ranju Darshana, the central committee leader of Bibeksheel Nepali Party, expressed her interest in politics by standing as a mayoral candidate in the local elections of Nepal which took place in May 2017.
In case of young minds of our country, the thought process that ‘Politics is a dirty game’ is a prevalent belief and this has led to exposition of languid behavior from our youth in the sector of politics.
Because Ms. Darshana, breaking all the stereotypes had herself shown an active participation in the political sector of our country, she helped us go to the root of this problem. She stated “The thought process that politics is a dirty game and hence it should be avoided is detrimental. But there is a firm reason why such a belief prevails in the hearts of people. Our young minds have never been able to witness situations where they could see young people taking the leading positions in the political sector. They have always seen that old experienced enthusiasts take an active role in politics and hence they haven’t been able to visualize themselves in that position.”
So, politics has become a dirty game for our young minds because it hasn’t been able to become their cup of tea. Hopefully, we will be able to see youth participation in Nepalese politics in the future the beginning spark of which was visible in the local elections.
Also, one humorous fact about Politics in Nepal is that people as old as sixty to seventy years of age are called young politicians. So, this creates a mayhem about defining the role of youth in politics itself.
Giving a perspective about this thought, Ms. Darshana said, “Anyone who shows their interest and participation in politics is a special person because these are the kind of people that have the capability to rationalize thoughts and ideas. And it is not wrong of a person to indulge in politics a little later in their life.”
She added, “However, defining and segregating young minds and experienced people in politics is of great importance. Technically, people that belong to the age category of 16 to 40 can be considered young because they have all the capability to do things and they can be termed as ‘doers’.”
Both old and young people play an equally important role in case of politics of Nepal and as Ms. Darshana expressed “Young people are the driving actors and old people are there to redirect the young drivers towards the correct path by sharing their experiences. The experienced ones should be careful about the fact that there is no invalid imposition and forcefulness towards the young because politics doesn’t work that way.”
So, though age is just a number and it doesn’t matter in people’s choices of their career, segregating young and old becomes important to distribute the responsibility and accountability accordingly.
A perspective of the expert graduates and faculty in Political Science:
Any sector can be as good as the education of and about that sector. Hence, in order to know more about the sector of ‘Political Science’, we had our share of conversation with two active enthusiasts in politics who themselves went through rigorous academic courses of political science and today share knowledge about political science as prestigious professors.
Mr. Romnath Baral, Faculty of Political Science in Tribhuvan University stated, “One major reason why our young minds are not attracted towards politics is because it is not a money making career opportunity. Choosing to become a part of politics is equivalent to doing social service where no direct income generation is possible. Thus, financial security is a major question mark in the life of people who want to enter politics and this results in politics not remaining the prioritized career option for youth.”
There is a high financial insecurity in political career which pulls our young minds away from politics. In some cases, the fear of life also pulls young minds away from politics.
Clarifying about this Mr. Nirdesh Silwal, an expert in International Relations and Faculty of Political Science in National Law College and Little Angels College of Management, stated, “Earlier, there did exist a huge risk of life for people involved in politics especially in times of Maoist insurgency where we saw the enormous sacrifice of lives and families of a large number of politically involved people. In the past times, the politicians used to proudly state about their experiences of having to go to jail and becoming a prisoner used to be an unsaid condition for people interested in politics. However, the situation has improved a lot now.”
Mr. Silwal, further explained saying, “After the Constitution of Nepal came out in 2072 B.S., the political development in Nepal is turning out to be violence free and peaceful and for young minds who really want to become a part of politics today, they need not be insecure about life. There is a certain level of uncertainty in every profession but politics has become as secure as any other career choice in Nepal after the formation of constitution.”
Political Leadership as a Student Member:
Mr. Prakash Thapa Chhetri who is also known as Mr. N Prakash Thapa has been actively participating in political leadership as a student member. He has been a free student member in R.R College.
While talking about how young minds can play a role in politics, Mr. Prakash Thapa Chhetri stated, “Our country’s current demand is healthy participation of youth in politics. Today, many young political members have become a part of the political fraternity for the sake of earning money.”
The staggering reality of youth participation in politics as stated by Mr. Chhetri is that young people who don’t have a stable economic background become a part of politics with the purpose of earning money which ultimately results in evils like corruption.
Thus, as stated by Mr. Chhetri “Our country’s politics requires active participation from youths but nevertheless this participation should be healthy and with the purpose of greater good for the country. This might, in fact, even demand that young members become a part of politics only after they are secured. The basic commitment that is required by young political leaders is to bring on transparency. If you want to become a part of politics and lead the country, you have to be able to show where the money of the State is diverging to.”
Mr. Chhetri also shared his wise words of wisdom by saying “When you have to make a choice between energy and experience, it is imperative that energy is chosen because experience is something which is developed over time.”
The sad fact, however, in case of our political environment is that young enthusiasts are not being given a chance to actively participate in politics. Majority of the political parties choose a person who is experienced over a person who has energy and this has resulted in lack of reflection of energy in our political scenario currently.
Hence, as we talked to different people about role of youth in politics of Nepal, we could establish different perspectives. The bottom line, however, is that, it is not only a value addition but a necessity that the young minds of our country show their active role in politics. This participation can be both in direct and indirect ways. Direct participation demands time commitment and enthusiasm by young people whereas indirect participation requires the desire to become aware about political scenario and the courage to have opinions on the political framework of the nation. | https://glocalkhabar.com/youth-political-leadership-rising-in-nepal/ |
Dr Ruth Fielding is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University and researches multilingualism, language education and identity. Ruth began her career as a secondary school teacher of French and German, before undertaking a PhD which focussed upon multilingualism and identity negotiation. Ruth worked as a Senior Lecturer in the French program at UTS (2017- 2018) and as Assistant Professor of TESOL and Foreign Language Teaching at the University of Canberra (2014 – 2017) where she was the Program Coordinator for the TESOL and FLT program. Prior to that Ruth worked for eight and a half years (2006 - 2014) as a Lecturer in Languages Curriculum at the University of Sydney in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. Ruth’s research and professional work centres around a program of research which explores bilingual/multilingual identity, language teacher education, pedagogy and assessment in language learning and teaching, and intercultural approaches in languages education. Ruth's research program seeks to transform teaching and learning through shifting approaches to languages. She works with teachers to understand how identity and intercultural understanding are interwoven in language education. Her research also seeks to understand how education in super-diverse cities takes place to further develop education for diversity and inclusion. Her research has appeared in the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, Foreign Language Annals, Language Learning Journal,Language and Education, Babel and in a number of edited volumes. Ruth’s book Multilingualism in the Australian Suburbs is available as an e-book and as a hardback book from Springer. She is currently editing one book on the intersection of multilingualism, identity and interculturality for Springer, and co-editing a book on teacher education for content and language integration in bilingual settings for Multilingual Matters. She is part of an inter-disciplinary team currently exploring Teacher Capabilities in Conditions of Superdiversity for a funded ARC Discovery project (2021 to 2024).
Research interests
Multilingualism
Identity
Languages Education
Bilingual modes of education (CLIL, immersion)
Intercultural stance in languages education
Supervision interests
Languages and TESOL education
Student and teacher identity
Multilingualism in education
Multilingualism in society
Monash teaching commitment
2019/2020
- EDF5156 - Languages Education in the Secondary Years B
- EDF5157 - Languages education A
- EDF5642 - Bilingualism and content-based programs
- EDF5158 - Languages education B
- EDF5631 - Bi/Multilingual Education
Consulting
Ruth has consulted for a range of educational organisations and schools including:
Modern Language Teachers' Association Victoria (MLTAV)
Association of Independent Schools NSW (AIS NSW)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Education NSW
Embassy of France in Canberra
AITSL - developing Illustrations of Practice for Languages
NSW Board of Studies (now NESA)
Community service
I am a Theme Leader of CLIL for RiPL (Research in Primary Languages) Network (UK).
Education/Academic qualification
Higher Education, Graduate Certificate, University of Sydney
Award Date: 1 Apr 2011
PhD, University of Sydney
Award Date: 1 Apr 2010
Research area keywords
- Transforming Teaching and Learning
- Educating for Diversity and Inclusion
Network
Dive into details
Select a country/territory to view shared publications and projects
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How can we better support the behavioural and academic needs of our refugee background students?
Rojas Quimbay, P., Fielding, R., Forbes-Mewett, H. & Wilkinson, J.
1/11/20 → 30/11/23
Project: Research
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Professional Learning program in TESOL for primary teachers from Zhejiang Province, People’s (China) at Monash University (Clayton)
Bonar, G., Bao, D., Triolo, R., Fielding, R. & Wang, M.
4/11/19 → 22/11/19
Project: Consultancy
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Dispelling the monolingual myth: exploring literacy outcomes in Australian bilingual programmesFielding, R. & Harbon, L., 5 Mar 2022, In: International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 25, 3, p. 997-1020 24 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Parental evaluation of ‘success’ and its influence on the implementation of bilingual education programmes in Australian primary settingsFielding, R. & Turner, M., 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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A multilingual identity approach to intercultural stance in language learningFielding, R., 2021, In: Language Learning Journal. 49, 4, p. 466-482 17 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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CLIL Teacher training and teachers’ choices: exploring planned language use in the Australian contextTurner, M. & Fielding, R., 2021, In: Language, Culture and Curriculum. 34, 3, p. 224-241 18 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Raising awareness and understanding of superdiversity in the classroomGamble, N., Bright, D. & Fielding, R., 29 Apr 2021, Building Better Schools with Evidence-based Policy: Adaptable Policy for Teachers and School Leaders. Allen, K-A., Reupert, A. & Oades, L. (eds.). 1st ed. Abingdon UK: Routledge, p. 301-306 6 p. | https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/ruth-fielding |
Our discussion with Marva opened up with how concepts like spirituality, self-development, and self-discovery are often hard to put into words. Marva reflected that some of our terms are overused and have now taken on an altered definition. “Spirituality” can have many different meanings depending on our own personal understanding of it.
“The search for all that we are is a life-long journey to expand upon what we were born with. It’s remembering who we are, tapping into the source inside of us, learning that we are the creators and using that information to create. Spirituality for me is an expanding consciousness.”
We think that is beautifully said.
She goes on to say “We are the World Healers, as long as we don’t get bogged down with the internal chatter of ‘it’s never going to work,’ or ‘I’m not creative.” Because the fact of the matter is that we are creating every moment of our existence through the power of our thoughts and feelings.
Marva calls finding Intention Inspired a “gift from the universe.” She has been on this journey for 30+ years. When she first found Intention Inspired she was discouraged and tired. She had recently looked through old journals and felt like she was in the same place as when she wrote them. Ahh, the familiar voice of the inner critique. She was at the point of stopping, and then Intention Inspired appeared.
“It showed up and made me evolve without me even realizing it. The experience was fabulous. I created my very first art journal. I took each day and turned them into sketches. It got me back into my practices, turned me into an advocate again.”
Marva thought it was so impactful because “we were all on the same page. I became a teacher with the community, I focused on what brought me joy, helping to shift perspectives and asking others ‘how about you look at it another way?’”
She is a wonderful teacher and advocate within the community, but how does she teach herself? “Meditation, journaling, and reframing. If I can sit and take myself out of my own head for an hour, it cleanses the whole palate. I’m an empath, so I collect things throughout the day, picking up on other people’s emotions and pain, and I work towards the balance of it all.” Marva helps to remind us that we are never alone, we are loved/love, and part of the journey is remembering that.
She talks about observation as the key to reframing. “I spend time paying attention to the level of vibration that I am vibrating at by the reaction of the world around me. Because we are creating our own reality, what’s popping up in front of us all the time is a message that needs to be of service, if it brings you to a feeling.”
So how specifically does she do it? “I take every emotion that comes up and observe it. I pay attention to what the emotion is first, where did it come from, how often do I see it and how would I like this interchange to be in the future. That’s the process of reframing and it all starts with the observation, observation without judgment.” We can have any reaction we want to what is happening around us, and there is strength in the recognition of that. “The wonderful thing about observation is, is that as soon as you turn your attention to it, it becomes less of a solid. It’s one of the greatest practices. Take anger, depression, and unworthiness, for example, when we can move into a space of curiosity with those difficult emotions, that then completely changes the vibration.” Simply by becoming aware and observing it, the opportunities for us become limitless.
Present-day, Marva is on her own personal healing journey, which she takes a leap of faith and shares with us, “When you decide you are going to heal yourself, you can’t incorporate any fear into the program. Sharing a healing journey with loved ones can be a challenge. I put myself on a program right at the same time that I was invited to this new platform. I was starting to feel alone and I’m so grateful for the connection because Intention Inspired is a safe haven.”
She is also finishing her book called “A Life Creating.” It has all of the tools a person might need to move forward in this journey with the backdrop of creativity because that’s who she is. “I really think that everyone has the knowledge that a joyful life is attainable. We just need to know what tools to use to remember. These tools can help us promote our well being and expand our consciousness.” We are excited to witness and be a part of the process, creation, and release of this particular work of art. | https://intentioninspired.com/remembering-who-we-are-with-marva-midkiff/ |
LABC hosted a one-hour webinar on June 2, 2021, about the effects of trauma and best practices for communicating with clients. Presenter Dr. Lori Vitale Cox discussed the effects of trauma, resilience and protective factors, while introducing attendees to approaches for communicating with clients before and during court. To watch the webinar, visit this link on LABC’s YouTube channel.
About the webinar
An understanding of the effects of adversity and trauma on an individual’s way of experiencing and responding to their environment can support you when assisting clients. Adopting a trauma-informed approach helps address the revolving door syndrome many individuals experience in the justice system.
Trauma affects mental and physical health, and individuals who have experienced trauma often have high levels of anxiety. This can negatively affect communication and behaviour.
Many people who become involved with the criminal justice system have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences including family dysfunction and addictions, food insecurity, family separations, early life trauma and various forms of abuse. They often also experience social and economic adversity, housing challenges, homelessness and poverty. There is growing evidence that pre-natal and generational stressors can also affect an individual’s behaviour.
Watch the video by December 31, 2021, to claim one hour of CPD with the Law Society of BC. Search the Law Society's course directory for Trauma-Informed Approach to claim the hour. The presentation is also available in PDF format. | https://legalaid.bc.ca/lawyers/news/trauma-informed-approach-webinar-video-available |
We are delighted to announce the publication of a series of reports as part of Social Dialogue in the 21st Century, a collaborative project between Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations School’s New Conversations Project and the Strategic Partnership for Garment Supply Chain Transformation (SP), which includes Fair Wear Foundation, CNV Internationaal and Mondiaal FNV.
The Social Dialogue in the 21st Century Project focuses on what social dialogue should look like moving forward. Social dialogue has the potential to deliver better working conditions, social stability and a level playing field in the garment industry and beyond. However, the social dialogue systems and strategies developed in the 20th century were never designed to cope with the complexities of globalisation. Freedom of association and collective bargaining rights remain fundamental, but it is time to rethink how social dialogue should function in a global economy. Through research and stakeholder consultations in ten garment-producing countries, the project aimed to create a root-cause analysis of barriers to impactful social dialogue, analyse similarities and differences between countries and arrive at conclusions for how to overcome barriers and move forward across the entire global garment industry. The research was also expanded to include an analysis of how COVID-19 has impacted social dialogue structures, and examine how social dialogue contributed to the recovery efforts.
Today all ten country-specific reports have been published, along with an in-depth comparative Synthesis Report highlighting key findings and ways forward. In the reports, the interests and roles of the current complex network of actors are mapped out.
The research presents important findings concerning political typology as well as a number of obstacles to productive social dialogue. You can find the full reports below:
Last week the first reports were launched during the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in Garment in Footwear during the session titled ‘Is Social Dialogue part of Fashion’s post-Covid Cure?’ The recording can be found here. | https://www.fairwear.org/stories/new-reports-social-dialogue-21st-century |
Copyright: © 2017 Kelencz CA, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Electromyography; EMG; Human gait; Footwear
Kinematic analysis and surface electromyography are tools being used as important methods to evaluate the human gait and to analyze different types of footwear aiming modifications and adaptations to the human locomotor system, especially of the feet. The aim of the present study was to analyze through electromyography (EMG) the muscles tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and to capture digital images of the human gait in four different footware situations, barefoot with tennis, platform shoes and high heels. Twenty healthy women with a mean age of 22.6 years took part in this experiment, which was performed on a treadmill at a speed of 3.8 m/s. The results showed that shoes that do not allow a normal movement of the tarsal bones caused changes in the trajectory of the gait, which promotes a greater muscular movement. This study concluded that shoes closer to a normal position and allow greater mobility of the feet, decrease muscular demands, which in everyday situations cause less localized muscular fatigue.
Walking or ambulation is the most common movement in human beings. The standard footstep variability in everyday life is moderately low . The analysis of human movement is defined as any procedure involving means that allow obtaining its quantitative or qualitative measure . The gait cycle is a perfectly orchestrated sequence of electrical and mechanical events that culminates in the coordinated propulsion of the body through space. This cycle should be seen as a coordinated effort between the nervous, the muscular, and the skeletal systems [3,4]. Any disturbance in the motor, musculoskeletal, or sensory systems can cause weakness in locomotion. The term gait analysis has become common when describing the evaluation modes of locomotion, which take into account anthropometric, kinematic, kinetic or Electromyographic aspects [5,6]. Some external factors can also significantly affect the way of locomotion, such as the walking surface or the type of footwear. Brazil in 2002 became the first country to create norms that evaluate the comfort of footwear, NBR 14834 to 14840 .
There are numerous measurement procedures which analyze the gait and are related, in a greater or lesser degree, to the control of this movement. The EMG signal measures moments of force and power closely measure the origin of movement, whereas kinematics moments, support, footstep length, cadence, and ground reaction forces merely reflect many integrated output effects . The use of video cameras, force platforms and electromyography (EMG) in order to characterize locomotion quantitatively has become increasingly frequent, becoming a common system to evaluating changes in the gait [8,9]. The use of video cameras allows greater flexibility in the selection of the movements to be studied, the acquisition frequency of 60 Hz provides a sufficient temporal resolution for a large number of biomechanical analysis [10,5]. The analysis of the gait now counts on the evolution of measurement methods and techniques provided by the technological advance which allows the access to different behaviours of the locomotive system in a more precise and quicker way . In this sense, the aim of this work is to perform a kinematic study of the feet and an electromyography study of the tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius and medial gastrocnemius muscles on the treadmill, in four different situations: barefoot, with tennis, with platform shoes and high heels.
Twenty women aged ± 22.66, ± weight 56.22kg and height ± 163.35, with similar anthropometry and no history of musculoskeletal injuries, took part in this experiment. To capture the images, we used a Sony Cyber shot digital still camera with a 10.1 megapixel resolution. It was attached to a tripod positioned fifty centimetres from the ground, one meter from the volunteer. Silver markers were positioned at ankle joint, tip of the foot and heel levels for better visualization of the reference points. For the Electromyographic records, a 16-channel electromyography model SAS1000-V16 version EMG800C-16 and a specific software EMG Lab 1.2 by EMG System do Brasil for the data analysis, and surface electrodes coupled to the active interface were used. They were positioned on the tibialis anterior (TA), lateral gastrocnemius (GL) and medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscles on both sides following the [12,13]. Before the electrodes were placed, a tricotomy and alcohol cleansing were performed on the area of the muscles tested.
To synchronize the Electromyographic records with the filming, a device was used in the form of flash to the trigger the recording . It was fixed on the lateral platform of the treadmill. A Kistler treadmill with at a speed of 3.8 m/s was used. All procedures were performed at the Biodynamic Laboratory of the Physiotherapy College of University of Vale do Paraíba. After data acquisition, the image files were transformed into a sequence of images in the VirtualDub-1.7.0 software, and saved in a specific file for further processing in ImageJ 1.38b, where the Manual Tracking features were used. Specifically, the trajectory of the tip-toe movement of the volunteers, where silver markers had been placed, was observed. A cycle of steps was analyzed and synchronized with the electromyographic signal of the muscles tested. The shoes used in the experiment were: sneakers with non-cushioned rubber soles with a height of 2 cm. Female boot with rubber outsole without cushioning height of 6 cm. And the footwear with needle-like jump with rigid soles with height of 10 cm.
A tracing was done on the images obtained from the trajectory of the feet during the footstep. This procedure was carried out both on the right and left footstep, and with all the different footwear.
The tracing of the feet’s trajectory during the walk without footwear- barefoot (Figure 1) with the right leg was observed. It showed an almost linear trajectory from the initial moment until total foot support on the platform. In chart 1, we observe the electromyographic activity that was synchronized with the image of the mentioned trajectory, in which there was a greater electrical activity of all muscles on the right side compared to the left side. The greatest electrical activity was recorded in the right tibialis anterior muscle whose function is the dorsal flexion of the ankle, but which also cushions the impact with the ground.
The left-leg tracing without the use of footwear when compared to the right was more linear, it also covered a smaller distance when the space covered by the feet during the footstep was observed.
The gait of the right leg during the footstep with the use of tennis (Figure 2). It was observed that the foot trajectory was much more sinuous than the previous one and that at the end of the footstep there was an elevation of the foot tip before touching the ground.
Regarding the electrical activity of the muscles, the dominance of all muscles of the right side is observed, and the anterior tibialis was also the most active. Compared to the same side in the previous situation, a significant increase in the electrical activity of this muscle was noticed. This is explained by the modification in the trajectory of the footstep and a greater dorsal flexion of the ankle. The left side presented electrical activity similar to what was observed in the previous situation. The footstep trajectory was similar to that of the left leg but also with a slightly smaller distance than the right leg. When comparing the tracing of electrical activity results of the right leg muscles with another tracing data obtained from an image of walking using tennis, which represent the trajectory traversed by the left leg during the footstep, the gait with the platform shoes as observed in the figure 3, shows a positive slope footstep, showing that with this type of footwear the volunteers raised their feet higher from the ground.
This elevation generates a greater electrical activity of the anterior tibialis muscle of the right leg in relation to the other muscles tested. The same happened in the left leg during the footstep walk with platform shoes. The last situation tested the gait using high heels, as observed in figure 4.
A more linear trajectory of the right leg similar to that observed in the data obtained in the results of the electrical activity of the muscles during the footstep of the right leg without footwear (Figure 1), with a shorter distance between the steps, and the almost simultaneous touching of the heel and forefoot.
As in the other situations, the anterior tibialis muscle was more active than the electrical activity of the muscles of the right leg. A similar situation was observed in the gait with platform shoes, of the left leg.
Comparing all the situations tested, it was observed that the platform footwear presents a very different foot trajectory than the other footwear, and resulted in a greater electrical activity of the anterior tibialis muscle as observed in charts 1 and 2.
The results showed that the change in the trajectory of the step, directly reflects on the electric activity of the muscles tested. This is due to the modification in the biomechanics of the feet imposed by the type of footwear which in the case of platform shoes practically does not allow any movement of the bones of the tarsus , (Table 1). This leads to an adaptation in the movement of the feet that generates a greater force to perform the movement since the foot support on the ground occurs almost simultaneously at the ankle plant and the tip of the foot [16,17].
When walking with shoes that allow the feet to move, the step cycle becomes lighter, and all phases of the last cycle are executed. With footwear such as platform shoes and high heels, the feet remain in a fixed position, obliging the locomotor system to make various adjustments and biomechanical adaptations so that the person can move in an unfavourable and uncomfortable position. Comparing all the situations, we observed with the help of digital images and electromyography that the platform shoes presented the greatest difference in muscle activity and foot trajectories .
We conclude in this study that the closer to a normal position the shoes are, in other words, the greater the mobility of the feet, the smaller the muscular demands. Which will cause less localized muscle fatigue in day-to-day situations. Regarding the use of digital images in gait analysis with different footwear, we conclude that it is a very important tool and that when synchronized with other biomechanical tools it can bring many benefits to the movement analysis. | https://www.heighpubs.org/hps/apps-aid1001.php |
UNISA Students Urged To Collect Their Certificates
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is calling on all students who are yet to pick up their certificates to contact the university directly and make arrangements to do so.
The University of South Africa (Unisa) has expressed concern about students speaking to the media and posting on social media platforms about their inability to receive their certificates.
The university has said in an announcement that students have been notified via SMS on several occasions to pick up their certificates at the Unisa Main Campus in Muckleneuck and Regional Facilities, but many students have not done so.
UNISA also said that students will receive SMS messages soon informing them of the date and the Unisa office where they may pick up their certificates.
Months prior to this, the university struggled to issue certificates which upset a number of students who had been waiting for the release of their qualifications for several months.
The university would later respond with a statement confirming that they had been experiencing problems with the issuing and delivery of certificates to students.
Students have been urged to respond to requests to collect their certificates and contact the University via e-mail at [email protected] or through the Call Centre on 080 000 1870.
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This indispensable woven cotton basic finesses your best suits and separates, and rocks a cool, sporty look with jeans, as well. Point collar. Long sleeves with button cuffs. Single chest pocket. Button front. Shirttail hem. Yoked back with box pleat. About 25" from shoulder to hem. Cotton. Machine wash or dry clean. Made in Italy of imported fabric. Model shown is 5'10" (177cm) wearing size Small. | https://www.shopstyle.com/g/women/theory/the-perfect-cotton-shirt |
SCAN is officially supporting the Sustainable Coffee Challenge.
Conservation International, along with a dynamic and diverse coalition from across the sector, has formed the Sustainable Coffee Challenge in a collaboration to achieve a sustainable coffee sector.
On March 8th, alongside the International Coffee Organization’s 4th World Coffee Conferencein Addis Ababa, the Sustainable Coffee Challenge (SCC) launched its roadmap for making coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.
SCAN has been participating in one of the SCC working groups (Framework) and is impressed with their focus, convening power and transparency. The SCC is developing into an important reporting service on sustainability efforts and initiatives as well as a proactive mechanism for promoting change and development, which also reflects SCAN’s focus.
The following statement was sent to the SCC to express SCAN’s support and participation:
“The Sustainable Commodity Assistance Network (SCAN) supports the SCC and its partners in realizing a truly sustainable coffee sector. SCAN is a network of 17 international organizations promoting needs-based technical assistance and capacity building for producers and producer groups. Linked directly to the international SCAN platform are national, multi-stakeholder platforms in coffee producing countries, which collaborate on the development and delivery of technical assistance. The commitments and partnerships that will arise from the SCC will be key to expanding positive impact in producer countries and all along supply chains. We look forward to working together to make coffee the first truly sustainable sector.”
We invite you to participate in this process and look forward to working with you to achieve this important goal!
To read more about the Sustainable Coffee Challenge and to become a partner, view the following documentation below: | http://scanprogram.org/partnerships/sustainable-coffee-challenge/ |
A series of three experiments is reported that have examined how the specialist components of the working memory model (Baddeley, 1986; Baddeley & Hitch, 1974) are involved during the performance of mental synthesis. The results indicate that the spatial manipulation of material during synthesis draws on the resources of spatial working memory, whereas the maintenance of verbal representations can play an important role in making effective use of cognitive resources during the task as a whole. These results are interpreted within the framework of a revised model of visuo-spatial working memory, in which the specialist components act as temporary storage buffers for visuo-spatial and verbal material, whereas the generation and maintenance of conscious visual images is primarily seen as being a function of the central executive component. | https://abdn.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/verbal-representations-and-spatial-manipulation-during-mental-syn |
Antenatal common mental disorders (CMDs) including anxiety, depressive, adjustment, and somatoform disorders are prevalent worldwide. There is emerging evidence that experiencing a natural disaster might increase the risk of antenatal CMDs. This study aimed to synthesise the evidence about the prevalence and determinants of clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMDs among women who had recently experienced an earthquake.
This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included both electronic and manual components. Five major databases were searched. A data extraction table was used to summarise study characteristics and findings. Two authors examined the quality of studies independently using a quality assessment tool. A narrative synthesis of the findings reported.
In total seven articles met inclusion criteria. Quality scores ranged from six to seven out of ten. All the studies were cross-sectional surveys and were conducted in high and middle-income countries. Sample sizes varied among studies. The prevalence of clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMD ranged from 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2; 6.5) experiencing ‘psychological stress’ in Japan to 40.8% (95% CI, 35.5; 46.4) ‘depression’ in China. While all studies were conducted in an earthquake context, only four examined some aspect of earthquake experiences as a risk factor for antenatal CMDs. In multivariable analyses, higher marital conflict, poor social support, multiparity, stresses of pregnancy and the personality characteristic of a negative coping style were identified as risks and a positive coping style as protective against antenatal CMDs.
This systematic review found that women who have recently experienced an earthquake are at heightened risk of antenatal mental health problems. It indicates that in addition to the establishment of services for safe birth which is recognised in post-disaster management strategies, pregnancy mental health should be a priority. The review also revealed that there is no evidence available from the world’s low-income nations where natural disasters might have more profound impacts because local infrastructure is more fragile and where it is already established that women experience a higher burden of antenatal CMDs.
Antenatal common mental disorders (CMDs) which include anxiety, depressive, adjustment, and somatoform disorders are prevalent worldwide. In a systematic review conducted in 2004 which included 21 papers representing 13 high-income countries, Bennett et al. reported that about 10% of women experienced ‘depression’ (although most studies had ascertained outcomes with symptom checklists and not diagnostic interviews), during pregnancy. The rate is much higher in low- and middle-income countries. Fisher et al. reviewed all available papers published to 2010 from low- and lower-middle-income countries. The review found 13 studies but from only nine low- and lower-middle-income countries. The review reported a weighted mean prevalence of antenatal CMDs in these settings of 15.6% (95% CI, 15.4–15.9). The latest systematic review of antenatal ‘depression’ published in 2016 which included 51 studies published from 1998 to 2015 and representing 20 low- and middle-income countries. The study found that a pooled prevalence of ‘depression’ during pregnancy was 25.8% (95% CI, 22.8–29.0) . This review reported significant heterogeneity and publication bias between studies . This could be possible explanations for the much higher prevalence in this review than those of the previous study. Nevertheless, these reviews showed that the prevalence of antenatal CMDs is high worldwide.
Some determinants of antenatal CMDs in general circumstances have been established. Lancaster et al.’s systematic review of ‘risk factors for depressive symptoms during pregnancy’ included 57 studies from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand published from 1980 to 2008. They found in univariable comparisons that life stress, anxiety, a personal history of depression, lack of social support, unintended pregnancy, domestic violence, less education, lower income, smoking, being the single and poor quality of relationship were more common among with than those without antenatal depressive symptoms. When all were entered into multivariable analyses, life stress, lack of social support and domestic violence remained significantly more common among women with than without symptoms. Fisher et al.’s systematic review from low- and lower-middle-income countries also reported that lack of support, socio-economic disadvantage, unintended pregnancy and intimate partner violence were risks and having more education, a permanent job, and a kind and trustworthy intimate partner protected against CMDs of women who were pregnant or had recently given birth .
There is limited empirical research about the links between experiences of a disaster and prevalence of antenatal CMDs. Harville et al. conducted a systematic review of ‘disasters and perinatal health’ in 2011 and included ten papers reporting findings of the mental health of women who were pregnant or had recently given birth and had experienced a natural or a ‘technological’ disaster. The review found that exposure to a disaster can be stressful and that the mental health of women who are pregnant or in the postpartum period may have adverse consequences for the child’s development and that these might be greater than the direct effects of the disaster . Ren et al. reported similar findings in their systematic review of eight papers on ‘mental disorders of pregnant and postpartum women after earthquakes’. Some studies had examined factors other than the disaster as determinants of antenatal CMDs and found that poor social support and the poor family relationship may increase the risk of perinatal CMDs .
These two systematic reviews included some papers reporting experiences of earthquakes, other natural disaster and antenatal CMDs and indicated that earthquake might increase the risk of antenatal CMDs [6, 7]. However, to our knowledge, there is no systematic review of the prevalence and determinants of antenatal CMDs among women who recently experienced an earthquake. Antenatal CMDs among women is a global concern not only because of the burden and limits to participation in everyday affairs but also because of the risk to the neurocognitive development of the growing foetus and adverse pregnancy outcomes . In addition, it is well-established that a history of antenatal CMDs is a risk factor for postnatal depression .
The aim of this study was to identify and synthesise the evidence available about the prevalence and determinants of clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMDs among women who have recently experienced an earthquake.
We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines . The protocol was registered in PROSPERO-CRD42017056501 .
The search incorporated both electronic and manual components. The electronic databases: Psychi Info, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest were searched. We used keywords, boolean operators and truncation to search for the relevant articles. The search terms were: (pregnan* or antenatal or antepartum or maternal or perinatal or prenatal or gestation or reproductive health or sexual health) AND (mental health problem* or common mental disorder* or depression or anxiety or psychosis or mental health status or mental health or mental disease* or mental well*being or mental health or post*traumatic stress disorder*) AND (disaster* or earthquake*). These search terms revised according to the specificities of each database.
The reference lists of articles that met inclusion criteria were searched manually to identify any further publications which had not been identified in the electronic searches.
Eligibility criteria were that papers had to report studies from any country that: 1) were about women who had experienced an earthquake in the prior five years, 2) ascertained and reported the prevalence of symptoms of antenatal CMDs using a standard method, 3) had been published in the English in the peer-reviewed literature to October 31st 2017.
A data extraction table was used to summarise study characteristics and findings. We summarised the prevalence of clinically-significant symptoms of CMDs and extracted or derived confidence interval, odds ratio, relative risk, coefficients, and significance of determinants of CMDs.
Two authors (GKK and TDT) examined the quality of studies independently using a quality assessment tool designed by Greenhalgh and modified by Fisher et al. (Table 1). The authors discussed any discrepancies and reached a consensus. Quality assessment items included: “clear study aim, appropriate sample size (or justification), explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, a measure of mental health standardized, a measure of mental health locally validated, response rate reported and losses were given, an adequate description of data, appropriate statistical analysis and appropriate informed consent.” These were scored one for meeting the criterion and zero for not meeting it, and the total potential score was ten.
The steps to select eligible papers based on the eligibility criteria are reported in Fig. 1. In total, seven articles met inclusion criteria. Quality scores ranged from six to seven out of ten (Table 1). As the studies were heterogeneous in methodology, we were unable to undertake a meta-analysis and therefore completed a narrative synthesis of the findings.
All the studies were conducted in Japan, Taiwan, or China. All were cross-sectional surveys. In total, data were contributed by 2209 women who had experienced an earthquake and 7381 women in comparison conditions who had not. Sample sizes varied among studies. The smallest was Hibino et al.’s investigation of 99 women and the largest, Watanabe et al.’s of 670 women who experienced an earthquake and 6803 as a comparison group, both in Japan. None of the seven studies justified the sample size or sought to establish representativeness (Table 1). While Qu et al. described their study as having ‘randomised sampling’ and Dong et al. and Lau et al. mentioned that they had ‘non-probabilistic convenience sampling’ none reported anything about the recruitment strategies.
Six studies [13, 15–19] recruited participants from antenatal clinics in hospitals. One study recruited participants from antenatal clinics or ‘local government offices issuing [the] pregnancy journal, Mother-Child Health Handbook’. This is an official booklet which is provided free to all expectant mothers when they register to receive municipal services for pregnancy, birth and childcare in Japan .
Although all studies were conducted in an earthquake context, the magnitude of earthquakes, the distance between the study site and the epicentre, and timing of experience of the earthquakes varied among studies (Table 2). The magnitude of earthquakes was from 6.9 to 9.0 on the Richter Scale. Four studies [14–17] were conducted in areas which had experienced earthquakes rated at least eight on the Richter Scale. The distance of the study setting from the epicentre varied from zero kilometres [13, 19] to 90 km .
Three studies [14, 17, 19] recruited and interviewed pregnant women who were pregnant at the time of the earthquake. Two studies were conducted among pregnant women who experienced earthquakes 18 months and four years before pregnancy. The other two studies [13, 18] interviewed pregnant women who experienced earthquakes either a few months before or during pregnancy.
Three studies [14, 16, 17] had a comparison group. Dong et al. and Watanabe et al. recruited pregnant women from a non-earthquake affected area as a comparison group. Dong et al. reported that they recruited pregnant women from Gaobeidian county, Heibei province, non-earthquake affected area as a comparison group following the same recruitment method of the study group. However, they did not report how they selected the comparison group. Watanabe et al. reported that they selected a comparison group (but not how) from an area which had ‘no or little direct effects’ due to the earthquake in which they followed the same recruitment method as used for the earthquake experienced group. Lau et al. compared a pre-earthquake and a post-earthquake group which had been recruited from the same area using the same methods but did not report inclusion criteria. Two of these studies [14, 17] reported that the characteristics of the study group differed significantly from those of the comparison group, including in family income, educational level , and employment status which might have influenced the outcomes. Dong et al. reported number and percentage of data but did not report any significant difference between study and comparison data.
All studies used a standardised screening tool to measure CMD. Five studies [13, 15–17, 19] used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to measure pregnancy mental health, but these studies used different cutoff scores to indicate clinically significant symptoms: ≥ 10 for three [13, 15, 16] and ≥ 14 for two [17, 19] studies. In only two [15, 16] of these studies had a cutoff score been established in a local formal validation among pregnant women. One study used scores of > 3 on the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ)-12 and another used ≥13 scores on Kessler (K)-6 . Neither of these cutoff scores had been established in local validations among pregnant women but had been among the general population [14, 18].
The prevalence of clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMD ranged from 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2; 6.5) experiencing ‘psychological stress’ in Japan to 40.8% (95% CI, 35.5; 46.4) ‘depression’ in China (Table 2).
Of four studies in China, two reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms among women who had experienced the earthquake during pregnancy: 7.1% (95% CI, 5.1; 9.5) and 35.2% (95% CI, 26.9; 44.1) using the same EPDS cut off score ≥ 14. The other two studies reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms among women who had experienced earthquakes 18 months (40.8% (95% CI, 35.5; 46.4)) and 4 years (34.5% (95% CI, 28.9; 40.6)) (EPDS cut off score ≥ 10) before pregnancy. Qu et al. ‘s was the only study which investigated trauma reactions among pregnant women in an earthquake context and reported the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 12.2% (95% CI, 9.0; 16.4) using ≥2 cut-off scores of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R).
Among the studies in Japan, Hibino et al. found that 13.1% (95% CI, 7.2; 21.4) of pregnant women had depressive symptoms (≥10 EPDS cut off score). Watanabe et al. reported that 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2; 6.5) pregnant women had ‘psychological stress’ (≥13 K6 scores). Similarly, the study in Taiwan reported that 29.2% (95% CI, 22.5; 36.7) pregnant women experienced ‘minor psychiatric morbidity’ (> 3 CHQ-12 score).
While all studies examined some determinants, none included all potential risk and protective factors for pregnancy mental health problems [3, 5] (Table 3). One study compared factors associated with differences in the prevalence between exposed and non-exposed groups, but they did not report the findings of these factors as determinants of CMDs . Two studies [13, 18] conducted bivariate analyses only, and the other four studies [15–17, 19] conducted multivariate analyses to report potential determinants of antenatal CMDs. Studies controlled some common but some different covariates in the multivariate analyses. The key findings of the factors are grouped and described in sub-sections below, and details are presented in Table 3.
While all studies were conducted in an earthquake context, only four [13, 15, 18, 19] examined some aspect of earthquake experiences as a factor affecting CMDs during pregnancy (Table 2). Ren et al. found that women who had ‘wounded relatives’ had a significantly and independently higher experiences of depressive symptoms (adjusted regression coefficient 0.22, p = 0.002). Qu et al. used a study-specific ‘12 event self-assessment scale’ to measure earthquake experiences. They found that women who had higher earthquake experiences had significantly higher odds of experiencing PTSD (with ≥2 IES-R scale score) (aOR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.43; 2.26, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant association between earthquake experiences and depressive symptoms .
Ren et al. used a standardised tool which captured three dimensions of social support: subjective support, objective support and support use as a potential covariate of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. They found a significant negative correlation between subjective support (r = − 0.372; p = 0.01), objective support (r = − 0.324; p = 0.01) and support use (r = − 0.320; p = 0.01) and EPDS total score. Subjective support remained significant (adjusted regression coefficient − 0.25, p = 0.001) in multivariable analysis but the other two dimensions of social support were not significant . Lau et al. found a similar result when they used ‘the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, a 40-item standardised scale to measure ‘perceived availability of functional social support’. They found that women who perceived support as poor were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (aOR, 3.07, 95% CI, 1.21; 7.78, p < 0.05) .
Three studies found a significant association of antenatal CMDs with at least one socio-demographic factor. Qu et al. found in multivariable analyses that younger women (aged 18 to 25 years) were more likely to experience PTSD (aOR, 0.10, 95% CI, 0.03; 0.31, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (aOR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.20; 0.90, p = 0.025) compared to older women (≥30 years). Lau et al. also found that women aged ≤25 years (compared > 25 years) had a higher chance of experiencing depression in univariate analysis (OR, 2.46, 95% CI, 1.26; 4.81, p < 0.05); but the association was not significant in multivariable analysis. Other studies [13, 16, 18, 19] did not find a significant association between age and antenatal CMDs.
Qu et al. found that compared to more highly educated women, women with lower education were at increased risk of experiencing PTSD (p < 0.001), but they did not find an association with depressive symptoms in bivariate analysis. The significance for PTSD also disappeared in multivariate analysis. Lau et al. found that women with less than secondary education had higher odds of experiencing depression in univariate analysis (OR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.62; 5.62, p < 0.01) but the association was not significant in multivariable analysis. Dong et al. , and Ren et al. did not find any significant association of education of women with depressive symptoms.
Ren et al. found that women who were farmers had higher EPDS mean scores (13.07 ± 5.93) compared to others (9.65 ± 5.03) (p = 0.001). In Lau et al. ‘s study, women who were unemployed or in part-time employment had higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms in univariate analysis (OR, 2.35, 95% CI, 1.24; 4.45, p < 0.05); the association disappeared in multivariable analysis. Qu et al. found that women who had low family income had a higher chance of experiencing PTSD in univariate analysis (p < 0.001), but the association did not remain significant in a multivariable analysis. They also did not find a significant association between family income with depressive symptoms. In a similar case, Lau et al. found that women who had ‘one partner only’ as a main financial support in a family were more likely experiencing depressive symptoms in univariate analysis (OR, 3.35, 95% CI, 1.67; 6.71, p < 0.01); the association was not significant in a multivariable analysis.
While the quality of intimate partner relationship is consistently related to the mental health of pregnant women , only three studies [15–17] examined an aspect of intimate partner relationship as a covariate of antenatal CMDs. Dong et al. found that marital satisfaction (r = − 0.30, p < 0.01), ‘thoughts and feelings regarding the marriage and one’s spouse’ (r = − 0.25, p < 0.01), and ‘agreement on relationship matter’ (r = − 0.30, p < 0.01) were significantly negatively correlated with EPDS scale score. However, the association did not remain significant in multivariable analysis. Lau et al. found that women having ‘higher marital conflict’ had a higher chance of experiencing depressive symptoms in multivariable analysis (aOR, 3.60, 95% CI, 1.76; 7.20, p < 0.01). Qu et al. found that ‘quality of women’s marital and family relationship’ was significantly negatively correlated with depression (r = − 0.18, p < 0.01) but the association was not significant with PTSD. They did not find any significant association with depressive symptoms or PTSD in multivariable analyses.
Five studies [13, 15–17, 19] examined aspects of reproductive health as covariates of antenatal CMDs. Two studies found a significant positive association between gestational age and depressive symptoms (ɳ = 0.21, p < 0.05) ; (ɳ = 0.181, p < 0.05) . Similarly, two other studies found that pregnant women in the second or third trimester at the time of the study had a higher chance of experiencing depressive symptoms (p = 0.025) ; (p = 0.033) .
Two studies found that multiparous women were more likely experiencing depressive symptoms than nulliparous women (aOR, 2.47, 95% CI, 1.18; 5.17, p < 0.05) ; (adjusted regression coefficient = 0.262, p < 0.001) . On the other hand, Qu et al. did not find a significant association of multiparity with depressive symptoms. It was significantly associated with PTSD in univariate analyses (p < 0.001) but not in multivariable analyses.
Qu et al. and Dong et al. assessed ‘perceived pressure of pregnancy’ using an ‘11-item self-assessment scale’. They found that women who had higher perceived pressure were more likely experiencing PTSD (aOR, 1.19, 95% CI, 1.07; 1.32, p = 0.001) and depressive symptoms (aOR, 1.19, 95% CI, 1.12; 1.27, p < 0.001) ; (aOR, 4.55, 95% CI, 2.36; 8.77, p < 0.001) .
Ren et al. examined different ‘coping styles’ as covariates of depressive symptoms. They found that a higher level of positive coping was protective against experiencing depressive symptoms (adjusted regression coefficient = − 0.193, p = 0.006). On the other hand, they found that a higher level of negative coping was a risk factor for depressive symptoms (adjusted regression coefficient 0.276, p < 0.001).
Dong et al. measured life satisfaction as a covariate and found that it was significantly negatively correlated with depression (ɳ= − 0.25, p < 0.01). However, they did not find a significant association in multivariable analysis.
In summary, these studies reported that wounded relatives, poor social support, younger age, new residence of the study area, higher marital conflict, medium support from husbands, multiparity, the perceived stress of pregnancy, and negative coping were risks, and positive coping was protective against antenatal CMDs in multivariable analyses. It was also found that a higher composite score of earthquake experiences, younger age, and perceived stress of pregnancy were a risk factor for PTSD during pregnancy in multivariable analyses.
To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the evidence available about clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMDs among women who had recently experienced an earthquake. It provides a narrative synthesis of the existing evidence, but we acknowledge that because of the heterogeneity of these studies, we could not conduct a meta-analysis and provide meaningful estimates of the prevalence of pregnancy mental health problems among women who have experienced an earthquake. We also acknowledge that as the review was limited to the English-language literature, it is possible that articles published in languages other than English have been missed. Nevertheless, this review provides a comprehensive summary and evaluation of the available evidence in the field.
Only seven studies, all from high and middle-income countries met inclusion criteria for this review. They reported a wide range of prevalence of clinically-significant symptoms of antenatal CMDs. The differences in prevalence estimates might be attributable to study methods, but, as has been found in other post-disaster research, can reflect the local circumstances and post-disaster responses .
Standard study methods include the use of an adequately powered sample size, following standard sample recruitment strategies, and the use of valid and reliable outcome measures. The studies had varied sample size—small to relatively large—and none justified the sample size or representative adequacy of the samples. This could bring varied results of prevalence of antenatal CMDs. In addition, different measures of psychological symptoms were used, which reduces comparability and might account in part for the wide variation in prevalence estimates. Most importantly, only two studies [15, 16] used cut off scores that had been established in formal local validation studies among pregnant women. Without valid cut off scores, the prevalence estimates cannot be assumed to be accurate. It is not clear, therefore, how confidently the findings may be generalized.
There were differences in earthquake characteristics and settings which might also have influenced the outcomes. It is likely that women who were near the epicentres had more severe earthquake experiences compared to those up to 90 km away and they were more likely to experience a higher prevalence of antenatal CMDs. For instance, Lau et al. reported 7.1%, and Ren et al. reported 35.2% depressive symptoms using EPDS cut off score > 14 among women who experienced the earthquake during pregnancy. While Ren et al. recruited pregnant women from the area of the epicentre of an earthquake scoring seven on the Richter Scale, Lau et al. recruited pregnant women from 90 km away from the epicentre of an earthquake scoring eight on the Richter Scale.
The wide prevalence estimates of pregnancy mental health problems might also be attributable to local circumstances and post-disaster response. Compared to the prevalence reported from China, the prevalence in Japan was consistently lower. Japan is a well-resourced country with experience of earthquakes and well-developed post-disaster practices. These may assist more rapid recovery of post-adversities and explain why Japanese women appear to have a less negative psychological impact from experiencing an earthquake. In general circumstances too, Japanese have less prevalence of mental health problems compared to other high-income countries . On the other hand, women in rural China may experience greater loss of close relatives, housing and livelihoods but may delay receiving support from significant others . This may explain the higher prevalence in China. Nevertheless, the prevalence reported in Japan in an earthquake context was higher [13, 14] than those reported among non-earthquake affected pregnant women in Japan. Usuda et al. conducted a study among 177 pregnant women recruited from Toda Chuo Women’s Hospital (TCWH), Saitama Prefecture in the greater Tokyo area. The study reported that 1.1% of pregnant women met diagnostic criteria for major depression on The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) .
Dong et al.’s study conducted four years after the Sichuan, China earthquake showed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. However, the prevalence was not statistically significantly different to what has been reported from the sample of their comparison group that was recruited from a different location. To our knowledge, there is no study that conducted in the non-earthquake context in Sichuan, China to report the prevalence of antenatal CMDs. Nevertheless, Lee et al.’s study that was conducted in general circumstances in an antenatal clinic of a regional hospital in Hong Kong, China found that pregnant women experienced a high prevalence of depressive symptoms: (22.1% (95% CI, 19.9; 24.4%) at first trimester, 18.9% (95% CI, 16.8; 21.1%) at second trimester, and (21.6% (95% CI, 19.4; 28.9%) at third trimester of pregnancy . Even though Hong Kong is not directly comparable to Sichuan because of their socio-economic differences, it indicates that pregnant women in Sichuan experienced a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in an earthquake context [15, 16] than the prevalence among pregnant women in Hong Kong . It was reported that the Chinese government together with international agencies provided prompt support including psychological counselling immediately after the earthquake . That support could ease the impact of the earthquake on pregnancy mental health. It can also be interpreted as the post-disaster effect on antenatal depressive symptoms may reduce over the time .
While these studies contribute to enhancing understanding of the field, they do not show clearly whether and how much earthquake experiences determine the mental health of pregnant women. Without a robust examination of potential factors together with earthquake experiences, it is not possible to conclude whether and how much earthquake experiences contributed to increasing mental health problems during pregnancy. However, this evidence is crucial for making public health decisions about whether to address post-earthquake antenatal mental health problems with universal or targeted strategies.
This systematic review found that women with recent direct experience of an earthquake appear to be at higher risk of clinically-significant antenatal CMD symptoms. These findings have implications for disaster responses. At present, the recommendation in this situation is that provisions for a safe birth and neonatal care should be a priority. These data indicate that the mental health of women who are pregnant should also be considered and addressed. Pregnant women who reside in direct hit area or closer to the epicentre of the earthquake require special attention and support.
It also identifies knowledge gaps, in particular, that there is no evidence about the mental health of women who are pregnant and living in low-income nations at the time of an earthquake.
It is clearly a priority, that, despite the difficulties of conducting ethical, sensitive, comprehensive, culturally-competent research in such situations, it is needed in order to provide the evidence to inform effective interventions. At a minimum, this research should include standardised measures of earthquake experiences and examine all potential risk and protective factors in order to delineate the nature, prevalence and duration of antenatal mental health problems among women.
We would like to acknowledge our funders: Australia PhD Awards for GKK, NHMRC Early Career Fellowship for TDT, and Monash Professorial Fellowship and the Jean Hailes Professorial Fellowship for JF. We would like to acknowledge librarians of Monash University who assisted in refining search strategy for the review.
GKK is supported by an Australia PhD awards, TDT is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship, and JF is supported by a Monash Professorial Fellowship and the Jean Hailes Professorial Fellowship which receives funding from the L an H Hecht Trust managed by Perpetual Trustees Pty Ltd. There was no additional fund for the project from none of these funders. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the report.
All data are provided in this manuscript.
GKK, JF and TDT conceptualized and designed the study and selected the methods. GKK developed a protocol for systematic review and registered in PROSPERO under the supervision of JF and TDT. GKK searched eligible articles and extracted data. GKK and TDT assessed the quality of papers independently, discussed any discrepancies and reached in a consensus. GKK wrote the first draft of the manuscript. GKK, JF and TDT reviewed, edited and finalised the draft.
This is a systematic review of secondary data. Therefore, ethics approval and consent to participate is not applicable to this study.
Key steps for maternal and newborn health care in humanitarian crisis. http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/keysteps.pdf. Accessed 16 Nov 2016. | https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1986-2 |
Want to become a zookeeper in China? Better brush up on your grasp of Marxist thought — at least if you're looking to get your foot in the door at the Guangzhou Zoo.
Aspirant zookeepers there have to submit to an interview, as well as a written exam that tests their “cultural and historical knowledge, parks and zoo-related knowledge and the philosophy and principles of Marxism," wrote the South China Morning Post.
Read more from GlobalPost: The world's worst zoos
Zookeepers also must have a college degree to be considered, the Nanfang Insider added. Male candidates must be under the age of 35, and females under the age of 30. Tiger maintenance and the proper feeding of crocodiles are not the only skills needed when it comes to Chinese-style animal husbandry, then.
The Yangcheng Evening News first broke the story about the curious zookeeper job requirements, and the application swiftly became a running joke on the internet.
Officials at the Guangzhou Forestry Department, which oversees the zoo, maintained that it wasn't their decision to include Marxist thought as a prerequisite for the job.
Insert your own Orwell-inspired "Animal Farm" joke here. Or you could just watch this: | https://www.pri.org/stories/2013-02-20/marxist-zookeepers-wanted-china |
Middle East Weather Conditions. Abu Dhabi 99° Aleppo 80° Amman 75° Ankara 67° Baghdad 91° Basra 82° Beirut 82° Damascus 69° Doha 91° Dubai 95° Istanbul 75° Jeddah 87° Jerusalem 68. Avg High Temps 25 to 35 °. Avg Low Temps 15 to 25 °. Rain Frequency 5 to 7 days. °C. °F. Weather Forecast Legend. WeatherTAB helps you plan activities on days with the least risk of rain. Low risk of rain/snow. Transition Day - Start or End of a Risky Period Classic Weather Maps. Follow along with us on the latest weather we're watching, the threats it may bring and check out the extended forecast each day to be prepared. You can find the forecast for.
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NASA's award-winning Space Place website engages upper-elementary-aged children in space and Earth science through interactive games, hands-on activities, fun articles and short videos. With material in both English and Spanish and numerous resources for kids, parents and teachers, Space Place has something for everyone Search by Map Area. Use the map below to search for an image within a defined area. Zoom and pan so that the area visible on the map is the area you wish to search. Click Search for Photos to submit the search. + −. Draw a polyline Draw a polygon Draw a rectangle Draw a circle Draw a marker Draw a circlemarker
Western Pacific Tropical Outlook. June 17, 2021 by robertspeta. The monsoon and the rainy season front are in control today. With a few sub-tropical low likely spinning up near Okinawa and South of Honshu through the weekend into early next week. What that simply means is lows developing along the rainy season front which equals more rain The official website for NSA -- the National Security Agency National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). NSA leads the U.S. Government in cryptology that encompasses both signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information assurance (now referred to as cybersecurity) products and services, and enables computer network operations (CNO) Play Solar System Switch-a-Roo! Put clues together to find the planets and moons. play. DSN Uplink-Downlink: A DSN Game. Help the big antennas gather data from the spacecraft. play. Scope It Out! Scope It Out! includes an introduction to telescopes and two matching games. This link takes you away from NASA Space Place
Solar Eclipses: 2021 - 2030 Fred Espenak. A concise summary of all solar eclipses from 2021 through 2030 is presented in the table below. The first column gives the Calendar Date of the instant on greatest eclipse.The second column TD of Greatest Eclipse is the Terrestrial Dynamical Time when the axis of the Moon's shadow passes closest to Earth's center Introduction. This interactive Google map shows the path of the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2019 Dec 26 . The northern and southern path limits are blue and the central line is red. You MUST be somewhere within the central path (between the blue lines) to see the annular phase of the eclipse. The eclipse is longest on the central line (red) Weather WX - Local, National and International Weather Search. Get quick and accurate Local Weather and Radar Weather. We have a local weather forecast for wherever you are Eastern U.S.Infrared Enhancements. Meteorologists use color enhanced imagery as an aid in satellite interpretation. The colors enable them to easily and quickly see features which are of special interest. Usually they look for high clouds or areas with a large amount of water vapor. In an infrared (IR) image cold clouds are high clouds, so the.
UK Outlook for Monday 26 Jul 2021 to Monday 9 Aug 2021: For the remainder of July and into early august, warmer and drier conditions are most probable overall as it looks likely that high pressure will remain close to the UK. There is also a continued risk of thundery inclusions into the south east and for spells of more unsettled weather in. EarthGames at U. Washington. EarthGames has produced several computer-based and tabletop games relevant to the atmospheric sciences, climate, and ecology including: Infrared Escape, Climate Quest, AdaptNation, Erode Runner, A Caribou's Tale, and EcoTrivia. Creators: researchers, game developers and students at the University of Washington The Latest. Titan is larger than the planet Mercury and is the second largest moon in our solar system. Jupiter's moon Ganymede is just a little bit larger (by about 2 percent). Titan's atmosphere is made mostly of nitrogen, like Earth's, but with a surface pressure 50 percent higher than Earth's. Titan has clouds, rain, rivers, lakes and. Weather Underground provides local & long-range weather forecasts, weather reports, maps & tropical weather conditions for locations worldwid
Data for the entire country are usually available by 12:30 pm Eastern Time (9:30 am Pacific Time). Hourly Precipitation (East and Central US) - Data Documentation A clear sky and a gentle breeze. Humidity. 51%. Pressure. 1007 mb. Visibility. Moderate. Temperature feels like 25° 77°. Precipitation is not expected
Latest World Weather News & Interesting Weather Stories | WeatherBug. GroundTruth. For more than 20 years Earth Networks has operated the world's largest and most comprehensive weather observation, lightning detection, and climate networks. We are now leveraging our big data smarts to deliver on the promise of IoT Orlena is spreading snow from the southern Great Lakes eastward into the mid-Atlantic region right now, including from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the Weather Channel reported Sunday.. Chicago O'Hare International Airport saw over six inches of snowfall Sunday morning and parts of the Washington, D.C., metro area saw one to two inches of snow, the outlet continued Visualized World Wind Stream Lines Estimated by a Supercomputer . SFC-1000-850-700-500-250-70-10 hPa . . . Ocean Waves . Updated every 3 hours . | https://machine-facon.com/education/water-cyclec-53n3708gk0 |
First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy and provides skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems, in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague. This course teaches participants how to help someone showing signs of a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The course aims to teach people to:
- identify when a person may be a danger to themselves or others and and take steps to preserve life
- recognize the early signs of mental health problems and provide help to prevent more serious problems from developing
- provide comfort to someone with a mental health problem and support them in the recovery of mental health
Once the workshop is completed you will be able to:
- Assess the risk of suicide and/or harm
- Listen nonjudgementally
- Give reasurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage other supports
For more information or to register for the next course, please call Central Access and Information at 705-759-5989. Please click here to learn more about how to promote mental health in your workplace.
If you are interested in booking a training at your workplace, please call the Mental Health Educator at 705-759-0458 ext. 231. | http://ssm-algoma.cmha.ca/programs-services/mental-health-first-aid/ |
“By failing to collect data about women, designers and scientists look through the prism of the ‘default male’ — seeing men as the human default when designing products, medicines, our streets, and cities”. Women have been historically left out from data collection which is not only sexist, but puts women at much greater risk for all aspects of life. By leaving over 50% of the world’s population out of the research, they’re also left out of the solution. Criado Perez’ recent book, Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, chronicles the ways in which the lack of data about women have put them at risk. For instance: Because there are no female-bodied crash-test dummies in the auto industry, seatbelt-wearing women in car crashes are 47 percent more likely to be injured than men. Not only is this a horrifying statistic, but an easily avoidable one too.
Social infrastructure is the invisible glue that binds communities together. Left to fall apart, whole neighborhoods will crumble, but if you invest in social infrastructure like libraries, parks, or school, the results are remarkably life-giving. In the 20th century the broken windows theory was used to explain that people would feel more likely to get away with crime in a neighborhood with broken windows, which in turn, encouraged more crime. This theory was used as a justification for increased police presence, and later, stop and frisk policies. But what if instead the windows had been repaired? This is the question that The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society wanted to explore. The group began making simple interventions on abandoned lots like mowing the grass and creating pocket parks. The results were fascinating- gun violence dropped by almost 40% around the abandoned properties. When people see investment in their neighborhood, they’re more likely to respect it. A little love goes a long way.
Be sure to listen to the full podcast episode to learn more!
Cities Quiz: Can You Identify these World Cities from their Density Maps Alone?
Can you identify this city based on its density?
Plastic waste is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation in the world and thanks to massive changes to America’s recycling program, things are about the get a whole lot worse. What exactly are these changes? Well, recycling programs across the country have been quietly shutting down. Philadelphia is now burning half of its recyclable material thanks to changes in global recycling markets. Up until 2018, China was a leading buyer of America’s recyclable goods which allowed the US to export a huge portion of their recycling overseas. After investigation, China determined that there was too much trash mixed in with the recyclable materials and they would no longer be purchasing them, leaving America with a nation’s worth of recycling to deal with. Hundreds of cities and towns across the US have cancelled their recycling programs or have limited the types of material they accept. This shift has spiked a deserved outcry across the States, daylighting the country’s recycling practices which many people were unaware of. US cities that have kept their recycling programs have now had to explore alternative end of the line options like burning. Maybe this will encourage a shift from single-use plastics and encourage circular product lifecycles rather than leaving municipalities to scramble for tail-end solutions.
Rideshare services have completely disrupted our relationship to transportation, but whether or not they’re a good thing for cities isn’t an easy answer. Uber and Lyft have maintained contentious relationships with their drivers, bringing attention to the sometimes life-threatening stressors of precarious labour. Neither Uber nor Lyft consider their drivers as employees, but rather as independent contractors. This exempts them from benefits and makes it difficult for drivers to form unions. Last week, after an announcement to cut Los Angeles-based Uber drivers pay by 25%, hundreds of ride-share drivers held a strike in protest. “With the rates being so low, the only way to survive is to be constantly chasing surges” said one Uber driver. During surge hours drivers receive frequent notifications, which gamifies their relationship to work and encourages them to drop everything to chase the chance to make some more money. Both companies are preparing for an IPO in the upcoming weeks, and estimates suggest that Uber could be worth as much as $120 billion. Whether or not this strike will affect their valuation is too soon to say, but for a company that’s become embedded in the lives of people around the world, fair and ethical labour relations should be an absolute given. | https://www.ibigroup.com/ibi-ideas/march-digital-reads/ |
Several may think that if Rwanda concentrates its efforts on economic transformation, the development of the social system may suffer, leaving the poor poorer and the rich richer.
This is a legitimate concern, a real danger and unfortunately a reality in several African and developing countries.
That said, economic development is the ONLY sustainable solution to the end of poverty and the end of reliance on international aid. How can Rwanda succeed in transforming its economy for the benefit of all Rwandans, and not at the expense of the general population?
Ultimately, this will be achieved when the middle-class is the largest proportion (say 60%) and the rich and poor only represent less than 20% each. Of course this is much easier said than done since most countries in the world are still struggling to get it right.
Rwanda’s EDPRS II programmes are designed to attain this honorable goal. Its main pillar; economic transformation aims at ensuring that the poor get involved in revenue generating activities, allowing them to become self-reliant; sustaining themselves and their families and at the same time contributing to the country’s development through paying taxes.
Given that taxes are the government’s revenue used to pay for adequate social services such as education and health, it is important to get more people to pay taxes via revenue generating activities in order to reduce the government’s dependence on aid and ultimately achieve self-reliance. How will this be done? Through the five main programs under Economic Transformation:
Inter-connectivity: This is about improving connectivity within Rwanda’s boundaries in order to better facilitate a doing business environment. This means ensuring that the infrastructure such as roads, electricity, IT and information is good enough across the country to bring together buyers and sellers in an efficient and effective manner. Simply said, it should not take a farmer 1 hour to reach a market 5 kilometers from home, but 15 minutes. This is why the government is prioritizing the improvement of the said infrastructure to encourage private contribution with public support.
Extra connectivity: We all know that Rwanda is landlocked, but rather than consider it as a problem, we should see it as an opportunity to become a hub for exports, logistics and services.
We need to leverage Rwanda’s central location, political stability, and strong governance to become a central point to do business in East Africa and beyond.
This is why the government is prioritizing connecting Rwanda to its neighbouring countries through roads, rail and open borders and to the rest of the world through air connection and trade agreements.
Private sector: Private companies generate taxes by selling products (VAT), employing people (income taxes) and making profits (corporate taxes) and this highlights why building the private sector is a must to reach middle income status.
That said, we want middle income status WITH a large middle class, and therefore the government is looking to prioritize the development of both foreign and local investors.
One of the strategies to achieve this is through attracting foreign investors who will build their supply chain within Rwanda and therefore expand and strengthen local SMEs. Another strategy is around capacity building and knowledge transfer through the use of expats and the development of technical skills programmes to satisfy the employment demand for skilled Rwandans.
Secondary cities: Urbanization; the expansion of people living in cities versus rural areas is a must and yet it remains a common challenge in Africa. Most countries have an affluent capital city with about 15% of the population living in it, and yet more than 85% live in under developed rural areas.
Rwanda is striving to differ by engaging in the development of 6 secondary cities (Rubavu, Rusizi, Huye, Nyagatare, Muhanga and Musanze) to have 35% of the population living in urban cities over the next five years. This can be achieved by providing the necessary infrastructure to attract both private investors and the government to relocate businesses and services in these centres, creating job opportunities and ultimately making them an enjoyable place to live.
Green growth: Rwanda is a small and densely populated country and this calls for careful planning to achieve sustainable economic growth that continues to protect the environment and the well-being of the population. It is in this light that the government will encourage green investments in projects like renewable energy and recycling, while at the same time ensuring sustainable urban development with rigorous urban planning.
We would like to wrap it all up by leaving youwith some food for thought: Money is too often a necessary evil since we need it to survive but the more we make the more we need, and therefore the less we share.
This reality is the main source of unbalanced and unequal economic development in the world but with the above-mentioned programs, Rwanda strives to be different. However, the government cannot do it alone solet us all contribute to a wining Rwanda where economic development creates a better place to live for all Rwandans by supporting these programs.
Get engaged today because if you wait for tomorrow, well, there will always be another tomorrow! | https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/67760 |
Hermes Black Birkin 40cm of togo leather with gold hardware.
This Birkin has tonal stitching, a front toggle closure, a clochette with lock and two keys, and double rolled handles.
The interior is lined in black chevre with one zip pocket with an Hermes engraved zipper pull and an open pocket on the opposite side.
Collection: A
Origin: France
Condition: Pristine; new or never worn (plastic on hardware)
Accompanied by: Hermes box, Hermes dustbag, clochette, lock, two keys, clochette dustbag, care booklet, rainhat and felt
Measurements: 15.75" width x 12.75" height x 8" depth; 4.25" handle drop
Your cart is currently empty. | https://madisonavenuecouture.com/products/hermes-black-togo-birkin-40cm-gold-hardware-6 |
replica hermes birkin On the other hand, miR 146a and miR 126 were significantly downregulated in people with prediabetes. Due to the limited number of subjects with LADA in our study, we were unable to detect statistically significant differences between this subgroup and the healthy control group. However, we observed a trend for miR 34a to be elevated as in subjects with T2D replica hermes birkin. | http://korbox.pl/bridesmaids-in-today-s-timealthough-bridesmaids-today-no/ |
We are a gathering of french-mexican people with common passion for art, design and construction. Tierra en Armonía comes to life through the exchange of culture, language and ideas based on the will to create a shared space in harmony with nature.
Our needs are changing constantly and we are in a time where the globalization and transformation of ecosystems is creating a natural and emotional chaos. Our responsibility is to find a way to generate a balance in the world we co-create.
Finding a space with no overwhelming auditory or visual stimulation can be quite challenging.
At Tierra en Armonía we accepted that challenge based on our own need for mayor connection with nature.
We first started by establishing a building place where nature’s presence in prevailing.
A place where you will rediscover the meaning of the essential without giving up the comfort and luxurious of an unforgettable retreat. Having the opportunity of appreciating the marvelous art of the state of Oaxaca while enjoying the privilege of an ocean view, private pools and paths that will take you to a completely unspoiled beach.
Each and every detail is inspired so the visitor can feel like home and be transported to a natural state of calmness, serenity and contemplation. | https://www.tierraenarmonia.com/about-us |
The death anniversary ceremony is a must-to-do afterlife ritual in the Hindu religion. First-year rituals after death are very important. Normally people perform this traditional ancestors homage at pilgrimage places. These pilgrimage places are on the banks of the river, on a holy pond or a nearby seashore, or at the confluence of three rivers. The exact ritual date is calculated on death time, Tithi, which falls in Krishna paksha or Shukla paksha as per the Hindu calendar.
Benefits :
- Timely marriage in the family.
- Avoids delay in conceiving a child.
- Removes Hurdles in work.
- Liberation to the departed soul.
- Peace of mind for all family members.
- Blessing of ancestors.
How to perform Death Anniversary Ceremony | First-year Rituals |
Time needed: 2 hours.
Death Anniversary and First-year rituals can be done online and in presence.
- Sankalp.
- Vinayaka pooja
- To know the Death Anniversary Ceremony steps, visit How to perform Death Anniversary.
Death Anniversary Ceremony and First-year rituals cost.
The cost varies from INR 6000-INR 35000. Price variation is due to the number of Brahmins, Tila Sankhya, Brahman Bhojana, and Daan.
Ideas for First-Year Death Anniversary:
There are specific after-death procedures till the first year of the death anniversary. Therefore, although this article is about the first-year death ceremony, other rituals before the first-year death ceremony are also mentioned.
1) Cremation should be as per the Hindu afterlife rituals. One should take advice from elders of the family or Hindu Pundits. India being a diversified country, we follow different systems for cremation, which depends upon the marital status and age of the deceased.
2) First 12 days’ rituals are significant from the date of death.
3) 9th, 10, 11th, and 12th are essential ritual days.
4) Especially Brahmins conduct monthly shraddha known as Masika or Masikam. There are 16 Masikams till the first death anniversary.
5) The first death anniversary date is the tithi as per the Hindu calendar.
First death anniversary of Dad or Mom
1 Make a note of the tithi date. English calendar dates and Hindu calendar dates vary. One should make a note of the tithi in the following format.
Masam, Paksham, Tithi.
Example: Date of death: 29/06/2021 Time: 11:20 AM
Place: Bangalore.
The first-year tithi date is 18/06/2022 (Hindu Calendar).
Jyethta, Krishna Paksha, Panchami. (Make a note of Masam, Paksham, and tithi). Subsequent annual rituals should be on the above tithi only as per the Hindu calendar.
2 For Dad/Father following departed souls list must be ready with Gotra (Only deceased)
| Father | Grandfather | Great grandfather |
3 For Mom/Mother following departed souls list must be ready with Gotra (Only deceased)
| Mother| Mother in law ( Husband’s Mother) | Mother in Law’s Mother in law(Grandmother-In law) |
Ritual Place:
Punyashrama,
Om Beach Road
Gokarna-581326
Karnataka, India
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. ACT NOW!
Call Now.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone 1: 9663645980 (To speak in English/Hindi/Kannada)
Phone 2: 9448628918 (To speak in Kannada/Hindi/Telugu/Marathi/Konkani)
Puja Place: Punyaashrama. Gokarna, Karnataka
Online Puja is also available.
First-Death anniversary rituals in Telugu
First-Death anniversary rituals in Tamil
Also, See Shraddha Ceremony Questions and Answers. | https://gokarnapuja.com/death-anniversary-ceremony-first-year-rituals/ |
Welcome to spring – a time of new life and growth and an opportunity for a fresh perspective on our daily habits and choices. It’s a timely reminder to find balance in my life after launching into 2019. By taking the occasional pause to breathe and reflect, we can refocus on guiding visions, revisit daily choices, and get back on track when we veer away. As you read more, you’ll find a useful way to assess your daily choices. Which of your choices are moving you toward your most compelling future? Which are moving you away?
As we relish our roles as parents of two young children, my wife Jess and I are enmeshed in the daily joys and looking to the future. We hope that our kids will be among those who carry our legacy forward. They, along with all the individuals we touch in some profound way, will compose and convey the story of Corey and Jess.
While we cannot control our legacies, we do have tremendous influence. We influence our legacies when we:
- Gain clarity on a life’s vision, a compelling destination, and/or a meaningful future self
- Make mindful choices that help us get closer to our vision, destination, and/or future self
At Humanergy, we believe our choices define our leadership and our leadership impacts the trajectory of our legacies. Fundamentally, we make choices on two dimensions. Our care and commitment.
Care: Is it for the greater good or limited to one’s self? A person who makes a choice for the greater good considers the impact of their action both on oneself and others.
Commitment: High commitment reflects a choice to be passionate and intensely focused. A low commitment choice is passive and disengaged.
To bring both dimensions to life, put yourself in the shoes of a frequent flyer on a business trip during the peak of spring break. During the boarding process, your degree of care for others (lower – higher) and commitment to a result (lower – higher) lead to different choices. Here are four examples:
- If you’re out to get what you want at the expense of others (low care, high commitment), then you’ll grumble, “Unbelievable. Spring breakers get worse every year,” to an excited teen who accidentally bumps you with their luggage.
- If you’re making the experience as easy as possible for you (low care, low commitment), then you’ll quietly settle into your assigned seat, avoid any interaction with others, and gently thumb away at your smartphone’s screen.
- If you’re willing to make the experience better for everyone around you (high care, low commitment), then you’ll help an apologetic traveler who’s perspiring and struggling to slide their carry-on into an overhead bin.
- If you’re going to make the experience better for everyone around you no matter what (high care, high commitment), then you’ll proactively let the gate agent, flight attendants, and your fellow travelers know you’re available to exchange seats to help accommodate families traveling together.
If you’re like me, then you’ve made choices in all four quadrants over the years (no judgment…I promise). Each choice has a different impact. In most cases, these probably won’t change the course of someone’s life or my own. Yet, I wonder…
- In what instances are my levels of care and commitment lower? Higher?
- How often do I show up with higher levels of care and commitment versus lower levels?
- As I experience different levels of care and commitment, how are they tied to larger patterns of thinking and behavior?How do those patterns inform a lifetime of choices?
- What’s the impact of my lifetime of choices?
These questions bring me back to how we can better assess our daily choices and be more mindful of where they’re taking us. The spring sun has a way of opening our eyes to the life around us. Thus, it’s serving as a reminder to open my eyes to my daily choices. If I want to leave this world as someone who gets to enjoy success by helping family, friends, neighbors, teammates and clients be successful, then I can’t be numb to the levels of care and commitment I put behind my choices.
Want to share a choice that made a difference? Comment below or message us. | https://humanergy.com/your-legacy-your-choices/ |
Artist Statement:
For ancient and contemporary societies alike, clay has long been used as a material in the creation of vessels. These objects, shaped from the earth, function to hold water, preserve food, and perform other duties needed to sustain human life. My most recent figurative works in clay function as vessels as well. These sculptures embody and bear witness to the struggle of the Human-Vessel, for unlike containers of wine and water, the individual strives to hold something beyond the bounds of physical sustenance.
I became interested in the idea of the “vessel,” during my time in Italy, after observing in abundance examples of Etruscan pottery and Christian iconography. In Catholicism, Saints are worshipped as Vessels of the Spirit, for their bodies hold something that is not simply of the flesh—they are living, human vessels of Christ. Even upon death, their dismembered, empty bodies continue to be worshipped and preserved as sacred relics. This universal desire to assign the body meaning outside of its physicality is manifested in a variety of rituals and systems of belief throughout the world. It is this attempt to understand the unarticulated aspects of life through the tangible vessel of the human body that propels my work.
The formal tension resulting from the juxtaposition of the built, abstracted forms with the casted reproductions of the body reflects the internal struggle of being both full and hollow. In manipulating, mutilating, and reforming casts of my own face, breast, and vagina, I attempt to give a silent voice to my own, internal struggle of emptiness in a country not my own, in a home not my own, in a position where identity changes with the ebb and flow of passing people, and where the sound and the fury of a body without organs booms silently though walls of flesh and stone.
Work in progress made during the 2013 year as the Visiting Artist Intern with the University of Georgia's study abroad program in Cortona, Italy. | http://www.lizziemccleskey.com/cortona-italy-2013 |
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, August 29, 2017 (Maximpact.com News) – Cool, clear, delicious water – there’s no substitute for the one substance on which all life depends. Yet, often there is too little clean water, or too much. These problems, and their solutions, are in the spotlight right now at World Water Week in Stockholm.
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the theme of this year’s week-long conference, August 27-September 1, is “water and waste: reduce and reuse.”
“World Water Week is a key meeting place for the water and development community; it is here that we come together and make sure that the very best ideas are brought forward,” said SIWI’s Executive Director, Torgny Holmgren.
More than 3,000 participants from 130 countries have come to Stockholm to learn about new research results, share experiences, discuss progress in the implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals, and together try to find new ways to meet the world’s growing water challenges.
In his welcoming speech Holmgren said it will be challenging but necessary to change large-scale water consumption patterns.
“The week’s theme, Water and waste: Reduce and reuse, really touches the very core of our daily lives,” said Holmgren. “To reduce, some drastic changes will be necessary – especially by the main water users, including industries, energy producers and the agriculture sector.”
Changes are also needed in how we think about reuse of water, he said. “Rather than presenting us with a problem, we can view waste as an asset also becoming a business opportunity.”
Sweden’s Minister for Environment, Karolina Skog told the audience that sustainable and efficient management of water and wastewater profoundly touches “all aspects of human life; economic growth, sustainable development, sustainable city planning, circular thinking in industry and in production, energy saving, good quality of our water and, last but not least, it is crucial for health and for a sustainable environment.”
This year, an astronaut is among the speakers at World Water Week. Physicist Christer Fuglesang, a Member of the Sweden’s Royal Academy of Science and a European Space Agency astronaut, was first launched aboard the STS-116 Space Shuttle mission on December 10, 2006, making him the first Swedish citizen in space. He has participated in two Space Shuttle missions and five spacewalks, giving him a unique perspective on planet Earth.
Fuglesang described the intricate water reuse systems that are essential to space missions. Water enables food to be grown on board space ships, ensures a drinking water supply for the crew, and helps to inform research into optimized water efficiency on Earth.
Stephen McCaffrey, 2017 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate and a professor in water law, spoke of the need for water cooperation and water diplomacy.
He told World Water Week attendees that although the ingredients for potential water conflicts do exist, such as higher population pressure, climate change, and much of the world’s fresh water being shared by two or more countries, studies show that water sharing is much more likely to lead to cooperation than conflict.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, patron of the Stockholm Water Prize, will present the 2017 Prize, which includes a US150,000 award, to Distinguished Professor of Law Stephen McCaffrey, McGeorge School of Law, at the Royal Banquet in Stockholm City Hall on August 30.
Professor McCaffrey was named 2017 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate “for his unparalleled contribution to the evolution and progressive realization of international water law,” the selection committee said. He is the only lawyer ever to receive the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize.
Since 1977, McCaffrey has served on the faculty of the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. He was Special Rapporteur for the International Law Commission’s work on The Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, 1985-1991.
Professor McCaffrey has been acting as legal counsel to governments in several negotiations concerning international watercourses.
The cases include watercourses in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Although he has experienced first-hand the potential conflicts over freshwater resources, he remains an optimist, pointing to studies that have shown that shared fresh water is generally a catalyst for cooperation rather than conflict.
“I believe nobody who studies, researches or practices in the field of transboundary water management, water law or diplomacy could be unaware of Professor McCaffrey’s contribution to the conceptual and practical elaboration of the many legal concepts and principles that we now take for granted,” said Holmgren.
There’s no doubt that we need all the expertise we can get to keep clean water flowing in the right proportions to everyone in need.
More than two billion of the world’s 7.5 billion people are living in countries with excess water stress, according to a May 2017 report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals –Economic and Social Council.
Water stress means more than 25 percent of total renewable freshwater resources is withdrawn to meet ongoing needs. Northern Africa and Western Asia experience water stress levels above 60 percent, which indicates the strong probability of future water scarcity, Guterres warns in the report.
Flooding is the opposite, but even more serious problem, as the dramatic water rescues in Texas from the catastrophic floods from Hurricane Harvey this week painfully demonstrate.
The connections between water stress, flooding and climate change are among the many issues subject to in-depth review at World Water Week. Some are:
Water and climate: Climate change is to a large extent water change. Water disasters account for more than 90 percent of the natural disasters in the world and climate-driven water hazards, water scarcity and variability pose risks to all economic activity, such as food and energy production, manufacturing and infrastructure development, as well as political stability. This is true for both high and low income countries. Resilience to climate change requires adaptive water management and robust water infrastructure to keep ecosystems healthy.
Water as connector between the SDGs and the Paris Agreement: In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the water and sanitation SDG (Goal 6) links across all the other 16 Goals with a great number of water related targets in the overall Agenda; making water a key underlying factor and entry point for the successful implementation of the entire 2030 Agenda.
Drinking water and sanitation: The global water and sanitation crisis is mainly rooted in poverty, power and inequality, not in physical water scarcity, say World Water Week organizers. “It is, first and foremost, a crisis of governance. Poor resources management, corruption, lack of appropriate institutions, bureaucratic inertia, and insufficient capacity lie in many places behind the lack of sustainability of services, which also undermine the arrival of new investments.”
Water security: To manage the global rise in demand for water and to increase water productivity, incentives for using water more effectively are necessary. Water needs to be given its true value for production purposes in the energy, industry and agriculture sectors.
On pricing of water and valuing water: Water needs to be better valued. Some parts of this value can easily be reflected in a price, others cannot. So, water pricing needs to be complemented with laws, standards and an increase in public awareness. World Water Week organizers point to the need to make sure that basic water services are affordable to the poorest people, respecting the human right to water and sanitation
Innovative financing and green bonds: Billions in sustainable and climate smart financing will be needed for both supplying water and treating waste water, but an investment in climate-proof infrastructure today will be offset by a future reduced need for emergency response measures to counter floods and droughts.
Water cooperation: Development needs cooperation. Cooperation over transboundary waters would spur regional development, improve resilience to climate change, and decrease the risk of geopolitical hostility. The political aspects of transboundary cooperation cannot be neglected if real progress is to be made.
Water and migration: Researchers and policymakers are increasingly seeking to explain migration and refugee flows in terms of water scarcity, often perpetuated by climate change. The links between water challenges and climate change increase uncertainty. While they are not the main causes of large-scale population migration, they are “push factor multipliers” together with social, economic, and political factors.
Water and faith: Water has profound symbolic meaning in many religious and local traditions, yet water stress is acute in many parts of the world where faith is a central aspect of individual and community identity. The role of Faith Based Organizations becomes crucial given their presence and influence in local communities.
Resolving these problems takes skill, cooperation and patience, and also lots of money. In a new report launched today at World Water Week, the World Bank estimates how much it will cost.
“Reaching the Sustainable Development Goal of access to safely managed water and sanitation services by 2030 will require countries to spend $150 billion per year,” the report states, “a fourfold increase in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) investments compared to what is spent today. This is out of reach for many countries, threatening progress on poverty eradication.”
The report, “Reducing Inequalities in Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene in the Era of the Sustainable Development Goals,” suggests that a turnaround in the way countries manage resources and provide key services is required, starting with better targeting to ensure they reach those most in need, and tackling inefficiencies to make sure public services are sustainable and effective.
Guangzhe Chen, senior director of the Water Global Practice of the World Bank, said, “Millions are currently trapped in poverty by poor water supply and sanitation, which contributes to childhood stunting and debilitating diseases such as diarrhea. To give everyone an equal chance at reaching their full potential, more resources, targeted to areas of high vulnerability and low access, are needed to close the gaps and improve poor water and sanitation services. This report provides a roadmap for closing that gap.”
This report provides policymakers with a baseline and guidance on how to better target investments to ensure that basic water and sanitation services reach the poorest communities and households.
A lot depends on whether a person lives in a city or in a rural area. Across the 18 countries studied, 75 percent of people who lack improved sanitation live in rural areas, and only 20 percent of rural inhabitants have access to improved water.
Over two years in the field, the research teams found that:
- In Nigeria, over 60 percent of the rural population live more than 30 minutes away from a working water source.
- In Indonesia, only 5 percent of urban wastewater is safely treated and disposed of, and children living in communities with open defecation during the first 1,000 days of life are 11 percentage points more likely to be stunted.
- In Bangladesh, E. coli was present in about 80 percent of water taps sampled, a similar rate to water scooped up from ponds.
- In Ecuador, 24 percent of the rural population drinks contaminated water; 21 percent of children are stunted and 18 percent are underweight.
- In Haiti, access to improved drinking water sources has declined in the last 25 years; access to improved sanitation is stagnant at 33 percent; and the number of households with access on premises to improved water has decreased from 15 to 7 percent.
Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank country director in Nigeria, warned, “Water and sanitation services need to improve dramatically, or the consequences on health and well-being will be dire. Today, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under 5. Poor children also suffer from intestinal diseases, which together with under-nutrition and infections contribute to stunting. We are risking the futures of our children: their potential is being stymied by unequal or uneven access to the services they require to thrive.”
To download the 18 WASH Poverty Diagnostics reports click here
Another multi-lateral bank has a bold and encouraging word for those concerned about water and sanitation issues.
The Inter-American Development Bank, which is co-organizing Latin America’s contributions to World Water Week says, “Latin America and the Caribbean has the potential to lead a revolution in the management of wastewater as a resource by reusing it in agricultural and industrial activities, and by promoting circular economy models. The region can do all this while striving to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 – to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all – by the year 2030.”
Today 77 percent of all people in Latin America and the Caribbean lack access to safe sanitation. Only an estimated 28 percent of the wastewater collected by public sewers receives some kind of treatment before being discharged to the environment.
In Argentina, for instance, a country of 44 million people, 8.2 million lack access to drinking water and 20 million to sanitation. Investment needs to cover this access gap are estimated at US$21 billion.
Waste water treatment in Argentina is estimated at 20 percent. Most water utilities do not cover operational costs and struggle to provide quality services.
The country has been recently struck by extreme weather events that showcase the need for better water resources management.
To tackle these challenges, the new administration headed by President Mauricio Macri developed the country’s first National Water Plan. The plan is based on four pillars: access to water and sanitation; water and food; water and energy; and adaptation to extreme weather events.
Argentina’s plan advances a new regulatory framework that will help water utilities improve their financial situation. The new authorities are also promoting innovation and private sector participation that will help overcome these challenges.
The lack of water is one of the main constraints to agriculture in more than 60 percent of Argentina, and it is worse in places without access to electricity, according to Macri’s office.
To correct the water deficit in some regions, specialists from the National Institute of Industrial Technology developed technologies for access to groundwater through pumps that run on solar energy. The pumps, located more than 10 meters deep, have been installed in 22 communities across the country.
This small step forward illustrates that creative solutions to water scarcity do exist. This week in Stockholm, more than 3,000 experts are looking for ways to keep the creativity flowing. | http://maximpactblog.com/week-for-a-water-wise-world/ |
The manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people is the leadership style:
- Autocratic leaders make managerial decisions by themselves. They tell their employees what they want done and how they want it accomplished, without getting the advice of their followers.
- Consultive autocrats use information from the members, but keep all substantive decision-making authority to themselves.
- Consensus managers tend to throw open the problem to the group for discussion and allow or encourage the group to make the decision.
- Shareholder managers, give the group the ultimate authority for the final decision.
The U.S. Army Handbook (1973) Military Leadership, describes leadership styles slightly differently as; authoritarian or autocratic, participative or democratic and delegative or free reign.
Forces such as time availability, the type of the task, information availability and team members ability and skills should influence the style adopted. Slevin (1983) suggests ‘…the key to successful leadership is knowing what your dominant style is and being able to modify that style depending upon the contingencies of the various leadership situations that you face’.
In modern management there has been a change from dealing with problems on a one-on-one basis to solving problems collectively, involving everyone who has a contribution to make. This concept is known as 'shared leadership'. As the complexity of knowledge increases, the need for shared leadership also increases.
Shared leadership is about letting the project team take over as much of the leadership role as they will accept. The project manager lets go of some authority and shares it with the team. As the team members assume more of the leadership role, they show increased willingness to participate in problem solving.
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BS11000.
- Can relationships in and between organisations make tangible differences to business performance?
- Collaborative practices.
- Collaboration: a quality management perspective.
- Five ways mentoring can benefit a career.
- Integrated project team.
- Integrated supply team.
- Leadership.
- Performance management plan.
- Project manager.
- Recruiting and retaining talent in the construction industry.
- Relationship management.
- Team behavioural roles.
- Team building.
- Team management (repeats some of the text in this article).
- Total quality management in construction.
External references
- Slevin, D 1983, Leadership and the project manager. Project management handbook,edited by Cleland and King, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York
- Construction Manager, Management styles. 2014
- Leadership Styles
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1. These Terms and Conditions govern contracts for the rental use of hotel rooms for lodging purposes, as well as all other goods and services rendered by the hotel for the customer in this connection (Hotel Accommodation Contract). The term “Hotel Accommodation Contract” comprises and replaces the following terms: accommodation, lodging, hotel, hotel room contract.
2. The prior consent in text form of the hotel is required if rooms provided are to be sublet or rented to other parties or used other than for lodging purposes, whereby section 540, para. 1, sentence 2 German Civil Code is waived insofar as the customer is not a consumer.
3. The customer’s general terms and conditions shall apply only if these are previously expressly agreed in text form.
3. Any claims against the hotel shall generally be time-barred one year after the commencement of the general statute of limitations period. Damage claims shall be time-barred after five years, independent of knowledge insofar as they are not based on claims arising out of death, injury to body, health or liberty. These damage claims shall be time-barred after ten years, independent of knowledge. The reduction of the statute of limitation periods shall not apply for claims which are based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of obligation by the hotel.
1. The hotel is obligated to keep the rooms reserved by the customer avail-able and to render the agreed services.
2. The customer is obligated to pay the agreed or applicable hotel prices for rooms provided and for other services used. This shall also apply to the ho-tel’s services and outlays to third parties caused by the customer. The agreed prices shall include the respective statutory Value Added Tax.
4. Hotel invoices not showing a due date are payable and due within eight days of receipt of the invoice without deduction. The hotel shall be entitled at any time to make accumulating accounts receivable payable and due and to demand payment without undue delay. With default of payment, the hotel shall be entitled to demand the respectively applicable statutory default interest in the amount of currently 8 % or, with legal transactions with a consumer, in the amount of 5 % above the base interest rate. The hotel reserves the right to prove greater damage.
5. The hotel is entitled to require a reasonable advance payment or security deposit from the customer upon conclusion of the contract in the form of a credit card guarantee, an advance payment, etc. The amount of the advance payment and payment dates may be agreed in text form in the contract. With advance payments or security deposits for package tours, the statutory provisions shall remain unaffected.
6. In justified cases, e.g. the customer’s default in payment or expansion of the scope of the contract, the hotel shall be entitled, also after the conclusion of the contract up to the commencement of the stay, to demand an advance payment or security deposit within the meaning of the above-mentioned No. 5 or an increase of the advance payment or security deposit agreed in the contract up to the total agreed remuneration.
7. Furthermore, the hotel shall be entitled, at the commencement and during the customer’s stay, to demand a reasonable advance payment or security deposit within the meaning of the above-mentioned No. 5 for existing and future accounts receivable from the contract, insofar as such has not already been paid pursuant to the above-mentioned No. 5 and/or No. 6.
8. The customer may only set-off or reduce or clear a claim by the hotel with a claim which is undisputed or decided with final, res judicata effect.
1. Insofar as it was agreed in text form that the customer can cancel the contract at no cost within a certain time period , the hotel is entitled for its part to cancel the contract during this time period if inquiries from other customers regarding the contractually reserved rooms exist and the customer, upon inquiry thereof by the hotel, does not waive his right of cancellation.
3. Moreover, the hotel is entitled to effect extraordinary cancellation of the contract for a materially justifiable cause, e.g. if – force majeure or other circumstances for which the hotel is not responsible make it impossible to fulfil the contract; – rooms and spaces are reserved with culpably misleading or false infor-mation regarding material contractual facts, such as the identity of the customer or the purpose of his stay; – the hotel has justified cause to believe that use of the hotel’s services might jeopardize the smooth operation of the hotel, its security or public reputation, without being attributable to the hotel’s sphere of control or organization; – the purpose or the cause of the stay is illegal; – there is a breach of the above-mentioned Item clause I., No. 2 supra.
1. The customer does not acquire the right to be provided specific rooms insofar as this is not expressly agreed in text form.
3. All rooms are non-smoking-rooms. Contravention: 150 Euro.
VII. Rooms must be vacated and made available to the hotel no later than 11:00 noon on the agreed departure date. After that time, on the grounds of the delayed vacating of the room for use exceeding the contractual time, the hotel may charge 50 % of the full accommodation rate (list price) for the additional use of the room until 4:00 p.m. (after 4:00 p.m.: 100 percent).
1. The hotel is liable for the performance of its obligations arising from the contract. Claims of the customer for reimbursement of damages are precluded except for such which result from death, injury to body or health and the hotel is responsible for the breach of the obligation, other damage which is caused by an intentional or grossly negligent breach of obligation and damage which is caused from an intentional or negligent breach of obligations of the hotel which are typical for the contract. A breach of obligation of the hotel is deemed to be the equivalent to a breach of a statutory representative or vicarious agent. Should disruptions or defects in the performance of the hotel occur, the hotel shall act to remedy such upon knowledge thereof or upon objection by the customer made without undue delay. The customer shall be obliged to undertake actions reasonable for him to eliminate the disruption and to keep any possible damage to a mini-mum.
2. The hotel is liable to the customer for property brought into the hotel in accordance with the statutory provisions. The hotel recommends that guests make use the hotel safe.
3. Insofar as a parking space is provided to the customer in the hotel garage or a hotel parking lot, this does not constitute a safekeeping agreement, even if a fee is exchanged.
4. Wake-up calls are carried out by the hotel with the greatest possible diligence. Messages, mail, and merchandise deliveries for guests shall be handled with care. The hotel will deliver, hold, and, for a fee, forward such items (on request). For the preclusion of damage claims of the customer, the regulation of the above-mentioned No. 1, sentences 2 to 4 supra shall apply respectively.
1. Amendments and supplements to the contract, the acceptance of applica-tions or these General Terms and Conditions should be made in text form. Unilateral amendments and supplements by the customer are not valid.
2. Place of performance and payment is the location of the hotel.
4. The contract is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The application of the UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods and Conflict Law are pre-cluded.
5. Should individual provisions of these General Terms and Conditions be or become invalid or void, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected thereby. The statutory provisions shall also be applicable.
1.1 These terms and conditions shall apply to contracts for the rental of the hotel’s conference, banquet, and convention rooms for events such as banquets, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and presentations, etc., as well as all other additional services and goods performed/ provided in connection therewith by the hotel for the customer.
1.2 The hotel’s prior consent in written form is required if the rooms, areas, or display cases are to be rented or sublet to a third party, or if invitations are issued for introductory interviews, sales promotions, or similar events, whereby section 540, para. 1, sentence 2 German Civil Code (BGB) is waived insofar as the customer is not a consumer.
2.2 The hotel is liable for harm inflicted on life, limb and physical health. Further it is liable for other damage caused with full intent or gross negligence or due to intentional or grossly negligent violation of obligations typical for the contract. A breach of obligation of the hotel is deemed to be the equivalent to a breach of a statutory representative or vicarious agent. All other claims for damages are excluded, if not determined differently in this No. 9. Should disruptions or defects in the performance of the hotel occur, the hotel shall act to remedy such upon knowledge thereof or upon objection by the customer made without undue delay. The customer shall be obliged to undertake actions reasonable for him to eliminate the disruption and to keep any possible damage to a minimum. In addition, the customer shall be obliged to notify the hotel in due time if there is a possibility that extraordinarily extensive damage may be incurred.
2.3 Any claims against the hotel shall generally be time-barred one year after the commencement of the general statute of limitations period. Damage claims shall be time-barred after five years, dependent on knowledge thereof, insofar as they are not based on claims arising out of harm inflicted on life, limb, physical health or liberty. These damage claims shall be time-barred after ten years independent of knowledge thereof. The reduction of the statute of limitation periods shall not apply to claims which are based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of obligation by the hotel.
3.4 Hotel invoices not stating a due date are payable without deduction and due within eight days of receipt of the invoice. The hotel can demand immediate payment of due debt from the customer. With default of payment, the hotel shall be entitled to demand the respectively applicable statutory default interest in the amount of currently 8 % or, with legal transactions with a consumer, in the amount of 5 % above the base interest rate. The hotel reserves the right to prove greater damage.
3.5 The hotel is entitled to require a reasonable advance payment or a security, such as a credit card guarantee, from the customer upon conclusion of the contract. The amount of the advance payment and payment dates may be agreed in written form in the contract.
4.3 The hotel is entitled to the contractually agreed rate even if the rooms are not used, if a contractual right of withdrawal was not agreed or has expired, a statutory right of withdrawal or cancellation is not given and the hotel does not give its consent to the cancellation of the contract. The hotel must credit the income from renting the rooms to other parties as well as for saved expenses. Saved expenses can be assessed in a lump sum according to No. 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6. The customer is at liberty to show, that the claim has not arisen at all or that it is much lower than the demanded claim. The hotel is at liberty to show that a higher claim has arisen.
4.4 If the customer withdraws from the contract between the fifth and fourth week prior to the date of the event, the hotel shall be entitled to charge – in addition to the agreed rent – 35 % of lost food sales (70 % of food sales for any later cancellation).
4.5 Food sales are calculated using the following formula: agreed menu price x the number of participants. If no price had yet been agreed for the menu, then the least expensive threecourse menu in the current set of event offerings shall apply.
4.6 If a seminar flat rate per participant has been agreed, then the hotel shall be entitled to charge, with a cancellation between the fifth and fourth week prior to the date of the event, 60 % of the seminar flat rate x the agreed number of participants (85 % for any later cancellation).
5.3 Moreover, the hotel is entitled to effect extraordinary withdrawal from the contract for a materially justifiable cause, in particular if – force majeure or other circumstances beyond the hotel’s control render the fulfilment of the contract impossible; – rooms or spaces are reserved with culpably misleading or false information or concealment regarding essential facts; the identity or solvency of the customer or the purpose of his stay can constitute essential facts; – the hotel has justified cause to believe that use of the hotel’s services might jeopardize the smooth operation of the hotel, its security or public reputation, without being attributable to the hotel’s sphere of control or organization; – the purpose or the cause of the stay is illegal; – there is a breach of the above-mentioned No. 1.2.
5.4 The justified withdrawal by the hotel constitutes no claims for damages for the tour operator.
6.1 An increase of the number of participants by more than 5 % must be communicated to the hotel no later than five working days before the beginning of the event; the hotel must give its consent, preferably in written form. The invoice will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of participants and will be based on at least 95 % of the agreed higher number of participants. If the actual number of participants is lower, the customer has the right to reduce the agreed price by the expenses saved – to be proven by him – due to the lower number of participants.
6.2 A reduction in the number of participants of more than 5 % must be communicated to the hotel no later than five working days before the beginning of the event. The invoice is based on the actual number of participants, at least 95% of the finally agreed number of participants though. No. 6.1 sentence 3 applies accordingly.
6.3 If the number of participants changes by more than 10 %, the hotel shall be entitled to redetermine the agreed prices and to exchange the confirmed room reservations unless this is unreasonable for the customer.
8.2 Consent is required for the use of the customer’s electrical systems on the hotel’s electrical circuit. The customer shall be liable for malfunctions of or damage to the hotel’s technical facilities caused by using such equipment, to the extent that the hotel is not at fault. The hotel may charge a flat fee for electricity costs incurred through such usage.
9.1 Customer shall bear the risk of damage or loss of objects on exhibit or other items including personal property brought into the event rooms/hotel. The hotel assumes no liability for loss, destruction, or damage to or of such objects, also not for property damages, with the exception of cases of gross negligence or intent on the part of the hotel. Excepted herefrom are cases of damage caused as a result of harm inflicted on life, limb and physical health. In addition, in all cases in which the safekeeping represents a contractually typical obligation due to the circumstances of the individual case, release from this liability shall be prohibited.
9.3 Objects on exhibit and other items must be removed immediately following the end of the event. If the customer fails to do so, the hotel may remove and store such at the customer’s expense. If the objects remain in the room used for the event, the hotel may charge a reasonable compensation for use for the period that they remain there.
11.2 For commercial transactions the place of performance and payment as well as, in the event of litigation, including disputes for checks and bills of exchange, the exclusive court of jurisdiction is at Berlin. Insofar as a contracting party fulfills the requirement of section 38. Para. 2 of the German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO), and does not have a place of general jurisdiction within the country, the courts at Berlin shall have jurisdiction.
11.3 The contract is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with German law. The application of the UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods and the Conflict Law are precluded. 11.4 Should individual provisions of these general terms and conditions for Events be or become invalid or void, the validity of the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected thereby. The statutory provisions shall also be applicable. | https://aparthotel-residenz.de/en/agb/ |
External Combustion Engine Pdf
Submission Browse by Subjects. The expansion pushes a piston which is attached to a crankshaft and produces motion.
Turbocharger housing construction for marine turbocharger and device for turbocharging a marine engine. An external combustion engine serves as in intermediate chamber which. The interior of the combustion chamber is lined with a refractory material. Intended as it is for turbine application it does not include water cooled jackets, and no water injection. Definition of external combustion engine.
The purpose is to maintain the inner wall of the combustor within a metal tolerable temperature range. Without phase change hot air engines. Ability to burn less refined and less expensive fuels that do not require antidetonants. Since the intention is to produce a fluid of temperature similar to that of a boiler, neither the compressor, the combustor nor the motor have jackets. Steam-powered cars, like these vintage Stanley Steamers, are good examples of an external combustion engine being used to power an automobile.
Steam engines are an example of external combustion engines. The invention of Norman does not include any means in the combustor to improve the combustion, nor suggest the intention of reducing the formation of contaminants. Method of operating a reciprocating internal combustion engine and the system. In the present invention the cooling medium is water and the cooling water is injected into the combustion gas stream to reduce the formation of contaminants and to increase the efficiency.
In an internal combustion engine, the working fluid consists of a combustible fluid placed inside a cylinder. In steam engines, the water is boiled in a container, producing steam.
The steam generated by the water mixes with the combustion gases and expands with them in the power mechanism. This last practice is well known and used in high specific output internal combustion engines. Cost was a factor in the shift, too.
External Combustion Engine PDF
External heat engine
Test your vocabulary with our question quiz! This invention does not include any means in the combustor to improve the combustion, and the intention of the inventor never was to reduce the formation of contaminants.
Learn More about external combustion engine. If this temperature is maintained at a value sufficiently low, the generation and emission of these nitrogen oxides is further reduced. First engine tests have been started. Of those, the external combustion engine is the most promising source of mechanical energy in the field of transportation. Please help us raise funds to update and increase the number of pages.
External combustion engine
The pistons are moved due to a cyclic change of gas phase working fluid pressure under the influence of its temperature and volume change. This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.
Method to control excess air by bypass valves between compressor and working cavities of pistons of single-stroke engine with external combustion chamber. In the external combustion engine, it is possible to use any kinds of fuel, both gaseous and liquid. The strength of external combustion engines compared to the internal combustion engines is their compatibility with a wide variety of renewable energy and fuel sources. Other devices normally encountered in an engine such as the starter motor, the fuel pump, the fuel tank, the cam shaft that operates the engine valves, design of steel structure book pdf etc.
They may use a supply of heat from any source such as biomass and biomass-derived products, municipal waste, nuclear, solar, geothermal, or exothermic reactions not involving combustion in which. The invention of Milliken does not include any means in the combustor to improve the combustion. The combustion performed in a combustor does not require antidetonants and therefore no lead compounds are emitted. Steam cars are now seen as something of a curiosity.
Main Difference Internal vs External Combustion Engine
What made you want to look up external combustion engine? Do you know the person or title these quotes describe? Moreover, both strokes of the piston are working ones in contrary to any other types of piston engines.
How does an electric water pump benefit your engine? There is nothing that could suggest that the water injected is the same that cools the jackets. In spite of the improvements achieved, its inherent geometry makes it impossible to obtain a complete solution. The manufacturing technology is the same as the technology of the internal combustion engines. The most common way of doing this is by the combustion of a fuel.
It is shown in this manner to simplify the description, but it can have several cylinders arranged in line or in V, or be of the rotary type. In other projects Wikimedia Commons. Once a steam engine comes up to full heat, it provides consistent pressure.
External combustion engine pdf The difference between internal and external combustion engines, as their names. It does not include any means to inject the water that cools the jackets of the engine into the combustor. Steam engines and Stirling engines are the best known examples of external combustion engines. Time Traveler for external combustion engine. The arrows show the path of the water from the water tank to the combustor.
It solves the problems of high-temperature sealing and balancing of the pistons and reduces heat losses. In practice the Stirling thermodynamic cycle deviates from the theoretical cycle due to frictional losses, working fluid leakage, dead volumes etc. Heat then needs to be transferred to the cylinder where work is done. Now that better and stronger materials are available, the Stirling may have fresh potential. Four-stroke Diesel and petrol gasoline engines are internal combustion engines.
In an external combustion engine, the combustion takes place outside the cylinder. It includes a compressor, an external combustor and an auxiliary expansion motor that drives the compressor. The car didn't meet the contest's qualifications and was unable to race, but it succeeded in getting people to consider the Stirling engine once again. Download as PowerPoint Slide Larger image png format.
Intended as it is for turbine applications it does not include water cooled jackets, nor water injection. This chemical reaction depends of various factors, of which the temperature of the gases in the combustor and in the duct that connects it with the power mechanism is the most important. You all would not have guessed some of these. Statistics for external combustion engine Look-up Popularity. However the spark ignition engines are recognized by their carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emission. | http://7167508.ru/external-combustion-engine-pdf.html |
(The Center Square) – Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has sent letters to 42 businesses that have been accused of illegally increasing the prices on goods because of higher demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is unfortunate that businesses will take advantage of a situation like a public health crisis to try and make more money off of necessary goods like hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, face masks, or water,” Herring said in a statement. “My office and I take price gouging complaints very seriously, and I hope that these letters will send a strong message to businesses across Virginia that price gouging will not be tolerated here.”
Herring’s letters issue a warning to the business that have been accused of price gouging, request documentation of pricing practices before and after Gov. Ralph Northam’s state of emergency declaration, and advise the business to stop any price gouging practices. The letters said Herring’s office has the authority to investigate the complaints.
Northam’s declaration of a state of emergency triggered Virginia's Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act, which prohibits “unconscionable prices” for “necessary goods and services.” Some necessary goods include food, water and medicine.
Critics of such crackdowns argue that price gouging can prevent shortages and discourage people from buying goods they don’t need, which frees up the goods for those who have the greatest need.
As of Wednesday morning, the Virginia Department of Health reported Virginia has 1,484 COVID-19 cases, 208 hospitalizations and 34 deaths. The country has more than 191,000 cases and at least 4,138 deaths.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. COVID-19 symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.
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Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia and Tennessee for The Center Square. He previously worked for the Cause of Action Institute and has been published in Business Insider, USA TODAY College, National Review Online and the Washington Free Beacon. | |
How to comply with GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulations are the most significant changes to data privacy laws since 1995. Compliance is essential for any organisation that collects or processes data within the EU. This article shall give a brief overview of some of its most essential aspects of GDPR compliance, but it is strongly recommended that if there is any uncertainty in the application of GDPR, that your organisation seeks legal counsel.
How to become GDPR compliant:
1) Become familiar with GDPR
Any organisation that falls under the jurisdiction of GDPR should familiarise themselves with the legislation, the language used in it, and what it expects of organisations. A thorough awareness of the new regulations is essential in ensuring that the processes and procedures of the business are such that they meet with GDPR requirements.
2) Perform an audit on their data
All organisations covered by GDPR are required to know the details of the data they hold, where they hold the data, why they hold the data, and which employees are responsible for managing it. The most effective way of obtaining this information is by performing a thorough audit of the data. One of the most significant changes introduced by GDPR involves how organisations obtain consent from individuals to use their data. Organisations must also ascertain whether they have obtained appropriate consent, and consequently whether they can still legally process the data. If the organisation finds that it had not obtained the appropriate consent, or if the consent has expired, they may need to delete the data.
3) Check processes and procedures
GDPR requires all businesses to know what data they, where and how they store it, and who is responsible for managing it. Organisations must ensure that they can have processes and procedures in place to enable compliance with these requirements. They also need to fully document these processes and procedures so that they can prove they are acting in compliance.
4) Check consent processes
Businesses need to ensure that they have obtained explicit consent from individuals to process personal data, except if there are valid legal reasons for them to process the data. Businesses must inform individuals of the specific reason for processing. There can be no
ambiguity over whether or not the business obtained appropriate consent. Individuals need to take an unambiguous affirmative action to agree to its use.
Therefore, it’s no longer permitted for a business to use pre-checked tick boxes or silence on a telephone line to obtain consent. All consent gathered in such a fashion is no longer valid. Organisations must contact individuals and obtain their consent again to continue using this data.
5) Recognise high-risk data and processes
Article 9 of GDPR covers “high risk” data. Businesses need to assess whether aspects of their data processing might be covered by Article 9. Businesses may need to alter their businesses practices to account for high-risk data. If the business does not have the capability to adjust its practices properly, the business should seek advice from the relevant Data Processing Authority (DPA) before they attempt to process any of the data.
6) Plan for a data breach
GDPR introduces strict new procedures that must be followed in the event of a data breach. Organisations must report data breaches within 72 hours of discovery. Therefore, small businesses must have a contingency plan in place to ensure that if a data breach were to occur, they can meet this strict deadline and enact damage control procedures.
7) Consider hiring a data protection expert
The appointment of a data protection officer (DPO) is only a requirement for large businesses under GDPR. Regardless, if it is within the means of a small organisation, they should consider doing so. Furthermore, if the business is processing sensitive information, as described in Article 9 of the GDPR, it may be a requirement for them to do so.
If an organisation find themselves unable to hire a DPO, the business may use a third- party expert or providing suitable training to someone who already works within the business. The DPO’s roles include educating staff members on subject data rights, advising the organisation on data management and GDPR compliant, assessing IT networks and data security systems on their effectiveness, monitoring internal data compliance and cooperating with the Lead Supervisory Authority. | https://www.compliancehome.com/how-to-comply-with-gdpr/ |
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